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

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

Book project: where people and their land are safer - A Compendium of Good Practices in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) (where people and their land are safer)

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

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

Yes

1.4 Declaration on sustainability of the described Technology

Is the Technology described here problematic with regard to land degradation, so that it cannot be declared a sustainable land management technology?

No

1.5 Reference to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Approaches (documented using WOCAT)

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

The protection of water resources is essential for the supply of drinking water in the rural zones of Haiti, by enabling to preserve the water quality and facilitate the recharge of the resource. Organizing the actors related to the water resource and to the economic, environmental and communal challenges is crucial. This implies, apart from management, the implementation of various technical measures.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The majority of water resources in Haiti is subject to bacterial contamination, which endangers the health of the consumers. The infrastructure for the abstraction and conveyance of water is periodically put to the test by the large variation of discharge, like floods, but also by low flows. The protection of water resources aims to strengthen local actors to better manage water resources. The objective is to take care of the protection of water resources at local level according to rules which are established and accepted by the actors with regard to legal, sociocultural and biophysical aspects.

The protection of water resources also implies that technical measures are implemented to conserve and protect catchments, in order to ensure the quality and quantity of the required water and the recharge of groundwater bodies. The technical measures are defined for different zones. Three categories of zones are established with specific restrictions and recommendations, and formalized in a municipal decree which is published by the town councils. A first zone of 1000 m2 directly upstream of the water resource is brought into the domain of the state, fenced, reforested and totally protected from human activities.
In a second zone of a minimum of 5 ha upstream of the resource, restrictions to the use of the terrain apply, notably with regard to defecation, free-range livestock farming and other harmful human activities, in order to protect the soil and the water quality. The terrain is managed so as to guarantee a good conservation of the soils by reforestation (agroforestry) with different varieties of fruit trees and timber. A third zone can be established if supported by the community, with restrictions on slash-and-burn and free-range grazing, as well as means to preserve the soils and to manage the vegetation cover. This latter zone can cover the whole catchment, and is meant to promote groundwater recharge. The restoration of the catchment through the zoning and the implementation of physical structures includes different techniques such as vegetative barriers and stone walls.

The restrictions on the use of zone 2 are not necessarily in contrast with the interests of the producers. It turns out that the rainfed crops are too much exposed to climatic hazards, and that forestry is a more reliable alternative. Therefore they perceive the development and reforestation of their land as an exploitation of their heritage, and as a profitable investment in the long term, when they will be able to manage the exploitation of the trees and their fruit production. In the first two years, a total maximum grant of 400 USD per ha is paid to the producers in different terms, depending on the success of the conservation activities. These experiences have inspired the setting of national standards on the protection of drinking water resources.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

2.6 Date of implementation

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:

• less than 10 years ago (recently)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

Support and incentives through various projects from HELVETAS, in particular projects focused on water services, risk management and support to local governance.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• protect a watershed/ downstream areas – in combination with other Technologies
• reduce risk of disasters
• adapt to climate change/ extremes and its impacts
• create beneficial economic impact
• create beneficial social impact

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

Yes

Specify mixed land use (crops/ grazing/ trees):

• Silvo-pastoralism

Comments:

Number of growing seasons per year: 2
Two agricultural seasons with different crop species

3.3 Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

• Yes (Please fill out the questions below with regard to the land use before implementation of the Technology)

Comments:

Some zones were cultivated with annual crop varieties, and were subsequently transformed into protected zones, where selective felling is only authorized if natural regeneration is guaranteed, and if the vegetation cover provides an effective soil protection.

3.4 Water supply

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:

• rainfed

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• improved ground/ vegetation cover
• cross-slope measure
• ground water management

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:

• prevent land degradation
• reduce land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology area

Specify currency used for cost calculations:

• USD

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Discussion on legal provisions with the different actors	To be finalised in the dry period
2.	Elaboration of a municipal decree	To be finalised in the dry period
3.	Acquisition of zone 1	To be finalised in the dry period
4.	Fencing of zone 1	To be finalised in the dry period
5.	Development of the land plots in zones 1 and 2	During the dry period (availability of farmers and stability of the slopes)
6.	Treatment of gullies	During the dry period (availability of farmers and absence of surface runoff)
7.	Training of farmers on conservation practices	Before the rainy season
8.	Afforestation	At the start of the rainy season
9.	Maintenance of physical structures	On the long term
10.	Monitoring and inspection	On the long term

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	Afforestation, gully correction, land management, fencing	person days	300.0	6.0	1800.0	100.0
Equipment	shovel, hammer, etc.	None	1.0	80.0	80.0
Plant material	Seedlings (lump sum for grass and bushes for slope stabilization)	average per site	1.0	100.0	100.0	4.0
Construction material	Cement, iron, PVC, piles	average per site	1.0	200.0	200.0
Other	Acquisition of zone 1 (1000 m2)	lump sum	1.0	300.0	300.0
Other	Rehabilitation and legalization (zone 1)	site	1.0	200.0	200.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					2680.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					2680.0

If land user bore less than 100% of costs, indicate who covered the remaining costs:

The supporting project

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Maintenance of physical structures (dry stone walls, etc.)	after the rainy seasons (two times per year)
2.	Control and monitoring of the zoning regulation (the municipal decree)	Long-term monitoring

4.6 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	Maintenance of physical structures (1 person-day)	person day	5.0	5.0	25.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					25.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD					25.0

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The maintenance operations depend on the meteorological conditions (in particular heavy rainfall) and on the type and quantity of structural measures. The topography and geomorphology influence the stability of the structures and hence the maintenance. The maintenance costs are carried by the farmers, or in certain cases by the committee for the provision of drinking water. The control on the restrictions of use of the protected zones is carried out by the local authorities together with the committee for the provision of drinking water. Hence, the costs are distributed over the community funds and financial resources from the water services.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• concave situations

5.3 Soils

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

No

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Intensive rainfalls lead to temporary excess of water, contributing to superficial erosion.

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

5.7 Average area of land used by land users applying the Technology

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:

• individual, not titled
• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• communal (organized)

Water use rights:

• communal (organized)

Comments:

Access to drinking water and irrigation water is arranged by different rules. In general any individual has access to drinking water, but the rights to use water for irrigation are restricted. The capturing of sources for water supply to downstream areas most often causes difficult negotiations between the communities upstream and downstream in the catchment.

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Water availability and quality

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Climate and disaster risk reduction

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Gradual climate change

Gradual climate change

	Season	increase or decrease	How does the Technology cope with it?
seasonal rainfall	wet/ rainy season	increase	moderately

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
extra-tropical cyclone	moderately

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
drought	moderately

Hydrological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
flash flood	well
landslide	moderately

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?

Comments:

The measures should be promoted as an investment with an initial cost but a positive return in the medium and long term.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• 11-50%

If available, quantify (no. of households and/ or area covered):

Protection of 34 water resources; 27 ha in zone 1 have been fenced and afforested, 281 ha in zone 2 have been afforested and protected. More than 500 farmers were trained to implement and replicate the various protection measures.

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?

• 0-10%

Comments:

The number of replications is low due to the widespread poverty in the region.

6.6 Adaptation

Has the Technology been modified recently to adapt to changing conditions?

No

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
The farmers are supported to implement a cost-effective forestry system to replace a very vulnerable rainfed agricultural production system. But it is the population in the downstream part of the catchment who benefits from the protection of the sources, since the quality and quantity of the water is improving. Therefore an equilibrium must be found between the two populations, in order to make both benefit. The water services can be profitable, and hence encourage participation in the efforts of protection upstream in the catchment, by supporting the producers and/or by financing jobs for the protection of land and water.
The protection of water resources increases the value of the common heritage and therefore calls for a community-based management.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view

On the basis of the vulnerability of the population and the environment in the rural environment of Haiti, the protection of water resources should be established to guarantee a secure and profitable use of water. The participatory methods implemented allow to create a supportive environment, suitable for a community-based effort for local rural development. These mechanisms inspire a culture of citizenship in a local democratic context under development.

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view	How can they be overcome?
The management of state land in zone 1 poses a challenge because this land has to be integrated into the property of the state. The purchase or compensation of these lots can require a long negotiation between the local authorities and the owners.	It is important that the local actors resolve these matters among themselves, and that there is no interference from a project, in order to not distort the negotiation.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
The sustainability of the measures and the cost of maintenance are largely dependent on the quality of the measures.	Ensure a good technical instruction and follow-up on-site by trained staff.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

Boire l’eau et penser à la source (long version)

URL:

https://assets.helvetas.org/downloads/capex_hsi_protection_des_source_vlongue.pdf

Title/ description:

Boire l’eau et penser à la source (short version)

URL:

https://assets.helvetas.org/downloads/capex_hsi_protection_des_sources_vcourte.pdf