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Prioritize environmental issues and advise on solutions through environmental management plans

¨ Develop a clear understanding between donors and the Ministry on how to implement funded programs, with particular attention to the associated ministerial capacity that makes projects viable and sustainable.

These goals are intended to compliment the Agreement on Cooperation for Sustainable Development of the Mekong River region signed by lower Mekong countries in April, 1995. In the context of further cooperation on environmental protection, points that warrant further consideration include: plans for the removal of pollutants, soil erosion and sedimentation issues, fisheries, bio-diversity conservation and coastal management.

Cambodia’s sustainable development plan attempts to incorporate these issues and integrate cooperation to protect the Mekong River water and related resources, promote and support the fullest sustainable development while preventing wasteful use of Mekong resources. The plan aims to protect natural resources and preserve the ecological balance of the Mekong region from pollution and the effects of development plans and water use. The sustainable development plan also aims to improve management and interpretation of information about the region.

The Cambodian government supports sustainable use and protection of Mekong resources and water quality, and they encourage other governments to consider sustainable solutions as well. Ultimately dialog, understanding, sharing of experience, close examination and intentional cooperation is vital to sustainable use of the country’s water resources.

Soukata Vichit, Lao PDR

Water is abundant in Laos. Rainfall, along with the Mekong River and her tributaries provide most of Laos’ water. Eight to ten percent of Laos is arable land, but because it is a mountainous country, only 39% of that is irrigable and only 20% is actually irrigated. The country also has an 18,000 megawatt hydropower capacity, 3% of which is currently being harnessed. Two new hydropower plants in the works will increase the harnessed capacity significantly. Currently identified water sector priorities for Laos are fourfold. The country aims to export 3000 megawatts to Thailand by 2006, to increased irrigated land, and increase fishery production. A fourth priority is to increase access to safe drinking water, as only 70% of the urban population and 63% of the rural population has access to clean water. Current legislation to address these priorities include the Water and Water Resource Law which will establish a Water Resource Coordinating Committee. The law also aims to improve cooperation with the Lao environmental protection law. Organizations who are involved in water resource management include STENO, the Mekong River Commission, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fishery, the Ministry of Construction, the Ministry of Communication, and the Ministry of Industry, in addition to other agencies that are less directly involved. Under the new law, these groups would be coordinated by the proposed coordinating committee.

In the environmental sector, the Environmental Law and Supporting Decree are in draft form, so current projects are evaluated using international (ADB and WB) standards. In addition, a draft Environmental Management and Assessment Plan for Lao PDR is being reviewed by independent experts for social and environmental impacts. Environmental management and resettlement will cost the hydropower project $100,000,000, a fraction of the total cost of the project. The Government has approved a policy for resettlement of those living in the area where the dam is to be constructed. Four thousand people in 800 households will be resettled at a cost of $28 million. Resettlement was employed in an earlier project, so current plans are building on that knowledge.

Water is a vital resource, so the Water Resources Coordinating Committee was established to provide oversight of water resource management. Laos has also received ADB support for revision of its national water sector profiles that guide strategies and action plans. Water is plentiful, but effective management is still critical to development of Lao PDR.

Chau Ba Loc, Vice Dean, Rural Development. Department, Can Tho University

Agriculture, rural development and water resources in the Mekong delta are very closely related. The Mekong delta supplies 50% of the country’s food production as well as fisheries production and export rice. It is a vital part of Vietnam’s agricultural capacity. During the August to October, the height of the wet season, flow can be five times higher than during the dry season, and low lying areas are subject to flooding throughout the rainy season.

Damage from flooding includes human loss, as people die every year in the floods. In addition, severe agricultural loss is experienced, with rice crops in low lying areas vulnerable, as well as fruit trees and garden crops in downstream areas, upland crops such as sugar cane, mung beans and soy beans, and farm animals potentially destroyed by the flooding. Property damage to housing, furniture and fishnets, as well as impacts on income generating activities contribute to the estimated 178 million Dong in household income lost to flooding.