ALM UNDP

In 2007 heavy flooding and subsequent landslides in Western Rwanda took the lives of dozens of people in the Nyabihu District. The extreme weather caused extensive damage to houses and property, displacing thousands. For rural Rwandans, with the vast majority of the population engaged in agriculture, irregularity and unpredictability of rainfall has serious consequences (especially in the Western and Eastern provinces). In recognition of the negative effects caused by recurrent droughts and erratic rainfall, establishing early warning and disaster preparedness systems, amongst other adaptation measures, have been identified as a priority. However, the capacity of communities, local government, and national government to respond adequately remains limited. In response, this project is working to manage and cope with the greater frequency and intensity of droughts and floods by increasing resilience and enhancing water security in the Gishwati ecosystem. The designated project area includes regions within the crest area of Nile-Congo basins, identified as being among the most vulnerable to climate change. These regions are already being adversely affected by the increased frequency in floods and landslides. The project aims to reduce the environmental vulnerability of the Gishwati ecosystem and its associated Nile-Congo crest watersheds, and in doing so improve the lives of the people that derive their livelihoods from it.

In 2002 WWF commenced a program to reconnect lakes in Hubei Province to the Yangtze River through opening the sluice gates, and facilitate sustainable lake management. The program focused on three lakes: Zhangdu (40 km2), Hong (348 km2) and Tian’e Zhou (20 km2). Alternative and more sustainable livelihoods for local residents was a priority, in an area where the average income is just US$1.34 per day. In conjunction with this work, WWF formed partnerships with government agencies and others to explore options for more sustainable river basin management.

From 2004-2005 in Hubei Province the sluice gatesat lakes Zhengdu, Hong and Tien’e zhou have been seasonally re-opened and illegal and uneconomic aquaculture facilities and other infrastructure removed or modified. The success of these adaptations was replicated by the Anhui Government at Baidang Lake (40 km2) from 2006. Now these 448 km2 wetlands can store up to 285 Mm3 of floodwaters, reducing vulnerability to flooding in the central Yangtze region, although this has not yet been tested in practice.Cessation of unsustainable aquaculture, better agricultural practices, and reconnection to the Yangtze River has reduced pollution levels in these lakes. Pollution fell at Lake Hong from national pollution level IV (fit for agricultural use only) to II (drinkable) on China’s five point scale. Subsequently, the Anhui Government has reconnected a further eight lakes at Anqing covering 350 km2.