1. The Okavango: addressing environmental concerns
Anton Earle
Stockholm International Water Institute

2. Key points One of the last undeveloped rivers in Africa
Basin states have socio-economic development objectives
Cooperation to ensure protection of the environment

3. Rainfall in Okavango basin
Human population density in Okavango basin
(Both maps from Mendelsohn & el Obeid, 2004)

4. Flow Contributions 4

5. Total annual flow = 10,000 million cubic metres
Drivers of Change:
Economic
Environment
Social
Demographic
Policy, law, institutional
Technology
Climate change
Econ development and electricity scarcity
Environment – conservation zones creating conflicts with local communities. Shifts in delta naturally
Social – services sector such as tourism growing, large scale agriculture
Headwaters region may be re-settled
Legal - recognised through intl agmts such as Ramsar
Technology – run of river hydro, deep boreholes
Change in flow regime
Total annual flow = 10,000 million cubic metres

6. Balancing Future Development
Ecosystems
Development
Large-scale irrigation
Hydro-power generation
Water transfer to Windhoek
Communities across basin
Botswana eco-tourism

7. GEF-EPSMO project developed scenarios for future development and impacts
Based on proposed basin developments
Present
2,700 ha irrigation, urban water demand in three centers
Low
Increased urban consumption due to Angolan resettlement. 21,000 ha irrigation. One storage and three run-of-river hydro stations.
Medium
205,000 ha irrigation. One storage and four run-of-river hydro stations. One interbasin transfer of 17 Mm3 per annum
High
350,000 ha irrigation. One storage and nine run-of-river hydro stations. Extended interbasin transfer of 100 Mm3 per annum. Additional urban water development scheme.
Climate Change
Dry
Driest climate change scenario
Wet
Wettest climate change scenario

8. Development scenarios for the Okavango River (EPSMO-GEF)

9. Two Main Development Impacts in the Delta
Increase in nutrients
Blocking of sediments travelling on the annual flood-pulse

10. OKACOM
Okavango River Commission formed in 1994 including all 3 states of main basin,
Technical advisor to the Parties (states)
Aims for the sustainable development and management of the resources of the river,
Agreement in 2007 to form a secretariat
Agreement in 2010 on sharing hydrological data

11. OKACOM Structure OKACOM COMMISSION 3 Commissioners per country
Angola, Botswana & Namibia
Okavango Basin Steering Committee
(OBSC)
Institutional Task Force
Biodiversity Task Force
Hydrology Task Force
OKACOM Secretariat
Executive Secretary
Direct OKASEC Contractees
Communication and Information Specialist, Finance Officer, Administration Officer, Secretary
Seconded Technical Staff

12. Basin-wide Forum
Through a long-term project stakeholders living in the basin in all 3 countries have formed a forum
Allows them to discuss issues of common interest
Reflects reality of shared culture, languages, trade etc between communities in basin
BWF now has permanent observer status in OKACOM – can attend meetings raise issues but not vote
Secretariat has an obligation to share information with stakeholders.

13. OKACOM Impact Trust between the basin states
Information and data exchanged
Multi-lateral approach adopted
No infrastructure built
Status-quo maintained
Little impact on poverty

14. In negotiation processes you will have to think about a management strategy and you need to consider the following approaches to negotiations that you will have within your group:
Win/win
Compromise win some /loose some
Competition ( I WIN you LOOSE)
Avoidance (loose/ loose )

15. Anton Earle
Stockholm International Water Institute, SIWI