Mainstreaming indigenous knowledge in integrated water resource management (IWRM) application in Tanzania

From the Rio de Jeneiro and Dublin meeting in 1992, there has been a call to manage Water Resources using IWRM Principles. The introductions of IWRM Principles in Tanzania lead to the formulation of NAWAPO 2002 and WRMA 2009 which took away the power of traditional ways on WRM. In the areas where new system is not accepted, has created vacuum of WRM. This study aims to explore on how Indigenous Knowledge can be mainstreamed in IWRM application in Tanzania. Questioners were used to collect first hand information from different groups of water users. Secondary data were collected through literature review from various sources, also field visit was done to confirm and observe water governance in the basins. Data were organized for interpretation using content analysis and Microsoft excel was used to draw tables and figures for interpretation. The study results have indicated that, in areas where traditional WRM practices have been used were more effective than that of modern ways. Traditional knowledge can be transformed to modern technology if given a chance like the smart stick from simple stick used to allocate water among different furrows in Kikuletwa catchment, also the community trust more traditional justice in solving water related conflicts than that of courts. This study recommends that, during establishment of WUA as the lowest institutional in any BWB, there is need to incorporate good practice of traditional WRM. This will create harmony among people in the society and utilize water resources in sustainable manner.