The integrated river basin management (IRBM) has been one of core areas of GWP China. The governance and development of the River Black provide a demonstration that ties challenges of transboundary cooperation between three provinces, collaboration of multiple sectors (water, agriculture, environment, forestry, etc.).
On August 18 and 20, 2017, the WACDEP team visited Gansu and Inner-Mongolia.
As the second largest inland river in China and main tributary of the Yellow River, the River Black rises on the slopes of the Qilian Mountains referring to ‘the mountains in the heaven’ in Hun’s language (as ancient as the Roman Empire). Differ from other rivers; the River Black flows from south to northwest whereas the majority runs over the country from west to east. It crosses Qinghai Province, Gansu Province, and Inner Mongolia, and finally, flows out into the desert. In the last century, the River Black was suffered by overload & irrational human activities, resulting in the lower reaches severe shrinking to threaten the Ejina oasis on the river basin. The deterioration also turned into a source of Sandstorm in the north as well as a threat to the domestic lives of local people and Astronautics projects along the basin.
Back to the last century, the River basin was suffered by overload & irrational human activities, resulting in the lower reaches dangerous shrinking that threatens the Ejina oasis located at the end of the river. The deterioration also turned into a source of Sandstorm in the north of China as well as a severe threat to the life of civilians and defense projects along the basin. The River Black Administration founded in 2000 for reversing falling ecosystem of the basin. The history of 17 years keeps the record of extraordinary outcomes of integrated water management progress, trans-provincial & intersectoral collaboration as well as water ambient quality and ecosystem recovery.
In the survey journey of the GWP China- -WACDEP research team consists of key officials of the River Black Administration and Eiqina Administration (local water sector of Inner Mongolia), as well as professionals from GWP China Yellow River Basin, GWP China Shaanxi and Hebei. Under “the WACDEP package one transboundary cooperation” from 2017 to 2019, it’s expected to develop lessons learned cases regarding integrated river basin management, share experiences with domestic and international professionals as well as to strengthen the governance skills of the River Black Administration by exchanging management principles and expertise. The outcome of Phase I (2017) is to get a better understanding of the River Black Basin. During the investigation journey, the WACDEP team visited Gansu and Inner-Mongolia. In Gansu, the satellite monitoring system reflects actual water consumption of irrigation, cities, and industries, as well as supports the Administration to balance water supply between high, middle and low reaches. In most irrigation areas, the local water user association (WUA) plays a key role in water management decision making at the grassroots level. Upon mature coordination mechanism, the River Black Administration, local water authority and WUA can achieve consensus on ‘authority/obligation of facilities,' ‘water pricing system’ or ‘consumption ratio.' To Gansu and Inner Mongolia, the Wind East (Dong Feng) Reservoir plays a vital role in water supply, particularly in dry seasons (Spring and Autumn). The Reservoir is the biggest supplier to the Astronautics projects, as well as the only source to all oasis of Inner Mongolia. For the sake of the Reservoir and established transboundary cooperation mechanisms, the tragedy of dry oasis in low-reach ended in 2004. This inland river has retained flows without a break off for over a decade, contributing to sandstorm control, ecosystem rehabilitation, increase of water ambient quality, and coordination between provinces, multiple sectors and inhabitants on the basin.
Supported by the River Black Administration, the WACDEP team is working on a case study regarding the integrated river basin management of the River Black this year. The governance optimization or technology provision beneficial to the river basin will conduct in 2018 and 2019.
(Photos by DAI, Jun, the River Black Administration)