Assessment of groundwater governance in the transboundary Cambodia-Mekong River Delta aquifer system | |
| Author | Uprety, Tungish |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.WM-24-04 |
| Subject(s) | Groundwater--Mekong River Delta (Vietnam and Cambodia) Watershed management--Cambodia Water-supply--Cambodia |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering in Water Engineering and Management, School of Engineering and Technology |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis; no. WM-24-04 |
| Abstract | Groundwater, constituting 30% of global freshwater volume, plays a vital role to meet the domestic, agricultural, industrial, and environmental needs of millions of people residing in the Lower Mekong Region (LMR). However, rapid urbanization, climate change, mismanagement, and other stressors have threatened these resources, particularly in a critical transboundary aquifer system such as the Cambodia-Mekong River Delta Aquifer System. This research strives to address the absence of a comprehensive framework that can quantitatively assess the existing state of groundwater governance in international transboundary aquifer systems. In doing so, a generic framework comprising four dimensions, twenty-seven benchmarking indicators, two variables, and two sub-variables has been formulated, culminating in a Transboundary Groundwater Governance Index (TGGI) on a scale of 0 to 3. Analysis of historical trends in stressors in the Cambodia-Mekong River Delta Aquifer System revealed increasing trends of precipitation, temperatures, along with urban expansion, and rapid population growth in the past. Likewise, projections and future trend assessments of stressors under different scenarios in this region revealed a likely increasing trend of precipitation (up to 13% under SSP 5-8.5) and temperatures (up to 5.6oC under SSP 5-8.5) until 2100. This is alongside urban expansion and forest loss, with urban areas in Siem Reap, Cambodia and Can Tho, Vietnam expected to increase by up to 125 and 8 times, respectively, by 2100. The population in the study region is expected to increase until 2060 and decline thereafter. Using the formulated framework, the existing state of transboundary groundwater governance in this region was found to be in the ‘Incipient’ state (TGGI = 0.84) with gaps in provisions and institutional capacities concerning operational, institutional, legal, and financial aspects of groundwater governance. Strategies such as reallocating finances, enhancing institutional capacities, promoting inclusive policy frameworks, and fostering transparency in data and information sharing are recommended to enhance transboundary groundwater governance in this region. The research findings will aid regional groundwater policymakers, implementers, and practitioners, in understanding the strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement in transboundary groundwater governance within the Cambodia-Mekong River Delta Aquifer System. |
| Year | 2024 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis; no. WM-24-04 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Engineering and Technology |
| Department | Department of Civil and Infrastucture Engineering (DCIE) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Water Engineering and Management (WM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Shrestha, Sangam; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Shanmugam, Mohana Sundaram;Nattachet Tangdamrongsub; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | AIT Scholarships; |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2024 |