first participatory workshop eport · 2006. 7. 5. · houssein hassan khalifeh ray environmental...

FIRST PARTICIPATORY WORKSHOP REPORT

OPTIMA

Organized on September 21st, 2005 In Hotel Montana- Msaileh- South Lebanon

By ELARD, Corridoio. Zero, and NCRS

First Participatory Workshop Report OPTIMA -SEPT 05

ORGANIZERS

EARTH LINK AND ADVANCED RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT S.A.R.L.

LEBANESE NATIONAL CENTER FOR REMOTE

SENSING

CORRIDOIO. ZERO ITALY


iii

TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE

1. INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................... 1

2. WORKSHOP LOGISTICS...................................................................................... 2 2.1. THE PARTICIPANTS .............................................................................................. 2

2.2. THE WORKSHOP STRUCTURE............................................................................... 6

3. WORKING SESSIONS RESULTS ........................................................................ 6 3.1. SESSION I ............................................................................................................. 6

3.2. SESSION II............................................................................................................ 8

3.3. SESSION III .......................................................................................................... 9

4. WORKSHOP EVALUATION .............................................................................. 12

5. CONCLUSIONS AND FUTURE WORKS.......................................................... 14


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LIST OF FIGURES FIGURE PAGE

1. Pie diagram showing the distribution of the various stakeholders according to type of institution ..................................................................................... 5

2. Map of South Lebanon along the Litani River showing the village of provenance of the stakeholders used as a tool of acquaintance among the participants ...................... 5

3. Typical Results from Working Session I ...................................................................... 6

4. An example of an updated model topology showing the added nodes such as return flow nodes and subcatchment nodes based on participants feedback........................... 8

5. The preliminary model topology (left) versus the updated model topology (right). .... 9

6: Opportunities and threats suggested by the participants- associated with possible interventions................................................................................................................ 10

7. Results of the workshop evaluation provided of 15 participants................................ 12

LIST OF TABLES

TABLE PAGE 1. List of workshop attendees ........................................................................................... 2

2. Possible interventions in the Lower Litani Basin associated with opportunities and threats as perceived by stakeholders ........................................................................... 11

3. Analysis of the workshop evaluation forms provided by the stakeholders based on the participants occupation or profession ......................................................................... 13


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1. INTRODUCTION

This report presents the outcomes of an activity undertaken as part of the project entitled “Optimisation for Sustainable Water Resources Management” (OPTIMA), an EU sponsored three-year regional research project, which started on July 1st 2004, and is implemented in Lebanon by the National Center for Remote Sensing (NCRS) and Earth Link and Advanced Resources Development (ELARD) s.a.r.l. The overall aim of the project is to develop, test, and critically evaluate an innovative approach to water resources management in the Mediterranean region.

The results of the project should contribute to increase the efficiency of a water management system and to reconcile conflicting demands. While the OPTIMA approach is based on rigorous, scientifically sound concepts, the highest importance will be given to achieve results that can be implemented in a practical manner. In this regard, a successful implementation will ultimately depend on the acceptance by the whole chain of stakeholders involved with the decision-making level, planning, production and distribution up to the various end-users (domestic, agriculture, industry, and tourism).

A decision-support system (DSS) is being developed aiming at the optimization of water resources management. The platform of the DSS is the WaterWare Water Resources Management software developed by the Austrian company Environmental Services and Software (ESS).

In order to develop a case study in Lebanon, as part of project work package 9, the Lower Litani River Basin was selected. The reason for selecting this basin is primarily based on its unique opportunity to put forth preventive measures in water management given the existing low level of development.

In this context, a participatory workshop was organized to introduce the OPTIMA project to the main stakeholders, to secure a good forum for interaction among the various stakeholders, and to actively involve them in the DSS development process.

This report describes the various activities performed during the workshop that took place on September 21 2005 in Montana Hotel in Msaileh (Southern Lebanon). Section 1 introduces the logistics of the workshop including the various stakeholders and attendees. Section 2 describes briefly the presentations done during the workshop, aiming at introducing to the various stakeholders the OPTIMA project, the purpose of the participatory workshop, and the preliminary results of the case study or application done on the Lower Litani River. Section 3 presents the working sessions’ objectives and results. Section 4 provides the workshop evaluation results based on the comments and evaluation forms filled by the participants. Finally, Section 5 describes the future work plan and objectives.


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2. WORKSHOP LOGISTICS

2.1. The Participants The key stakeholders who were identified at the early stage of the project belong

to different types of public or private organizations. The major public and private organizations that contributed directly and indirectly to the workshop are:

1. Local Municipalities in South Lebanon;

2. Ministries (Agriculture, Energy and Water);

3. Water authorities (Litani River Authority, Water and Wastewater Establishment of the South);

4. Council of the South, National Council for Scientific Research;

5. Non-Governmental Organizations (USAID, Mercy Corps);

6. Local Associations and farmers;

7. Researchers.

A total of 42 persons attended the workshop representing the different categories of stakeholders. The list of participants is shown in Table 1. Figure 1 shows the distribution of the participants according to the type of institution they represent. The workshop language was Arabic and simultaneous translation in English was available.

Table 1. List of workshop attendees

Name Occupation- Institution/ Stakeholders

Telephone number / Fax number

E-mail

Abbass Jaber Municipality of Nabatieh 07-760053 /07-767002

[email protected]

Abd Al Rahman Arkadan

CNRS 03-221487 [email protected]

Ahmad Faraj President of the Association of Protection of the Environment

03-337616 /07-742582

[email protected]

Ali Abd Al Hassan Jammal

Ray Environmental Association REA

03-659766

Ali Iz Al Dyn Vice president of Association of Development in Rural Areas (ADR)

03-665086

[email protected]

Ali Slaymen Aalyk Cooperative of Yohmor 07-765278

Assad Zein Ghandour Head of the municipality of Nabatieh Fawka

03-436833


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E-mail

Bassam Al Hassbani Head of the Municipality of Klayaa

03-300429 /07-835533

Chadi Abdallah CNRS 04-409845/6 / 04-409847

[email protected]

Christine Sayegh USAID/Lebanon 04-543600 / 04-544254

[email protected]

Dalal Sabliny Ray Environmental Association REA

03-824021

Dany Licha Al Khoury Litany Water Quality Management Project

03-858943 /01-662117

[email protected]

Daoud Raad Ministry of Agriculture 03-821186 [email protected]

Elias Hawi Litany River Authority 01-660462 01-660469

Fadlalah Hassouna Association of tanmiya insaniya et biiya (Development of People and Nature Association)

07-730583 /03-776597

[email protected]

Fouad Hamra Engineer/ Head of the Municipality of Jdaydit Marjayoun

03-243901 /07-830014

[email protected]

Hassan Ali Hteit Head of the Municipality of Babilia

03-304278 /07-420209

Houssein Ali Doughman


03-778313

Houssein Hassan Khalifeh


03-590014

Houssein Khalifeh Head of the Municipality of Sarafand

03-280077 /07-441144

Houssein Rammal Litany River Authority 01-660462 01-660469

Imad Moustafa Ayoub Mechanical Engineer/Council of the South

03-728306 [email protected]

Iman Abd Al Aal Association of Ibrahim Abd Al Aal Friends

01-655898 /01-644800


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E-mail

Kassem Ballout Engineer/ Council of the South 03-682638

Khodor Kiwan Litany River Authority 01-660462 01-660469

Lotfi Salloum Agriculture Engineer/ Vice President of "Amwaj"

03-775699 07-221560

[email protected]

Mahmoud Fakih Engineer/ Council of the South 03-677789

Mouhamad Khalifeh Municipality of Sarafand Sawsan [email protected]

Mouhamad Nijmeh Municipality of Adloun 03-777578

Mouhamad Tamima Municipality of Kfarsir 03-916994

Mouhamad Thaher Tyr naturally Reserve/ Agricultural Engineer

03-609204

Naji Akhdar Council of the South 03-776286

Rabih Saab Engineer/ Ministry of Industry 01-427041 [email protected]

Rania Bou Kheir CNRS 04-409845/6 / 04-409847

[email protected]

Roula Khalifeh Lawyer/ Member in the Municipality of Sarafand

03-853828 / 07-441144

Salim Khalifeh Ray Environmental Association REA

03/280218 /07-441424

[email protected]

Sanaa Khalifeh University Student 03-628049

Sawsan Mahdy Consultant 03-745126 [email protected]

Talal Darwich Development Studies Association (DSA)

03-723471 /04-409847

[email protected]

Talal Torfa Ray Environmental Association REA

03-820916

Zaynab Harbi Student 03-935634

Zein Khalifeh Municipality of Kanarit 03-634262 /07-223777


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Figure 1. Pie diagram showing the distribution of the various stakeholders according to type of institution

The Participants were asked to specify on a regional topographic map the village of provenance as shown on Figure 2.

Figure 2. Map of South Lebanon along the Litani River showing the village of provenance of the

stakeholders used as a tool of acquaintance among the participants

Public agencies (21%) Litany River Authority Ministries (Industry, Agriculture) Council of the South

Municipalities (26%)

NGOs/Researchers/ Associations (53%)

NGOs and Environmental Associations Researchers Associations (Ibrahim Abd Al Aal Friends)


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2.2. The Workshop Structure The workshop was sub-divided into three main parts (see Workshop Agenda in

Appendix A). The first part consisted of the general presentations. These aimed at introducing the Optima project to the participants, explaining the importance of the participatory approach, and describing the case study and application of the Water Resources Model. A copy of the presentations is provided in Appendix B.

The second part consisted of the working sessions. Three main sessions were organized in which participants were divided in groups. Working session I aimed at identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the basin as perceived by the stakeholders. Working session II focused on the conceptual model of the basin and its validation by the stakeholders. Working session III aimed at obtaining the stakeholders vision of the future development of the basin, the opportunities and threats as well as possible future interventions in the basin.

The third part of the workshop consisted of a plenary session to discuss working sessions results and evaluate the workshop.

3. WORKING SESSIONS RESULTS

3.1. Session I In session I, every participant was asked to write two elements of strength and

weakness for the Lower basin of the Litani River. Accordingly, the results were clustered into categories as illustrated in Figure 3.

Figure 3. Typical Results from Working Session I


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The main weaknesses of the basin with respect to water resources management, as perceived by the stakeholders can be summarized as follows (with no order of preferences):

1. Lack of infrastructure for water quality conservation and protection against

sources of pollution ;

2. Loss of water caused by ineffective water management in the basin;

3. Tough topology of the river which renders several areas inaccessible;

4. Inadequate exploitation of the river water (under exploitation);

5. Lack of plans for the Lower Litani River (and lack of follow up of the already

existing plans);

6. Presence of numerous violations in the basin, primarily in terms of domestic

wastewater discharges;

The main strengths of the basin with respect to water resources management, as

perceived by the stakeholders can be summarized as follows (with no order of

preferences):

1. Source of pollution are still limited, allowing preventive measures to be adopted;

2. High eco-tourism potential of the basin;

3. Advantageous physical characteristics: water flow, production of electricity;

4. Water is currently used for different purposes (irrigation, recreational, and

domestic);

5. There is water availability in the basin;

6. Several socio economic benefits, especially for agriculture, exist;

7. Level of environmental awareness in the basin is relatively high;


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3.2. Session II Session II aimed at discussing the Water Resources Model in terms of demand

and input nodes. During session II, participants have based their answers on their experience and knowledge of the area, and proposed changes to the proposed conceptual model of the basin. Examples of these nodes include among others:

1. Deir Mimess waste water discharge pipe;

2. The presence of return flow from touristic nodes to the River;

3. Irrigation Demand node in Zrariye (pipe exceeding 10” in diameter);

4. Additional subcatchments’ nodes (e.g., springs near the coast);

5. Ain El Hemma in Kfar Sir is a very important subcatchment;

6. Geometric node near the area of Tair Falsay, where the Litani River is

significantly diverted.

An example of a corrected model topology is shown in Figure 4. The basin topology BEFORE and AFTER the workshop is shown in Figure 5.

Figure 4. An example of an updated model topology showing the added nodes such as return flow

nodes and subcatchment nodes based on participants feedback.

Added Subcatchment nodes

Added Return Flow nodes

Added Return Flow nodes (waste water discharge)


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Figure 5. The preliminary model topology (left) versus the updated model topology (right).

3.3. Session III During this session, the stakeholders were asked the following two questions:

• What opportunities for water management do you expect for the area? What threats do you foresee?

• What are the actions that are needed to be implemented in order to alleviate the threats that will appear in the future, and to beneficiate from the various opportunities that the Litani River presents?

The answers to these two questions were grouped in Table 2 showing the threats and opportunities that are characterizing the Litani River. The actions that could contribute to alleviating threats and capitalizing on opportunities were grouped into four main areas: infrastructure, management, regulatory, and education/awareness.


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Figure 6: Opportunities and threats suggested by the participants- associated with possible interventions.


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Table 2. Possible interventions in the Lower Litani Basin associated with opportunities and threats as perceived by stakeholders

Opportunities/ Threats Infrastructure Measures Management Measure Regulatory Measures Education/Awareness Measures

Increase of surface water and ground water pollution Installation of treatment stations

Supervision of recreational sites/ Prohibition of wild dumps

Laws for recreational sites establishment, establishment of Protected areas: enforcement of environmental impact study for permits allowing building next to the river

Capacity building for local water authorities

Demographic growth; Increase of water demand

Extra conveyors/ treatment plants/ Dams, hydroelectric stations

Supervision of recreational sites

Demand-side regulatory measures

Increased awareness on importance of water saving

Decrease of crop productivity Irrigation pipes, dams

Agricultural awareness (irrigation alternative methods/ alternative crops)

Opportunities for irrigation and development of the agricultural sector

New channels/ lakes e.g. Pumping stations for valley Yohmor to Ali Al Taher Farm for the irrigation of Nabatieh

Training on new techniques for irrigation

Lack of citizenship spirit/ Lack of coordination activity

Awareness Campaigns

Incorrect exploitation of the river in Tourism/ Water Loss to the sea

Dams Monitoring and control Environmental impact assessment of Dams Awareness campaigns

Lack of funding and management resources

Preparation and implementation of a resource mobilization strategy


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4. WORKSHOP EVALUATION An evaluation form (Appendix C) was filled by 15 out the 42 participants who

attended the workshop. Results of the workshop evaluation were focused on the analysis of the comments provided by the stakeholders on the topics related to the case study, the organization of the workshop, the quality of the speakers and moderators, the methods and tools used during the working sessions, the results, and the level of interest of the general workshop and project. The results presented in Figure 7, show that about 52 percent of the attendees regarded the seminars as only moderately interesting and about 52percent were moderately impressed with the building of the mental model of the river basin, whereas most of the other criteria were generally rated as significantly good.

4.8

9.5

14.3

4.8

14.3

52.4

28.6

52.4

33.3

28.6

21.4

28.6

35.7 35.7 35.7

42.9

61.9

33.3

61.9

71.4

78.6

71.4

50

64.3 64.3

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Level ofinterest

Underst.Study area

Mental model' Visioning' Results Organization Agenda Speaker Method &tools

Moderator

Indicators

Perc

enta

ge

Poor Medium Good Figure 7. Results of the workshop evaluation provided of 15 participants

The workshop evaluation also included some bivariate analysis according to

stakeholders profession or type of organization (Table 3).


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Table 3. Analysis of the workshop evaluation forms provided by the stakeholders based on the participants occupation or profession

Variable “Institutional” “Researcher” “Municipality” “NGO” Total Level of interest Boring 1 - - - 1 Medium 2 1 1 4 8 Interesting 1 1 2 2 6 Understanding study area Boring - - - 1 1 Medium 1 1 1 3 6 Interesting 3 1 2 2 8 Mental model river basin Boring 1 1 - 1 3 Medium 2 1 2 3 8 Interesting 1 - 1 2 4 Visioning in 10 years Poor - - - 1 1 Medium 3 1 - 1 5 Good 1 1 3 4 9 Workshop results Poor - - - - - Medium 2 - - 2 4 Informative 2 2 3 4 11 Workshop organization Poor - - - - - Medium - - 1 2 3 Good 2 2 2 4 10 Workshop agenda Poor - - - - - Medium 1 - 1 1 3 Good 1 2 2 5 10 Quality of speaker Poor 1 - - 1 2 Medium - 2 - 2 4 Good 1 - 3 3 7 Method & tools Poor - - - - - Medium - 1 1 3 5 Good 2 1 2 3 8 Quality of moderator Poor - - - - - Medium 1 1 - 2 4 Good 1 1 3 4 9


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5. CONCLUSIONS AND FUTURE WORKS The first participatory workshop allowed at the level of stakeholders’

involvement:

• A stakeholders’ understanding of project’s objectives, because the involvement of the stakeholders and end-users is highly favorable to the success of this project;

• An increase of the ownership, providing a good forum for interaction;

• Build-up of special interest from LRA (main planning stakeholder);

Discussions held over the three working sessions, in addition to the stakeholders’

feedback secured the following:

• A validation of the preliminary results; • The update and correction of the preliminary topology model; • The acquisition of new sources of information • The utilization of these results in order to define the objectives and constraints prevailing over the Litani River Lower basin. Based on the additional information collected in the workshop, and the

stakeholders’ feedback (sessions I, II), the model will be updated and corrected aiming at reconstructing the real status of the Litani River Basin. Some objectives and constraints will be specified, based on which, future scenarios will be identified according to stakeholders’ opinions as discussed during working session III. The future scenarios will be translated in terms of technologies or options, which will be input in the model. The model will compute a cost for the implementation of the future scenarios as well as associated benefits.

The optimization process will be tested to establish the optimum scenario and to meet all the objectives that meet set constraints (e.g., environmental flow or minimum quantity of water that should remain annually in the riverbed).

A second participatory workshop is planned in order to SELECT with the stakeholders the most appropriate SOLUTION among the set of options provided by the model.

first participatory workshop eport · 2006. 7. 5. · houssein hassan khalifeh ray environmental...

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