Water Resources Management in the Peruvian Andes: Participatory Adaptive Measures to Climate Change

Abstract

Glacial retreat caused by global climate change is creating uncertain conditions for the rural farming communities of Yungay province in the Peruvian Andes. Peru’s glacial mass has been reduced by an average of 22% over the last 30 years, leading to a reduction in water supplies vital for local farming and agricultural activities. Local water management practices are inefficient and are increasing pressure on already strained supplies. In 2006, Practical Action Peru initiated a four-year capacity-building project in sustainable water management in 12 rural communities. Participatory approaches shaped project design and implementation, including experimental plots and community training programmes. Consequently, five adaptation measures were prioritized for implementation: improved irrigation techniques, plague management, crop rotation, recovery of local knowledge about water management, improved dissemination of water management knowledge and technology, and strengthening the organization of Water User Boards. The introduction of improved technologies saved up to one-fifth of the water being used for farming. Community awareness of links between climate change impacts, improved technologies and reduced vulnerability were improved. By providing a focal point for community decision-making on water distribution and use, User Boards reduced the potential for social conflict and led to increased preventative measures implementation.