Introduction of Cau river basin environmental development program By Nguyen Tuan Anh Vietnam Agenda 21 Office- MPI

Contents of the presentation: 1. Social, economic and environmental conditions of Cau river basin 2. Contents of Cau river basin environmental development program 3. Implementations

Overview of Social, economic and environmental conditions of Cau river basin The system of Cau river starts from Bac Kan, Thai Nguyen, Vinh Phuc and runs through Bac Giang, Bac Ninh, Hai Duong provinces, lying in 6 provinces Bac Kan, Thai Nguyen, Vinh Phuc, Bac Giang, Bac Ninh, Hai Duong. The main branch is Cau river of 288 km long and the basin is 6032 km2 large.

Climate, hydrometeorology Tropical climate Annual average temperature: 21 degree Gap between seasons clearly High annual average rainfall : 1500-2700 mm. In the high land: 1800-2000 Total waterfall in Cau river is 4.5 km3/year Flood season starts from June, ends at September

Water demand in Cau basin For agriculture: irrigated for 40,000 ha and required around 400 million m3/ year For householders For industries In general, lack of 36 millions m3 water during dry season, especially in January – March

Social and economic figures Total area: 16000km2, the basin’s area is more than 6000 km2 Backan is largest province ( 4796 km2) but less population ( 292383 people), less density is 61 people/ km2 BacNinh is smallest province, but high population (987022 inhabitants) and density is highest: 1238 people/ km2 The development of region based on: natural resources, water source and cultivated land, labors

Environmental degradation Forest area reduced around 1.4 million ha, remains 3.9 million ha. Forest cover in Thai nguyen and BacKan reduced from 48 % to 39 % in 2000, including planted forest. Forest quality in Cau basin is low, poor, lees coverage and lose of capability to keep the water and avoid floods.

Water quality: degraded, many places are heavy polluted Water quality: degraded, many places are heavy polluted. The polluters are: Industry Handicraft villages Domestic solid waste, hospital waste From agriculture and other production

Contents of Cau river basin environmental development program The needs for implementation of above program: The basin are overloaded, over carrying capacity, especially on forest, land, water resources… The river is heavy polluted by untreated wastewater spill Degradation of landscape.

Contents of Cau river basin environmental development program Overall objective: -      Ensure sufficiency and balance of water in Cau river and its branches; ensure that the river and its branches are not polluted, have good landscape, mild climate, safe and sustainable water constructions and flow systems. Cau river meets the standard of a prosperous and sustainable river basin without re-violation.

Main tasks To preserve the nature, gene system, bio diversity, bring into full play the advantages of the basin. Improve the natural landscape. Setup the management system in the hole basin Restoration the environmental hotpots

Solutions for implementation Socialization the environmental, ecological, landscape management in Cau basin Improve of state management efficiency Promote the international cooperation Implement the specific projects

Organization and implementation Set up the Integrated management committee ( Cau river committee) for implementation the program, that will be approved by Prime Ministry The role and mandate of central government, line ministries

Propose: Study on organization model Formulation of sustainable development strategy for the the basin (Agenda 21 for basin) Implementation of pilot projects

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