WHY IS INTEGRATED RIVER BASIN PLANNING IMPORTANT? Module 1 pp 1.1

1. What is Integrated River Basin Planning? It has many names which all mean the same thing It has many names which all mean the same thing Integrated Water Resources Planning Integrated Water Resources Planning Integrated Catchment Planning Integrated Catchment Planning Total Catchment Planning Total Catchment Planning Integrated Ecosystem Planning Integrated Ecosystem Planning Integrated Watershed Planning Integrated Watershed Planning

Planning and Management Sometimes “management” is used instead of “planning” – management refers to both planning and implementation. Sometimes “management” is used instead of “planning” – management refers to both planning and implementation. This course is only looking at planning This course is only looking at planning

Towns Wetlands What is a River Basin ? Irrigation Highland areas Agricultural land Capture fishery Dam The catchment or watershed which contains the river and its tributaries

Good river basin planning… must Integrate between sectors and disciplines Integrate between sectors and disciplines Recognise that land and water are linked Recognise that land and water are linked Recognise that “catchments” are the best planning unit Recognise that “catchments” are the best planning unit Recognise that sustainable development of the people is linked to the sustainable development of the land and water Recognise that sustainable development of the people is linked to the sustainable development of the land and water

The Mekong River Basin is an international river basin Different governments are responsible for the planning and management of different parts of the Basin Different governments are responsible for the planning and management of different parts of the Basin River Basin plans must provide benefits to all nations River Basin plans must provide benefits to all nations Benefits come from the use& development of the shared resources of the Basin Benefits come from the use& development of the shared resources of the Basin

What are the shared resources ? Shared resources travel or flow across national boundaries

Water (surface water & groundwater)

Migrating flora and fauna (fish are the most economically important)

People gain many benefits from the shared resources

Why plan the Mekong River Basin ? People now have a much greater impact on the Mekong River Basin People now have a much greater impact on the Mekong River Basin Population has grown Population has grown The way agriculture is produced is changing The way agriculture is produced is changing There is increased development on the floodplains There is increased development on the floodplains We want benefits now & also for future. So must ensure that resources remain for our children We want benefits now & also for future. So must ensure that resources remain for our children

How do Basin Plans differ from other plans Basin plans must complement national plans Basin plans must complement national plans Basin planning is not project planning Basin planning is not project planning A development which has potential in a Basin plan may not be a successful project, this will depend on project economic, social and environmental assessment. Example: Pakmun Dam, Phamong Hydropower proposal. A development which has potential in a Basin plan may not be a successful project, this will depend on project economic, social and environmental assessment. Example: Pakmun Dam, Phamong Hydropower proposal. Because the river basin is a complete ecological system, dams, rock-blasting, dredging and flood protection works can all create impacts in other parts of the basin Because the river basin is a complete ecological system, dams, rock-blasting, dredging and flood protection works can all create impacts in other parts of the basin Changes in fishing, farming, logging and building activities affect the amount and quality of water reaching users further downstream. Changes in fishing, farming, logging and building activities affect the amount and quality of water reaching users further downstream.

Basin planning focuses on transboundary issues An undertaking, intervention or process is transboundary if its impact is felt on the other side of national border An undertaking, intervention or process is transboundary if its impact is felt on the other side of national border E.g. A dam could regulate water flow in one area, but create a flood or a water shortage elsewhere. A dam in Yunan can effect the water level in the Northern Lao and Thailand E.g. A dam could regulate water flow in one area, but create a flood or a water shortage elsewhere. A dam in Yunan can effect the water level in the Northern Lao and Thailand We don’t know everything about transboundary issues but our knowledge is growing all the time We don’t know everything about transboundary issues but our knowledge is growing all the time

Basin Planning is strategic Strategic means having a clear objective and having a step by step approach to achieving the objective Strategic means having a clear objective and having a step by step approach to achieving the objective

Objectives of the Mekong River Basin Plan The objective of the Mekong River Basin Plan is given in the 1995 Agreement. It includes The objective of the Mekong River Basin Plan is given in the 1995 Agreement. It includes Protection of the environment and ecological balance (Article 3), Protection of the environment and ecological balance (Article 3), Maintenance of flows on the mainstream (Article 6) and Maintenance of flows on the mainstream (Article 6) and Prevention and cessation of harmful effects (Article 7) Prevention and cessation of harmful effects (Article 7)

Step by step approach to achieving the Plan objectives This will come from: This will come from: Understanding how the shared resources of the Basin and the people are linked. Understanding how the shared resources of the Basin and the people are linked. Adopting the principles of good basin planning Adopting the principles of good basin planning The next modules of the course will discuss these things The next modules of the course will discuss these things