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MDG-7: Ensure Environmental SustainabilityMDG target 7.A: Integrate principles of sustainable development intocountry programs & policies; reverse environmental resource lossConstraint:Poor Basin Management Practices in Upper CatchmentsLack of data on changes in land-use/land-cover in the headstreams and corresponding humanimpact analysis to inform national basin management policies and trans-border decision makingSustainable Integrated Management and Development of Arid and Semi-Arid Regions ofSouthern Africa (SIMDAS): is implemented in four arid/semi-arid countries in southern Africa −Botswana, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe – and works toward long-term sustainable ecosystemmanagement. It quantifies past and present development of land-cover ecosystem trends (includingland-water interactions) in southern African headstreams in order to facilitate international (transboundary)decision making pertaining to long-term sustainable management and poverty alleviation.Components:• Improve national policies and strategies for the water sector, supporting existing PRSP processes;• Improve the institutional and regulatory framework in participating countries;• Strengthen the capacity of stakeholders who will be better able to effect sustainableimplementation and management of land- and/or water-related issues;• Enhance integrated water resources management by combining river basin and related landissues in an integrated manner, supporting best practices and wise use of resources;• Enhance the management of trans-boundary basins through its support of the regional prioritiesof the Africa Union, the New Partnership for Africa Development (AU-NEPAD) action plans;• Enhance regional networking and the capacity of regional professionals to accomplish theIntegrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) objective;• Enhance networks by working closely with water-related networks in the region (WATERNET,WARFSA, etc)Results:• The results of these studies are providing great insight into the effect of land use and land coveron Southern African headstreams and will contribute to water resources management decisionmakingtools. The studies are:• “Impact of Mining on the Save River” by Mrs. Maideyi Meck, Zimbabwe• “LULC cause in Upper Zambezi” by Mr. Jonathan Kampata, Zambia• “Malagarasi Ramsar Site Ecological Project” by Mr. Charles Mulokozi, TanzaniaKey Elements of Success:• The regional ownership was ensured and achieved through the functioning of an efficientSteering Committee. The primary role of the Committee is to lead the project; evaluate proposalssubmitted by institutions from the SADC countries; assess annual reports of ongoing projects;participate in the planning, monitoring and evaluation of the activities supported by UNESCO;and contribute to the formation of partnerships and mobilization of resources of activities.Background Information:The focuses on the long-term, sustainable management of ecosystems (involving land-use/land-cover(LULC) change and water interactions) in selected upper catchment areas in all Southern AfricanDevelopment Community (SADC) countries. Following a broad Landsat satellite analysis of change,field work and monitoring are envisaged in specific catchment areas. As all 14 SADC states areinvolved, this work is multi-partner and interdisciplinary. While maintaining an overall strategy forwater- and land-use assessments in the upper catchment areas, we are also cognizant of nationalpriorities.The reason for choosing headstreams is that a lack of proper management in the upper catchmentsMDG Good Practices 39