Case Study: Melian River, TUNISIA

Tunisia has a 1,200 km long coast, characterised by diverse habitats and specific ecosystems which are increasingly threatened by human activities as the coast undergoes much socio-economic pressure. In fact, 70% of the population, 73% of the houses, 88% of the industrial activities and 96% of the tourism infrastructure are found along the coast.

The important concentration of the activities inevitably leads to a conflict concerning the water use, to the deterioration of the coastal environment and that of the ecosystems, to erosion and to beach pollution.

The Tunisian case study cover the Melian Basin with a total drainage area of 553 km², a corresponding perimeter of about 107.5 km. The area has a total population of about 390,500. The study will analyse conflicts on land use and water resources.

The case study is characterised by warm and dry summers, mild winter and an average annual rainfall of 490 mm. Increasing agricultural production and industrial development are leading to an overexploitation of water resources. This also affects the vulnerability of the ecosystem.

Actors and Stakeholders

The institutional partners, involved in the OPTIMA project include the National Center for Remote sensing (CNT), Agence Nationale de Protection de l'Environnement (ANPE), Agence de Protection et de management du Littoral (APAL), Direction Generale des resources en eau (DGRE), Office National de l'assainissement (ONAS), Societe Nationale des eaux et de la distribution des eaux (SONEDE), Conservation des eaux et des sols (CES), Ecole Nationale des Ingenieurs de Tunis (ENIT), Faculte des Sciences de Tunis (FST), Institut National Agronomique de Tunisie (INAT).

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