WIT Press


South Africa's New Approach To Integrated Catchment Management To Ensure Equitable, Sustainable And Efficient Use Of The Country's Water Resources

Price

Free (open access)

Volume

60

Pages

10

Published

2003

Size

568.96 kb

Paper DOI

10.2495/RM030101

Copyright

WIT Press

Author(s)

C. F. B. Havenga & J. C. Cooke

Abstract

South Africa's new approach to integrated catchment management to ensure equitable, sustainable and efficient use of the country's water resources C. F. B. ~ a v e n ~ a ' & J. C. cooke2 ' ~ e p r t m e n t of Water Aflairs and Forestry, South Africa. ' ~ l o u & Matji Engineering & Management Services (Pty) Ltd, South Afiica. Abstract A large portion of the Republic of South Africa may be classified as arid to semiarid with its associated seasonal and cyclical weather patterns. Full utilisation of the country's conventional water resources is looming unless proactive policies and strategies can be implemented to delay the impact of any potential negative impacts on the national economy. Very progressive water legislation has been promulgated in the country in recent years, which now supports the implementation of integrated catchment (watershed) management policies and strategies at a local level. The South African Department of Water Affairs and Forestry has commenced work on documenting its

Keywords