A comprehensive project aimed at promoting sustainable water resources management and addressing environmental challenges in the Buzi, Pungwe and Save river basins has been launched.
The project, dubbed “Management of Competing Water Uses and Associated Ecosystems in Pungwe, Buzi and Save Basins” (GEF-BUPUSA), is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to the tune of US$6 million.
According to a recent trans-boundary diagnostic analysis conducted under the project, the three river basins face significant environmental challenges, including increased extreme climate events, land degradation, reduced water availabilit and pollution.
The project is being implemented by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in collaboration with the Global Water Partnership Southern Africa (GWPSA) and the Zimbabwean and Mozambican governments.
Speaking during the first ordinary meeting of the BUPUSA Watercourses Commission (BUPUSACOM) council of ministers meeting in Harare recently Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development minister Anxious Masuka emphasised the importance of co-operation, co-ordination, and commitment from all stakeholders in managing trans-boundary water resources.
He commended the GEF, IUCN and the Global Water Partnership GWP SA for their support in developing the strategic action programme (SAP).
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“As we all know, the management of trans-boundary water resources is a complex challenge that requires co-operation, co-ordination and commitment from all stakeholders.
“The BUPUSA Watercourse Commission is a testament to our collective efforts to address this challenge.
“Special mention goes to the Global Environmental Fund the financier, International Union for Conservation of Nature the implementation agency and Global Water Partnership Southern Africa for providing the oversight during the development of the SAP.”
Masuka highlighted the significance of financial support for the benefit of the three shared watercourses.
“I would like to reiterate the importance of ensuring that our countries are up to date with financial contributions to ensure the smooth running of our new baby; BUPUSACOM," he said.
Mozambique’s Public Works, Housing and Water Resources minister Joao Osvaldo Machatine said his country was one of the African countries most exposed to extreme climate risks, including floods, drought and cyclones.
“Recognising that our country is prone to water stress due to its geographical location downstream of nine of the main river basins in the southern region, we believe it is important to ensure and maintain the health of water resources in these river basins that have cyclically proven to be vulnerable to floods/floods and droughts,” he said.