Synthesis of Existing Knowledge and Experience on the Provision of ...

epresent a firm attempt to preserve grazing l<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> to mitigate the use <strong>of</strong> water points as a means<strong>of</strong> territorial encroachment between clans.Despite these positive developments, considering the impact <strong>of</strong> water points on mobility <strong>and</strong> onrangel<strong>and</strong> health/condition is by no means the norm. Activities likely to promote the sedentarization<strong>of</strong> pastoralists through water development continue to be observed in Ethiopia. In Oromia region, inDaro Lebu woreda alone, 15 additional boreholes (generally associated with promoting settlement)have been constructed since 2005 from an existing 14; over a one hundred per cent increase (basedon a comprehensive survey conducted by the International Rescue Committee) (Figure 7).Figure 7: Boreholes constructed in Daro Lebu woreda since 2005, provided by the InternationalRescue Committee based on an in-house 2009 surveyBut nowhere is this currently more evident than in the Borana zone <strong>of</strong> Oromia Region. The Oromiaregional government, as part <strong>of</strong> its Growth Corridors Plan, (The Oromia Development CorridorsApproach Strategic Plan, 2008: 12) is constructing 2000km <strong>of</strong> pipeline to transport water from deepboreholes to support multiple l<strong>and</strong> uses (pastoral, agricultural, etc.) across the zone. Theprogramme’s L<strong>and</strong> Use Plans delineate different livelihood zones in the region, setting aside zonesfor livestock production, irrigation development <strong>and</strong> settlement. Private l<strong>and</strong> tenure will bepromoted (l<strong>and</strong> is to be held by either individuals or groups) in line with the l<strong>and</strong> uses identified inthe program’s L<strong>and</strong> Use Plans.The water pipeline <strong>and</strong> eventual hardened boundaries between l<strong>and</strong> use areas, in t<strong>and</strong>em with theencouragement <strong>of</strong> private l<strong>and</strong>holding, will certainly contribute to curtailed mobility. The regionalgovernment’s rationale is that the extent <strong>of</strong> poverty among pastoralists <strong>and</strong> the increasing difficultiesthey face in terms <strong>of</strong> being able to practice their mobile livelihoods has rendered sedentarization theonly feasible development option in the long term. It also argues that tapping into groundwatersupply is the only sustainable means <strong>of</strong> effectively addressing water shortage issues. However, it isforeseen that sedentarization may represent a potential sticking point in terms <strong>of</strong> acceptance <strong>and</strong>buy-in at community level indicating that the notion <strong>of</strong> settlement as the only solution to challengesfacing pastoralists may not be shared by all. The Deputy General Manager <strong>of</strong> the Oromia WaterWorks Design <strong>and</strong> Supervision Enterprise anticipates potential resistance at ground level toprivatizing l<strong>and</strong> tenure in the rangel<strong>and</strong>s, requiring “extensive awareness raising”. Furthermore, theL<strong>and</strong> Use Guided Valley Development Program document (2009) recognizes that the risks74