INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO SMALL WATERSHED MANAGEMENT: THE M RIVER EXPERIENCE IN HUBEI PROVINCE

Abstract

In the wake of the rural revitalization strategy, substantial strides have been taken in the sphere of rural economic and social development. However, this progress has been accompanied by a surge in challenges, notably, sluggish environmental oversight, an extensive development paradigm, disorderly administration, and an entrenched urban-rural divide. Responding to this pressing context, Hubei Province convened a dedicated conference to deliberate upon the pilot initiative for the comprehensive management of small watersheds. This initiative, centered on the management of 'small watershed water bodies', serves as a strategic foray into the broader ambition of holistic management. Its overarching goals are to catalyze a shift in the rural development model, foster seamless urban-rural integration, and propel the modernization of governance systems and capacities. At the core of this endeavor lies the imperative of ensuring ample and secure water resources, crucial for both industrial agriculture and the creation of a habitable environment. Addressing water body management at its source necessitates the prioritization of small watersheds that feed into larger ones. A small watershed, typically encompassing a self-contained, enclosed natural catchment area of around 50 square kilometers, functions as a comprehensive ecological, productive, and residential entity. These watersheds generally traverse one or two counties, exhibiting a unique blend of scale management within the basin and intricate human-nature interconnections. With these attributes, small watersheds are ideally suited for comprehensive management initiatives. Consequently, in July 2023, Hubei Province will embark on a groundbreaking pilot program, focusing on five small watersheds, including the M River. This initiative stands as a pioneering effort to chart a path toward effective governance.