1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Approach

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)

Soil protection and rehabilitation for food security (ProSo(i)l)

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)

Zuidelijke Land en Tuinbouw Organisatie (ZLTO) - Netherlands

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)

GIZ Tunisia (GIZ Tunisia) - Tunisia

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

01/30/2023

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

1.4 Reference(s) to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Technologies

2.1 Short description of the Approach

Hill lake development is an approach designed to integrate land and water management with socio-economic development.

2.2 Detailed description of the Approach

Detailed description of the Approach:

This approach is primarily aimed at harnessing natural water resources, thus contributing significantly to local development by improving living conditions, principally through fruit-growing initiatives, and thereby preventing large-scale migration from rural areas. The development of hillside lakes (or “reservoirs”) also serve as a basic source of livelihoods and well-being for local communities, for example by facilitating traditional fishing practices and providing water for livestock.
The approach contributes to bolstering local food security by providing supplies of fruit and other agricultural products. The formation of a hill lake engenders a multifaceted ecosystem, fostering wildlife habitats. Correct management can help mitigate soil erosion, safeguarding downstream infrastructure, and enhancing soil quality through nutrient cycling.
The approach has the potential to attract tourists and outdoor enthusiasts, including those interested in hiking activities.
The determination of a site for the construction of a hill lake is influenced by a request from farmers and regional and local authorities or initiated by the administration through the scouting of agricultural and human potential, with the involvement of farmers. An agro-socio-economic diagnosis and a detailed technical study (topographical, geological and hydrological) are essential steps in designing the project.
Once a lake management committee, elected by the farmers, has been set up, the administration provides irrigation equipment (a pump, irrigation pipes and cisterns).
The success of the lake’s management approach hinges on the organization of farmers around the structure, ongoing maintenance of the facility and its equipment, and the protection of its banks. In this process, the State assumes responsibility for conducting the necessary studies, overseeing construction, and providing the necessary equipment.
Land users may perceive an advantageous outcome in the form of expanded access to water for various applications, including irrigation for agriculture or livestock watering. This can lead to increased agricultural productivity, improved livelihoods and quality of life.

2.3 Photos of the Approach

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Approach has been applied

2.6 Dates of initiation and termination of the Approach

2.7 Type of Approach

• recent local initiative/ innovative

2.8 Main aims/ objectives of the Approach

- Water and soil conservation
- Promotion of agricultural development in hilly areas
- Integrated water resource management
- Improved food security, income generation and socio-economic well-being

2.9 Conditions enabling or hindering implementation of the Technology/ Technologies applied under the Approach

3.1 Stakeholders involved in the Approach and their roles

3.2 Involvement of local land users/ local communities in the different phases of the Approach

	Involvement of local land users/ local communities	Specify who was involved and describe activities
initiation/ motivation	self-mobilization	Incentivizing farmers to increase the impact of hill lakes
planning	interactive	Local farmers are involved in the planning process for the implementation of a hill lake in the region.
implementation	external support	Workers may include local land users.
monitoring/ evaluation	interactive	Involving the local population in monitoring and evaluating the hill lake

3.4 Decision-making on the selection of SLM Technology/ Technologies

Specify who decided on the selection of the Technology/ Technologies to be implemented:

• mainly land users, supported by SLM specialists

Specify on what basis decisions were made:

• evaluation of well-documented SLM knowledge (evidence-based decision-making)

4.1 Capacity building/ training

Was training provided to land users/ other stakeholders?

No

4.2 Advisory service

Do land users have access to an advisory service?

Yes

Specify whether advisory service is provided:

• on land users' fields
• at permanent centres

4.3 Institution strengthening (organizational development)

Have institutions been established or strengthened through the Approach?

• no

4.4 Monitoring and evaluation

Is monitoring and evaluation part of the Approach?

Yes

Comments:

All stakeholders are involved in monitoring and assessing the use of hills lakes.

If yes, is this documentation intended to be used for monitoring and evaluation?

No

4.5 Research

Was research part of the Approach?

Yes

Specify topics:

• sociology
• economics / marketing
• ecology
• technology

Give further details and indicate who did the research:

Research institutions are pursuing their efforts to study hill lake development, its impact on surrounding environments and rural communities, and the ways in which it can be used to guarantee sustainable resource management.

5.1 Annual budget for the SLM component of the Approach

If precise annual budget is not known, indicate range:

• 10,000-100,000

Comments (e.g. main sources of funding/ major donors):

Funding for the creation of hill lakes is provided by the Directorate-General for the Development and Conservation of Agricultural Lands.

5.2 Financial/ material support provided to land users

Did land users receive financial/ material support for implementing the Technology/ Technologies?

Yes

If yes, specify type(s) of support, conditions, and provider(s):

The Government is responsible for the design and construction of the hill lake.

5.3 Subsidies for specific inputs (including labour)

• agricultural

If labour by land users was a substantial input, was it:

• paid in cash

5.4 Credit

Was credit provided under the Approach for SLM activities?

No

5.5 Other incentives or instruments

Were other incentives or instruments used to promote implementation of SLM Technologies?

No

6.1 Impacts of the Approach

6.2 Main motivation of land users to implement SLM

6.3 Sustainability of Approach activities

Can the land users sustain what has been implemented through the Approach (without external support)?

• yes

If yes, describe how:

Farmers are encouraged to cultivate their land due to the availability of water resources.

6.4 Strengths/ advantages of the Approach

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Diversified production (market gardening, arboriculture)

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Rural development around hill lakes

6.5 Weaknesses/ disadvantages of the Approach and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view	How can they be overcome?
Silting of the lake	Integrated development of the hill lake watershed

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Overexploitation of resources	- Assessment of the water balance of the lake and its watershed to ensure sustainable water use. - Implementation of water management practices including effective irrigation techniques and the promotion of water conservation measures can help mitigate the risk of water shortages.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Guide de conservation des eaux et du Sol, Ministère de l’agriculture, Direction Générale de l'Aménagement et de la Conservations des Terres Agricoles, 1995 (A guide to soil and water conservation, Ministry of Agriculture, Directorate-General of Agricultural Land Planning and Conservation, 1995)

Available from where? Costs?

Ministry of Agriculture, Directorate-General for the Development and Conservation of Agricultural Lands

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Nouvelle stratégie d’aménagement et de conservation des terres ( New strategy for the development and conservation of agricultural land summary report, 2017, Directorate-General for the Development and Conservation of Agricultural Land, Ministry of Agriculture, Hydraulic Resources and Fisheries)agricoles rapport de synthèse, 2017, Direction Générale de l’Aménagement et de la Conservation des Terres Agricoles, Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Ressources Hydrauliques et de la Pêche (

Available from where? Costs?

Ministry of Agriculture, Directorate-General for the Development and Conservation of Agricultural Lands

7.3 Links to relevant information which is available online

Title/ description:

Les retenues collinaires font-elles ressource ? Réflexions à partir de la Tunisie Centrale. “ Entre abondance et rareté : eau et sociétés dans le monde arabo-méditerranéen et les pays du Sud ”, Jeanne Riaux, Andrew Ogilvie, Zakia Jenhaoui, 2014

URL:

https://shs.hal.science/halshs-01213344/preview/2014_Riaux%20Ogilvie%20Jenhaoui_actes%20Monastir.pdf

Title/ description:

La gestion collective des lacs collinaires en Tunisie. Vide juridique et pouvoir social important, 2000, Salah Selmi

URL:

https://horizon.documentation.ird.fr/exl-doc/pleins_textes/divers17-01/010023154.pdf

Title/ description:

Gestion des ressources renouvelables en Tunisie semi-aride : l’eau des lacs collinaires, Salah Selmi, Jean-Claude Talineau et Issam Anatar, 1995

URL:

https://newmedit.iamb.it/share/img_new_medit_articoli/829_42selmi.pdf

Title/ description:

Rapport national du secteur de l’eau, Bureau de la Planification et des Equilibres Hydrauliques, Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Ressources Hydrauliques et de la Pêche, 2020

URL:

http://www.onagri.nat.tn/uploads/Etudes/Revue_2020_final.pdf

Title/ description:

Impacts of small hill dams on agricultural development of hilly land in the Jendouba region of northwestern Tunisia, Slaheddine Khlifi and Mehrez Ameur and Nadhem Mtimet and Nejla Ghazouani and Naoufel Belhadj, 2010, journal "Agricultural Water Management", volume 97, pages 50-56.

URL:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378377409002364

Title/ description:

Des lacs collinaires pour un développement durable en Tunisie semi-aride, S. Selmi, J.-C. Talineau, 1994

URL:

https://revues.cirad.fr/index.php/crd/article/view/36680/36372

Title/ description:

Programme de recherche sur les lacs collinaires dans les zones semi-arides du pourtour méditerranéen Project of research on hill reservoirs in the semi arid zone of Mediterranean periphery, J. Albergel, S. Nasri et J. M. Lamachère, 2004

URL:

https://www.erudit.org/fr/revues/rseau/2004-v17-n2-rseau3316/705526ar.pdf

Title/ description:

L'environnement lac collinaire : une problématique de recherche et des enjeux pour le développement rural, Talineau J.-C, Camus H., Smaoui A., 1995

URL:

https://om.ciheam.org/om/pdf/c09/96605583.pdf

Title/ description:

Impact des aménagements hydro‑forestiers sur l’envasement des lacs collinaires en zone semi‑aride tunisienne, Taoufik HERMASSI, Hamadi HABAIEB, Mohamed BOUFAROUA et Jean Marie LAMACHERE, 2013

URL:

https://mel.cgiar.org/reporting/download/hash/ZsujEV6L

Title/ description:

Hill lakes: innovative approach for sustainable rural management in the semi-arid areas in Tunisia, Mohamed Boufaroua, Mohamed Slimani, Theib Oweis, Jean Albergel., 2013

URL:

https://mel.cgiar.org/reporting/download/hash/EP5zbAL7