西北地区地域广阔，资源丰富，民族众多，在我国的经济建设、社会稳定和国防安全方面都具有重要战略地位，同时又是我国极其重要的生态屏障。50多年来全区经济快速发展的同时，出现了土地荒漠化、水环境污染等种种生态问题，最突出的矛盾是水资源的配置问题，严重制约了社会经济的可持续发展。根据中央确定的“西部大开发”及开发要和生态环境建设相协调的方针，经国务院批准，中国工程院于2001年5月启动了“西北地区水资源配置、生态环境建设和可持续发展战略研究”的咨询项目。在深入调查和科学研究的基础上，“西北水资源”项目组认为，为了保证社会经济的可持续发展，必须确立人与自然和谐共存的发展方针，为此必须以水资源的可持续利用，支持社会经济的可持续发展；要统筹全局，合理安排生态环境建设；坚决调整产业结构和转变经济增长方式，建设高效节水防污的经济与社会；在水资源可持续利用和保护生态环境的条件下，相应地合理配置水资源；同时必须实施适当的人口政策，控制人口的过度增长。为此提出了强水资源的统一管理；退耕还牧还草；加强农业基础地位；发展工矿业，推进城镇化；建立西北地区生态环境建设的部门协调机制等10项战略对策。

The northwestern region of China is a vast territory rich in resources and dwelt by many ethnic groups. It is of strategic importance so far as economic development, social security and national defense are concerned and is also an extremely important ecological buffer zone of China. In the last fifty some years, commensurate with the rapid economic development of the region, such environmental problems as land desertification and water pollution have also come into being. Of all problems, that of water resources allocation is the most crucial. It imposes a serious constraint on the sustainable development of the local society and economy.

Pursuant to the directives issued by the Central Government on “the development of China´s west” in harmony with that in ecology and environment, Chinese Academy of Engineering, on approval by the State Council, launched a strategic study on allocation of water resources, conservation and upgrading of eco-environment and sustainable development of the northwest region. On the basis of detailed investigations and scientific research, this group has come to realize that, in order to ensure sustainable development of economy, it is imperative to insist on observing the co-existence between human being and nature as the peremptory guideline of development. In this connection, sustainable development of social economy must be supported by sustainable utilization of water resources. Rational plans must be drawn up for the overall upgrading of the regional ecology and environment. The structure of industry and the way to effect economic growth must be revamped. A society with its economy based on resources saving, efficient and pollution-proof use of water should be developed. Under the condition of sustainable utilization of water resources and protection of eco-environment, water resources should be rationally allocated. A suitable policy of population control must be enforced, in order to prevent excessive growth in population. Ten strategic measures are proposed including unified administration of water resources, development of manufacturing and mining industries, acceleration of urbanization, establishment of coordinating mechanism for the conservation and upgrading of eco-environment and others.