The effectiveness of small-to-medium river basin organizations in China: a case study of the Erhai Lake Basin Management Commission

Abstract

Drawing on empirical evidence from a case study conducted in the upper Mekong catchment, this article assesses the performance of the Erhai Lake Basin Management Commission, an organization mandated to control pollution and integrate the diverse interests of those individuals and communities living and working near Erhai Lake. Clear local rules, strong enforcement, practical protocols, clear responsibilities and extensive mobilization have been crucial to the success of this small river basin organization. However, the insufficient involvement of numerous important stakeholders in decision-making processes has decreased the commission’s capacity to address water issues.

Keywords::

• river basin organization
• integrated watershed management
• institutional performance
• Erhai Lake
• China
• effectiveness

Acknowledgements

I sincerely appreciate the support of the Mekong Program on Water, Environment and Resilience (M-POWER) during my case study. Additionally, this research would not have been possible without generous assistance from the Challenge Program on Water and Food (CPWF), the D Foundation for Doing Good Work and my host institution, the Greater Mekong Sub-Region Study Centre at Yunnan University in China. For their extensive academic feedback and invaluable assistance during my field work, I thank Dr Lu Xing and Ms Xue Pei of Yunnan University; Dr John Dore of the CPWF; Dr Niki West and Mr Noel Rajesh of M-POWER; and Mr Wu, Mr Li, Mr Zhao and Ms Xu of the ELBMC, all of whom shared their work experience with me and engaged me in interesting discussions.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Challenge Program on Water and Food of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research through a Mekong Program on Water, Environment and Resilience Fellowship.