What is integrated water resource management (IWRM)?

Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) is defined as a holistic approach to managing water resources in a way that considers the interconnectedness of water, land, and related resources. This strategy promotes the coordinated development and management of water, land, and related resources to maximize economic and social welfare without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems.

IWRM recognizes that water is a finite and vulnerable resource that is essential to all aspects of life and development. It emphasizes the importance of balancing social, economic, and environmental objectives and involves all stakeholders, including communities, governments, and private entities, in decision-making processes.

The other options present concepts that do not reflect the comprehensive nature of IWRM. For example, a strategy for increasing water prices does not inherently involve integrated management practices. A fragmented approach would lack the coordination and collaboration that IWRM emphasizes. Similarly, focusing solely on groundwater ignores the broader context that IWRM advocates, which includes all water sources and the impacts of different management practices across the entire watershed.