Integrated Lake Management

Lessons

Decentralised and integrated natural resource management: the role of Lake Management Organisations

Lake Management Organisations (LMOs) are essential for effective management of lake resources, as the benefits of the resource are shared by many stakeholders. The essential ingredients for the formation of a Lake Management Organisation include:

1. Clear understanding of the nature of shared resources: The health and productivity of lakes are affected by influences on both water and land, and therefore require an ecosystem approach for their management.
2. Demand driven and shared vision: Stakeholders recognise the need for such an organisation, are committed to forming the organisation and being part of its operation, and have a shared vision of what the organisation will achieve.
3. Institutional development: The process of building the organisation must be participatory and led by the potential member stakeholders for effective institutional arrangements to exist.
4. Legal mandate: A legal mandate for the organisation is essential so that the organisation has official recognition and functions as a legal entity.
5. Improved governance for lake management: The LMOs must be structured to ensure wide representation and have a clear constitution that sets out roles and responsibilities. Mechanisms to ensure accountability and transparency in decision-making and operations must also be developed.
6. Funding opportunities exist: Managing natural resources requires funding. This must be recognised during the institutional development stage by all stakeholders, who should commit funds and seek external funding that supports additional activities.
7. Conflict resolution through inter-district co-operation: The concern over people living on floating sudd (papyrus) islands presented a challenge to the management of Lake Kyoga. This was addressed through bringing all stakeholders together, raising awareness and ensuring that the effected communities agreed with the process and were fully involved, particularly in deciding where to relocate.
8. Representation: Representation of all community stakeholders is essential for effective poverty reduction both through empowering marginalised stakeholders to gain more control over their livelihood strategies, and through ensuring the voices of all inform planning and decision-making at the lake wide level. Representation of all relevant sectors within government is also essential for holistic planning and ecosystem management.