E-Flows Project Initiation Report
Okavango River Basin
Environmental Flow Assessment
Project Initiation Report
Report No: 01/2009
J.M. King, et al.
June 2009
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E-Flows Project Initiation Report
DOCUMENT DETAILS
PROJECT
Environment protection and sustainable management of
the Okavango River Basin: Preliminary Environmental
Flows Assessment
TITLE:
Project Initiation Report
DATE: June
2009
LEAD AUTHORS:
J.M. King, C.A. Brown.
REPORT NO.:
01/2009
PROJECT NO:
UNTS/RAF/010/GEF
FORMAT:
MSWord and PDF.
Citation
No part of this document may be reproduced in any manner
without full acknowledgement of its source
This document should be cited as:
King, J.M. and Brown, C.A. 2009. Project Initiation Report. Report 01-2009
EPSMO/BIOKAVANGO Okavango Basin Environmental Flows Assessment Project,
OKACOM, Maun, Botswana. 35 pp.
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E-Flows Project Initiation Report
List of reports in report series
Report 01/2009:
Project Initiation Report
Report 02/2009:
Process Report
Report 03/2009:
Guidelines for data collection, analysis and scenario creation
Report 04/2009:
Delineation Report
Report 05/2009:
Hydrology Report: Data and models
Report 06/2009:
Scenario Report: Hydrology
Report 07/2009:
Scenario Report: Ecological and social predictions
Report 08/2009:
Final Report
Other deliverables:
DSS Software
Process Management Team PowerPoint Presentations
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E-Flows Project Initiation Report
Table of Contents
1.
Background ......................................................................................................... 7
1.1.
Planned Biokavango Environmental Flows study ............................................... 7
1.2.
The EPSMO project ............................................................................................ 7
1.3.
Biokavango and EPSMO collaboration ............................................................... 8
2.
The Planning Meeting ......................................................................................... 9
3.
The Workplan ................................................................................................... 11
4.
Conclusion ........................................................................................................ 16
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E-Flows Project Initiation Report
List of Tables
Table 2.1 Attendance at the EFlows Module Planning Meeting, Pretoria, July 2008 ............ 9
Table 3.1 The Eflows Module workplan ............................................................................... 12
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E-Flows Project Initiation Report
Acronyms and abbreviations
DRIFT
Downstream Response to Imposed Flow Transformations
EF Environmental
Flow
EMP
Environmental Management Plan
HEP Hydroelectric
Power
HPP Hydropower
Project
IFR
Instream Flow Requirements (often used as a synonym for EF)
MAR
Mean Annual Runoff
M amsl
metres above mean sea level
MCM
Million Cubic Metres
ToR
Terms of Reference
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E-Flows Project Initiation Report
1.
Background
1.1.
Planned Biokavango Environmental Flows study
In the early 2000s the Biokavango Project at the Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research
Centre (HOORC) of the University of Botswana began planning for an Environmental Flows
Study of the Okavango Delta. At an early stage of this planning HOORC organised a
Planning Workshop for the EFlows Delta study from 24-26 September 2007. In August 2007,
Dr J King of the University of Cape Town was invited to introduce the concept of EFlows at
this meeting. She made three presentations:
· Environmental Flows: Holistic Methods
· International development toward Integrated Flow Management
· What are EFlows and why are they important?
Dr King produced notes after the meeting (Appendix 1) that suggested, among other things,
that a trial EFlows study should be initiated using presently available knowledge and data.
This should use a multidisciplinary team, made up of specialists in the:
· Abiotic
sciences:
o Hydrology
o Hydraulics
o Water
Chemistry
o Fluvial
geomorphology
· Biological
sciences:
o Vegetation
o Aquatic
invertebrates
o Fish
o Water
birds
o Wildlife
· Social
sciences:
o Resource
economics
o Rural sociology, including health
o Macroeconomics
o Tourism
· Process
advisor/coordinator
It was recommended that the project should liaise with local and national government and the
Okavango River Basin Commission (OKACOM). It would capacity build, through providing
the Botswanan team and government with first-hand experience of an EFlows Assessment,
and would also provide deliverables that could be used to motivate for international funding
for a basin-wide EFlows study.
It was agreed that HOORC would take up and act upon the findings of the workshop,
proceeding with plans for a short-term trial EFlows study.
1.2.
The EPSMO project
Also during 2007 a basin-wide study of the Okavango Basin was revived, funded by GEF and
the three riparian governments. Titled the Environmental Protection and Sustainable
Management of the Okavango River Basin (EPSMO) project, this was an OKACOM initiative
implemented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and executed by the
United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The long-term objective of the
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E-Flows Project Initiation Report
EPSMO Project was to achieve global environmental benefits through concerted
management of the naturally integrated land and water resources of the Okavango River
Basin. This was to be done through a standard process used by all GEF funded International
Waters projects: an objective assessment -the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) -
and the development of a Strategic Action Programme (SAP) of joint management to
address threats to the basin's linked land and water systems. The SAP would package
initiatives that address issues raised by the TDA and would help overcome barriers to
regional co-operation in order to ensure that development of the basin would be sustainable
and equitable. In the case of the Okavango Basin, the traditional approach, designed for
rehabilitating degraded rivers, would have to be modified because of the near-pristine nature
of the river ecosystem. It was suggested that this be done by incorporating an EFlows
Assessment as a major part of the TDA.
1.3.
Biokavango and EPSMO collaboration
The Okavango Delta Management Plan and OKACOM Secretariat were launched at an
international conference and ceremony in Maun, Botswana from 31 January to 2 February
2008 (Appendix 2) at which presentations were again made on the concept and practice of
EFlow Assessments. Following this, Dr King sent suggestions to HOORC and OKACOM on
how the EFlows work could continue and expand into a study for the whole Basin. Dr
Dominic Mazvimavi developed this into a project plan for an Environmental Flow Assessment
for the Okavango River Basin, which was presented at a meeting of the Okavango Basin
Steering Committee in Windhoek in March 2008. At this stage, EPSMO and HOORC
finalised details of a joint EFlows study with three full multidisciplinary teams one for each
country. EPSMO would be responsible for the country teams and data collection in Angola
and Namibia, and Biokavango responsible for the Botswanan team and activities in the Delta
other than the social research. Further discussion led to the inclusion of an international
Process Management Team lead by Dr King.
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E-Flows Project Initiation Report
2.
The Planning Meeting
A Planning Meeting for the EFlows module of the TDA was held in Pretoria from 15 to 16 July
2008, attended by 14 people (Table 2.1). The objectives (Appendix 3) were to:
· familiarise all with the EPSMO project and the agreement with Biokavango;
· to familiarise all with the EFlows concept, the proposed EFlows module and its
contribution to the TDA/SAP;
· to agree on the scope of the project in terms of the number of development scenarios and
sites that would be considered;
· and to develop a workplan for the module.
The agenda was guided by a proposal submitted by what would become the Process
Management Team in April 2008, which covered the suggested:
· project
design
· time
allocations
· required
disciplines
· work
programme
· budget
· deliverables
· Terms of References for all disciplines.
Table 2.1
Attendance at the EFlows Module Planning Meeting, Pretoria, July 2008
Name
Role
Institution
Chaminda Rajapakse EPSMO project manager
FAO
Nkobi Moleele
Director Biokavango
HOORC
Dominic Mazvimavi
Team Leader, Botswana, EFlows study
HOORC
Tracy Molefi
National Project Coordinator
GoB
Belda Mosepele
Ecologist
HOORC
Manuel Quintino
Team Leader, Angola, EFlows study
EPSMO
Carlos Andrade
Okavango Basin Steering Committee
OKACOM
Faculty of Science,
Gabriel Luis Miguel
Team Representative, Angola
Augustinho Neto
University
Kevin Roberts
Team Representative, Namibia MAWF-DWAF,
Namibia
EFlows Team Leader, International
Jackie King
Water Matters/UCT
Process Management Team
Technical Integrator, International
Cate Brown
Southern Waters
Process Management Team
Basin hydrologist, International Process
Hans Beuster
Beuster and Associates
Management Team
Peter-John Meynell
TDA Report Coordinator
EPSMO
Regional Portfolio Manager for
Akiko Yamamoto
International Waters Eastern and
UNDP
Southern Africa
Chaminda Rajapakse (CR) provided background information on the Okavango TDA and the
roles of EPSMO, Biokavango and the EFlows Module. Nkobi Moleele (NM) then outlined the
Biokavango Project and its focus on biodiversity. Many human activities can impact diversity,
including water-resource developments so the programme sought guidance on flows needed
to maintain the Delta ecosystem. CR continued with an explanation of the TDA
implementation strategy, and particularly the central role of the EFlows Assessment. There
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E-Flows Project Initiation Report
would be four principle teams completing the EFlows Assessment: one from each country
and an international Process Management Team. These would also, in various ways,
contribute to the parent TDA activities.
Jackie King (JK) then introduced the EFlows concept, pointing out that the teams would be
aiming to provide scenarios of possible future pathways for decision-makers to use in
discussion and negotiation. She continued with an explanation of the suggested Okavango
EFlows project as per the proposal submitted by the Process Management Team, which
would have the following features:
· Three scenarios plus present day (baseline) would be addressed. The scenarios would
be chosen in a later exercise involving country representatives and OKACOM (this took
place in Maun in November 2008 and the scenarios are reported in the Scenario Report
dated July 2009).
· For each of the three future scenarios, predictions would be provided of the ecological
and socioeconomic impacts of water-use scenarios, using a structured process; most if
not all ecological impacts would be negative, whilst some of the social impacts might be
negative and some positive.
· The macroeconomic impacts (mostly beneficial) would be predicted for each scenario, in
a parallel exercise outside the EFlows study.
· Eight sites would be used for the EFlows Assessment: three in Angola; two in Namibia;
and three in Botswana.
· Country teams should consist, at a minimum, of a hydrologist/hydraulician, a fluvial
geomorphologist, a water chemist, a botanist, a fish biologist, an aquatic invertebrate
biologist, an ornithologist, a wildlife zoologist, and a socio-economist. There would thus
be about 30 people in the combined basin team.
· The international Process Management Team would consist of a Project Leader, a basin
hydrologist, a Technical Data Integrator and a Resource economist.
· The main deliverable would be a Scenario Report detailing extensively the predicted
ecological, social and economic outcomes of the chosen scenarios for zones along the
river system from the headwaters in Angola to the outlet of the Delta.
The scheduled discussion on data collection followed but was short as it was felt it should be
dealt with when the whole basin team was present. Instead, the meeting focussed on
completing a work plan and setting dates and responsibilities for all activities.
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E-Flows Project Initiation Report
3.
The Workplan
Eleven main activities were agreed upon (Table 3.1):
· Appoint national teams
· Delineate
basin
· Collate and synthesis hydrological data
· Identify
scenarios
· Select representative sites
· Select discipline indicators to represent major issues/groups
· Collect
data
· Write specialist reports and review
· Set-up, populate and calibrate the Decision Support System (DSS)
· Analyse scenarios and write Scenario Report
· Integrate findings in TDA Report.
The breakdown of activities under each major heading, with the participants, the responsible
person and the time lines, are detailed in (Table 3.1). Essentially, there would be four major
streams of activities.
The first involved the specialist biophysical and social teams. After appointment, they would
participate in a joint activity to divide the basin into homogeneous biophysical and social
units, harmonise these into a short series of Integrated Units of Analysis, and choose
representative a study site/area in each to be used in the investigations and scenario
analysis. The specialists would then work in discipline groups to identify a number of
indicators that represented variables that they felt could change with flow changes. These
indicators would form the focus for site visits, data collection, literature reviews and analysis
over the time period October 2008 to March 2009, culminating in the writing of specialist
reports: one per discipline per country, with each specialist focussing on the representative
sites/areas in her/his country.
The second stream of activity would involve a hydrological team consisting of the
International basin hydrologist and hydrologists from each of the three riparian countries.
They would collate and synthesise hydrological data for the whole basin and assess
hydrological models in terms of their suitability for use in the project. They would then set up
the models and simulate flow regimes at the chosen sites for each development scenario.
The third parallel activity would consist of discussions between the countries, project
members and OKACOM on what development scenarios would be used in the study, and
whether they would describe increasing levels of overall water-use or each focus on a sector
(e.g. maximising agriculture; maximising hydropower generation etc.).
The fourth stream of activity would be configuration of the software for capturing specialists'
knowledge and linking it with the simulated flow regimes for each scenario to produce
predictions of ecosystem and social impacts per scenario.
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E-Flows Project Initiation Report
Table 3.1
The Eflows Module workplan
Accountable
t
ber
er
er
Tasks Activities
Participants
y
ber
mb
mb
ary
uary
ril
ne
y
person
rch
Jul
gus
tem
nu
Au
br
Ma
Ap
May
Ju
Jul
Sep
Octo
Nove
Dece
Ja
Fe
Hydrologi
sts to be
National Team
Appoint teams
CR
appointed
Leaders
in
National Teams
July/early
A
Botswana: DM:
In-country briefing
NTLs
Namibia - SB:
sessions
Angola - MQ
Guidelines for delineation
and information required
Process Team
JK
and report
templates/examples
National Team Botswana: DM:
Information gathering
Specialists
Namibia - SB:
(NTS)
Angola - MQ
NTS plus
Basin delineation
Delineation exercise
Process Team
JK
Members
Botswana: DM:
Report writing
NTLs
Namibia - Unknown:
Angola - MQ
Project
Dissemination of
Management
CR
information
Unit (PMU)
Inventory of modelling
DM
work already done
Hydrological (and
Approval
hydraulic) model
from
HB
decisions, including delta
Hydrology
Task
model
NT Hydrologists
Force
Data collection
HB
plus HB
Catchment hydrology
HB
If needed If needed
Set up of system model
HB
Hydrological data Delta hydraulic model
DM
Dependent on outcome of model
collation and
Simulate scenario
Ranges of
synthesis
HB
hydrologic
hydrology
al change
Hans Beuster to
lead with
Model
Report writing
contributions
HB
Selection
from NT
Appendix
hydrologists
Project
Dissemination of
Management
CR
information
Unit (PMU)
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E-Flows Project Initiation Report
Table 3.1
The Eflows Module workplan (cont)
er
r
Accountable
r
er
be
ry
h
Tasks Activities
Participants
ril
y
ly
person
July
gust
temb
tobe
ruary
arc
Au
vemb
cem
M
Ap
Ma
June
Ju
Sep
Oc
No
De
Janua
Feb
Guidelines for scenario
Process Team
JK
indentification
Botswana: DM:
ID of likely country issues NTLs
Namibia - SB:
from NAPs
Angola - MQ
NCU
National Project Botswana: TM:
Sc
S e
c nario
feedback on country
io
Coordinators
Namibia - LN
iden
d t
en itfica
fi t
ca iton
issues
on
(NPC)
Angola - MQ
Technical integration of
NTLs/Process
basin-wide scenarios
JK
Team
(development of longlist)
OBSC endorsed scenarios
(final list of four, plus
PMU
CR
present day)
Update of guidelines for
selection of river zones
Process Team
JK
and sites
Botswana: DM:
ID of longlist of river zones NTLs
Namibia - SB:
by country
Site selection
Angola - MQ
Desktop prioritisation of
Botswana: DM:
3/2 river zones and sites
NTLs, NCU
Namibia - SB:
per country for TDA EFs
Angola - MQ
Field-based finalisation of NTS, Process
CR
Linked with
study sites
Team
data collectn
Guidelines for
identification of indicators Process Team JK
and links between
Identification of
indicators
social use/issues
NTS, Process
Linked with
and ecological
Identification of indicators
JK
basin
Team
issues
delineation
Identification of links
NTS, Process
Linked with
JK
basin
between indicators
Team
delineation
Guidelines for data
Process Team
JK
col ection for EFs
Botswana: DM:
International and national NTS
Namibia - SB:
literature reviews
Angola - MQ
Data col ection
Botswana: DM:
NTS, Process
Linked with
Initial Data Collection
Namibia - SB:
site selection
Team
Angola - MQ
trip
Botswana: DM:
Ongoing data col ection
NTS
Namibia - SB:
Angola - MQ
Guidelines for reports, incl.
Creation of response
Process Team
JK
curves
NTS,Process
Flow categories
CB
Team
Response curves capacity
CB
building session
Three country workshop
Report writing and
NTS, Process
on response curves
JK
review
Team
creation
Botswana: DM:
Submit draft reports
NTS
Namibia - SB:
Angola - MQ
Internal Review
Process Team
JK
Task Force Review
Task Force
CR
Botswana: DM:
Revision and Final
NTS, NTLs
Namibia - SB:
Reports
Angola - MQ
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E-Flows Project Initiation Report
Table 3.1
The Eflows Module workplan (cont)
Accountable
t
ber
er
ber
ber
y
Tasks Activities
Participants
ly
ary
ch
ril
y
ne
ly
person
uar
Ju
tob
ar
Augus
ptem
cem
bru
M
Ap
Ma
Ju
Ju
Se
Oc
Novem
De
Jan
Fe
Feedback from
hydrologists on ranges of
HB
hydrological change
Set up of DSS
Process Team
CB
EF Models
Population of DSS with
Process Team
CB
response curves
Cross-checking of
NTS, Process
response curves/DSS
CB
Team
function
DRIFT Hydrological
Process Team,
Analysis - plus capacity
plus nominated
building
team members
Process Team,
Scenario Analysis capacity plus nominated
building sesion
team members
Technical scenario
Process Team,
Scenario analysis
CB
analysis workshop
NTS
Draft Scenario Workshop NTL, Process
JK
Report
Team
NTL, Process
OBSC Demonstration Day
CR
Team
Process Team,
Final EF Scenario Report
JK
NTL
Integration into TDA
PMU
CR
Final Report
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E-Flows Project Initiation Report
All of these streams would liaise during the course of the project through a series of team
meetings, and the project would culminate in a Scenario Workshop where the scenarios would be
finalised and then described in a Scenario Report. Following this, the main findings of the EFlows
module would be incorporated in the TDA Report.
15
E-Flows Project Initiation Report
4.
Conclusion
The project proposal was accepted with some revision, and began immediately.
The deliverables are listed at the beginning of all the EFlow Module reports.
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E-Flows Project Initiation Report
Appendix 1
Notes emanating from the Planning Workshop for an Environmental Flow Study of the
Okavango Delta
26 September 2007. Maun, Botswana
Written by Jackie King, University of Cape Town
Table of Contents
1.
Comments heard by JK during previous two days
2.
Suggestion for a way forward
3.
Points to consider
4. Workshop
process
5.
Outputs of the groups
5.1
Group A Socioeconomics
5.2
Group B Ecology
5.3
Group C Physicochemical
6.
Suggested strategy for the Integrated Flow Management study
3.
Wrap-up workshop discussion
1.
Comments heard by JK during previous two days
· Scenarios have already been done
· An EF study has already been done
· An EF study has not been done
· Lots of projects have been done but not linked to see how they fit together
· We do not know what kinds of data to collect
· We need more hard scientific data, not more scenarios
· There are no dams, no water-development threats
· Dams and abstractions are planned, the future of the Delta is threatened.
2.
Suggestion for a way forward
Do a trial run through the whole EF process using presently available data and knowledge. The
sequence could be:
· identification of possible development scenarios over the next 30-50 years
· physical and chemical modeling of the scenarios
· biological
response
· social
impacts
· economic
implications
· demonstration output to political decision-makers and other stakeholders.
All this could be done within Botswana, but maybe in liaison with a parallel exercise running in
Namibia.
Advantages of such a process:
· Produces several reviews (one per discipline and one of all known relevant
projects/activities etc) that define the baseline knowledge on the system
· Allows all disciplines to see where they fit into the multidisciplinary Integrated Flow
Assessment process
· Allows all specialists to understand what data are needed from them
· Identifies the gaps in knowledge and data, and enables prioritization of research
· It produces a product albeit of low confidence which can be used to demonstrate to
political decision-makers and other stakeholders what could be achieved with additional
focused research
· It provides a product that can be used to search for international funding for a basin-wide
Integrated Flow Assessment (all three countries).
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E-Flows Project Initiation Report
3.
Points to consider
· Three water-resource development levels could be considered in the demonstration run,
reflecting what could possibly happen in the next 30-50 years: maybe low, medium and
high development?
· Outputs would need to be quantified or at least semi-quantified (on a rating scale of maybe
1 to 5) in order for social and (particularly) economic interpretation
· To the query of how would a layman know if water would be available to him, the response
would be we would not be ensuring availability but would be explaining in each scenario
what the availability situation would be. It would then be up to that stakeholder, along with
all other stakeholders, to respond by showing which scenarios are acceptable or
unacceptable to them.
· In the prediction process, the social-ecological links are usually weaker than the
physicochemical-ecological links, and it is suggested that care needs to be taken to include
an appropriate number and variety of socio-economic experts in the multidisciplinary team.
· We would not be producing a fait accomplis set of scenarios to politicians that says that we
know everything, but rather a demonstration of what could be produced and its use to
politicians. We would need close liaison with government along the way to ensure we are
producing information that can help them. We would be employing a process that is not
pro-development or anti-development but a neutral technical activity designed to provide
decision-makers with information upon which to make development or other water-
management decisions. They would need a decision-making process to deal with the
information provided to them.
4. Workshop
process
The workshop participants agreed that we should go forward with a trial run. It was seen as a very
useful exercise to bring all available knowledge together and use it to gain experience in working
as a multi-disciplinary team in partnership with the government.
To begin the process, three groups were formed as below:
Group A Socio-economics: sociology, anthropology, people and livestock health, resource use
and economics, food security, regional macro-economics
Group B Ecological: aquatic, riparian and relevant terrestrial vegetation; aquatic invertebrates;
fish; herpetofauna, mammals, water birds
Group C Abiotic: hydrology, hydraulics, geomorphology, water chemistry
The groups met for three hours to identify the issues relative to water in the Delta and to each
prioritise five topics for research.
5.
Outputs of the groups
5.1
Group A Socioeconomics
Background thoughts
1. There should be a trial run of an Integrated Flow Assessment for the Delta, if possible in
parallel with Namibia (and one participant later suggested that Angola needed to be
informed and included in order to not negate a later basin-wide Flow Assessment).
2. Realistic scenarios should be used in the trial run so that decision-makers and other
stakeholders can relate to them.
3. Real stakeholders should be identified to take part in the process, both from the local level
and the decision-making level.
4. We must review what is already known and what has already been done, as the first step
and build on that. For instance, we should look at policies re settlement, environmental
Acts, studies of tourism, livelihoods at the village level, economic evaluations RAMSAR
resource evaluation, etc.
5. Available information may not be easy to access, and policies may not necessarily be being
implemented.
Main water-related issues
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E-Flows Project Initiation Report
1. Settlement patterns and wetland resource use: human induced pressure; resilience to
coping; cost of impacts on traditional coping mechanisms (such as being unable to move
and settle elsewhere as in the past). Settlements tend to be as close to the water as
possible, for cheaper pumping, livestock access, relaibale boreholes, molapo farming,
vegetable gardening, fishing, drinking water (surface and boreholes), construction materials
(thatching, timber, reeds). Uses include floodplain grazing, Tswii and other foods, firewood,
medicinal herbs, crafts and fishing gear.
2. Resource valuation and vulnerability: flood dynamics; wetland productivity; cost of
needing alternative livelihood options. Links to income. Vulnerability extent of reliance of
livelihoods on the water and its resources; traditional coping strategies.
3. Wellbeing: health of people and livestock; cultural; wilderness aspect; opportunity cost of
changing flow patterns. Well-being issues include traditions, religion and culture related to
the water.
4. Commercial use: water and wetlands; direct economic, social and ecological impacts.
Tourist lodges (charged for water at same rate as households), irrigation, pricing/tariffs.
5. Maintaining biological diversity: impacts at all levels; international biodiversity
obligations; need to maintain local wetland use, natural flow pattern and variability
Links to other groups
1. Settlement patterns and wetland resource use
Need from physicochemical team:
· Teaching and understanding on flow dynamics
Need from ecological team:
· Information on water needed to retain riparian woodlands (NB from JK. The social team
does not need this information; they need to know how the riparian woodlands are used
and what the impacts would be if they changed. The hydrologists will tell the ecologists if
and how flooding patterns would change and the ecologists will then tell the social team
how the woodlands would change in terms of area and species).
· Spawning sites and conditions for fish in order to determine practical regulations (ex JK:
again, this is not part of a Flow Assessment).
· Dynamics of fire on flood plains (JK: they need to explain what the issue is here before
ecologists can give them relevant information)
Social scientists can provide:
· Information from traditional knowledge
2.
Resource valuation and vulnerability
Need from physicochemical team:
· Potential channel shifts and micro-topography
Need from ecological team:
· How much water is needed and for what to keep the Delta healthy (JK: that is what this
whole exercise is about!)
· Where are the thresholds (in ecological functioning and form?)
· Understanding of climate change and the carbon cycle (JK: most of these requests are for
basic understanding and not for information that they could use to make predictions of
social impact)
Social team can provide:
· Economic values of, for example, fish and reeds
· Understanding of resource value depending on changing conditions
· Priority research for social team
3. Well-being
Need from physicochemical team:
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E-Flows Project Initiation Report
· Water quality and quantity
Need from ecological team:
· Wetland/ecosystem
health
· Aesthetic
values
· Impact of water changes on disease transmission
· Condition of livestock and wildlife, and value
Social team can provide:
· Cultural
values
· Tourism
expectations
· Value of tourism at the local level and CBNRM
· Health
records
· Opportunity
costs
· Photographic and hunting values
4.
Commercial use
Need from physicochemical team:
· Current and potential water demand (DWA)
· Known abstraction rates
Need from ecological team:
· How much water this system needs now to maintain biodiversity (JK: this is what we are
trying to determine!)
Social team can provide:
· Development plans and water needs
· Current and potential water demands
· Agricultural
needs
· Village use figures, per person and for livestock
· Pricing strategies water demand management and cross subsidies
5.
Maintaining biological diversity
Need from physicochemical team:
· Flow variability and how it translates into ecosystem health and water requirements for
functioning biogeochemical cycles (JK: the social team does not need this info!)
Need from ecological team:
· Information on habitats
· Status of species (IUCN Red Data list)
· Threats in terms of flow
Social team can provide:
· Significance of species used by people
· Current uses by communities, tourists, industry and value
· Information on who is responsible for natural resource management and governance
6.
General comments
· Need to understand what each team within the Flow Assessment thinks the other groups
think
· Need integrated approach that includes communities and aspirations
· Information from groups can be complementary; we need to work together
· We need harmonized policies and approaches; look at broader issues
· Mechanisms for sharing information within the Delta could include:
o Set up open network
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E-Flows Project Initiation Report
o Get people out of their comfort zones, talking and understanding each other;
o Participatory
planning
o Retain
momentum
o Balance of expertise
o Champions and drivers and mentor
o Lead
institution(s)
A final comment from JK: much of the above does not form part of a Flow Assessment and is
more closely related to implementation. Some of the remainder is not really the responsibility of
the social team. Their job would be to interpret physical, chemical and biological change in terms
of social and economic impacts (positive and negative). The whole process of defining limits to
each person's work plans will be very important in fact, critical to the success of the Assessment.
Five priorities for social research
· Evaluation of wetland resource values
o Pertinent to communities living alongside the delta (molapo farming)
o Pertinent to tourism industry
· Evaluation of opportunity costs especially wellbeing values
· Review of real value of wetland tourism at local level (lodges, water use, pollution costs,
how the community benefits)
· Threats to present coping mechanisms of wetland resource users
· Assessment of wetland biodiversity value to people of Ngamiland
5.2
Group B Ecology
Dr Dominic Mazvimavi has the Powerpoint presentation
5.3
Group C Physicochemical
The physicochemical experts act as an information provider to the remainder of the team, and
need to be able to predict changes in water quantity, water quality and sediments, explaining these
in terms of:
· Water levels (and quality and suspended solids)
· Discharge
· Velocity
· Frequency
· Duration
· Timing
· Variability
· (JK: also channel changes)
Their question is: what does the full team need from them? At what spatial and temporal
resolution? Are their current models adequate? The following could be considered.
Water quantity
If necessary, they can improve the existing hydrodynamic models or develop new ones. Possible
areas of improvement could be:
· Proper
calibration
· DEM
· Parameterization of overland flow
· Evaporation/transpiration
studies
Water quality
They could:
· do monitoring for calibration of the models
· develop an understanding of biogeochemical processes along the system and
quantification of these
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E-Flows Project Initiation Report
· develop models (transport and biogeochemical reactions and processes.
Sediments
They could improve their understanding of:
· sediment dynamics in relation to discharge
· effects of sedimentation on floodplain inundation dynamics
· long-term changes in flow distribution
· channel
blockages
· role of suspended sediment in the ecosystem
· suspended sediment transport processes.
6. Suggested strategy for the Integrated Flow Management study
· Appoint a coordinator for the whole process
· Identify research areas/disciplines to be included in the Flow Assessment study
· Write concise and critical reviews of all past projects, activities, papers, data (several
reviews per discipline and an overall look at all relevant projects, activities etc)
· Develop a scheme for the flow of information between groups and the mechanisms for
sharing information
· Conduct new research as per discipline priorities and as funds allow
· Complete a demonstration run through the whole process, using ?three possible levels of
development
· Liaise with similar exercise in Namibia
· Disseminate the outputs?
· Use as foundation of new basin-wide proposal.
7.
Wrap-up workshop discussion
· HOORC will take up and act on the outputs from the workshop
· Trial run for Okavango based on existing data agreed on how can this happen? How do
we move on? Need a proposal for kick starting the process
· Need to identify a team of specialists. Important disciplines for the process would be:
o Process
coordinator
o Physicochemical
Hydrologist
Hydraulician/hydrodynamic
modeler
Fluvial
geomorphologist/sedimentologist
Water
chemistry??
o Ecological
Vegetation
Mammals
Water
birds
Fish
Aquatic
invertebrates
o Socio-economic
Resource
economist/macroeconomist
Rural sociologist including health
Tourism
o Institutions (need to work with)
OKACOM
DWA
MEWT (inc ODMP)
Local
government
Workshop closed at 16h00 on Wednesday 26 September 2007.
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Appendix 2
Schedule and abstracts for international conference in Maun January/February 2008
"SHARING LESSONS AND EXPERIENCES FOR BETTER IMPLEMENTATION OF WETLANDS
MANAGEMENT"
Guest speaker
Dr Peter Ashton
CSIR Natural Resources and the Environment, Pretoria, South Africa
Schedule of Presentations
Maun Lodge, Maun
31st January to 1st February 2008
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E-Flows Project Initiation Report
31st January 2008
Registration: 07:30 08:15
Session 1: Ceremonial Session 08:15 10:00
Facilitator: Mr Stevie Monna, Director, Department of Environmental Affairs
08.15
Pastor Thamaku
Opening Prayer
08.20
08.20
Ms Bernadette Malala
Introductions
08.30
District Commissioner, Ngamiland District
08.30
Kgosi Kealetile Moremi
Welcome Remarks
08.40
Chief of the BaTawana
08.40
Mr Steve Monna
Objectives of the Conference
08.50
Director, Department of Environmental
Affairs
08.50
Dr Lucas Gakale
Official Opening
09.10
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of
Environment, Wildlife and Tourism
09.10
Dr Peter J. Ashton
Keynote Speech: "Key challenges
09.50
Principal Researcher and Divisional Fellow, facing downstream management of the
CSIR, South Africa
Okavango River - a shared,
transboundary river basin."
Abstract:
Sustainable management of the catchment of the Okavango River relies on the
collective goodwill and collaboration of the three basin states - Angola, Namibia and
Botswana. While the territorial sovereignty and the right of each state to direct and
manage its own resources are acknowledged, states also have associated
responsibilities that direct an underpin interactions with their neighbours. In particular,
an individual state should not act unilaterally in a way that may have an adverse
impact on a neighbouring state, and all states should collaborate openly in all matters
related to the management of a shared resource. These principles require the three
Okavango River basin states to work closely together to ensure that both national and
basin-wide objectives can be achieved harmoniously. The provisions of national and
international water law, as well as international and regional watercourse
management treaties and protocols ratified by the basin states help to inform and
guide the activities of each country. However, in the final analysis, it is the decisions
and actions of national governments and individual stakeholders in each country that
play a decisive role in sustainable management of the resource.
09.50
Honourable Mr Vista Moruti
Vote of Thanks
10.00
Member of Parliament, Okavango
Break: 10.00 to 10.30
Session 2: Integrated Water Resources Management in the Okavango 10:30 - 12:15
Facilitator: Mr Pheto Phage, Director, Department of Meteorology
10.30
Ms Portia Segomelo
"Integrated Planning Case Study on the
11.00
Deputy Director, Department of
Okavango Delta Management Plan"
Environmental Affairs
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E-Flows Project Initiation Report
Abstract:
a) The integrated plan to manage the resources of the Okavango Delta takes
account of the inter-related nature of the economic, social and environmental
elements of development. Planning should consider the links between the three,
to avoid losing opportunities for yielding the desired results within real budget and
time constraints.
b) Social, bio-physical and economic systems are complex, dynamic and not
particularly easy to pursue either. The Okavango Delta represents a good case
study which demonstrates the strength of these elements within a planning
context.
c) The ODMP project document provided preliminary material for a comprehensive
plan but still needed an analytical framework and a robust participatory process to
focus, prioritise and deliver outputs accordingly and within the wide sectoral
interests in the Okavango Delta Ramsar Site
d) It was a challenge to evaluate the inter-connected factors and options in order to
agree on a common framework which will be a basis for a management Plan of
the Okavango Delta
e) Key integrated planning elements will in this presentation describe the following:
· governance (institutions, policy, laws, education (capacity) and awareness
· participatory elements partnership building (public, planning institutions,
regional (basin-wide)
· technical planning aspects to address key issues for sustainable
management of the Okavango Delta
· sustainability and long-term gains within the planning area ODRS)
11.00
Dr Hillary Masundire
"Applying the Ecosystem Approach in Wetland
11.25
Head of Department of Biological Management: the ODMP Case Study"
Sciences, University of Botswana
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E-Flows Project Initiation Report
Abstract:
The ecosystem approach is a strategy for the integrated management of land, water
and living resources that promotes conservation and sustainable use in an equitable
way. The ecosystem approach is based on the application of appropriate scientific
methodologies focused on levels of biological organization which encompass the
essential processes, functions and interactions among organisms and their
environment. It recognizes that humans, with their cultural diversity, are an integral
component of ecosystems.
In applying the ecosystem approach, one should be guided by the following
philosophies:
1. Focus on the functional relationships and processes within ecosystems
2. Enhance benefit-sharing
3. Use adaptive management practices
4. Carry out management actions at the scale appropriate for the issue being
addressed, with decentralization to lowest level, as appropriate
5. Ensure inter-sectoral cooperation
The process of developing of the ODMP was planned and implemented with intent to
demonstrate the efficacy of the Ecosystem Approach. This involved identifying key
stakeholders, stakeholder participation, objective setting, prioritization of activities and
formulation of the plan. The ODMP is now a demonstration case study on how to
apply the Ecosystem Approach to management of a wetland ecosystem within the a
national planning framework. The many lessons learned from the ODMP process to
date provide critical advice to any person, institution, government or agency wishing
to apply the Ecosystem Approach. A number of criticisms/challenges face anybody
wishing to promote the application of the Ecosystem Approach. Some of these will be
analysed in relation to the ODMP.
11.25
Dr Lapologang Magole
"Linking People and Policies: The drive for
11.50
Research Fellow, HOORC,
stakeholder participation in the Okavango Delta
University of Botswana
Management Plan (ODMP) process"
Abstract:
At the core of the ODMP process was the notion of stakeholder consultation and
partnership. The idea was not only to `participate' stakeholders, but to create a
partnership around the management and wise use of the Delta resources. The overall
guiding principle for stakeholder participation was:
`the creation and strengthening of ownership.' ODMP Project Proposal (2002).
The story of stakeholder participation in the ODMP is best captured by the reaction of
consulted communities. We started here: "You have already progressed so far with
the ODMP project without consulting the communities. We doubt that our comments
will be incorporated now." "We are tired of all the meetings, as solutions are never
implemented."
And then came to: "We need educational workshops to improve our participation and
understanding and benefit from the project. We need education so that after three
years of planning we become part of the management process."
And ended up here: "This is an opportunity to have our concerns and suggestions
included in the plan. We are thankful that Government has changed its approach and
is acknowledging our expertise and gives us a chance to have an input before
decisions are made."
But we could do better......
11.50
Mr Samuel Bota
"IWRM Plans: Experiences, Challenges, and
12.15
Regional Member, GWP-SA
Lessons from GWP-SA"
Steering Committee
26
E-Flows Project Initiation Report
Abstract:
GWP-SA has been assisting member countries to develop their IWRM/Plans. Country
Water Partnerships have been fully involved in facilitating the process on behalf of
their governments. Through the PAWD Project in Zambia, Malawi, Swaziland, and
Mozambique, GWP-SA has gained substantial experience of facilitating development
of IWRM/WE Plans.
A fairly similar process was followed, although some variations occurred based on
country situation. Major steps followed were:
· Setting up institutional structures such as project management unit, multi-sectoral
project coordination team, and clarifying the roles, responsibilities, and
systems/procedures.
· Enhancing IWRM/WE capacity of the project staff and coordination team through
country and regional training and workshops.
· Soliciting support and political will from government.
· Analysing the situation of water and related resources to establish a base.
· Engagement of a wide range of stakeholders to dialogue the situation and suggest
corrective action.
· Development of the Plan.
· Selling back the Plan for commitment for implementation.
Challenges in facilitating the process included:
· understanding of the concept of IWRM;
· Integration of IWRM in on-going processes
· managing change;
· balancing power relations across sectors;
· sustaining
participation
momentum.
From the process, we have learnt that:
· Full involvement of stakeholders at early stages of the process leads to
commitment;
· Government leadership and involvement of Ministry of Finance at early stage is
critical
Capacity building is essential throughout the process
Break: 12.15 13.45
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E-Flows Project Initiation Report
Session 3: Wetlands Governance in the Okavango and Neighbouring Basins 13:45
16:15
Facilitator: Mrs Rapelang Mojaphoko, Director, Department of Wildlife and National Parks
13.45
Ms Tabeth Chiuta
"Wetland Ecosystem Governance:-The
14.10
Regional Programme
Challenges of Managing Multi-Sectoral and Multi-
Coordinator, IUCN-ROSA, South Stakeholder Natural Resources in Southern Africa"
Africa
Abstract:
Southern Africa is well endowed with wetlands of varying types. These range from the
smallest systems such as dambos to very large flood plains and marshes such as the
Okavango Delta in Botswana and the Bangweulu swamps in Zambia. The experience
of the region over the years, have shown that wetlands are among the most
productive natural ecosystems found in the region, attracting large numbers of people
and wildlife. This paper on "Wetland Ecosystem Governance The Challenges of
Managing Multi-Sectoral and Multi-Stakeholder Natural Resources in Southern Africa"
will highlight the experiences and challenges faced by countries and river basin
organizations in their endeavour to deal and address the governance challenges
around wetland ecosystems and relevant resources.
The paper will describe wetlands as multi sectoral natural resources, highlighting the
governance challenges posed in terms of policies and legislation, institutional
arrangements, decision making processes and the teething problems of stakeholder
dialogue and networking. The paper will also highlight experiences and lessons, and
conclude by providing recommendations that countries and basin organizations in
Southern Africa should consider in improving wetland ecosystem governance.
14.10
Mr Hastings Chikoko
"The Informed Stakeholder: Communication and
14.35
Component Manager -
Stakeholder Participation in Integrated Planning"
Awareness Creation, Regional
Water Sector Programme, SADC,
South Africa
Abstract:
The launch of the ODMP seeks to share information, experiences and lessons that
enable stakeholders to implement the plan better. A shared river basin such as the
Okavango has a stakeholder base with different interests, expectations, practices,
capacities and "centres" of power. Despite the heterogeneity of the stakeholder base,
genuine stakeholder participation remains a panacea for effective management of
shared resources. However, stakeholders can only participate if they are empowered
to work with others as equal partners bringing to the "job" their comparative
advantage. Among other things, empowerment is firmly rooted on the availability of
information and knowledge necessary for effective involvement in any activity. Other
things given, an informed stakeholder is an empowered stakeholder. The presentation
re-emphasizes the place of communication in stakeholder empowerment and
participation. It recognizes that communication is a common thread throughout the
entire implementation process of an integrated management plan. The presentation
gives some pointers on how practitioners can ensure that communication efforts result
in creating a stakeholder who is informed enough to take the required action. It
concludes by proposing options for mobilizing funding for communication activities
within the context of an integrated management plan.
14.35
Mr Felix Monggae
"Stakeholder Participation in River Basin
15.00
Chief Executive Officer, Kalahari Management The Every River Project"
Conservation Society Every
River Has Its People Project
Abstract:
Since its inception, the Every River has its People (ERP) project on shared river basin
28
E-Flows Project Initiation Report
management has significantly contributed to the effective and sustainable
management of the Okavango River Basin. One of its major strengths has been the
establishment of an efficient participatory process that is inclusive of all stakeholders,
with particular focus on basin communities. This has allowed the ERP to gain access
to and trust of the communities which in turn has paved the way for the project to add
value to all users of the basin and relevant organisations. The project has developed
a 5 years strategy which concentrates on the new challenges the ERP is facing, as
well as investigating what past successes and lessons can be further developed.
Sustainability of projects and leaving a footprint of empowered people, through
education and knowledge, effective institutional linkages and networks, sustainable
resource management structures and practices, and economic growth through locally
managed enterprises leading to improved livelihoods and poverty reduction, also
forms a substantial part of the ERPs 5 years strategy. While it is envisaged that some
of the activities will be completed within defined periods, it is hoped that others will be
able to improve the livelihoods of people in the river communities for many years.
With this in mind ERP has allowed for the advancement of an exit strategy, which
investigates structures, capacity building and fundraising programs.
15.00
Dr Scott McCormick
"Improved Governance for Environmental
15.25
Project Manager, Integrated River Management - Experience from Kuando-Kubango
Basin Management Project
province , Angola"
Abstract:
Kuando-Kubango, a province of Angola located on the southeastern border of Angola
with Namibia, contains a rich combination of natural and mineral resources, but has
remained relatively underdeveloped due to problems of inaccessibility and the
impacts of war. Communities and local government agencies have identified the
major threats to the sustainable use of natural resources as: river water pollution,
lack of proper waste collection and disposal, over-harvesting of natural resources,
veld fire, and presence of landmines.
The USAID/Southern Africa Okavango Integrated River Basin Management Project
(IRBM), coordinated by the Permanent Okavango River Basin Water Commission
(OKACOM), developed and demonstrated an integrated governance and
environmental management approach intended to create partnerships between
OKACOM, local and national governments in Angola, and communities towards
improved environmental management.
Results included four successful community environmental management projects in
Menongue, providing better delivery and management of potable water supplies, an
integrated community-based tourism operation linked to improved provision of solid
waste management services, reduction in illegal charcoal production, and improved
sanitation. Local government has taken ownership for the long-term support of these
programs and seeks to expand the program throughout the municipality and province.
A local NGO has been able to develop its organizational skills by partnering with
USAID and OKACOM in this program.
15.25
Dr Michael Tumbare
"Operationalising the Zambezi Watercourse
15.50
Chief Executive, Zambezi River
Commission (ZAMCOM)"
Authority, Zambia
Abstract:
The Zambezi River is the largest in the SADC Region and is the fourth largest in
Africa. Concerted efforts commenced in the mid 1980s to put in place a Zambezi
Watercourse Commission (ZAMCOM) that would practice IWRM in the basin whilst
promoting more efficient, equitable and reasonable utilisation of its water resources by
the riparian states for their sustainable economic development.
29
E-Flows Project Initiation Report
More than twenty years have since passed and ZAMCOM and its organs are yet to be
realised. This paper gives recent findings of the current water resources management
status in the Zambezi riparian states as well as an overview of the ZAMCOM
formation process, the challenges met and lessons learnt so far. The way forward to
the eventual establishment of ZAMCOM and its organs is also proposed. The
opinions and conclusions drawn in the paper are those of the author.
15.50
Mrs Connie Masalila-Dodo,
"Information Management in the Okavango Delta
16.15
Metadata Specialist, ARD Inc.
Management Plan"
Abstract:
Information is key to developing an informed integrated plan to manage the Okavango
Delta. One of the Specific objectives of the Data Management was to develop a data
management system for the ODMP, to make existing data, information and
knowledge available to partner institutions and other stakeholders in appropriate
formats and a timely manner to support the development and initiated implementation
of the Okavango Delta management plan (ODMP Project Document).
An information management system named Okavango Delta Information System
(ODIS), was developed to serve information available for supporting the ODMP. The
information consists of research work carried out at the University of Botswana, Harry
Oppenheimer Okavango Research Center, Library resource at HOORC and data from
government departments and other institutions.
Nowadays with improved technology information is accessed through the internet.
Since ODIS the DEA is going a step further in developing an Environmental
Information System which will now provide information globally through the internet.
1st February 2008
08.00 08.10 Recap of Day 1
Session 4: Ecosystems Management Instruments and Tools 08:10 11:00
Facilitator: Dr Lapologang Magole, Senior Research Fellow, Harry Oppenheimer Okavango
Research Centre, University of Botswana
08.10
Mr David Crawford
"The Relevancy of an Integrated Management
09.00
Quality Systems International,
Approach to the Okavango Delta Management
South Africa
Plan"
Abstract:
An Integrated Management System is defined as "a combination of the processes,
procedures and practices used within an organization to implement the organization's
policies". The Okavango Delta Management Plan can only be effectively managed if
it is measured by addressing the issues in a holistic and integrated manner utilizing
internationally recognized management systems to address quality, environment and
safety. The effective implementation of the management plan must address the
issues and the realities of managing for total risk which must be at the forefront of the
top executive's agenda. More so, how do we effectively develop and deploy such an
integrated system as part of the management plan. This paper addresses those
hands-on issues which the Government and Business working together must acquire
to ensure a sustainable future that continues to add value to the Okavango Delta and
future generations.
09.00
Dr Jackie King
"Sustainable Use of River Basins: Concepts and
09.25
Principal Research Officer,
Tools for Informed Decision Making"
Freshwater Research Unit,
University of Cape Town, South
Africa
30
E-Flows Project Initiation Report
Abstract:
The last century has seen an unprecedented increase in global water-resource
development, which has brought substantial benefits to most countries. Increasingly
however, the costs of such developments are causing grave concern, as aquatic
ecosystems degrade and linked social impacts escalate. The situation has driven
development of a new science designed to inform on the ecological and social costs
of development as well as the economic and social benefits. Focusing on integrated
flow management, it is not pro or anti-development but aims (in its African, most
advanced, form) to provide neutral technical information for decision makers on both
the benefits and costs of development. This allows countries to make informed
decisions on whether or not, and in what form, to proceed with river development or
rehabilitation, basing their considerations on the full suite of ecological, social,
resource economic and macroeconomic implications. Examples of the tools that have
been developed and applied in several developing countries in Africa and Asia will be
provided. A possible way forward for the Okavango system will be suggested.
09.25
Dr C. Naidu Kurungudla
"Partitioning of Flows in the Okavango Delta as a
09.50
Head, Aquatic Weed Control
major challenge for environmental flow
Unit, Department of Water
requirements in the Okavango Delta"
Affairs
Abstract:
The sustainable management of water resources of the Okavango Delta requires
balanced water allocation to various users (e.g. water supply to the villages and
settlements, fishing and agriculture, tourism and biodiversity), through the
engagement and participation of all key stakeholders. The process involves the
characterization of water flowing into representative streams so as to determine
relationships between flow extension and ecological processes.
The Mohembo inflows were analyzed to determine sharing and partitioning patterns
for three major river systems in the Delta: Thaoge, Boro and Maunachira. This would
act as a base for understanding the flow requirements for various users/uses. To
better understand wetland storage areas, which are significant in maintaining the
integrity of the Delta's biodiversity, critical sits along the three channels were selected
for introduction of four new hydro-stations. The new stations are complemented with
44 already existing hydro-stations. The hydro data in the improved monitoring
suggest that Thaoge River receives lesser flows, while competition exists inflow-
sharing between Boro and Maunachira Rivers. The hydro dynamics reveal that
Maunachira River has an advantage of being perennial all along its terminal Khwai
River while the Boro River exhibits seasonal patterns. The systematic partition of
inflows into the three rivers and lateral spill to their associated wetlands is necessary
to determine the environmental flow requirements for the various sectors in the
Okavango Delta.
09.50
Dr Jonathan Barnes
"Ensuring Economic Efficiency in the Management
10.15
Design and Development
of Wetlands: The Okavango Delta Case Study"
Services, Namibia
31
E-Flows Project Initiation Report
Abstract:
A 2006 study of economic values associated with the Okavango Delta Ramsar Site
and wetlands system illustrates the importance of ensuring economic efficiency in the
development of wetlands. The study was primarily focused on the direct use values
associated with use of the delta ecosystem for tourism, agriculture and natural
resource harvesting. It also made estimates of indirect use values, in particular the
value of wetland functions in carbon sequestration and as wildlife refugia. Non-use
values for the delta ecosystem were not estimated but were considered, and will be
studied in future. Estimation of the use values of the ecosystem was done within the
framework of the national accounts. Thus the direct contribution and indirect impact of
the ecosystem in the national economy was measured. This allowed integration of
wetland management and conservation in the national development planning process.
It also allowed treatment of the delta ecosystem as a natural asset within Botswana's
natural resource accounting framework. The direct contribution of the ecosystem to
livelihoods was also estimated. Knowledge of how different wetland uses and
combinations thereof contribute to the economy, the development process, and to
livelihoods, is essential to ensure optimal management in wetlands.
10.15
Dr Nkobi Moleele
"Mainstreaming Biodiversity Conservation
10.40
National Project Manager,
Objectives in Management of Wetland Resources
Biokavango Project, HOORC,
in the Okavango Delta: Lessons and Experiences"
University of Botswana
Abstract:
The Okavango Delta is a wetland ecosystem that harbors biodiversity of globally
significance. The ecological integrity of the wetland remains largely intact in the face
of gradually rising anthropogenic pressures. There is therefore need to balance
competing uses of water and other wetland resources by production sectors, while
providing for biodiversity conservation objectives. However, there are existing barriers
to mainstreaming biodiversity conservation practices in the major production sectors
of the Delta, and they include: a systemic and institutional capacity deficit for wetland
management, conflicts over access to wetland resources between user groups, weak
management of knowledge needed to guide decision making from the local user level
to regulatory authorities, and absence of voluntary mechanisms and incentives to
cultivate private industry involvement in conservation.
The Project adopts a two-tiered approach in facilitating the removal of barriers: i) that
build capacity within the regulatory authorities and service providers to assimilate and
supply biodiversity management objectives in decision making; and ii) that
demonstrate how best to incorporate biodiversity management into day-to-day
production practices through pilot projects. A strong emphasis is placed on
participation and engagement between the various stakeholders, and building
partnerships between government, private sector and rural communities. This paper
draws from the implementation process (so far), lessons and experiences worth
sharing in the integration of biodiversity conservation objectives in wetland
management. The discussion will focus, among others, on governance, socio-
economic, technical and sustainability issues related to biodiversity mainstreaming.
Break: 10.40 11.00
Session 5: Collective Management and Benefit Sharing in the Okavango Basin 11:00
13.05
Facilitator: Dr Akolang Tombale, Permanent Secretary, Minstry of Minerals, Energy and
Water Resources
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E-Flows Project Initiation Report
11.00
Dr Gomes Da Silva
"OKACOM as an Effort for Collaborative,
11.25
Co-Chair, OKACOM/Angola
Transboundary Management of the Okavango
River Basin"
Abstract:
Under the OKACOM agreement, the three Okavango River Basin countries of Angola,
Botswana and Namibia are working toward the implementation of an Integrated
Management Plan for the entire basin. Since the inception of the OKACOM project in
1994, there has been much progress toward this goal of joint management. The mere
fact that the three countries have agreed on joint management is a major
achievement in itself.
OKACOM has seen the realisation of a number of its objectives through the
implementation of several projects within the basin, resulting in effective resource
management. Part of this management is the large Department of Environmental
Affairs project that to develop a Strategic Action Plan for addressing issues at a
transboundary level. Not least, however, is the formation and activation of a
permanent revolving secretariat that will provide the organisational structure to
facilitate better collaboration.
11.25
Mr Chaminda Rajapakse
"Identifying What is `Transboundary' for Effective
11.50
Project Manager, OKACOM
Regional Management of the Okavango River
GEF Environmental Protection
Basin"
and Sustainable Management of
the Okavango River Basin
Project, Angola
Abstract:
The long-term objective of the Environment Protection and Sustainable Management
of the Okavango River Basin Project is to achieve global and regional environmental
benefits through concerted management of the naturally integrated land and water
resources of the Okavango River Basin. As a regional project, the challenge is to
separate issues that are truly transboundary from those that can be addressed by
national level initiatives such as the Okavango Delta Management Plan. To achieve
this, it is important to understand the causal chain of events that may either be based
at a local level, and yet combine synergistically to emerge as a transboundary
problem at the regional level, or conversely, how a broadscale event may have
different effects for each of the member countries.
The implications are that transboundary plans of action need to account for such
scale factors. This requires an approach that explores all national initiatives together,
so that commonalities and disparities are identified.
Solutions may be country-specific, and must be designed to complement national
efforts but be regionally integrated to not only advance economies of scale but also to
ensure complementary efforts. Part of the strategy needs to be the development of
mechanisms within OKACOM that accommodate the cross-scale causal chain, and
that are flexible enough to develop standardized principles for all countries where
appropriate (such as environmental flows benchmarks). The Strategic Action Plan
developed by OKACOM through the EPSMO Project will identify and implement a set
of activities and initiatives that will lay the foundation for a basin-wide framework to
address transboundary issues.
11.50
Dr Anthony Turton
"Benefit Sharing as a Governance Paradigm for the
12.15
Strategic Research Leadership: Okavango Delta"
Water Resource Competency
Area, CSIR, South Africa
33
E-Flows Project Initiation Report
Abstract:
Recent work by the author on a Benefit Sharing Paradigm (Turton, 2008) indicates
that there are ten key elements that differentiate it from a "conventional approach".
Benefit-sharing is unlikely to become a reality unless these ten key elements are
understood and managed in an active way. This paper will present these ten key
elements and lay the foundation for a discussion on how they might be applied
specifically to the Okavango Delta.
12.15
Mr Steve Johnson
"What's in it for me......? Benefit Sharing in
12.40
Project Manager, Wildlife
CBNRM Processes in Ngamiland"
Conservation and Management
Project, DWNP
Abstract:
Incentives drive the behaviour of people. Personal incentives or personal benefits lie
at the heart of CBNRM across the globe - even where the benefits are deemed to be
`communal,' people evaluate the communal benefit to see what they will personally
get out of the social good ie. A water tap near their house, and how far it is compared
to others receiving the same benefit.
The history of benefit sharing in Ngamiland CBNRM processes is replete with
instances where the `elite' have captured the communal benefits leaving the `ordinary'
villager dissatisfied and demoralized. Where there is no or little recourse to law, in
many instances this leads to disenfranchisement through apathy, despondency and
disempowerment just what the `elite' want no resistance or opposition. Where the
constitutions and management systems and procedures of community based
organisations are inadequate or unused, then the benefit sharing process becomes
open to abuse. Where little or no link between the conversion of a natural resource to
economic or social benefit is made in the community's mind, then apathy and
indifference surface.
CBNRM linked benefit sharing processes need to be revisited across Ngamiland's
CBNRM related CBOs and community institutions both formal and informal so that
mechanisms may be developed and used to ensure that every community member
receives a just and equitable portion of the overall benefit. Such mechanisms exist it
is just the political will to sanction their adoption and use that is needed.
12.40
Mr Stevie Monna
Way Forward
12.55
Director, Department of Environmental Affairs
12.55
Hon. Mr Ronald Ridge
Closing Remarks
13.10
Member of Parliament, Maun West
19.00 21.00 Reception hosted by Hon. Minister Mokaila, Ministry of Environment, Wildlife
and Tourism
34
E-Flows Project Initiation Report
Appendix 3
Agenda for the Okavango EFlows Assessment Planning Meeting: 15-16 July 2008
35
E-Flows Project Initiation Report
The Okavango River Basin Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis Technical Reports
In 1994, the three riparian countries of the
Analysis to establish a base of available scientific
Okavango River Basin Angola, Botswana and
evidence to guide future decision making. The
Namibia agreed to plan for collaborative
study, created from inputs from multi-disciplinary
management of the natural resources of the
teams in each country, with specialists in hydrology,
Okavango, forming the Permanent Okavango River
hydraulics, channel form, water quality, vegetation,
Basin Water Commission (OKACOM). In 2003, with
aquatic invertebrates, fish, birds, river-dependent
funding from the Global Environment Facility,
terrestrial wildlife, resource economics and socio-
OKACOM launched the Environmental Protection
cultural issues, was coordinated and managed by a
and Sustainable Management of the Okavango
group of specialists from the southern African region
River Basin (EPSMO) Project to coordinate
in 2008 and 2009.
development and to anticipate and address threats
to the river and the associated communities and
The following specialist technical reports were
environment. Implemented by the United Nations
produced as part of this process and form
Development Program and executed by the United
substantive background content for the Okavango
Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the
River Basin Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis.
project produced the Transboundary Diagnostic
Final Study
Reports integrating findings from all country and background reports, and covering the entire
Reports
basin.
Aylward, B.
Economic Valuation of Basin Resources: Final Report to
EPSMO Project of the UN Food & Agriculture Organization as
an Input to the Okavango River Basin Transboundary
Diagnostic Analysis
Barnes, J. et al.
Okavango River Basin Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis:
Socio-Economic Assessment Final Report
King, J.M. and Brown,
Okavango River Basin Environmental Flow Assessment Project
C.A.
Initiation Report (Report No: 01/2009)
King, J.M. and Brown,
Okavango River Basin Environmental Flow Assessment EFA
C.A.
Process Report (Report No: 02/2009)
King, J.M. and Brown,
Okavango River Basin Environmental Flow Assessment
C.A.
Guidelines for Data Collection, Analysis and Scenario Creation
(Report No: 03/2009)
Bethune,
S.
Mazvimavi,
Okavango River Basin Environmental Flow Assessment
D. and Quintino, M.
Delineation Report (Report No: 04/2009)
Beuster, H.
Okavango River Basin Environmental Flow Assessment
Hydrology Report: Data And Models(Report No: 05/2009)
Beuster,
H. Okavango River Basin Environmental Flow Assessment
Scenario Report : Hydrology (Report No: 06/2009)
Jones, M.J.
The Groundwater Hydrology of The Okavango Basin (FAO
Internal Report, April 2010)
King, J.M. and Brown,
Okavango River Basin Environmental Flow Assessment
C.A.
Scenario Report: Ecological and Social Predictions (Volume 1
of 4)(Report No. 07/2009)
King, J.M. and Brown,
Okavango River Basin Environmental Flow Assessment
C.A.
Scenario Report: Ecological and Social Predictions (Volume 2
of 4: Indicator results) (Report No. 07/2009)
King, J.M. and Brown,
Okavango River Basin Environmental Flow Assessment
C.A.
Scenario Report: Ecological and Social Predictions: Climate
Change Scenarios (Volume 3 of 4) (Report No. 07/2009)
King, J., Brown, C.A.,
Okavango River Basin Environmental Flow Assessment
Joubert, A.R. and
Scenario Report: Biophysical Predictions (Volume 4 of 4:
Barnes, J.
Climate Change Indicator Results) (Report No: 07/2009)
King, J., Brown, C.A.
Okavango River Basin Environmental Flow Assessment Project
and Barnes, J.
Final Report (Report No: 08/2009)
Malzbender, D.
Environmental Protection And Sustainable Management Of The
Okavango River Basin (EPSMO): Governance Review
Vanderpost, C. and
Database and GIS design for an expanded Okavango Basin
Dhliwayo, M.
Information System (OBIS)
Veríssimo, Luis
GIS Database for the Environment Protection and Sustainable
Management of the Okavango River Basin Project
Wolski,
P.
Assessment of hydrological effects of climate change in the
Okavango Basin
Country Reports
Angola
Andrade e Sousa,
Análise Diagnóstica Transfronteiriça da Bacia do Rio
Biophysical Series
Helder André de
Okavango: Módulo do Caudal Ambiental: Relatório do
36
E-Flows Project Initiation Report
Especialista: País: Angola: Disciplina: Sedimentologia &
Geomorfologia
Gomes, Amândio
Análise Diagnóstica Transfronteiriça da Bacia do Rio
Okavango: Módulo do Caudal Ambiental: Relatório do
Especialista: País: Angola: Disciplina: Vegetação
Gomes,
Amândio
Análise Técnica, Biofísica e Socio-Económica do Lado
Angolano da Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Cubango: Relatório
Final:Vegetação da Parte Angolana da Bacia Hidrográfica Do
Rio Cubango
Livramento, Filomena
Análise Diagnóstica Transfronteiriça da Bacia do Rio
Okavango: Módulo do Caudal Ambiental: Relatório do
Especialista: País: Angola: Disciplina:Macroinvertebrados
Miguel, Gabriel Luís
Análise Técnica, Biofísica E Sócio-Económica do Lado
Angolano da Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Cubango:
Subsídio Para o Conhecimento Hidrogeológico
Relatório de Hidrogeologia
Morais, Miguel
Análise Diagnóstica Transfronteiriça da Bacia do Análise Rio
Cubango (Okavango): Módulo da Avaliação do Caudal
Ambiental: Relatório do Especialista País: Angola Disciplina:
Ictiofauna
Morais,
Miguel
Análise Técnica, Biófisica e Sócio-Económica do Lado
Angolano da Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Cubango: Relatório
Final: Peixes e Pesca Fluvial da Bacia do Okavango em Angola
Pereira, Maria João
Qualidade da Água, no Lado Angolano da Bacia Hidrográfica
do Rio Cubango
Santos,
Carmen
Ivelize
Análise Diagnóstica Transfronteiriça da Bacia do Rio
Van-Dúnem S. N.
Okavango: Módulo do Caudal Ambiental: Relatório de
Especialidade: Angola: Vida Selvagem
Santos, Carmen Ivelize
Análise Diagnóstica Transfronteiriça da Bacia do Rio
Van-Dúnem S.N.
Okavango:Módulo Avaliação do Caudal Ambiental: Relatório de
Especialidade: Angola: Aves
Botswana Bonyongo, M.C.
Okavango River Basin Technical Diagnostic Analysis:
Environmental Flow Module: Specialist Report: Country:
Botswana: Discipline: Wildlife
Hancock, P.
Okavango River Basin Technical Diagnostic Analysis:
Environmental Flow Module : Specialist Report: Country:
Botswana: Discipline: Birds
Mosepele,
K. Okavango River Basin Technical Diagnostic Analysis:
Environmental Flow Module: Specialist Report: Country:
Botswana: Discipline: Fish
Mosepele, B. and
Okavango River Basin Technical Diagnostic Analysis:
Dallas, Helen
Environmental Flow Module: Specialist Report: Country:
Botswana: Discipline: Aquatic Macro Invertebrates
Namibia
Collin Christian &
Okavango River Basin: Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis
Associates CC
Project: Environmental Flow Assessment Module:
Geomorphology
Curtis, B.A.
Okavango River Basin Technical Diagnostic Analysis:
Environmental Flow Module: Specialist Report Country:
Namibia Discipline: Vegetation
Bethune, S.
Environmental Protection and Sustainable Management of the
Okavango River Basin (EPSMO): Transboundary Diagnostic
Analysis: Basin Ecosystems Report
Nakanwe, S.N.
Okavango River Basin Technical Diagnostic Analysis:
Environmental Flow Module: Specialist Report: Country:
Namibia: Discipline: Aquatic Macro Invertebrates
Paxton,
M. Okavango River Basin Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis:
Environmental Flow Module: Specialist
Report:Country:Namibia: Discipline: Birds (Avifauna)
Roberts, K.
Okavango River Basin Technical Diagnostic Analysis:
Environmental Flow Module: Specialist Report: Country:
Namibia: Discipline: Wildlife
Waal,
B.V. Okavango River Basin Technical Diagnostic Analysis:
Environmental Flow Module: Specialist Report: Country:
Namibia:Discipline: Fish Life
Country Reports
Angola
Gomes, Joaquim
Análise Técnica dos Aspectos Relacionados com o Potencial
Socioeconomic
Duarte
de Irrigação no Lado Angolano da Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio
Series
Cubango: Relatório Final
Mendelsohn,
.J.
Land use in Kavango: Past, Present and Future
Pereira, Maria João
Análise Diagnóstica Transfronteiriça da Bacia do Rio
Okavango: Módulo do Caudal Ambiental: Relatório do
Especialista: País: Angola: Disciplina: Qualidade da Água
Saraiva, Rute et al.
Diagnóstico Transfronteiriço Bacia do Okavango: Análise
Socioeconómica Angola
Botswana Chimbari, M. and
Okavango River Basin Trans-Boundary Diagnostic Assessment
37
E-Flows Project Initiation Report
Magole, Lapologang
(TDA): Botswana Component: Partial Report: Key Public Health
Issues in the Okavango Basin, Botswana
Magole,
Lapologang
Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis of the Botswana Portion of
the Okavango River Basin: Land Use Planning
Magole, Lapologang
Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) of the Botswana p
Portion of the Okavango River Basin: Stakeholder Involvement
in the ODMP and its Relevance to the TDA Process
Masamba,
W.R.
Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis of the Botswana Portion of
the Okavango River Basin: Output 4: Water Supply and
Sanitation
Masamba,W.R.
Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis of the Botswana Portion of
the Okavango River Basin: Irrigation Development
Mbaiwa.J.E. Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis of the Okavango River
Basin: the Status of Tourism Development in the Okavango
Delta: Botswana
Mbaiwa.J.E. &
Assessing the Impact of Climate Change on Tourism Activities
Mmopelwa, G.
and their Economic Benefits in the Okavango Delta
Mmopelwa,
G.
Okavango River Basin Trans-boundary Diagnostic Assessment:
Botswana Component: Output 5: Socio-Economic Profile
Ngwenya, B.N.
Final Report: A Socio-Economic Profile of River Resources and
HIV and AIDS in the Okavango Basin: Botswana
Vanderpost,
C.
Assessment of Existing Social Services and Projected Growth
in the Context of the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis of the
Botswana Portion of the Okavango River Basin
Namibia
Barnes, J and
Okavango River Basin Technical Diagnostic Analysis:
Wamunyima, D
Environmental Flow Module: Specialist Report:
Country: Namibia: Discipline: Socio-economics
Collin Christian &
Technical Report on Hydro-electric Power Development in the
Associates CC
Namibian Section of the Okavango River Basin
Liebenberg, J.P.
Technical Report on Irrigation Development in the Namibia
Section of the Okavango River Basin
Ortmann, Cynthia L.
Okavango River Basin Technical Diagnostic Analysis:
Environmental Flow Module : Specialist Report Country:
Namibia: discipline: Water Quality
Nashipili,
Okavango River Basin Technical Diagnostic Analysis: Specialist
Ndinomwaameni
Report: Country: Namibia: Discipline: Water Supply and
Sanitation
Paxton,
C.
Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis: Specialist Report:
Discipline: Water Quality Requirements For Human Health in
the Okavango River Basin: Country: Namibia
38
E-Flows Project Initiation Report
39
Document Outline