Skip to main content
Log in

The frontier problem in incipient groundwater management regimes in Balochistan (Pakistan)

  • Published:
Human Ecology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Using case material on the exploitation of groundwater in Balochistan Province in Pakistan, the article studies how resource management regimes evolve or fail to evolve. Incipient resource management regimes face two problems: the definition of access rights and the lack of knowledge on the limits and regenerative capacities of the resource as well as on the behavior of the co-users. These problems will usually be addressed as soon as increased exploitation makes itself first felt in declining groundwater exploitation, though this does not necessary mean that the resource is exploited at levels that are not sustainable. As exploitation will continue to increase however the point of overexploitation may be reached, beyond which it will be much more difficult for a resource management regime to evolve.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Berkes, F. (1992). Success and failure in marine coastal fisheries in Turkey. In Bromley, D. (ed.),Making the Commons Work: Theory, Practice and Policy. ICS Press, San Francisco.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blomquist, W. (1992).Dividing the Waters: Governing Groundwater in Southern California. ICS Press, San Fransisco.

    Google Scholar 

  • BMIADP (1989).Brief Note on the Decline of Groundwater Table in Ziargai Artificial Groundwater Recharge Scheme. Government of Balochistan, Quetta.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bromley, D., and Cernea, M. (1989). The Management of Common Property Natural Resources: Some Conceptual and Operational Fallacies. Discussion paper 59, World Bank, Washington, D.C.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buzdar, N. M. (1992). The role of institutions in the management of commonly-owned rangelands in Baluchistan. In Dove, M.R., and Carpenter, C. (eds.),Sociology of Natural Resources in Pakistan and Adjoining Countries. Vanguard Books, Lahore, pp. 218–238.

    Google Scholar 

  • Caponera, D. A. (1973). Water Laws in Moslem Countries. FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 20/1, FAO, Rome.

    Google Scholar 

  • Directorate of Agriculture, Statistics Wing (1990). Agricultural Statistics Balochistan 1989–1990, Quetta.

  • Falloux, F. (1987). Land management, titling, tenancy. In Davis, T. J. and Schirmer, I. A. (eds.),Sustainability Issues in Agricultural Development: Proceedings of the Seventh Agriculture Sector Symposium. World Bank, D.C. 190–208.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feder, G. (1989). The implications of land registration and titling in Thailand. In Meyers, L. R. (eds.),Innovations in Resource Management: Proceedings of the Ninth Agriculture Sector Symposium World Bank, Washington, D.C., pp. 121–133.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feeny, D., Berkes, F., McCay, B. and Acheson, J. M. (1990). The tragedy of the commons: Twenty-two years later.Human Ecology 18(1): 1–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Field, B. C. (1989). The evolution of property rights.Kyklos 42(3): 319–345.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goetze, D. (1987). Identifying appropriate institutions for efficient use of common pools.Natural Resources Journal 27: 187–199.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jodha, N. S. (1991).Rural Common Property Resources: A Growing Crisis. Gatekeeper Series 24, IIED, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Korten, F. F. (1987). The policy framework for community management. In Korten D.C. (ed.),Community Management: Asian Experiences and Perspectives. Kumarian Press, West hartford, pp. 275–291.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moench, M. (1992). Chasing the Watertable: Equity and Sustainability in Groundwater Management, Gujarat, India. Paper for Third Common Property Conference IASCP, Washington, DC, September 1992.

  • Nawaz, M., and Khan, F. K. (1990). Irrigation and Land Use in Kech Valley, Makran. Unpublished Report, Dept. of Geography, University of Balochistan, Quetta.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ostrom, E. (1988). Institutional arrangements and the commons dilemma. In Ostrom, V., Feeny, D., and Picht, H. (eds.),Rethinking Institutional Analysis: Development Issues, Alternatives and Choices. ICS Press, San Francisco, pp. 101–139.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ostrom, E. (1992).Crafting Institutions for Self-Governing Irrigation Systems. ICS Press, San Francisco.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pastner, S., and Pastner, C. McC. (1972). Agriculture, kinship and politics in Southern Baluchistan.Man 7(1): 128–136.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rao, D. S. K. (1991). Groundwater Development and Management in the Critical Areas of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu of South India. IMN Paper 5/October 1991, ODI, London, pp. 34–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Raqya, A. B. (1991). Study on Rationalising Groundwater Use by Electrification of Shallow Wells. IMN Paper 5/October 1991, ODI, pp. 3–8.

  • Runge, C. F. (1981). Common property externalities: Isolation, Assurance and Resource Depletion in a Traditional Grazing Context.American Journal of Agricultural Economics 63(4): 595–606.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shah, T. (1990). Sustainable Development of Groundwater Resources: Lessons from Amrapur and Husseinabad Villages, India. ODI/IIMI Irrigation Management Network Paper 90/3d, ODI, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shukrullah, S. M. A., and Khan, B. (1989). The Diffusion of Tubewell Technology and Karez Abandonment in Baluchistan: A socio-economic perspective. In Tirmizi, J. and Parlin, B. (eds.),Societal Dynamics and Irrigation Systems. PCRWR, Islamabad, pp. 79–86.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spooner, B. (1992). Insiders and outsiders in Baluchistan: Western and indigenous perspectives on ecology and development. In Dove, M.R., and Carpenter, C. (eds.),Sociology of Natural Resources in Pakistan and Adjoining Countries. Vanguard, lahore, pp. 430–444.

    Google Scholar 

  • van de Laar, A. (1990). A Framework for the Analysis of Common Property Natural Resources. ISS Working Paper 77, Institute of Social Studies, The Hague.

    Google Scholar 

  • WAPDA (1977). Groundwater Investigations in Selected Areas in Balochistan: Mästung (Shirinab-Pishin Basin). Preliminary Hydrogeological Report 1, WAPDA Hydrogeology Directorate, Quetta.

    Google Scholar 

  • WAPDA (1978). Groundwater Investigations in Selected Areas of Baluchistan: Reconnaissance Survey of Kuchlak Area (Pishin Lora Basin). Internal Hydrogeologie Report 8, WAPDA Hydrogeology Directorate, Quetta.

    Google Scholar 

  • WAPDA (1983). Groundwaters of Rakshan River Basin. Quetta: WAPDA Hydrogeology Project.

    Google Scholar 

  • WAPDA (1989). Groundwater Levels During 1975–1989 in Mastung Sub-Basin. WAPDA Hydrogeology Project. Quetta.

    Google Scholar 

  • WAPDA (1992). Uncontrolled Mining of Groundwater in Balochistan and Possible Remedial Measures. WAPDA Hydrogeology Project, Quetta.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilkinson, J. C. (1978). Islamic water law with special reference to oasis settlement.Journal of Arid Environments 1: 87–96.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

van Steenbergen, F. The frontier problem in incipient groundwater management regimes in Balochistan (Pakistan). Hum Ecol 23, 53–74 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01190098

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01190098

Key words

Navigation