Chi River Basin and Kang La Wa Wetland IWRM Mekong Structure Learning Mekong Institute 12 Jan 2011 Freshwater Unit : WWF Thailand, Greater Mekong Programme -Chi River Basin background information -Kang La Wa Wetlands / Value and Benefits -Threats -Question and Answer Outline Presentation Mekong Tributaries River Basin in North East Thailand Classified - Internal Use Only The Watershed covers an area of 49,477 km2 or 8.4 per cent of the Lower Mekong basin Average water volume is 8,752,000,000 cubic meters per year One of the principle lower Mekong tributaries drains a low relief, low rainfall area. Complex Landscape Habitat: Dry forest, Agriculture, Flood Plain system The Chi River Watershed. Chi River is divided into 20 sectors The Chi River Watershed. The Chi River basin is the central basin of the Northeast region of Thailand and the Chi River flows through seven provinces; Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Mahasarakhram, Kelasin, Roi Et, Yasothon, and Ubon Ratchathani One in third of total population in Thailand (25 million +) Over 80% of population engaged with agriculture with 8.8 million hectares 67.1 % with paddy field 22.5% Upland field crops 0.9 % grassland 9.5 % for local livelihoods on Harvesting Forest and Wetlands Resources Seasonal Calendar Permanent Labour Planting Harvest JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNov Dec Sugar cane harvest Vegetabl es WET SEASONHOT SEASON SEASON COLD Common Resources collection phase I Pak Wan Beetle larvae CR collection phase II Bamboo shoots Mushrooms Fuel wood Ant larvaeBeetles Mushrooms Rice season Silk weaving Handicrafts Threats to the Chi River Land conversion and removal of trees from the landscape Seasonal drought, reduced water quality and water shortages Intensification of agriculture and increases in chemical use Contract farming encouraging yields beyond natural capacity Poor watershed planning undertaken at a distance from the site leading to poor management of resulting schemes Lack of coordination between the state agencies working at the watershed level Lack of consultation with villagers and no active participation in planning or implementation by locals Deterioration of natural wetlands quality due to alien species invasion. The impacts of climate change are beginning to be clearly evidenced through impacts on biodiversity and local livelihoods due to extreme flood and drought events. Classified - Internal Use Only Conservation Results Planning (March 2008 ) ThreatsChi RiverDry ForestWhistling duckPonds & lakes Seasonal wetlands Swamp forest Tributary streams Summary Forest habitat conversion Very High Still water habitat conversion High Very High High Unsustainable use of NTFPs Medium Uncontrolled fire MediumHigh Medium Poor fishing practices LowHigh Medium Poaching High Medium Moving water habitat conversion MediumHigh Medium Barriers to connectivity MediumHigh Medium Agricultural pollution (chemicals) LowMedium Low Medium Soil degradation Low Alien species MediumLow SummaryMediumHigh Classified - Internal Use Only The Chi River Watershed Classified - Internal Use Only Glutinous rice cultivation Classified - Internal Use Only Glutinous rice harvest Classified - Internal Use Only Sugar cane Sugar cane harvest Classified - Internal Use Only Cassava Classified - Internal Use Only Cattle grazing Classified - Internal Use Only Dry forest, forest fire picture need to add Seasonal Wetlands Classified - Internal Use Only Mushroom collection Classified - Internal Use Only Permanent wetlands Classified - Internal Use Only Eucalyptus plantations Classified - Internal Use Only Wood use Classified - Internal Use Only Charcoal production Classified - Internal Use Only Existing forest patches Need one forest fire picture here Forest fire Classified - Internal Use Only Rich Landscape Mosaic Cassava Rice Forest patch Maps Kang La Wa Map Kang La Wa Physical status Large permanent natural pound approximately 7,000 rai located at Kok Samran sub-district and Ban Pai district, Khon Kaen province General described as a floodplain of the Chi River Basin Area for water recharged capacity totally about 10 km2 / 19,000,000 Cubic meters with flow from 3 main cannel of Hauy Nong Eian, Huay Muang Peer and Huay Ban Paouy The surrounding areas are relatively with little slope and are mostly paddy fields Flow regime start from May-November Kang La Wa Ecological Value / Benefits At least 43 fish species have been found including the 2 fresh water endanger species At least 36 species of birds have been found including 13 waterfowl and shorebird species including 1 near threatened species At least 30,000 local livelihoods in 50 communities depend on Wetlands Natural Resources such as Water for Agriculture, Animals farming, Water supply for 50 communities, Native fish for local fishing estimate 200,000 tons / year or estimate income 15,000 bath/household Traditional culture practices / and local tourist Recreation Chi tributaries flow to main stream Time for Water flow, Fish and People Local Fishing practice Flow from Chi into Kang La Wa One of 20 nationally important wetlands for Thailand High wetlands resources for local livelihoods Threats to Kang Lawa Thank you