Convention on Biological Diversity Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971) RIVER BASIN INITIATIVE on integrating biological diversity, wetland and river basin management Workshop on Wetlands, Biodiversity and Climate Change 17 th January 2002 Faizal Parish Director, River Basin Initiative Secretariat

Convention on Biological Diversity Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971) What is the River Basin Initiative? a unique and developing partnership of –water management organisations –wetland and biodiversity organisations –development assistance agencies –country decision-makers and implementers with shared interest in enhancing basin- scale management

Convention on Biological Diversity Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971) Key issues of concern for rivers and associated ecosystems Ecosystem loss and degradation. Water shortages River/water pollution Increased flooding Depletion of natural resources

Convention on Biological Diversity Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971) Key issues (cont’d) loss of fisheries Loss/ reduction in fauna and flora (biodiversity) Loss of livelihood for local communities Increased CO2 emissions

Convention on Biological Diversity Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971) High Altitude Stream Irrigation Scheme Upper Course of River Man-made Lake (Reservoir) Middle Course of River Lowland River Mangroves Coral Reef Drop Off Limit for Definition Open Sea Reef Flats/Seagrass Beds Mudflats

Convention on Biological Diversity Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971) Basis for RBI development key element of the CBD-Ramsar Joint Work Plan Joint Work Plan Demonstration of implementation of joint activities between Conventions CBD: endorsed by COP5 decision V/2 (Kenya 2000) on inland waters programme of work Follow up to the Hague Ministerial Meeting and the Water Vision/Framework for Action

Convention on Biological Diversity Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971) RBI process so far Being developed on behalf of Ramsar & CBD by River Basin Initiative Secretariat –discussion with wide range of regional/ international potential partners and donors –country needs and contributions assessment (March-October 2001) –Design Workshop (15-17 May 2001) –resourcing from Ramsar Convention, CBD, GEF, DGIS - Netherlands, UNDP, UNEP, Wetlands International, DANCED.

Convention on Biological Diversity Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971) RBI: Goal To promote and support integrated management of biodiversity, wetlands and river basins worldwide

Convention on Biological Diversity Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971) Partners Countries countries endorsed concept 85 countries confirmed participation International organisations - UNESCO, IWMI, ICLARM, GWP, IUCN, WWF, Wetlands International

Convention on Biological Diversity Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971) RBI Objectives 1. Develop cross sectoral partnerships 2. Establish knowledge sharing network 3. Enhance awareness and strengthen capacity through country or basin activities through partners. 4. Analyse/synthesise information for input to global meetings and dialogues

Convention on Biological Diversity Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971) User needs assessment Questionnaire survey: national needs and contributions –Ramsar/CBD: sent to all Contracting Parties (182 countries) –Sent to other interested international organisations and projects –88 countries have responded (to September 2001) 97% agreed with need for better information exchange to support integration

Convention on Biological Diversity Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971) Needs/Contributions Key topics Community involvement, Planning processes, Policy and legal, mgt interventions Methods - workshops/courses, manuals, web sites, , study tours More than 90% of countries willing to share experience through RBI Topics, community involvement, biodiversity conservation, basin planning, restoration, IRBM Regional variations

Convention on Biological Diversity Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971) Current Activity areas Establish partnership mechanisms (Countries/international organisations) Initiate Information sharing /networking (RBI net) Establish knowledge sharing portal Disseminate awareness and training materials Promote pilot country activities – Asia Pacific, CEE, Africa, Latin America

Convention on Biological Diversity Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971)

Convention on Biological Diversity Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971)

Convention on Biological Diversity Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971)

Convention on Biological Diversity Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971) Potential for Involvement Suggestions on concept, linkages and demonstration activities Join RBI/ SungaiNet networks – get regular news on RBI and river basin management Participate in Country activities and demonstration sites Contribute to the Web portal Share information on your activities and outputs Organise related workshops

Convention on Biological Diversity Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971) Case studies Malaysia – community involvement in river Management Se Asia – Peatland drainage and fires China – Tarim Basin

Convention on Biological Diversity Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971) Malaysia – community involvement Significant issues of river quality degradation In Malaysia Traditional approach is end of pipe solution rather than prevention Recognition for community approach Pilot projects being developed

Convention on Biological Diversity Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971) Proposed demonstration areas Sungai Pencala Kelana Jaya lakes Sg Salut and mengkabong, Sabah Community monitoring Community clean up Improvement of fish diversity Ecotourism SungaiNet

Convention on Biological Diversity Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971) Peatland Drainage in SE Asia 60% of world’s tropical peatland resources Total area: million ha Key role for biodiversity, carbon storage, sustainable forestry, tourism, non-timber forest products, flood control and water supply Future management linked to water resource management

Convention on Biological Diversity Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971) Peatlands and Drainage in SE Asia Drainage of peatlands for agriculture and forestry million ha of peatland burnt Haze in SE Asia $9 billion economic loss > 300 mil. tonnes CO 2 released from peatlands

Convention on Biological Diversity Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971) Peatlands and Forest Fires Central Kalimantan Mega rice project 1million ha of peatland drained for creation of rice cultivation Peatland up to 25m thick 95% unsuitable for rice 4500km of canals cut Over 500,000ha burned

Convention on Biological Diversity Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971) Peatlands and Forest Fires Abandoned in 1999 No rehabilitation to date Proposed restoration through blockage of canals and replanting forest Next fire season predicted in 2002

Convention on Biological Diversity Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971) SE Asia Peatland Action Plan Being developed by Global Environment Centre and partners Funded by ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity Conservation and CIDA SEA Peat Network Demonstration sites in Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia Development of strategy and action plan

Convention on Biological Diversity Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971) Tarim Basin, China In Xinjiang in NW China 2100km long internal drainage basin Mainly fed by snowmelt Flows through the second largest desert in the world Global significance for biodiversity conservation

Convention on Biological Diversity Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971) Degradation due to over use of water Intensive irrigation cotton and other crops Overuse of water 400km of river dried up Floodplain forests die Deserts extend Major negative impact on local communities

Convention on Biological Diversity Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971) Strategy for restoration Concern about impact of the drying of the rivers on desertification, local people and the environment Plan for restoration of the river flow by 2005 Improve agriculture water use eficiency

Convention on Biological Diversity Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971) Restoration of the River 200km of main channel restored in 2000 Flow in Kaidu – Peacock restored in late 2001 Further work needed to assess the impact on biodiversity and wetland restoration

Convention on Biological Diversity Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971) THANK YOU