Protect the water sources through community participation on the micro-watershed management in the Region of Oecusse Timor Leste

The attention given to water management has increased lately due to the growing problem of water scarcity worldwide and rising conflicts between water users. Research conducted in the region of Oecusse on the western side of Timor Leste. As is typical of the uplands of Timor-Leste, the ecology is fragile and bears the negative impact of slash-and-burn agriculture, which also negatively impacts already inadequate water resources. The lack of clean water sources, sanitation and hygienic practices in the area lead to health problems. This research is focusing on how the implementation, challenges, and impact of protect community water sources through the adoption of micro-watershed management. This study uses a qualitative approach. The sample was taken by purposive sampling, by selecting a number of respondents who were involving and knowing how efforts to protect water resources by using micro-watershed management. The research found that community was participating on the micro-watershed have fenced to protect the springs from encroachment from wild and farm animals. One of the important factors of community participation is the establishment of the Water Management Committees (WMC). It is focused on conservation and protection of micro-watershed. Access of women and marginalized groups to water was better, particularly in those belonging to WMCs which had established rules on distributing and collecting water. With well-organized management of water collection, the residents had certain schedules for collecting water and it was time-saving for them.