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

In sum, pastoralism as a livelihood is a highly evolved economic, social, cultural, <strong>and</strong> politicalresponse to a l<strong>and</strong>scape where natural resources are highly variable in space <strong>and</strong> time. Insufficientattention to how pastoralists use <strong>and</strong> manage natural resources within this broader livelihoodcontext, <strong>and</strong> the lack <strong>of</strong> a coherent <strong>and</strong> streamlined approach to water development, <strong>of</strong>ten results inwater interventions which contribute to the disruption <strong>of</strong> elaborate <strong>and</strong> highly developed naturalresource management systems, the promotion <strong>of</strong> unsustainable l<strong>and</strong> use, <strong>and</strong> heightened potentialfor conflict, which serves to damage a very productive part <strong>of</strong> Ethiopia’s economy. The irony <strong>of</strong>developing water to satisfy dem<strong>and</strong> is that as much as it can alleviate immediate pressures in theshort term, it can potentially bring with it lasting <strong>and</strong> serious negative impacts in the long term. Thisoccurs when local needs, l<strong>and</strong> use patterns <strong>and</strong> ecological functions are not sufficiently considered.In turn, water development can potentially undermine rather than promote development <strong>and</strong>sustainable livelihoods.Ways forwardThe type, size <strong>and</strong> placement <strong>of</strong> water points requires a solid underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>of</strong> 1) water needs <strong>and</strong>concerns in a given area, 2) the natural resource base which might be affected - as water points“function within the natural environment <strong>and</strong> can potentially have significant harmful effects on it <strong>and</strong>on the welfare <strong>of</strong> people depending on it” (Warner <strong>and</strong> Abate, 2005: 13), 3) the social as well aspolitical dynamics in areas <strong>of</strong> intervention, 4) capacity at the local level to manage, operate <strong>and</strong>maintain water points, <strong>and</strong> 5) existing traditional water management systems already in place.Underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>and</strong> building on these key elements is fundamental to help ensure that water schemeswill satisfy dem<strong>and</strong>, remain functional, <strong>and</strong> minimize environmental degradation <strong>and</strong> conflict. Thisnecessitates bringing communities on board at the outset <strong>of</strong> any planned intervention.Following is an amalgamation <strong>of</strong> three sets <strong>of</strong> guidelines 60 which could serve as a starting point toaddress the above issues. This example could also serve as a starting point to discuss <strong>and</strong> build on inorder to develop a common set <strong>of</strong> water development guidelines suited to the pastoral context 61 .1) Planning:Local needs, opportunities <strong>and</strong> existing water management systems need to be understood duringthe planning stage <strong>of</strong> any water intervention. The planning stage is critical <strong>and</strong> <strong>of</strong>ten requiresconsiderable time <strong>and</strong> effort (6-12 months for long-term development planning) to make sure thatthe intervention is appropriate, will satisfy dem<strong>and</strong>, <strong>and</strong> will be sustainable in the long-term.Stakeholder mapping• Perform a comprehensive stakeholder analysis at local level to underst<strong>and</strong> who the differentpotential resource users are (the ‘community’ who will benefit) <strong>and</strong> also who may st<strong>and</strong> to gainor lose from water interventions (for example upstream <strong>and</strong> downstream users along rivers).Also explore current access patterns to water to identify whether there are social (or other)constraints limiting access <strong>of</strong> some groups to water.oIdentify local customary institutions <strong>and</strong> representatives <strong>and</strong> underst<strong>and</strong> existing watermanagement strategies <strong>and</strong> relationships between groups. Engaging with communityleaders in an area is important to avoid conflict over water points.60 See Warner, D. <strong>and</strong> Abate, C. (2005); Thorne, P. (2009); Ministry <strong>of</strong> Agriculture <strong>and</strong> Rural Development(2008).61 This set <strong>of</strong> guidelines serves only as an example to kick-start dialogue <strong>and</strong> is by no means a representation<strong>of</strong> the full set <strong>of</strong> existing guidelines previously presented.82