Paying to conserve watershed services in Pangani River Basin, Tanzania

Book chapter 4 of Conflict Resolution in Water Resources and Environmental Management. pp. 63-79Human beings depend on the integrity of watersheds to provide ecosys- tem services (e.g., water) that they need for their survival. The current watershed degradation represents the most serious threat to the provision of watershed ser- vices. The worldwide demand for integrated approaches to provide solutions to water flow reduction represents a significant shift towards management focussed on the sustained use of water catchment areas. This paper reports the findings of a study that was carried out to explore the potential for paying for the management of watershed areas in the Pangani River Basin in Tanzania. Site visits enabled the collection of hydrological data, and documented reviews and structured question- naires were used to collect socioeconomic data. MS Excel was applied in drawing figures. We found that the minimum and maximum quantities of water discharge were 11,300,365 and 15,839,833 m 3 and 7,787,600 and 8,602,361 m 3 in Arusha and Moshi, respectively. Similarly, the minimum and maximum revenue collec- tions from water users were €987,766, 60 and €1,659,160, 71; and €920,916, 40 and €1,456,075, 49 as projections and actual revenue collection, respectively. We conclude that water supply problems are caused by watershed degradation and obsolete water infrastructures. We recommend the integration of payment for watershed conservation approaches into watershed management to enhance sus- tainable water flow

Exploring watershed conservation and water governance along Pangani River Basin, Tanzania

AbstractWater scarcity is among the contemporary problems of our time across the globe. The problem is worsened by policy failures to enforce water governance and watershed conservation. Consequently, it has curtailed the capacity of watersheds to release hydrological services, water in particular. We carried out this study to explore approaches for watershed conservation and investigate water governance challenges in Pangani River Basin, Tanzania. We collected data by using structured questionnaires and meetings with different actors in the study area. We found that retaining riparian vegetation is the appropriate strategy for watershed conservation and sustainable water flow. Water governance challenges include ineffective and uncoordinated water governing institutional structures; and untrustworthy financial management. We feel that building the capacity of water users association could bring about positive outcomes for both watershed conservation and water governance. We recommend that strategies and policies aimed at improving the flow of hydrological services should also focus on improving the welfare of the local communities, who are the primary beneficiaries of water from watersheds

Paying to conserve watershed services in Pangani River Basin, Tanzania

Book chapter 4 of Conflict Resolution in Water Resources and Environmental Management. pp. 63-79Human beings depend on the integrity of watersheds to provide ecosys- tem services (e.g., water) that they need for their survival. The current watershed degradation represents the most serious threat to the provision of watershed ser- vices. The worldwide demand for integrated approaches to provide solutions to water flow reduction represents a significant shift towards management focussed on the sustained use of water catchment areas. This paper reports the findings of a study that was carried out to explore the potential for paying for the management of watershed areas in the Pangani River Basin in Tanzania. Site visits enabled the collection of hydrological data, and documented reviews and structured question- naires were used to collect socioeconomic data. MS Excel was applied in drawing figures. We found that the minimum and maximum quantities of water discharge were 11,300,365 and 15,839,833 m 3 and 7,787,600 and 8,602,361 m 3 in Arusha and Moshi, respectively. Similarly, the minimum and maximum revenue collec- tions from water users were €987,766, 60 and €1,659,160, 71; and €920,916, 40 and €1,456,075, 49 as projections and actual revenue collection, respectively. We conclude that water supply problems are caused by watershed degradation and obsolete water infrastructures. We recommend the integration of payment for watershed conservation approaches into watershed management to enhance sus- tainable water flow

Understanding watershed dynamics and impacts of climate change and variability in the Pangani River Basin, Tanzania

Watersheds and rivers are vital ecological features for the provision of hydrological services for the health, welfare and prosperity of human communities. Nevertheless, anthropogenic activities coupled with climate change and climate variability are blamed for degrading watersheds and rivers and decreasing their capacity to irrigate. To address the situation, it is important to understand why and how water shortages are occurring. This paper reports findings of a study carried out to identify and assess drivers of water shortages and adaptation strategies to climate change and variability in Pangani River Basin of Tanzania. To assess the influence of climate change and variability on hydrological flow and water shortages, time series data on rainfall and temperature were compiled from the Tanzania Meteorological Agency. We also used structured questionnaires to collect data on villagers’ perceptions about the drivers of water shortages and adaptation strategies. Results indicated a decreasing trend of water flow (p < 0.05) at Kikuletwa– Karangai gauging station along Pangani River Basin. Trend analysis indicated a slight decrease of rainfall and increase of temperature. Although there is no empirical evidence to associate climate change with the decline of rainfall and water flow, adaptation measures need to be put in place in order to mitigate against increasing climate variability, reduced water flow, and projected climate change. Therefore, watershed conservation strategies should also focus on improving the welfare of local communities. Additionally, involvement of stakeholders in the entire PRB is crucial toward watersheds conservation for steady flow of hydrological services.This article is available at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1642359314000834The government of Belgium (scholarship grant number 09TAN/5917) through the Belgium Technical Cooperation (BTC)

The economic of water in paddy and non-paddy crop production around the Kilombero valley ramsar site, Tanzania: Productivity, costs, returns and implications to poverty reduction

Water scarcity is globally getting worse in the light of increase in demand for water use. Human and ecosystem health and economic development are affected by problems of water scarcity and water pollution. This paper assessed the net benefit of water resource in crop production around the Kilombero Valley Ramsar Site in Tanzania. Specifically, the study determines and estimates costs and benefits in crop production and quantify its monetary value using both market and non-market techniques. Household questionnaires, checklist for key informants, participant observation and participatory rural appraisal techniques were employed for data collection. Questionnaire survey was administered to 120 households to establish the major agricultural activities, crops, costs of production and income accrued from these activities. Data relating to household characteristics and water related economic activities were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences whereby the cost for production, inputs and returns were analysed and compared using Microsoft Excel. The residual imputation approach was used to estimate the value of water in crop production. Findings revealed that, 88.3 percent of the respondents own land and 11.7 percent of them rent the land for crop production. The net values of water for irrigated paddy and non-paddy crops were estimated to Tsh. 273.6 (US$0.23) and Tsh. 87.7 (US$ 0.073) per m3 of consumed water respectively. The average productivity of water for paddy and non-paddy crop production is estimated at 0.85 kgm-3 and 0.69 kgm-3 of consumed water respectively. Furthermore, the returns from agriculture are less compared to returns from other water uses. Nevertheless, since majority of households are depending on agriculture this study recommends that emphasis should be put on effective and efficient use of water to improve its productivity

The economic of water in paddy and non-paddy crop production around the Kilombero valley ramsar site, Tanzania: Productivity, costs, returns and implications to poverty reduction

Water scarcity is globally getting worse in the light of increase in demand for water use. Human and ecosystem health and economic development are affected by problems of water scarcity and water pollution. This paper assessed the net benefit of water resource in crop production around the Kilombero Valley Ramsar Site in Tanzania. Specifically, the study determines and estimates costs and benefits in crop production and quantify its monetary value using both market and non-market techniques. Household questionnaires, checklist for key informants, participant observation and participatory rural appraisal techniques were employed for data collection. Questionnaire survey was administered to 120 households to establish the major agricultural activities, crops, costs of production and income accrued from these activities. Data relating to household characteristics and water related economic activities were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences whereby the cost for production, inputs and returns were analysed and compared using Microsoft Excel. The residual imputation approach was used to estimate the value of water in crop production. Findings revealed that, 88.3 percent of the respondents own land and 11.7 percent of them rent the land for crop production. The net values of water for irrigated paddy and non-paddy crops were estimated to Tsh. 273.6 (US$0.23) and Tsh. 87.7 (US$ 0.073) per m3 of consumed water respectively. The average productivity of water for paddy and non-paddy crop production is estimated at 0.85 kgm-3 and 0.69 kgm-3 of consumed water respectively. Furthermore, the returns from agriculture are less compared to returns from other water uses. Nevertheless, since majority of households are depending on agriculture this study recommends that emphasis should be put on effective and efficient use of water to improve its productivity

Market signals of unsustainable and inequitable forest extraction: assessing the value of illegal timber trade in the Eastern arc mountains of Tanzania

Natural forests and woodlands of the Eastern Arc Mountains (EAM) in Tanzania are under threat from deforestation and degradation. The estimated annual revenues from EAM hardwood for domestic use are USD 10. million in terms of planks, and twice as much when processed into furniture. Timber profits are largely captured by people whose livelihoods do not directly depend on other EAM ecosystem services. Market data, such as declining plank sizes and shifts to low-quality timber species, contain possible early warning signals of unsustainable hardwood harvesting. Policy recommendations include simplifying regulations for legal trade, developing sustainable financing, and increasing softwood supply