10.2 The Pitfall of Water Resource Development and Management in the Abbay Basin of Ethiopia

Embiale Admassu, Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia

Abstract

The objective of this research was to analyze the challenges and opportunities of water resource development and management in the Abbay Basin. Qualitative research methods, mainly unstructured interviews, were used to gather primary data from purposely selected informants. With the objective of getting detailed information, a total of 16 key informants were interviewed. In addition, field observation at Koga irrigation scheme, Kesela district, Tana Belese hydro-power project and the great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam project was done to understand the pattern of utilization in the basin. Furthermore, document analysis was conducted from secondary sources. Theories of Neo-Malthusian, Deep Ecology, and Shallow Ecology have also been used to analyze the nexus among various issues in water resource management in the Abbay Basin. The results showed first and second order scarcity of water resources, the trans-boundary nature of the river, lack of adequate and relevant information, economic challenges, legal challenges, domination of a sector and project-based approach, and lack of capacity as major factors that have been posing significant challenges to water resource management and development in the Abbay Basin. Moreover, there is inefficient use of the limited water resources of the basin due to second order water scarcity.

The present study has shown that the various development potentials, mainly hydro-power and irrigation, are less developed and poorly managed in the basin. The main conclusion of this study is that, thus far, there is no comprehensive water resource management or water resource management problems, and poverty will likely expand across the basin. Thus, market environmentalism, shallow and deep ecology theoretical priorities, are required to minimize the problems, while the actual practice is dominated by non-integrative ones. Hence, an integrative and conjunctive approach that considers the various stakeholders’ interests and needs must be taken as a base for sustainable development in the Abbay Basin. In addition, giving attention to both the supply and demand sides of management of water resources and the development of the national level capacity of managing water are very important.

 
Aug 18th, 2:00 PM Aug 18th, 12:00 AM

10.2 The Pitfall of Water Resource Development and Management in the Abbay Basin of Ethiopia

1920 Sangren Hall

The objective of this research was to analyze the challenges and opportunities of water resource development and management in the Abbay Basin. Qualitative research methods, mainly unstructured interviews, were used to gather primary data from purposely selected informants. With the objective of getting detailed information, a total of 16 key informants were interviewed. In addition, field observation at Koga irrigation scheme, Kesela district, Tana Belese hydro-power project and the great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam project was done to understand the pattern of utilization in the basin. Furthermore, document analysis was conducted from secondary sources. Theories of Neo-Malthusian, Deep Ecology, and Shallow Ecology have also been used to analyze the nexus among various issues in water resource management in the Abbay Basin. The results showed first and second order scarcity of water resources, the trans-boundary nature of the river, lack of adequate and relevant information, economic challenges, legal challenges, domination of a sector and project-based approach, and lack of capacity as major factors that have been posing significant challenges to water resource management and development in the Abbay Basin. Moreover, there is inefficient use of the limited water resources of the basin due to second order water scarcity.

The present study has shown that the various development potentials, mainly hydro-power and irrigation, are less developed and poorly managed in the basin. The main conclusion of this study is that, thus far, there is no comprehensive water resource management or water resource management problems, and poverty will likely expand across the basin. Thus, market environmentalism, shallow and deep ecology theoretical priorities, are required to minimize the problems, while the actual practice is dominated by non-integrative ones. Hence, an integrative and conjunctive approach that considers the various stakeholders’ interests and needs must be taken as a base for sustainable development in the Abbay Basin. In addition, giving attention to both the supply and demand sides of management of water resources and the development of the national level capacity of managing water are very important.