Integrated Lancangjiang (Upper Mekong) River Basin Management for
Soil and Water Conservation and Ecosystem Protection
 Mekong in Yunnan, China |
The ecosystem of the Upper Mekong is under increasing human pressure as a result of fast land use changes and non-sustainable land use practices. This pressure affects both the hydrological and ecological state of the Upper Mekong system through soil erosion, landslides, increased sediment loads, habitat fragmentation, and species loss. This has adverse consequences for the functions these rivers and ecosystems fulfil; rivers with high sediment concentration become less suitable for fishing and hydropower generation, and forests lose biodiversity. To tackle the situation the different government departments of Yunnan Province are seeking ways to develop an Integrated River Basin Management approach.
 Soil erosion in Mekong watershed |
Aim
The aim of the project is to identify sustainable development scenarios for the Upper Mekong region that maintain the integrity, diversity and symbiosis of local livelihoods, cultures and ecosystems through:
• Integrating and deepening the understanding of contemporary human induced physical and ecological changes in the Upper Mekong River Basin; and
• Giving policy-makers and managers insight in economic, social and ecological effects of development scenario’s, and providing them with practical guidelines for a more sustainable development of the Upper Mekong basin.
 China and Yunnan Province |
The project approach is to carry out combined Chinese-Dutch research focussed at understanding the Upper Mekong system. This will be done by means of a system analysis approach that analyses the natural environment in a societal context by taking into account human pressure and responses.
The study particularly focuses on:
1. Soil, water and biodiversity conservation through ecosystem restoration
2. Assessment of slope stability and landslide hazard
3. Integrated river basin planning and management
The project region is the Upper Mekong basin situated in Yunnan Province. The Tibetan part of the Upper Mekong basin will be considered as boundary condition. Within Yunnan Province, Lincang Prefecture will serve as case study area for the more detailed analyses. This region is representative for the problems and issues in the Upper Mekong.
A second part of the approach is to use the systems perspective to embed IRBM practice in the Yunnan region through close interaction between project staff, government officials and other stakeholders.
 Bai Women in Mekong Valley |
• Better integrated understanding of land-water interactions in the Upper-Mekong and mechanisms for improved river basin management
• Practical guidelines for sustainable development of the river basin and biodiversity conservation supported by policy makers and managers
• Increased awareness of managers / decision-makers of integrated management of land and water resources for sustainable development and biodiversity conservation
• An Upper-Mekong case in the Global Water Partnership (GWP) Toolbox for Integral Water Management
• Input into to the IUCN-project ('Yunnan Wetlands Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Use Programme') and the FCCDP (Forest Conservation and Community Development Project)
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| Partners China Forestry Department of Lincang Prefecture Forestry Department of Yunnan Province in Kunming South-West Forestry College State Forestry Administration in Beijing Yunnan University The Netherlands UNESCO-IHE (lead) Alterra, Wageningen-UR ITC Enschede |
Mr. Wim Douven UNESCO-IHE
Westvest 7, 2611 DA, Delft, The Netherlands
+31 (0)15 2151712
wjd@ihe.nl
www.ihe.nl 