7. SUMMARY OF WORKING GROUP PRESENTATIONS

Afternoon Session, 26 November 2003

Chairperson: Ato Gizachew Abegaz,
Minister of Agriculture, Land Use Planning, Addis Ababa

Working Group 1:
Lake Tana Basin Integrated Watershed Management Programme

WORKING GROUP 1 DEVELOPED THE LAKE TANA INTEGRATED WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME. THE LAKE TANA BASIN COMPRISES A TOTAL AREA OF 15 106 KM2 AND A TOTAL LAKE AREA OF 3 000 KM2 BORDERING GONDAR TO THE NORTH, BAHIR DAR TO THE SOUTH, DEBRETABOR TO THE EAST AND KUINZELA TO THE WEST. It is a source of major rivers: Gilgel Abbay, Guara, Blue Nile, Megeche, Dirma, Gelda, etc. It also incorporates wetlands (<1 900 msl), plains (1 900-2 400 msl), hills (2 400-2 900 msl) and mountain ranges (>2 900 msl).

The Lake Tana basin has major global environmental benefits. It is a major source of the Blue Nile and impacts on rain regimes; it is rich in biodiversity with many endemic plant species and cattle breeds; it contains large areas of wetlands; it is home to many endemic birds and cultural and archaeological sites. This basin has also critical national significance as it has the potential to be the breadbasket of Ethiopia; vast water resources potential for irrigation; enormous potential to develop hydroelectric power (including exporting it to neighbouring countries); rich potential for development of high value crops and livestock production; high potential for ecotourism and other livelihood strategies outside farming.

Threats

Lake Tana related threats include: silt load, pollution, drainage; water level fluctuation; over-exploitation of specific fish species; conflict of interest in the use of the water; surrounding area in the form of deforestation, water logging, flooding, overgrazing, population pressure, and degradation.
Livelihood threats related to poverty below national average; disease such as malaria, bilharzias, HIV/AIDS; unemployment; too many religious holidays; underdeveloped infrastructure and poor communication including roads, water, health, etc.
Rural energy threats are in the form of: lack of alternative energy sources; lack of energy for cottage industries and agriculture; competitive relationship between energy and agriculture; energy use not responding to land degradation concern; household energy demand much higher than supply.
Political and institutional related threats include poor linkage among institutions, lack of coordination, lack of decision support tools, tenure insecurity, weak institutions, and limited capacity to manage and monitor project and programme activities.

Objectives, Output and Main Areas of Intervention

The main findings of WG 1 in terms of objectives, expected output and main activities for the proposed Lake Tana Integrated Watershed management programme is presented in the following page in Table 3.

Table 3: Summary of Working Group 1 on Lake Tana Integrated Watershed Management

Specific Objectives	Expected Output	Intervention Areas/Main Activities
Ensure improved and sustainable use/management of resources	· deforestation controlled and reforestation/regeneration of forestland increased; · livestock management improved; · unsustainable use of agricultural land use practices reversed; · soil erosion levels and high water run-offs decreased and controlled; · knowledge and best practices of farmers increased on resource management; · measurable improvement attained in land use management affecting the Nile basin countries; · biodiversity of the basin put under organized management.	· physical and biological soil and water conservation measures; · reforestation and regeneration of marginal lands and forestlands; · tree farming and agroforestry, intensification of homesteads; · farming systems development and productivity improvement in agricultural including: crop production, livestock management, soil nutrient management, soil and water conservation, post-harvest management; · rural advisory services.
Promote income generation and diversification scheme	· both on-farm and off-farm income increased; · dependence on farmland decreases; · coping mechanisms of farmers improved; · livelihood of the rural population broadened.	· rural micro-enterprise development and off-farm skills development schemes; · rural micro-finance schemes; · rural market infrastructure development including market for high value and value-added processing.
Strengthen capacity of institutions, local communities.	· capacity of institutions improved; · improved decision-making framework tools developed; · strategic guideline for basin wide development in place.	· support the capacity of regional bureaux such as the Land Use Management Bureau; · provide training and skills improvement to regional and wereda development practitioners and community groups; · develop guidelines, master plan studies and introduce better planning and decision-making tools; · empowering communities and introducing community development schemes.
Improved supply and use of rural energy including alternative rural energy sources	· impact of urban energy demand on rural forestlands minimized; · supply of woodfuel augmented through increased fuelwood plantation and management; · energy conservation measures and technology in place significantly cutting the demand for rural energy.	· introduce alternative energy supply augmenting measures like increased supply base of fuelwood and other renewable energy sources; · introduce and promote energy conversion methods; · promote energy conservation at energy production sites and demand management measures at major demand sources and in rural villages; · harmonization of energy supply/use with that of agriculture and natural resources management.
Develop networking, lobbying and information exchange capacity	· data and information made available for planning and policy development purposes; · all stakeholders and other development actors in the region are coordinated and networked; · programme contributes to policy development and reformulation of appropriate policies.	· collect and develop base line data using GIS, and other tools; · identify, and analyse studies and technologies, best practices available with other actors; · establish a network forum of all actors and partners operating within the basin; · develop support lobbying and advocacy groups that would for the interface to policy development and consultation process.

Implementation Modalities, Strategies and Approaches

The programme will:

link with national and regional programmes;
integrate renewable energy development and efficient use as a centre of the project;
integrate natural resources and environment initiatives;
involve main stakeholders such as the Environmental Protection Authority, universities and colleges, research institutes, farmer training centres and NGOs;
link with NGOs and donor projects;
references to regional and international conventions and treaties;
identify and use existing policy instruments and incentive schemes;
ensure project impact at the household level;
ensure the involvement of local organization and people, beneficiaries' ownership, accountability and gender mainstreaming;
integrate value added marketing and markets;
apply demand driven approach in extension programme and generation of innovations;
introduce the partnerships of public-private-NGOs-farmer.

Working Group 2:
Simen Mountains National Park (SMNP) Management Programme

The SMNP has important global significance in terms of being repository of biodiversity (39 mammals of which eight are endemic in this area); it is declared as a World Heritage site; it contains tropical highland biome and is source of the Tekeze river which is a tributary of the Blue Nile. It has also great national significance due to its high biodiversity and wildlife resources and income from tourism. It is also a symbol of national heritage.

Threats

serious land and natural resources degradation;
loss of biodiversity and disappearance of specific species;
deforestation, shortage of fuel wood and construction wood;
overgrazing;
poverty and food insecurity and lack of alternative livelihood systems;
population pressure;
lack of coordination between tourism development and park management;
rights to land and other resources by local land users not clarified yet;
no institution in place yet to deal with land disputes and no regulation for zoning for different land uses;
lack of development for ecotourism and park management;
lack of mechanism for benefit sharing with local people;
lack of infrastructure development and access to basic services.

Objectives, Output and Main Areas of Intervention

The main findings of WG 2 in terms of objectives, expected output and main activities for the proposed SMNP is presented in the following page in Table 4.

Table 4: Summary of Working Group 2 on Simen Mountains National Park Programme Objectives, Expected Outcome and Main Areas of Intervention

Specific Objectives	Expected Output	Intervention Areas/Main Activities
Conserve and enhance biodiversity values	· biodiversity is preserved in situ; · species extinction and habitat loss is arrested; · crop and livestock genetic diversity is conserved in situ and utilized for national benefits (ex situ); · ecosystems are preserved.	· identify biodiversity in the Simen area and develop inventories and databases; · promote community based conservation with focus on in situ conservation; · land race (crops, livestock, grass, trees) conservation via contracting farmers; · identification of biodiversity hot-spots, habitat protection, and management zoning; · community managed seed banks.
Conserve and develop the natural resources in a sustainable manner	· soil productivity is enhanced leading to increased agricultural, livestock and forest production; · natural forest resources are preserved and rehabilitated; · alpine grasslands are preserved and rehabilitated; · hydrological balance of the mountain ecosystem is maintained including downstream considerations; · alternative rural energy sources are available.	· village management plans including protection, conservation, utilization, and development; · integrated watershed management; · appropriate technologies and approaches for soil and water conservation; · rehabilitation of degraded lands through enrichment plantation and area closure; · promotion of grazing land management through controlled grazing, appropriate stocking densities; · forage production and management; · reforestation (including nursery management, seedling production, distribution channels); · promote agroforestry and private tree plantations with indigenous and exotic species; fuel saving technologies; · develop and promote alternative rural energy sources in collaboration with rural technology development centres.
Improve rural livelihoods	· household income increased and diversified; · alternative income generation sources are available and the sectoral composition (agriculture, manufacturing, service sector) is more balanced; · community based ecotourism enhanced; · increased production and productivity of the agricultural, livestock and forestry sector; · access to basic social economic services available; · gender related constraints addressed.	· promoting other income generation activities outside farming; · promote intensification and diversification of the agricultural (crop and livestock production system) to increase and diversify household income; · on-farm trials on new and adapted crops, trees, grass, etc.; · introducing new technologies that enhance agricultural (crop and livestock) production; · promotion of low-input technologies (meaning low pesticides, herbicides use, etc.) including organic farming; · improving extension system (crops, livestock, forage, forests, water develop and promote alternative rural energy sources in management); · promotion of processing agricultural goods; · provision of basic social services including reproductive health; · strengthening small towns.
Empower stakeholders and strengthen their capacities in managing and conserving the Simen Mountains ecosystems in a sustainable manner	· local people involved in decision making to manage their forest, wildlife and biodiversity resources and manage their ecosystem; · policy frameworks and benefit-sharing mechanisms are in place favoring sustainable development and ecosystem conservation; · human capacities of stakeholders and the respective institutions are strengthened; · networks, links and coordination at various levels nationally and internationally are put in place; · awareness on the conservation and sustainable development of the Simen Mountains raised; · conflict resolution mechanism between different land use introduced; · databases (biodiversity, population, socio-economic indicators, biophysical aspects, etc.) are established and publicly available.	· strengthen community organization, local capacity and skills in decision making process; · strengthening park management including negotiations with local communities, providing services to communities, tourists, researchers; · develop master plan for the Simen Mountains, including tourism, rural infrastructure development, rural service centres; · development of facilities of local people and communities for ecotourism; · training and skill development in various fields (e.g. leadership and organization skills, improved farming and conservation, ecotourism); · promotion of local handicraft and skill development; · development of monitoring and evolution component including environmental assessment prior to starting the project activities.

Implementation strategies/modalities/approaches

people-centreed, gender sensitive and participatory development approaches - agreement on a long-term vision among all concerned stakeholders before any concrete project planning activities are initiated;
focus on few pilot areas since the Simen Mountains are a huge area and then scale-up activities to cover other areas;
initially promote activities around the park first because problems are very pronounced there with national and international attention;
long-term commitment by Government, donors, researchers, etc.;
continuous monitoring, evaluation and environmental impact assessment (ecological, economic, social and cultural impact assessment) of any intervention project/programmes;
focal institutions to coordinate conservation and development activities in the Simen Mountains area.

Working Group 3:
Borkena-Robi Catchment Integrated Watershed Management Programme

The Borkena-Robi watershed covering part of WG 3 selected Wollo and the Central Shewa highlands as a topic for further discussion. The Borkena-Robi integrated watershed management contributes to global important issues since it is a home to a number of endemic plants, mammals and birds and large area wetland ecosystem. Since this area is recurrently affected by drought and famine, the development of these areas will be highly significant to the countries effort to attain food security and arrest natural resources degradation. The project would also try to reduce natural hazards such as flooding and improve local institution capacity to manage natural resources including resolving resource-use conflict between those who practise sedentary agriculture and pastoralist who live in adjacent lowlands.

Global, National and Local Significance

The Borkena-Robi integrated watershed management contributes to global important issues since it is a home to a number of endemic plants, mammals and birds and large area wetland ecosystem. Since this area is recurrently affected by drought and famine, the development of these areas will be highly significant to the country's effort to attain food security and arrest natural resources degradation. The project would also try to reduce natural hazards such as flooding and improve local institution capacity to manage natural resources including resolving resource-use conflicts between those who practice sedentary agriculture and pastoralist who live in adjacent lowlands.

Threats and Challenges

The programme area faces a number of threats and challenges calling for urgent intervention. The area is characterized by very high population pressure with limited carrying capacity. There is a traditional resource-use conflict between the Amhara, the Oromo, the Afar and the Argoba people. There is wide spread soil erosion and degradation due to overgrazing, severe deforestation and poor land management practices. This results in recurrent flood and drought, loss of biodiversity, severe shortage of fuelwood, water scarcity and widespread poverty.

Programme Objectives, Expected Output and Main Areas of Intervention

The main findings of WG 3 in terms of objectives, expected output and main activities proposed for the Borkena-Robi integrated watershed management is presented in the following page in Table 5.

Table 5: Borkena-Robi Integrated Watershed Management Expected Output

Expected Output	Intervention Areas/Main Activities
· improved productivity and income; · conserved environment and natural resources conserved and integrity of the ecosystem restored; · feed supply improved; · forest area and quality improved.	· soil fertility/soil conservation and management; · reforestation and afforestation; · animal feed improvement; · water conservation and management.
· endangered endemic mammal and bird life and plant protected; · productivity of wetlands improved; · contribution made to stabilization of global environment; · wetland ecosystem protected and improved.	· survey of important plant and animal species; · demarcation and designation of endemic mammals and bird life area; · improved wetland management; · buffer zone development/improvement; · joint ecosystem management and designing of benefit sharing arrangement with community; · creating the synergy between different land users (between crop and livestock production); · introducing conservation measures and restocking ecosystem attributes.
· increased access to alternative energy sources and technologies; · increased energy use efficiency and reduced rate of deforestation; · improved rural (agriculture, labour, cottage industry, services etc.) productivity and livelihood; · improved complementarily between agriculture and energy.	· raising awareness on rural energy resource development and use; · introduction of household energy conservation measures; · introducing energy supply augmentation technology and measures; · developing alternative energy forms and appliances to enhance agricultural productivity and rural livelihood; · integrating energy into agricultural and rural development.
· improved community and farmers' involvement in decision-making capacity in development and conservation activities (i.e. introduction of by-laws); · local institutions for development objectives initiated and strengthened; · best practices and methods in sustainable land management adopted; · endogenous skills and knowledge in identified and incorporated in extension programmes.	· integrating indigenous knowledge and practice with new technologies; · strengthen community and grassroots institutions; · enhance community participation and ownership; · farmers skills upgrading training.
· availability and access to food enhanced; · opportunities for income generation and employment outside farming increased.	· introduction of improved agricultural productivity; · integrate production and marketing opportunities; · diversifying the rural economy; · improved infrastructure and social services.
· conducive and supportive policy and regulatory framework in place.	· review and identify policy gaps and overlaps; · lobby, support and facilitate the development of policies and regulations to reduce environmental degradation; · enhance participation of stakeholders in policy formulation process and create awareness on policies.

Implementation Modalities, Strategies and Approaches

The programme will take an integrated approach, which will try maximizing synergy among various sectors and subsectors to overcome existing development challenges. Community orientation, strong interagency coordination, networking and partnership of stakeholders will be central in the operation of the project. Special effort will made to integrate gender, environmental sustainability, HIV/AIDS and rural energy issues in the implementation of the project activities. The programme will also integrate lobbying and advocacy functions to influence polices at regional and central levels.