International Union for Conservation of Nature “Promoting the sustainable management of Togitogiga watershed through good governance and stakeholder partnership”

Togitogiga 1st Community Consultation

Report

30th October, 2008

Compile: IUCN Team

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Introduction Watersheds are one of the most vital parts of the water resource natural cycle

and system. It acts as a foundation or source in providing the resource for the

community and the environment. The Togitogiga Watershed is the main source of

water supply for Togitogiga village and nearby residents (Saaga, Poutasi and Saleilua)

It is very well known for recreational purposes as part of the eco-tourism “Togitogiga

Waterfalls” which is managed by the Forestry Division within the Ministry of Natural

Resources and Environment (MNRE).

With the increasing pressure from development in terms of cattle farms and

plantations this had lead to the watershed to become significantly degraded from

problems such as soil erosion, water pollution and contamination from human

activities.

The IUCN Project aims to work closely together with grass root community

regarding the above mention activities affecting the vulnerable watershed area. In

order to introduce the project the first community consultation with the affected

residents was conducted on the 30th October 2008 at Forestry Office in Togitogiga

involving key stakeholders and communities from Poutasi, Saleilua and Saaga.

53 community members, 15 MNRE officers and 1 JICA officer participated in

the workshop. The details of the participants are attached in Appendix 1.

Objectives The main objectives of the consultations were for the MNRE through the

Water Resource Division in collaboration with IUCN to:

• Work together with existing stakeholders in terms of improving the watershed

area and establish a good relationship with the communities involved

• Promote peoples’ awareness and understanding of the impacts of identified

activities within the watershed area

• Importance of their role and their involvement in the protection of the

watershed.

• Elucidate the roles of the parties (MNRE/IUCN and communities) in

managing the watershed.

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Methodology During the consultation, presentations and extensions materials were used to

present information to the community.

A presentation by Suluimalo Amataga Penaia of the Water Resource Division

highlighting the current status of the watershed and the relation of IUCN project in

terms of rehabilitating the catchment area. Additionally, Tolusina Pouli of the

Forestry Division gave a presentation in regards to the connection of their role in

protecting forests for the biodiversity and water catchments. Extension materials

including posters and presentations handouts were disseminated among the

communities. The presentations were followed by the screening of the documentary

which elaborated more on the Water Resources Division roles and how we need to

sustainably manage water resources. Additionally, group discussions were also

organised to allow the community to share their own views regarding some issues to

be addressed in the IUCN demonstration proposal project.

Outputs and Results As highlighted in the presentations and extension materials it discusses the

importance of sustainable management for the watershed areas in collaboration

between government bodies (MNRE/IUCN) and the communities.

The group discussions gave the opportunity to the communities to raise their

concerns and problems in relation to water catchment area. The communities that

attended were divided into four groups (Matai, Faletua /Tausi, Tamaitai and Taulelea)

with questions to be discussed. The questions were focused mostly on the current

status and the role of the community in conserving the catchment. (Group Questions

and Answers are attached).

After group discussions, each group summarised and presented their valuable

ideas and comments for everyone to discuss upon. Groups presentations were

interesting and brought out very significant and fundamental ideas.

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Issues emerged from the discussion were as follows;

Community Concerns

• lack of cooperation between the stakeholders involve

• unsustainable activity such as cattle farm within the catchment

• lack of community awareness and knowledge in managing watershed

areas

Proposed Solutions

• Working closely of the MNRE and the community in managing the

resource

• Perform more awareness programs promoting the conserving of the

water catchment

• Local communities should involve more in implementing activities that

can sustain the resource in the Togitogiga catchment.

• Village mayors should review and strengthen their curfews and local

rules, in sustaining the management of the watershed areas.

Recommendations Base on the results from the workshop, below are some recommended actions

that were discussed;

• Conduct more awareness programs on the importance of watershed

areas and the community roles.

• An agreement between MNRE and other stakeholder together with the

community to formulate some analysis report on the effect of the

catchment due to cattle farm.

• Water Resource Division to provide assistance when necessary

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Conclusion Overall, the workshop was a great success and most importantly the input and

effort from the communities, as they are the main focus of the activity is to be able to

accommodate for their need. Moreover, these suggestions or ideas are very useful in

formulating policies and action plans for the future implementations of good

management of the water resource in Togitogiga. The communities were astonished

with the proposed outputs and activities of the projects, and also their understanding

of the current status of the catchment and the need for good management. They have

also agreed to work closely together with MNRE on any ground activities that will

carry out in the area. Nevertheless, with the improved understanding of the

communities on watershed areas our objectives can be fulfilled and achieved.

Acknowledgement This is a great opportunity to thank all those who provided a great support in

conducting this workshop:

Firstly, to the community members for their gusto, passion and interest in

Togitogiga Watershed management we look forward for their continuous support.

We also appreciate the effort from the stakeholders and Technical

Implementation Group that were able to attend such as the Forestry Division and the

technical support from the members of the JICA and Capacity Building Section.

Nevertheless, the marvellous effort provided by all Sections of the Water

Resource Division.

List of Appendix Appendix 1: List of Participants

Appendix 2: Program (Samoan and English Version)

Appendix 3: Group (questions and answers)

Appendix 4: Photos

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Appendix 1: Participants List

Communities Saleilua Village (24)

Saaga Village (18) Poutasi Village (10)

Umufaiese Toma Utai Kirisimasi Tutagaloa Akisa Pau Sefilino Toosavili Tupuola Itula

Matatamalii Mootootua

Umufaiesea Mapusaga Utai Sasa Sia Teuga Saveatama Belford Leau Apisaloma Suavai Ioane Siautoa Mafulu Leilua Tupuola Maleko Afia Ulu Leatumalama Sila Ramona Bourne Sia Pologa Tuuau.T Keke Kirisimasi Fialelei ale

Temu Tuitalilo Fetoai Taumaloto Matavanu Pologa

Imoa Eseese Tasi Faoagali Topeto Galu

Palepa Savea Sauimoa Tupuola Sio.T.Umu.

Lone Peteli Moli Vatiu Nive Fala Anerita Utai Afioga Kaisa Sopoloa Fauli Taiai Faatafa Senia Malaki Kalala Ati Aoaena Samau Anovale Taiulu Fou Mareko

Penelope Fereti Meafou Kirisimasi

Faateine Belford Pepa Seilala Seemu Iuli Soofa Belford Fale Amosa Iosua Ioelu Mataroa Mai Peti Belford

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MNRE /JICA Staff Name Designation Suluimalo.A.P. WRD Malaki Iakopo WRD Fiasoso.Siaosi WRD

Paulo Amerika Capacity Building

Yvette Kerslake WRD Eti Malolo WRD Masina Ngau Chun WRD Azarel Mataia WRD Fanueli WRD Sila L Forestry Time Kolone WRD Ao Malaki WRD Tolusina Pouli Forestry Sayaka Tsutsumi JICA Expert Tuuau. Forestry Faleolea.F WRD Toiata.Apelu WRD Freddy Skylite Siataga Skylite

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Appendix 2 English Version

Programme

Promoting of IUCN Project (International Union Conservation of Nature) IN SUSTAINING TOGITOGIGA WATERSHED

Main Objective:

ÂcÜÉÅÉà|Çz à{x áâáàt|ÇtuÄx ÅtÇtzxÅxÇà Éy gÉz|àÉz|zt jtàxÜá{xw à{ÜÉâz{ zÉÉw zÉäxÜÇtÇvx tÇw áàt~x{ÉÄwxÜ ÑtÜàÇxÜá{|ÑÊ Date: 30th October 2008 Venue: Forestry Office (Togitogiga)

9.30 a.m. Opening Prayer 9.50 a.m. Opening Remarks( Suluimalo Amataga Penaia, ACEO-Water Resource Division) 9.55 a.m. 1st Presentation – Main objective of IUCN Project for Togitogiga

Watershed (Suluimalo Amataga) (IUCN – International Union for Conservation of Nature) (Answers and Questions) 10.30 am Morning Tea 10.40 am 2nd Presentation – Relationship of JICA National Parks Project

and IUCN Project (Tolusina Pouli) (Questions and Answers)

11.00 a.m Documentary Viewing - Sustainable Management of Samoa’s

Water Resources 12.00 Lunch 1.00 pm Group Work 2.00 pm Group Presentation

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3.00pm Closing

Appendix 3 GROUP DISCUSSION / PRESENTATION The consultation was divided into four groups, MATAI, FALETUA/TAUSI, TAMAITAI and AUMAGA. Each group was given these questions to answer: 1. What are the problems that you observe in the Togitogiga Water Catchment?

(O a ni faafitauli o aafia ai le Punaoa o Suavai I Togitogiga?)

What are the current community practises in minimizing these problems? (O a ni galuega o loo faatinoina e le afioaga mo le faaitiitia o nei faafitauli?) 2. What benefits can be derived from improving the management of Togitogiga

Watershed? (Oa ni faamanuiaga e mafai ona maua mai I le puipuia lelei o le Punaoa o Suavai I Togitogiga?)

3. How does the community contribute in the management of the Water Resources?

(O le a se sao o afioaga I le faaleleia atili o le polokalame mo le puipuia lelei o Punaoa o Suavai?)

4. What are some changes that you have noticed in the quality and quantity of water

since 2000? (O le a se suiga mai le 20 tausaga ua tuanai I le tulaga saogalemu o le suavai maua?)

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(English Version of Summary for Group Discussion) SUMMARY OF GROUP’S ANSWERS TO THE ABOVE DISCUSSION QUESTIONS. PROBLEMS AFFECTING THE TOGITOGIGA WATERSHED

- natural causes – such as drought, cyclones and heavy rainfall - cutting down trees / deforestation which causes soil erosion - economic loss in the tourism industry in the area - water contamination - site for waste disposal - infrastructure – road network, agricultural inspection - using pesticides and chemical run-off into streams and river systems - fishing of tuna/ula causes by the demand of increase population in the

watershed - cattle farms - loss of species, habitat and genetic resource

Environmental and social problems arising from water and land use interactions. Although a basin forms a convenient unit for water resource development and management, the increasing use of land and water resources in the basins can lead to potential conflicts between upstream and downstream areas, and between different sectors such as agriculture and fisheries. In most cases these conflicts occur because development in the watershed proceeds haphazardly with little or no regard for the impact on the watershed environment. Community practices in minimizing the above problems.

- Replanting the watershed areas - Working together to clean and sustain the vulnerability of the water

resource - Prepare rules and procedures to stop people from fishing the river,

cutting down trees beside the river, and dumping rubbish in the river. - Form a committee to follow up and do monitoring visit in the

watershed The Taulelea group said there’s no contribution by the community in the Management of the Watershed. That is, the community have not done any practice to minimize any problem affecting the watershed.

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Benefits

- abundant water for water supply - attract more tourists to visit the waterfall - improvement of habitat for fish and wildlife - as a reference for students research on rivers and water resources.

Changes on the quality and quantity of water since 2000

- stream has been dry for a long period of time - water contamination - limited water - it causes lots of water-borne diseases such as diarrhea, typhoid, skin

rash, etc. In additional, more activities should be take place in the community and the local people who have accessed to the river. In education, water resources problems should be teach with relevant materials and children would encourage visiting the water resource site. Public education on the importance of water resource development projects should be promoted.