Author(s): Henry Jimenez E.
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: Water management; Tropical watersheds; Colombia water; Watersheds management; Conflicts resolution
Abstract: About 80% of the population of Colombia, lives in the region bounded by the Andes mountain range, demanding high levels of environmental products as water resources. A cause this situation, large areas in the country, presents major threat and deterioration of its water resources, particularly upland areas of watersheds, where also the conflicts between stakeholders, occurs all the time. In recent years the country has adopted different standards and laws to control the impact of human activities, among which are the programs for watershed management. In order to evaluate the result of the implementation of plans for watershed management on water resources of the country, was aimed at studying the western area of the macro Magdalena-Cauca macro region. This is the region's largest population and increased pressure on water resources. The different steps performed during the development of watershed management plans, were analyzed during the study. The results of the study show that there is a growing deterioration of the water resources that reach low and mean altitude areas; while is a growing deterioration of the forest cover of the high areas of the wa tersheds. During the watersheds´ implementation process, conflicts are always present between different stakeholders for different watersheds areas´ with difficulties of access due to social conflicts. Among the difficulties overcome during this process are: lack of information in some sectors, especially in the upland areas of the watershed and the difficulty of participation in the whole process of all stakeholders in the basin. By the other hand, has been an increasing integration of communities in the highlands of the watersheds, during the planning processes, the key reason for watershed mountainous area protection, as reserves of biodiversity and water production. The watershed plan has succeeded to different non -governmental organizations conformation and improved communication between the watershed actors. Watershed plans, have led to stand out mountain region´s importance, in its role as environmental services, social balance and conflict resolution strategy. There are aspects to strengthen the training of the responsible institutions and NGOs in conflict resolution, improved communication mechanisms and implementation and execution of watershed management plans, taking into account other plans and programs. Finally it is found that most of the watershed studies, focus on the improvement of the environment, by making investments in conservation works and infrastructure and training; giving very low importance to the development and improvement in the quality of life of the community.
Year: 2013