Water Scarcity and Local Management Strategies on the Kup-Njiseng Watershed and Environs of the Nkambe Plateau, North West Region, Cameroon

Water scarcity constrains livelihood sustenance and predisposes the population to frustration and conflicts, and generally deteriorates their quality of life. The growth in population, ineffective water management policies and damaging water sources are at the fore of water scarcity. Such predispositions have scaled up global concerns on sustainable managerial approaches for water availability and safety. This paper seeks to provide a synthesis of key themes and knowledge about the correlation between water scarcity and local management strategies drawing empirical evidence from the Kup-Njiseng Watershed and environs (KNW) in Binka village (BV) on the Nkambe Plateau (NP). Data were gleaned from existing literature, focus group discussions, interviews and questionnaires (80) to respondents in the field. Satellite images of over 40 years were used to analyze land cover/use and change to water catchments and anthropogenic activities around and within the watershed. Quantitative and qualitative techniques were adopted for the study while the SWOT analysis was incorporated in the analysis of the results. Response score of 62.5% revealed that poor management and maintenance of existing water networks is the main reason for water scarcity and conflict while scores of 25 and 12.5% indicate that increases in unsustainable anthropogenic activities and population around catchment areas are rife. Again, the proactive nature of the population towards a sustainable management scheme has resulted in partial water stability. It is recommended that an efficient local management board for effective sustainable water management be ensured for posterity.

Keywords: Catchment, Conflicts, Management Strategies, Water Scarcity.