The overall goal of this project is to contribute to implementation of major policies in the Niger River Basin, including the Sustainable Development Action Plan and Investment Plan, IWRM Action Plans and NAPAs, by making available strategic orientations and tools for sustainable development, based on experience in the Inner Niger Delta.
Project Description:
Following a long period of harmonious and balanced use, limited to its natural functions and services, the Niger River (4200 km long inhabited by 2 million people), a lifeline for the nine riparian countries, has suffered for many decades from human pressure and new uses such as dams disturbing the characteristics, structure and functioning of its ecosystems. This intensive use of natural resources added to growing population and climate changes, among which severe droughts and their impacts have had severe consequences on the status of the Niger River and its tributaries, biodiversity, landscapes, key habitats and floodplains.
In order to tackle these issues, the NBA, with the agreement of the 9 riparian countries has elaborated the Niger River Basin Sustainable Development Action Plan and Investment Plan.
The current project has a strong base in the former WPRP demo project “Poverty Reduction Project in the IND, Mali” which covers: lessons learned in bio-rights, local development, and sustainable management of natural resources and biodiversity. Contributions to the implementation of the Niger River Basin Sustainable Development Action Plan and Investment Plan, Mali’s IWRM Action Plan and NAPA are some other policy goals of this project.
The specific project objectives are: 1. Mainstreaming wetlands values and services into river basin as means for alleviating poverty attributes (food insecurity, health issues, lack of income, etc.) . 2. To demonstrate that wetlands management and IWRM, key components of local development plans, are solutions for availability of clean drinking water, preventing water borne and vector diseases and sustainable management of water resources. 3. Contributing to assessing the impact of climate change on Niger basin and their associated floodplains.
Project Partners:
Partners: University of Bamako, National Health Research Institute, DNH, Water Quality Laboratory, rural districts, NBA, Care International, micro-credit institutions (private sector), and socio-professional groups of water users, National water partnership committee, National Research, Science and Technology Center, National Committee in charge of implementation of NAPA, Altenburg & Wymenga, farmers, cattle breeders, fishermen, Care International, National Committee of Mali’s NAPA, Protos
Private sector: Wetlands International, Mali a long history of partnership during WPRP implementation with National micro credit institutions. Besides continuing this partnership, investigation will be done to establish partnership with Pharmacy (private sector) related to prevention of malaria and schistomiasis (vector borne disease)