Title: Collective Learning in search of improved Institutional Effectiveness
Abstract: WWF and the Rufiji Basin Water Office (RBWO) have been working together over the past decade to improve water use and management in the Great Ruaha River (GRR) catchment, the largest of four in the Rufiji River basin system in southern Tanzania. Reduced flows in the GRR have been recorded since the early 1990s when sections of the river were first observed to dry up completely in the dry season. WWF’s overarching goal has been to restore perennial flows in the GRR for the benefit of both the environment and people. The RBWB is the authority responsible for allocating water resources, controlling water pollution and protecting water sources in accordance with national water laws. The approach adopted during the first phase was strongly influenced by existing water policy and associated, conventional 'integrated water resources management' (IWRM) thinking. Component strategies included building or strengthening the capacity of formal water institutions, together with awareness raising amongst communities in eight priority districts. Support was provided to RBWB for hydrological monitoring and research studies, resources were provided to existing water users associations (WUAs) and new ones formed, district facilitation teams (DFTs) were formed and supported in the participating districts, and resources were provided to establish a catchment coordination committee (CCC). Despite these contributions, the longer-term objective of a comprehensive and integrated water resources management plan for the catchment has not yet been realised, and equitable and sustainable allocation of water resources remains aspirational. Many decisions taken at the national level moreover, did not appear to take into account or give sufficient weight to the views of local communities or local institutions (e.g. eviction of pastoralists, extension of the Ruaha National Park, privatisation of state irrigation farms, inadequate representation in new Water Act for catchment committees). The ease with which these political decisions overrode and in some cases undermined earlier work, amongst other things, prompted WWF to undertake a rethink in its approach.
Publication Year: 2013
Publication Date: 2013-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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