Research on interinstitutional and interdisciplinary relations for the integrated planning of water resources in the Gramame River Basin, Brazil

ABSTRACT

The understanding of the interinstitutional relations existing in the water resources system is a relevant aspect for the identification of gaps and conflicts, as well as for the adoption of strategies for the search for an integrated planning process. In this perspective, the planning of water resources already carried out in the hydrographic basin of the Gramame River, located on the southern coast of the state of Paraíba, Brazil, was analyzed. The methodological tool of Constellation Analysis was used, built by a focus group composed of specialists, looking for the interdisciplinarity to reach the goal. As a result, there was a weak interinstitutional integration between the bodies responsible for the management of water and other natural resources existing in the river basin, mainly due to the low financial, technical, and political capacity to implement their competencies. Concerning management instruments, the most cited and related was the framing of water bodies in preponderant classes of use, mainly due to their possible influence on the qualitative improvement of water, when implemented. Regarding the management instruments, the most cited and related was the framing of water bodies in prevailing classes of use, mainly for their possible influence on the qualitative improvement of water, when implemented. The set of analytical elements allowed the visualization of the interinstitutional potential favorable to the realization of integrated planning of water resources in the hydrographic basin. However, there are still many socio-political barriers to shared decision making.

Keywords
constellation analysis; water resources management; institutional integration; interdisciplinarity; Gramame river basin