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Desiccation of the Yellow River, the cradle of the Chinese civilization and the second longest river in China since the 1970s, has created serious socioeconomic, environmental and ecological problems. This paper analyzes the water shortage problem in the Yellow River and evaluates the effects of demand management and the interbasin transfer -South Water Northward Transfer Project - in alleviating the problem. Although China has initiated a series of demand management and pollution control initiatives, these programs alone cannot solve the chronic water shortage problem in the Yellow River Basin. While facing multiple challenges and controversies, implementation of the South Water Northward Transfer Project is necessary to mitigate the water shortage crisis in the Basin. However, the implementation of the Transfer Project is only a partial solution to the Yellow River chronic water shortage problem. China should actively implement and enforce its demand management programs and pollution control policies to make sustainable use of its limited fresh water resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transjurisdictional water pollution problems are increasing in number and are becoming a significant governance problem in China. A large number of transjurisdictional water pollution disputes that have far-reaching social effects are occurring between provinces and are also frequent between municipalities, counties, towns, and villages. In this paper, several transjurisdictional water pollution cases in China, particularly in the Yellow River Basin, are discussed. The problems and causes for transjurisdictional water pollution are addressed. There are many causes for transjurisdictional water pollution problems although the key reasons are the rapid economic development, the failure of local authorities to enforce the existing laws and to implement administrative decisions, as well as inadequacies in the legal framework. Other factors include poor technology, shortage of funds, the institutional division of jurisdiction and management over water quantity and quality both administratively and legally, the lack of transparency in the decision-making process, insufficient public participation and information disclosure, poor communication, and lack of involvement of stakeholders in basin or sub-basin organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Yellow River basin, an important agricultural and industrial region and the "Cradle of Chinese Civilization," is facing serious water shortage. The particular climatological and hydrologic conditions together with the disproportional development of economics are currently making sustainable water supply a rather complex and difficult task Even so, the population still continues to increase, which poses considerable pressure on the already overburdened water resources in the study area. Traditional supply-oriented water resources management has proven to be insufficient to efficiently integrate the socio-economic development, environmental ecosystem, and limited renewable water resources. The Yellow River should be envisioned from broader perspectives, not only to recognize the symbolic dimension of the water resources management from a source of public goods or commodity water but also to regard the river basin as an ecosystem worthy of preservation and protection for future generations. An overview on the availability and demand aspects of the water resources in the Yellow River basin is presented, and the present and future situations of the water shortage are evaluated. In addition, perspectives on a new demand-oriented water resources management plan, in an effort to shift water resources management towards sustainability in the Yellow River basin, are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]