From its birth in the Guatemalan mountains to its outlet in the Caribbean Sea, the Motagua River is a vital resource for biodiversity and the communities that inhabit along its path. However, during the last decades, the basin has significantly deteriorated due to environmental pollution, inadequate management of waste and wastewater, deforestation and resource overexploitation.
To address these challenges, Guatemala and Honduras have joined forces to manage the Motagua River Basin (17,991 square kilometers). Through funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), they are implementing the Integrated Environmental Management of the Motagua Watershed project, executed in Guatemala by the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (MARN) and in Honduras by the Secretariat of Natural Resources and Environment (SERNA), with support from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
The project aims to integrate environmental management of the Motagua River Basin and reduce land-based sources of pollution and emissions of unintentionally produced persistent organic pollutants (unintentional POPs) to mitigate impacts on coastal marine ecosystems and local people's livelihoods. Furthermore, it aspires to improve the quality of life of the basin's inhabitants, with an emphasis on the empowerment of women and indigenous peoples.
Guatemala and Honduras have initiated the Watershed Diagnostic Analysis (WDA) using the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) methodology to gather baseline information and characterize and diagnose the Motagua River basin. All the actors involved in the basin will be considered to obtain valuable information for developing a Strategic Action Plan (SAP) for its implementation.
An integral part of the project is inclusive participation. In this regard, the team developed the gender approach strategy, a participation plan for indigenous peoples, and a citizen service mechanism, currently under implementation.
Three technical committees were established with the participation of civil society and authorities to analyze the upper, middle, and lower parts of the Motagua River basin. Additionally, the capacities of 104 strategic actors have been strengthened in the areas of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing for environmental monitoring, Integrated Management of Hydrographic Basins, integrated management of waste and solid waste, persistent organic compounds (POPs) derived from open burning of waste, Integrated wastewater management with a gender focus and cultural relevance.
A guide was developed for using advanced software to perform remote sensing analysis, generate reports, and create maps to facilitate the identification of contamination sources in the Motagua River basin.
An analysis of the legal and institutional frameworks and international agreements in Guatemala was also carried out, as well as a proposal for a municipal ordinance to improve municipal environmental management in the Motagua basin.
Characterization studies of waste and solid waste have been carried out in pilot projects in Pachalúm, Estanzuela, Los Amates, Jalapa and Zacapa municipalities in Guatemala.
In addition, 78 municipalities have been strengthened through transition plans to prepare Integrated Waste and Solid Waste Plans (PIRDES). In Omoa, Honduras, mangrove ecosystems were restored and the municipality's environmental governance was also strengthened.
The Integrated Environmental Management of the Rio Motagua Watershed Project is committed to advancing the protection of the Motagua River Basin through its activities.
Guatemala and Honduras have been granted funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to execute the Integrated Environmental Management of the Rio Motagua Watershed Project. In Guatemala, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN) is the national agency responsible for execution, while in Honduras, it is the Secretariat of Natural Resources and Environment (SERNA). The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is the implementing agency. The project's primary objective is to improve the integrated management of the Motagua River Basin, reduce land-based sources of pollution, and mitigate the impacts of unintentional POPs emissions on coastal marine ecosystems and local livelihoods.
For more information, please contact, Gabriela Hernandez, Project Coordinator [ proyectomotagua.ucp@gmail.com] or visit the dedicated project page on iwlearn.net
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