Machar Marshes Integrated Water Resources Management Plan

Machar Marshes Integrated Water Resources Management Plan’ is one of nine medium to long-term priority projects under the Integrated Water Resources Development and Management Plan for the Baro-Akobo-Sobat Sub-basin in the Eastern Nile region.

The Machar Marshes are located in Upper Nile State of South Sudan. The expanse and condition of the Machar Marshes is highly dependent on flows coming from the Baro River, which are expected to change over time with changes new socio-economic developments in the upstream parts of the BAS sub-basin.

The Machar Marshes are located in Upper Nile State of South Sudan and are currently relatively pristine and support the livelihoods of local communities, especially with respect to potable water supply, agriculture, water for the livestock and fisheries. The exact relationship between the the basin hydrology and condition of the marshes are poorly understood, but it is expected that the ecological and socioeconomic support functions of the wetlands could change significantly as a result of planned upstream water resources development projects in the BAS sub-basin, and from land used changes. For this reason, a detailed and extensive baseline study with field surveys shall be conducted under Machar Marshes Project covering the ecological, hydrological and socioeconomic features of the wetland system assessments. The study shall help to improve understanding on the functioning of the wetlands system and provide a basis for preparation of an agreed Integrated Water Resources Management Plan for the Machar Marshes. The plan shall put emphasis on the sustainable development of livelihoods in this area of the basin where there are highly vulnerable communities who rely on services provided by the wetlands. Other components of the project are carrying out awareness raising and advoccay for the wetland; strengthening of national policies and institutional capacities for effective management of wetlands of transboundary significance; and general capacity building targeting institutions involved in capacity building.

The project identification was completed in 2017 with funding from the African Development Bank (AfDB) under the Baro-Akobo-Sobat multipurpose water resources development study project.

Machar Marshes Integrated Water Resources Management Plan’ is one of nine medium to long-term priority projects under the Integrated Water Resources Development and Management Plan for the Baro-Akobo-Sobat Sub-basin in the Eastern Nile region.

The Machar Marshes are located in Upper Nile State of South Sudan. The expanse and condition of the Machar Marshes is highly dependent on flows coming from the Baro River, which are expected to change over time with changes new socio-economic developments in the upstream parts of the BAS sub-basin.

The Machar Marshes are located in Upper Nile State of South Sudan and are currently relatively pristine and support the livelihoods of local communities, especially with respect to potable water supply, agriculture, water for the livestock and fisheries. The exact relationship between the the basin hydrology and condition of the marshes are poorly understood, but it is expected that the ecological and socioeconomic support functions of the wetlands could change significantly as a result of planned upstream water resources development projects in the BAS sub-basin, and from land used changes. For this reason, a detailed and extensive baseline study with field surveys shall be conducted under Machar Marshes Project covering the ecological, hydrological and socioeconomic features of the wetland system assessments. The study shall help to improve understanding on the functioning of the wetlands system and provide a basis for preparation of an agreed Integrated Water Resources Management Plan for the Machar Marshes. The plan shall put emphasis on the sustainable development of livelihoods in this area of the basin where there are highly vulnerable communities who rely on services provided by the wetlands. Other components of the project are carrying out awareness raising and advoccay for the wetland; strengthening of national policies and institutional capacities for effective management of wetlands of transboundary significance; and general capacity building targeting institutions involved in capacity building.

The project identification was completed in 2017 with funding from the African Development Bank (AfDB) under the Baro-Akobo-Sobat multipurpose water resources development study project