Observations and Ideas for Payment for Ecosystem Services in Central Asia

 Examination of representative watershed in Central Asia – The Talgar River  Water Quality and Payment for Ecosystem Services on the Talgar River in Kazakhstan ◦ Almaty Nature Reserve ◦ Ile Alatau National Park ◦ Agency for Irrigation System Management

 Driver of degradation of water quality or quantity  Identification of management activities to improve water management or watershed health  Buyers and sellers  Price or payment amount  Verification and Monitoring  Contracts

 What do you think are the major watershed issues in Central Asia?

 What is your vision for watershed health and water quality and management?

 How do you get there?

 Grazing and Range Management  Fire Management and Fuels Treatment  Road Construction and Maintenance  Restoration of Riparian Areas  Soil and Water Conservation on Farmland  Invasive Species Management

 Rotation of grazing  Management of bedding grounds and watering sites  Maintain riparian buffers  Pasture improvement (weed removal)  Protect springs and water sources

 Education  Identifying areas of high fire risk  Prioritize management or treatment to areas of high fire risk  Use treatment to protect critical riparian areas and watersheds

 Improving construction to reduce impact on streams and rivers  Proper construction of culverts to reduce erosion  Ensure proper road materials and design

 Reforestation  Afforestation  Avoided conversion of forests  Longer rotation cycle  Agroforestry

 Restoring natural stream channel  Planting native vegetation on stream banks to reduce runoff  Protecting riparian buffers from grazing and agricultural uses  Reducing soil compaction

 Reduce runoff and pollution caused by fertilizers  Encourage agroforestry and multi-story planting  Efficient irrigation practices

 Education  Prevention ◦ Weed-free hay ◦ Ensuring visitors do not introduce species  Control  Monitoring

 A wealth of management activities available to improve watershed health and water quality and quantity  Applicability in Central Asia ◦ Pilot projects ◦ Success in absence of regulation ◦ Well-designed to address resource need and incentive improved management

Local Scale: Community Watershed Management India - Sukhomajri Grazing and tree felling was compromising a downstream water supply (Chandigarh) Villagers compensated to shift grazing from watershed hills and apply soil/water conserving practices on farmland Payment mechanisms: portion of water rights fees in kind: access to other grazing areas Siltation fell by 95%, $200,000 savings Agricultural productivity increased 500% for wheat, 400% for maize, 30% for milk

Silvopastoral: Forest Grazing Project Columbia, Costa Rica and Nicaragua Goal: reduce the impact of cattle farming on water quality Cattle farmers paid to plant trees and live fences Increased filtration, reduced runoff Co-benefits: carbon sequestration, biodiversity Payments In kind: technical assistance and training Annual payment based on land use practice score Maximum payment: $6,000 per farm over 4 years Funding: Carbon and biodiversity offsets Facilitated by World Bank, GEF, FAO, in-country intermediaries

Natural Park Example Mt. Kanla-on, Philippines Kanla-on Spring Water Plant supports farmers in the park to implement agroforestry activities to protect the quality of its bottled water In-kind payments Tree saplings and nurseries Technical training in agroforestry Investment in social development projects (access road, school, medical clinic)

 Secure demand in advance  Identify where management improvements are needed and why  Consult with buyers and sellers while defining the scheme  Base payments on quality of service delivery (not one size fits all)  Diversify fund (user payments, possible carbon or biodiversity credits)  Verify compliance  Track and monitor over time

 Questions???