Impacts of water development in arid lands of Southern Africa: socio-economic issues

摘要

Aridity characterizes an expansive area of Southern Africa. By manipulating their environment and available resources, the inhabitants of this area have devised mechanisms that enable them eke a living. Although unfavorable climatic and environmental conditions contribute to precarious living conditions for the inhabitants of the arid lands all over the world, those in Southern Africa are particularly vulnerable due to low technology and high dependence on natural resources exploitation. Many water development projects have been undertaken causing varying environmental impacts that have reduced the performance of the economy and undermined sustainability of projects meant to off set the difficult situations prevalent in the arid lands in Southern Africa. Impacts of such undertakings must be identified prior and after project implementation and mitigative measures taken into consideration during the planning stage. The multisectoral nature of water resource projects should be taken into consideration during the planning and implementation phases. Partnerships and indigenous knowledge are vital in ensuring success.