Experiences from VietnamWater Resources Management in Vietnam

Dr. Nguyen Le TuanDeputy Head, Division of Policy and Planning Department of Water Resources Management

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Vietnam

E-Flows Case Study from the Huong River BasinLy Minh Dang

Wetlands and Water Resources Programme OfficerIUCN – The World Conservation Union

Vietnam Country Office

Water Resources Managementin Vietnam

Dr. Nguyen Le TuanDeputy Head, Division of Policy and Planning,Department of Water Resources Management

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Vietnam

Pressures on water resourcesin Vietnam

• Increasing population & development leading to decreasing quality and quantity

• Uneven distribution of water in time and space

• 2/3 of Vietnam’s water originates from outside the country

• Current demand and shortages in the dry season are already substantial

• Competition among sectors with different needs

• Links between health of aquatic ecosystem and social and economic outcomes recognised

Initiatives at the national level

• Law on Water Resources (1998)• Development of a National Water Resources Strategy• Establishment of National Water Resources Council• Decree on Integrated River Basin Management

• RBOs establishment in progress

• Decree on licensing• Exploring environmental

flows and water allocation strategies

Law on Water Resources

•Establishes the legal basis for sustainable water resource management

•Use of water within the “real potential” of the water source

•Water resource “protection”requirements

•Licensing as the “tool” to achieve these

Water Resources Strategy

• Decision-making devolving to provincial level but framework is lacking

• Introduction of licensing• Water quality standards

must be addressed• Clarify mandates

Decree on Integrated River Basin Management

• River basin plans– Framework plan– Water allocation plan– Water resource

protection plan– Disaster mitigation plan

• River basin management bodies (RBC & RBMB)

• Framework under which environmental flows may be a useful tool for sustainable water use

Environmental flows and water allocation

• Environmental flows workshop (April 05)– Introduction to concepts, possibilities

and preliminary results

• Study tour to South Africa (July 05)– Understanding of water allocation

methods

• Expert panel on water resource management (August 05)– Dialogue and communication

between sectors on water allocation issues

Thank you!

HUONG RIVER BASIN MANAGEMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL FLOWS

Ly Minh DangWetlands and Water Resources Programme Officer

IUCN – The World Conservation UnionVietnam Country Office

Current efforts by the local authorities ofThua Thien Hue Province, Vietnam

andCase Study from the Huong River Basin

Huong River Basin

• 3,000 km2

• 700,000 people dependent (70% province’s population)

• Critical role in industrial and agricultural production

• Hue - UNESCO World Heritage Site

• Tam Giang - Cau Hai lagoon system: biggest in Asia, vital for local communities

Issues…

Infrastructure development

• Binh Dien, Ta Trach, Co Bi, Thao Long

• Flood control• Hydropower

Change in basin flow regime

TA TRACH DAM

HUU TRACH DAM

THAO LONG Barrage

HUE

Solutions must be implemented in an integrated way…

Rapid Environmental Flow Assessment in the Huong River Basin

Fast facts:• Partnership: Thua Thien Hue

Provincial People’s Committee, Huong River Projects Management Board, IWMI, IUCN, WANI

• First environmental flows assessment in Vietnam

• Testing international practices through local-level activities• Promoting extensive open discussions at all levels• Stakeholders understand the principles and practices of

environmental flows

Activities:• Inception Workshop: October

2003• Planning Workshop: March 2004• First interdisciplinary studies

(social, ecological and hydrological studies)

• Rapid Environmental Flows Assessment Workshop: 13-14 December 2004

Rapid Environmental Flow Assessment in the Huong River Basin

Results:• Open dialogue on possible

scenarios for proposed reservoir(s)/infrastructure

• Participants equipped with EFA concepts and tools

• Enhanced understanding of importance of providing environmental flows for environment and society

Rapid Environmental Flow Assessment in the Huong River Basin

Lessons learned:• Rapid EFAs require

substantial reliance on expert judgment

• Significant resources are required for implementation of a more comprehensive EFA

• Expertise from a wide range of fields is essential –science, socio-economics, law…

Rapid Environmental Flow Assessment in the Huong River Basin

Recommendations:• Start with open discussion

among all stakeholders• Regional/country/basin

context must be considered

• Due attention should be paid to single-province river basins of special value: Huong River Basin

Rapid Environmental Flow Assessment in the Huong River Basin

• Establishment of a River Basin Organization for integrated management

• Comprehensive EFA of Huong River based on experiences gained, integrated within basin Master Plan

• Technical and financial support are critical

• International, regional and national cooperation should be strengthened

Next steps for the Huong River Basin:Integrated Management and Environmental Flows

• Development must occur alongsidesustainable maintenance of ecosystems and livelihoods

• Resolving conflicts is a long-term process

• Flows are strongly linked to economy, environment, livelihoods, history and culture

Key Messages…

Environmental Flows:Meeting the Challenge,a Possible Dream!

Thank you!Thank you!