Restoring Hima Ecosystem Functions through Combacting the Problems - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Restoring Hima Ecosystem Functions through Combacting the Problems of Water Resources Management in the Hima- IBAs of Lebanon Presented by :Dalia Al-jawhary

Outline  Overview about SPNL – Hima Approach&Hima Anjar- Kfar Zabad  Anjar WUA & Traditional Canal System  SPNL’s Intervention for Improving the management of the system &Water Resources

 One of the Oldest Environmental NGOs in Lebanon, established in 1986  Bird Life Partner in Lebanon  Aims at protecting nature, birds and biodiversity in Lebanon  Promotes the sustainable management of natural resources through supporting community based management approaches.  Lead NGO on the Revival of the Hima ىمحلا Approach

What is Hima?  Hima, meaning ‘protected area’ in Arabic  a traditional system of community-based natural and human resource management practiced in West Asia and North Africa for more than 1500 years, and directly links to food, energy and water security.  Hima was about the sustainable management of grazing grounds

Hybrid Hima (SPNL Approach) • Community-based approach to sustainably managing natural and human resources that merges between modern science with the values of the traditional Hima embedded in our heritage.  Using scientific assessments for the identification of sites.  Adopting social tools for stakeholder analysis assessments.  Adopting participatory approaches to ensure ownership by the community.  Stressing the values & culture embedded in the traditional Hima.

SPNL Hima’s Selection Criteria Ownership Socio- Nature& economic& Biodiversity Cultural Value Value

Hima Anjar – Kfar Zabad IBA Announced in 2004 in KZ Wetlands and Forests representing a Habitat for African Eurasian Water Birds & Globally Endangered Species Syrian Serin” Announced in 2007 in Anjar

Importance of Anjar Kfar Zabad Khatib, Bassima; Nov 06

ANJAR “A HOME FOR THE Armenian Disapora”

 Anjar also known as Haoush Mousa is a town of Lebanon located on the level plain of the Bekaa valley.  Constitutes of a population of 3,400 Armenian dispora  Total area of Anjar is 1800 Hectars (18 km2).  850 m from sea level

History of Displacement  Was settled in September 1939 with several thousand Armenian refugees from who came from Musa Dagh area of Turkey.  Where 5125 persons representing 1205 families were displaced to Anjar.  Anjar represented a semi-desert, dusty plain on the eastern mountain range of Lebanon at that time

Anjar Water Users Association

Anjar Water Users Association  Between 1940 &1944, the current canal water distribution system with its water association were established to manage & distribute irrigation water among farmers  7 dunum of irrigated land mainly irrigated by the ALWUA canal system& include fruit trees (1,117 parcels )  4 dunum of arid land irrigated by distributor& self through pressurized and surface irrigation schemes & constitute vegetables (767 parcels)  Today, Anjar’s economy is reported to rely mainly on farming & agriculture, where 70% of its population are farmers  344 farmers practicing agricultural activities in the area Khatib, Bassima; Nov 06

Anjar Spring Anjar Canal Distribution System A network of gravity-open canal system • •

Upon its emanation from spring water is  controlled manually by two huge gates It continues downward toward the fields by  primary and secondary canal networks Primary canals represent the mother networks  that takes the water from the spring towards 9 control points managed physically by the distributor employee through sluices Water branches from the primary networks  towards the secondary networks which distribute Sluice Gate to the water directly to the land parcels farm parcel Upon reaching the field, water is controlled by  farmers through special sluice gateway which permits water to flow into the parcel .

ANJAR IRRIGATION SYSTEM

Organizational & Operational Aspects AWUA  Managed since 1940 by the ALWUA which is made up of management board (7-9 members)  Elected on yearly bases from the farming community  Appointed anonymously to act under the municipality patronage.  4 members are selected as permanent employees who are appointed on yearly basis through a contractual agreement  In addition to the management body, there are seasonal staff “April - September”:  12 staff take care of canal clean up on daily basis  4 to 5 guard the field & prevent thefts (recruited by municipality for four months)

Organizational & Operational Aspects  The committee offers its services to all the farmers who practice agriculture within the canal domain, which include:  Organizing the irrigation system from the source to the user,  Monitoring the operation & maintenance of the canal system  Managing field issues  Managing of administrative & financial matters  Budgeting & reporting to ARF & municipality  Providing the farmers with the necessary services through reasonable & recognized prices  Guarding of farms through appointed guards during cropping season  Reclaiming of any waste land which is left by its owners  Managing conflict between farmers  Supporting farmers with in-kind contributions

Organizational & Operational Aspects  FOUR hubs offer farmers’ services:  One is a big office located in the village & used for major official meetings & for storing management’s database  The other three are water offices present on the field in- order to manage the farmers daily issues

Organizational & Operational Aspects  Communal & Institutional laws govern the interaction between the farmers & the water committee  Farmers are provided water on schedule basis during the irrigation seasons (April through October)  Water fees are set objectively by the board based on the general fees which are present in the agriculture market and usually takes place in consolidation with the farmers.

SPNL’s Hima Intervention for Improving the Managmement of Water Resources in the Area Khatib, Bassima; Nov 06

SPNL’s Hima Intervention  Adopts the system through the Hima, and working on improving its efficiency.  Supports its dissemination to the near Hima of Kfar Zabad village for improving Water Management  Improving the management of water quality and quantity used for agriculture from the canals, wells and wetlands in both Anjar and Kfar Zabad  Improve the valuation and appreciation of the Hima water ecosystems in Anjar and Kfar Zabad IBA for people and nature. Khatib, Bassima; Nov 06

Improve efficiency of canal system Khatib, Bassima; Nov 06

Increase farmers Awareness& capacity

- Promote alternative irrigation approaches - Improve monitoring

 Developing WUA in Kfar Zabad for improving management of Water Resource through twinning AWUA experience Khatib, Bassima; Nov 06

 improve the valuation and appreciation of the Hima water ecosystems in Anjar and Kfar Zabad IBA for people and nature. Khatib, Bassima; Nov 06

Thank you