ISSN 0912-7402

No.54 March 2011

NEWSLETTER
International Lake Environment Committee=Promoting Sustainable Lake Management=This Newsletter is also available in Japanese.

A Global ILBM Initiative Getting Under Way

Integrated Lake Basin Management

Basingradual improvement of lake basin(ILBM) is a conceptual framework formed

Management Initiative Project executed bygovernance through the integration of six

during the process of putting together

ILEC from 2003 to 2005. It aims for agovernance

IN
THIS
ISSUE

outcomesof

GEF-Lakeelements(Institutions,■ A Global ILBM Initiative Getting Under Way■ Invitation to 14th World Lake Conference■ ILBM-AFSAN (ILBM for African Lake Basin Management with Sanitation Challenges) - Activities of 2009-2011■ JICA Training Course: Conservation of Southern Marshlands in Iraq
■ JICA Training Course: Integrated Basin Management for Lake Environment■ Texas Reservoirs and their Management■ Transboundary Waters Assessment Programme■ 2nd World Lake Forum: Improving Lake Environment as Sustainable Habitat for Living Things■ International Consultation Meeting on Water and Wastewater Management■ ILEC Scientific Committee Membership Reshuffled for 10th Term
■ IN MEMORIAM TO A WONDERFUL COLLEAGUE■ Activities of ILEC (April 2010 – March 2011)

1

Policies, Technology, Participation,

7th, 2010 at Lake Biwa Museum, Shiga,

Thailand), development of ILBM

Information, Finance), taking into accountJapanplatforms is taking place, with due
adaptation to local conditions. Also,

natural conditions unique to a lake basin
and its historical processes that have taken

The Lake Basin Governance Project has

ILBM-guided local basin initiatives areplace during the development of society

been implemented with three objectives: 1)

starting to improve their lake basinand culture.

to promote the development of ILBM

management. Amongst of all, India,

platforms around the world, 2) to develop

Nepal and Malaysia are seeing ILBM as

Since April of 2008, ILEC has been

instruments and tools to support ILBM

part of their national policy framework

working with Shiga University and theimplementation, and 3) to refine theand making various efforts to apply ILBM

University of Shiga Prefecture through theconcept of ILBM. The following are key

concept.

so-called “ILBM Governance Project”. It is

achievements during the past three years’part of Shiga University’s Research Project

activities (For details, please visit ILEC“Studies on how to improve basin

homepage at www.ilec.or.jp).

In Mexico, a number of workshops
have been organized in Lerma River-

governance for the sustainable resource
management in the lake basin” sponsored(1) Development of ILBM platform

Lake Chapala basin towards theby the Ministry of Education, Culture,

ILBM platform is useful to reform local

development of ILBM platform in the past

Sports, Science and Technology, Japan.

programs because it facilitates a basin tothree years. These efforts resulted in aThis year, to conclude three year’s project,take in knowledge and information about

successful creation of ILBM promotion

ILEC organized an expert meeting during

governancegatheredcommittee consisting of national

November 2nd to 6th, 2010 in Kusatsu,

through case studies on a global scale.

research institutions, universities, NGOs,

Shiga, Japan by bringing together a

They include various views on values andand local governments. Its collaboration

number of experts working on the creationdifferent

problem-solving

with the Ministry of Water Resources hasof ILBM platforms in various parts of theapproaches developed over the history inalso started. Recently, a five-year action

world. The objectives are to review the

wide-ranging lake basins. Through thisplan has been developed with a view topast three years’ activities and identify key

process, ILBM platform helps stakeholders

networking the whole sub-basins to cope

issues and challenges to be tackled in theto develop a broad cooperation. The

with various challenges for the

next step. The outcome of the discussion

following progress has been made in thesustainable livelihood.

there was disseminated to the generalfour key regions supported by the project.

improvement

sorts

of

<Africa>public at an international symposium under
the title of “Lake Basin Governance and2<Latin and South America><Asia>In Lake Victoria Basin, which involves

Policy Reform in River Basin Management”.

In South Asia (India, Nepal) andfive basin countries (Kenya, Uganda,

The symposium took place on November

Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Philippine,

Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi), ILBM hasbeen the focal principle for the Lake

structure (nesting structure) composedlake basin governance.

of micro-, meso-, and macro-basin,

Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) since
its inauguration for coping with theirb Renovating World Lake Database

being temporally/spatially related totransboundary lake basin management

The existing World Lake Database ofeach other. Among the waterbodies inissues. In Zimbawe, ILBM has been

ILEC was restructured so that it cana given basin, lentic waters are theintroduced in 2009 for the stakeholders

make its update easy and meet themost vulnerable system, therefore their

to deal with the issues of disfunctional

needs for improving lake basinsustainable conservation needs to be

wastewater systems causing serious

governance.

prioritized as a central issue to thebasin management.

pollution of Lake Chivero. The lake is amajor source of water for millions ofb Update of Training Syllabusb Linkage of Lentic Waterbodies andpeople in Harare and the surrounding

Capacity building has a key in thesuburban region. In Africa, fundamental

effective implementation of goodchallenges are how to localize ILBM

governance. The training syllabus

Various waterbodies in a basin -principles and how to introduce ILBM

being used in JICA-sponsored, ILEC-

lakes, rivers, groundwater, coastal

platforms to start practical actions.

organized ILBM Training Course haszones - are divided into lentic water

been updated by taking in the latest

and lotic water. In other word, a basin

information available.

water system is composed of a series<North Europe>of combination of these two water

In Russia, preparation is taking place toproduce lake briefs for five lakes (Lake

Lotic Waterbodies(3) Refinement of ILBM Concept

systems. This view provides a new

Ladoga, Lake Chudskoe/Peipsi, Lake

ILBM has evolved as a new basin

comprehensive basin management

Ilmen, Aral Sea, Caspian Sea). Anothermanagement framework to manage lakes,

approach giving attention to the linkage

ILBM challenge is under way in thisrivers, groundwater and coastal zones in

between lentic and lotic water systems.

region aiming for the extended basin

an integrated manner, paying attention to

ILBM may be called IL2BM (Integrated

network which covers not only lakes andthe three natural scientific features of lentic

Lentic/Lotic Basin Management). As

rivers, but also Baltic Sea.

waterbodies, such as lakes and reservoirs,

lentic water systems are morewhich include “Integrating nature”, “Longvulnerable than lotic ones, their(2) Development of Tools for ILBM

retention time”, and “A complex in-lakeconservation needs to get maximum

Implementation

dynamics involving bio-physiochemical

attention.

ILBM proposes a new framework forprocesses”).
With

global water policy development. Its
implementation, including disseminationb Emphasis on Ecosystem Services

theseimprovements

andrefinements, ILBM is continuing to evolveand promotion, needs to be supported by

Waterbody and its basin are integral

as a supporting tool to enhance andeffective tools. To this end, following tools

part of an ecosystem, from whichrenovate the governance in real basins. Its

have been developed, which may be called

nature and human beings get ausefulness is increasingly recognized inbuilding blocks of ILBM Platform.

number of benefits called ecosystemvarious parts of the world; its further

services. In order for these services topromotion is expected to take place.

be enjoyed in a sustainable manner, it

Recently, ILBM is beginning to beis necessary for effective basin

regarded as an effective managementb

Guidelines for “Lake Brief”

Preparation
Protocols and procedures weremanagement to be established in aframework not only for lakes and theirformulated to support the preparationmanner that a wise balance bebasins, but also for a wide range of waterof “Lake Brief” which describes overall

maintained, while paying attention tobasins which include lentic water systems.

status of a given lake basin andthe three features of lentic waterbody,

It will go on evolving as a leading

identifies its governance challenges.

betweenb Development of Knowledgebase“LAKES”

fundamental

framework to guide global water resources

ecosystem services – Resource

management policies, complementing andProvision Services (water supply,

supplementing the conventional goal-

fishery,hydropower

oriented frameworks, such as “Integrated

the

two

irrigation,

A new search engine called “LAKES

generation, etc.) and Regulating

Water Resource Management (IWRM)” or(Learning Acceleration and Knowledge

Services (biodiversity, healthy food-“Integrated River Basin Management

Enhancement System” - a knowledgebase

web chain, natural capacity of(IRBM)”, which tend to focus on the

combined with an operating system -purification, buffer and control of flood

effectiveness of planning, rather than

was developed to gather a wide range

and drought, etc.) .

process. ILEC is going to promote ILBM on
a global scale in collaboration with partnerof governance-related information
including Lake Briefs. It is designed to
be useful for readers to improve theirb Nesting Structure of Basins
A wider basin has a hierarchicalorganizations as a “Global ILBM Promotion
Center”.
3Invitation to 14th World Lake Conference- Lakes, Rivers, Groundwater and Coastal Areas: Understanding Linkages The World Lake Conference is a biennial
international event co-organized by local
host organizations and the International
Lake Environment Committee Foundation(ILEC). Previous thirteen conferences havemade significant contribution to theconservation of world’s lakes and theirbasins. The 14th conference will take placein Austin, Texas, USA during October 31 –November 4, 2011, co-sponsored by ILEC
and the River System Institute – Texas
State University. Located in central Texas,
Austin is situated along the six-coupled
Highland Lakes, a major cascade reservoir
system in central Texas. With a myriad of
nearby rivers and springs, the city is thebest place for the venue of the World Lake
Conference.
Along with the dialogue to promote thesustainable management of lakes and theirreceive water and pollutant inputs from

Another unique feature of the 14th Worldbasins, which is the continuing spirit of the

upstream portions of their basins via

Lake Conference is learning from

conference, the 14th conference will

inflowing rivers and groundwater aquifers.

management experiences in Texas, whereemphasizes the hydrologic linkages

In turn, their discharges affect downstream

all lakes are manmade (reservoirs). They

between lakes and their upstream andrivers, groundwater and coastal areas.

exhibit multiple-purpose uses to meet bothdownstream(rivers,

The structure and function of all thesehuman and ecosystem water needs.

groundwater, coastal areas) and will bewater systems depends significantly on the

Average annual precipitation range 7-foldorganized under the theme of “Lakes,

hydrologic linkages between the still

across the state, giving much stresses,

Rivers, Groundwater and Coastal Areas:(lentic) and flowing (lotic) waters thatboth in quantity and quality, to these

Understanding Linkages”.

characterize them, as do the life-

reservoirs. How to maintain a wide range

waterbodies

Lakes provide a variety of ecosystem

supporting provisioning and regulatingof water use opportunities under these

services (supply of water for drinking,ecosystem services they provide tostressful conditions is a management

irrigation and industry, fishery, recreation,

humanity. This hydrologic reality requires

challenge. The experiences of managing

hydropower, navigation, etc.). Lakes

that lakes and their upstream andmultiple-use Texas reservoirs under thisdownstream waterbodies berange of climatic variation may provide

assessed and managed ingood lessons to arid/semi-arid areas withanmannersimilar geographic and climatic conditions

recognizing their linkages.

such as Central and South America. In

This includes consideration

addition, situated along the border of

not only of relevant scientific

Mexico, Texas conference will giveand technical issues, butparticipants a good opportunity to discuss

also the socio-economictransboundary water management issues.

and governance elements

For details about the conference, includingthat control the use of theseregistration, paper contribution, please visit

water systems for meetingthehuman water demands, and(http://www.wlc14.org/).

integrated

for maintaining the viabilityof aquatic ecosystems.

4

official

conference

websiteILBM-AFSAN (ILBM for African Lake Basin Managementwith Sanitation Challenges) – Activities of 2009-2011
inthe basins. For this purpose, four lakes

that there are no regulations in place aboutarid/semiarid regions, have ecosystems(Lake Nakuru, Lake Victoria, Lake Chivero,

industrial effluents leading to an overloadwith vulnerable tropical forests. Most

Lake Malawi) were chosen as typicallyto wastewater treatment plants, and,countries with these lakes are weak inenvironmentally vulnerable and susceptible

because of their malfunctioning, polluted

financial basis, national or local, and slow

to the effect of development and climate

waters are being discharged into the lakes

in the development of social infrastructure.

change.

impacting them severely, causing all sorts

Many

Africanlakes,

locatedof water pollution problems such as

The sustainable use and development oflakes in these countries are almost

For the past two years, the project

eutrophication. The positives ones include

collapsed, and yet they are not able toundertook to gather relevant information in

the effort of local NGOs promoting

develop a picture for the future recovery.

collaboration with local partners and someecological sanitation toilets in the areas

field visits to some key areas (February

where no toilet facilities are still installed,

ILEC is undertaking a project funded by

2010), and organized two workshops inwhich are intended to make use of human

the Ministry of the Environment of Japan

Kisumu (Kenya) and Harare (Zimbabwe) in

excreta for agricultural use.

for improving water environment in someFebruary 2010 and February 2011. Our

African lake basins through the application

local partners include Egerton University,

During the two workshops held in Kenya

of integrated lake basin management

Nakuru Water and Sanitation Service

and Zimbabwe, a lot of exchange of(ILBM) approach. More specifically, theCompany (Nakuru, Kenya), a local NGO

information and opinions took place among

project aims to assist the development of acalled OSIENALA and Lake Victoria Basinthe local stakeholders, through which aframework to help local people formulateCommittee

number of challenges they are facing

their integrated lake basin management

Zimbabwe University (Zimbabwe).

(Kisumu,

Kenya),

andbecame clear. ILEC is going to support
local stakeholders’ efforts to improveplans and policies by themselves. Anotheraim is to provide an indirect support to theirField-visit surveys uncovered several“basin governance” as an essential

initiatives trying to improve water

facts, including both negative and positive.

approach to sort out their problems andenvironment and sanitation conditions in

The negative ones include an observation

address their challenges.

Mal-functioned Sewage treatment plant (Zimbabwe, Chitungwiza City)

5

JICA Training Course: Conservation ofSouthern Marshlands in Iraq
Eighteen trainees from six Ministries of
Iraq Government (Ministries of Planning,
Environment, Water Resources, Municipality
and Public Works, Agriculture, and Ministryof Higher Education and Scientific
Research, i.e. Thi Qar, Misan and Basrah
Universities) and three Provincial Councils(Thi-Qar, Misan and Basrah) attended the
JICA Training Course mentioned in thetitle. It was conducted during 2-16
December 2010 in the form of lectures atthe office of various organizations (ILEC,
UNEP-IETC, JICA-Osaka) and some fieldvisits in Shiga Prefecture, Japan.
The huge marshland in Southern Iraq,

Photo: At the Konan-Chubu Water Reclamation Plant

located near the juncture of Tigris andbasin governance, water conservation

marshland conservation, constructing

Euphrates rivers, dried up during the timethrough vegetation and use of soil,

water purification plants to secure safeof Fussain-Regime. It seemed to recover,protection and use of reed, roles ofdrinking water, developing local industries

but it is starting to dry again because of agovernment, water quality monitoring

to improve the livelihood of residents, etc.

sharp decrease in the river flow as a result

techniques, JICA promotion project on

Trainees from the Ministry of Agricultureof construction of dams in up-stream

agriculture and stock-farming, etc. During

proposed a plan to enhance a buffalo

countries, Turkey, Syria and Iran. There

these lectures, they visited some water-

production by reforming conventional

are many challenges in this marshland

related facilities in Kinki region, including

methods for breeding. They also proposed

area: lack of water quantity, poor water

sewage treatment plants, human excreta

to establish a multi-stakeholder forum

quality, provision of safe drinking water,

treatment plants, Lake Biwa Museum andinviting all interested organizations to solve

developing local economies for raising

Aqua Restoration Research Center.

the marshland problems.

income levels of marshland residents, etc.
At the end of the course, trainees

JICA and Japanese Government are

In this training course, trainees received

developed their action plans. These plans

expected to provide a multidisciplinary

a lot of useful lectures, including UNEP-

cover a wide range of approaches, such assupport to Iraq and its people. All trainees

supported Southern Iraq Marshlandincreasing diplomatic efforts for water

gave a high evaluation to Japan and

Restoration Project, JICA-supported Iraq

problems-solving, applying for World

Japanese. It may be an indication of their

Rehabilitation project, ILBM-based lake

Heritage registration for enhanced

expectation to Japan.

JICA Training Course: Integrated Basin Managementfor Lake Environment
to address lake basin management

This traning course, sponsored by JICA,
is the longest training program being

The training course took place fromchalleges in their basins in a sustainableorganized by ILEC. It lasts about two

January 17 to March 11, 2011. Nine

manner. At the end, all trainees developed

months from early January to middle

trainees participated from eight countries

action plans implementable at home,

March. This course was originally started(China, Haiti, Uruguay, Venezuela,

taking into account what they haveas “Water Quality Management Taining

Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Egypt).

learned. It is our hope that their actionplans will be successfully implemented.

Course” in 1990, and renewed to thepresent one in 2005 after successful
completion of the previous program.
6

Trainees learned the basics of Integrated
Lake Basin Management (ILBM) and howTexas Reservoirs and their Management
Beverly Saunders & Walter Rast,
International Center for Watershed Studies,
Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas USA
Texas is a state of contrasting and(60 inches) in the eastern edge of the state

m3 (7.5 million acre-feet/year) water

dramatic landscapes, ranging from large

to about 250 mm (10 inches) in the far

shortage by 2050.

pine forests, to barrier island coastlines, towestern part of the state. The same is true

blackland prairies, to rolling hills, tofor evaporation, with the corresponding

Texas reservoirs are managed by amountainous desert regions. It is located in

numbers ranging from 1,168 mm (46myriad of agencies and organizations at

the south central part of the United States

inches) in eastern Texas to 2,184 mm (86multiple levels of government, as well asof America (USA), and lies along theinches) in west Texas. Recurring andthe private sector. The major reservoirs

northeastern border of Mexico. With aunpredictable droughts throughout theare operated mainly by governmental

land area of 678,354 km2, larger than thestate are particularly problematic, having

entities, particularly river basin authorities.

total land area of France, it is the second

been the focus for much of the state’s

These various agencies and organizations

largest state in the USA. With theefforts in regard to its water planninginclude:exception of its most eastern portion,(TWBD 2007).
b Federal agencies – these agencies

Texas is considered semi-arid, with
evaporation exceeding precipitation

There are about 440 reservoirs in Texas

operate reservoirs in Texas directly

throughout much of the state (Simmonswith more than 1.2 million m3 (1,000 acre-

under congressional authorization. The

1986).

feet) of water conservation storage

US Army Corps of Engineers is the most

capacity, including 196 major reservoirs.

important agency, controlling 43% of the

Texas faces many challenges in regard

Of the 196 major reservoirs, with a total

total reservoir capacity in Texas, mostly

to ensuring sustainable water resources,

reservoir conservation storage capacity ofincluding rapid population growth, major

51.2 billion m3 (41.5 million acre-feet), 175b Water districts and river authorities –competing water uses, and the significant

are used as water supplies, irrigation water

these entities are operationally-

costs of infrastructure development. The

sources, or for industrial purposes. Other

autonomous local government units

environmental impacts associated withuses may include flood control, powerorganized to deal with specific water

meeting these water needs also are

generation and recreation (TWDB 2007).

issues in individual river basins. River

paramount. It is likely that water, more thanIn fact, with all its surface waters being

authorities are a special type of water

any other natural resource, will determine

state owned, Texas has more publicdistrict, created by State legislative fiat

the future of Texas in the coming decades.

freshwater than any state in the contiguous

as a means of developing basin-wide

The state contains over 15 major river

United States (Simmons 1986).

river management plans. They control

the major reservoirs;

about 25% of the total number ofbasins, eight coastal basins, two of thereservoirs in Texas;

most prolific groundwater aquifers in the

Texas reservoirs currently account forwestern hemisphere, and more thanmore than 50% of the state’s available

b Cities and counties – these local

300,000 km of streams and rivers (Figure

surface water, providing slightly more thangovernmental units own and operate

1; TWDB 2007). Texas also is a land of

40% of the state’s entire water supply.

another 25% of Texas reservoirs;manmade lakes (reservoirs), containing

According to the 2007 Water Plan, waterb Private companies – About 20% of the

only one natural lake (Caddo Lake) in its

demands will increase by about 27% byreservoirs in Texas, mostly small ones,

northeast portion.

2060, from almost 21 billion m3 (17 million

are controlled by private companies

acre-feet) in 2000, to 26.6 billion m3 (21.6(Wurbs 1985).

Texas has a history of fluctuating

million acre-feet) in 2060. The proposed

precipitation patterns, being vulnerable toeight new major reservoirs included in the

Four reservoirs in Texas lie along stateboth prolonged droughts and unpredictable2007 State Water Plan would increase theor national boundaries, requiring special(and often rapid) floods. There is aavailable surface water by about 1.4 billion

management actions to avoid water use

gradient of precipitation across the state,m3 (1.1 million acre-feet/year), equivalent

conflicts. Toledo Bend Reservoir lies along

ranging from more than about 1,524 mm

to about 16% of the projected 9.2 billion

the Texas – Louisiana border. It has a7

surface area of 749 km2 (289 mi2), making

It manages the international Amistad anddemands are increasing. It is clear that ait the fifth largest reservoir (by area) in the

Falcon reservoirs that lie along the Rio

holistic, integrated management approach

United States, and a controlled waterGrande, the border river between thethat recognizes the hydrologic linkages

storage capacity of 5.52 km3 (4.48 million

United States and Mexico.

Amistadbetween surface and groundwater sources

acre-feet), and the portion of the basin

Reservoir has a surface area of 262.6 km2

must be implemented to address thelying within Texas is operated by a Texas(101.4 mi2) and a volume of 6.98 km3

increasing water needs of the state’s

water district. The lake itself, however, is(5.66 million acre-feet), while Falcon

citizens. As will be discussed in the

jointly regulated by the interstate Sabine

Reservoir has a surface area of 338.5

upcoming 14th World Lake Conference, toCompact, which dictates allocation of the

km2 (130.7 mi2) and a summer storage

be held in Austin, Texas USA duringreservoir water between the two states.

capacity of 2.9 km3 (2.37 million acre-feet),

October 31-November 4, 2011, theLake Texoma lies along the Texas –while The major role of the IBWC is toIntegrated Lake Basin Management (ILBM)

Oklahoma border. With a surface area ofoversee the binational 1944 Treaty thatapproach promulgated by the International

360 km2 (139 mi2) and a water volume ofcontrols the allocation of the water of theLake Environment Committee (ILEC)

3.12 km3 (2.53 million acre-feet), it is

Rio Grande, as well as the Colorado River,

represents a significant planning tool for

owned by the federal government, andbetween the two countries.

addressing this goal. ILBM is currently
being applied to the two international

operated by the US Army Corps ofEngineers, rather than the individual states(Wurbs 1985).

There is no doubt that reservoirs arereservoirs (Amistad; Falcon) on the Rio

invaluable in regard to Texas’ economic

Grande. Although only in the initial stages,

and social development, and will continue

it is anticipated that its application will

The International Boundary and Water

to be so into the future. Because of thissignificantly

Commission (IBWC) is another federal

development, however, reservoir capacity

sustainability of the ecosystem services

agency, but with an international mandate.

is decreasing at the same time waterprovided by these two important reservoirs.

aid

in

ensuringtheFigure1. River Basins of Texas
References
TWDB (2007) Water for Texas – 2007. Texas Water Development Board, Austin. 392 pp.
Simmons, Ernest (1986) Public Waters of Texas. Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, Austin. 74 pp.
Wurbs, Ralph (1985) Reservoir Operation in Texas, Texas Water Resource Institute, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas. 106
pp. + appendices.
8

Transboundary Waters Assessment Programme
ILEC Completes First Phase of Lake Basin portion of GEF ProjectILEC has completed the first phase (medium sized project MSP phase) of the Global Environment Facility’s
Transboundary Waters Assessment Programme (TWAP). This program was introduced in the previous Newsletter. Here
we report on the main outputs and on the assessment methodology that has been peer reviewed and accepted by GEF. It
is expected that the TWAP will be funded as a Full-Sized Project by the GEF later this year so it is likely to become a key
ILEC activity for which we will require the input of our readers near and far. Please become familiar with it (See “TWAP” at
ILEC Website www.ilec.or.jp ) and provide us with your kind feedback at this early stage.
What is a transboundary lake basin?

requires use of high-resolution elevation

TWAP FSP for lake basins takes an

There is a tendency, particularly

models, processing within a GIS, and then,iterative approach. We will follow four
distinct levels for assessment:international

equally importantly, confirmation with localorganizations, to view transboundary lakes

experts and auxiliary information to confirm

as lakes whose water surface isthe delineation is correct.

prevalentamongintersected by one or more national

Level 1.1. Identify the transboundary

Within the TWAP MSP, we did a partial
analysis“transboundary” lakes fit this description:transboundary lake basins in Africa alone!

Level 1.2. Compile more detailed

Lake Victoria, the Lautentian Great Lakes,

For the whole world, we are looking at a

indicators and refine the basin

the Caspian Sea---they are all intersected

sample size approximately 4 orders ofdelineations for a reduced set of lake

by borders, and in some cases, theirmagnitude greater than for just thebasins (approximately 500~1000 lake

management is quite contentious because“surface water intersected” type of lake.

of this.

andidentified

lake basins and compile the basinboundaries. Certainly, the prototypical

12,847indicators (over ~50,000 lake basins)

basins)When completed, the inventory ofLevel 1.3. Compile most detailed

However, for a lake to be important in atransboundary lake basins will be a key

indicators and auxiliary informationtransboundary sense---either received orcontribution of the TWAP FSP and of

throughdelivering effects beyond a single

importance far beyond GEF.

questionnaire and meeting processcountry---the important thing is not whereastakeholder-driven(approximately 50~100 lake basins).

the lake’s water surface lies, but where its

Indicators are based on the ILBM

drainage basin extends. This thinking isframework.

Level 2. Verification of the indicators byusing a small set of well-studied pilot

obvious to practitioners and is a direct

The TWAP methodology proposes a

result of the ILBM point-of-view but making

suite of indicators to assess “risk” that are

this operational in a global-scale

based on the well-tested ILBM framework.

assessment requires much yet-to-be-done

The indicators are (1) easy to understand,

The TWAP project has five working

mapping (and awareness raising) efforts.

(2) meaningful and relevant for identifying

groups, i.e. rivers, lakes, groundwater,cases.
Systems are linked.

Nevertheless, the following definition has

high-risk lake basins, (3) available at thelarge marine ecosystems (LMEs), andbeen accepted for further TWAP work: “aglobal scale, and (4) contributed to andopen ocean. Each waterbody type is linked

transboundary lake basin is as a drainage

accepted by stakeholders.

to the others through the hydrologicalbasin that spans more than one country”. It

A full listing can be found in the project

cycle; however, the linkages are stronger

is important to note that this applies to both

document (INSERT LINK HERE TOO) but

between some types than others. For

the upstream as well as the downstream

we can note here that they center aroundlakes, the key linkage is rivers, withdrainage basins.

the following 9 issue domains: biophysicalgroundwater and LMEs being important on

conditions, human use, institutions, policies,a case-by-case basis.

How many are there?

participation, technology, information,

The challenge for each working group,This new definition, however, makes anfinance, and planning. Please take a look

and TWAP as a whole, is to ensure theseinventory much more difficult to develop.

at the document and give us you comments

linkages are properly addressed. ThisWith less than an hour of GIS work, weon the set of indicators, in particular about

explicit consideration of linkages, while

could tell you that there are 107 lakes withany indicators you think should be included

inherent in ILBM, will certainly provide

surface areas greater than 40 km2 that

but are not currently there.

many new and fruitful outputs.

have their surface waters intersected byinternational boundaries, yet it is a much

Need for iterative approach.

Please send any questions or comment
toThomasBallatore,

Technical

more time consuming task to figure out

The shear number of transboundary lake

which lake basins share this characteristic.

basins as well as the desire to populate all

Coordinator for the TWAP Lakes group at

Determining where drainage basins areindicators for a given lake requires that thetballatore@gmail.com.
9

2nd World Lake Forum: Improving Lake Environment
as Sustainable Habitat for Living Things- A Partnership Project with COP-10 This year “World Lake Forum”, wasconditions. Mr. Yasuhiro Fujioka, director

lake environment as a key habitat for aorganized in Otsu City, Shiga, Japan onof Shiga Prefecture Fisheries Experimentwide-range of living things. Discussion

October 17, 2010 with a theme of

Station, discussed historical changes infurther extended to how to address global“Improvingasfish and fish-related culture in Lake Biwa.

warming which is threatening all kinds of

Sustainable Habitat for Living Things”. It

Mr. Peter Lengyel, a Scientific Secretary offish and birds and, possibly, responsible

was held in connection with COP 10 on

UNESCO Pro Natura Romania, introduced

for decreasing biodiversity.

Biodiversity held in Nagoya, Aichi

environmental activities for wetland

Prefecture, Japan, from 18 to 29 Octoberconservation in East Europe. Mr. Masayuki

2010.

Kurechi,Lake

Environment

Participants learned that solutions ofJapanese

protection of transboundary lakes andAssociation for Wild Geese Protection,

rivers, such as Lake Victoria and Danube

presidentofA main event of the Forum was a public

reported behavioral changes of theRiver, involve complex processes beyond

seminar. It invited four experts, one from

migrating geese to Japan, including thecountries. They also learned lake

Kenya, one from Romania, and two fromdelay of their arrival times and the shift ofenvironmental issues need to be

Japan. About 75 people from various

their migrating stations to north. Experts

addressed from wider perspectives

groups gathered at the event.

argued that these changes might haveconsidering biodiversity and global

something to do with global warming.

warming. The seminar provided an
opportunity for each participant to think

The experts covered wide-ranging topics.
Mr. John Gichuki, director of Kenya Marine

After though-provoking presentations by

about what they can do to protect our lake

and Fisheries Research Center, discussed

experts, a panel discussion took place,environment and living things supported

fishery problems in Lake Victoria in relation

including questions from the floor.

there.

to the change of lake environment

Participants discussed how to protect ourInternational Consultation Meeting on Water
and Wastewater Management
UNEP-IETC and ILEC co-organized aninternational consultation meeting on water
and wastewater management on April 1920, 2010 at IETC Shiga Office, Japan. This
meeting aimed to develop UNEP-IETC’s
future strategies and programs on water
and wastewater management and to foster
international partnership towards this goal.
ILEC, a supporting foundation of UNEPIETC, cooperated with organization of thismeeting to provide an ILBM perspective tothe program of UNEP-IETC. The meetingbrought together about 30 participants,
including representatives from UNEP andother UN organizations, experts from India,
Philippine, Vietnam, Iraq, Canada andJapanworking

atinternationalorganizations, universities, and institutions,and government officials from Japanese
Government and Shiga Prefecture. All

two days to achieve the objectives of theparticipants had a heated discussion for

meeting.

10

Day 1 (April 19) started with introductionof UNEP strategies and activities, followed

by two case presentations, including one

water and wastewater management andIndia presented their networking activities

from IETC’s wetland restoration project inintroduced their recent activities andinvolving private sectors. ILEC, in a

Iraq, and anotherfrom Fleming College,

priority issues in the future. Toward thepresentation of its project “Sanitation

Canadatheof

end of the day, experts discussed IETC’s

Challenges in Eastern Africa”, stressed thephytotechnology in northern part ofpriority issues and activities in 2011-2013

need of the development of on-the-ground

Canada, in particular, how to design ain this area.

broad framework such as ILBM platform is

aboutapplication

essential to the success of these

constructed wetland for purification ofwater in cold area. Two ministries ofDay 2 (April 20) discussed how toprograms. The meeting successfully

Japanese Government (Ministry of theenhance beneficial technology transfer andclosed with a draft proposal of IETC

Environment and Ministry of Foreign

how to foster effective partnership for thisprogrammatic package for 2011-2013 on

Affairs) and Shiga Prefectural Government

purpose. JICA introduced their capacity

water and sanitation management.

respectively gave their perspectives onbuilding programs and participants fromILEC Scientific Committee Membership Reshuffled
for 10th Term
New membership of ILEC ScientificDr. Salif Diop (Ghana), Deputy Director of(Sweden) for their difficulties assuming

Committee for its 10th term was decided.

UNEP-DEWA. This replacement was

due role as a committee member. Dr.

Dr. Chris H. Magadza, Director of Lake

approved at the board meeting held on

Magadza, even after resignation, will

Kariba Institute (Zimbabwe), stepped

June 7, 2010. Also approved wascontinue to play as a focal point in ILEC

down from the Committee after his 22

resignation of Ms Dianne Dumanoski

activities in Eastern Africa.

year’s long service. He was taken over by(USA) and Mr. Anders Jagerskog

Scientific Committee Members for 10th Term(April 2010 ~March 2013)
Name

Nationality

Affiliation

Chair

Masahisa Nakamura

Japan

Research Center for Sustainability and Environment, Shiga University

Vice-chair

Walter Rast

USA

Texas State University,Department of Biology

Secretary

Tsugihiro WatanabeJapan

Research Institute for Humanity and Nature

BureauNick Aladin

RussiaZoological Institute of RAS

BureauAdelina Santos-Borja

Philippines

Laguna Lake Development Authority

Luigi Naselli-Flores

Italy

University of Palermo Department of Botanical Sciences

Sandra Azevedo

BrazilFederal University of Rio de Janeiro

Mohan S. Kodarkar*

India

Indian Association of Aquatic Bilologits

Xiangcan Jin

China

Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences

Daniel Olago

Kenya

University of Nairobi

Salif Diop

Ghana

UNEP, Division of Early Warning and Assessment

Richard D. Robarts

CanadaUNEP GEMS/Water Collaborating Centre Environment Canada

Juan Skinner

Guatemala

PRO-LAGO Lake Atitlan Environmental Protection Society* Deceased on August 9, 2010.

11

IN MEMORIAM TO A WONDERFUL COLLEAGUEILEC would like to take this opportunity to express ourIntegrated Lake Basin Management (ILBM) in India and othersorrow at the untimely death of our colleague from India, Dr.

countries in Southeast Asia region. He was a tireless andMohan Kodarkar.

enthusiastic advocate of this approach, and will be a difficult

Dr. Kodarkar was a member of the ILEC

Scientific Committee from April 2007 until his death on August

person to replace on ILEC’s Scientific Committee. Indeed,

9, 2010, the only member from the South Asia region. Among

ILEC’s experiences in India were enabled largely by the active

his many activities, he was actively engaged in the revival of

involvement of Dr. Kodarkar.

Hussain Sagar Lake, near Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India.

An accomplished aquatic biologist, Dr. Kodarkar also was a

He was the Secretary of the Indian Association of Aquatic

very amiable and friendly individual, liked by all his Scientific

Biologists (IAAB), being instrumental in its development.

Committee colleagues. He was a gentle spirit and a kind soul.

Further, he played a key role in organizing and convening theHis shining presence, smiling face, and scientific competence

13th World Lake Conference (Taal 2007), held in Jaipur,

will be missed by his colleagues, his family and his friends.

India, during October 28-November 2, 2007. Dr. Kodarkar

We give him our fond farewell and wish him good speed in his

also had a major role in facilitating the application of

ongoing journey.

Activities of ILEC (April 2010 – March 2011)2010

October – December
b1st Meeting of WLC14 Japanese Organization Committee

April – JunebTWAP 1st Steering Committee(October 19, Shiga)(April 13-14, Nairobi, Kenya)bInternational Consultation Meeting on Water and WastewaterbILBM-Governance Project: Final Review Experts Meeting

Management(November 2-6, Shiga, sponsored by Ministry of(April 19-20, jointly organized by IETC and ILEC at IETC

Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology,

Shiga Office, Japan)

Japan)bILBM Training on Lake Taihu

bILBM-Governance Project: International Symposium(May 14-22, Wuxi, China, Sponsored by World Bank)bTWAP Lake Group Meeting(November 7, Lake Biwa Museum, sponsored by(May 22-28, ILEC)

Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and(June 2-24, jointly organized by ILEC and IETC at Lakeb4th Training Course on Conversation of Southern Marshland in

bWorld Environment Day Exhibition

Technology, Japan)

Biwa Museum, Shiga, Japan)

Iraq

2011

July – September
bTWAP-IMAIG Meeting(July 14-16, Geneva)(Kenya, Zimbabwe, August 27-September 10)
b11th Environment Education Course for Water Environment(August 30-October 14, Sponsored by JICA)

b2010 Stockholm Water Symposium (September 5-7, Stockholm)bPreparatory Meeting for WLC14(Texas, USA)b2nd World Lake Forum: Partnership project with COP-10(October 17, Shiga, subsidized by Environment
Restoration and Conservation Agency of Japan)

12

January – Marchb6th Training Course: Integrated Basin Management for LakebField research for AFSAN Project

Conservation(December 2-16, Sponsored by JICA)

Environment(January 17–March 11, Sponsored by JICA)

bField research for AFSAN Project(Kenya, Zimbabwe, January 31-February 16,
Commissioned by Ministry of the Environment, Japan)
b2nd Meeting of WLC14 Japanese Organization Committee(March 2, Shiga)