There is a lot of activity and interaction concerning
shared rivers, Ramsar sites and transboundary parks, where
WWG members partake. Holger Kolberg is attending activities
concerning Ramsar and transboundary issues along the Orange
and Kunene Rivers. WWG delivered input into a meeting, aimed
at streamlining the many research activities along the
Okavango River. WWG members have been informed of plans to
construct a dam on the lower Orange River and may get
involved in the impact studies as well as the environmental
flow requirement study.
The topic of Environmental Flow Requirements (EFR) for
Namibian rivers has become the most recent discussion topic
within the group, since such determination is required
for the Orange River. So far, it has been agreed that
EFR's will be included in the wetland policy. Further
investigation into the suitability of SA methods for
Namibian perennial rivers is required. Further research and
development of methodology is required for
ephemeral rivers, as no tailored methods exist for these
highly unpredictable systems to date.
A group of people is hoping to undertake a feasibility
study of requirements in ephemeral rivers, based on research
in the Kuiseb River.
With regards to training, one WWG member will attend
an IUCN wetland management workshop in Cape Town in
March-April. A local workshop on invertebrates in temporary
pools is tentatively planned. Further training in
Environmental Flow methods is encouraged, so that Namibian
participation in the Orange River determination is ensured.
A budget has been submitted to the central Treasury
(Phoebe and the Finance Committee) to support our activities
for this year. It will cover consultancies (draft wetlands
policy); data basing; data entry; Research and monitoring
trips; adhoc wetlands sampling; Training;
possible finalising of a wetlands book. The total is
N$ 195264.38.
Klaudia & Rob
13.Feb.03
