Transboundary Water Allocation in the Yellow River and the Nile River: A Comparative Analysis on Water Scarcity and Institutional Aspects

摘要

One of the early signs that water conflicts are looming, is the occurrence of water scarcity. Water scarcity is more than a matter of decreased supply or increased demand; actually it is influenced by a variety of factors, including topography, climate, economic activities, population growth, cultural beliefs, power relationships, and so on. In recent decades due to the complicity of those factors, water scarcity has become or is threatening to become a bottleneck for socio - economic development in the constituting entities in the Yellow River (YR) and the Nile River (NR). In this paper we argue that it is the nature of the river that matters and not the political or legal regime. We advocate that natural relations essentialize the river's catchments, and that from this point of view, the national YR and the international NR are comparable. In our comparative analysis between YR and NR we articulate the disputes of water use under the condition of scarcity and a variety of driving forces. Given the essence of sustainability, to be understood as not only environmental but also moral, political etc. , our suggested alternative vision of basin wide water sharing for the YR and NR should be driven by the principle of "equitable utilisation" and willingness to cooperate.