The Lake Moyua in Nicaragua is characterized by vibrant natural resources of great scenic and natural value, but the area experiences soil degradation. The Lake is part of the watershed of “Sistema lacustre Playitas-Moyua-Tecomapa, located in the dry zone of northern Nicaragua. This area has recently been designated as a Wetland of International Importance (under the Ramsar Convention). The degradation that has occurred is a result of inappropriate agricultural and livestock practices that encourage destruction of forest areas by slash and burn and habitat destruction leading to disappearance of flora and fauna. In addition, other activities such as hydrological regime modifications, uncontrolled bird hunting, water pollution both surface and groundwater due to agrochemicals as well as reduction of water flow in tributaries has further contributed to this degradation. Coupled with wide degradation, the lake area is also vulnerability to climate change which is especially experiencing droughts and this urgently calls proper adaptation measures.
The document is in Spanish.
Tovar municipality is located at the northeast of Aragua state and in the centre of Venezuela’s coast. It includes villages and towns from the coast to the mountain. The population is estimated to be near 20,000 inhabitants (year 2008). In 1964, the Colonia Tovar and surroundings was designated as tourist area and Natural Park. The area is important for its biodiversity as well as its rich water resources. The rivers originating in this area provide drinking water to several towns in Vargas and Aragua states including the capital Caracas.
In an effort to supply water to the growing population, in 1981 an aqueduct was built in the watershed of El Limón River. Tovar municipality draws its water mainly from this aqueduct. However, the villages and sectors of Colonia Tovar do not adequately receive water from the aqueduct and they have to seek for other alternatives. A fight for the location of new connections in relation to the existing ones has produced conflicts in communities living at Tovar municipality. These conflicts get worse during the dry season with strong disputes between neighbours, going from street discussions to tube cuts. Disposal of sewage directly to a Tuy River affluent at Colonia Tovar and a garbage dump on the high mountain areas of Cumbote Village is also a problem.
The Spanish version.
Carabobo State is located in the north central region of Venezuela which is one of the states with the largest development in the country as a result of population and industrial growth. Due to a combination of relief and weather, there is a dense hydrographic network of about 268 watercourses. Rivers, creeks, spouts and ravines of Carabobo State are divided into six watersheds. Lake Valencia watershed, also known as Lake Tacarigua is the only endorheic watershed of Venezuela. Of the total area of 375 km2 of the Lake basin, 281 km2 is in Carabobo State. The lake receives a large discharge of domestic, industrial and agricultural effluents and this pollution results to eutrophication threatening aquatic life and posing problems for potable water supply for the people.
The high population density in the state is a result of the industrialization process of the country’s capital Valencia as well as other cities such as Puerto Cabello and Guacara, which all began in the 50´s. However, now the urban and agricultural expansions are the main causes of watershed problems resulting from degradation of forests, illegal logging and burning and inadequate solid waster management among other causes. In addition, houses and small agricultural plots have been built within the security limits established for the protection of watercourses. Illegal connections and channel diversion to domestic and agricultural use has also increased. The magnitude of the challenges means that there is a need for to be taken for integrated management of water resources.
The Spanish version.