2nd NARBO training workshop – River Basin Management and Organizations:
A report from the NARBO Secretariat on training course on “River Basin Management & Organizations” held from April 25 to 29 at Beach Hotel on Negombo in Sri Lanka.

The 2nd NARBO training workshop-River Basin Management and Organizations - A report from the NARBO Secretariat
The training course on River Basin Management and Organizations was held from April 25 to 29 at Beach Hotel on Negombo in Sri Lanka. Twenty-seven participants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal Pakistan and Sri Lanka took part in the training. From NARBO Secretariat, Dr. Tennakoon, who is acting vice-chairperson, Mr. Dennis, Mr.Imam, Mr. Ishimura and Mr. Takagi also attended and made presentations.

The training course was organized under the auspices of six organizations. Six organizations were IWMI, ADB, ADBI, JWA, GWP-South Asia and Lanka Jalani respectively. The core training team from IWMI HQ guided the course and they emphasized on the first day that it was very important for participants to learn each other by exchanging their experiences & knowledge, discussing problems they had. The program was consisted of four modules titled

"General overview of reasons for River Basin Management (RBM),"
"New insights from recent studies,"
"Problems and constraints, at local and national levels and"
"Designing an appropriate institutional system." 

On module 3, participants were divided into three groups and visited the upper reach, middle reach and lower reach of Maha Oya River Basin. After coming back from the field trip, they were working until late at night to meet the deadline of group assignments on what they learnt from the field trip. Also on module 4, each group tackled with the assignment given by the core training team and presented the assignment on the final day.

At closing ceremony, every participant was given the citation and the training course ended very successful and fruitful.

It was quite impressive for me to see all participants make friends, chat and take photos here and there at the closing ceremony. Finally, I’d like to offer my sincere thanks to all participants, the core training team, staff members of secretariat and all concerned organizations for their hard works and efforts.

Prepared by Katsunori TAKAGI, JWA NARBO Secretari