Paper short abstract:

The water issue is closely linked to the social justice issue. water insecurity can excessively disadvantage, poor and vulnerable groups. In this panel, we are discussing two different thesis projects progressing in different settings (arid areas and flood-prone areas) with an ecosocial approach.

Paper long abstract:

The article "Ecosocial Work in the Context of Traditional Water Management" delves into the transformative changes occurring in sustainable water management, with a keen focus on belief systems, human attitudes, and collective behaviors. This shift is particularly pertinent in arid regions grappling with water scarcity. A prime example of sustainable water management comes from ancient Iranian plateau dwellers over 3000 years ago, who engineered the remarkable Qanat system. This underground water distribution method, originating in the mountains and channeling water to farms, gardens, and towns, has transcended time and geography, benefiting countless communities. The research's central aim is to examine this system through an ecosocial framework to unravel its potential for fostering social sustainability.

Meanwhile, the project "From ‘Living with Flood’ to ‘Living with Disaster’" in the Kosi River Basin adopts an Ecosocial Work Perspective to explore shifting discourse on floods and flood-water management. Historically, flood management was community-centric, but it has evolved to prioritize irrigation, flood control embankments, and hydroelectric development, often at the expense of ecosystems, water resources, and social equity. The paper scrutinizes this transformation in flood management discourse and its implications for the daily lives of people in the region from an ecosocial work standpoint. It underscores the need to move beyond viewing floods as isolated incidents and recognizes their pervasive presence in the context of flood-prone regions. This comprehensive perspective seeks to facilitate more holistic, sustainable, and equitable approaches to water management and disaster resilience.