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Titel |
Establishment of a catchment monitoring network through a participatory approach in a rural community in South Africa |
VerfasserIn |
V. M. Kongo, J. R. Kosgei, G. P. W. Jewitt, S. A. Lorentz |
Medientyp |
Artikel
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Sprache |
Englisch
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ISSN |
1027-5606
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Digitales Dokument |
URL |
Erschienen |
In: Hydrology and Earth System Sciences ; 14, no. 12 ; Nr. 14, no. 12 (2010-12-13), S.2507-2525 |
Datensatznummer |
250012528
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Publikation (Nr.) |
copernicus.org/hess-14-2507-2010.pdf |
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Zusammenfassung |
The establishment of a catchment monitoring network is a process, from the
inception of the idea to its implementation, the latter being the
construction of relevant gauging structures and installation of the various
instruments. It is useful that the local communities and other stakeholders
are involved and participate in such a process, as was highlighted during
the establishment of the hydrological monitoring network in the Potshini
catchment in Bergville District in the KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa.
The paper highlights the participatory establishment of a hydrological
monitoring network in a small rural inhabited catchment, in line with the
overall objective of the Smallholder System Innovations (SSI) research
programme, to monitor hydrological processes at both field and catchment
scale for water resources management research purposes. The engagement and
participation of the Potshini community precipitated a learning opportunity
for both the researchers and the local community on (i) the understanding of
hydrological processes inherent in the catchment (ii) appreciating the
inherent dynamics in establishing a catchment monitoring network in the
midst of a community (iii) paradigm shift on how to engage different
stakeholders at different levels of participation. The participatory
engagement in the monitoring process led to appreciation and uptake of some
of the research results by the Potshini community and ensured continued
support from all stakeholders. This paper is of the view that the
participation of the local community and other stakeholders in catchment
monitoring and instilling a sense of ownership and management of natural
resources to the local communities needs to be encouraged at all times.
Success stories in water resources management by local communities can be
realized if such a process is integrated with other development plans in the
catchment at all forums, with due recognition of the social dynamics of the
communities living in the catchment. |
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