Protection and Sustainable Use of the Dinaric Karst Transboundary Aquifer System
What is DIKTAS? DIKTAS is a project initiated by the aquifer-sharing states and supported by GEF - Global Environment Facility. It is implemented by UNDP and executed by UNESCO-IHP. facilitate the equitable and sustainable utilization of the transboundary water resources of the Dinaric Karst Aquifer System, and protect the unique groundwater dependent ecosystems that characterize the Dinaric Karst region of the Balkan peninsula.
Water Management in Karst Specific (hydro)geological conditions High transmissivity surface and groundwater closely linked High vulnerability to pollution Importance of adequate land use planning and management Potential transboundary implications
Cooperation in a post-conflict context The rise of several new sovereign states from what was once one nation determined complex transboundary interlinkages that impact water use and water sharing for power generation, agricultural, domestic and other purposes between bordering countries. Croatia Bosnia & Herzegovina
Global Objective At the global level: to focus attention of the international community on the huge but vulnerable water resources contained in karst aquifers Replication of experiences in other karst areas
What is DIKTAS? Core partners: Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia and Montenegro Regional partners: Slovenia, Greece and Italy International partners: GWP-Med, IGRAC, IAH Karst Commission, Karst Research centres It is full size GEF regional project 2010-2014 Budget ca M$5.2 PCU hosted by the Water Agency in Trebinje, BiH
Project Components International Consultation and Exchange Body Component 2 Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis Component 1 Improving the understanding of the resource and of its environmental status Establishing cooperation mechanisms among countries sharing the aquifer Inter-ministerial Committees, SAP Component 3 Facilitating harmonization of policies and priority reforms Stakeholder Participation, Consultation and Communication Component 4
Progress to-date Main Activities: Regional hydrogeological characterization Regional environmental and socio-economical assessment Regional assessment of legal and institutional frameworks and policies Synthesis and finalization of the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis Detailed delineation of transboundary aquifers The final identification and prioritization of issues of transboundary concern (based on the impact assessment) Causal chain analysis Governance analysis Compilation of the draft TDA document Adoptation of the TDA by the Steering Committee, NICs and CIE
DIKTAS Cooperation Mechanisms National Inter-ministerial Committees (NIC): Relevant governmental institutions Consultation and Information Exchange Body (CIE) Establishing cooperation mechanism among countries sharing the aquifer Consultation mechanism among the GEF projects in the region Skadar/Skodra Lake, Neretva-Trebisnjica, MedPartnership
1. TDA Approval 2. SAP Endorsement 3. Adoption of EQOs and of Environmental Status Indicators 4. Commitment to Long Term Monitoring MULTI-COUNTRY CONSULTATION AND INFORMATION EXCHANGE BODY CIE NATIONAL INTERMINISTERIAL COMMITTEE MONTENEGRO NATIONAL INTERMINISTERIAL COMMITTEE CROATIA NATIONAL INTERMINISTERIAL COMMITTEE ALBANIA NATIONAL INTERMINISTERIAL COMMITTEE BOSNIA&HERZEGOVINA Andrea Merla - UNESCO IHP
Lessons learned Science as basis for decision making Different scientific approaches in countries Science as connector Importance of consultation and communication mechanisms how to make them sustainable? Economic considerations to be adequately taken into consideration True stakeholder involvement
bridging the people