Current Projects-Wetlands

Improving livelihoods through Water Storage Infrastructure (WSI) development in Southeast Asia
Duration : April 01, 2010 – December 31, 2013

[toggle title=”Read More”] This project is about livelihoods, and how they can be improved through reservoir management for multiple uses and users. It is about developing strategies for optimizing the benefits of WSI and increasing the ways in which water can be utilized for the benefit of the poor. Strategies can be developed for individual reservoirs or for cascades or systems of reservoirs. This project will explore ways in which riparian communities can improve their livelihoods by taking advantage of agricultural, fisheries and other opportunities afforded by WSI development. Suitable strategies will broaden the uses of reservoir water to support livelihoods, benefit riparian and downstream communities alike, increase the lifespan of reservoirs, and maintain hydropower generating capacity. Research will also seek to minimize negative down-stream impacts. Research on water use and livelihoods will take account of different needs (agriculture, fisheries, hydropower, and the environment – for example, wetlands preservation) for different user groups (including gender differentiation). These needs can be direct or indirect (for example, health related issues), or for consumptive or non-consumptive use of water (for example, fisheries). In addition, water requirements may vary seasonally, annually or in the long-term (e.g. under the effects of global drivers such as climate change).

Location(s): Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, VietNam
Project Contact: Sonali Senaratne S s.senaratnasellamuttu@CGIAR.ORG
Donor(s): CPWF
Research Collaborator(s) : Dept of Agricultural Extension (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries), International Centre for Environmental Management, National Agriculture & Forestry Research Institute, Soils and Fertillizers Research Institute, World Fish Center.
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The politics of Integrated Water Resources Management in Africa
Duration : April 01, 2012 – December 31, 2014

[toggle title=”Read More”] Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) has emerged as a key approach in the water sector in the past decade. However, IWRM has not produced the anticipated socio-economic, political and ecological outcomes due to the uncertainty and complexity of river basins and the plural, overlapping and competing formal and informal legal and customary systems in the African context. Our research seeks to link ideas of IWRM as constructed at the global and European level to their translation into narratives and practices in eastern and southern Africa (Tanzania, Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe). This research will critically examine the interpretations and challenges of IWRM, hopefully contributing to improving water policies and practices and making them locally appropriate.

Location(s): Mozambique, Tanzania, South Africa, Zimbabwe
Project Contact: Van Koppen, B. B.VanKoppen@cgiar.org
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Support to Wetlands
Duration : January 01, 2006 – December 31, 2013

[toggle title=”Read More”] To ensure that we meet our obligation to the Ramsar convention where we are a partner organization. In 2010 the sub-project will focus on: 1) IWMI support to Ramsar through i) participation in the Ramsar Scientific and Technical Review Panel (STRP) and ii) assisting in the implementation of the 2009-2012 workplan by contributing to working groups most noteably those relating to: a) wetlands and agriculture; b) wetlands and climate change; c) wetlands and water resource management; d) wetland inventory, assessment, monitoring and reporting; e) wetlands and poverty reduction/eradication 2) Conversion of the IWMI issues paper on wetlands, agriculture and poverty alleviation into an IWMI RR, with a greater emphasis on wetland water productivity. 3) Completion of papers from the GEF project on wetlands, livelihoods and environmental security. 4) Collaboration the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency through participation in the wetlands theme of the ALOS K&C Science Team 5) Writing a paper on the role of Ramsar’s Wise Use Guidelines in the Kolleru Lake restoration – including an expanded assessment of the socio-economic impacts of decisions taken. 6) Final report from the China project 7) Development of IWMI wetland strategy for the board meeting. 8) Contribution to wetlands chapter of the FAO State of Land and Water Report ————— In 2009 the sub-project will focus on: 1) IWMI support to Ramsar through i) participation in the Ramsar Scientific and Technical Review Panel (STRP) and ii) assisting in the implementation of the 2009-2012 workplan by contributing to working groups most noteably those relating to: a) wetlands and agriculture; b) wetlands and human health; c) wetlands and climate change; d) wetlands and water resource management; e) Wetland inventory, assessment, monitoring and reporting 2) Development of an IWMI issues paper on wetlands, agriculture and poverty alleviation. 3) Completion of papers from the GEF project on wetlands, livelihoods and enviornmental security for a journal special edition 4) Collaboration with the Kyoto Science Team of the Japanese Space Agency —————- In 2008 the subproject will focus on: 1/ Participation in the Ramsar Scientific and Technical Review Panel (STRP) to implement 2006-2008 Workplan by performing STRP functions identified by SC with anticipated inputs to working groups on “wetlands and agriculture”, “water resource management”, “wetland inventory and assessment, including indicators”, (2) Participation in the COP meeting in Korea in October with advice on resolutions and inputs to the meeting ——————– In 2007 the subproject will focus on the following key areas of work: For the activity IWMI Collaboration with Ramsar: 1/ Participation in the Ramsar Scientific and Technical Review Panel (STRP) to implement 2006-2008 Workplan by: (i) performing STRP functions identified by SC; (ii) leadership of Working Group on “wetlands and agriculture” and technical inputs to others, notably “water resource management”, “wetland inventory and assessment, including indicators”, and CEPA. 2/ Preparation of a range of technical and CEPA wetlands and water-related materials, through the STRP, and activities of the established STRP Oversight Committee, Management Working Group, Subgroup on the Strategic Plan and CEPA Oversight Panel. 3/ Further development of joint IOP initiative. 4/ Contribution to the Convention’s mission, objectives and procedures, Work Plan and Strategic Plan, through participation as an observer on the Ramsar Standing Committee (SC). For subproject CA-Ramsar Report on Wetlands and Agriculture: The preparation of a report for Ramsar that addresses key questions posed by the Convention, and includes the findings of the CA, on wetlands and agriculture issues.

Location(s): Ethiopia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Sri Lanka
Project Contact: Mccartney, M. M.MCCARTNEY@CGIAR.ORG
Donor(s): UNRE
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Water fee collecting mechanisms in several countries in Africa
Duration : July 15, 2011 – December 20, 2011
(Extended to : December 31, 2012)

[toggle title=”Read More”] The project analyses the current state of irrigation management institutions (mainly Water User Associations) and the water fee determination and collection mechanisms observed in four countries of West Africa, namely Togo, Benin, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. The overall objective is to develop a prototype model to analyze sustainable water management in Africa.

Location(s): Ghana
Project Contact: Namara, R.E. R.NAMARA@CGIAR.ORG
Donor(s): Japan Int’l Research Center for Agriculture Scienc

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