The Every River Has Its People Project is in support of OKACOM and aims to build bridges

between local stakeholders and OKACOM

Implemented by:

Kalahari Conservation SocietyFelix MoggaeChief Executive OfficerP O Box 859Gaborone, Botswana Tel: +267 374557 Fax: +267 314259e-mail: kcsceo@botsnet.bw

Regionally and for Botswana In Namibia

Namibia Nature Foundation Nils OdendaalProject Co-ordinatorPO Box 245Windhoek, NamibiaTel: + 264 61 248345Fax: + 264 61 248344e-mail: no@nnf.org.na

Namibia continued:

IRDNCIRDNC

Integrated Rural Development and Nature ConservationDr. Margret JacobsohnCo-directorPO Box 24050Windhoek, NamibiaTel: +264 61 228506Fax: +264 61 228530E-mail: irdnc@iafrica.com.na

Desert Research Foundation of NamibiaBertus KrugerDeputy DirectorPO Box 20232Windhoek, Namibia Tel: +264 61 229855Fax: +264 61 230172E-mail: bertusk@drfn.org.na

Len Le RouxDirectorPrivate Bag 13214Windhoek, NamibiaTel: +264 61 211721Fax: +264 61 211273E-mail: lleroux@rf.org.na

Rössing Foundation

Supported by:

The Project Area

Extensive Socio-Ecological Surveys were undertaken by project staff in partnership with local communities, regional and local authorities, line ministries and NGOs.

In Namibia the surveys were held from July to September 2001. In Botswana the

surveys were held in November and December 2000.

No field work has been done in Angola, due to the security situation on the ground

Map of the Okavango basin, showing all contributing drainage systems

GoalGoalPromote the sustainable management of

natural resources in the Okavango River Basin for the benefit of basin residents and states, through promoting

and facilitating the effective participation of basin stakeholders in natural resource

decision-making and management, particularly related to water resources.

The OBJECTIVES of the project are two-fold: 1. To increase the capacity of communities and

other local stakeholders to participate effectively in decision making about the natural resources of the Okavango River Basin, particularly those related to water resources, at local, national and regional (basin-wide) levels.

2. To develop mechanisms to promote and facilitate the participation of communities and other local stakeholders in natural resource management and decision making, particularly those related to water resources, at local, national and basin-wide levels.

MOHEMBO

SHAKAWE

SEPOPA

ETSHA

GUMARE

TSAU

SEHITWA

TOTENG

MAUN

SHOROBE

SERONGA

BAFFALO FENCE

Selindo Spillway

Nqohha Maunachira

Khwai Mborog

a

MogogeloGomoli

Chief’s

Island

Jao

Kiri Boro

Santantad

ibe

Sandvelt

Tongue Malsibe

XudumXwaapa

Thooge

Ngami

Kunyere

Tham

alaka

n

e

Nhabe

Boteti

Lake

N

Xakao

Ngarange

Xamas

ere

Gudigwa

BeetshaGunitsoga

Ikoga

Nokaneng

Map of the Okavango Detla showing the Survey Areas

N

Survey Areas in Red

Motlopi

Chanoga

Ditshiping

Adapted from SMEC, 1987

Location Map for the Okavango Delta

Socio – Ecological Surveys: Botswana

Areas surveyed shown in red

Emphasis of survey on gathering of quantitative data

Building partnerships

Understanding issues, problems, solutions and options

Improved understanding of the Okavango as a system.

Map of the Kavango, showing surveyed areas

Gciriku area

Mbukushu areaCentral area

Kwangali

Area

Emphasis on qualitative and quantitative data collection Building partnerships, trust and consensus Understanding the role of natural resources in peoples’ livelihoods Understanding issues, problems, possible solutions and options, including traditional management systems Identification of key local institutions Improved understanding of the Okavango as a system and peoples’ place therein.

Socio-ecological Survey: Namibia

Socio-Ecological Socio-Ecological SurveySurvey

* Methodology developed and well tested in Namibia Holistic, rapid social and natural resource appraisals

Introduction to project Develop shared understanding of resource issues, social setting,

problems, ideas, etc. Common vision in what should be done Gather priority information (traditional management, resources

etc.) Identify gaps in understanding and assess capacity-building needs Identify local institutions, functions and capacity Agree on roles, responsibilities; etc.

The three main categories of the Socio-Ecological Survey are:

1. Information giving2. Information gathering3. Consensus building and planning

The survey included:

Community meetings Focused group discussions One-on-one discussions Feed back to Regional and Traditional Authorities

Household surveysVillage resource mappingResource inventoriesOpen discussions

Problem:Declining River Health

Causes:Silting, erosion and dirty water (turbidity)Pollution – Urban, Local and ChemicalDecline in water volumeChannels becoming blocked and in some cases drying up

Suggested Solutions:Protect riverbanks and riparian forestsAvoid cultivation too close to the riverbanksAvoid cultivation on dunes facing the riverProtect flood plains and reed banks lining the riverDredge the river and sell the sand to buildersRe-open channels blocked by vegetation by protecting hippo populations

Problem:Declining fish stock and size

Causes:Too many people fishingToo many people using inappropriate fishing methods e.g. mosquito nets.No protected areas for fish breedingNo local control over outsidersLocal fishermen have insufficient management and control of the fish resourcesHigh-powered boats disturb breeding areasPrevious wetland areas are now dry

Suggested Solutions:Appropriate and traditional fishing methodsMonitoring system and adaptive managementLocal controlEnforcement of fishing regulationsNeed protected areas for fish breeding stockProtect floodplains for fish breedingRiver needs to be zoned for different usesGuidelines and regulations for boat and river use

Suggested Solutions:Improve veld / rangeland management so as to improve water infiltrationImprove supply of water (pipe and borehole), linked to water and

rangeland management strategies for sustainable use.Increase local capacity by providing trainingIntroduce appropriate financing mechanismsImprove co-operation between government departments, NGOs and other service providers for sustainable community development.

Problem:Insufficient water for people living away from the river

Causes:Groundwater levels dropping (Borehole drying up)Insufficient boreholes (Water supply)Not enough provision and maintenance of water infrastructure (pumps)Insufficient capacity to maintain water pumps and boreholes

Suggested Solutions:Sustainable management and harvesting methods which include community based approaches, and devolution of rights over resource management (i.e rights over resources) Benefits from wildlife to appropriate level so as to offset the cost of living with wildlifeRapid response strategy for problem animals that empower people to respond.Strategy to reduce problem animal conflictsMonitoring and adaptive management

Problem:Declining wildlife and lack of benefits

Causes:Problem animals causing human, livestock and crop lossesLoss of wildlife through poaching, habitat loss, fencing etc.Park and neighbours conflictInsufficient benefits from wildlife and neighbouring parksInsufficient local control over management and use

Causes:Loss of riparian vegetation (riverine forests)Loss of reeds and other aquatic plants e.g. water liliesToo frequent and uncontrolled firesOvergrazing Local farmers have insufficient control over management of rangelandDeforestationLoss of fruit trees

Suggested Solutions:Protect riparian vegetation along the river banksSustainable management and use of natural resources through community

based approaches and devolution of rights (i.e. rights over resources)Enforcing of existing traditional and legal mechanisms, rules and regulationsImproved recruitment, cultivation and propagation of fruit treesEmpowerment of traditional authorities, developing awareness and capacity

with appropriate skills

Problem:Declining productivity of rangeland and

plants

Causes:Conflict between different land usesPoor relations between inland and river residentsAngolan refugees exerting pressure on land, natural resources and social

infrastructureResources over-utilised without permission (outsiders)Settlement encroachment Community not committed to help itself Alcohol problems in the community – apathy, disinterestSales hampered by unfair prices, lack of markets & transport Lack of education, knowledge & expertise Lack of information on traditional laws Legal restrictions on access to resourcesSuggested Solutions:Community based approach to manage and control access to resources Develop guidelines for harvesting of natural resources Develop incentives and opportunities for marketingPromote co-operation between inland & river residentsEmpower traditional authoritiesSafari operators and support agencies to train communities and /or employ local peopleCommunity involvement in formation of laws and local strategies on natural

resources and management practicesFacilitate sustainable use and conservation

Problem:Social Concerns

A Preliminary Profile of the Kavango Region in Namibia

A Preliminary Profile of the Kavango Region has been produced to provide background material for the "Every River Has its People Project". The bulk of the report consists of maps and graphs derived largely from analyses of recent surveys, censuses and mapping projects. Brief comments are offered to help users interpret the analyses and to highlight major issues and processes in the region, especially those relating to natural resources.

The report has been organised into four chapters, with one chapter providing information on the Okavango River in its entirety. Thereafter, almost all information concentrates on the Kavango Region within Namibia.

Total annual rainfall at Rundu and Andara over the past 60 years (left) and the years during which different amounts of rain fell (right)

Total volume of water carried per year by the Okavango at Rundu and

Mukwe.

Average volume of water carried monthly by the Okavango at Rundu and Dirico.

This map shows the 11 different vegetation types of the Kavango region

This map shows the extent of vegetation cover in the Kavango region

Monthly average daily maximum, mean and minimum temperatures at Rundu.

Percentage of area burnt. This map shows how the demarcated area has progressively been more extensively burnt.

1996 – 45% of area burnt

1997 – 53% of area burnt

1998 – 51% of area burnt

1999 – 65% of area burnt

These maps (left of the figure) show the percentage of land cleared (red) for agricultural purposes between 1972 and 1996.

The smaller map on the right shows the percentage of cleared land for different regions of Kavango in 1972 (black) and 1996 (red).

This map indicates the six main land use activities and the areas in which they occur.

This map shows areas within 5 kilometers of health facilities compared with the density of people.

This map shows the distribution and size of schools offering primary grades and secondary grades, and combined schools that offer both primary and secondary grades.

This graph shows the growth of the population in the Kavango region between 1951 and 1999 and indicates a projected growth of the population up to the year 2020.

This graph shows the number of male and female learners in Grades 1 – 12 in 1999.

Pressure on natural Pressure on natural resourcesresources

• Human population• Livestock densities• Cultivation• Fishing pressure• Clearing of riparian vegetation

Basin-wide Stakeholder Meeting

Held in Maun in October 2001 Brought together community representatives from

Botswana and Namibia Compared survey results – commonalities and

differences Further developed shared understanding of

resources in the basin Shared understanding of issues, aspirations and

problems Mapped first steps for the way ahead action

planning Institutional arrangements Basin-wide Committee

The Future

* Capacity –buildingLocal level

DELEGATES (Botswana & Namibia) chosen for basin-wide forum•Information on OKACOM and issues•Mechanisms for two-way communication with OKACOM•Institutional management and consensus building•Communication and accountability to constituents (communities)

LINKS between different layers of decision-making•Local levels, within country at district / regional level•National and basin-wide•Across sectors of stakeholders, farmers, fisher people, craft, tourism, government, private sector etc.•Roles and responsibilities

* Information

Feedback to communities Exchanges between local residents and scientists on key issues Understanding of river basin functioning as an ecosystem Policy environment Development of income generating options* Pilot initiatives in testing a few key solutions and community initiatives

* Basin-wide Profile as a baseline planning tool

* Basin-wide Natural Resource Accounts as a planning and options tool

For more information please visit our web site

http://www.everyriver.orghttp://www.everyriver.org