Lao People Democratic Republic Primer Minister Office Lao National Mekong Committee Secretariat WORKING DRAFT Country Report on Group Training Course in IWRM Perspectives of Water Resources Management in Lao PDR Mr. Chanseng PHONGPACHITH Senior Water Resources Enginner Deputy Director of Planning Division Lao National Mekong Committee Secretariat Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR (Laos) 06 October2005 1 Abstract Lao PDR has huge variations of annual stream flow seasonally and regionally. Flood and drought would be presently developed recurrently in Lao PDR. Due to topographic and weather conditions, huge peak flood might be quite quickly developed. Water management system based on real time must be efficient one to reduce the damages of lives and properties, and to supply water stable, especially during dry season in Lao PDR. This system consists of some sub functions, such as data acquisition and processing function, hydrological and hydraulic analysis function, making decision function and dissemination function. Government of Laos (GoL) has encountered a conservation of forest areas for sustainable of in water resources management. The objectives of water resources management are to emphasize value of water resources, to provide sufficient amount of water during dry season especially agricultural production and hydropower generation. A sustainable development of water resources, it should be a implementing clearly Water policy ,Combination of water sectors, Human resources including research and awareness , implemented poor infrastructures condition of water sectors, construct National Water Resources Management/Information System including synthetic data base, Survey water resources in basin wide especially water shortage situations, and so on. There is no integrated plan of water resources sectors in Lao PDR, even rich country of water resources. The integrated plan must be also focused on the correlation among water sectors, such as flood, hydropower and water use for agriculture. Lao PDR is a richest country of water resources in Southeast Asia . At the present, a key water resources sectors in Lao PDR are agriculture and hydropower. Water is a vital input for the country’s economic development which is mainly based on agricultural production and hydropower generation. 2 Abbreviations DHUP DOE DMH DOI DOIn DOM EdL EGAT EIA HPO ICT Department of Housing and Urban Planning Department of Electricity, MIH Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, MAF Department of Irrigation, MAF Department of Industry, MIH Department of Mines, MIH Electricite du Laos, MIH Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand Environmental Impact Assessment HydroPower Office Information Communication Technology Lao PDR LNMC LNMCs MAF MCM MCTPC MIH Lao People’s Democratic Republic Lao National Mekong Committee Lao National Mekong Committee Secretariat, PMO Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Million Cubic Meters Ministry of Communication, Transport, Post & Construction Ministry of Industry and Handicraft MLSW MRC NAFRI NDMO NGD NSC PMO PWUM PDIES Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare Mekong River Commission National Agricultural Forest Research Institute National Disaster Management Office National Geographic Department National Statistic Center, SPC Prime Minister’s Office Procedure for Water Use Monitoring Procedure for Data Information Exchange and Sharing SPC STEA STENO WAD WRCC State Planning Committee Science, Technology & Environment Agency Science, Technology, Environment and Organization Waterway Administration Division Water Resources Coordinating Committee, MCTPC 3 Table of Contents Page Abstract……………………………………………………………… I. Introduction…………………………………………………………… II. Objectives…………………………………………………………… III. Guidelines for the Improvement of Water Resources Management 1 1 2 IV. Water Policy …………………………………………………… V. Status of Water Resources in Lao PDR……………………………… 5.1 River Basins ……………………………….…………………. VI. Situations for Water Use ………………….…………………. 6.1 Water use for agriculture ………………….…………………. 6.2 Domestic Use …………………………………………………. 6.2.1 Water Supply for Urban ……………………………………… 6.2.1.1 Related Agencies ……………………………………… 6.2.1.2 Water Supply ……………………………………… 6.2.2 Water Supply for Rural …………………………………… 6.2.2 .1 Related Agencies ……………………………………… 6.2.2.2 Water Supply ……………………………………… VII. Sectors related of Water Resources ………………………… 7.1 Hydropower …………………………………………………… 7.2 Forestry …………………………………………………… 7.3 Flood in Lao PDR …………………………………………………… 7.3.1 Flood control …………………………………………………… 7.3.2 Flood sector ……………………………………… 7.3.2.1 Flood histories ……………………………………… 7.3.3 Flood Forecast ……………………………………… 7.4 General Environmental Situation ………………………… XIII. Institutional Arrangement ……………………………………… 8.1 National Institutes 2 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 6 6 6 6 8 9 9 ……………………………………… IX. Internal and External Law related Water Resources …………… 10 12 4 X. Water Resources Information system ………………………… XI. Future Expectation of Water Resources Management…………… 11.1 Construction of Infrastructures in water sector …………… 11.1.1 Construction of Integrated Database …………………… 11.1.2. Improvement of Gauge Station Network …………… 11.2 Investigation of water Resources in basin wide …………… 11.3 Establish newly Department of Water Resources …………… 11.4 Establishment of overall Plan ………………………………… XII. Member of International Water Resources………………………… 12.1 Mekong River Commission……………………………………… 12.2 Southeast Asia Water Forum……………………………………… XIII. Recommendations ……………………………………………… XIII. References ……………………………………………… I. Introduction 13 14 14 14 15 15 15 16 16 16 16 17 18 2 Lao PDR is an elongated, landlocked country of 236,800 km , 88 percent of which is contained within the lower catchment of the Mekong River that traverses the country from north to south. Laos is sparsely populated which the estimated population in 2003 was 5.9 million people. Population density remains one of the rank on lowest in 2 Asia at 21 persons/km . Roughly 78 percent of the population lives in rural areas concentrated along the Mekong River and its tributaries. Geographically, the country is dominated by steep terrain, with hills and mountains covering two-thirds of its land area. Approximately 47 percent of Laos is forested. Only 20 percent of the country is considered potentially cultivatable. Approximately 35 percent of all water in the Mekong River originates from catchments within Laos — these catchments comprise 26 percent of the total catchment of the Mekong River Basin (MRB). Significantly, river catchments in Laos provide around 35 percent of all water in the Lower Mekong Basin (LMB). Lao PDR is located in the tropical monsoon climate region. There are two different seasons in a year, the rainy season from May to October and the dry season from November to April and annual rainfall of the whole country ranging from 1300 mm in the northern to 3700mm in the southern plain, respectively. The Mekong tributaries in Lao PDR contribute some 35% of the whole lower Mekong Basin runoff, approximately about 270,000 million cubic meters(MCM). The water resources use is estimated at 5,700 MCM, at the moment, it is used equivalent 2.1% only which it is approximately 3,300MCM for irrigation and other consumption use including hydropower. 5 The hydropower potential on the Mekong tributaries within Lao PDR accounts for over 40% of the aggregate power potential within lower Mekong Basin. Water use for hydropower is about 2% only and remain 12 main catchments of the the tributaries should be developed. The possibilities of interconnections between Laos and Neighboring countries especially Thailand and Vietnam .For future potential of hydropower is possible to export into ASEAN. Significantly, “First Southeast Asia Water Forum” on 17-21 November 2003 in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Their Objectives of the Forum were to build regional capacity among Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) practitioners with emphasis on putting policy into practice. II. Objectives The objective of this report is as follows ; a.) To review of water resources sectors b.) To manage and develop water resources III. Guidelines for the Improvement of Water Resources Management Due to the rate population growth in 2002 is about 5.7% and which almost 80% are living in rural areas . Number deforestation is increasing such shifting agriculture(slash and burn) so there is various natural resources in ecosystems of the catchment, water resources are important and it should be managed watershed managements in consistent with other natural resources such soil erosion, forest improvement and etc. Due to sustainable management especially forest conservation will in turn help increasing an efficient development and management of water resources. IV. Water Policy Main water sectors in Lao PDR consists agriculture, hydropower, flood issues, and institutional structures, including infrastructures of water, such as gauge station network and database. In order to apply systematic water resources management in Lao PDR, the policy has been formulated to guide its. Water resources management must be done on the basis of river basins that There are about 39 main tributaries in the Mekong river basin. Main rivers that have bigger catchment area of more than 5,000 km2. There are the following 12 rivers : Nam Tha, Nam Beng,Nam Ou, Nam Khan,Nam Xuang, Nam Ngum, Nam Ngiep,Nam Kading, Xe Bangfai, Xe Bang Hiang, Xe Done, Xe Kong. This work must be carried out through parallel investigation of potential of water use into possible effect toward economic, social and environment as well. 6 1. Integrated water resources management in Lao PDR must be introduced for both supply and demand and it will be elaborated into 5 aspects such as water resources development, conservation, allocation, natural disaster prevention (water shortage and flooding ) and polluted water prevention and treatment. 2. Long term (at least 20-25 years) physical master plan on water resources management in Lao PDR must be formulated for 12 river basins. land use planning should clear and other natural resources management. 3. A master plan should clearly delineate those area identified for development and those area marked for conservation by analyzing the information of land use, social indicators, demand for water in agriculture, consumption, industry, mining and etc. 4. Information on water demand and supply should be considered in an integrated manner and prioritized. The concept of water saving among to maximize efficiency must be considered including the principle of charging from users. 5. Organizational arrangement at different levels must be established. They represent the bodies for policy making, plan formulating, monitoring of plan implementation and managing of water sector in river basins. 6. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and its Department of Irrigation and Micro Hydropower, is responsible for water resources. A Water and Water Resources Law was enacted in 1996 . Decree, rule and regulation of water resources must be enacted to efficiently manage this sector. The other concerned act and law must be reviewed in order to accord with present situation. 6. Participation of concerned agencies, public and private, and also group of people will be promoted. Different participatory function should be included, in various commissions/committees, in water sector management in each river basin which includes water resources development, allocation, conservation and etc. 7. Water Resources Division in the Lao national University should be develop strength due to water resources research is important issues leading to practical and effective management of water resources which is determined as well as the promotion of public awareness in value of water as a resource. 8. Water resources information must be establish in order to correct each situation and update data. 9. Monitoring, analyzing and evaluating of the operational work are also implemented any weakness existing in the water policy V. Status of Water Resources in Lao PDR 5.1 River Basins In Lao PDR, there are river basins more than 39 main tributaries in the Mekong river basin. Total watershed area of the main tributaries is estimated at about 183,000 km2. 7 On the other hand, only 2 main rivers, namely Nam Ma and Nam Ka rivers, are located north east of country where it is outside of the Mekong river basin. Both the rivers flow into the Vietnam. Main rivers of Lao PDR, There are 12 rivers such as Nam Tha, Nam Beng,Nam Ou, Nam Xuang, Nam Khan, Nam Ngum, Nam Gniep. Nam Kading, Xe Bangfai, Xe Bang Hiang, Xe Done, Xe Kong and they have bigger catchment area of more than 5,000 km2 . Significant, main rivers of the Lao PDR dominantly consist of the first and second tributaries of the Mekong river. VI. Situations for Water Use 6.1 Water use for agriculture Agricultural water of irrigation areas have been mainly supplied by pumps and dams even in rainy season, as shown in Table 6.1. Table 6.1 Irrigated Area in 2002 Rank Techniques 1 2 3 4 5 6 Dams Reservoirs Pumps Locks of Canals & Dykes Traditional Weirs Gabions Total Source : Department of Irrigation Amount 786 184 3,828 69 17,604 116 22,857 Irrigated Area(ha) Rainy Season Dry Season 56,882 25,873 22,896 11,131 166,459 144,630 9,749 2,614 47,945 29,261 3,168 1,117 307,097 214,625 The diversion requirements are assumed to be 1,961mm/ha in the dry season and 700mm/ha in the wet season, respectively, as shown in Table 7.2. Applying to these, current water use are estimated 1,232million m3 in the dry season and 2,530 million m3 in the wet season . Table 6.2. Water Requirements in Lao PDR Month(mm/month) Season 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Dry 341 393 426 158 4 639 Wet 35 315 78 54 74 144 Total 1961 700 6.2 Domestic Use 6.2.1 Water Supply for Urban 8 6.2.1.1 Related Agencies “Nam Papa Lao” is the name of water supply for the urban, a state is responsible owned service provider under MCTPC. Water in other cities is the responsibility of provincial also Nam Papas. The department of housing and urban planning(DHUP) of ministry of MTCPC regulates urban water supply. DHUP is to periodically review the policy and strategy of Nam Papa including standards of customer service and priorities for urban water supply development. Nam Papa Lao commenced implementing a program of decentralization in 1998 and provincial Nam Papa agencies under the jurisdiction of provincial authorities have been established in town with new water supply facilities. However, the central Nam Papa Lao must provide technical and management support and training to the newly established provincial Nam Papas for a certain time. 6.2.1.2 Water Supply About 56% of the urban population has access to piped water supply, at present. If including people who being not directly connected, the percentage of coverage will reach about 70%. In addition, many older properties have access to groundwater through dug well that are now used only non potable supply, however, there is no information on the extent of these supplies. The main sources of water supply are rivers. Springs and groundwater are also used in some towns and districts. 6.2.2 Water Supply for Rural 6.2.2 .1 Related Agencies “Nam Saat” is the name of water supply for the Rural which is under responsibility of within the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology . It is under the Ministry of Health. 6.2.2.2 Water Supply Springs and groundwater are main sources of rural water supply, as many streams in remote areas have a torrential regime and quickly dry after the rainy season. The present this situation in regard to rural water supply is quite critical although Nam Saat has made tremendous efforts, strongly supported by several external assistance agencies. In order to cope with the acute demand for clean water, every year many hundreds of wells are drilled and springs tapped for rural water supply. Most of the wells are drilled to a depth of 30 to 40 meters. For amount of water use for hydropower and other, at the moment it is not enough data to show in this report. 9 VII. Sectors related of Water Resources 7.1 Hydropower Lao PDR is endowed with significant indigenous energy resources. Energy use within the country is still dominated by the use of fuel wood which accounts for about 90% of total energy requirements. Hydropower is the most abundant and cost-effective energy source with a theoretical hydroelectric potential of about 26,500MW excluding mainstream Mekong. Of this, about 18,000MW is technically exploitable, with 12,500MW found in the major Mekong sub-basins and the remainder in minor Mekong or non-Mekong basins. In addition, important lignite and coal deposits have also been discovered and exploration for oil and gas is in progress. 7.2 Forestry Forestry is a major contributor to Laos’ economy, with forest products accounting for 42 percent of foreign exchange revenue in 1998. Forests are also recognized as being highly valuable from a non-monetary perspective, providing such benefits as modulating surface water run-off, minimizing soil erosion, regulating the hydraulic cycle in river catchments, and supporting rich ecosystem diversity in the form of habitat. Forest resources in Laos have been dramatically reduced in recent years — forest cover is estimated to have declined from 16 million hectares to 11.2 million hectares between 1970 and 1991 — as a result of shifting agriculture (slash and burn) and commercial logging. Notwithstanding the decline in forest cover, Laos’ forests are considered to remain relatively healthy compared to other riparian countries in the MRB. 7.3 Flood in Lao PDR 7.3.1 Flood control Water resources managers should consider and solve a risk of flood damage due to there are no sluices at the mouths of stream so that the flood control capability is very risky. It is assumed that every 1.5 or 2 years, small flood happen, and every 5 years big floods occur and damage about some tens of million of US$. Each years, It is depend on rainfall intensity (caused by big floods and heavy rains). Most of the plains are prone to be inundated, since flood control structures almost do not exist. Only 29,000 hectares are protected from the minor floods. For more than ten years, small floods caused the damages of about US$ 3 to 4 million or less. The reality shows that flood and inundation disasters remain a pressing problem in production and human life, so it is essential to formulate step by step a disaster management plan and mitigation measures. 10 7.3.2 Flood sector 7.3.2.1 Flood histories It is becoming increasingly apparent how important flood management is in Lao PDR. Given the terrain of this country, it is very much at risk. Approximately 80% of the population live in rural areas, including many poverty-stricken people, mainly in the Mekong river valley or plains. These factors indicate the Lao people are particularly vulnerable to flooding which threatens crops, particularly our staple food, rice. Flooding of the Mekong river and its tributaries are recurrent events and cause each year in varying degrees damage to agricultural production, rural infrastructure and human settlements, and results in losses in livestock and human lives. Lao PDR had experienced 28 Floods in the last 37years(1966-2002), as shown in Table 7.1. Natural disasters, drought and/or flood, had been developed in every year. Floods generally occur due to a slow and steady backing up of the Mekong as the monsoon progresses and usually occur in the Vientiane-Paksane area in late August or early September. Lasting between one and two weeks normally, agriculture and settlement patterns have adapted to this regime and generally, crops(rice, the main wet season crop, once established, can survive about 15 days under such floods) and livestock(villagers move livestock to higher ground once the rains have improved grazing) do not suffer significant losses. Occasionally, however, tropical storms coincide with flooding causing tributaries of the Mekong to flood which, when the Mekong is high, cannot discharge downstream. Such flooding can be disastrous and almost impossible to prevent : flood control structures would be required both on the Mekong and on its major tributaries in Lao PDR. The 1995 and 1996 floods were exceptionally serious. The floods of the recent years show an upward cycle and 1994, 1995 and 1996 levels have been well above average. It is noticed that flooding is very much influenced by tributary flows. The combined effects of large runoff in the tributaries and the mainstream of the Mekong river cause serious damage, including flash floods on tributaries and bank overflow in lowland area. About 80 % of the rural flooding and 20% of the urban flooding is caused by tributaries. The four major flood prone areas are situated along the mainstream near large tributaries-Vientiane Plain, Thakhet, Savannakhet and Pakse. Table 7.1 Historic Flood Damages of Natural Disasters Year Natural Flood Disaster Damages(US$) Regions affected 11 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 Large Flood Drought Flood Flood Flood Large Flood Flood and Drought Flood Flood Drought Flash Flood Severe Drought Large Flood Flood & Drought Flood Flood Drought Drought Flood Flash Flood Flood & Drought Drought Drought Drought Flood Flood & Drought Flood & Drought, Forest Fire Flood & Drought Flood & Drought Large Flood Large Flood Flood and Drought Drought Flood Flood 13,800,000 5,120,000 2,830,000 1,020,000 30,000 3,573,000 40,000 Central Central/southern Southern Central Central Central Central 3,700,000 180,000 Not available 9,000,000 15,000,000 Central Southern Not available Central Northern 5,700,000 3,600,000 Not available Not available 3,000,000 682,000 Not available Not available 3,343,000 1,000,000 2,000,000 Central Central Not available Not available Not available Oudomxay Central/Southern 5,000,000 4,000,000 20,000,000 100,000 3,650,000 Central/Northern Southern Southern Central Central 302,151,000 Central(F), Northern(D) 21,000,000 Central/Southern 21,150,000 Central/ Southern 34,830,000 Central/Southern 21,000,000 1,860,300 Central Southern 5,762,715 47,040,000 1,550,000 Northern/Southern Central Central/Southern 12 2001 Flood 3,640,715 2002 Flood Not available * Source : the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology Northern/Southern 7.3.3 Flood Forecast The ministry of agriculture and forestry is responsible for flood forecasting and flood protection. DMH(MAF) is one major department for flood forecast, while WAD (MCTPC) is support department to DMH. For the flood forecasting purpose, the real time data received from the stations by radio or by telephone are sent to MRC every day in the morning by e-mail, Fax, also the public telephone line. Successfully data information of MRC IS website, there are 23 stations real time data along Mekong River have been being online flood forecasting of water level for five days (http://www.mrcmekong.org/info_resources/ffw/overview.htm ),estimated and forecasted 24hourly rainfall is shown ( http://www.mrcmekong.org/info_resources/ffw/rainfall.htm ) . At DMH, one way reception system of SADIS is used to receive data broadcast by the world area forecast center in London. For Lao PDR, there are 8 stations in the mainstream of Mekong River and 17 stations in the tributaries to gauge rainfall and water level. Table 7.2 Flood propagation time(Hours) between sections Sections Distance Velocit (km) y (m/s) Houeisai-Luangprabang 302 2.5 Luangprabang-Vientiane 426 2.4 Vientiane-Pak Ngum 100 2.2 Pak Ngum-Pakcading 125 2.2 Pakcading-Thakhek 133 2.0 Thakhek-savannakhet 90 1.8 Savannakhet-SebangHieng 100 1.7 SebangHeing-Pakse 157 1.65 Total(Average) 1433 2.135 Flowing Time Hours(days) 33.555(1.4) 49.306(2.05) 12.626(0.53) 15.7828(0.66) 18.472(0.77) 13.889(0.58) 16.34(0.68) 26.43(1.10) 186.401(7.77) 7.4 General Environmental Situation Deforestation as a result of over-utilization of forest resources continues to present the country’s major natural environment challenge. A number of factors contribute to deforestation, including commercial logging, shifting cultivation, and, to a lesser extent, hydropower development. Insufficiently regulated in the absence of enforceable forest management should be a developing to standards encompassing sustainable logging practices, allocation planning, controlling access, and biodiversity protection. 13 • Shifting cultivation in the uplands has been a major problem, resulting in land degradation (i.e., reductions in fallow periods have led to an increase in unproductive soil, erosion, and waterway sedimentation, and a gradual reduction in food production from cultivated areas). • Biodiversity is closely linked to the state of forest management and land degradation resulting from unsustainable shifting agriculture practices. While Lao’s forests are thought to support high biodiversity, there are fears that rapid deforestation is placing significant pressure on habitat essential to supporting high biodiversity. XIII. Institutional Arrangement • Laos possesses abundant water resources that far exceed present water use needs for irrigation, urban and rural water supply, and hydropower development. Although water withdrawals are projected to increase as development continues, no water demand conflicts are expected in the near future at the national level. Water shortages do, however, exist at the local level . • Because Laos has a low population density and limited industry, the country is not faced with the same water quality problems (e.g., water quality degradation as a result of industrial and urban wastewater discharges) observed elsewhere in the Mekong River Basin. Water quality in Laos is currently quite good and is not significantly affected by human activities. However localized degradation to some streams, rivers, and wetlands has occurred (e.g., soil erosion from land clearing leading to increased sedimentation, declining water quality in urban areas due to wastewater discharges). Notwithstanding the generally satisfactory existing water quality in Laos, the government recognizes that water pollution presents a threat that will grow with development. Sectors for improving environmental management, including: (i) adopting implementing decrees for resource legislation; (ii) seeking improvements in land management; (iii) identifying alternatives to shifting cultivation; (iv) designating additional wetland areas; (v) completing physical works to improve water supply and sanitation; (vi) augmenting regulatory activities; and (vii) putting in place measures for strengthening the institutional framework and line agency capacity. Protection of natural habitat and biodiversity has also been a GOL priority. Although Laos supports one of the most diverse areas of biodiversity in the MRB, there is an increasing loss of forest habitat, encroachment of wetlands, hunting pressure by local people, and concerns about increasing cross-border poaching. New and improved roads through previously inaccessible areas are thought to have speeded up the exploitation of plants and animals. The DoF, with support from STEA, has made good progress in identifying and designating protection areas. By 1999, some twenty locations had been designated as National Biodiversity Conservation Areas (NBCA), and other areas (e.g., prime wetlands in southern Laos) are being considered for designation. However, management plans for controlling activities within the NBCA have not yet been completed, and considerable damage is occurring because of encroachment of development 14 activities and market and subsistence hunting, as well as illegal poaching and logging. The Government of Lao PDR has focused its attention on key areas in agriculture and hydropower to optimize the water resources. Further, Flood damages show how flooding can take its too on this country, leaving people powerless, and often hungry as rice paddies become inundated. Many areas in Lao PDR could be affected by flooding every year. It is vulnerable to the devastation of flooding, and lacks the resources, such as financial, technological and human, to adequately defend itself. In addition, the most significant institutional problem in the water sector is the inadequate coordination among key central agencies and provincial departments. There are 13 central agencies that are directly involved in water sector management while another 10 have a direct interest in it. 8.1 National Institutes There are 13 agencies with the water sector. These agencies and their responsibilities (Table 8.1) and roles and definitions are following: 1.)Regulator is a body that develops high level policy. It may also approve lower level policy and management plans developed by the manager 2.)Manager is a body that assesses the ongoing status and availability of a natural resources and develops and coordinates the implementation of lower level policies. 3.)Operator is a body that constructs, operates and maintains works to control the supply and delivery. This body should be licensed also by the Manager 4.)Service provider is a body that provides information, technical and scientific expertise and advice to each of the above bodies and to users. Table 8.1 Institutional Arrangements in Water sector for Lao PDR Organization Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). Science Technology and Environment Agency(STEA) -------------------------------Lao National Mekong Committee(LNMC) Function Role Has overall responsibility for planning and coordinating of science technology and environment activities(water resources, river basin, watershed and wastewater disposal) ---------------------------------------------------------------Coordinates Mekong river commission, line agencies and international aid assistance associated with investigation, development of the water MRB . LNMC has the vision as follows; “A well structured and efficiency national organization for the river basin management, serving the Lao government’s water resources strategic plan by cooperation with 1,4 15 -------------------------------Water Resources Coordination Committee (WRCC) --------------------------------------------------------------Responsibility the coordination, monitoring and control of water and water resources The is mandated to advise the government on matters relating to water and water resources, coordinate planning and management, and coordinate the follow-up, inspection, and protection of water and water resources in a sustainable manner in line with government policy. State Planning Committee (SPC) Develop National Development Plan(medium and longterm plans) Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry(MAF) -Department of irrigation Has overall responsibility for planning of agricultural and forests activities Develop irrigated agriculture and drainage planning, flooding and draught prevention plans, river water quality analysis Develop aquatics/fisheries planning and management -Department of Livestock and Fisheries -Department of Meteorology and Hydrology(DMH) Ministry of Communications, Transport, Posts and Construction(MCTPC) -Department of communication(Inland Waterway Division) -Department of Housing and Urban Planning -MCTPC & Provincial Authorities Urban Water Supply Ministry of Industrial and Handicrafts -Department of Electricity -Electricite Du Laos(EDL) Department of Industry(MIH) 2 1,2,3 ,4 1,2 4 Collects and evaluates hydrological data Forecasts and disseminates the flood to the public Has overall responsibility for communication, transport, posts, water supply and urban house planning and management Plans and manages the use of water transport, riverbank and urban flood protection and collects hydrologic and hydrographic data on Mekong River and main tributaries Responsible for urban development, water supply and drainage, solid waste and sewerage planning Supplies water to urban locations Implements guidelines for drinking water quality Manages sewerage and drainage 1,2,3 ,4 Developing & controlling the production and distribution of electricity. Reviews and evaluates power project proposals, contracts and agreements. Owns & operates main public sector generation, transmission and distribution assets. Undertakes project development and joint ventures Determines policies, plans regulations & standards relating to industrial wastewater. 2 1,2 1,2,3 ,4 3 1,2 16 Ministry of Health - Center for Env. Health & Supplies water into rural areas. Their services to nonurban locations 2,3,4 Water Supply, Dept. of Hygiene & Prevention Note: These Ministries and organizations also have the responsibilities for co-ordinating and cooperating with local authorities in order to determine a detailed separation of the responsibilities within each sector, and planning activities concerning the water and water resources. However WRCC doesn’t clear about determine scope area coverage, but generally specifies co operation, co ordination in management and solving disputes on water and water resources in Lao PDR, which means to include the Mekong river. IX. Internal and External Law related Water Resources Lao PDR has several sets of laws and regulations covering the management and control of water resources, which delegate the authority and determine rules and procedures for operation. However, their effective implementation and enforcement remains a concern. The enforcement capacity, in general, is relatively weak due to the lack of qualified personnel, and appropriate technology. The local authorities are on-site managers, but do not have sufficient personnel staff and technical support. Since 1990, a number of important laws and decrees have been passed to enable the GOL to implement policies on the use of natural resources including water, lands, forest, and the environment. These policies include: y Water and Water Resources Law (1996), which sets out the necessary principles, rules, and measures for the administration, use, and development of water and water resources; classifies catchment areas for various uses; and promotes protection and rehabilitation of forests, fishing, and the environment in general. • Environmental Protection Law (EPL) (1999), which requires protection of natural resources and socio-economic aspects in development. • Prime Minister’s Decree No. 68 (1998), which designates the Science, Technology and Environment Agency (STEA) as the agency responsible for oversight and coordination of environmental protection. Forest Law (1996), which categorizes forest lands and calls for reforestation, sustained yield, and catchment protection. • Electricity Law (1997), which requires environmental assessments (EA) for hydropower dams and payment of compensation for damages to the environment. • Road Law (1999), which mandates environmental protection during road building activities and requires compensation for rights-of-way, relocation or replacement of structures, and loss of property. Mining Law (1997), which requires developers to utilize procedures that limit adverse effects, control toxic substances, and preserve and restore disturbed lands. • 17 Laos has also ratified several international agreements, including the Convention on Biological Diversity, Framework Convention on Climate Change, Convention to Combat Desertification, Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage, and the Mekong River Commission (MRC) Agreement. In addition to formal agreements entered into by the GOL, considerable informal collaboration occurs on an operational level with neighbouring countries and with donors that have ongoing programming in the Mekong region (e.g., the Asian Development Bank [ADB], Danish International Development Agency [Danida], and Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency [SIDA]). X. Water Resources Information System To construct National Water Resources Management Information System. It needs to standardize Database Formats that several agencies manage, first, to construct integrated management system, including application tools, and to establish how to distribute to users, such as web or internet environment. It is desirable to phase the database system in Fig.6.1. Consistence and continuation should be kept on hydrological data sector. It is desirable for single agency to manage and collect hydrological data consistently, where having exclusive responsibility. In addition, synthetic database requires to exchange and co-operate data relating to water and water resources. For Hydrological data, through unification from the observation agencies dispersed into DMH and WAD. In view of their works, DMH is suitable for the right agency covering all gauge stations, rather than WAD. MRC IS Fig.10.1. National Database for Water Resources VNMC,TNMC VN MRC IS Line Agencies MC,TNMC CNM CNMC C& Coonntrtorol by lbbyyCommittee Control C CCoommmmitittteeee External External External ¡¾−²©ê½−¾ «¾−¢´− ¾ ² ¨ Ã− ¡£´¢ PD LNMC Data Database Administrator/Me k ong Base WUMD , 21,L & WUP/DSF/ IQQM /SWAT/ISIS WRDD AFD × WIN-ISIS / Library Database/ Hydrology year book GIS Database BDPDatabaWseRD D BDP WRDD Database EP & FMM/AIFP & Sector P. www.lnmcmekong.org 18 www.lnmcmekong.org XI. Future Expectation of Water Resources Management 11.1 Construction of Infrastructures in water sector 11.1. 1 Construction of Integrated Database It is firstly to standardize Database Formats several agencies manage to construct integrated management system, including application tools, and to establish how to distribute them to users, using web or internet environment. It is desirable to phase the database system in, as two stage project, due to massive data and diversity of data format in water sector. The 1st stage will be focused on construction of time series data and their application SW, while 2nd stage does on data such as GIS/RS, Land use, Land cover, Soil Map and so on. Building database by stages might be advantageous to make the database system stabilize. 11.1.2. Improvement of Gauge Station Network Data observed from gauge stations have been the most telling barometer of the all situations in a basin. Network of gauge stations need to be fairly arranged spatially. It should be studied on how many gauge stations are within a basin and how to be distributed spatially. Some number of stations will be recommended to construct additionally or move to improve infrastructures for water resources, such as gauge stations and radar facilities. It is desirable that those studies also cover to analyze its reliability of hydrological data. Ageing and uncalibrated instruments that need repair or replacement further contribute to the deteriorating state and unreliability of the basic network of observation stations 11.2 Investigation of water Resources in basin wide It is recommended to survey water resources periodically in basin wide. This project can be considered as a reconnaissance level. This project provides data of water resources, appraisal of hydro structure operation and proposal development strategies of water. It be made a correct diagnosis of water resources, through this basin study. 11.3 Establish newly Department of Water Resources 19 Government should setups a reorganized, allowing for its importance of water resources in Lao PDR than in the near future, hydrology should connect with neighbor countries so relationships would be reflected in its reorganization. For example exports of fresh water and energy from hydro power will contribute to the economical growth of Lao PDR. If comparison with Cambodia, it is already the ministry of water resources regarded as one of the most likely import developed organized within countries like Lao PDR is suitable establish newly “Department of water resources as soon as possible” due to . New Department will meet our expectations on more balanced treatment of sectoral water perspectives.It will collaborate clearly water related activities for easy to connect with institutions of other member countries and transparency from water international organization . It must help to ensure a thoroughly consistent plan of water resources. Its ministry must solve overlapping duty’s problem among agencies. LNMCs among Lao governmental agencies would be central division to initiate its concept and to set up Department of water resources. That is the reason why LNMCs duty involves the most of water resources fields in Lao PDR, including international cooperation, while WRCCs involves only domestic cooperation. 11.4 Establishment of overall Plan Lao PDR urgently needs to establish overall plan of water resources. This plan must cover not only all of water sectors but also the whole nation. Lao PDR had better focus on the establishment of overall plan, rather than other specific projects. XII. Member of International Water Resources 12.1 Mekong River Commission The 1995 Agreement on the Cooperation for the Sustainable Development of the Mekong River Basin, signed by the four LMB countries of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand, and Vietnam, stands out as the single most important regional instrument for cooperation on natural resource development and environmental protection issues. The objective of the Agreement is to cooperate in “all fields of sustainable development, utilization, management, and conservation of the water and related resources… in a manner to optimize the multiple use and mutual benefits of all riparians and to minimize the harmful effects that might result from natural occurrences and man-made activities.” The Agreement established the MRC as an international body, thereby providing an institutional framework through which basin-wide sustainable development initiatives would be implemented. The Mekong River is integral to Laos, with 88 percent of the country lying within the MRB. It is the only country that has common borders with the other five riparian countries in the MRB. For this reason natural resource development in Laos, particularly 20 hydropower projects on Mekong River tributaries or in the mainstream itself, has the potential to impact downstream riparian countries. The GOL has been extensively involved in implementing initiatives contained in the MRC’s each five-years Strategic Plan, (from 1999-2003/2003-2008). To date, core programs on Water Utilization Plan (WUP), Basin Development Plan (BDP), and the Environment Programme have been established and implementation has begun by National Mekong Committees at the national level in LMB riparian countries. 12.2 Southeast Asia Water Forum The ASEAN member countries started a meeting “First Southeast Asia Water Forum” on 17-21 November 2003 in Chiang Mai, Thailand and their objectives of the Forum were to build regional capacity among Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) practitioners with emphasis on putting policy into practice such access to safe drinking water, conflict resolution and Basin Organisations, community and Local Management of Water Resources , water, Environment and Ecosystems.This Forum is considered Build and strengthen capacity such as promoting formal and informal education, raising awareness, and resource mobilization and resource sharing about IWRM for decisionmakers, professionals, communities and NGOs in necessary social and natural sciences and know-how and also institutionalizing mechanisms to exchange lessons learnt, local experiences, successful approaches, appropriate technologies and use of media in disseminating success stories on integrated river basin management, at all levels. Enhance water safety, which is part of IWRM, and encourage cooperation between governmental, non-governmental and private sector activities, aimed at mitigating the negative effects of floods and droughts, including participation in the newly established International Flood Network and Network of Asian River Basin Organization. Continue efforts for regional coordination and cooperation on shared river basins, including the establishment of regional and country hubs to promote IWRM International and regional organizations should support a Southeast Asian benchmarking programme so first of all , Lao PDR has to prepare a strongly of water resources mangers and also improvement its self about reorganization of water sectors for future to be an export of fresh water and hydro power XIII. Recommendations Lao PDR has totally huge water resources, annual stream flow shows big variations seasonally and regionally. This currently of water resources should develop a poor infrastructures of water sectors due to they are an obstacle to manage and develop water effectively and efficiently. Through solving above problem, Lao PDR should make a comprehensive plan on development and management of water in nation wide including national financial conditions, with effective development and management of water resources. 21 XIV. References 1. Chanseng Phongpachith, LNMC/PMO and Soumana Chounlamany, STEA/PMO; Report on Review of the Technical Standard of Data LAO PDR, March 31, 2003 2. Department of Meteorology and Hydrology; Water Resources Guide Book of Lao PDR Volume I, second published, 2002 3, Department of Meteorology and Hydrology; Country Report : Meteorology and Hydrology, 2003 3, Electrowatt Engineering Ltd.; Power Sector Strategy Study, Volume 1, February 2001 4. Human Resources Division; Lao PDR Social Development Assessment and strategy, June 15, 1995 5, MAF; Project on Water Resources Development Planning for Savannakhet Plain, June1999 6. MAF; The Government’s Strategic Vision for the Agricultural Sector, December 1999 7. MRC; AHNIP(Appropriate Hydrological Network Improvement Project) Sustainability Plan, September, 2003 8. MRC; Flood Management Program, November, 2002 9.MRC; Assessment of National Legal and Institutional frameworks of MRC Member Countries, July, 2001 10. MRC; MRC Hydropower Development Strategy, October, 2001 11. MRC; MRC Programming Manual 12. MRC;Strategic Master Scheme for Hydro-Meteorological Network in the Mekong River Basin, March, 2001 13. MRC; Work Programme for 2003, 2003 14. MRC, JICA(Nippon Koei);The Study on Hydro-Meteorological Monitoring for Water Quantity Rules in Mekong river basin, Draft Final Report Volume II, Jan., 2004 15. Nuandeng Rajvong; Water Resources Planning(Basin Development Plan(Bridging Activities), 16. Sanyu Consultants Inc.; Conceptual plan of Water Resources Development and Management in Central Mekong Region, November 2002 17. Somboune Manolom; An Overview of Hydropower Development in the Lao PDR, April 1997 18. Somphanh Vithaya; Inflow Forecast to the Nam Ngum Reservoir, 2002 19. WRCC; Nam Ngum River Basin Profile, September, 2001 20. WRCC; National Water Sector Profile, December 1998 21. WRCC; Water Sector Strategy and Action Plan, November 1998 22. http://www.aseanenergy.org/energy_sector/electricity/lao_pdr/ 23. http://www.lnmcmekong.org 24.ADB. 1998. National Water Sector Profile. TA 3006 – Institutional Strengthening to the Water Resources Coordinating Committee, Lao PDR. ADB. p. 59. 25. DANIDA. 2001. Environmental Education and Awareness Activities in Lao PDR: Status and Possible Implications of the Natural Resources and Environment Programme. Short-term mission report prepared for the Government of Lao PDR and Danish International Development Assistance. p. 53. 26. 1st Southeast Asia Water Forum Strengthening Regional Capacity Through Best Practices in 22 Integrated Water Resources Management, 7-21 November 2003 at the Chiang Mai, Thailand 23