Monthly Report of

the Global Water Partnership

March 2011

Table of contents

NewsFlow April 2011 .......................................................................................................................................... 2 GWP Regions ....................................................................................................................................................... 9 CARIBBEAN ............................................................................................................................................................. 9 CENTRAL AFRICA................................................................................................................................................. 19 CENTRAL AMERICA ............................................................................................................................................. 20 CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE ........................................................................................................................ 23 CENTRAL ASIA AND CAUCASUS .......................................................................................................................... 27 SOUTH ASIA ......................................................................................................................................................... 29 SOUTH EAST ASIA ................................................................................................................................................ 47 SOUTHERN AFRICA .............................................................................................................................................. 52 WEST AFRICA ....................................................................................................................................................... 54

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NewsFlow April 2011

GWP India Contributes to Government Water Charter

On Wednesday the 6th of April 2011 the Union Cabinet Ministers of India approved a comprehensive

charter for the National Water Mission, one of the eight national missions which form the core of the

National Action Plan for Climate Change.

Drafted by the Ministry of Water Resources in consultation with state governments, central ministries, non-governmental organisations and academics, GWP India contributed to the process preceding the finalisation of the document. “GWP India was very much a part of the consultations and former senior Board members, Chairman, GWP India and many of our Partners also actively participated on the basis of a list provided by us to the Ministry of Water Resources”, said Dr. Veena Khanduri, Coordinator for GWP India.

Read more: http://www.indiavision.com/news/article/topnews/174610/

GWP Central America Signs Agreement with Regional Bank

For the first time, GWP Central America signed an agreement with a regional development bank to

advance IWRM as an essential approach for water security, climate change and the achievement of

the Millennium Development Goals in the region.

The agreement with the Central American Bank of Economic Integration Bank (CABEI) was signed in

Tegucigalpa, Honduras, on World Water Day, March 22, by CABEI Vice President Alejandro

Rodriguez Zamora and Mr. Enrique Merlos, President Pro-tempore of GWP Central America. CABEI

is the largest financial institution in Central America. Dr. Letitia A. Obeng, Chair of GWP, was

present at the signing and visited visited Honduras and Guatemala to meet with key Partners and

stakeholders.

Read more:

http://www.gwp.org/en/gwp-in-action/Central-America/News-and-Activities-GWP-Central-

America/GWP-Central-America-signs-agreement-with-Regional-Bank/

The Urban Challenge – GWP Celebrates World Water Day 2011

Urban population has grown more than seven fold in Africa from 44 million in 1965 to 412 million in

2010. Approximately 60% of the urban population of Africa now lives in informal settlements of

which the majority is classified as poor. For every 100 people moving into an urban area, 75 go into

the informal settlements.

These are some of the facts that came out at the 2011 World Water Day (WWD) commemoration in

Cape Town with the theme Water and Urbanization. GWP organised a side session, ‚Water – the

Urban Challenge‛ with the aim of highlighting critical issues in urban water management and

possible responses. A report from the session is available here: http://www.gwp.org/en/gwp-in-

action/News-and-Activities/The-urban-challenge--beyond-water-supply-/

GWP’s message on WWD stated: ‚The world has the same amount of water today as it has had for

thousands of years. Thanks to the water cycle that we all learn about in school, nature recycles it.

Nature’s way of doing things has worked well for millennia but water is now at risk of becoming

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non-renewable due to overexploitation. When the human demand for water exceeds nature’s ability

to renew it, we are in trouble.‛ Read full message:

http://www.gwp.org/en/Press-Room/Press-Releases/Our-Message-on-World-Water-Day-2011/

The GWP network celebrations included the ‚Philippines Walk for Water‛ with more than 2000

participants from communities, schools, academia, civil servants and experts, culminating in a ‚Call

for Action‛ to President Benigno S. Aquino III; For this and other GWP-related activities, click here.

http://www.gwp.org/en/gwp-in-action/Events/World-Water-Day-2011/

Demystifying Climate Finance in Southern Africa

GWP Southern Africa is actively involved with the Southern African Development Community

(SADC) Water Division and other Partners in preparations for the 5th SADC Multi-stakeholder Water

Dialogue which will be held in Swaziland in June 2011.

GWP Southern Africa has been developing this relationship for more than ten years, demonstrating

how the partnership serves the SADC region in supporting the achievement of the region’s

development goals.

Read more.

The Dialogue serves as a platform for regional stakeholders from water-using sectors to engage with

the water sector and share experiences on different aspects of Integrated Water Resources

Management (IWRM) and how IWRM approaches can address key aspects of socio-economic

development and poverty reduction in Southern Africa. The multi-stakeholder water dialogues are

held under the overall theme of Watering Development in SADC and 2011’s theme is focused on

‘Demystifying Climate Finance’.

GWP Southern Africa and the SADC Water Division are focused on finalising the 3rd IWRM Regional

Strategic Action Plan. Most international partners in the region have streamlined and harmonised

their support for large regional programmes through SADC, and GWP will be a neutral

implementing agent for SADC regional programmes.

European conference about IWRM GWP representatives from Bulgaria, Romania and Moldova attended the "Integrated Water Management in the Balkans and Eastern Europe" Conference on 20-23 March in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Participants from 15 countries shared experiences and best practices in the field of integrated water management and climate change and discussed major topics regarding regional and transboundary waters. National water experts and officials from Bulgarian Ministry of Environment and Water, the Executive Agency for the Environment, Heads of Bulgarian River Basins, Environmental Executive Agency, Water Regional Inspectorates also participated along with regional and local governments, NGOs, water suppliers, sewerage and water operators, water users and associations. The director of the International Network Basin Organisation, Jean-François Donzier presented the workplan of INBO and its role in the preparation of 6

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WWF. He also re-stressed the active and close cooperation of INBO and GWP presenting the joint Handbook on river basin management. Regional networks were encouraged to actively look for opportunities to enter and intervene in the 6

th World Water Forum 2012 Preparatory Process that kicked off in Plovdiv. More

information: http://www.gwpceeforum.org/

Volta Basin Development Challenge

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The Challenge Programme for Water and Food (CPWF) research in the Volta basin has been developed to respond to challenges in the river basin of “improving rainwater and small reservoir management to contribute to poverty reduction, and improved livelihoods resilience in Burkina Faso and Northern Ghana while taking account of implications for downstream water users including ecosystem services”. GWP West Africa is one of the consortium partners of the project, together with the Volta Basin Authority, the Institut de l’environnement et des recherches agricoles (INERA) and the International Water Management Institute.

In March GWP West Africa took part in the planning workshop of the ‚V5‛ project ‚Coordination

and Change‛ of the Volta Basin Development Challenge Programme on March 30-31 in

Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Read more.

The Volta basin, drained by the Volta and its tributaries, lies in West Africa and drains into the Gulf

of Guinea. The basin includes most of northern Ghana, most of western and southern Burkina Faso

and well as portions of Benin, Ivory Coast, Mali and Togo. Lake Volta in Ghana is the largest

reservoir in the world, extending from the Akosombo Dam in southeastern Ghana to the town of

Yapei, some 400 kilometres (250 mi) to the north. The lake generates electricity, provides inland

transport, and is a potentially valuable resource for irrigation and fish farming.

Five separate projects (V1 to V5) have been commissioned to be implemented in an integrated manner

to achieve the stated goal. V5 is one of the five research projects which have been designed to respond

to the Volta Basin Development Challenge (VBDC) to orient, align and integrate the VDBC to

contribute to poverty reduction and improved livelihood resilience in the Volta basin. V5 in particular

will improve coherence amongst the four other VBDC projects, and manage their interdependences

and research protocols to smoothen the running of the programme and to ensure quality research

outputs. Specifically, V5 will engage with policy makers and other stakeholders in the basin through

strategic partnerships to create opportunities for end users’ feedback that will enrich the research

process in all VDBC projects and, subsequently, the uptake of research outputs by end users.

GWP West Africa will bring support in the component ‚Fostering Change through Multi

stakeholders Platforms‛ and in communications. GWP West Africa will play a major role in engaging

with policy makers and other end users through its network of partners and allies and with its proven

expertise in facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogues, allowing for a two-way exchange between

researchers and practitioners, one of the main goals of V5. Other partners include IWMI, Volta Basin

Authority, the Water Research Institute of Ghana and INERA (agricultural research program in

Burkina Faso).

GWP Nepal Accredited

GWP Nepal was officially accredited as a Country Water Partnership in March. To learn more about

their activities visit: http://www.jvs-nwp.org.np/

Meet our Partners

GWP is a network of more than 2,300 partners. Here is an interview with with James Dalton, Water

Management Advisor at IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature)

http://www.gwp.org/en/About-GWP/The-network/Partners/meet-our-partners/IUCN-Eastern-Africa/

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Get involved. Join our network!

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Facebook, Twitter, and subscribe to our blog.

ToolBox case studies of the month

A Roadmap for IWRM in West African Countries (# 369)

http://www.gwptoolbox.org/index.php?option=com_case&id=286&Itemid=40

Vietnam: Water Law and related legislation for implementation of IWRM (#112)

http://www.gwptoolbox.org/index.php?option=com_case&id=68

Uganda: How effective are environmental policies in Uganda? (#397)

http://www.gwptoolbox.org/index.php?option=com_case&id=285&Itemid=37

Ten case studies are embedded in a new publication Sustainable Groundwater Irrigation approaches

to reconciling demand resources. It was published by GWP strategic partner and associate program

Ground Water Mate of the World Bank.

http://www.gwptoolbox.org/index.php?option=com_tool&id=30

GWP in the news

Albania, FYR Macedonia and Montenegro meet to jointly tackle cross-border water issues

http://www.balkans.com/open-news.php?uniquenumber=100492 (Balkan News)

Seguridad hídrica en Centroamérica http://elgreentimes.com/2011/03/17/seguridad-hidrica-en-

centroamerica (El Greentimes)

Diario de Centro América, of Guatemala

http://dca.gob.gt:85/archivo/20110324/economia4.html

BCIE y GWP Centroamérica firman acuerdo sobre recursos hídricos

http://proceso.hn/2011/03/23/Metr%C3%B3poli/BCIE.y.GWP/35344.html

Issues of water supply discussed in Yerevan

http://www.panorama.am/en/society/2011/03/23/water/

WATER: Optimism at World Water Day conference

Malaysia faces looming water crisis (Malaysia Star)

International Seminar on Integrated Flood and Drought Management (IFDM) & Workshop on IFDM Capacity Building for Pakistan http://www.apfm.info/newsletters/Newsletter_25.htm#Topic2

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More news in our Press Room.

Coming events

6th Annual General Meeting of GWP Caribbean, Barbados, 29 April 2011

http://www.gwp-caribbean.org/

AWS Extends Call for ISDC Applications to April 30, 2011

http://allianceforwaterstewardship.org/water_roundtable.html

Building Resilient Communities, May 9-20, 2011, at the Y.C. James Yen Center, Silang, Cavite, Philippines. International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR), www.iirr.org

WASH Conference 2011, http://www.watercentre.org/wash2011, 16-20 May, Brisbane, Australia

Water Security for Policy Makers and Practitioner, UEA campus in Norwich, UK, 23-27 May 2011

5-10 June 2011, Water Governance: Meeting the Challenges of Global Change, in Universitätszentrum

Obergurgl, Austria

13-17 June, 2011, Water Diplomacy Workshop, Applications are due by April 15, 2011, Tufts

University, Medford, USA

14-15 June 2011, New Politics of Water 2011: Water security and economic growth in emerging

economies, Chatham House, London, UK, https://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/water2011/

20-24 June 2011, National Water Law: Managing Global Water Resources: Symposium and Workshop

2011, IHP-HELP Centre for Water Law, Policy and Science, University of Dundee, UK24 June 2011,

National Water Law: Managing Global Water Resources: Symposium and Workshop 2011, IHP-HELP

Centre for Water Law, Policy and Science, University of Dundee, UK

21-23 September 2011, Seventh ‚Environment for Europe‛ Ministerial Conference, Astana,

Kazachstan, http://www.unece.org/env/cep/2011SpecialSessionMay.html

3-7 October 2011, Water and Health: Where Science Meets Policy Conference, UNC Chapel Hill. Deadline for call for abstracts is 30 April 2011, whconference.unc.edu

12-10 October 2011, International Conference on Integrated Water Resources Management

Management of Water in a Changing World: Lessons Learnt and Innovative Perspectives,

Magdeburg, Germany http://www.emwis.net/thematicdirs/events/2011/10/international-conference-

integrated-water-resources-management-management-water

The UEA Water Security Research Centre announces a new Master’s degree in Water Security, for

October 2011.

7-12 November 2011, Online Climate Conference CLIMATE 2011/KLIMA 2011 www.climate2011.net

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30 Nov - 3 Dec2011 in Irvine, Groundwater Resources Management: Adaptation Measures to Water

Scarcity Science and Policy Responses www.groundwater-conference.uci.edu, California, USA

New Resources

New publication on Integrated Flood Management as an Adaptation Tool for Climate Change: http://www.apfm.info/pdf/ifm_tools/Case_studies_CCA.pdf, also available at the GWP ToolBox site in tool A1.3 Climate Change Adaptation Policies http://www.gwptoolbox.org/index.php?option=com_tool&id=56

DVDs on ‚International hydrology and water resources‛ have been launched at the international

workshop ‚Adaptation and Mitigation Options for Tackling the Impacts of Climate Change on Water

Resources‛ at ITM University, Gurgaon, India, and available here:

http://www.hydrology.nl/ihpnews/273-11000-copies-of-water-dvd-for-indian-water-experts-and-

students.html

Water for Life Decade latest publications

http://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/unpublications.html

UN-Water Policy Brief on water quality

http://www.unwater.org/downloads/waterquality_policybrief.pdf

E-learning course : Governance in Urban Sanitation, run in both English and French, from April 25th

to July 1st 2011. Information in English http://www.unitar.org/event/sanitation2011 and in French:

http://www.unitar.org/event/fr/assainissement2011

Community driven IWRM in South Africa,

http://thewaterchannel.tv/index.php?option=com_hwdvideoshare&task=viewvideo&Itemid=4&video

_id=227&lang=en

Water Rights and Social Justice in the Mekong Region (Earthscan)

Making the Most of the Water We Have (Earthscan)

World Bank Economic Report on Climate Change and Adaptation http://www-wds.worldbank.org/servlet/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2011/02/14/000158349_20110214152049/Rendered/PDF/WPS5568.pdf

Water in the News

Cabinet nod for Comprehensive Mission Document of National Water Mission

http://netindian.in/news/2011/04/06/00012319/cabinet-nod-comprehensive-mission-document-

national-water-mission

Holistic Basin Planning Needed in Southeast Asia http://www.waterlink-

international.com/news/id1810-

Holistic_Basin_Planning_Needed_in_Southeast_Asia.html?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=e

mail&utm_campaign=20110406+-+WL

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Nigeria, A Country Of ‘Pure Water’ http://www.tribune.com.ng/sat/index.php/opinion/3742-nigeria-

a-country-of-pure-water-.html

Nile Debate Emphasizes Conservation, Water Sharing

http://www.voanews.com/english/news/africa/Upstream-vs-Downstream-The-Nile-Basin-Initiative-

118079584.html

United States Government and World Bank Combine Assets to End Water Poverty

US, World Bank To Collaborate on Water Security

ZAMBIA: Woman leads in environmental protection

http://www.africanews.com/site/ZAMBIA_Woman_leads_in_environmental_protection/list_message

s/37897

Middle East and North Africa face extreme water risk

http://www.waterworld.com/index/display/news_display/1385239953.html

WRA launches education programme on water resources

Peak Water Has Already Come and Gone http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=54957

Former national leaders: Water a global security issue http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-

03/unu-fnl031511.php

'If you control water, you control everything'

Governments must take steps to protect global water supply: experts

Water Resources Management and Water Supply in Ghana – A Paradigm Shift

http://www.modernghana.com/news/321125/1/water-resources-management-and-water-sup.html

WASA: Agriculture, TT's largest polluter of rivers and watersheds

Walk for Water initiative needs full support

UN gathering to promote water cooperation in Central Asia kicks off

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GWP Regions

CARIBBEAN

GWP-C Encourages Journalists to Focus on Water Issues

More value needs to be placed on water and media practitioners are critical players in helping to

build greater awareness on water issues among the general public and decision-makers. This was one

of several messages coming out of a National Media Workshop on Integrated Water Resources

Management (IWRM) held at the Kapok Hotel in Trinidad on March 15th, 2011.

Mr. Ganga Singh, Chief Executive Officer of the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA), gave

opening remarks at the workshop which saw the participation of several local journalists from the

print, television and radio media. He expressed to participants that major intervention is needed at

the policy level in sustaining the watersheds of the country. Citing a recent study conducted by

WASA, he stated that quarrying, urban development, and agriculture are the main polluters of

watersheds in the country. He expressed that ‚An IWRM strategy for Trinidad and Tobago cannot

sustain a fresh water supply unless we take charge of our watersheds.‛ He stressed that the media

can play an important role in highlighting water issues in the country and that they can help in

making IWRM a success. Mr. Singh noted that ‚Partnering with the media is a win-win situation.‛

The training workshop was put on by the Water Resources Agency (WRA) of the Water and

Sewerage Authority of Trinidad and Tobago in collaboration with the Global Water Partnership-

Caribbean (GWP-C). The one day workshop sought to train journalists in key principles and themes

of IWRM and to sensitise them about critical IWRM issues in Trinidad and Tobago. Some of these

issues included land use planning; flooding; water quality; public water supply; agricultural water

management; watershed management; climate change; public participation and access to information;

among many other areas.

Information on IWRM and critical water related issues often times may not reach the general public in

a way that is truly understood as in many instances the information is too technical. By providing the

journalists with the knowledge and tools to communicate on IWRM, the training workshop aimed to

Mr. Ganga Singh, Chief Executive Officer of

the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA),

is seen here giving opening remarks at the

Media Workshop.

Cross-section of journalists at the National

Media Workshop on Integrated Water

Resources Management (IWRM) held in

Trinidad on March 15th, 2011.

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empower them to widely report on these issues and package their news to reach all audiences. For

many of the journalists attending the workshop it was their first time being exposed to IWRM and its

importance in improving water governance in the country.

Also speaking at the event was Ms. Avril Alexander, Regional Coordinator of the Global Water

Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C) who reiterated the importance of the media in improving the

awareness of IWRM and related issues. She explained that often times water issues tend to be

reported when there is a problem drawing reference to the large number of articles by local and

regional media on the severe drought Caribbean territories struggled to cope with from late 2009 up

to April 2010. Ms. Alexander urged journalists to incorporate greater awareness building on water

issues in their work.

The journalists were given a comprehensive introduction to IWRM and issues related to the

implementation of the process in the Caribbean by Dr. Floyd Homer, Managing Director of the Trust

for Sustainable Livelihoods (SUSTRUST), a regional NGO based in Trinidad and Tobago. Participants

were challenged during working group sessions to develop outlines of IWRM stories and features.

Working groups came up with storylines on topics such as land use planning and drainage;

watershed management; quarrying and its impact on the environment; wastewater and improper

disposal of waste; among others.

Ms. Avril Alexander, Regional Coordinator

of GWP-C, is seen here addressing the

journalists at the National Media Workshop

on IWRM.

Cross-sections of journalists developing story outlines on IWRM during group exercises at the

Media Workshop.

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Participants were invited to join the GWP-C Journalists Network on IWRM, which is an information

and capacity building network made up of journalists from the Caribbean region that are committed

to building awareness on water related issues in their country.

In addition to media practitioners, other participants at the workshop included representatives from

the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA); the Water Resources Agency (WRA); the Ministry of

Public Utilities and the Environment; the Forestry Division of Trinidad and Tobago; the

Environmental Management Authority (EMA); and the Town and Country Planning Division of

Trinidad and Tobago.

Other Outcomes of the Workshop

Since the workshop, GWP-C has received applications from participants to join its Journalists

Network on IWRM.

News of the workshop was published in a main local newspaper in Trinidad.

Follow-up Actions:

GWP-C will continue to support journalists in their reporting on IWRM by sharing

information on key water related issues. Invitations will be extended to other members of the

media to join the GWP-C Journalist Network.

GWP-C Builds Capacity on IWRM and Disaster Risk Reduction

Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C) hosted a three (3) day training workshop (March 22nd-

25th, 2011) on ‚Hydro-climatic Hazards in Water Resources Management‛ and a half-day seminar on

March 21st, 2011 entitled ‚An IWRM Perspective on the Impact of Hurricane Tomas‛ as part of St. Lucia

Water Week 2011.

The capacity building activities were seen as timely, as St. Lucia fell victim to Hurricane Tomas in

October 2010 which caused major destruction on the island. Many hotels, houses and buildings were

destroyed. Homes were covered by mountainsides that had collapsed leaving citizens with no

electricity and water for several days.

The 3 day workshop was a collaborative effort between GWP-C, Caribbean WaterNet and CapNet.

The main objective of the workshop was to empower national communities to build their capacity in

an effort to mitigate the impact of hydro-climatic disasters. The workshop was focused on eight (8)

main themes/modules which were:

1. Water Related Disasters and Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Concepts

2. Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)

3. Impact of Climate Change and Variability

4. Drought Risk Management

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5. Flood Risk Management

6. Policy, Legislation and Institutions for Disaster Management

7. Economics of Disasters

8. Emergency and Humanitarian Response

The seminar ‚An IWRM Perspective on the Impact of Hurricane Tomas‛ focused specifically on the

impact of Hurricane Tomas on the water sector and other water-related impacts across sectors.

Overall the damages to the water sector in St. Lucia (i.e. equipment, plants etc.) have been estimated

at just over EC$53 million dollars; while the resultant economic losses have been placed at over

EC$66million.

The seminar featured presentations showing the impact on the water sector and the rehabilitation

works undertaken since the disaster. Input from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) gave

participants a regional perspective of investment in the water and sanitation sector and assistance

provided post-disaster. Perspectives on the policy and legislative requirements for supporting

Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and mainstreaming this within Disaster Risk

Reduction (DRR) were provided by Dr. Paulette Bynoe of the University of Guyana and Dr.

Christopher Cox of the Caribbean Environmental Health Institute (CEHI) .

Cross-section of participants at the ‚Hydro-climatic Hazards in Water Resources Management‛

training workshop held during St. Lucia Water Week.

Cross-section of participants at the GWP-C seminar ‚An IWRM Perspective on the Impact of

Hurricane Tomas.‛

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In attendance at the seminar were representatives from the Water and Sewerage Company Inc.

(WASCO); the Ministry for Communications, Works, Transport and Public Utilities (MCWTPU); and

various local private sector companies and consultants. Also participating were students of the Gros

Islet Secondary School.

GWP-C Rainwater Harvesting Model Displayed in St. Lucia

As part of St. Lucia Water Week which commemorated World Water Day 2011, GWP-C’s rainwater

harvesting model was also displayed at the event. Some of the other activities at the Water Week

included a walk for water; water forums; workshops and presentations on IWRM and a host of

related topics.

GWP-C Commemorates World Water Day 2011

In commemorating World Water Day 2011, GWP-C was part of a national exhibition put on by its

partner the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) and the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological

Service (TTMET). It was a two day exhibition held in Trinidad in observance of World Water Day on

March 22nd, 2011 and World Meteorological Day on March 23rd, 2011.

Mr. Daniel Plenty, Acting Manager of Corporate Communications, WASA is seen here

introducing the guest speakers at the event. At the head table from left-right: Mrs.

Jacqueline Ganteaume-Farrell, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Utilities; Mr.

Emmanuel Moolchan, Director of the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service; and Ms.

Ellen Lewis, General Manager of Corporate Communications, WASA.

The GWP-C Rainwater Harvesting Model displayed

at St. Lucia Water Week 2011.

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Ms. Ellen Lewis, General Manager of Corporate Communications, WASA, in her opening remarks at

the event spoke of the importance of public education and awareness on water resources

management. She further explained that how we live on land and what we do affects our watersheds.

In her remarks, she cited the recently held Media Workshop on Integrated Water Resources

Management (IWRM) put on by GWP-C and its partner the Water Resources Agency (WRA) and the

information provided by WASA’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ganga Singh who revealed that

agriculture is the main polluter of watersheds in Trinidad and Tobago. Also giving remarks at the

opening ceremony was Mr. Emmanuel Moolchan, Director of TTMET.

Mrs. Jacqueline Ganteaume-Farrell, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Utilities who gave

the feature address, stressed the interrelation of forests, water and the weather noting the observance

of World Forestry Day on March 21st, World Water Day on March 22nd and World Meteorological Day

on March 23rd each year. She stated the commemoration of these events on consecutive days is no

coincidence. Mrs. Ganteaume-Farrell reiterated the call to build greater awareness on water and the

environment and to educate citizens on United Nations led initiatives.

GWP-C along with its partners the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) and the Caribbean Water

and Wastewater Association (CWWA); the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service (TTMET); the

Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC); and the Forestry Division of the Ministry of

Housing and the Environment were the main exhibitors at the event.

Some of the booths at the World Water Day and World

Meteorological Day Exhibition on March 22nd-23rd, 2011 in Trinidad.

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Exhibitors were able to share information with the general public on their work and activities and

moreover how they can become actively involved in building greater awareness on water and forest

conservation and learn more about climate change, natural disasters and other areas.

Displayed in GWP-C’s booth were GWP-C brochures; newsletters; GWP-C’s water videos on water

scarcity in the Caribbean and flood risk management; information on GWP-C’s rainwater harvesting

model; and water conservation handouts. Material of the Global Water Partnership (GWP) such as the

GWP 2009-2013 Strategy; 2009 Annual Report; policy briefs; and other material were also shared with

the public.

GWP-C Water Videos Air in the Caribbean

In observance of World Water Day (WWD) 2011, GWP-C’s video productions ‚Water: Is there enough

for tomorrow?‛ and ‚Water Scarcity and Population in the Caribbean‛ were shown on local television

stations in Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Both videos focus on water scarcity in the Caribbean and the importance of water conservation. The

more recent of the videos ‚Water: Is there enough for tomorrow?‛ specifically highlights the various

principles of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and the benefits of this approach in

managing the Caribbean’s water resources.

Activities of Partners

Commemorating World Wetlands Day in Tobago

Cross-sections of some of the material displayed in the GWP-C

booth.

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Global Water Partnership-Caribbean’s (GWP-C’s) partner, Environment Tobago celebrated World

Wetlands Day 2011 with a week of activities all focused on this year’s theme ‚Forests for Water and

Wetlands.‛ Environment Tobago collaborated with partners from different sectors including Non-

Governmental Organisations (NGOs), private businesses and community-based organisations to host

the event.

The week long activities which commenced on World Wetlands Day (February 2nd, 2011) took place

within the Belle Garden Wetland in Tobago, which is the site of an existing United Nations

Development Programme /Global Environment Facility (UNDP/GEF) funded initiative to increase

awareness of wetlands and proactively encourage sustainable use of the Belle Garden Wetland. The

Belle Garden Wetland is 1 of 17 wetlands of varying sizes on the island of Tobago.

The activities looked specifically at training, research and education in the community surrounding

the Belle Garden Wetland. Some of the events for the week included:

The Belle Garden Wetland in

Tobago.

*Reforestation Activities - Using native plants

sourced and propagated by a local landscaping

company. Environment Tobago also sought to

enhance an area within the wetland as designated

habitat for butterflies and birds by planting a

concentration of nectar and food plants for species

previously identified in the wetland.

Student seen here planting nectar

plants.

*Ecological Surveys - Butterflies and blue crabs were

used as indicator species for ecological baseline

surveys. Blue crabs were chosen as they are a

keystone species within the wetland ecosystem.

Butterflies were surveyed because they are a

bio‐indicator species of environmental health.

*Capacity Building - Tertiary students and other

interested parties were educated in the importance

the wetlands and trained in field surveying

techniques for indicator species. Students were given

hands‐on experience in field surveying techniques,

17

Some Highlights from World Water Day 2011 Activities by Partners

Guyana

GWP-C’s partner, Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) along with all the World Water Day (WWD)

stakeholders in Guyana released a full-page announcement that was published in local dailies in

Guyana. The other stakeholders included the Ministry of Health, the World Wide Fund-Guianas, the

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), EPA and

DIGICEL.

Jamaica

The Ministry of Water and Housing and the Meteorological Service of Jamaica in collaboration with

GWP-C’s partners in Jamaica, the Water Resources Authority (WRA), the National Water

Commission (NWC), the National Irrigation Commission (NIC) and the Rural Water Supply Limited

(RWSL) hosted a series of activities in celebration of World Water Day (WWD) on March 22nd, 2011

with specific focus on this year’s WWD theme ‘Water for Cities: Meeting the Urban Challenge. Among the activities to commemorate WWD 2011 was a major forum which included the participation of the Minister of Water and Housing of Jamaica, the Honourable Dr. Horace Chang and featured presentations from various water agencies including GWP-C’s partners, the Water Resources Authority (WRA) and the National Water Commission (NWC). During the forum, the WRA launched a water and education programme called Water Education for Teachers (WET) Jamaica, aimed at promoting and building awareness on water resources in Jamaica. The programme which is scheduled to span the period of 2011-2013 is an initiative between GWP-C’s partner the WRA; the International Hydrological Programme (IHP) of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and the Project WET International Foundation. UNESCO/IHP and WET International Foundation having existing water education programmes felt that if they combined their efforts they could empower teachers (kindergarten to high school level) to help in the water education process throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Also launched at the forum by WRA was a Fact Book on the Water Resources of Jamaica which would be an educational tool that supports the WET Jamaica Programme. The Fact Book contains information that can be used by the general public on water resources in Jamaica and is designed to increase awareness on Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM).

Annual Forest Conservation Celebrations

On March 25th, 2011, the Fondes Amandes Community Re-Forestation Project (FACRP) marked the

15th anniversary of its yearly forest conservation celebrations which is referred to as their ‚Gayap.‛

The term ‚Gayap‛ locally means ‚Lending a Helping Hand.‛ The FACRP is a community based agro-

forestry project in Trinidad which began in 1982 with the aim of stopping the annual dry season fires

that destroyed the Fondes Amandes watershed by practicing agro-forestry activities.

At the Gayap, primary and secondary school students, teachers, community groups had the

opportunity to learn and take part in various agro-forestry activities such as fire trace cutting and

clearing; tree planting; learning about forest fire prevention; organic gardening; and recycling; among

others. Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C) along with other environmental stakeholders

also took part in the annual forest conservation celebrations.

18

The FACRP does considerable work with its educational and awareness activities on forest eco-

system conservation. At the Gayap it was noted that they were the first organisation to received

funding from the Green Fund of Trinidad and Tobago in 2009. The grant from the Green Fund is

being used by FACRP to continue their reforestation initiative called ‚Sustainable Community

Forestry Initiative‛ (SCFI).

The annual ‚Fire Prevention‛ Gayap of the FACRP has resulted in a significant reduction in forest

fires in the community and the Project has been fire free for the past 15 years. The Gayap celebrations

are quite timely in light of the year 2011 being declared the ‚International Year of Forests‛ by the

United Nations General Assembly to raise awareness on sustainable management, conservation and

sustainable development of all types of forests.

New GWP-C Partners

GWP-C welcomed two (2) new partners during the month of March. These organisations include:

Mrs. Akilah Jaramogi, Managing

Director of the FACRP is seen here

giving remarks at the 2011 Gayap.

Students are seen here at the 2011 Gayap clearing dry leaves as a fire prevention

method.

19

1. Rocrops Agrotec - A family smallholder farm based in Trinidad that has been developed over

the past 25 years. Over the past 15 years Rocrops Agrotec has developed as a model farm and

an agent of change. It provides feedback by being the focal point of farm visits by university

students studying agriculture, farmers and agriculturists in the region. It is a focal farm for

technology transfer in sustainable agriculture. Rocrops Agrotec’s main objective is to develop

and promote agricultural techniques and practices which are economically sound and

environmentally friendly with the potential to contribute to rural development and food

security of Trinidad and Tobago and other parts of the world.

2. The Trust for the Management of Rivers (TMR) - The Trust for the Management of Rivers

(TRM) is a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) which was established to ensure

recreation water quality in St. Lucia through education and intervention in the hinterland,

using the participatory approach of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). The

TMR evolved from the Global Environment Facility-Integrating Watershed and Coastal Area

Management (GEF-IWCAM) demonstration project in the Fond D’Or Watershed in St. Lucia

in an effort to capture lessons learnt from the project and ensure sustainability.

Coming Events

The 14th Meeting of the GWP-C Steering Committee - The 14th Steering Committee (SC)

Meeting of Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C) will take place in Barbados on

Thursday, April 28th, 2011.

The 6th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of GWP-C - The 6th Annual General Meeting

(AGM) of Global Water Partnership-Caribbean will take place on Friday, April 29th, 2011 in

Barbados. The AGM will be hosted in collaboration with GWP-C’s partner the Centre for

Resource Management and Environmental Studies (CERMES) of The University of the West

Indies (UWI), Cave Hill Campus.

CENTRAL AFRICA

Regional workshop on "Challenges to Quality Water in Africa

The Secretariat of the International Hydrological Programme (UNESCO-IHP) and the UNESCO

Regional Office in Nairobi jointly organized from 14 to 16 March 2011 in Nairobi, Kenya, a regional

workshop on "Challenges to Quality Water in Africa ".

In addition to representatives of National Committees for UNESCO-IHP for Africa, the regional

workshop was attended by experts from Regional Economic Communities, basin’s Organizations,

representatives of universities and research institutions, as well as UNESCO experts.

Mr. Charles TANANIA KABOBO, Expert database on water took part in the workshop on behalf of

ECCAS and GWP-CAf TEC. Its management was jointly supported by the General Secretariat of

ECCAS and GWP-CAf.

BACKGROUND OF THE REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON THE CHALLENGES OF THE QUALITY OF

WATER IN AFRICA

The workshop was organized within the framework of the Domain 4.1.de the 7th Phase of the

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International Hydrological Program (IHP) of UNESCO 2008-2013 which focuses on "The Protection of

Water Quality for sustainable living and reducing poverty. "

It is part of the strategies of UNESCO's priorities 2008-2013 for the sharing of knowledge and

information on the challenges related to quality and water pollution related to human health,

environment and socio-economic development.

The sessions focused on sharing experience of policy and strategies of quality management and water

pollution in the country, basin’s organizations and regional economic communities.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES OF THE WORKSHOP

OBJECTIVES

The overall objective was to assist African countries to take into account the challenges of water

quality for sustainable management of water resources.

The regional workshop aimed to:

1. Identify problems related to quality and water pollution;

2. Assess the causes and trends;

3. Developing possible solutions and strategies to meet the challenges of water quality in African

countries.

RESULTS OF THE WORKSHOP

The results of the workshop relate to the major challenges of water quality in Africa,

recommendations for solutions, approaches and strategies to tackle these challenges with an

integrated quantity-quality water resources Africa.

The main challenges of water quality identified include:

1. The absence or lack of reliable data on water quality;

2. The lack of an effective regional network of monitoring, evaluation and management of data on

water quality;

3. Policy formulation of water quality;

4. Assessments of water quality in urban watersheds, agricultural areas and other watersheds;

5. Management of water quality for wetlands;

6. capacity building.

As a product, a detailed technical report of the workshop and a policy document to guide the

sustainable management of water quality will be published and distributed to various institutions

and stakeholders in water management in Africa.

CENTRAL AMERICA

GWP CAM and CABEI signed a mutual agreement for cooperation

GWP Central America and the Central American Bank on Economic Integration (CABEI), signed on

March 22, a mutual agreement of cooperation on the water resources theme, during a formal event

held in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

21

Mr. Alejandro Rodríguez, Vice-Chair of

CABEI, and Mr. Enrique Merlos, Chair of

GWP Central America, were the

representatives in charge of signing the

agreement. Mrs. Letitia A. Obeng, Chair

of GWP and Mr. Jonathan Lainez,

Viceminister of Natural Resources and

Environment of Honduras, were the

witnesses of honor during the activity.

This cooperation agreement has as goal

the execution of actions, designated for

the implementation of the IWRM

approach, in order to contribute to the

development of the Central American

region.

‚I am really pleased that CABEI and GWP Central America will now be exploring together ways to

help tackle key global challenges as support to the countries in the region,‛ said Dr. Letitia A. Obeng

during her participation, and referring to Climate Change adaptation, urbanization, reaching food

security, among others.

Mr. Rodríguez said about this conjoint effort that

it will facilitate the identification of

alternatives to create programs and projects that

contribute to the environmental protection and

climate change adaptation, through the

sustainable management of river basins and

water resources‛.

In representation of the Steering Committee of

GWP Central America, besides the participation of Mr. Enrique Merlos, also Mrs. Maureen Ballestero,

Mr. Sergio Núñez and Gabriela Grau, network officer for Latin America, were present during the

event.

A media result obtained through the cooperation between CABEI and GWP CAM, was the

publication of information about the signature of the agreement in newspapers of Honduras and

Guatemala. This helps to give visibility to GWP CAM with the general public.

Chair of GWP visited Central America

Dr. Letitia A. Obeng, Chair of GWP, visited Honduras and Guatemala, during a trip that started on

March 21 and ended on March 25.

From left to right. Mr. Jonathan Lainez, Vice Minister of Natural

Resources and Environment of Honduras, Mr. Alejandro Rodríguez,

Vice-Chair of CABEI, Mr. Enrique Merlos, Chair of GWP CAM and

Dr. Letitia A. OBeng, Chair of GWP.

Participants of the event at CABEI headquarters

22

Different meetings and events were held during those days. Dr. Obeng had the opportunity to share

her knowledge and contribute to the strengthening of alliances with partners and key stakeholders, as

the representatives from CABEI, the Minister and Vice-Minister of Environment and Natural

Resources of Honduras, Mr.

Rigoberto Cuellar and Mr.

Jonathan Lainez, respectively, and

the Presidency Minister, Mrs.

María Antonieta Guillén.

Also, at the National University of

Honduras (UNAH, by the Spanish

acronym), Dr. Obeng participated

in an event, with the presence of

students and teachers, that had as

objective to discuss the climate

change theme and the impact on

the water resources.

On the other hand, during her visit to Guatemala, she participated in the forum named ‚Water,

climate change and water security‛, held on March 24. It’s important to highlight that on March 25,

Dr. Obeng had the opportunity to talk to the Ministers of Environment of Central America, during

their meeting held in Guatemala City.

GWP Costa Rica

On March 16, the partners of GWP Costa Rica participated in an event held at SENARA, with the

objective to discuss the law project for the

strengthening of the water community systems

(ASADAS) of Costa Rica.

This project of law was presented on November

2010, at the National Congress, and proposes a

major autonomy of the ASADAS. One of the

objectives is to facilitate the process to have access

to credits and investments, as well as to help

them in different essential processes, as

increasing the rates.

This meeting was organized by GWP Costa Rica, and near 20 people representing NGO, academia,

government institutions, among others, participated in the meeting.

World Water Day was celebrated by GWP Honduras

Different universities of the country, in coordination with GWP Honduras, celebrated the forum titled

Climate Change and the Incidence in the Integrated Water Resources Management, held during the

World Water Day, last March 22.

Representatives of GWP, during the meeting with the Minister of Natural

Resources and Environment of Honduras, Mr. Roberto Cuellar, and the

Presidency Minister, Mrs. María Antonieta Guillén.

Participants during the meeting held at SENARA.

Picture by GWP Costa Rica.

23

The Forum had as objective to

identify the main problems about

the water theme in the country,

and try to get the involvement of

the academia. This is one of the

goals established by GWP

Honduras in order to strengthen

the process of adoption of the

IWRM principles in the country.

Researchers and experts on the

water resources theme were part of the participants, as well as Dr. Letitia A. Obeng, Mrs. Maureen

Ballestero, Chair of GWP Costa Rica, Mr. Enrique Merlos, Chair of GWP Central America, Mr. Sergio

Núñez, Chair of GWP Honduras and Gabriela Grau, network officer for Latin America.

CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE

National celebration of World Water Day took place on 22-23 March in Sofia City Technical House.

Main organizers of the national celebration were Ministry of Environment and Water and Scientific

Technical Union of Water Affairs in Bulgaria. Topics of sessions in three conference halls were

defined regarding the problems and exchange of the good practices in water sector. More than 300

experts and stakeholders participated. GWP Bulgaria organized Water and Health Session on 23 March

2011 at 10:00-12:00 o’clock

GWP Estonia host institute Estonian Water Association together with Estonian Meteorological and

Hydrological Institute organized Climate and Water Conference on 23 March in Tallinn. Members of

GWP Estonia presented urban hydrology and storm water systems, and extreme meteorological and

water management events. In addition, an exhibition of historical and modern data collecting and

processing systems was organized.

GWP Romania Chair Liviu Nicolae Popescu presented sustainable sanitation solutions at Romanian

Association of Villages (ACoR) XIV General Annual Assembly on 2 March in Bucharest. The

presentation was addressed mainly to mayors and commune’s heads with explanations of what kind

of solutions are available for collection and treatment of waste waters from small settlements. GWP

CEE Sustainable Sanitation in Central and Eastern Europe - addressing the needs of small and medium-size

settlements book will be studied and analyzed by a working group of ACoR established for that

purpose. During discussion a question was raised who can actually design such treatment systems.

Therefore, Mr. Popescu visited Design Institute for Chemistry and Environment (IPROCHIM)

Scientific Director to discuss existing expertise and capacities in this field in Romania. In the future,

GWP Romania together with ACoR has to solve the main obstacle for application of non-traditional

solutions which is permitting currently in hands of Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Health.

GWP Romania Chair Liviu Nicolae Popescu during an intervention presented sustainable sanitation

topic during a special meeting devoted to alternative waster water treatment in ROMENVIROTEC

2011 on 12 March at Romanian International Expositions Complex. After the presentation, a small

meeting was set up at Technical University of Bucharest stand to discuss possibilities for

implementing a pilot project, financed by Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Education and

Research or private banks.

During the meeting held at the National University of Honduras.

24

GWP Slovakia Chair Boris Minarik participated in National World Water Day Meeting held on 22

March in Bratislava at Ministry of Foreign Affairs Conference Center. Ministry of Environment

organized the event.

GWP Slovenija experts participated in several World Water Day events. The first was a round table

Water and Urban Space organized by National Council in National Parliament on 22 March in

Ljubljana. Second was Water for the Energy, Energy for Water Conference with participation of foreign

affairs ministers from Slovenia, Cap Verde, Costa Rica, Iceland, Singapore and United Arab Emirates

(so called Green Group), organized by Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 22 March at University of

Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty. Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning organized the third

event entitled Water for Cities: Response to City Challenge on 22 March in Nova Gorica. GWP Slovenija

started organization of Danube Artist and Water Detective competition with call for participation sent

to the schools in March. This year motto is ‚From the water source to my glass‛.

Dr. Galia Bardarska (GWP Bulgaria), Mr. Liviu Nicolae Popescu (GWP Romania) and Dr. Dumitru

Drumea (GWP Moldova) participated in Integrated Water Management in the Balkans and Eastern Europe

Conference held on 20-23 March in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Main organizers were East Aegean Basin

Directorate in Plovdiv, Bulgarian Ministry of Environment and Water, French "Artois-Picardie" Water

Agency and International Office for Water in France. The conference was dedicated to the World

Water Day 2011. Participants shared experiences and best practices in the field of integrated water

management and climate change and discussed major topics regarding regional and trans-boundary

waters. Experts from 15 countries including International Office for Water in France, Central and

Eastern Europe Network of Basin Organizations (CEENBO), French ‚Artois-Picardie‛ Water Agency,

GWP Romania and Moldova. National water experts and officials from Bulgarian Ministry of

Environment and Water, the Executive Agency for the Environment, Heads of Bulgarian River Basins,

Environmental Executive Agency, Water Regional Inspectorates also participated along with regional

and local governments, NGOs, water suppliers, sewerage and water operators, water users and

associations. Regional networks were encouraged to actively look for opportunities to enter and

intervene in the 6th World Water Forum 2012 Preparatory Process that kicked off in Plovdiv.

Liviu Popescu, Atanaska Tuntova, Director of the Liviu Popescu giving presentation on GWP CEE

East Aegean Sea River Basin Directorate Plovdiv &

Dumitru Drumea

For more information: http://world-water-forum-2012-europa.eu/spip.php?article58

25

Dr. Galia Bardarska participated in the second meeting of a drafting group for elaborating a Good

practice document on equitable access to water and sanitation in Paris on 31 March-1 April. GWP CEE

submitted three case studies that were involved into the draft document – (1) Free access to mineral

water in Bulgaria, (2) Sustainable Sanitation in Central and Eastern Europe - addressing the needs of

small and medium-size settlements and (3) Study of alternative solutions for waste water treatment in

Richnava local municipality.

Danka Thalmeinerova presented ‚IWRM as a Tool for Adaptation to Climate Change‛ at the

international conference Future of European Waters on March 24-25, 2011 in Budapest, Hungary.

Hungarian Ministry of Rural Development organized the conference, held under Hungarian EU

Presidency. The scientific program was set up by the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. In addition to

the Conference, there were two side-events. The first was pre-conference ‚SCENES Water Scenarios‛

convened by SCENES project, co-funded by European Union 6th Framework Program. The second

was a workshop ‚International Development Cooperation and Sustainable Water Management‛

convened by Central European University.

Danka Thalmeinerova at Future of European Waters

Conference. Credit: G2FOTO

The focus of the Conference was on the long-term challenges that we are facing with respect to

freshwaters in Europe. The conference was attended by the leading international organizations

including European Commission and UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), influencing

water policies across Europe. In addition, high political level representatives from environment

(water) ministries from 17 countries attended. There were also about 50 journalists from 20 countries

and a press conference hosted by Hungarian Minister of Rural Development. Totally, 294 people

registered to all events from 30 countries. A key note speech was given by Laszlo Somlyody and

Janusz Kindler, founders of GWP Central and Eastern Europe. Their presentation was focused on

challenges related to climate change and water resources nexus.

For more information: http://www.gwpceeforum.org/?page=9&action=view&id=407 and

http://mta.hu/news_and_views/new-approach-needed-in-water-economy-127289/

GWP Hungary and GWP CEE organize a workshop ‚Water Resources Management Aspects of European

Union Strategies for Baltic Sea and Danube Regions‛ on 5 April in Budapest, Hungary. Aim of the

workshop is to share experiences and expertise from implementation of the Baltic Strategy in the area

of water resource management in the Danube Region. Baltic Strategy was formally adopted in

26

October 2009 under Swedish Presidency to European Union. One year later in December 2010, the

European Commission adopted the EU Strategy for the Danube Region following a request from EU

member states. Experts from Baltic and Danube regions will identify similarities and differences

concerning water management issues among priority areas, implementation of Water Framework

Directive and other EU directives. Implementation mechanisms and institutional roles of the Baltic

Strategy, such as coordination, selection of projects and partnerships will be also discussed.

Participants include representatives of Helsinki Commission, International Commission for the

Protection of the Danube River, International Sava River Basin Commission, Global Water

Partnership Stockholm, Country Water Partnerships Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Czech

Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Republic of Moldova, Hungarian

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Rural Development, Central Directorate for Water and

Environment (VKKI), VITUKI, representatives of Tisza Declaration and other water management

experts.

GWP Regional Council, the highest decision making body of Regional Water Partnership meets in

Budapest, Hungary on 6-7 April. GWP CEE will discuss update of its workplan for 2011 and

contribution to international events – Astana Ministerial Meeting, Rio +20 and WWF 6. Cooperation

with regional frameworks and programmes such as UNECE Task Force for equitable access to

sanitation and Integrated Drought Management Programme is also on agenda.

GWP Moldova organized a number of consultation meetings in central (Chisinau) and southern

(Cahul) parts of the country on creation of the national park in the lower Prut region. Main objective

of the project was to share experience and expertise with local authorities on development of plans for

management of the lower Prut region. This activity is in line with development of national program

for implementation of the Danube strategy and regional plans for attraction of best environmental

and agricultural practices to Moldova. As an output of the meeting local authorities adopted a

resolution on creation of the park as a first step towards establishment of the biosphere area in the

region.

GWP Moldova also took part in launching of new project in the frame of the Cross border

cooperation EU program on development of the management plan for the Lower Danube region and

presented its vision of project implementation. In the frame of the project training course for local

authorities on sustainable use of floodplain resources including flood protection in the Lower Prut

area will be organized during 2011.

GWP Moldova also participated in the Integrated Water Management in the Balkans and Eastern Europe

Conference held on 20-23 March in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Dumitru Drumea made a presentation on the

implementation of the IWRM practices in the Bic river basin in Moldova and proposed activities,

which could be developed in cooperation with INBO network in rising efficiency of the

implementation of the Bic river plan. GWP Moldova also participated in the soil strategy event

organized in St. Polten Austria by the Government of Lower Austria for implementation of the

Danube strategy. Dumitru Drumea presented topic on measures to combat soil erosion in Moldavian

part of the DRB and after that a discussion on opportunities for soil management improvement in

Moldova was organized. On the base of discussions a number of activities on soil erosion reduction in

Moldova were identified for cooperation with Austrian institutions.

A number of public events were organized in Moldova for the Water Day: organizing of public event

for cleaning of the Bic River, school pupils contest on river restoration and pollution reduction.

27

CENTRAL ASIA AND CAUCASUS

GWP CACENA during December 2010 - March 2011

Regional Council meeting of GWP CACENA was held on 1-3 December 2010 in Bakuriani, Georgia.

Current and operational issues related to development of water partnership in the countries of South

Caucasus and Central Asia as well as activity outputs during 2010 and work plan for 2011 have been

discussed and adopted at the meeting. In accordance with rotation rules Mrs. Nino Chkhobadze from

Georgia, who acted as a regional Chair of GWP CACENA since 2007 resigned this position, and Dr.

Yusup Kamalov from Uzbekistan was elected by majority votes for next two years terms (2011-2012).

Dr. Yusup Kamalov – Civil Engineer in Thermal Power Engineering. Acting as a

Head of Renewable Energy Department in the Institute of Natural Sciences of the

Karakalpak Branch of the Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences. In the same time he is

Chair of the NGO “Union for Defense of the Aral Sea and Amudarya”. Member of

IWRA.

The first round of the national training seminars on IWRM was conducted

during January – February 2011 by the GWP CACENA Secretariat and CWPs. These trainings are an

element of the capacity development program to facilitate National IWRM planning process in all

CACENA countries. The target is capacity development for key players of planning and IWRM

implementation process, not only involving water specialists, but also water users and other

stakeholders (around 25-30 persons in each country were attended).

Organized by Secretariat of the 5th World Water Forum Special Focus meeting for Central Asia

towards 2nd Istanbul International Water Forum “An Istanbul Perspective on Regional Water

Challenges and Solutions” was held on January 24-28 2011 in Istanbul, Turkey. Regional

Coordinator of the GWP-CACENA Vadim Sokolov presented to meeting participants (represented

four Central Asian countries plus Turkey) experiences with IWRM implementation in CACENA

countries as a basis for water security.

Regional Chair Yusup Kamalov and Regional Coordinator of the GWP CACENA, Vadim Sokolov

attended GWP TEC meeting, and joint with IWMI workshop “Climate change, food and water

security: Identifying critical issues and exploring cooperative strategies in an age of increased risk

and uncertainty for South Asia”, held in Colombo, Sri Lanka on 23- 25 February 2011. It was valuable

discussion with the main outcome: ‚No more business as usual in face of climate change and food

security in Asia‛.

The working meeting of the representatives of the

CACENA and SA regions with ADB and APWF

Secretariat was held on 15 March 2011 in Tokyo, Japan. The

meeting was organized by the JWF office for those, who

28

arrived for attendance to APWF synthesis meeting, which was postponed due to huge earthquake

and tsunami, occurred in Japan on 11 March Agenda of the meeting included two issues:

- preparations for the 2nd Asia-Pacific Water Summit (scheduled for February 2012 in Thailand)

- preparations towards 6th World Water Forum.

On 22 March – International Day of Water - GWP CACENA supported policy dialogues on IWRM

implementation at the national level in some countries of the region (Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan,

and Uzbekistan). It was organized in the form of inter-sector round tables leaded by Regional Council

members and respective CWPs. The principal issues for discussion were how to create inter-sector

platform to facilitate governmental commitment to the process and details of the IWRM national

planning activities.

UN-Water invited GWP CACENA to support three countries from the region (Armenia, Kazakhstan

and Uzbekistan) to provide input to the report to the UNCSD 2012 (Rio 2012) conference on the

application of integrated approaches to the development, management and use of water resources.

In accordance with decision of the International Committee for 6th WWF it was agreed specific

preparatory process for Central Asia as a cross-continental sub-region (Europe – Asia). The

Government of Uzbekistan by Resolution of Prime-Minister of 6 December 2010 approved

organization in Tashkent of the International Conference towards the 6th Forum, which will be held

in May 12 -14, 2011. The Conference is planned as two plenary sessions and seven parallel round-

tables that should create collective outputs under the slogan ‚From Targets to Solutions‛. Key

regional priorities agreed for the cross-continental process are as following:

Guaranteeing water for future generations

Risk Management and Water Security

Adoption of innovations in agriculture in order to achieve food security

International Cooperation on Transboundary Water Management on the Basis of

International Water Conventions

Integrated water resources management – as tool for balancing multiple uses of water

Climate change and conserving environmental capacity

Ensuring sustainable drinking water supply

GWP CACENA invited by Uzbek Government to lead round table on IWRM and contribute to the

process – this fact is the recognition of the GWP as a real active player in the region.

Regional Environmental Centre – REC Caucasus and CWP-Georgia hosted coordination meeting

with GWP CACENA Secretariat and INBO-EECCA President, Mr. Polad Polad-zade on 28 March

2011 held in Tbilisi, Georgia. The main subject of this meeting was to agree joint platform for

preparatory processes towards 6th WWF – as well as Caucasian countries are involving into European

process, but Central Asian countries into cross-continental process (Europe -Asia). It would be worth

to coordinate efforts and use capacities of the networks (REC, GWP and INBO). During this meeting

there also were discussed possibilities for fundraising – agreed efforts for submission joint proposals

to the new call of USAID (www.grants.gov). The topics for such joint activities are: sub-regional water

related information exchange and regional programme on capacity development addressing to

promotion IWRM.

29

SOUTH ASIA

PART 1: REPORT BY GWP-SAS REGIONAL OFFICE

1. The GWP-SAS office prepared and submitted the Concept Note / Proposal for funding of the

South Asian Water Forum IV to be held in November 2011 in Pakistan.

2. Minor changes to the GWP-SAS website’s home page were carried out, with more changes to be

carried out in the coming months.

PART 2: REPORT BY BANGLADESH WATER PARTNERSHIP (BWP)

1. World Water Day Celebration in Dhaka:

The World Water Day was celebrated in Dhaka on 22nd of March 2011. A Seminar was organised on

the theme of the day ‚Water for Cities: Responding to the Urban Challenge‛. It was sponsored by

BWDB, WARPO, DWASA, CEGIS and IWM, all partner organizations of the BWP.

The Honourable Minister for Water Resources Was the Chief Guest and Honourable State Minister of

Water Resources and the Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources were the Special Guests. The

seminar was presided over by Mr. Md. Habibur Rahman, Director General of BWDB. A large number

of participants from all water related sectors were present. From BWP Dr. K. Azharul Haq, Mr.

Giashuddin Choudhury and Mr. Sajjad Hossain, all Executive Committee Members of the BWP

actively participated in the seminar. The keynote paper was presented by Dr. Liakath Ali, Deputy

Managing Director, Dhaka WASA. Dr. Ali presented a brief resume of the present status of water

supply, sanitation and storm water drainage of the city. He reported that DWASA has nearly 290,000

connections. The water demand of the city is around 2,200 MLD and DWASA can supply around

2000 MLD. Ground water sources constitute about 87% of the total supply where as surface water

accounts for the balance 13%.

On the challenges faced by DWASA, Dr. Ali indicated that over dependence on ground water is

becoming unsustainable and he presented a plan for increasing surface water based water supply, to

increase its contribution to 50% within the next five years. The other challenges were identified as

reduction in NRW, increase in sanitation coverage form the existing 30% to 60% in next 10 years,

improving water quality both at source (especially surface water) and in the distribution system and

improving the storm water drainage system. He further indicated that unplanned growth of city and

a nearly 8% annual growth of the population is also a major challenge. Lack of funds for capital

expenditure for infrastructure development especially for sewerage and storm water disposal was

also identified as a major challenge. Other major challenges included meeting future needs where the

estimated population by 2020 will be 15.5 million with a water supply demand of around 3500 MLD

and supplying water to urban slums which houses 30% of the city population. The climate change

impact is expected to further, negative impacts on the challenges.

A second paper on climate change was presented by Mr. Abdul Wadud Bhuiyan, Chief Planning,

BWDB. He emphasised the need for accommodating the probable impact of climate change on the

30

temporal and special distribution of rainfall which will ultimately have an impact on availability of

raw water for Dhaka city.

The Chief Guest and the Special Guests emphasized the need for preparing the city water utilities for

meeting future challenges in service delivery through adequate financing, human resource

development and integrated water resources development.

2. World Water Day Celebration in Khulna City:

In Khulna, World Water Day was observed elaborately. As a part of ongoing activities, World Water

Day was observed by Bhairab River Area Water Partnership and Initiative for Right view (IRV) with

the support of the Bangladesh Water Partnership (BWP). A workshop was organized on ‚Present

Status of Water Supply in Khulna City and the Way Forward‛ on 23rd of March 2011 at Khulna Press

Club.

Mr. Talukder Abdul Khaleque, Mayor, Khulna City Corporation, was

present as Chief Guest and among the Special Guests, Dr. Tarun

Kanti Sikdar, Director, Environment Department, Engineer Mr.

Tauhidul Anawar Khan, Secretary General, Bangladesh Water

partnership (BWP), Amena Halim Beby, Councilor, Khulna City

Corporation, Sk. Ali Akbar Tipu, Councilor, Khulna City Corporation

were present. The seminar was Chaired by Ad. Firoz Ahmed,

Convenor, Bhairab River Area Water Partnership and the inaugural

speech was delivered by Kazi Zaved Khalid Pasha, Coordinator

(CEO) of Initiative for Right View (IRV).

Mr. Md. Abdullah, Managing Director, KWASA presented the keynote paper titled Present Status of

Water ‚Supply in Khulna City and the Way Forward‛.

He indicated that Khulna is the 4th largest city in Bangladesh with a population of 1.5 million. Khulna

WASA started functioning independently from September 16th, 2008. The Water Works Department

of Khulna City Corporation, which was responsible for water supply was handed over, with all their

staff, to the newly established KWASA.

Khulna city is experiencing a serious water crisis as KWASA can supply only about 22.7 MLD of

water against the daily need of 94.5 MLD. At least 54% of the population collects water from unsafe

sources while 75% of water used by city dwellers is supplied from underground sources. The water

supply situation in the city has been further aggravated by frequent load shedding and drastic fall in

underground water levels. The KWASA is trying to use the water of nearby rivers but the salinity of

the water is so high that it will be costly to treat it.

The Chief Guest Talukder Abdul Khaleque, Mayor, Khulna City

Corporation expressed that they are trying their best to solve the

water supply problem. In this respect, he indicated that they have

taken an initiative in 1996 to bring water through a pipeline from

Phultal Upazilla for the city dwellers. When the initiative was

nearing successful completion and substantial amounts of funds

were expended, the environmental conservationists of the

Mayor of Khulna City

Mr. Md. Abdullah

31

community went against the initiative. Although by that time, all affected people took the

compensation as their lands were being acquired for the project. However, they are now protesting

and have turned against the project. The Chief Guest emphasized the necessity of solving the water

crisis of the Khulna city including the crises of the southwest coastal region especially the Aila

affected Dakop, Koera (Khulna) and Mongla Upazillas (Bagerhat). He indicated that he is trying his

best to assist KWASA to solve the water crisis of the Khulna City and invited implementable

recommendations from the experts.

A video documentary on the status of water supply in Khulna city and prospect was presented by

Mr. Kausik Ahmed, Secretary, Southwest Youth Water Forum. Another paper on Pollution of

Bhairab River was presented by Nausin Ahmed, Deputy Secretary of the same organization.

As Special Guest, Engineer Tauhidul Anwar Khan, Secretary

General of the Bangladesh Water Partnership (BWP) indicated that

among the total water that our planet contains, 97.5% water is

ocean water which is salty. Among the remaining, 1.725% is in the

glaciers, snow and permafrost. 0.075% is ground water, and 0.025%

is in the lakes, swamps and rivers. So it is clear that the total

population of the whole world is dependent on only 1% sweet

water. With population increase, the demand for water is also

increasing. Upstream flow in all the river systems of Bangladesh

reduces in dry months. It is necessary to increase the sweet water

flow from upstream to solve the problem. Reduction of flow from

upstream during the dry season cause tremendous socio-economic and environmental losses for

Bangladesh. Hence, any intervention on the upstream of the rivers affects Bangladesh significantly.

For addressing all the key water related challenges of the country, water available in the Ganges, the

Brahmaputra and the Meghna river systems is the single most crucial factor.

Dr. Tarun Kanti Sikdar recollected that it is not a long time since we had used pond water. People

started to use ground water with the introduction of tube wells. It is necessary to take an integrated

approach to solve the water problems of Khulna city. In his opinion the major problem is the lack of

management experience and the inexperience of staff in operating a commercial water utility is also

an important factor. He also advised to create awareness among all stakeholders.

Amena Halim Bebi expressed that she was very much enriched by

taking part in the seminar. She learned a lot form the environment

and water experts. She is very much interested to be a part of this

initiative.

Sk. Ali Akbar Tipu opined that both KCC and KWASA have

negative images among the people. But now all can understand

that they are trying their best to solve the problem but due to some

unavoidable reasons they cannot go forward. Most of our rivers are dried up or encroached. We have

to save our rivers for the sake of drinking water supply.

Participant’s Opinions:

Professor Saidur Rahman opined that in the modern age all tools and adequate knowledge is

available to us but we are not taking advantage of that. We have been extracting ground water in an

unplanned way. We have made many mistakes. We should be more conscious and aware about the

judicious utilization of water resources.

Mr. Tauhidul Anwar Khan

Amena Halim Bebi

32

Professor Dr. Nurul Islan said that all over the country we have been using ground water via tube

wells. Now we are not getting sufficient water form the tube wells. To solve the problem, we have to

develop surface water resources.

Lecturer Gautam Kundu said that recently a policy has been adopted on ground water use. The

initiative for supplying water for the Khulna City from the Phultala is a wrong initiative.

Lecturer Jahangir Alam said that the water crisis of the Khulna city is increasing day by day.

Awareness is very much important for water management. He advised that rain water should be an

important component of integrated water resource management to solve the water supply problem of

the city. He also recommended organizing movements for the conservation of the rivers in and

around the city.

Md. Babul Hawlader expressed that political commitment is very much essential for water

management issues. The level of ground water is in a dangerous situation. We should include a rain

water harvesting system in constructing houses and apartments in cities. He also requested that KCC

can take the initiative for conserving the existing ponds for reserving water. He also demanded that

the government owned water bodies should not be filled up.

3. World Water Day Celebrations by Chittagong WASA:

Chittagong WASA marked the World Water Day by organising a seminar on the 28th of March 2011

with financial assistance from the BWP. Presided by the Managing Director, Mr. Md. Fazlullah, the

keynote paper titled ‚Status of Water Supply in Chittagong: Problems and Prospects‛ was presented

by Mr. Izaz Rusul, Superintending Engineer, CWASA. Dr.K.Azharul Haq, EC Member, BWP was

present as a Special Guest.

The keynote paper presented in detail, the historical development of CWASA. Chittagong is the

second largest city of Bangladesh with a population of around 4 million. Unlike DWASA, CWASA

has only one responsibility of supplying potable water to the city dwellers. CWASA supplies 278

MLD of water which meets the demand of only 40% of the population and the rest 60% arranges their

own supply from ground water. In some key performance indicators like NRW, bills, receivables

CWASA has are significantly lower than those of Dhaka but in water supply coverage, performance is

very poor. The major challenge is therefore to increase both supply and coverage. CWASA has also a

favourable balance between surface and ground water.

The following have been identified as key challenges:

Water pollution at raw water source

Protection of rivers from pollution & salinity

Arsenic contamination and unsustainable ground water development

Delay in implementation of projects

Lack of institutional capacity

Reduction of non-revenue water

Tariff structure revising

Organizational restructuring

Rehabilitation of pipelines

Water quality control management

33

O & M facilities management

The MD, CWASA informed that the unaccepted level of low coverage resulted from inability to

construct new water treatment facilities since 1987. CWASA has been able to maintain a status quo in

water supply by installing tube wells as an interim measure. He also indicated that necessary funds

have now been mobilized and construction has begun in one water treatment plant with a capacity of

90 MLD. At the same time CWASA has started to prepare a master plan with the assistance of Korean

International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

Dr. Azharul Haq observed that CWASA will not be able to achieve the MDG on water supply at the

present rate of developments. It also faces a formidable challenge in meeting the water supply needs

of the city. He urged the CWASA authorities to expedite implementation of more water supply

projects and also to initiate work on sewerage and industrial waste treatment & disposal to keep the

raw water sources from being polluted.

PART 3: REPORT BY BHUTAN WATER PARTNERSHIP (BhWP)

*Please note that this report includes information of activities spanning from January to March 2011.

Strategic Goal Outcome Challenge Progress

Strategic Goal 2

To use IWRM

approaches

effectively to

address adaptation

to climate change

and other emerging

challenges at the

national, regional

and global levels.

Outcome Challenge 7

All SAS water

institutions and users

will improve their river

basin water

management adopting

river basin organization

concept on pilot basis at

country / regional level

Water Source Management Project at Umling

The overall objective of the project was to protect the

declining water source at Umling village and at the same

time to contribute towards conservation of the local

environment for sustainable livelihoods.

BhWP supported the project as it was a community

initiated project and benefits the entire Umilng village

with a population over 250 people. The entire project

activities were executed by the local communities

themselves with technical support from the district

administration and forest officials.

A community group comprising of five individuals was

formed as a core team to execute the project. About 10

acres of degraded forest was re-forested with local plant

species. A new water tank was constructed with a

capacity to store water even during lean season. For

community purpose, an awareness and education

program was conducted where over 180 people

participated. Some critical watershed areas were marked

and fenced to protect from cattle and human

interventions. There was a common understanding among

the local community that henceforth the community will

own the watershed area and no activities like grazing,

34

collection of firewood, timer or any other resources would

be allowed in order to safe guard the water source. An

agreement will be signed soon.

BhWP will continue to monitor the impact of the project

and would collect information for future references.

Strategic Goal 3

To generate and

share knowledge on

sustainable water

resource

management

principles and

practice among all

stakeholders

Outcome Challenge 1

In all CWPs, water

professionals will

integrate IWRM

principles in their work

through awareness and

capacity building

Awareness Poster on World Water Day 2011

With an objective to inform the urban dwellers on the

importance of proper management of water resources, a

poster that says how water is scarce and how people

compete to avail the resource was designed and

distributed. The poster also contains tips on how people

should sensibly use water and avoid the water shortage

problem in cities.

Strategic Goal 3

To generate and

share knowledge on

sustainable water

resource

management

principles and

practice among all

stakeholders

Outcome Challenge 3

In all CWPs, youth and

women (school, college

and university) will

integrate the IWRM

principles in their lives

World Water Day Celebration, 22 March 2011

With a broad aim to educate and raise the awareness level

of the citizen on the global importance of water as a very

scarce resource, BhWP advocated the celebration of World

Water Day 2011.

Through BhWP’s initiation, the World Water Day, 2011

was marked in all the 20 districts in Bhutan. Although

there was no financial support to all, BhWP informed all

district administrations on the significance of the day.

Accordingly, the district administrations have instructed

the schools to mark the day and as a result, hundreds of

schools across the country celebrated the World Water

Day in their own little ways.

Reports received from schools indicated that there were

lots of awareness activities, stream cleaning, water source

cleaning, talks on the importance of water, some literary

activities like debates, quizzes, slogans on water and

speeches by students during morning assembly. Some

schools have also involved local leaders and communities

in the program in order to create awareness and share the

responsibility.

As a major event, with financial support from BhWP,

Khasadrapchu Middle Secondary School in Thimphu

marked the World Water Day 2011 in a grand way.

Among the students and teachers, guests from the

National Environment Commission, Ministry of

35

Education, Thimphu Municipality, Royal Society for

Protection of Nature, Bhutan Water Partnership, local

leaders and communities participated in the program.

Singing of World Water Day theme song by students,

speeches by teachers and guests, extempore speeches by

students, art completion on water, display of the water

quality report and some cultural activities were the major

programs for the day.

The impact of the program would be that hundreds of

students and local communities were made aware of the

importance of water in our life and in the light of Climate

Change, how water resources will be affected in the

mountain eco-system of Bhutan.

PART 4: REPORT BY INDIA WATER PARTNERSHIP (IWP)

1. Wainganga Integrated River Basin Management Master Planning:

For preparing a sound and manageable Integrated River Basin Management Master Plan for

Wainganga river basin, data on hydrology, rainfall, water quality, environment, socio-economic

conditions, meteorology, etc. would be one of the most integral part of the project. Wainganga river

basin is spread in 160 watersheds and has 61 Monitoring Stations. Collection of data by our West

Zone Water Partnership Coordinating agency; Gomukh Trust, Pune which started in February, 2011

from regional Government Departments including the Water Resources Department, Forest Survey of

India, Agriculture Department, Fisheries Department, Department of Soil and Land use Survey,

Geological Survey of India is still continuing. As far as collection of data from Monitoring Stations

(MSs) is concerned, it has been collected from 24 MSs. Prior to the work of data collection, a meeting

of stakeholders of Wainganga River Basin was held to during February, 2011 to discuss the approach

and modalities for collection of data and thereafter a provisional list of sub basins along with their

watersheds was prepared and Maharashtra Groundwater Survey and Development Board was first

approached for providing the data related to the Board. It is expected that the work of data collection

would be completed by March end and the same would be analyzed in April, 2011 before the actual

work of planning and preparing the Integrated River Basin Management Master Plan for Wainganga

river basin begins. Few difficulties are being faced by the staff of our West Zone Water Partnership

Coordinating agency; Gomukh Trust, Pune in collecting the data.

2. Workshop on Status of Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) and its Effective

Implementation in Rajasthan (India) on World Water Day - 22nd March, 2011:

A one day Seminar-cum-Workshop on Status of Integrated Water Resource

Management (IWRM) in the State of Rajasthan for effective implementation

of New State Water Policy was organized on World Water Day i.e. 22nd

March, 2011. This one day workshop was the continuation of India Water

Partnership (IWP) efforts during year 2010 for promoting IWRM in the State

of Rajasthan. In the second phase during 2011, IWP supported Jheel

36

Sanrakshan Samiti, Udaipur to further work on strengthening the Water User Groups (WUGs),

NGOs, PRI members, Engineers and Administrative officers in Rajasthan by building their capacities

for proper and effective implementation of new State Water Policy and promoting IWRM.

Towards this endevour, the JSS organized the above Workshop-cum-

Seminar on World Water Day (22nd March, 2011) along with its other

strategic partner organizarions; Dr M S Mehta Memorial Trust and

Vidya Bhawan Polytechnic College. Former Foreign Secretary, Govt

of India, Mr. Jagat S Mehta, Padam Bhushan Award Winner

inaugurated the workshop.

The workshop was attended by State government representatives

and other stakeholders. Dr R C Purohit, Dean, College of Technology and Engineering, MPUAT, Mr B

R Khaturia, Water Resources Deptt, Govt of Rajasthan, Mr G P Soni,

Former Supdtt Engineer, Water Resources, Deptt, Govt. of

Rajasthan, Mr O P Mathur, Former Director, Central Ground Water

Board, Govt of India, Mr A S Jodha , KVK Udaipur were the eminent officials present in the

workshop. Mr. Jagat S Mehta emphasized the need of synergic and continued efforts of government,

civil society and PRIs for effective implementation of Rajasthan New Water

Policy. The proposed water regulatory authority shall have representation of

the civil society, he appealed to the Government. Mr. Anil Mehta explained

the concept of IWRM tree. He said that in order to grow and establish the

IWRM, four essential nutrients/inputs are required viz.(1) Stakeholder

Participation, (2)Enabling Environment, (3)Eco-technology and 4) Good

Governance. Mr Mehta also conveyed the message of Prof. S R Hashim,

President, IWP and Dr Veena Khanduri, Executive Secretary, IWP who has

taken initiative to take up first review of State Water Policy of Rajasthan,

status of IWRM in Rajasthan and effective implementation of the new water

policy as a part of India Water Partnership Strategic Plan to focus on how

IWRM can be translated effectively by empowering and capacity building of all stakeholders.

During seminar, the participants in different groups reviewed various provisions of the new State

Water Policy and expressed gratitude towards the Rajasthan State government for including the

IWRM as guiding approach for the water resource development in the state. The seminar concluded

with the recommendation that to get the policy implemented at grass root level, and get reflected in

all development plans, the capacity building of all stakeholders is a pre- requisite. The participants

unanimously recommended that JSS with the support of IWP should organize capacity development

workshops for stakeholder groups in the coming three months.

3. Sensitization Workshop on Water Conservation and Affordable Water Technologies and Best

Practices on World Water Day from 22nd to 26th March, 2011 at Meerut, Uttar Pradesh

The water availability in the World is diminishing with faster rate due to growth of the population

and industrialization. The water availability is further hampered due to the ongoing contamination of

the water bodies, some caused by the callous anthropogenic activities while the others due to natural

reasons. The limited freshwater resources are gradually diminishing. The groundwater levels in many

places throughout the world have exhausted and the ones which remain are taken for granted and are

being dirtied every passing day.

Participants at the Workshop-cum-Seminar

37

The increasing water contamination in Western Uttar Pradesh, especially Meerut has always been the

concern for NEER Foundation. In this line, the NEER Foundation with the support of India Water

Partnership (IWP) organized Sensitization workshop on water conservation and affordable water

technologies and best practices on the occasion of World Water Day from 22nd to 26th March, 2011

at Meerut, Uttar Pradesh through different activities spanning over a period of five days. The main

focus of the events was to draw everybody’s attention on water conservation and water quality

protection and its impact on human health.

All the activities chosen were planned in an innovative matter so that it involves a greater and active

participation of the community and more importantly creates a larger impact. In the coming days, the

efforts will certainly bear fruits in terms of action to protect the water of Meerut from further

contamination. The details of various activities organized on this occasion are as under:

A) Water Audit in Ten Schools of Meerut:

Ten schools of Meerut were provided with an audit form to document the current water use and

management practices of their school. Vidya Global Public School, Meerut was recognized as the best

school, making best of every drop of the falling rain through a rainwater harvesting structure and a

waste water treatment plant installed in their school campus. The harvested rainwater is used for

various purposes and is sent down to aquifers, contributing to the increase in water level of the area.

The treated waste water is used in the gardens. Second was Godwin Public School and Army Public

School came third. All these schools were provided with a certificate, poster and an appreciation letter

for their noble cause.

B)

Awareness

Meeting with the

Good Morning Club of Meerut:

Good Morning Club of Meerut is a group of around eighteen people who meet every morning to

discuss about the nature and environment. A meeting was organized by NEER Foundation with the

club members on the issue of ‘Water Quality of Meerut and its implications on the residents of

Meerut‛. It is a fact that the water quality of Meerut is decreasing rapidly and that studies conducted

by NEER Foundation have confirmed presence of heavy metals and pesticides in the drinking water

sources. These findings were discussed in the meeting and strategy was planned to discuss the

increasing water contamination in Meerut, with the district administration.

C) Drawing Competition and Sensitization of Students at BDS Institute:

A drawing competition was organised at BDS Institute, Jagriti Vihar, Meerut where about 50 schools

of Meerut participated. The topic for the competition was ‘Status of Water Quality of Meerut in your

38

eyes’. Students came up with impressive drawings and showed realistic pictures of Meerut’s water

quality in their illustrations.

The best drawings were awarded with a certificate and appreciation letter. Best 20 drawings will be

compiled in the form of a report entitled ‘Water Quality Status of Meerut through Children’s Eyes’

which will be disseminated to all IWP partners. The drawing competition was followed by a

presentation and documentary screening to educate and sensitize 200 students of the institute on

‘Clean Water for a Healthy World’.

D) PGMT International School Students to Decide if Kali is a River Once

Worshipped or Just a Drain:

Students of the school were taken to the Kali River in a group accompanied by their

teachers. They were educated on the historical importance, present pollution existing

in the river, reasons behind the pollution and NEER Foundation’s future strategy to

revive this dead river through community participation. ‘Seeing is more than

believing’, such is the saying. So, the students were also made to test water through

water testing kits provided by the organisation. They tested a few parameters and

found the harmful levels of the pollution.

E) Who’s Better at the Cost of Water?! Awareness Generation through Hair Saloons and the

Vehicle Service Centres:

Three prominent hair saloons namely Hair Apeel at Samrat Shopping Mall, Meerut; The Head Master

and Sunrise Hair Saloon at Shastri Nagar, Meerut were visited and educated on water education. The

organisation then discussed their water usage in their daily activities. It was shocking to learn that

these saloons waste a large quantity of water. They were motivated to change their habits to use

water and become ‘water savers’. The details are as follows;

Hair Apeel Saloon The Head Master Sunrise Hair Saloon

Present Water Usage

On Per Shampoo – 4 to 5 litres

8-10 shampoos done everyday.

On Shampoo per day – 40 to 50

litres

On hair cutting and shaving – 9

to 10 litres everyday.

On Per Shampoo – 4 to 5 litres

25 to 30 shampoos done

everyday.

On Shampoo per day – 125 litres

On hair cutting and shaving – 5

to 7 litres everyday.

Hair Cutting – 7 to 8 litres

On the other hand, an ordinary barber shop was visited and discussed about their water usage in

daily activities. Similar exercise was done with three prominent vehicle service centres namely

Vikrant Service Centre, Rajsneh Automobile Service Centre and Fairdeal Service Centre located at

Meerut. During discussion, it was learn that the water usage per day of Vikrant is about 605 litres of

water per day and that of Rajsneh and Fairdeal is about 1130 litres.

The heads of these centres and the workers were educated about the depleting water levels and the

need to conserve fresh water as and where possible. They were urged to

- Avoid cleaning their centres with running water through pipes.

- Install water treatment plant and recycle water as much possible, using it for some purpose.

39

- Use pressure pump while washing the cars which saves about 30 percent of water to what is

being used presently.

- Adopt rainwater harvesting.

F) ‘Water Walk’ by Students of CCS University, Meerut:

A ‘Water Walk’ was organised with the participation of the students of CCS University, Meerut.

Informative quotes and messages were delivered through placards. During the walk, local residents

were motivated to conserve water through filling of Water saving pledge forms and they were

informed about the simple ways of keeping water quality healthy which they can practice at home

like boiling of water, proper storage source etc.

G) Meeting with the Residents of Jalalpur Village:

Jalalpur village is located on the banks of highly polluted Kali River in Meerut district. This village is

in the clutches of pollution and is witnessing continuously increase in diseases and deaths.

On the occasion of World Water Day, a meeting was organised at the village to plan out some plan of

action to be followed by NEER Foundation towards restoring Jalalpur.

4. Sustainable Water Resources Management Approaches to Effectively Address Adaptation to

Climate Change in Villages of Jharkhand:

To use IWRM approaches to effectively address adaptation to climate change and other emerging

challenges at national level, India Water Partnership has supported Action for Food Production

(AFPRO), New Delhi to undertake a study on Sustainable Water Resources Management

Approaches to effectively address Adaptation to Climate Change in villages of Jharkhand”. Under

this study, networking with local agencies/organizations/institutions, research organizations will be

done to understand the practices of using low cost saving technologies promoted by these

organizations/institutions to address adaptation to climate change as the Jharkhand state is most

vulnerable because of the heavy reliance on rainfed agriculture, poor level of water control and poor

replenishment of reservoirs. Drought and floods are particular threats to food security and are

expected to become more frequent, more intense and less predictable as a consequence of climate

change.

As economy of the state is rooted in agriculture and majority of population to the extent of 80 % is

engaged in agricultural sector, the climate change poses serious implications on food security.

Keeping in view this background IWP with the support of AFPRO is working on identifying and

promoting various methods used by the community for water saving.

The study findings reveal the following:

Dry land farming is being adopted in upland regions. Crops like maize, goda paddy, arhar, gram

etc. are being taken all over the state.

The SRI System of Paddy cultivation is gradually being adopted by the farmers across the state.

First hand information obtained from the farmers is that the growth of paddy is much superior in

case of SRI method than the traditional method. In the drought or water scarce condition, SRI is

much better that the traditional methods.

The community is having the practice of constructing channels for irrigation. With these channels,

water is conveyed to fields. But due to shortage of funds, the channels are not lined. This results

in loss of water during conveyance.

40

Discussions with community and actual field conditions revealed that the Drip Irrigation system

is effective. However, due to higher initial cost and maintenance is the constraint for poor and

marginal farmers.

Central upland rice research institute, Hazaribagh has developed improved variety of paddy seed

called as ‚Sehbhagi‛. This is suitable for upland and its duration is 70-80 days.

Future Strategy:

Further consultations will be held with other organizations in different parts of the State to identify

the indigenous low cost water saving technologies adopted and used by the communities in different

areas. Based upon the information received, field visits will be conducted and accordingly case

studies will be tried to be prepared.

5. Meeting to Review the Proposed Road Map on Integrated Water Resource Management

(IWRM) Prepared by Odisha Government with the Technical Assistance of ADB, and to

Prepare a New Road Map for Future:

On the occasion of World Water Day, with the support of India Water Partnership, the Eastern Zonal

Water Partnership (EZWP) and Odisha Water Forum (OWF) organized a preparatory meeting on 22nd

March, 2011 in Agragamee premises to discuss the Road Map prepared by Odisha State Govt with the

technical assistance of ADB and to prepare a new Road Map for future with people’s participation.

The meeting was also aimed to discuss about the present status of Integrated Water Resources

Management (IWRM) in Odisha and future strategy.

Convener of OWF Achyut Das of Agragamee presided over the meeting and set the agenda by raising

questions as to whether the present developments in the water sector in the state of Odisha needs to

be thought upon very carefully, whether they are good for the citizens of Odisha or in the long run

they will marginalize the already marginalized ones. The guest of honor, Er. Sridhar Behera, Retired

Engineer-In Chief said that Odisha is one of the states where the Water Policy provides first priority

to drinking water and the second priority is accorded to environmental flows. Though Odisha is still

a surplus state in case of most of the river basins, it is not far that we may become a water deficit state

if no much priority is accorded to water conservation in the state. He opined that the water

conservation should be taught to the school students. At least the future generation should be aware

of the options before us. Er. Behera discussed on the different aspects of Integrated Water Resources

Management (IWRM) and opined that flood management and prevention of pollution of water

especially by the urban wastes should be a part of the IWRM strategy.

Chief Speaker & Convenor of Eastern Zonal Water Partnership (EZWP, India) Mr. Tapan Padhi

(National Institute for Development) informed the house about the limitations of the IWRM Road

Map already prepared by Odisha Government. He said that without deciding the framework for the

effective participation of people in the implementation of IWRM it will prove to be a futile effort for

the realization of the goal of IWRM. The proposed road map has stressed only of the economic

sustainability and given only a leap service for the people’s participation. In the proposed framework

for the River Basin Organisations, without effective capacity building of the farmers and the

commoners, the corporate houses and the powerful will be calling the shots with respect to water

allocation as well as management of the river basins and the farmers and other marginalized

unorganized groups will be only mute spectators. The present road map needs substantial changes to

be implementable in Odisha. Mr. Padhi stressed that there is a need for the Civil Societies to engage

with the IWRM implementation process rather than outrightly rejecting that and becoming mute

41

spectators. He declared that in the last week of April, Odisha Water Forum (OWF) and Eastern Zonal

Water Partnership (EZWP-India) will organize a meeting to discuss the opportunities and challenges

thrown up by IWRM and to come out with a Road Map for the civil society organizations with

respect to grounding of IWRM in the context of Eastern Zone.

Mr. Aurobindo Behera, IAS, Chief Secretary of Forest and Environment Department of Government

of Odisha was the chief guest for the meeting. In his remarks he stressed on the coordinated efforts by

the different departments, and common man for effective water resources management in the context

of climate change. He opined that it is very important to critically analyze long term impact of

different changes being proposed now.

Members of different civil society organizations, retired and serving government officials as well as

media persons attended this meeting and opined on the water issues confronting the state of Odisha.

At the end Natya Chetana, a Theatre Action Group presented a street theatre on Water.

On the occasion of World Water Day, Tapan Kumar Padhi, Director of National Institute for

Development (NID) and Convenor of Eastern Zonal Water Partnership featured in three news reports

by three local television channels namely Odisha Television, MBC and KANAK TV. Apart from this

he also was one of the panelists in the live discussion on Water Challenges of Odisha in KANAK TV

on 22nd March 2011.

6. Strengthening of Parimal Area Water Partnership (PAWP), Dhenkanal District, Odisha by

Arun Institute of Rural Affairs (AIRA) supported by India Water Partnership (IWP):

In the past two rounds of action spanning over a period of two years i.e. 2008-10, AIRA-IWP joint

action on water in the Dhenkanal district of Odisha has certainly gained some ground. By the end of

the previous term (ending October 2010), there have been formed 16 Micro Water Partnerships, 02

small area water partnerships and 01 Area Water Partnership (with the above constituents) named

‚Parimal Area Water Partnership.‛ A number of activities were undertaken to educate and build the

capacity of stakeholders including farmer, WUGs, PRI members, Govt. officials, NGOs, CBOs to

promote IWRM in and around PAWP through workshops (at village, block & district level), field

visits, organizing meetings, networking, water campaigns, wall writing, Liaison/Linkages with other

departments such as Agriculture & horticulture, Forest & Environment, Soil conservation &

institutions like Krishi Vigyan Kendra etc.

During 2011 AIRA would focus to strengthen and broaden the scope of PAWP with the envisaged

activities such as ; Strengthening / consolidating the MWPs & LWPs and also the PAWP constituents

as a whole ; Mapping of industries and water sources for reference (with water sources already

visibly polluted and also likely to be polluted); Organising all stakeholders affected or likely to be

affected by the growing water pollution/shortage/misuse; Capacity Building trainings on Irrigation

Management System & Campaigns (additional rounds); Attempting at holding negotiations with

local public bodies, govt. administration for needful action; Involvement of local media and anti-

pollution action groups on water as well as right to life; documentation, monitoring & follow-up.

On 30th March, 2011, PAWP volunteers and AIRA staff were involved in a district level convention

of peasants on water and farm sector issues under the title -Krishak Kranti Samabesh. In the

convention. This mega event required elaborate contact and mobilization of peasants, farm-sector

workers and community leaders. In the convention, more than 2000 people were present at the

Dhenkanal stadium.

42

(Farmers Convention at Dhenkanal Stadium on Water & Farm Sector Issues - Published in SAMBADA on

31/03/2011)

7. Participation of Dr. Veena Khanduri, Executive Secretary, IWP in Conclave on Business and

Climate Change:

Dr. Veena Khanduri, Executive Secretary, IWP participated in a Conclave on Business and Climate

Change organized by CII-ITC Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development on 15 March 2011 at

Le Meridien, New Delhi. Mr. Suresh Prabhu, GWP Ambassador gave the keynote address at the

sessi

on

on

‚Inv

estin

g in

Cli

mate

Cha

nge

Solu

tion

s‛ at

the

Con

clav

e.

PART 5: REPORT BY NEPAL WATER PARTNERSHIP (NWP)

1. Appointment of a Research Consultant:

Nepal Water Partnership/JVS has appointed a Research Consultant Dr. Ravi Sharma Aryal of Water

and Energy Commission Secretariat (WECS) on March 1, 2011 to review the existing laws particularly

in relation to the ownership and right to use water under the program entitled "The Law on

Ownership and Right to Water".

2. Participation in Abu Dhabi Dialogue Knowledge Forum Small Grant Program (ADDKF/SGP)

Launch Workshop:

43

Dr. Dhruba Pant, member, Nepal Water Partnership/JVS participated in ADDKF/SGP Launch

Workshop from March 2 to March 3, 2011 in Kathmandu. Nepal Water Partnership/JVS is in the

process of developing a regional research proposal in collaboration with SaciWATERs, India and

University of Kabul, Afghanistan. Nepal Water Partnership/JVS is the lead institution and Dr. Pant is

the team leader in developing the proposal.

3. Participation in Nepal National Water Week 2011:

On the occasion of the World Water Day and World Meteorological Day, 2011, Nepal Water

Partnership/JVS participated in a week long program (Nepal National Water Week-2011) from March

17 to March 23, 2011. Mr. Iswer Raj Onta, Chairperson of Nepal Water Partnership/JVS, was the

member of the Main Organizing Committee for Nepal National Water Week-2011. The main program

highlights were Online E-discussion, Press Meet, Water Parade, Workshops, Water Fair, TV/Radio

talk programs and regional programs within different areas of Nepal.

4. Appointment of a Research Consultant:

Nepal Water Partnership/JVS has appointed Dr. Dibya Ratna Kansakar as a Research Consultant on

March 17, 2011 to review the existing laws particularly in relation to extraction and utilization of

groundwater under the program entitled "The Law and Legislation on Groundwater".

5. 118th Executive Committee Meeting (ECM):

The 118th ECM of Nepal Water Partnership/JVS was held on March 22, 2011 in Kathmandu under the

Chairmanship of Mr. Iswer Raj Onta. The meeting discussed programmatic and administrative issues

of Nepal Water Partnership/JVS.

6. Visit of Japan Water Forum (JWF) Members:

Project Proposal entitled "Community based Water Supply and sanitation Program in Bhurtung VDC

of Gulmi District, Nepal" submitted by Nepal Water Partnership/JVS was accepted by JWF in the

screening phase. Ms. Kaori Kondo, Manager, JWF and Ms. Reiko Tanaka, Assistance Manager, JWF

visited Nepal Water Partnership/JVS office on March 29, 2011. The executive committee of Nepal

Water Partnership/JVS had a discussion with the JWF members regarding the project proposal and

possible future collaboration. A field visit was organized for the visitors to Shikharapur Community

Campus of Sesh Narayan Village where Nepal Water Partnership/JVS had conducted training and

discussion program on 14th Sept., 2010.

7. 119th Executive Committee Meeting (ECM):

The 119th ECM of Nepal Water Partnership/JVS was held on March 31, 2011 in Kathmandu under the

Chairmanship of Mr. Iswer Raj Onta. The meeting mainly focused on the issue of NWP accreditation.

8. Preparatory Works on Climate Change Book in Local Language:

For the dissemination of the knowledge of climate change, its impacts and its various other issues, a

book is being published by Nepal Water Partnership/JVS. Some preparatory works in defining the

scope of the book and the identification of the consultant is undergoing.

44

9. Replacement:

With the resignation of Mr. Pradeep Mathema, the Director of Nepal Water Partnership/JVS, Mr.

Prakash Gaudel, (Trainee Manager) is the new contact person for Nepal Water Partnership/JVS

effective from April 1, 2011.

PART 6: REPORT BY PAKISTAN WATER PARTNERSHIP (PWP)

1. Chairman, PWP, participated in the Abu Dhabi Dialogue Knowledge Forum's Small Grants

Program Meeting held in Kathmandu, Nepal on 2-3 March 2011, wherein the concept of

proposals to be funded under the ADD-G was highlighted by the ICIMOD who are managing

this program on behalf of the World Bank.

2. The Country Coordinator, PWP, who is also assisting the Regional Chair, GWP-SAS as

Support Officer was nominated to attend the First Asia Pacific Synthesis Meeting which was

scheduled in Tokyo from 15th to 16th March 2011 but due to the disastrous earthquake of 11th

March and subsequent tsunami and nuclear mishap, the meeting was postponed. However, a

brainstorming session was held at the JWP office on 15th March 2011, wherein the Country

Coordinator pursued inclusion of the serious problems being faced by the South Asian region

and bringing some discussion items highlighting potentials and opportunities available in South

Asia.

3. A World Water Day Coordination Meeting was held in the Planning Commission with the

arrangements by Pakistan Water Partnership. Representatives from the Planning Commission,

Institution of Engineers Pakistan (IEP), Capital Development Authority (CDA), Islamabad,

Partners in Sustainable Development (PSD), Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI),

Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) and Integrated Rural Development Organization (IRDO),

participated in the meeting and three mega events were finalized to be carried out in Islamabad

on 22nd March, 11th, 25th and 30th April as follows;

a. 22 March 2011 World Water Day celebrations including seminars, walks and awareness

material distribution

b. 11 April 2011 Awareness Walk at Blue Area, Islamabad under arrangements by IEP with

support of PWP

c. 25 April 2011 World Water Day Consultative Workshop in Planning Commission

d. 30 April 2011 Inauguration of a book on Water Awareness under arrangements of SDPI.

4. World Water Day was celebrated all over the country under PWP, AWPs and partner

organizations.

5. Sarawan AWP, Mastung celebrated World Water Day on 22nd March and held an awareness

seminar wherein the stakeholders and partners were taught water conservation and proper use

of, and better water management in the AWP areas.

6. PWP in collaboration with IUCN, Balochistan and other local partners celebrated World

Water Day 2011 in Quetta under the chairmanship of Sardar Muhammad Tariq, Regional Chair,

GWP-SAS. Importance of water for cities was highlighted among the participants of a walk

45

arranged at Quetta. The participants took oaths to prevent wastage of water and reduce /

eliminate unwanted use of water in the hilly city of Quetta.

7. PWP Board of Directors and Annual General Meetings were held on 29th March 2011 wherein

the 2010 Annual Progress Report, Audited Accounts and 2011 Work Plan, Budget and Activities

Planned were discussed and presented to the Partners. The 2011 Auditors were also approved by

the BoD and AGM.

8. Photo Gallery:

Sarawan AWP, Mastung celebrated World Water Day on 22 March and held an awareness seminar wherein

the stakeholders and partners were taught water conservation and proper use better water management in

the AWP areas.

PWP’s 25th BOD Meeting held in PWP Office on 29

March 2011

A view of roundtable during PWP’s 11th Annual

General Meeting held in PWP Office,

Islamabad on 29 March 2011 after the BOD

Meeting.

PART 7: REPORT BY SRI LANKA WATER PARTNERSHIP (SLWP)

1. Programme on Water, Hygiene and Sanitation for School Community:

Continuing programme undertaken annually by the Nilwala AWP and University of Ruhuna in the

Southern Province. This year it focused on schools in the Kamburupitiya Division of Matara District.

Programme is in collaboration with District Secretary, NetWwater, Environmental organizations and

Medical Officer of Health. This year special focus is on sanitation in view of SACOSAN to be held in

April and based on survey on Sanitation undertaken in Matara Schools in 2010. Programme includes

an art and essay competition with prizes for those selected. Programme intends to build awareness of

school children on water, sanitation and hygiene, disseminate knowledge on proper sanitary

requirements and maintenance and importance of water quality and hygienic and healthy food

consumption. Theme was Effect of water and food habits for health and sanitation on school

children. 13 teachers from 21 schools, 118 students and 25 participants from the University of Ruhuna

46

Faculty of Agriculture participated in the Seminar. 26 students participated in the Essay Competition

and 3 were awarded prizes. 393 students had participated in the painting competition at the primary

school level and 3 were selected for prizes. 139 students participated in the junior section and 98 in

the senior section painting competition. 3 prizes for each section were awarded. A total of 150

students and 22 teachers from proximity schools participated in the essay and painting competitions.

Governor of the Southern Province Hon. Kumari Balasuriya was Chief Guest and Acting Vice

Chancellor of the University of Ruhuna, Prof. Gamini Senanayake was Guest of Honour.

2. Tree Planting in Source Area of Maha Oya (Establishment of a Plant Nursery):

Maha oya AWP continued its source area and river bank conservation programme with a special

programme for Water Day where a plant nursery of 10,000 plants was established for its planting

programme in 2011. 110 participants who are members of the AWP, Environmental NGO / CBO

leaders and members of Rahalgala / Ambuluwawa / Bo-ella reserve numbering 60 and senior school

children representing 6 schools participated in the training / awareness meeting and collection of

planting material on 20th March (Sunday) for Water Day which fell on Tuesday, 22nd March. Most

participants excepting school children are available only on Sundays / holidays. Planting programme

has been fixed from 8.30 am to 2.30 pm on Saturday 2nd April.

3. Art exhibition and Water Day awareness activity in Nugawela Balika Vidyalaya:

This was held in connection with water day on 25th March. The main focus this year was on school

sanitation and the event will covered art, posters and cartoons. Items selected will be displayed at the

SACOSAN Exhibition being held in Colombo from 3rd -5th April. In addition, Nugawela Girls College

will be the site for a field visit by the SACOSAN delegates to Sri Lanka. World Water Day 2011 theme

of Responding to Urban Challenges will be also highlighted under this event.

250 children and 10 teachers and the Principal participated in this programme. The Chief Guest was

the Additional Zonal Director of Education. The Art Exhibition focussed on use of rainwater

harvesting and maintenance of sanitation systems and toilet facilities. 9 prizes were awarded with 3

for each group. The Children presented a short drama of 10 minutes on benefits of rainwater

harvesting, and in appreciation of the efforts of the school children on maintenance of school

sanitation facilities and garbage disposal, a grant of LKR 30,000/- was made by SLWP. The

programme was a collaborative effort of SLWP and its Partner IPID with support from the National

Water Board, Education Department and Community Health Specialist of the Central Province.

47

4. Deduru Oya AWP Field Trip for School Children:

Deduru Oya AWP arranged a field trip for 41 school children to Kolamuna Oya, Bingiririya on 24th

March (22nd was zonal inspection day). This was a major river sand mining site that has now been

gradually rehabilitated and a bank protection / replanting programme was undertaken by the AWP

over the last two years and after the recent floods. Based on this programme a regular SLWP Schools

Programme (Sisu Jala Hamuwa) will be held in early May on IWRM, School Sanitation, Availability

of Drinking Water and Water Quality for 130 children and teachers.

5. Media Training for SACOSAN:

Sri Lanka Water Partnership in collaboration with South Asian Women in Media (SAWM) carried out

a Pre-SACOSAN media training on Reporting Water and Sanitation Matters for 25 media persons at

the CENWOR auditorium on the 29th of March. Ms. Shamini Boyle, Chair, SAWM, Ms. Kusum

Athukorala, Chair, SLWP / NetWwater, Ms. Dilrukshi Handunnetti, Eng. Deepthi Sumanasekera,

NWSDB and Eng. Wasala / UNICEF and Ms. Anoma Rajakaruna were resource persons for this

activity. The participants also carried out a field visit to Gotamipura, an underserved urban

community where upgraded sewage systems are being installed. They spoke with the community

leadership who indicated that the community is paying part of the costs of sewage systems and will

levy an Operation and Maintenance (O&M) fee.

SOUTH EAST ASIA

World Water Day 2011 in Southeast

Asia

Activities held in celebration of the

World Water Day 2011 in Southeast

Asia.

48

World Water Day 2011 in Malaysia:

The Rt. Hon. Dato' Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia,

officiated the National World Water Day 2011 Celebration in Pekan, Pahang on 12th March 2011.

This event is co-organised by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Malaysia, the

Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water Malaysia, the Ministry of Housing and Local

Government Malaysia, UNESCO-IHP and DID Malaysia.

11th March 2011 at Vistana Hotel in Kuantan, Pahang - A colloquium themed "Water for

Cities: Responding to Urban Challenge". The Colloquium is organized by UNESCO-IHP

Malaysia, DID Malaysia in collaboration with Institute of Engineers Malaysia.

11th March 2011 A "Workshop on Domestic Water for Women" held at the same venue in

Kuantan, Pahang. This Workshop is also organized by UNESCO-IHP and DID Malaysia.

21-22 March 2011 at the Dewan Seri Melati, Kompleks Perbadanan Putrajaya, Putrajaya

held A "Workshop on Water and Media: Rising up to the Challenge". This workshop is organized

by UNESCO-IHP, LESTARI, DID Malaysia in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural

Resources and Environment Malaysia, the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water

Malaysia, the Ministry of Housing and Local Government Malaysia.

World Water Day 2011 in Philippine:

The over-all coordinator for the 2011 World Water Day celebration in the Philippines was the

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through its River Basin Control Office

The World Water Day (WWD) is being celebrated every March 22 of the year. It is an important event being observed at the international and national levels specifically to highlight the importance of water. This year’s international theme is “Water for Cities: Responding to the Urban Challenge”. The objectives of this event are: to focus international attention on the impact of rapid urban population growth, industrialization and uncertainties caused climate change, conflicts and natural disaster on urban water system; to spotlight and encourage governments, organizations, communities and individuals to actively engage in addressing the challenges of urban water management.

49

(RBCO), along with partners from other national government agencies, non-government

organizations and the private sectors.

The Philippine Water Partnership (PWP) actively participated as one of the Resource Persons during

the National Executive-Legislative Dialogue on Water Supply and Sanitation on March 17, 2011. The

major output in this Dialogue was the consolidated public statement of commitment and call for

action to the Executive and Legislative Departments to improve access by the poor to safe and clean

drinking water.

Another highlight of the week-long celebration is the “Philippines Walk for Water” which was

organized by PWP with major support from Maynilad and other agencies/organizations on March 22,

2011 at the SM Mall of Asia (MoA) grounds. More than 2,000 participated in this activity which is the

Philippine counterpart of the global event, World Walks for Water to raise awareness on the country’s

current water and sanitation issues. Some of the walkers carried containers filled with water to

experience the plight of thousands of people – many of whom are children – who have to walk for

several kilometers just to get water.

The “Walk” culminated with the presentation of the “Declaration of Commitment and Call for

Action” to President Benigno S. Aquino III. During the main program, selected school children had

the opportunity to read water stories with the President as a culmination of the ‚Ripples of Hope

Postcard Campaign‛. Other children from

Regions 5 (Bicol) and 10 (Northern Mindanao)

were able to participate in the reading via

remote broadcast sessions. The postcard

reading dramatized the presentation of water

concerns by ordinary citizens to the

government leaders.

PWP participated in the Walkthrough and

Boat Ride at Estero de Paco and Estero de San

Miguel (two polluted tributaries of the Pasig

River situated in the City of Manila) on March

16, 2011. The event provided PWP members

and others who joined this activity the

opportunity to see the improvements in the

Estero and showcased active community

involvement in the management of esteros.

The objective of this activity was to strengthen

linkages between public and private agencies

concerned with the management of the

country’s water resources and harmonize inter-agency programs for the rehabilitation of our polluted

urban waterways particularly the Pasig River and its tributaries.

Other activities undertaken to bring more attention to the need for sustainable water management

were:

National River Forum in Sulo Hotel on March 14

Pasig River Fluvial Parade on March 15

Water Trail in Quezon City on March 21

Symposium on Best Practices on Water at Microtel, SM MoA on March 22

50

Water Quality Management Area Forum at Richmonde Hotel in Quezon City on

March 24 Clean-up of Estero dela Reina / Tullahan in Gagalangin, Tondo on March 25

After the walk, the country’s leaders and water stakeholders would meet at the SM MOA Music Hall

where President Benigno Aquino III will listen to the stories of children telling him about how clean

water has improved the quality of their lives. A Water Declaration from the National Executive-

Legislative dialogue that transpired in Congress would also be given to the President.

A similar event will be staged in Bicol and Cagayan de Oro and their activities will be beamed live to

the Manila event via Smart Communications, Inc.

51

52

Details picture can be found in here:

2011 March 22 - World Water Day @Mall of Asia, Philippines

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=56830&id=100000524337743&l=013b40d0cf

2011 March 22 - Philippine Youth Walks For Water - Mall of Asia.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=56837&id=100000524337743&l=b57da1684e

2011 March 22 - Philippine Cagers Walk for Water - Mall of Asia.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=56841&id=100000524337743&l=ee879707d9

Participation in Other Events

People Centered Approach in Flood and Land Management in the Mekong Basin: Sustained

Implementation and Planning for Future Challenges

23-25 February 2011, Luang Prabang, Lao PDR

Ms.Chongchith Chantharanonh a Steering Committee Member of GWPSEA join the 3 days workshop

of flood conference in Luang Prabang and present in Session 5,4,2; GWP for Flood Risk Reduction and

Land Management.

Presentation available in:

http://www.mekongfloodconference.net/PRESENTATION/Day3/Session5.2.4.pdf

Ministry of Public Works

Gedung SDA Lantai 8/808 Dept.

Pekerjaan Umum

Jalan Pattimura No. 20

Kebayoran Baru

Jakarta 11210

Ph. +62 21 739 6792,

www.gwpsea.org

SOUTHERN AFRICA

In Goal 1 on putting IWRM into practice, GWPSA participated in the SADC Water Division’s annual

strategic planning meeting and retreat focused on finalising the 3rd IWRM Regional Strategic Action

Plan. This is the first time GWPSA has been invited to participate in and contribute to this internal

meeting of SADC’s. GWPSA has worked for more than 10 years developing this relationship and

nurturing the trust, demonstrating how the partnership serves the SADC region supporting the

Southeast Asia

53

achievement of the SADC development goals and priorities - NOT pursuing own GWP agendas and

programmes in isolation of the regional and national contexts. This is a significant outcome as it

shows that the trust has actually been realised and bodes well for future work as a neutral

implementing agent for SADC regional programmes, which demand multi-stakeholder engagement

and IWRM technical support to address development challenges. This is significant since most

international cooperating partners in the region have streamlined and harmonised their support for

large regional programmes through SADC.

In line with the above, GWPSA has been actively involved with SADC and other Partners in the

preparations for the 5th SADC Multi-stakeholder Water Dialogue (2011) which will be held in

Swaziland in June. The dialogue serves as a platform for regional stakeholders from water using and

influencing sectors to engage with the water sector and share experiences on different aspects of

Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and how IWRM approaches can address key

aspects of socio-economic development and poverty reduction in Southern Africa. The multi-

stakeholder water dialogues are held under the overall theme of Watering Development in SADC and

2011’s theme is focused on ‘Demystifying Climate Finance’.

Relevant to Goal 2 (food security challenge) and Goal 3 on Knowledge management: GWPSA has

been actively engaged as a Partner in the implementation of Phase II of the Challenge Programme on

Water and Food in the Limpopo basin. GWPSA has been facilitating the interaction and dialogue

between researchers, next users, end users and decision makers in the water and agricultural sectors.

GWPSA has involved its RTEC knowledge management and communications expert to support the

development of the LBDC (Limpopo basin development challenge project) communications strategy.

GWPSA has also been invited to be part of the Topic Working Group on Resilience in the Challenge

Programme on Water and Food (CPWF) and participated in the CPWF Resilience TWG launch

workshop in Arizona, USA which aims to apply relevant aspects of social and ecological resilience to

the basins - such as the Limpopo in southern Africa. There were champions from the other 2 basins in

Africa - the Nile and Volta. As stakeholder platforms and knowledge networks - GWP Africa’s role in

supporting cross-basin learning exchanges is becoming more and more important and is likely to

grow within the CPWF in Africa.

Goal 2 related activities also include GWPSA participating in both the strategic planning and

donor annual review processes of the Regional Climate Change Programme (RCCP - implemented

by One World and supported by DFID). GWPSA’s partnership has strengthened with the RCCP and

a significant outcome of this is that GWPSA has secured a greater role in the project implementation -

not only regarding more and more comprehensive development of stakeholder led transboundary

adaptation strategies but also in facilitating the understanding of climate finance so that these funds

are more accessible to SADC countries and the region (and Africa) but also to increase the absorptive

capacity in the region. GWPSA partnered with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources

Management in Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe CWP to organise a water and climate finance workshop

in Masvingo (Zimbabwe) in March. RCCP is also GWPSA’s key technical partner in the SADC multi-

stakeholder dialogue in June - on climate finance and development.

GWPSA has also been busy preparing for the implementation of the AMCOW-GWP Water, Climate

and Development Programme - where the Limpopo basin will be the main focus in southern Africa -

along with 2 riparian states. This provides strategic opportunity for linkages between official

Limpopo Basin Commission (LIMCOM) IWRM framework project, as well as the Challenge

Programme’s water and food initiative and climate change adaptation strategy development in the

54

RCCP - for greater positive impacts on livelihoods as well as sustainable local, national and basin

development.

In relation to Goal 2 and Goal 3 - regarding realising the ‘GWP knowledge chain’ - GWPSA

participated in the South Asian GWP TEC and IWMI Climate change, water and food security

workshop in Combo-Sri Lanka, with a view to having a similar meeting for Eastern and Southern

Africa. After much discussion and engagement on regional vs national programme alignment, the

meeting will be convened by the National Planning Commission of South Africa and aims to discuss

water and food security issues in the context of regional trade and a changing climate. GWPSA and

GWPEnA are facilitating the identification and involvement of regional stakeholders as well as

providing technical support.

WEST AFRICA

1- The IWRM roadmap was validated by stakeholders in Guinea on 03rd March 2011. This

roadmap was developed with the support of the project ‚Improving water management and

governance in African countries through support in the development and implementation of

IWRM Plans” . This project is implemented jointly by UNEP Collaborating Centre on Water

and Environment, ECOWAS and GWP West Africa. The validation workshop was held in

Conakry organized by the Government of Guinea through the National IWRM Commission.

Main stakeholders took part in the meeting that discussed the draft document, brought some

amendments before validating it as the official roadmap for IWRM implementation in the

country. A set of activities were defined with specific budget for the implementation to lead

to the elaboration of the national action for IWRM. The project will support the organization

of a donor round table to finance the implementation of actions included in the document of

roadmap. GWP was represented by Sidi Coulibaly, regional communications officer who

brought the total support of the network to the Guinea IWRM process during the official

ceremony led by the Chief of Cabinet of the Senior Minister of Energy and Environment.

2- In support to the country processes, the regional executive secretariat had some exchanges

with stakeholders from Guinea for the revitalisation of the CWP in their country. This came

to be after the two meetings Sidi Coulibaly, communications officer had with the stakeholders

during his trip in Conakry. In the exchanges the agreement came up, the will of the

stakeholders to organize a general Assembly of Partners to renew the bodies of the CWP.

There is a great willingness to give a new blow to the CWP in the light of the global

environment and hopes born from the democratic process that came in the country with the

end of general elections.

3- GWP WA took part in the planning meeting of the V5 project of the Volta Basin Development

Challenge. The Challenge Programme for Water and Food (CPWF) research in the Volta basin

(2010 -2013) has been developed to respond to the BDC of improving rainwater and small

reservoir management to contribute to poverty reduction, and improved livelihoods resilience in

Burkina Faso and Northern Ghana while taking account of implications for downstream water users

including ecosystem services. Five separate projects (V1 to V5) have been commissioned to be

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implemented in an integrated manner to achieve the stated goal. GWP/WA is an

implementing partner of the V5 which is Coordination and Change project. The planning

workshop took place in Ouagadougou on 30 and 31st March 2011. Both the regional

coordinator of GWP WA, Dam Mogbante who is bringing support in the Component

Fostering Change through Multi stakeholders Platform and the communications officer, Sidi

Coulibaly helping for communication and information management issues are involved in

the implementation of this project. Other partners include IWMI, Volta Basin Authority, the

Water Research Institute of Ghana and INERA (agricultural research program in Burkina

Faso).