Investigating the resolution of water-related conflicts through local approaches in Punjab, Pakistan

Sohaib Usman, Aqeela Saghir, Khalid Mahmood Ch., Muhammad Tahir

Abstract


This study aimed to explore the use of local strategies by the farmers to resolve water-related conflicts in District Gujranwala of the Punjab, province. Total 384 farmers chosen at random were interviewed face to face on a structured questionnaire. Collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics like frequency, percentages, mean and F-test. Findings indicated that distribution of canal water at farm level (x̄=3.6), water theft (x̄=3.18) and Illegal ways of usage of canal water (x̄=3.14) were the key causes of water conflicts. Whereas, Panchayat (x̄=3.90), intermarriage between the conflicting parties (x̄=3.46), Payment of compensation to victims (x̄=3.46), Political pressure (x̄=3.42), use of thana culture (x̄=3.37) and migration (x̄=3.37) were the prominent strategies adopted locally by the farmers to resolve the conflicts. This study concludes that farmers had over-reliance on the non-formal judicial system, thus a comparison of the non-formal and formal judicial systems is suggested for future researchers. Moreover, a proactive institutional role is much needed for the formal resolution of conflicts and stoppage of water theft.                   


Keywords


Conflicts; Water; Strategies; Panchayat; Conflicts management

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DOI: 10.33687/ijae.009.03.3383

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