UNM
joins in transboundary water project
By Steve
Carr
UNM is
involved in a joint transboundary water quality and quantity
monitoring project in the Kura-Araks river basin of the South
Caucasus with the former Soviet Republics of Georgia, Armenia
and Azerbaijan.
Funding
for the program is being sought from the NATO Science for Peace
Program, supporting scientific research that foster cooperations
among nations.
Michael
E. Campana, Ph.D., professor and director of UNM's Water Resources
Program, is project director. Tim J. Ward, Ph.D., professor
and chair of Civil Engineering, and William Fleming, Ph.D.,
associate professor of Community and Regional Planning, are
also participating.
Although
Armenia and Azerbaijan do not have diplomatic relations, both
governments have given their tacit approval to this project,
Campana said. Azerbaijan is the downstream riparian and
is concerned about the quality and quantity of water it receives
from Georgia and Armenia. This is a good example of water as
a potential agent for peace and cooperation instead of conflict,
and NATO recognizes this fact.