Understanding the Process and Objectives for the Sustainable Development of Water Resources

The traditional methods of development are undermining the ecological systems that support the communities that are reliant upon them. There is a need to acknowledge that ecosystems have limited capacities to supply resources and assimilate wastes. The philosophies of indigenous societies must be rediscovered and applied to the modern world, to develop within the limits of nature and technology. The inevitability of change in natural systems must also be recognised, so that adaptability and continual improvement become a characteristic of development and resource management structures. An innovative conceptual model of development paths, referred to as the 'sustainability whirlwind', is used to demonstrate that with shared values and clear direction the path to sustainability can be shorter. The degree of sustainability achieved is also dependent upon the state of knowledge and management decisions, and upon the evolution of appropriate technology. Practical objectives for water resources development are discussed, providing the philosophical and strategic basis for sound water resource management.