wichi integrated wetland-watershed management projectehproject.org/pdf/phe/deribe-wichi.pdf ·...
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Wichi IntegratedWetland-Watershed Management
Project(January 1, 2005 - June 30, 2007-Financial support from SIDA/SLUF)
By
Shewaye Deribe
Ethio Wetlands and Natural Resources Association (EWNRA)
International Conference on Population, Health, and Environment (PHE): Integrated Development for East Africa
November 14-16, 2007, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
PRESENTATION OUTLINEBackground
Goal of the Project
Thematic Areas
Approach
Project Activities
Project Achievements
Lessons from the Project
Challenges
Conclusion
BACKGROUND- Project areaLocation -Wichi watershed, Metu Woreda, Oromia Regional State,
southwestern Ethiopia
-8015’- 8019' N and 35040' – 35045' E
Wichi area -2800 hectares
Ecology -Wet evergreen montane forest
-House of genetic resources such as Coffea arabica,
Status -Affected by rapid human induced
environmental/ecosystem degradation
Rapid environmental/ecosystem degradation in the watershed!
Why ?
SITUATION OF THE PROJECT AREAFast human population growth, Highly dependent on natural resources for subsistence,Absence of proper watershed management,Declining productivity of agricultural lands,
Deforestation for agricultural expansion,Unwise wetland utilization,Soil erosion from deforested areas and siltation in the wetlands,
Threatening biodiversity both in the forests and wetlands Weakening of other ecosystem functions and services= Loose ecosystem integrity
TRENDS IN ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE
Forest Coffee, spices, honey, medicines, food, feed, wildlife, water, air, etc
Expansion of annual crop fields and biodiversity/habitat loss
Example-WATER PROBLEM IN THE PROJECT AREA DUE TO EXCESSIVE DEFORESTATION
CAN WE CONTRIBUTE TO CHANGE THIS SCENARIO?
Needy society
Ecosystem degradation-loss of biodiversity & other ecosystem services
How can we change this scenario?
Population Environment (Biodiversity and other resources)
Harmonize
Population - Environment interface
Wichi IntegratedWetland-Watershed Management Project
GOAL OF THE PROJECT
Implement integrated wetland and watershed resource management practices with the involvement of the local communities to improve the economic and environmental values/services of the resources and thereby to contribute towards food security, livelihoods of the community and to maintain the benefits of the environment for the coming generation
Integrated wetland and watershed management practices with the involvement of the local communities
to improve the economic and environmental services of the wetlands and the watershed resources
to contribute towards food security ,livelihoods of the community and to maintain the benefits of the environment for the coming generation
THEMATIC AREASEnvironment (biodiversity), and
Wellbeing of the local communityLand productivity improvement,
Local capacity building (community and GO
staff)
Community livelihood and health (Potable water,
food or nutrition, hygiene)
APPROACHIntegrate socio-economic and environmental/biodiversity issues at watershed level,
Community centred approach/participation, empowerment/
- discussions to share information, raise awareness and build trust or consensus
- communities identify problems of ecosystem management
- they develop their bylaws and elect watershed committees
- Communities contribute knowledge, money and labour
Use traditional community organizations for project administration at grassroots level
Continual improvement- both the community and project coordinators learn from experience and improve
PROJECT ACTIVITIESCAPACITY BUILDING:
Training on watershed management and awareness on
environmental issues/value of biodiversity protection,
ALTERNATIVE LIVELIHOOD:Employment and Revolving fund
PROJECT ACTIVITIES contd.IMPROVE SOIL FERTILITY /PRODUCTIVITY:
Introduce compost , Diversify cropIntroduce better land management
SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION
physical and biological soil and water conservation
structures; area closure and wise use
PROJECT ACTIVITIES contd.
MINIMIZE BIOMASS
CONSUMPTION FOR
FUEL
Introduce fuel saving
stoves
OTHER PROJECT ACTIVITIES•Improve community wellbeing through e.g. providing clean water, awareness etc
•Organize field days for experience sharing
PROJECT ACHIEVEMENTSEnvironmental
Pressure on the ecosystems is decreasing/deforestation minimized/Biodiversity in the Wichi wetland and in the watershed is reviving Ecosystems’ capacity improved &Soil erosion reduced
InstitutionalWatershed committees/ Community organizations work for better ecosystem/environment
BehaviouralConcern for the environment/biodiversity is growingThe community is becoming live fence for ecosystems/biodiversity
LivelihoodIncome generation capacity improved/diversified and the pressureon the ecosystems minimized
HealthPeople get balanced diet from vegetables and awaiting for fruitsPrevalence of intestinal parasites from dirty water is decreasing
General- Secured trust from the community & other stakeholders; as a result, now we are many who safeguard biodiversity in the watershed
PROJECT ACHIEVEMENTS contd.
LESSONS FROM THE PROJECTWatershed based Multi-sectoral approach is more fruitful
than one sector approach to arrest biodiversity loss/ environmental degradation/ and improve people’s wellbeing
-Addresses social issues and creates conducive situation for better biodiversity/ ecosystem management
-Cost and time effective – because it uses similar resources, community and area at a time,
-Creates better relationship between the community and project coordinators by addressing different interests of community members,
-Improves understanding about interlinked problems and triggers innovative ideas
Building the capacity of poor local people is crucial both for the wellbeing of the people and vigour of the environment
The interest of the local Community is key for better results in sustainable biodiversity/environment management
CHALLENGES
Resource limitation for scaling up of the intervention within the project area and outside in to adjacent communities
Impoverished people accelerate ecosystem degradation (loss of biodiversity, productivity, etc), and degraded environment intensifies poverty;
Integrated approach is advantageous both to improve the life of poor people and minimize the pressure exerted on the ecosystem /environment/ at watershed level;
Scale up interventions or programmes that integrate population issues and environment at watershed community level for sustainable biodiversity protection,
Build capacity at all levels / e.g. awareness, training on integrating population and environment/
Take measures that help reduce dependence of poor communities on natural resources for subsistence, and restore degraded ecosystemsCreate coherence among policies (population, environment, health, water, agriculture sectors, etc ) and partnership among stakeholders
CONCLUSION
