Chapter
3:
Methodology
obstables.
Case
studies
are
deemed
a
necessary
tool
for
this
assessment.
The
selection
of
the
cases
to
be
studied
will
be
done
on
the
basis
of
their
hydro-‐geological,
legal,
economic
and
socio-‐geographic
significance.
The
difference
in
hydro-‐geological
conditions
provides
a
first
entry
point
for
the
case
study
selection.
Yemen
is
heavily
dependent
on
groundwater
resources
since
the
technology
of
diesel
pumps
became
available.
Conflicts
around
these
resources
arise
in
the
vicinity
of
populated
areas
and
irrigated
agricultural
lands
with
water
intensive
crops
(predominantly
qat
production).
As
such
four
distinct
case
study
areas
arise:
1.
Competition
on
groundwater
in
highlands
2.
Conflicts
on
surface
water
in
ephemeral
rivers
3.
Peri-‐urban
competition
4.
Special
cases
of
high
importance:
e.g.,
the
Marib
dam
It
is
understood
that:
•
We
are
not
necessarily
looking
at
open
conflicts,
but
also
at
conflictuous
situations
–
including
the
phenomena
of
conflicts
not
rising
to
the
surface
but
leading
to
a
void
situation
that
perpetuates
(resource
degradation).
•
We
are
also
interested
in
co-‐operation;
in
fact
singularly
emphasizing
water
conflicts
has
political
connotations,
in
particular
the
right
to
intervene.
• We
need
to
be
cognizant
of
the
fact
that
some
water
conflicts
are
hidden
in
land
conflicts.
The
next
section
describes
the
case
studies
options
in
greater
detail
as
known
to
us
during
the
start
of
the
research.
The
options
are
to
great
extent
derived
from
personal
communication
with
Yemen
experts.
3.2.1
Competition
on
groundwater
in
highlands
Key
characteristics
on
competition
on
groundwater
in
highlands:
•
Conflicts
on
uncontrolled
use
of
groundwater
for
irrigation
•
Affected
area:
350,000
ha,
highlands
•
People
involved:
predominantly
agricultural
users
Table
3.1:
Competition
on
groundwater
in
highlands
Selected
case
Case
represents
Issues
Sana’a
Basin
Intense
groundwater
use
for
•
high
value
agriculture
Controversy
of
surface
storage
(no
added
value
for
direct
use
or
recharge)
•
Intense
use
of
groundwater
–
declining
groundwater
tables
•
Examples
of
local
rule
setting
•
Several
innovative
recharge
activities
Within
this
area
several
water-‐related
conflicts
have
been
identified
based
on
their
prior
knowledge
and
the
knowledge
of
local
contacts.
For
Sana’a,
these
conflicts
are
Shahik
dam,
Arrowdah,
and
Bani
Matar.
3.2.2
Conflicts
on
surface
water
in
ephemeral
rivers
Key
characteristics
on
conflicts
on
surface
water
in
ephemeral
rivers:
•
Conflicts
regarding
using
surface
(flood)
water
for
spate
irrigation.
In
such
cases
the
conflicts
concern
highland
storage,
mid-‐stream
diversions
and
blockage
of
subsurface
flows
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