Abstract

The Limpopo Basin of Southern Africa is an important resource shared by Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa and Mozambique. Basin-wide water management is an issue for the countries involved, and disputes between countries over land either exist or are looming. The concept of "peace parks" has been developed to try to address these conflicts and work toward shared management regimes. River corridor development initiatives are being set up. Little is known, however, about the behaviour of the river system in response to human land use activities in its catchment area.

This grant will allow Dr Joe Matowanyika, Director of ZERO, and Dr Paul Kay, Faculty of Environmental Studies, University of Waterloo, to visit a range of institutions (government, non-governmental, research, etc.) in the countries that are part of the Limpopo basin (Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe). They will canvass the views of the various stakeholders on research needs and priorities relating to micro and macro water and land management issues, and submit a report to IDRC summarizing the findings. The report is expected to form the basis for discussion at a subsequent regional project definition workshop. The mission will take place in May 1998 and the final report will be prepared before the end of July 1998.

Recipient Institution(s)