This paper examines the landcare movement in Australia and argues that in spite of the undoubted success in terms of mobilising community activity and in raising public awareness, there has been a failure to make a significant difference to the problem of natural resource degradation This is seen as a consequence of a lack of support from government and the wider public and it is argued that expecting rural communities to take responsibility for land conservation without commensurate resources to deal with it is exploitative rather than empowering. Hence, the author argues that greater public participation in the political process is required, whereby citizens and communities take a more active role in the policy making which affects them.
A synthesis report describing key recommendations for the Regional Bureau of Agriculture and Natural Resources regarding the soil and water conservation strategy in the Tigray region. Also, included is a report of the methodology and results of a three day participatory watershed planning exercise carried out with communities in the Addis Zeman catchment.
Poor performance of existing irrigation systems is commonly perceived to be the result of a lack of involvement by farmers in their design and management. Attempts to solve this have focussed on the establishment of water user groups. Based on case studies from two contrasting areas in the Rajasthan Canal Project, this paper argues that it is esential to understand the different tenure-based differences existing amongst water users, since they determine strongly the prospects of the formation and success of farmers organisations and ultimately of irrigation management transfer.
There is a growing trend in most countries in the south to encourage rural communities to manage their water supply systems. This paper is based on an action research programme designed to draw lessons from twenty four projects representing various types of water supply systems and service levels chosen from a range of environmental, socio-economic and cultural conditions.
Sanitation ladders and matrices can be used to expose villagers to a range of sanitation options. In this case study villagers were only aware of two sanitation technology options both of which were inappropriate given the hard rock conditions and limited water. Using these tools local perceptions on the advantages and disdvantages of each option were solicited and a possible demonstration toilet option was suggested, as part of an introductory phase of a sanitation project.
This paper documents experiences from Tweerivier, one of the field sites during a training workshop in Participatory Health and Sanitation Transformation (PHAST).
PHAST was used to broaden local debate and understanding on health aspects of water supply and sanitation and to demystify techology and health . A series of participatory exercises were initiated to allow residents to explore for themselves the underlying cause of their contaminated water and to decide which of these they had control over and could change. An experiment was developed during the course of the field work, to test solar water purification techniques as an alternative to boiling and a broad range of sanitation technology choices were also, introduced to the community in such a way as to take control of the information away from technical experts.
The Community Water Source Development Project in South Wollo is designed to encourage the participation of rural communities in the design, construction, management and maintenance of their own water supplies and aims to benefit women and children in particular. This document reports on a participatory evaluation of the project carried out using PRA techniques.
This report provides an account of two participatory rural appraisal (PRA) field exercises. The aim of the field work was for participants of a workshop for health planners and sanitarians to gain practical experience of using PRA tools.
The book outlines the idea of Landcare group management skills and strategies. It provides ideas to landholders on how to organise their resources for better land and water management involving personal involvement and community action.
