Sustainable Wetland Management in Lao PDR: A Case Study of Xe Champhone Wetlands

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1 Sustainable Wetland Management in Lao PDR: A Case Study of Xe Champhone Wetlands Thienthong Sopha and Alice Sharp Abstract--- This study assesses the perception of representatives from three stakeholder groups, local communities, government agencies and Non-Governmental Organizations towards the sustainable community-based management approach of Xe Champhone Wetland, Lao PDR. The analysis of stakeholders involved in the utilization of wetland resources and the management of Xe Champhone Wetland were accomplished by using strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis. Once the consultation with stakeholders was done, management activities were designed. Priorities of activities were analyzed based on four aspects; importance, impact, possibility and urgency. It was found that local communities with different socio-economic background prefer different management activities. Keyword--- Xe Champhone wetland, wetland management, SWOT analysis, sustainability. I. INTRODUCTION AO PDR is rich in wetland biodiversity. Wetlands play a Lvery important role in the lives of Lao people since the majority of the people live in the wetland-rich Mekong basin and rely on wetlands for their dairy subsistence and income generation. Besides, wetlands provide a diverse range of valuable services to society[1]. Nonetheless, there are numerous challenges that undermine the sustainable utilization and management of wetlands in Laos such as government policies, socio-economic change and population pressure have stimulated a need for more agriculturally productive land and also commercial and residential development, particularly in the last few decades[].therefore, wetlands need to be managed in proper ways. There are several method used to be apply in wetland e.g., Fisheries management, irrigation management, valuable of wetlands analysis and integrated wetland management. Thienthong Sopha, Department of Common and Graduate Studies, Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology (SIIT), Thammasat University, Thailand (Corresponding author). Tel: thienthongsopha@hotmail.com. Unfortunately, wetlands in Laos have been under pressures from all the sources mentioned earlier as the management schemes have not been clarified. The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands came into force for Lao PDR on 8 September 010. As of present, there are two Ramsar sites in Lao PDR. The two sites are considered to be wetlands of international importance. The two sites located in the southern provinces of Laos; Beung Kiat Ngong Wetlands in Champasak Province and Xe Champhone Wetlands in Savannakhet Province. The later wetlands, at present, do not have any management plan and it now being threatened from conversion for agriculture, collection of crocodile eggs, and disturbance to crocodile hatching areas due to flooding caused by the construction of weirs. The present study attempted to examine the strengths and weaknesses of the stakeholder, as well as opportunities and threats in external environment for Xe Champhone Wetland. The intension was to develop strategy action plan for improving Xe Champhone Wetland planning through stakeholder-based SWOT analysis with a view to make Xe Champhone Wetland conservation and wise use. II. RESEARCH METHODS.1 Study Site Xe Champhone Wetlands is one of two wetlands designated as Ramsar sites upon Lao PDR s accession to the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention) in 010. The Xe Champhone Wetlands are in Savannakhet province. The site covers an area of 1,400 hectares (ha) in Champhone, Xonbuly, Atsphone and Atsaphanthong districts (Fig.1). The Xe Champhone is one of a few areas in Laos where critically endangered Siamese crocodiles (Crocodylou siamensis) have been recorded. Also found in the areas are a number of water birds species particularly Lesser Whistling duck (Dendrocygna javanica), a few species of kingfisher, whitebreasted waterhen (Amauronis phoenicurus). The wetland also support livelihood of local people who live surrounding the area of some 0,000 people from more than 40 villages by fish, livestock grazing and traditional rice cultivation take place in and all around the wetlands [3]. 5

Therefore for our study the sample size is as follows: n = 054 6.135 335 From the above calculation, it can be concluded that the sample size is 335.

this study is 370. Champhone District Fig.

2 Therefore for our study the sample size is as follows: n = From the above calculation, it can be concluded that the sample size is 335. However, In order to get number that is close to what we calculated, we selected at least 18% out of the total households in each village; therefore the total of sample size of the respondents for this study is 370. Champhone District Fig. 1 a) Location of Champhone District in Savannakhet Province (Source: Socio-economic atlas of Lao PDR) b) Boundary map of Xe Champhone Wetland Champhone district is a flat area, 54 kilometers northeast of Savannakhet municipality. With total areas of 1,114 km, there are 10 villages, 16,189 households, 18,549 families and 109,040 people [4]. Around Xe Champhone, there are 45 villages. Among these, there are number 0 villages located within 1 km from the wetland. Out of 0 villages, 10 were selected for questionnaires survey (see Table I). In order to find a size of the sample, we can use the formula of Taro Yamane[5] at a confident level of 95 percent. The formula is shown as follows N From n = 1 + Ne (1) Where n = Sample size N = Population size e = The error of Sampling TABLE I VILLAGES SELECTION AND A NUMBER OF THE SAMPLE FOR EACH VILLAGE At least No. Villages Populations Households 18% of households 1 Dong Nong Lamchan Hua Tha Tha Mouang Xakhuen Karng Lamthen Xe Methodology Total Brief review of theoretical background: SWOT analysis could be a useful tool for the strategic planning process of environmental management. SWOT analysis is widely recognized and it constitutes an important basic for learning about the situation and for designing future procedures which can be seen necessary for thinking in a strategic way[6]. This method identifies the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of an implemented plan (or management strategy/ practices) or for a new plan that will be applied in the future. Firstly, the strengths of a plan maybe the advantages for an organizations in implementing a plan or he benefits that arise from one already implemented by the organization. Secondly, the weaknesses of the plan could be obstacles that should be avoided in order for an organized plan to respond sufficiently to designed goal. Thirdly, it seeks to identify the opportunities associated with the plan and finally, the method detects the threats that will be faced by the implemented plan from the external factors[7]... SWOT analysis of Xe Champhone Wetland management: The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT analysis) were conducted from questionnaire surveys and interview with the stakeholders. 6

3 The questionnaire consists of 4 sections: general information, indirect use of wetland water resources, ecological services, area problems and management issues. However, this paper discus the result from stakeholders concerns over the problem and management issues. In this study the stakeholders were divided into 3 main groups, as followed: - Local communities: Local people, head of each village - Governmental offices: Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Provincial Water Resources Office, Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Office, District Investment Promotion and Management Office, District Tourism Office, District Water Resources and Environment Office, District Agricultural and Forestry Office, District Land Management Office etc. - Non-Governmental Organizations: International Union Conservation of Nature Laos (IUCN), Mekong River Commission- Laos (MRC), World Conservation Society- Laos (WCS). The interview of local community was conducted during the questionnaires survey, while another two group s interviews were conducted separately. By interview with the respondents, the changing of situation in the Xe Champhone River and their community from the past to present, also their concerns and future plans were asked and summarized. For the questionnaires survey, we have organized a meeting with local people in the public places such as in temples and village offices. The meeting with the local people was arranged in each selected village. A number of respondents were selected according to a number from 18percent of total households of each village to answer the questionnaires. For the rest, they were separated for group interview and this group represented for one of the stakeholders groups, which is local communities group. After SWOT was listed, we used TOWS matrix for the next step in order to get strategic options. Action plan for Xe Champhone Wetland management will be drafted by considering from the strategies that we got from the TOWS matrix step. All possible activities will be listed in the table based on the strategic plan and also scoring from 1 to 5 for each option based on the degree of 4 criteria, which its importance, high impact, possibility and urgency. III. RESULT 3.1 SWOT Analysis Strengths: Champhone district is rich of natural resources such as land, rivers, lakes, ponds, forest especially bamboo forest) also have a diversely biodiversity such as fish and wildlife. As well as cultural resources, there are many old temples, sacred places and objects. Also there are some ethnic groups such as Makong, Katang. By this, customary laws and believes are still useful and effectively protect some wildlife species. Moreover, local people have some folk wisdom in handicraft and there are no uneducated people in the area, people at least able to access to the primary school. Besides, the area have a systemic infrastructure, the main circulate road in the district is connect between village to village and also have some roads to connect to surround districts Weaknesses: According to the geography, Champhone district is located in the flat area and also surrounded by Xe Champhone River and many lakes and oxbows. From that, Champhone has been affected by natural disasters such as flood, drought and soil erosion very often. Since local income generation is mainly based on agriculture therefore local people are affected a lot for their living such as planting, farming, transportation and infrastructure both from flooding in wet season and/or drought in the dry season. Despite of living style of local people that are still based on natural resources, wildlife management in the area still have some problem such as over-hunting and illegal encroachment. In addition, number of monkey in Monkey forest is increasing each year which interrupt farming and agricultural activities in nearby villages. Moreover, the area still lack of the promotion, awareness raising and implementation of laws, regulations and discipline about land use, chemical use, environmental and investment to local people and investors. Additionally, supporting from governmental sectors is still inadequate, both in terms of human capital and financial resources Opportunities: Champhone district has a very high potential to develop as an ecotourism district according to natural resources and cultural resources. Also Local people are able to create at least one product or one village one product by using their folk wisdom and supporting from governmental offices or NGOs. By supporting from related organizations, communities will be able to generate more income not only from agricultural, but also trading as industry. Besides, the city has a potential to get more investment from other countries since 9B road which a road from Thailand through Laos to Vietnam is on the proceeding Threats: Flooding and drought contributes to soil erosion every year. Soil erosion will be continues destroyed local residents and cultural places such as temples where it close to the river bank also crops and livestock production. The increasing temperature and rainfall could facilitate crop pests, potentially increasing production costs due to more use of chemical insecticides. In addition, crop production, particularly wet season rice, will continue to be affected by flooding, which is expected to worsen with increased flows in the Xe Champhone River. This is expected to lead to an expansion of dry season rice production, thus increasing the need for irrigation infrastructure and the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides, and so further degrading natural resources in the area. Some other problems still need to be addressed since Xe Champhone has not had a comprehensive management plan yet. Furthermore, financial are major part of activities. Therefore, this study will propose some management activities therefore managers can easily decide which management action to do, at the same time it will response to the right needs of the wetland users also. 3. TWOS Matrix After conducting the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threat, Strategic options were drafted by using TWOS 7

4 matrix (See Table II). There are 10 strategies identified for the sustainable management of Xe Champhone Wetland based on the needs of stakeholders in the area. listed in the TWOS matrix were further breakdown into proposed management activities (Table III) for action plan development. 3.3 Action Plan Development In terms of options for management activities, respondents will be asked to rate proposed management actions based on importance, impact to wetland management, do-ability of the proposed activities and the urgency of each activity. According to the location of our target villages, we categorized them into 3 main groups: tourism group (there are travelling places in the village area), urban group (villages which located in municipal area) and rural group (villages which located in rural area). After stakeholders rated each activity based on the scale 1 to 5 (the least to the most), we could plot the graph for each activity. Examples of the analysis were shown in Fig...0 Karng Activity (a1) Dong NongLamchan Xe Hua Tha Mouang Tha Xakhuen Lamthen Kangkok.0 a) Activity a1: Develop and renovate some exist traveling places. Activity (c1).0.0 b) Activity c1: Establish investment fund for local people.0 Activity (j1).0 c) Activity j1: Replanting trees along the river bank. Fig. Examples of activity prioritizing according to the average score of each village. These graphs show that the stakeholders in each group have specific needs according to the resources and potential in those particular areas. As we can see from activity a1, c1, and j1 (details of activities can be seen in Table III) and also the total score of importance and urgency of each activities are shown in Table IV, local people from tourism group rated for activity a1 which is the development and renovation some exist travelling places with the average of impact of 3.8 and 4.6 for possibility score since these villages have some travelling places in their area, therefore local people in this group scored for this activity highest average than other groups. Conversely, local people in the urban group rated for a1 activity in the lowest average, but c1 activity, which establishment of investment fund for local people to encourage local people to do service business such as restaurants and guesthouse to support tourism development also investment from international with an average of impact 3.4 and 3. for possibility highest impact and possibility score compare to other groups, since local people in this group mostly have official work or their own business, it is convenient for them to do the business such as trading and services than other groups. However, the score for c1 activity were not much different among the three groups. It means that tourism and rural group also interested in investment and there are some possibilities for them to do so. Although, these three groups have some particular needs, but they still have some similar concern and need and that shows in the graph j1 activity which replanting trees along the river bank to prevent erosion. With an average of 4.9 of the highest impact, important, possibility and urgency score, this showed that local people in every group agreed that environmental conservation in their area must be the first priority to be addressed. TABLE IV TOTAL SCORE OF THE IMPORTANCE (I) AND URGENCY (U) OF EACH ACTIVITY ACCORDING TO THE AVERAGE SCORE FROM EACH GROUP Total Score of each activity Group a1 c1 j1 I U I U I U 1 Tourism Urban Rural IV. CONCLUSION In this study, the strengths and weaknesses of the stakeholder, as well as opportunities and threats in external environment for Xe Champhone have been examined. By using SWOT analysis and TWOS matrix, strategic planning and management activities for action plan can be drafted based on the need of stakeholders. For further study, the proposed management activities can be used to analyze the priority of each management activity. Sustainable management of wetland depends on the participation of stakeholders. As can be seen from the result presented here, stakeholders with different socio-economic backgrounds require different management approach. The action plan for each area should be developed and implemented accordingly. For example, tourism group highly required for tourism support activity and urban group required 8

5 for investment support activity while rural group mainly required for environmental protection activity. Involving stakeholders in planning and management is a necessary condition for sustainable wetland management. Both without understanding about environmental, knowing how to conserve the natural resources or without community participation in the management, it will not be a sustainable management and conservation progress over time. Top down management practice will result in actions that local communities do not find it is necessary and thus leads to poor cooperation level. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT This work was supported by Low Carbon Technology and Management Research Grant. REFERENCE [1] Cox, K.W. and L. Campbell, Global Climate Change and Wetlands: Issues and Awareness. 1997: p. 6. [] Major Causes of Wetland Loss and Degradation Available from: [3] IUCN, Ramsar Site Profile. To Asses Infrastructure and Capacity Needs for Xe Champhone Wetlands, Champhone and XonbulyDistricts, Savannakhet Province, Lao PDR [4] Investment, S.P.D.f.P.a., Statistical Year Book, [5] Taro, Y., Statistics : an introductory analysis 1973: New York Harper and Row [6] Lozano, M. and J. Valles, Ananalysis of the implementation of anenvironmental management systeminalocalpublicadministration. Journal of Environmental Management : p [7] Nikolaou, I.E. and K.I.Evangelinos., A SWOT analysis of environmental management practices in GreekMining and MineralIndustry. Resources policy, : p TABLE II STRATEGIC OPTIONS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF XE CHAMPHONE WETLAND TOWS Matrix Internal Strengths Weaknesse s External Opportunities Threats S-O (maxi-maxi) S-T (maxi-mini) SO1 Support Eco-tourism in the area and conserve the traditional Support the customary laws in the area also improve and ST1 cultural of each ethnic. implement the wildlife management. SO Support indigenous knowledge on handicraft to create one village Promote and educate local people about the benefit of ecotourism ST one product or one district one product as well as awareness people about environmental protection SO3 Support investment in the area ST3 Develop transportation as well as infrastructure in the district W-O (mini-maxi) W-T (mini-mini) WO1 Improve biodiversity management WT1 Prepare environmental protection plan WO Improve education and public health services in the city WT Prepare adaptation plan to cope with natural disasters in the area TaBLE III EXAMPLES OF MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES PROPOSED BASED ON EACH STRATEGY IDENTIFIED BY TWOS MATRIX SO-ST-WO-WT Item Activity 1 Support Eco-tourism in the area and conserve the traditional a1 Develop and renovate some exist travelling places. cultural of each ethnic. a Provide map and information about travelling places. Support indigenous knowledge on handicraft to create one b1 Organize the handicraft union; village one product or one district one product b Find the markets for the products both domestic and international. 3 Support investment in the area c1 Establish investment fund for local people to encourage local people to do service business such as restaurants and guesthouse to support tourism development also investment from international. c Provide the information about investment as well as Law and regulation to the internal and external investors. Post a sign boards around the area with information about the wetlands conservation and the site Support customary law in the area also improve and implement d1 regulation and punishment. wildlife management 4 d Monitoring and patrolling and set up a Ramsar site office Promote and educate local people about the benefit of e1 Create some environmental activities, study tour in community. 5 ecotourism as well as awareness people about environmental Add educational materials about environment or subject about environment, sustainable use and e protection environmental protection such as water resources, wetland, forest and wildlife f1 Improve the transportation to the travelling places. Develop transportation as well as infrastructure in the district 6 f Improve infrastructure such as water pipe and tap water system 7 Improve biodiversity management g1 Promote about breeding and releasing native fish back into the river, lakes and ponds, in order to maintain wild fish population and sustain local livelihood. 8 Improve education and public health services in the city h1 Expand schools and boost up a number of educated people with higher degree in the area, support these people to be educational resources for their hometown. 9 Prepare environmental protection plan i1 Prepare for educational materials on: sustainable resources use, Ramsar convention, and organic/minimal chemical use agriculture, environmental and socially responsible tourism. i Study about irrigation options, coordination/streamlining of irrigation schemes for maximum efficiency and minimum impact. 10 J1 Replanting trees along the river bank to prevent erosion. Prepare adaptation plan to cope with natural disasters in the Continue research to determine which plant and animal species are more resilient to drought and area J flooding. 9

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