1 Module 2: Mekong Water and People Session 2.2: Links between water & peoples “ The Mekong-- different things to different peoples in each part of the basin ”

2 Main regions Northern Highland

3 N highlands “ head water ” - steep fast flowing tributary rivers, Giver 10% fresh water resources to the Mekong. Key rivers Kok, Ing River - Ou & Khan river. 3.2 mi people total 1.5 mil are highland ethnic minorities 1.7 mil in Laos 1.6 mil in Thailand Frontier area – border cities Trans-national migrants Trade

4 North – the poorest in Laos & 70% residents ethnic minorities. – diverse cultures & identities intimately linked to natural environments in which peoples live-pristine environment – Poor living condition- infants death & child health the worst in Asia. Only 30% access to safe drinking water – Traditional farm-rotational: rice maize, vegetables & livestock. Food from nature over 50% of total – mostly from forest & some rivers products. – Seasonal food insecurities (4-6 months) – Less NTFP now- because rapid forest loss  push from regional economic integration, logging, concessions, land clearing -farming Livelihood & resources uses

5 North Thailand- chiangrai, chiangmai, Phyao market economy-agriculture becoming more commercialized. Big on tourism and upland cash crops- fruits/oranges Cash Income from services & light industries important fierce competition for water in the dry season - irrigated rice, fruit orchards, light industries, drastic tourism and urban expansion water pollution – farms chemicals

6 Benefits from MRB resources Highland peoples- very small demand for water – Water for drinking & washing from mountain springs or streams. – Watershed in head water area for 1) farming- natural moisture. 2) animals grazing land for livestock & 3) forests for collection NTFP – Few benefits from fish in their immediate stream- or by trading N highland – Thai – bigger demand for water- – 1) Water for irrigation – orange orchards & dry season rice – 2) water for light industries and other urban uses – 3) clean water for tourists (food & drink, resorts- golf courses bathing & drinking) – 4) clean healthy – scenic rivers for cruising /rafting – water sports – 5) cheap apples /fruits & electronic goods from china – via cargo ship from China via bigger navigation route on mainstream

7 Northern highlands gives to LMB 1) Clean water Mekong flow 10 % 2) Cultural heritage and diversities 3) Wealth of indigenous knowledge about local ecosystem- species & their related benefits 4) common assets: – Mekong Giant catfish for heritage- many other big fishes – Water transport route for national and trans-national purposes. – Ecology-cultural assets – Beautiful tourism SITES

8 LMB Planning issues Land use changes in the catchment – can affects flows into the Mekong – more sediment. Affects sustainability of upland agriculture & livelihoods of the ethnic highland peoples. Managing the catchments is complex. The Lao Government committed to stop shifting cultivation, but ethnic minorities have not many alternatives. – Are there ways to practice shifting agriculture more sustainably, through better erosion control method? – Ways to increase cash income for poor ethnic communities? By making use of cultural resources via co-cultural tourism? so environment – development- ethnic culture - can co exist? – How to articulate water allocation in Thailand? Commercial production( big farm) – river /water quality for tourism? Safe sufficient – unpolluted water sources for local domestic uses ?

9 Central Plateau- NE Thailand & Central Laos 250,000 km2, Biggest Water givers= 38% to annual flow. Main tributaries are Mun, chi, and Song Kam river Nam Kadeing, Nam Thurn and Xe Bangfai Population 24 mil 21.5 mil in Thailand 2.5 in Laos 28 provinces 19 of Thai NE / Esan & 9 of Lao provinces

10 Central Laos – least poor region of the the country NE Thai the poorest region of Thailand -62% of all Thai poor live here ( 6 mil) Rice key food – economic crops – Central Laos rice basket the country & Esan – grow Jasmine for exports – Most rice – rain fed. Irrigation net work exist – but little % are used Mekong Fish suppliers to Laos & Thailand – Both banks - many tributaries- has flood exchange with Mekong- create many associated wetlands & rich in fish – Fish has food & cultural importance

11 Esan – more options for earning – Get from agriculture /farming rice & cash industrial crops, Sticky rice for food, Jasmine for sale – $$ wage income – various options in employment Agro processing & service sector in NE work in urban & big cities - mass migration – Only 40 % Esan people get main income from agriculture People in Central Laos – Majorities are subsistent food producer – rice. Some vegetables – Local natural resources important base- important for all earnings – Fishing & hunting for food important for mass rural folks-> food and sale – Increasing labour migration – to Thai side  wage earning LivelihoodLivelihood

12 Benefits MK resources -- Plateau Wet season irrigation- supplement water to rain-fed rice -larger % Dry season irrigation- vegetables, some cash crops -smaller % – Laos- network for 290,000 ha for wet & 197,000 ha for dry season. 92,000 ha of dry season rice harvested in Low % of use due to high operation costs & low return – Thai-network for 750,000ha primarily for wet season. Less than 15% are used for dry season -- since not economical & labor not available, too expensive Instream water use – maintain fisheries. Natural fish very important food- most Lao rural folks little cash earning to buy food. Family fish ponds largely trap natural fish for later food. Fisheeires-Thai side both economic and culture importance – Clean rivers for aquaculture – Mekong + tributaries Head water for hydro power – export-government income Water for Industrial & urban uses Water for home use-drinking washing- surface & undergorund In land Water - transports – 10 of thousands people in Laos for wet season –

13 Irrigation -potential to improve livelihoods. At present use on high yield crops & riskier than traditional farm. Irrigation costs -> diesel pumping is expensive. So are investment costs for farms inputs – What support is needed to ensure that irrigated agriculture give net benefits to farmers? How to make good use of existing systems & small farmer profits ? Protecting the capture fishery is a priority for Thai government. \ – How can urban planning be improved- the floodplain which are important for fisheries are not lost? Development in Thailand needs energy, and Laos has hydropower potentials ( one source of energy) –How to plan hydropower developments so that they provide the best hydropower outcome for the least environmental, social and economic cost ? –Are their different water used options without uprooting vulnerable people, but get similar national income gain? Central plateau- planning issues

14 Southern Highlands significant areas of conservation Dense forest, deep – fierce flow steams Low population Area 119,000 km2, 25% of total flow- biggest single inflow point 3.5 mil peoples (1.2 mil Highland Ethnic groups) 2.3 mil in Vietnam 0.9 mil in Laos 0.2 Cambodia

15 most important eco system- LMB land mark & Icon Species – their sheer existence are invaluable !!

16 Southern Highland – key sites Rich and diverse in environment – Khone fall & Stung Ramsar site – Wern Kham (Laos) & Krati (Cambodia) Dophin habitat – key fish habitats-migration route & deep pools – Large & valuable fish species export to Thailand via Laos People & livelihood poverty rate over 42% (1.54 mil) & severely poor. Diverse groups & ways of life & languages – lavane, Krung, Jarai, Tapuan etc. Intimately linked with nature where they live Highland farming & livestock & food from forest – little cash economy ….but changing Threats from forest loss, but no new options yet Frontier communications ( cross border)

17 Water use and benefits In stream uses to maintain fisheries productivities – for local food securities for poor who has still limited options & large valuable fish to Laos & Thailand- LMB fish stocks depend on this water – key route maintain icon species – common assets of LMB Inland Water transport for on mainstream Mekong and tributaries for remote communities in Laos & Cambodia. Water for Irrigation --cash crops in Vietnam part – coffee and other crops. Currently using partly under ground water. Water for domestic use & Water for Potential for hydropower: Se San, Se Kong

18 Water use and benefits There is good potential for hydropower in the southern highlands. The Yali Dam was built on the SeSan River in 1995 to produce hydropower. The operation of the dam has resulted in un-seasonal flooding which has severely affected the people living downstream from the dam 7 more dams is being planned in South Laos- In river XePian, Xe Namnoy, Xe Kham Marn FOR EXPORT Cambodia ’ s plan on Lower Sesan

19 Planning Issues The region – main source of eater to MK. Local demand still small- but soon could change due to rapid development - VN side. Changes in land use may have an impact on the water flow- more sediment & change ecology of fish How to manage forest & land resource sustainably ? protect the water resource shared by all, and the forest resources important for highland people ? How can the Mekong valuable fish species be maintained so common assets to all still exist ? * Laos has water potential for hydro dams & Cambodia needs cheaper energy for its population & Thailand /Vietnam can use more energy Can hydro potentials be exploited with least environment & social cost to groups already in dire poverty? Least impact on fisheries downsttream which is life sources for for millions? What are the economic & social “ trade off “ between national income & local food security via various water use options? How can water based development be done in balancing “ national – regional income growth with social equity ? – keeping humans ’ diversities ( cultures) ecology?

20 Tonle sap & Mekong delta most productive in both agriculture and fisheries production The southern floodplains and delta Covers 28 provinces ( 15 Cambodia & 12 Vietnam) Population 25 millions

21 Tonle sap region ( Pop5.1 mil) is the poorest part of Cambodia estimated at 1.8 mil people Life depend on annual flooding to bring fish to floodplain, also fertile soil and water for rice ( floating, receding & dry season rice) High % landlessness so people here get large part of benefits from common/public space- flooded forest, open water, channels Fish has economic, employment and food security important to Cambodia Livelihood rice- fish & few cash earning opportunities outside agriculture The southern Floodplains & Delta

22 Delta – 20 mil people ( mil in VN- 5.5 in Cambodia) poverty rate is 33% -but not too far below poverty line Livelihood on rice cultivation & fishing & fish (cage) culture & elementary occupations- small scale trade & job in agro/ or garment industries Smaller land holding 1 ha (Cambodia 1h/ family & VN below ½ ha) Most Intensive irrigated agriculture in LMB-esp Vietnam Delta (3 crops/yr) Fish capture at 1.2 mil ton, culture0.18 mil /yr for most in Vietnam The southern Floodplains & Delta People and livelihood Poverty gap

23 30 Nov What resource & benefits people get? Irrigated agriculture: large sum of water for irrigation- VN 3 crops & SE Cambodia 2 crops. VN ~2+ mil ha & Cam 0.3 mil ha – both are rice pot of the country feeding millions. ) Over 70% VN rice export comes from here. Natural Fisheries: most productive area – employed 20 + mil people –P/F time. Food & protein nutrition to rural poor. Fish consumption highest here up to 89 kg /person/yr Water transport & communication for vast majorities 15 mil Delta people who live on or near water. Tourism: Water transport & recreation for tourists up to Angkor down to of delta Water for aquaculture: produce fish ~ 0.2 tons worth US $ 217 mil/yr Benefits From Mekong resources

24 Benefits From Mekong resources Saline /acid flush out : VN vast economic assets ( agri-land) are saved by annual “flush out” by flow from upstream MK to keep out sea water + wash out acide from topsoil Mobile space for millions of people – floating house:several thousand home in Tonle Sap & several million of home in VN delta are “ temporary floating home ”

25 Benefits From Mekong resources Saline /acid flush out : VN vast economic assets ( agri-land) are saved by annual “flush out” by flow from upstream MK to keep out sea water + wash out acide from topsoil Mobile space for millions of people – floating house :several thousand homes in Tonle Sap & several million of homes in VN delta Are “ temporary floating home ” water gives “free residential space”

26 Planning issues Level fertilizer /pesticide use is growing. Fertilizer run-off often results in eutrophication as the water becomes too nutrient rich-can affect fish. Chemicals in fish can affect people who consume the fish Non – rice crops often require protection from floods and so there is an increasing number of levee banks being built on the delta. Increasing urban populations is also increasing the amount of flood protection works being undertaken. Aquaculture in the delta - done with little attention to disposal of waste products. The VN supports sustainable aquaculture by promoting rice-prawn systems, but the Government has few resources for extension.

27 Planning issues – Are there ways to sustainably manage the capture fishery – e.g. reduce over-fishing and protect important habitats ? – Are there ways of improving the access of poor people to fishery resources through small scale aquaculture production ? – How to expand consumptive for increasing tourism and irrigation without major compromise on water qualities and quantity the affect fisheries resources ?

28 Planning issues The floodplains /delta are a fishery source for the whole of the Basin. Fish migrate from here to other parts of the Basin not only by swimming along the rivers but also by being sold to other parts of the Basin. Sustainably managing such a large fishery is complex. The population of part is large – Are there ways to increase aquacultural production sustainably ? e.g. by promoting sustainable fish-rice rotations? – Are there ways to protect the valuable fishery against pollution either from fertlisers and chemicals associated with agriculture or from possible chemical spills from river transport ? Are there ways to sustainably manage the capture fishery – e.g. reduce over-fishing and protect important habitats ? – Are there ways of improving the access of poor people to fishery resources through small scale aquaculture production ? – How to expand consumptive ” water uses ” for increasing tourism and irrigation without major compromise on water qualities and quantity the affect fisheries resources