Session: OS-I3
Human-Wildlife Conflicts in water dependent ecosystems of Arid and Semi-Arid Areas

With increasing human population, changes of lifestyle, and more agricultural investment – the demand for water has gone up. In addition, climate change affects amount of rain, which support river flow and ground water. The resulting change in rainfall patterns is the main cause of increased severity of droughts and of unpredictable devastating flooding events. In Arid areas drought has fuelled human-wildlife conflicts as water quantity and... [ view more ]

With increasing human population, changes of lifestyle, and more agricultural investment – the demand for water has gone up. In addition, climate change affects amount of rain, which support river flow and ground water. The resulting change in rainfall patterns is the main cause of increased severity of droughts and of unpredictable devastating flooding events. In Arid areas drought has fuelled human-wildlife conflicts as water quantity and quality is unable to sustain the diverse water uses. This has exacerbated the ongoing competition between water allocation for human survival and that for the environment to sustain ecosystem services including fish and wildlife.

Human development in these areas is concentrated around freshwater resources including rivers and wetlands and has driven many wildlife species to the brink of extinction. In order to ensure that water resources are used and managed sustainably for socio-economic growth in water-dependent environments, there is a need to understand the diverse needs of the various users including that of the ecosystem.

This session will examine the effects of human development on the survival of fish and wildlife in arid areas, related to various kinds of water-related or water intensive development projects. Participants will explore diverse pressures and conflicts among farmers, pastoralists, urban developers among others and the continued marginalization of biodiversity. Participants will discuss impacts and challenges, and focus on initiatives to conservations ecosystems, including through local community engagement in water and environmental governance for example through water users associations. [ view less ]