Munyaradzi Chitakira

18 Aug Munyaradzi Chitakira

Munyaradzi Chitakira, South Africa

A former post-doctoral fellow and an emerging researcher, Dr Munyaradzi (Munya) Chitakira holds an Honours degree is in Geography, a Masters degree in Environmental Policy and Planning and a PhD in Environment and Society. Munya has a couple of years of experience as a researcher, tutor and lecturer in the environmental management field, in universities in Zimbabwe and South Africa. He also supervises postgraduate / research students at Honours, masters and PhD levels. Munya has presented (papers and posters) at several local and international conferences and has published 1 book, seven articles in scientific journals and peer reviewed conference proceedings and 1 book chapter. Munya’s current research focus is on integrated landscape management, transfrontier conservation areas resources management, stakeholder involvement and climate smart livelihood strategies for smallholder farming communities.

Presentation Tittle: The dynamics of stakeholder participation in integrated water resources management: A case study of the upper Pungwe River basin, Southern Africa.

One of the four principles upon which integrated water resources management is based is that water development and management should be based on a participatory approach involving users, planners and policy makers at all levels. The present study assessed the effectiveness of participation in sustainable water resources management in the upper Pungwe River basin at the border of Zimbabwe and Mozambique, in Southern Africa. It evaluated the interaction of environmental and water management institutions in water resources management. A concurrent mixed methods approach was used. Qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis techniques were employed. Key informant interviews were conducted with experts from environmental management institutions in the Pungwe River basin. Semi-structured interviews were also held with water resources management practitioners working in the river basin under focus. Water quality and sediment load data for the Pungwe River were analysed using Mann-Kendal and Regression Analysis Statistics to detect trends and predict future levels. River sediment load showed a negative linear relationship with pH levels. Environmental practices presenting challenges to sustainable river basin management were revealed, such as stream bank cultivation, deforestation, siltation, water pollution and water shortage. Coordination of land/environment and water management institutions should be central in achieving sustainable water resources management. The central government and other players should capacitate local level stakeholders to enhance their ability to manage their environmental resources with minimal involvement of outside players.