General agriculture; fishing and forestry sector (50%); General water; sanitation and flood protection sector (50%)

Transcription

1 Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Project Name Region Sector Project ID Borrower(s) Implementing Agency Environment Category AFRICA-Control of Aquatic Weeds in SADC Region Project Africa Regional Office General agriculture; fishing and forestry sector (50%); General water; sanitation and flood protection sector (50%) P GOVT OF LESOTHO (FOR SADC WATER SECTOR) SADC WATER SECTOR COORDINATION UNIT Address: Private Bag A440, Maseru, Lesotho Contact Person: Mr. Phera Ramoeli Tel: Fax: / B Report No. PID11549 Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Date PID Prepared January 7, 2003 Auth Appr/Negs Date June 18, 2004 Bank Approval Date October 14, Country and Sector Background Effects of aquatic weeds Infestations of aquatic weeds in the SADC region occurred on a large scale in water bodies in the Kwando/Zambezi-Chobe Linyanti river system (Botswana and Namibia), Okavango swamps (Botswana), Lake Kariba, (Zambia Zimbabwe), Lake Victoria (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda), the Kafue (Zambia), Shire River (Malawi), Letaba River (South Africa), Manyame River (Zimbabwe) and Roma Dam (Lesotho). In South Africa, key areas that have been infested with aquatic weeds include Hartbeespoort Dam, the Olifants River, the Vaal River in the Parys area below the Vaal Dam; the Umgeni catchment area and dams in Kwa-Zulu Natal; the Eastern Cape and along the coast through Knysna and Stellenbosch to the Cape Flats. The most common types of invasive aquatic plants found in the region are Salvinia molesta (Kariba weed), Eichhornia crassipes (Water Hyacinth), Pistia stratiotes (Nile cabbage), or water lettuce, Myriophylum aquaticum (Parrots feather) and Azolla filiculiodes (Water fern). Mats of aquatic weeds have adverse impact on aquatic ecosystems causing problems across many sectors. These impacts are technical, socio-economical and environmental. Aquatic weeds form interlocking mats, which are impenetrable by boats and seriously hinder access to fishing grounds and fish landing sites, and impede the offtake of water for drinking purposes. The mats, physically reduce the flow of water, increase possibilities of flooding and reduce the capacity of reservoirs, as well as increasing the area of transpiration. They lead to the deterioration of aquatic biodiversity, and the alteration of aquatic ecosystems through

2 altering physical habitat and reducing sunlight penetration into the water which it affects the entire plankton-based life cycle of dams and rivers. Indigenous flora and fauna will change as some species move away, other species adapt and new ones move in to fill the gap created by this change. Native aquatic vegetation is suppressed by rapidly growing aquatic weeds. Organic debris from decaying weeds adversely affect the quality of water by increasing water turbidity and carbon dioxide concentration and decreasing oxygen and water conductance, resulting in reduced drinking water quality. These weeds also provide habitat for snails and insects that act as vectors for disease. The economic and environmental losses due to these weeds are high as shown in other African waterbodies (Senegal River, Lake Victoria). For example, Lake Malawi has endemic fish species. Water hyacinth is present in the Lake and, if it spreads to the extent witnessed in Lake Victoria in the late 1990s, it could have a major impact on the species that inhabit the littoral areas of the lake. The poor are particularly impacted by aquatic weeds because of the effects on fishing, drinking water, health of those living near waterbodies and degradation of ecosystem functions. However, the breadth of impact renders them difficult to estimate on the national and regional levels. Institutional and policy issues Institutional and policy responses to aquatic weeds varies considerably across SADC countries. In some countries, there is a significant lack of institutional arrangements, including regulations and legislation, to control aquatic weeds. Issues of aquatic weeds are included in a number of national policies such as environment, water, fisheries, hydropower, agriculture and wildlife. These national initiatives will be strengthened, where relevant, through promotion of multi-sectoral approaches, improved access to technical expertise and involvement of community groups in weed management. Weeds, because of their ability to spread through trans-boundary waterbodies, need to be treated as a regional issue. Thus, there is need for regionally consistent policies and legislation as well as institutional coordination of management activities across the region. Current efforts are guided by adhoc responses based on reported incidence/infestations. At present, active aquatic weed management activities occur in several countries (e.g. Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, Malawi, Lesotho, Mocambique, Tanzania, Zambia), yet often these institutions involved do not encourage stakeholders mobilization and public awareness as part of their activities. There are pockets of technical expertise in some countries but this expertise is not necessarily shared in a systematic way with other countries in the region. Government Strategy In the last two decades however, governments have realized the gravity of the problem and have launched nationally funded projects as well as projects supported by multi-lateral and bi-lateral funding. However, the actions of the governments in the region have been uncoordinated and have varied considerably. The Botswana government enforces an Aquatic Weeds Act. The Water Affairs Department has institutionalized the research, control, removal and - 2 -

3 management of aquatic weeds infestations. Its regional office in Maun is responsible for the monitoring and control of aquatic weeds and is headed by an international specialist on aquatic weeds. The control program has the main objective of the complete eradication of Salvinia molesta and Pistia stratiotes. In Namibia, national efforts to control aquatic weeds have been underway for the last two decades. Namibia aims to control and manage aquatic weeds rather than eradicate them. Salvinia molesta infestations occur at the present in the backwaters of the floodplain of the Zambezi. In Malawi, the government has been implementing a number of projects, mainly in Lake Malawi and Upper Shire River, including the sensitization of local riparian communities, distributing biological agents along the river, and assessment of the impact of water hyacinth on biodiversity and on the socio-economic situation of the community. A National Steering Committee on Aquatic Weeds with members representing key stakeholders and communities has been established and is actively involved in all national and international projects addressing the aquatic weeds problem. The Government of Mozambique is equally concerned about aquatic weeds especially in reservoirs of hydroelectric power plants, navigation channels and fishing grounds. Water hyacinth was first reported in Mozambique in Lake Cabora Bassa at the time the reservoir started to fill. Mozambique, which shares the Lower Shire River with Malawi, also experiences the spread of water hyacinth in this river. The Government of Lesotho is in the process of reforming the water sector. The issue of aquatic weeds will be given greater attention in these reforms. The Government of South Africa has established a Noxious Weeds Committee, which meets regularly. Surveys by boat and helicopter are conducted on routine basis to report new occurrences in the main water bodies as well as the results of control actions. In addition, communities are fully aware of the impacts of the weeds and are actively participating in the control programmes (e.g. Inselini River). The SADC Water Resources Technical Committee (WRTC), the sectoral Committees of Senior Officials and Ministers of Water have all acknowledged the need for a more coordinated effort. They also recognize that the issue of aquatic weeds must be a key element within a broader approach to integrated water resources planning and management. The SADC sub-committee on Water Quality and Aquatic Weeds was established to bring this about. 2. Objectives The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is a regional grouping of 14 sovereign states with the main purpose of fostering co-operation for mutual benefit from the resources of this region. Recognising the critical importance of water to regional integration and economic development, SADC established the Water Sector in 1996 and subsequently developed, adopted and revised a SADC Protocol on Shared Watercourse Systems for the joint management of shared water resources. A Regional Strategic Action Plan for Integrated Water Resources Development and -3 -

4 Management has also been approved and is being implemented through the SADC Water Sector Coordination Unit (WSCU) to address key water management issues including, the control of aquatic weeds and their translocation. The proposed Project fits within the framework of the Regional Strategic Action Plan. It also is designed to build on and strengthen national initiatives to combat aquatic weeds in the principle countries affected Botswana, Malawi, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Namibia. The objective of the Project is to: Develop a regional strategic approach to the effective management, control or eradication of aquatic weeds in order to maintain biodiversity and improve livelihoods in the SADC region. The project will be implemented at both the regional and the pilot basin levels. At the regional level, it will n Create an enabling environment at the national and regional levels to put in place appropriate policy, legislative and enforcement mechanisms including improved capacity in the technical and institutional aspects of aquatic weed control and management. n Implement mechanisms for community education and participation in the prevention of aquatic weed introductions and the control of existing infestations At the pilot basin level, the project will n Draw on the wealth of information on the control and management of aquatic weeds already available within SADC and identify the effectiveness and sustainability of various methods of aquatic weeds control or eradication for the major species of aquatic weeds through trials in pilot water bodies, including the technical and institutional means to adapt and apply them throughout the SADC region. 3. Rationale for Bank's Involvement The project will benefit from World Bank's programmes in integrated water resources planning and management and particularly from the "Africa Water Resources Management Initiative" (AWRMI). This program has, for an objective, to support water resources analysis and policy reform at the national level and assist riparian countries in the development of cooperative frameworks and programmes in relation to shared water resources. The AWRMI seeks to establish partnerships with other multiand bilateral donor agencies and members of the civil society in order to strengthen ongoing and planned initiatives. The GEF's integrated land and water management program (OP#9) acts as a catalyst to bring about action on the ground and promotes the integration of land and water resources management practices on a regional and basin-wide scale. There may be synergies between this project and other GEF projects such as the proposed "Sustainable Management of Inland Wetlands in Southern Africa: a livelihoods and ecosystem approach". 4. Description The Project will be implemented at the regional and basin levels. The first two components will be regional while component 3 will be at the basin level. -4-

5 Component 1. An enabling environment to support coordinated policy and legislative mechanisms This component will focus on fostering regional cooperation in the field of aquatic weed control, management and eradication within the larger context of integrated, transboundary water resources management. This includes catchment management activities such as the reduction of point and non-point source nutrient inputs. Activities in this component include: n the development of a regional policy framework that harmonizes existing national policies for the control of aquatic weeds n the elaboration of regional strategies, action plans or guidelines to control the spread of aquatic weeds in the region's water bodies n strengthening of an existing institution to coordinate national actions so that they are effective across the region n strengthening national institutions, where necessary, through the regional framework for the effective implementation of weed management activities n the formation of a network of interested professionals and institutions and the development of a regional data and information-clearing house on aquatic weeds Component 2. Regional community education and participation mechanisms Community involvement is an essential feature of successful aquatic weed management. The translocation and spread of weeds can be reduced through an effective community education program; outbreaks of weeds can be reported at an early stage and local weed infestations can be managed at community level; and nutrient reduction activities can be improved through community participation. Activities in this component will include: n identification of existing, appropriate community based organisations in key areas across the region n activities to educate the public in the problems arising from aquatic weeds, identification of aquatic weeds and practical methods control them and to prevent their spread n Encourage and provide support to communities to implement and manage their own aquatic weed control projects at local level. Component 3. Trials of weed management technique in pilot water bodies. In this component, the effectiveness and sustainability of various aquatic weeds control and management approaches will be trialed for five different species of aquatic weeds in selected transboundary pilot water bodies. Activities will include: n both short-term control in restricted areas as well as longer-term control including integrated control methods which, so far, have only been tested on an experimental basis in South Africa (Vaal River) and Botswana (S. molesta in Moremei Game Reserve). n complementary programmes for the control of nutrient inflows into the water bodies; this is a vital element in long-term approaches n community education and involvement in the trial to ensure that community benefits are realized and that the trial outcomes are sustainable n Facilitate exchange visits between communities involved in aquatic weed management within and between the pilot study areas. n identification of the technical and institutional requirements for applying these techniques at a regional scale, where appropriate

6 Selection of pilot water bodies The SADC Sub-Committee on Aquatic Weeds and Water Quality has identified three water bodies where these pilot activities will be carried out: fn Kwando/Linyanti/Chobe system and the Zambezi River floodplains in Namibia and Botswana, n the lower Shire in Malawi and Mozambique, and n the Caledon/Orange River basin in Lesotho and South Africa These proposed pilot areas will be further assessed for suitability and the final selection of waterbodies and trial sites within these will be identified during the project preparation phase. These water bodies are transboundary and are infested with different species of weeds. All require downstream-upstream collaboration to control and arrest the spread of weeds. The Kwando /Linyanti/Chobe represents a major transboundary case of Kariba Weed which affects not only Botswana and Namibia but also neighboring countries through backwater flood flows. The Shire River case represents an infestation by water hyacinth that has affected the livelihood of the fishing communities along the river and has had a major impact on the socio-economic conditions riverine communities. The Caledon/Orange River basin includes infestations of Myriophyllum aquaticum and Azolla aquaticum in Lesotho and South Africa. If left unaddressed, they will spread into neigbouring water bodies and affect the water supply sources for major cities and large towns. Component 1. An enabling environment to support coordinated policy and legislative mechanisms Component 2. Regional community education and participation mechanisms Component 3. Trials of weed management technique in pilot water bodies. 5. Financing Total ( US$m) BORROWER/RECIPIENT $0.00 IBRD IDA GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FACILITY $4.00 LOCAL GOVTS. (PROV., DISTRICT, CITY) OF BORROWING COUNTRY $0.50 SWEDEN: SWEDISH INTL. DEV. COOPERATION AGENCY (SIDA) $1.00 Total Project Cost $ Implementation The project implementation period is estimated at four years. During the preparatory phase (PDF B) the SADC Water Sector Coordinating Unit will act as the 'transitional executing agency' and as an administrator of the preparatory phase. The SADC Sub-committee on Water Quality and Aquatic Weeds steers the project in the preparatory phases. Possible implementation agencies will be assessed as part of the preparatory work. A Project Implementation Unit (PIU) will be established within SADC Secretariat in Gaborone to ensure strong regional links. This PIU will be responsible for implementing this project and the GEF funded "Groundwater and Drought Management in SADC" project (P070547). The PIU will consist of a Projects Director, a Finance Manager, a Procurement Manager and 2 support staff. Although sharing SADCs resources, the PIU will be responsible to the Steering Committees of the two GEF funded - 6 -

7 projects. Project disbursement will be through the PIU, which will manage all sub-contracts. The Procurement Manager and Finance Manager will adhere to World Bank Procurement and FM standards respectively. Project implementation will be participatory and consultative. A Steering Committee will be formed from members of the SADC Sub-Committee on Water Quality and Aquatic Weeds and key stakeholders representing the environment, fisheries, hydropower, agriculture, wildlife will be invited to join, as well key representatives of communities participating actively in the project. Different institutions, community groups or companies will carry out the component activities because of the diversity of issues to be tackled and the different spatial scales. Thus, the basin-level trials of different weed control techniques is likely to be undertaken by a research institution with experience in weed control within the region. The community involvement associated with the these trials is fundamental to their success and will involve existing community groups or NGOs experienced in community involvement. The network development and clearing house activities will be undertaken by an experienced technical institution within the SADC countries and will have strong links to other relevant institutions. Project funding will be sought from the GEF and other bilateral agencies and international NGOs. SIDA and IUCN have already indicated interest. 7. Sustainability All components of the project are designed for long-term sustainability and replicability across the region. Thus, the regional policy and legislative developments are intended to be an annex to the Protocol on shared Watercourses to demonstrate the long-term commitment of the SADC countries to a regional approach. Coordination of national weed control activities will be undertaken by a national institution and overseen by the SADC structure. The ToR of the consultants undertaking the TDA include the identification of suitable candidate coordinating agencies. Long-term sustainability of the coordinating institution will be a task for the SADC institutions during the course of the project. The technical outcomes - regional network, clearing house - will be continued after the project is completed through an existing technical institution, experienced in technical aspects of weed control. Probably, the most important elements in the long-term sustainability of the project outcomes will be the development of stakeholder involvement and ownership of the project. Where possible, the stakeholder groups involved in weed control will be based on existing, committed groups. They will act as a powerful lobby for the continuance of efforts at weed control. The pilot testing of control and management methods are designed to be replicable. The trial sites will be chosen to represent a range of aquatic weed and water body types so that the results of the trials can be extended across the region. Furthermore, the regional network and database of information on aquatic weeds will promote the sharing of knowledge across the region, from countries which have extensive experience to those - 7 -

8 lacking expertise. 8. Lessons learned from past operations in the country/sector Lessons learned from the previous projects aimed at the control and management of aquatic weeds can be summarized as follows: n Effective management needs to be based on a regional approach, including a regional policy on the protection of water bodies against aquatic weeds infestation, supported by a regional action plan, including legislation, exchange of information, regional training and the establishment of a network of expertise in this subject n A lead agency needs to be empowered to take the role of coordination and management of weeds control initiatives. In the region, although such arrangements may be present, (Botswana, South Africa, Namibia) the roles and mandates of theses institutions in as far as stakeholders mobilization and public awareness is still in need of clarification and empowerment. n The impact of aquatic weeds on different sectors of the economy, require a multi-sectoral approach. It is obvious from the experiences in the region that such an approach is still in its developing stage, in some countries, while it is non-existent in others. n Most of the attempts at weed management have been site specific. It is evident that catchment/basin management is the most effective approach in controlling and managing the growth and infestations of aquatic weeds. The role of catchments management in reducing nutrient inputs was recognized at the workshop on the Control of Africa's Weeds in Harare in 1991 (Bethune and Roberts, 2002). n Community participation is essential in the control and management of aquatic weeds. These issues were reconfirmed during the First Workshop on Aquatic weeds that was held in Swaziland in March, Lessons learned from the Bank's AWRMI suggest that a common vision and political will at the highest level is essential for success in projects on shared waters. In addition, weed control efforts can have detrimental environmental and social outcomes as evidenced in the report of the Inspection Panel into the LVEMP project. These outcomes need to be anticipated in the design of even pilot level control activities and, if sufficiently problematic, an EMP will be drawn up. 9. Environment Aspects (including any public consultation) Issues : A Transboundary Diagnostic Study will be carried out as a Regional Environmental Assessment of the project to both support project preparation and evaluate the final project design. It will be disclosed prior to appraisal acccording to Bank policies. 10. Contact Point: Task Manager Jakob Granit The World Bank 1818 H Street, NW Washington D.C

9 Telephone: For information on other project related documents contact: The InfoShop The World Bank 1818 H Street, NW Washington, D.C Telephone: (202) Fax: (202) Web: Note: This is information on an evolving project. Certain components may not be necessarily included in the final project. This PID was processed by the InfoShop during the week ending January 24,