RBWO ISSUES IN THE RUFIJI RIVER BASIN

Transcription

1 RBWO ISSUES IN THE RUFIJI RIVER BASIN 1

2 Introduction Outline Institutional Framework IWRM Key Issues and Challenges in the Rufiji Basin Additional Challenges Additional Information on the Rufiji Basin Water Resources Management Interventions Monitoring Network Conclusion 2

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5 Introduction The Rufiji Basin covers an area of 183,791 square kilometres (about 20% of Tanzania). The river drains into the Indian Ocean. The basin is situated between Longitudes 33 o 55 E and 39 o 25 E and between Latitudes 5 o 35,S and 10 o 45 S. The basin traverses in the regions of Mbeya, Iringa, Ruvuma, Lindi, Coast, Morogoro, Dodoma, Singida and Tabora (covering a total of 31 districts in parts or wholes). 5

6 Introduction No Subbasin Catchment Area (km 2) % Of Drainag e area 1 Great Ruaha 85, Kilombero 40, Luwegu 25, Rufiji 32, Total 183, % Of Annual runoff 6

7 Institutional Framework The National water Policy (NAWAPO 2002), sets out the institutional setup at the following levels: National Basin Catchment Subcatchment Water User Association 7

8 Institutional Framework The Rufiji Basin Water Board The RBWB was established under Section 22 of WRMA No. 11 of 2009 The Board consists of 10 members The Board has mandates of :- allocating water resources, controlling water pollution, protecting water sources Other general Water resources management matters 8

9 Institutions Other Main Actors in IWRM in the Basin Include: District Councils and local authorities Regional and District Authorities (Central Government) Vice Presidents Office (Directorate of Environment) National Environment Management Council Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism Wildlife Division Forestry and Beekeeping Water use Sectors (Ministries like Industries and Trade; water utilities) Law enforcement authorities Some NGOs (WWF, WCS, WCST, IUCN, etc) Some CBOs (normally in conservation activities) Private Sector (some companies like Uniliver Co. ltd, TANWAT; Kilombero Valley Teak Co, individuals etc) Research Institutions (including Universities) 9

10 Key Issues and Challenges in the Rufiji Basin FLOODS In the Basin there are various occurrences of floods in all the four major tributaries of the Rufiji In certain areas like the Lower Rufiji the frequency of floods has diminished due to regulation by damming in the Great Ruaha River. This has brought hardships to the socio-economic welfare and livelihoods of the people in the Coast Region DROUGHTS or WATER SHORTAGE Droughts are a common phenomenon in the Rufiji Basin especially in the Great Ruaha Sub-basin. The Northern portion of the sub-basin is dry. Due to growth in economic developments in the basin, there instances when water is not enough to every need. There is always competition when the demand for water exceeds supply (especially in small streams and in the Great Ruaha Sub-basin) 10

11 Key Issues.. WATER QUALITY DEGRADATION The waters of the basin are not very much polluted. However it happens sometimes when in certain localities water is not good for certain uses especially for domestic use. The water pollution prone areas are monitored frequently. 11

12 Excessive Water Use Key Issues Mostly water is used for Agriculture, HEP generation and Domestic water supply. Water for agriculture is mostly used in very inefficient ways (efficiency in most schemes still below 15%). There is yet to balance water demand (use) and water supply (availability) especially in irrigated agriculture (issues of selection of crops, and scheduling of irrigation are yet to be well addressed by water users. Use of water for HEP is not normally optimal 12

13 Key Issues Environmental and water sources Degradation This is one of the major problems facing the basin and is mainly caused by land use practices. WUAs are now engaging them selves in the protection of sources. Soil erosion is still a problem in many parts of the catchments Unplanned Land use Land use in the basin is poorly planned Very few villages in the basin have land use plans. Overgrazing and nomadic livestock rearing lifestyles are practiced all over the basin (especially the Great Ruaha, Kilombero and Lower Rufiji) Poorly Coordinated Sectoral Development Activities Every sector plans and implements its water programs on WR without proper coordination with other sectors 13

14 Key Issues Conflicts There are number of conflicts over water use especially in the Great Ruaha (We have recorded over 20 Conflicts since July 2007). Inter-sectoral conflicts Hydropower and Irrigation (Mtera) Pastoralists and irrigators (Usangu Plains) Agriculture and environment (Ruaha National Park) Hydropower and environment (Mtera and Kidatu) Domestic Water Users and other users (especially irrigators) Intra-sectoral conflicts Groups of Farmers (Irrigators upstream and Downstream of one source) Users within one Scheme 14

15 Additional Challenges There are many unauthorised water uses. Payment for water use is still an illusion to some users. Vandalism of monitoring instruments and equipment Excessive use of agro chemicals (in farms and gardens) and unregulated disposal of industrial wastes and human waste (in urban centres). 15

16 Additional Information on the Rufiji Basin Reservoirs and Sensitive Ecosystems There are three major HEP plants in the Rufiji Basin namely Mtera (80 MW, Kidatu 204 MW, Kihansi 180 MW) There exists three major sensitive areas namely Utengule Wetland (including Ihefu) Kibasila Wetland Mangroove swamps at the Rufiji Delta) There are over 87 national forest reserves Other important systems include the protected areas (Lungwa-Ruaha NP system, Kitulo NP, Udzungwa (and the Eastern Arc Mts, Part of 16 Mikumi NP and Selous GR)

17 Additional Information Water Use In the Basin Hydropower generation is over 469 MW from both major and minor schemes. Irrigation is the greatest water use type in the basin. Domestic water supply is practiced every where. Fishing both in-stream (including the ocean) and in man made dams and ponds being practiced. Livestock water use is found in the basin. Industrial use is mostly found in towns but there are a few in the rural areas. 17

18 Water Use. There is some mining in the basin (especially in The Great Ruaha, Kilombero and Luwegu catchments). New major mining initiatives are now being developed in the basin for Uranium and Copper in Iringa and Namtumbo Districts. Environment is increasingly being considered as an important water user (in the Great Ruaha River and in the Kihansi and Lower Rufiji) Navigation in a few areas (ferries) Recreation activities in some water bodies (to a some extent). 18

19 Some Activities in Pictures Control and Regulation of water use Gauging station Control and Regulation of water use Meeting with stakeholders In need for water unplanned canal 19

20 Strengthening WUA Meeting with stakeholders Water monitoring Celebrating after assisting farmers in the construction of their irrigation Scheme 20

21 Water Resources Management Interventions There have been several development interventions to deal with the problems and conflicts over water use in the basin. There are ongoing Construction and Rehabilitation of Control gates and Traditional furrows projects in the basin. The World Wilde Fund For Nature (WWF) is currently implementing The Ruaha Water Program (RWP) in collaboration with RBWO, LGAs and other stakeholders. The main objective of the program is to insure that the Great Ruaha River is Flowing throughout the year. RBWB is carrying out rational allocation of water for various water uses in order to balance the demands with the ever decreasing water resources 21

22 Interventions RBWB is addressing herself to existing water use conflicts through Water Users Associations Monitor and facilitate environment management especially for water source protection RBWB is undertaking Control and regulation exercises to ensure that water is flowing all year round in the Great Ruaha River. Awareness creation to the water users and other stakeholders on IWRM aspects. Ministry of Water has prepared and launched the Water Sector Development Program WSDP

23 Interventions One of the objectives of WSDP is to promote good governance of water resources. RBWB is planning to implement some priority investment projects under WSDP (preparations are on going). Construction of the Lugoda dam on the Ndembera River in Mufindi District Training of the Great Ruaha river in Mbarali District Borehole drilling for irrigation purposes in Mbarali district Restoration of water course for Lukosi River and provision of W/S scheme for a village in Kilolo District (completed except for village w/s). Currently the MoW has employed the Consultant for carrying out IWRMD Plan in the Basin 23

24 Monitoring Network We maintain a network of 64 hydrometric Stations. 20 stations are fully operational, 34 are partially operated and 10 are non operational. 8 new stations are required. There are also 15 weather stations of which 11 have automatic instruments. 5 out of 11 automatic stations are partially working and the rest are not operational. 1 new station will be constructed to make a total of 16 stations. There are 6 manual rainfall stations 11 of these have incomplete reports. 16 new stations are planned to be installed. There are several other stations operated by individuals or 24 institutions (data can be obtained at TMA).

25 Monitoring Network groundwater monitoring stations Out of 12 monitoring stations 9 are operational and 3 have been vandalized 29 water quality monitoring stations 9 pollution monitoring stations 25

26 Conclusions IWRMDP is legal requirement Sectoral planning and implementation of water projects cannot continue any longer Water allocation shall be in accordance to the plan We need further collaboration with all stakeholders in order to implement the plan. The RBWB is still building her capacity in order to properly handle IWRM issues in the basin. 26

27 Thank you for listening 27