Negotiating Flows in the Mekong

Transcription

1 Negotiating Flows in the Mekong Kate Lazarus Vientiane, Lao PDR 7 December Key messages Negotiating water flows essential part of river basin management in the Mekong Region E-flows can be an important tool to assist diverse stakeholders in the process of negotiation and better understanding of the resource Applying an e-flows approach requires establishing water flow regimes which recognise ecosystem needs whilst satisfying social and economic demands Putting E-flows theory into practice requires integration of a range of disciplines (e.g. engineering, law, ecology, economy, hydrology, sociology, political science and communication)

2 E-flows in the Mekong Region Countries in Mekong are at varying levels of understanding or implementation E-flows pilot studies conducted in Vietnam and Thailand, led by IUCN MRC experimented with E-flows called Integrated Basin Flow Management (IBFM) Experiments, presented as E-flows, have very different conceptual foundations which caused much confusion over terminology and approaches MRC set out to apply the principle of E-flows and its concepts to determine appropriate p water resources and development options and the maintenance of flows formal governance procedure focused on using E-flows to determine minimum flows In contrast, IUCN s work aimed to use E-flows in deliberative processes to negotiate acceptable flows between competing uses.

3 Cambodia China Lao PDR Myanmar Participated in MRC-led IBFM No mainstreaming into national river basin mgmt, national legislation or policies Experimentation in many basins e.g Yellow River and Suzhou River for flushing of sediments and water quality; Yellow River Conservancy Commission allocation include integrated management of domestic, agricultural, industrial and environmental water use. TNC and WWF engaged in identifying ways to sustain river ecosystems and improve design and operation of dams to minimise impacts on rivers & fish populations Participated in MRC-led IBFM Not yet mainstreamed into river basin management, national legislation or policies Meeting held in 2007, participants agreed that principles of E-flows should be included in the revision of the Water Law No evidence of use of E-flows Thailand Vietnam Use is relatively new tool in Thailand Involved in MRC-led IBFM study Pilot of e-flows in Nam Songkhram River in 2007 Legislative and policy framework where environmental considerations need to be considered for major development. Constraints to official adoption include complexity of land and water use, institutional structures and social diversity and availability of suitable methodologies, information and data Involved in MRC-led IBFM study Piloted in Huong River Basin Law on Water Resources (1998) & National Water Resources Strategy: Towards the Year the focus on economic development and low awareness of the importance of aquatic ecosystems in the balance of nature has led to severe degradation of aquatic ecosystems, especially freshwater ecosystem, where many species are becoming rare, and some are on the brink of extinction. The case of this problem is the lack of attention to aspects such as the importance of ensuring environmental flows; the importance of water ecosystem protection when physical structures on rivers are built; and the importance of controlling the exploiting and use of water to sustainable developments (MONRE, 2006)

4 Rapid E-flows Assessment in the Huong River Basin, Vietnam Rapid E-flows Assessment tested in flooding and salt water intrusion major concerns 2/3 population of Hue Province live in Houng River Basin relying directly or indirectly on river resources EFA used to determine a multi-faceted and integrated solution to competing water uses Key objective to assist local water managers and users undertake the principles and practices of E-flows as normal part of IWRM and build local capacity of partners to improve water resources decision-making Workshops strongly focused on identifying present river conditions (river classification and hydrological, ecological and social conditions) Key messages from Huong Case Significant time and resources required for implementation of an intermediate or comprehensive E-flows assessment Requires substantial reliance on expert judgement as there are always data gaps Expertise from a wide range of fields is essential to ensure holistic approach Need to start with open discussion among stakeholders to ensure ownership of process Practical conditions must be considered and due attention should be paid to single-province river basins of special value

5 Interdisciplinary Approach to E-flows in the Nam Songkhram River Basin, Thailand 2 nd largest river basin in Thailand s NE Region Relatively un-regulated river in terms of flow discharge small-scale water resources infrastructure exists large scale irrigation project is in place Defining feature of the river is the widespread natural flood across its floodplain each rainy season lasting 2-4 months & close eco-hydrological connections with the Mekong mainstream Annual backstopping of flow and occasional flow reversal out of the Mekong and up the Nam Songkhram River E-flows assessment carried out in Based on conviction that E-flows does not only consider importance of river flows from a physical and ecological perspective but also related to socio-economic and political factors Key elements A stepped dialogue and consultation process with key actors and stakeholders within the basin and at national level before and after collection of empirical data Intermediate EFA exercise that collected field data using a range of local, regional and international experts drawn from across a range of disciplines and institutions Key conclusions Local demonstration of benefits of interdisciplinary approaches engagement of joint sharing knowledge, fieldwork tools and insights about the river floodplain ecosystem Increased understanding of the socio-natural processes at play in river basin and water management in a complex system

6 Conclusion Various concepts of E-flows exist Different meaning to different people and disciplinary backgrounds In Mekong E-flows should not be seen as one-size fits all approach Conceptual diversity is both strength and weakness Huong and Songkhram cases try to identify whether or not E-flows can be used in informing negotiations about appropriate water regimes Is it an impossible dream? Or can it be integrated into basic approaches that also involve different used by planners and decision makers stakeholders tasked with managing river basins?