Headwater Wetlands in Eastern and Southern Africa

Abstract

This review makes clear the need for the development of sustainable use regimes in wetlands to achieve a balance between environmental and socio-economic needs. However, the extreme perspectives of pure conservation and total development are still held by many actors. In addition, wetlands fall under the jurisdiction of different agencies which have varying perspectives on how these areas should be used, and are often in conflict with each other. In many countries, governments still do not have clear policies on wetlands and are torn between what they need to do to meet production and development goals and what they feel is required for responding to environmental concerns. Experience in Eastern and Southern Africa suggests that two key areas, in particular, require attention if headwater wetlands are to be managed in an ecologically sound and economically viable way. One of the key challenges is for the development of appropriate government policies which identify the need for a balanced approach to wetlands. Rather than taking one of the extreme positions on the continuum of views and imposing a blanket policy, it is necessary to recognise the diversity of wetlands. This means that some wetlands may need to be preserved in a pristine condition or with minimal transformation, but others may be suitable for careful transformation to a mix of uses and some may be transformed completely. To develop the land and water management regimes needed to achieve sustainable use will require using all of the resources available. This includes both the local knowledge and local institutions rooted in the communities, as well as more recent technologies from the extension services and research stations. Further, in line with decentralisation, which is occurring in many countries today, it will be necessary for local communities to be empowered and given appropriate responsibilities in relation to government agencies in the integrated management of watersheds. Only in such a way can economically attractive and ecologically efficient management of headwater wetlands be achieved.