The Great Ruaha River is important in terms of the utilisation of its water for agriculture, meeting the ecological needs, and the generation of hydroelectric power. During the early nineties, a series of zero flows in this previously perennial river alerted the authorities to hydrological and environmental change. A project was initiated to investigate the reasons and possible solutions. This case illustrates the critical role and benefits of long-term, large-scale, interdisciplinary research in approaching complex problems.
Interview with James Dalton, Water Management Advisor at IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature)
The integrated dispatching of the Yellow River water resources should be based on the strictest water management system. The optimal approach must be implemented from the main streams to the tributaries; from the areas of the river basin to areas beyond the basin to strengthen the system construction and the weak link in infrastructures; and also to promote the "Yellow River" legislation.
Unsustainable irrigation policies during the Soviet era have had devastating consequences for the Aral Sea. With the collapse of USSR, the riparian states took action and entered into agreement on Cooperation in the Joint Use and Protection of Water Resources of Interstate Significance. Furthermore, the international community took action and much attention has been devoted to re-establish the Aral Sea ecosystem. This case illustrates the importance of engaging all key stakeholders.
The EU Water Framework Directive requires measures to achieve good status of all waters by 2015. In Germany, it is not the federal government that is in charge of implementation but it is the responsibility of the county. To meet the objective, transboundary exchange of experiences was promoted by broadening the range of methods and tools available to water managers. From this study, it is evident that interaction with stakeholders plays a central role.
Strategic financial planning is a means to assess financing needs and match them to financing sources in a structured way to fill the gap in funds over a period of time based on different future scenarios. An approach to strategic financial planning for the water supply and sanitation sector called FEASIBLE has been developed by the OECD. It was applied with support from the GWP-hosted EUWI-FWG and the ACP-EU Water Facility in Lesotho during 2008-2010.