Conflict network of farming communities with the multi-stakeholders of a water basin: Insights from the ZayandehRud Basin in Iran

Abstract

Study region

The Zayandehrud Basin, Iran.

Study focus

Water conflict refers to disputes among diverse stakeholders who govern or depend on common water resources. This research examines the conflict network of farming communities with other stakeholders through a case study or stakeholder analysis using semi-structured interviews with 26 water experts and 25 key informant farmers and a survey by interviewing 301 randomly selected farmers in the basin.

New hydrological insights for the region

Farmers have faced increased vulnerability, conflicts and water scarcity, exacerbated by the escalating demand for water from municipalities and industries. The Social Network Analysis (SNA) reveals that this complex conflict exists within and across upstream and downstream sub-basins (conflict density between 0.767 and 0.221). The most pronounced conflicts arise with national governmental stakeholders, inter-basin water transfer companies, and large industries (conflict closeness=1.000). Farmers perceive these stakeholders as diminishing their water allocation through policies or heightened water demand. Strong or moderate conflicts occur across the upstream and downstream areas, primarily with the government, municipal bodies, and the farmers of other sub-basins. In addition to the inter-sectoral disputes of agriculture with municipalities and industries, farmers within each specific area tend to hold stakeholders of other areas accountable for water scarcity. These conflicts can hinder integrated water governance by involving multi-stakeholders from different sub-basins. The intensified water conflicts can worsen water scarcity and social conflicts.