Molle François auteur aut IRD Closas A. auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng text/pdf born digital access The registering and/or licensing of groundwater abstraction is held as a "best practice" in the control of groundwater use and a necessary step toward volumetric management of resources. Yet, groundwater licensing and legalization processes in areas with many scattered (often agricultural) users tend to face severe difficulties and are rarely successful. Based on a global survey on groundwater governance, this article revisits the reasons for the users' lack of interest, the failure of most legalization/licensing processes, and the frequent lack of both capacity and the political will of government agencies in conducting such processes. It identifies a groundwater licensing dilemma that explains why governments deploy too little effort too late, and finally proposes a few steps and principles to be considered when deciding whether licensing is achievable and how to increase the likelihood of success specialized Groundwater management Over-abstraction Socio-economic aspects Licensing Wells MONDE 098 062 28 6 1961-1974 2020 1435-0157 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010078067 10.1007/s10040-020-02179-x 1435-0157 [F B010078067] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010078067 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/intranet/publi/2020/06/010078067.pdf Accès réservé (Intranet de l'IRD) IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2020-07-02 2025-02-24 fdi:010078067 fre