For the first time ever in Trinidad and Tobago, the Water Resources Agency (WRA) and the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) will be commemorating World Rivers Day with communities across the country. The Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWPC-C) will be collaboration with its Partners, the WRA and WASA to support these activities.
Below is an overview of the events leading-up to the World Rivers Festival to be held on Sunday, September 25th, 2016.
Stay abreast of news about the #WorldRiversDayTT Festival by following the GWP-C and WASA here:
A critical component of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) is the protection of our aquatic ecosystems, not only for anthropogenic benefits but also recognising the needs of the plants and animals that depend on these natural resources.
Ecosystem management is one of the focal areas for the GWP-C’s Water, Climate and Development Programme (WACDEP) for 2016-2017, recognising in particular the impacts of climate change and climate variability on aquatic ecosystems. In the Caribbean expected climate impacts include reduced rainfall which in turn will result in reduced river flow. Not only will this mean less water available for abstraction for human use, but also for example reduced habitat and food for aquatic organisms.
In addition to its involvement in the World Rivers Day Festival, in the coming months, GWP-C will also be sharing knowledge and producing resources on aquatic ecosystems, in particular Caribbean riverine ecosystems. It is hoped that these efforts will redound to better management and protection of Caribbean rivers.