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  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
1

A social history of "Tana Toraja" 1870-1965

Bigalke, Terance William, January 1900 (has links)
Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1981. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 501-524).
2

Integrated and ecological planning of sustainable tourism development in a rural area in Indonesia the case study of Tana Toraja, Sulawesi /

Avenzora, Ricky. January 2003 (has links) (PDF)
Göttingen, University, Diss., 2003.
3

Assessment of the impact of anthropogenic activities on water quality, biodiversity and livelihood in Lake Tana, Northwestern Ethiopia

Tamiru, Sisay Misganaw 09 1900 (has links)
Lake Tana is a biodiversity and natural reservoir for fresh water supply contributing significantly to the economy of Ethiopia and downstream recipient countries, namely: Sudan and Egypt. The Lake Tana Ecosystem provides a variety of goods and services such as: provisioning, regulating, amenity and supporting services. These services are affected by high human activities which threaten the water quality and biodiversity of the lake. Hence, this study aims to assess the impact of human activities on water quality, biodiversity and livelihood of Lake Tana and its shore sides.To assess the impact of anthropogenic activities of Lake Tana; physicochemical parameters, macroinvertebrates, macrophytes and livelihood of the Lake side communities were collected in the year 2014/2015 during dry and wet seasons for 11 sampling sites as indicated in Figure 1.1 and Table 1.1. The variations of physicochemical, metals and bacterial parameters were investigated. The overall water quality parameters (mean analytical results) of Lake Tana were found to be: Temp (Temperature)23.0OC, pH 7.5, EC (Electrical conductivity)180.1 μS/cm, BOD5 (Biological oxygen demand in 5 days)37.3 mg/l, COD (Chemical oxygen demand)316.5 mg/l, TSS 0.3 mg/l, TDS 93.1 mg/l, SO4 2- 11.0 mg/l, PO4 3- 42.4 mg/l, Cr (0.08 mg/l), (Mn (0.01 mg/l), E. Coli (13.4 Cell/ml), F. Coliform (82.5 Cell/ml), T. Coliform (113.0 Cell/ml), etc. These parameters did not show significant variation among the sites but were significantly different between wet and dry seasons (P<0.05). The highest concentration values were recorded during the wet season. However, most of the parameters under investigation were within the Ethiopian EPA (Environmental protection agency) permissible range except PO4 3-, S2-, E. Coli (Cell/ml), F. Coliform (Cell/ml) and T. Coliform (Cell/ml). Based on the analysis of the water quality index (WQI), Lake Tana water was unfit for drinking purpose and needs treatment. For theMacroinvertebrates analysis, a total number of 629 macroinvertebrate individuals are belonging to 9 orders and 38 families were found. In the study year impacted areas number of identified macroinvertebrates were 478 (76%); of this, 233 (37%) were in the wet season and 245 (39%) in the dry season and the total number of individuals identified in the reference area was 151 (24% of the total) in the wet season 61 (9.7%) and in the dry season 90 (14.3%) individuals. The diversity was more in the dry season. The dominant orders were Odonata (156 individuals), Coleoptera (153 individuals) and Hemiptera (141 individuals). The literature indicated that the presence of more Odonata, Coleptera and Hemipteran larvae is an indication of water quality deterioration due to pollution. From the collected samples, the total number of tolerant individuals was 303 (48.2%) and facultative individuals were 243 (38.7%) while intolerant individuals were 80 (12.7%). Most of the taxa (48.2%) had tolerance scores ranging from 7 to 10. The analysis of different forms of indices showed poor water quality. The water quality of Lake Tana was also determined by developing the LTMI (Lake Tana Metric Index). The index indicated the impairment levels of the study sites. Seven of the sites were in the category of poor (disturbed) and the other three were very poor (highly disturbed). The study on macrophytes recorded 43 species and 18 families during the two seasons (wet and dry), throughout the study year. 2687 individual macrophytes were collected; 1756 in the wet season and 931 in the dry season. Poaceae (15 species) with abundance mean 215.40 ± 421.7 was the most dominant family, followed by Cyperaceae (5 species) 35.40 ± 68.3. Sacciolepis africana was the dominant macrophyte species in Lake Tana. But in the study area Ambobahir, the dominant species was Cyperus papyrus while the Megech study area was invaded by the nuisance exotic weed Eichhornia crassipes. In the present study, the low macrophyte diversity values of Shannon Wiener index (2.90), Simpson Diversity Index (1-D) (0.90), Simpson Dominance Index (D) (0.10), Margalef’s index (M’) richness index (5.32) and Evenness Index (E) (0.77) throughout the study year indicate moderate water quality status while the presence of certain bio-indicator species like Eichhornia, Potamogeton and Cyperus in the lake also confirm pollution. Because of the effect of human activities on water quality and biodiversity, the livelihood of the riparian community is affected indirectly. Hence, to recommend mitigation and remediation actions, this study also focused on the assessment of the change of livelihoods of people living in the study area using qualitative research methods (key informant interview, focus group discussion (FGD), observations, published and unpublished materials and photographes). Lake Tana is a home to different flora and fauna including endemic species. The flora such as macrophytes and forest resources are used mainly for traditional medicine, fuel wood, rope, pole, habitat for birds, animal feed, etc. and the fauna includes fish, hippos, crocodiles, invertebrates, etc. Further, the Lake Tana area is a good habitat for indigenous cattle breeds (Fogera breed) and field crops gene center. The major resources around Lake Tana are land (the major source of livelihood), vegetation resources (macrophytes and forest resources), wildlife resources (fish, the other important source of livelihood) and cultural landscapes (churches and monasteries). Lake Tana is exposed to a set of interrelated environmental problems induced by human influence such as deforestation, erosion, sedimentation, water level reduction, erratic rainfall, flood, and competition for water resources, pollution and introduction of alien species. The causes to these problems were overgrazing, farmland expansion, cultivation of marginal lands (shorelines), encroachment of communal land, pollution and vegetation removal to meet demand for food and fuel wood. It is observed that alteration of Lake Tana and its fringe wetlands has affected the whole dynamics of the Lake’s ecosystem and the livelihood of the surrounding community. Ecosystem components are interlinked; hence correlation analysis was done between physicochemical parameters and macroinvertebrates of Lake Tana. Thus, correlations among many of the physicochemical parameters and macroinvertebrates families have been observed. To mention some of the correlations, the changes in the physical, chemical and biological characteristic of the lake affected the aquatic life forms and significantly affect economic activities that the lake supports. The RDA(Canonical redundency analysis) ordination of the species-environmental variable association indicated that pH, Cd, Pb and SO42- and Velidae, Chironomidae, Physidae, Gerridae, Corixidae, Dytiscidae, Caenidae, Coenogrionidae Simuliidae and Psephenidae were negatively correlated while Mussidae positively correlated with these environmental variables. This study concludes that the main threat to aquatic ecosystems in Lake Tana arises from agricultural activities, urbanization and industrialization that deteriorated water quality and biodiversity. Thus, it is recommended that proper management of Lake Tana should be put in place to prevent further deterioration of water quality and biodiversity of the lake for its sustainable development. / Environmental Sciences / Ph. D. (Environmental Science)
4

Psychological Mirroring in Tana French's In the Woods and The Likeness

Gott-Helton, Sarah Meghan 12 1900 (has links)
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Tana French’s work has been the subject of a number of recent scholars. Scholarship on French ranges from theories of liminality, to meditations on how French’s work explores the “Celtic Tiger” phenomenon in Ireland, to looking at her stories as new takes on old fairy tales. French’s work straddles the line between popular detective fiction and literary fiction, upending popular tropes and creating something wholly new. One issue that has not been explored is how French’s work fits into a Lacanian framework. The six novels in her Dublin Murder Squad detective stories are rife with issues of psychological mirroring, or doubling. As such, they take the typical mystery trope of pairing a detective with a case that alters and reflects back their own psychological traumas, and takes them to a new level. This work will address issues of French’s characters and how they fit into the theories of Lacan’s Mirror Stage, as well as the “Real,” “Symbolic,” and “Imaginary” realms that we human beings unconsciously construct for ourselves. This writing examines the first two novels of the series, In the Woods, and The Likeness, and analyzes them in light of these theories, showing how mirroring exists in nearly every aspect of each text.
5

Consideration of factors that affect flood levels in the Tana River Delta in Kenya

Kiringu, Kuria 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Tana River, the largest river in Kenya, is an important habit that supports numerous types of life, which creates an attractive environment. Occasionally loss of life and damage to property are experienced during floods. Upstream development of hydropower generation dams without consideration of downstream impacts is well documented in literature and the aftermaths are being well exhibited currently. The aim of the thesis is to investigate and identify factors that affect the flood levels in the Tana River Delta by using a two dimensional model and eventually drawing up a velocity- water depth interaction hazard classification map. Reviews of the literature clearly established that the floods in the delta are not generated by internal rainfall only but also operation of upstream dams accounting for 95% of the flood levels. Consequently, investigations of the impacts of dams have on flow regime were carried out. Probabilistic analysis revealed that post dam seasonal patterns has not been impacted but the magnitude of flood peaks has generally declined due to the attenuation of small peaks. However, large/flash floods (10 year Annual Recurrence Interval (ARI) spill at the dams causing major flooding downstream. Further probabilistic analysis on river discharges and sea water level was carried out to determine various ARI peaks. This incorporated climate change based on the 4th IPCC report. A two-dimensional hydrodynamic model was set up and calibrated with recorded discharges and theoretically derived parameters. Impacts of extreme tidal levels were investigated on the water levels and other factors limiting flood propagation. Finally, the model was used to simulate the 2, 50 and 100 year ARI inclusive of climate change floods and, based on Australian guidelines, flood lines and hazard maps were drawn. The results show that high tides elevate water levels in the delta in combination with the bottleneck effect at the rechanneled canal. The road crossing through the delta has inadequate bridges to convey the floods. The derived flood maps drawn (Figure 6-4) highlight that settlements in the lower delta are located within the 2 year ARI flood lines and that the extent of flooding is similar or less so in 50 and 100 year ARI flood peaks simulated. The model predicted the velocity and water depths with sufficient accuracy and recommendations are made that the study area should be extended upstream, and more field data should be collected to aid in calibration and that land use should be incorporated in flood map classification. In conclusion, the thesis has identified the flood hotspots and factors governing floods. These findings could assist in decision making by various agencies proposing flood mitigation or advocating post dam flooding scenarios. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Tanarivier is die grootste rivier in Kenia en ’n belangrike habitat vir verskeie tipes diere en plante wat ‘n aantreklike omgewing skep.Verlies aan lewens en skade aan eiendom vind egter somtyds tydens oorstromings plaas. Die bou van damme vir die ontwikkeling van hidrokrag hoër op in die rivier sonder om die impak laer af in ag te neem, asook die gevolge daarvan, word dikwels in die lireratuur beskryf. Die doel met hierdie tesis is om die faktore wat die vloedhoogtes in die Tanarivier beïnvloed met die gebruik van ’n twee-dimensionele hidrodinamiese model te ondersoek en te identifiseer en om dan ’n gevaarsonekaart te teken wat die interaksie tussen waterspoed en -diepte toon. Die oorsig van die literatuur het getoon dat die oorstromings in die delta nie die gevolg is van reën in die binneland nie, maar dat die damme hoër op in die rivier verantwoordelik is vir 95% van die oorstromings. Dus is die impak van die damme op oorstromings ondersoek. Waarskynlikheidsontleding het oor die algemeen getoon dat die na-dam seisoenale vloeipatrone nie beinvloed is nie, maar dat veral die kleiner vloedpieke in die algemeen afgeneem het as gevolg van vloedattenuasie deur die damme. Groter en frats oorstromings (>1:10 ARI) veroorsaak egter steeds dat die damme oorloop en lei tot ernstige oorstromings. Die verdere waarskynlikheidsontleding van riviervloei en die seewatervlak is uitgevoer om die verskillende Jaarlikse Herhaling Periode (JHP) vlakke vas te stel. Dit het klimaatsverandering gegrond op die 4de IPCC verslag ingesluit. ʼn Twee dimensionele hidrodinamiese model is opgestel en gekalibreer teen waargenome vloei en teoreties-afgeleide parameters is gekalibreer. Die impak van uiterste getyvlakke asook faktore wat die oorstromings beperk is ondersoek. Die model is toe gebruik om die 2, 50 en 100 JHP vloedoorstromings te simuleer en vloedlyne en gevaarkaarte is volgens die Australiese riglyne geteken. Die resultate toon dat hooggety die watervlak in die delta laat styg veral in kombinasie met die bottelnek effek van die nuwe kanaal. Daar is te min brûe op die pad wat die delta deurkruis, om die vloede se vloei deur te laat Die kaarte wat geteken is toon dat daar nedersettings in die laer delta binne die 2 JHP jaar vloedarea is en dat die omvang van oorstromings dieselfde of laer is as die 50 en 100 JHP jaar vloedpieke wat gesimuleer is. Die model kan gebruik word om die vloeispoed en waterdieptes redelik akkuraat te voorspel en die volgende aanbevelings word gemaak. Toestande hoër op teen die rivier moet ondersoek word, meer data wat gedurende kalibrasie gebruik kan word moet versamel word en grondgebruik moet in die kaartklassifikasie ingesluit word. Ten slotte is die gevaarpunte vir oorstromings en die faktore wat oorstromings veroorsaak aangetoon. Hierdie bevindinge kan van nut wees as besluite geneem moet word veral wat betref die voorkoming van oorstromings nadat damme gebou is.
6

Accumulation of poly- and perfluoroalkylated substances (PFASs) and mercury in fish tissue from Lake Tana, Ethiopia : Evaluation of human exposure due to increased fish consumption

Sjöholm, Margareta January 2015 (has links)
Both poly- and perfluoroalkylated substances (PFASs) and mercury (Hg) are persistent bioaccumulative, and toxic substances (PBTs) of great concern due to their health effects on humans.  These pollutants are ubiquitously occurring in the global aquatic environment and dietary intake of fish is the major exposure pathway for humans. PFASs and Hg are widely studied in the temperate zones, but little is known from the tropical aquatic systems in Africa. Lake Tana, Ethiopia, is of high ecological value and predicted to increase its fish production and export during following years, but knowledge of human health effects due to bioaccumulated pollutants loading from this lake is lacking. The objective of this study was therefore to compare Hg and PFAS concentrations between sites and species, evaluate accumulation patterns and assess the human health risk with increased fish consumption.    During October 2014, a total of 97 fish specimens from five species (Labeobarbus megastoma, Labeobarbus gorguari, Labeobarbus intermedius, Oreochromis niloticus and Clarias gariepinus) were collected from seven sites in Lake Tana. The fish was dissected in Bahir Dar, where a muscle sample was taken from the dorsal line, and later analyzed at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. To determine differences and correlations between sites and species as well as for Hg and PFASs, statistical analyses were conducted and to determine the health risks in increased fish consumption a hazard ratio (HR) was calculated for both substances.   The results showed several similarities between Hg and PFASs, including higher concentrations in piscivorous fish species (L. megastoma and L. gorguari) than non-piscivorous and also spatial distribution similarities. Hg concentrations ranged from 0-639 ng g-1 wet weight (ww) with an overall mean of 137 ng g-1 ww for all species. Seven PFASs were detected (PFNA, PFDA, PFUnDA, PFDoDA, PFTeDA, PFBS, PFOS), and the ∑PFSA concentrations ranged from non-detected to 3.61 ng g-1 ww. PFDA was found in all sites and species, compared to PFOS, which only was found in piscivorous species in elevated levels. The positive correlation between Hg and PFOS imply that these substances have similar accumulation patterns. The HRs showed that increased fish consumption is harmless to the Ethiopian population regarding PFAS and Hg contamination. Varied fish consumption is of importance though since several individuals from the piscivorous species contained Hg concentrations exceeding the WHO marketing limit of 0.5 μg g-1 (500 ng g-1). / Både poly- och perfluoralkylerade ämnen (PFASer) och kvicksilver (Hg) är persistenta, bioackumulerande och toxiska (PBT) ämnen som kan utgöra stor hälsorisk för människor. PFASer och Hg förekommer globalt i den akvatiska miljön och den mest betydande källan för mänsklig exponering av dessa ämnen är fiskkonsumtion. Studier av PFASer och Hg är vanligt förekommande i de tempererade zonerna, men väldigt lite är känt från de tropiska akvatiska systemen i Afrika. Lake Tana, Etiopiens största sjö, har stort ekologiskt värde och fiskproduktion och export från sjön förutspås öka under kommande år. Däremot saknas kunskap om hur denna föroreningsbelastning med ökat fiskintag kommer påverka befolkningen i landet. Syftet med denna studie var därför att jämföra Hg- och PFAS-koncentrationer mellan områden och arter, utvärdera ackumuleringsmönster och bedöma hälsoriskerna med ökad fiskkonsumtion i landet.   Under oktober 2014 samlades totalt 97 individer in från fem arter (Labeobarbus megastoma, Labeobarbus gorguari, Labeobarbus intermedius, Oreochromis niloticus och Clarias gariepinus) och från sju olika platser i Lake Tana. Dissektionen utfördes i Bahir Dar (där muskelprover togs från dorsala rygglinjen) och sedan fördes proverna till Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet (SLU) för analys. För att bestämma skillnader och korrelationer mellan områden och arter, samt mellan Hg och olika PFASer, utfördes statistiska analyser och för att utvärdera hälsorisken av en ökad fiskkonsumtion beräknades riskfaktorer för båda ämnena.    Resultaten påvisade flertalet likheter mellan Hg och PFASer, bland annat högre koncentrationer i piskivora fiskarter (L. megastoma and L. gorguari) än icke-piskivora och även likheter i koncentrationer mellan provområdena. Hg-koncentrationerna varierade mellan 0-639 ng g-1 våtvikt (vv), med ett medel på 137 ng g-1 vv för alla arter. Sju PFASer detekterades i analysen (PFNA, PFDA, PFUnDA, PFDoDA, PFTeDA, PFBS, PFOS), där ∑PFSA koncentrationerna varierade mellan icke-detekterbara till 3,6 ng g-1 vv. PFDA förekom i alla arter och områden, medan PFOS bara fanns i förhöjda värden i piskivora arter. Den funna positiva korrelationen mellan PFOS och Hg antyder att dessa ämnen har liknande ackumulationsmönster. De beräknade riskfaktorerna visade att en fiskkonsumtions-ökning inte skulle utgöra en risk för den etiopiska befolkningen med avseende på Hg- och PFAS-halter. En varierad fiskkonsumtion är dock av stor vikt eftersom flertalet individer från de piskivora arterna innehöll högre Hg-koncentrationer än den av WHO rekommenderade gränsen på 0,5 μg g-1 vv.
7

Can monkeys and humans co-exist? Land-use and primate conservation : conflicts and solutions in Tana River National Primate Reserve, Kenya

Gachugu, David Mukii, n/a January 1992 (has links)
This study is based in Tana River National Primate Reserve (TRNPR), Kenya. The reserve, established in 1976 to protect remnant patches of riverine forests from increasing human pressure is home to two endemic endangered primate subspecies, Tana River Red colobus (Colobus badius rufomitratus) and Tana River Crested mangabey (Cercocebus galeritus galeritus). Habitat encroachment through indigenous farming and forest uses was thought to be one of the causes of drastic colobus and mangabey population decline after 1975. This study aimed at; generating information on the impact of these human land-uses on the habitat, this would facilitate the preparation of management recommendations which would improve the chances of survival of primate habitats without compromising the welfare of indigenous people. Using 3 sets of aerial photographs and a geographic information system, information on land-use changes over time has been generated. A 3 month field work generated information on agriculture, forest uses and other relevant socio-economic information. Results from the study indicate that: (i) human population has increased by more than two-folds between 1969 and 1991; (ii) this has not corresponded to a net increase in forest area decrease or farm area increase; (iii) there has been a net increase in area under forest and decrease in area under agriculture; (iv) spatial and temporal changes in forest area explain colobus population crash observed between 1975 and 1985, (v) indigenous farmers interviewed prefer a compromise, where they are allowed controlled access to land within the reserve. They showed a keen knowledge of conservation costs and benefits and cause-effect processes between humans and the environment. Management recommendations advocate measures that encourage indigenous people to be partners in conservation.
8

De l'influence des crues sur les services écosystémiques des prairies inondables : Application à la production fourragère dans le delta du fleuve Tana, au Kenya / ON THE INFLUENCE OF FLOODS ON ECOSYSTEM SERVICES OF FLOODPLAIN GRASSLANDS : An application to fodder production in the Tana River Delta, Kenya

Léauthaud-Harnett, Crystèle 22 February 2013 (has links)
En Afrique Sub-Saharienne, les zones humides forment d'importantes zones de pâturages pour bon nombre de pastoralistes. Le régime d'inondation de ces plaines influence leur fonc tionnement et leur productivité. Pour comprendre et maitriser ces régimes, il est donc essentiel d'évaluer l'impact de l'infrastructure hydro-électrique sur les dynamiques d'inondations en aval des barrages. Pourtant, le manque de données disponibles, l'absence de modèles validés et la forte variabilité environnementale rendent cet exercice difficile. Cette thèse contribue à quantifier l'impact du changement des ressources hydriques sur la productivité fourragère des prairies inondables dans le Delta du fleuve Tana, au Kenya. 1/ Les caractéristiques de croissance et la productivité d'une prairie inondable à Echinochloa stagnina (Retz) P. Beauv. ont été déterminées pour différents régimes de fauche, d'irrigation et conditions d'inondations. Ensuite, un modèle de croissance adapté à des Graminées en C4, tropicales et pérennes, de prairies inondables a été développé. Il constitue, à notre connaissance, le premier modèle éco-physiologique adapté à ce type de prairies. 2/ Des processus hydrologiques importants pour le fonctionnement des écosystèmes (étendue, période, durée et fréquence d'inondation) ont été caractérisés grâce à un modèle de bilan hydrologique et à l'utilisation de techniques de télédétection, et cela en dépit de la faible instrumentalisation du bassin, du peu de données topographiques et d'un fort couvert nuageux. 3/ Une analyse préliminaire de l'impact de différents scénarios d'inondations sur la production fourragère a été effectuée en utilisant des indicateurs de services écosystémiques. Cette thèse participe à l'amélioration de nos connaissances des services écosystémiques des zones humides par la construction de modèles et par l'évaluation de scénarios dans une région du monde où ce type de données est rare. / Wetlands are a vital resource for many pastoralists in Sub-Saharan Africa as they provide dry-season grazing zones. As floods are essential for wetland ecosystems, the assessment of water abstraction and hydroelectric infrastructure on downstream flooding dynamics is crucial. Yet, scarce data, environmental variability and the lack of models make this challenging. This research contributes to quantifying the influence of changing water resources on fodder pro- duction of floodplain grasslands in the Tana River Delta, Kenya. 1/ Growth characteristics of floodplain grasslands of Echinochloa stagnina (Retz) P. Beauv. for different flood and manage- ment options were determined and a quantification of their productivity achieved. This kind of data is scarce for floodplain grasslands. A plant growth model adapted to tropical floodplain conditions and perennial C4 grasses was developed, and is the first known physiologically based model for floodplain grasslands. 2/ Hydrological processes of ecological importance (flood extent, timing, duration, frequency) were characterized in a poorly gauged basin using a water-balance model combined with remote-sensing techniques, despite precise knowledge of discharge rates, topography and a high cloud cover. 3/ A preliminary analysis explored different flooding scenarios and their impact on fodder production through the use of simple ecosystem service indicators. This PhD contributes to the repertoire of wetland ecosystem ser- vices by building biophysically based simulation models and exploring possible scenarios in a region of the world and an ecosystem where these type of evaluations are rare.
9

Jämförelse av egenskaper hos kvartsit från olika fyndigheter

Alldén, Erik January 2013 (has links)
<p>Validerat; 20130508 (global_studentproject_submitter)</p>
10

An appraisal of participatory monitoring and evaluation in government community development initiatives : a case study of Tana and Athi River Development Authority (TARDA), Kenya

Mariga, Erick January 2012 (has links)
Magister Artium (Development Studies) - MA(DVS) / Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation (PME) is an integral part for the success of any government community development initiative as it helps foster a sense of ownership and at the same time promotes meaningful development at grass-root level. The Government of Kenya (GOK), through the Ministry of Regional Development has established Regional Development Authorities (RDA’s) that are mandated to promote development within their areas of jurisdiction by implementing integrated programmes and enhancement of community participation. It is against this backdrop that this research investigation is using Tana and Athi River Development Authority (TARDA) in Kenya as a case study in order to appraise how PME is applied in this process. The people-centred development theory constituted the theoretical grounding of the study, and in addition implementation approaches to PME were discussed in relation to the various project management areas of knowledge. Qualitative methods of research were applied throughout the study in assessing the level of stakeholders’ participation in monitoring and evaluation. A mix of interviews and focus group discussions were utilized. More specifically, individual interviews were conducted with the project beneficiaries/community, TARDA management, project management facilitators, as well as monitoring and evaluation specialists in an attempt to unravel how and to what extent Tana County residents are involved in the monitoring and evaluation process of TARDA projects. Empirical findings gathered from the study were reflected upon through concrete grounded discussions on the contribution of PME in increasing community participation, empowerment and decision-making in various development projects. The research findings also indicated that PME plays a pivotal role in ensuring accountability and transparency of institutions thus creating investor confidence and promoting regional-balanced development. Furthermore, the findings also revealed that an effective PME system gives decision makers an additional public sector management tool, while at the same time building on the capacities of the beneficiaries. Finally, it is proposed that PME should be a standard practice among public sector institutions that embrace PME techniques, also in order to document and share PME experiences for purposes of information generation and future sustainable development.

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