HAPRI team, Dr. Tran Anh Thong, Dr. Dung Duc Tran and Oc Van Vo, present findings in a newly released paper
Shrimp farming in the freshwater zones of the Ba Lai case study
The research examines evolving approaches to water management in Vietnam's Mekong Delta as the region grapples with increasing water scarcity. A study published in the journal Ambio analyzes how adaptive management strategies are being deployed to address water challenges and work towards long-term water security in this vital agricultural region.
The Mekong Delta has historically been characterized by abundant water resources that supported intensive rice cultivation and other agricultural activities. However, the interplay of climate change impacts, upstream hydropower development, and local water infrastructure projects has dramatically altered the delta's hydrology in recent decades.
The study focuses on two ecologically distinct provinces - An Giang in the upper delta floodplains and Ben Tre in the coastal zone. Through stakeholder consultations, interviews, and policy analysis, the researchers trace a paradigm shift in water management approaches. There has been a transition from policies focused on water expulsion and flood control to support rice production, towards an increasing emphasis on water retention and achieving water security.
This shift reflects a process of institutional learning and adaptation in the face of emerging water scarcity challenges. The study examines how policymakers and water managers are grappling with the legacy of past infrastructure decisions while trying to chart more sustainable pathways forward.
The findings highlight the complex interplay between regional climate and development dynamics and local water management interventions. They also underscore the need to consider water-livelihood relationships and resolve contestations between government policies and local farming communities.
The evolving pathways of adaptive water management in addressing water scarcity and achieving water security in the study areas
Overall, this research provides valuable insights into evolving approaches to water governance in a globally significant river delta facing profound environmental changes. It illustrates both the challenges and opportunities in pursuing adaptive management to enhance long-term water security.
KEYWORDS:
Adaptive management
Climate change
Saltwater intrusion
Vietnamese Mekong Delta
Water scarcity
Citation:
Tran, T. A., Tran, D. D., Van Vo, O., Pham, V. H. T., Van Tran, H., Yong, M. L., ... & Dang, P. T. (2024). Evolving pathways towards water security in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta: An adaptive management perspective. Ambio, 1-15. 10.1007/s13280-024-02045-0
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