NARBO

 

 

Experts from MASL and other relevant institutes, and NARBO members gave lectures not only on IWRM-related matters using “IWRM Guidelines at River Basin Level” (Published by UNESCO in cooperation with NARBO), but Mahaweli river basin’s wide variety of subjects such as history of MASL, hydropower, irrigation, data collection, climate change adaptation, food security, domestic water issues、as case studies. During lectures, participants were very eager to learn and actively asked a lot of questions. They also actively expressed their views on these subjects so that they could enhance their comprehension.
Participants were also well prepared to have brought Posters, which they had been asked to make about their RBOs and activities. They introduced their Posters one by one on the 2nd & 3rd day of the training.

 

Lectures

Poster session

What the hardest but the most important parts of the training might be some group works. The subject was about IWRM progress of their own countries or basins as a final session of the training on the 8thday. After presentations, participants including NARBO chairperson, NARBO vice-chairpersons, NARBO senior advisors and NARBO secretariat discussed how to embed IWRM on their countries or basins.

 

Group works

After the last lecture of each day, NARBO secretariat wrapped up the seminar by using clicker system to get frank but severe evaluation about all the lectures and the training including accommodations. Overall the course was assessed as satisfactory (96% rated the course as good or very good) and had met the participants’ learning objectives satisfactorily (100%).  

 

 

Wrap up

Break time

On the last day of the training, all the participants received a certification from NARBO chairperson “Dr. Keizrul bin Abdullah” and vice-chairperson “Mr. K.W. Ivan de Silva”.

 

Study Visit

On the first day, participants visited Anuradapura (World Heritage ancient city), Nachchaduwa and Kelawewa. At Nachchaduwa tank and the NAQDA center in Kelawewa, they met with stakeholders, who engage in farming, and exchanged their views each other. Hearing real voice from them must be helpful for participants to find a clue to solve the issues on water management.

 

Nachchaduwa tank

Discussions with stakeholders

On the second day, they visited Dambulla (famous city for rock temple), Victoria Dam, Polgolla, and Kandy. Participants observed both inside and outside of Victoria Dam and felt its hugeness at first hand. According to the questionnaire, 40% of the participants selected Victoria Dam as the place by which they learned most.  

 

 

Victoria Dam

Polgolla Barrage

Conclusion

As IWRM has been introduced well in the Asian region, now it is time to embed it in the river basin. But RBOs are facing challenges to start with and IWRM is not yet working effectively. NARBO secretariat believes good examples or case studies in other basins help RBOs embed IWRM to their basins, and there are many good examples in this region. Moreover, it is necessary to help RBOs understand “terms and conditions” of good examples to customize them for their specific challenges. NARBO secretariat expects that the IWRM training is good opportunity to start with IWRM and participants of the training get the momentum to move IWRM process forward.
The next step, NARBO secretariat is going to seek for how NARBO can follow up the participants to improve the effect of the training and to maintain the strong network.
Thanks to everyone related to this training, the training was successfully finished without any problem. Especially, thanks to MASL and course directors, almost all the lectures went on punctually.