MK1: On optimizing reservoir management for livelihoods

Sonali Senaratna Sellamuttu , 2009. Project Proposal. Challenge Program on Water and Food, Colombo, Sri Lanka

This project is about livelihoods, and how they can be improved through reservoir management for multiple uses and users.It is about developing strategies for optimizing the benefits of WSI and increasing the ways in which water can be utilized for the benefit of the poor.

This project will explore ways in which riparian communities can improve their livelihoods by taking advantage of agricultural, fisheries and other opportunities afforded by WSI development. Suitable strategies will broaden the uses of reservoir water to support livelihoods, benefit riparian and downstream communities alike, increase the lifespan of reservoirs, and maintain hydropower generating capacity.

Research on water use and livelihoods will take account of different needs (agriculture, fisheries, hydropower, and the environment ) for different user groups (including gender differentiation). These needs can be direct or indirect , or for consumptive or non-consumptive use of water .