Data and Information for Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM): Needs and Challenges

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Elfithri, Rahmah | Mokhtar, Mazlin B. | Saad, Nik Mohd Noor Faizul B. Md.

Affiliations: Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia. E-mails: elfith@ukm.my; mazlin@ukm.my; faizul@ukm.my

Abstract: Perspectives on data and information sharing and management are varied amongst individuals, organizations and countries. It refers to different needs and challenges among them to collect and keep the data in sustainable ways and practices. The big challenges related to data and information in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) is to acquire and compile data and information in a timely manner. These need to be discussed in order to better understand the needs of data and information to be packaged in the appropriate way for various stakeholders i.e. government, private sector, NGO, academia, public, etc. in order to overcome barriers in data and information sharing exercise. Challenges in differences of software and hardware matters of data and information management are also important to be discussed and streamlined in order to facilitate the implementation of IWRM in our countries and regions. Collaboration among agencies and all related stakeholders is very much needed to realize this aspiration. Collaborative Decision Making (CDM) is seen to be a suitable mechanism for data and information sharing and exchange among agencies, where data and information need to be obtained through consensus and consultation mechanism. CDM needs involvement of relevant stakeholders to work together as partners and make decisions collaboratively in aspects related to various issues in water resources management. CDM will also ensure a more informed and holistic decision-making in water resources management.

Keywords: Data, information, challenges, information system, collaboration, decision making

Journal: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 5, no. 4, pp. 49-57, 2008