Assessing the Role of Water User Associations on Restoration of the Decreased Environmental Flow and Degraded Freshwater Ecosystem in Tanzania

Abstract

Mkoji sub catchment is the populated and intensified sub catchment in Tanzania while being the uppermost sub catchment of the Rufiji basin with the downstream users being critical users like domestic, wetlands, national parks and hydropower generation. Public participation through the use the water user associations established in the basin as per National Water Policy as one of the stakeholders in the integrated water resources management, influences sustainable management of the resource and its environment in general. Despite the efforts made by governmental and non-governmental organizations in forming and supporting Water User Associations, little is known about their role on water resources management and the extent to which the formation of WUAs restored the environmental flows or improved water resources management. The study aimed to assess the role of water user associations on restoration of decreased environmental flow and degraded aquatic ecosystems in Tanzania, with the case study of Mkoji sub catchment of Rufiji basin. Six water user associations of Mkoji Apex: Upper Mkoji, Mambi, Gwiri, Mlowo, Mpolo and Mswiswi associations were assessed. The study aimed to assess their strategies on restoration, influence of the land use on the flow decrease and ecosystem degradation, evaluation of the climate factors on flow and ecosystem as well as their role in climate change and variability mitigation strategies for the restoration activities. Both primary and secondary data were collected and analysed for this study. Primary data were collected from various sources using interviews, focus group discussions and questionnaires, summarized, tabulated and narratively presented and the secondary data were obtained from various institutions reports and documents, reviewed and analysed. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used on the analysis of the secondary data with spearman correlation test to seek the relationship between the flow and the aquatic ecosystem (fisheries catch used as the aquatic ecosystem representative of the study). Statistical results showed there were no any correlation between the flow and the aquatic ecosystems. It was also identified that, land use management restoration strategy, water resource restoration strategy and are the ecosystem restoration strategies used for the restoration by the water user association. 89% of the sample population accepted the decrease of the flow and then while 75% accepted the decrease of the fish catch as the freshwater ecosystem of the study. It was also reported on the deforestation and their sources which identified being agriculture, fuel and other activities with xv the scored percentages being 54%, 32% and 14% respectively for being the influential on decrease on the flows and the degradation of the aquatic ecosystems. The statistical rainfall data showed not much differences in rainfall, though the primary sources reported on the change of the patterns in time and intensity while on the other hand water user associations and villagers reported on being aware of the condition and taking some of the precaution measures on the situation by using the climate and hydrological information in management of the water resources and restoration of the flow and ecosystems through environment management actions. Based on the results obtained it was concluded that Water user associations are doing greater job in management and restoration while politics and other factors like funds water permits are holding them back in their work regardless of them formed as apolitical organ. With these findings the study recommended: The government should consider measure and put the environmental flows for all the rivers in each basin and sub-catchment starting with the most congested basins and that needs environmental attention so that environmental degradation can be reduces in the sub catchments. It is advisable to involve animal keepers in the WUAs rather than marginalizing them despite being rightful user while land use planning can help in reducing the conflicts between farmers and animal keepers for water and pasture and between downstream and upstream users in quality and quantity as well as time of irrigation for the rotations Negotiations between the government and land owners near water sources on how to use a particular land should be considered with the helps from water user associations on how that land can be used sustainably but only after 30m from water sources. To sustainably use the freshwater ecosystem aquaculture development should be used as there is still potential in the area instead of illegal fishing or extensive use of the