national semiar on ilbm 2010

A National Seminar on "ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes"

Compilation: Shailendra Pokharel Madhukar Khadka

Organized By In Collaboration With

National Lake Conservation Development Committee (NLCDC)

MoE, ILEC, NTB, NTNC, TU, JMC, ICIMOD, IUCN, CSUWN, WWF, TMI, and AMC

March 26-29, 2010 Kathmandu, Nepal

PUBLISHED BY


Copyright © National Lake Conservation Development Committee

This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part and in any form for educational or non-profit purposes without special permission from the copyright holder, provided acknowledgement of the source is made. No use of this publication may be made for resale or for any other commercial purpose whatever without the prior permission in writing from the NLCDC.

PROVISO

The findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed in this report are the views of the presenters and do not necessarily represent the views of the organizers. It engrosses only successful work towards the wetland management and some research papers.

Non Edited Version

GRAPHIC DESIGNING AND COMPUTER SETTING

Madhukar Khadka

CITATION

Please cite this report as: National Lake Conservation Development Committee: Kathmandu, Nepal Madhukar Khadka (Programme Officer NLCDC) PRINTED BY

Chitwan Offset Press & General Suppliers, Sankhamul-10, Kathmandu

ABOUT COVER

The front cover display the highest lake Tilicho (4919 msal), Jata Pokhari (4235 msal) and Rupa (631 msal) The back cover display the nine Ramsar sites of Nepal

Collaborating Institution

Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation Singha Durbar, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: 977-1-4232411, 4222846 Fax: 977-1-4227758 Web: www.tourism.gov.np National Lake Conservation Development Committee Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: 977-1-4420173 Fax: 977-1-4421954 www.nepallake.gov.np International Lake Environment Committee Foundation 1091 Oroshimo-cho Kusatsu, Shigh 525-0001, Japan Tel: +81-77-568-4567 Fax: +81-77-568-4568 http://www.worldlakes.org Ministry of Environment Address: Singhdurbar, Kathmandu Tel: 977-1-(4211661, 4211709) Fax: 977-1-4211754 Web: www.moenv.gov.np Nepal Tourism Board Bhrikuti Mandap, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: +977-1-4256909 Fax: +977-1-4256910 Website: www.welcomenepal.com National Trust for Nature Conservation P.O. Box: 3712, Khumaltar, Lalitpur, Nepal Tel: +977-1-5526571, 5526573, Fax: +977-1-5526570 http://www.ntnc.org.np Tribhuvan University Kirtipur, Kathmandu www.tribhuvan-university.edu.np

Janapriya Multiple Campus Pokhara International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development PO Box: 3226, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: 977-1-5525313 Fax: 977-1-5524509, 5536747 http://icimod.org The World Conservation Union PO Box: 3923. Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: 977-1-5528761 Fax: 977-1-5536786 http://iucnnepal.org Conservation and Sustainable Use of Wetlands in Nepal Tel: 977-1-4226230 /4229669 Fax: 977-1-4229670 http://www.wetlands.org.np World Wildlife Fund PO Box: 7660 Baluwatar, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: 977-1-4434820 /4434970 /4410942 Fax: 977-1-4438458 http://www.wwfnepal.org The Mountain Institute P.O. Box 2785 Baluwatar, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: (977 1) 4419356 or 4414237 Fax: (977 1) 4410073 www.mountain.org Action in Mountain Community Pokhara www.mtnforum.org Hotel Association Nepal www.hotelassociationnepal.org

Table of Content I

Content

Content I Foreword II Acknowledgment III Acronym IV Integrated Lake Basin Management and Governance V Technical Session – I: Genesis of ILBM and its global learning Paper 1. Integrated Lake Basin Management (ILBM-G) Indian

component - Prof. Dr. M. S. Kodarkar 3

Paper 2. Women in ILBM implementation- A case from the Philippines

- Adelina S. Borja 9

Technical Session – II: Managing lake and their basin Paper 3. Integrated Lake Basin Management (ILBM) for the

Sustainable Conservation of Himalayan Lakes of Nepal - Pokharel Shailendra,

Nakamura Masahisa 15

Paper 4. Glacial Lakes and Wetlands in Bhutan Himalayas - G Karma Chhopel 23 Paper 5. Challenges and Opportunities in Lake Conservation and

Management: A Case study of Ucchali Lakes Complex – Pakistan

- Rahat Jabeen, Najam Khurshid and Farooq Awan

27

Technical Session – II: Managing lake and their basin

Paper 6. ILBM implementation for the conservation of Bhoj Wetlands, Bhopal, India

- Dr. Vipin Vyas and Shripana Saxena

35

Paper 7. Ecological Engineering and Ecotechnological Applications for Lake Pollution Control in India

- Sandeep Joshi 41

Lessons Learning Session I: Lake conservation in Nepal

Paper 8. National Lake Strategic Plan for Nepal Process and Contents

- Ukesh Raj Bhuju 49

Paper 9. A Case Study of Raja-Rani Lake in Dhankuta District - Rajendra Khanal and Juna Giri

55

Paper 10. Morphometry, Water Quality, and Sedimentation of Phewa Lake, Pokhara, Nepal

- Shrestha, Gyan K. Chhipi and Pradhan, Ananta MS.

57

Lessons Learning Session II: Lake conservation in Nepal Paper 11. Conservation and Sustainable Use of Wetlands in

Nepal: Lessons from the Ghodaghodi Lake Area, Western Nepal

- Top B. Khatri and Shalu Adhikari

63

Paper 12. Journalism in addressing lake conservation issues in Nepal

- Dhurba Basnet and Mohan Mainali

67

Visioning the Future

71

Appendix A. Inauguration Speech a-d Appendix B. Participant List e-i Appendix C. Program Schedule j-k Appendix D. Photographs

Foreword II

Foreword This report is an output of the national seminar on "ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes" organized by National Lake Conservation and Development Committee (NLCDC) supported by different organizations. The committee was formed under the Development Committee act 2013 in 2063 BS (2006) as a development authority under the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, now the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation. Since then, the NLCDC has been operating as a national body to develop, promote, and conserve lakes and wetlands programs. Promotion of tourism with a sharp focus on lakes and wetlands culture and biodiversity values is the principle strategy and action areas of NLCDC. The need for the committee for promoting the lakes and wetlands have deep and strong connection among the Nepalese citizens in terms of their socio-economy, religio-culture, traditional faith, spiritual gain, tourism, biodiversity conservation and lakes. On virtue of values and the contribution wetlands could play on sustainable development of Nepal has been frequently and seriously articulating in many events - varying from the educational and scholastic discussions to grassroots debates. Nepal's 13 percent of ethnic groups that are solely dependent on lakes and wetlands resources is a valid manifestation of it. The committee makes some major contributions, such as, formulating policy on protection and development of lakes, developing lake as recreational and tourist destinations, identifying and publicizing religious and cultural importances of lakes, sustainable use and management of lakes etc. Finally, the major objective of this committee is to coordinate with national and international organization as per the need on issues of protecting and developing of lakes. This national seminar held on March 26-29, 2010 is the example of dedication of NLCDC as the national response in respect of conservation of the Himalayan lakes of the region. The report underscores the central role lakes and reservoirs play in integrated water resources management. It advocates that lakes and reservoirs need to be managed as integrated units with their basins. The concept of Integrated Lake Basin Management (ILBM) complements to the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) approach. In this national report, success stories of ILBM from the countries like India, the Phillippins, Pakistan are incorporated issues discussed and resolutions are recommended. We anticipate that this report would be contributing for the sustainable conservation of lakes and wetlands in line with the prospects set up by our national policies and MDGs.

……………………… Krishna Chandra Mishra

Chairperson National Lake Conservation Development Committee (NLCDC)

Acknowledgments III

Acknowledgments

This national seminar on "ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes" is organized by the National Lake Conservation and Development Committee as co-sponsored by international organization, government and non-governmental organization; and academia like Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology; International Lake Environmental Committee, Japan ; Nepal Tourism Board; National Trust for Nature Conservation; Tribhuvan University; Janapriya Multiple Campus; International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development; International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources; Conservation and Sustainable Use of Wetlands in Nepal; World Wildlife Fund; The Mountain Institute; Hotel Association Nepal; and Action in Mountain Community.

On behalf of NLCDC, I would like to express our gratitude to our co-sponsors of this national seminar. We anticipate similar kind of supports in future as well. Hon'ble minister Mr. Sarad Singh Bhandari who inaugurated this national seminar as chief guest is a demonstration of the seriousness of our national priority on lake conservation. NLCDC greatly acknowledge to Hon'ble minister Mr. Bhandari for providing his valuable time in inauguration despite busy schedule, and providing his audience to international delegates. Further, our special thanks go to Prof. Dr. Nakamura to leverage support from ILEC particularly for funding the participation of international delegates. His advice and technical supports are always memorable to us in the recognition of Himalayan lake issues. Further, we acknowledge for the participation of Prof. Dr. Mohan S. Kodarkar (India), Scientific Committee Member of ILEC; Adelina S. Borja (the Philippines), Scientific Committee Member of ILEC; Dr. Vipin Vyas and Dr. Saxena (India); Mr. Sandeep Joshi (India); Dr. Rahat Jaben (Pakistan); and Mr. G Karma Choppel (Bhutan); and national delegates Prof. Dr. Madan Koirala of TU; Prof. Dr. Ram P. Chaudhary of TU; Dr. Dinesh Raj Bhuju of NAST; Dr. Bishnu Bhandari of ICIMOD, Prof. Dr. Sanjaya Khanal of KU; Dr. Tirtha Bahadur Shrestha; Mr. Ukesh Raj Bhuju, Mr. Rajendra Khanal and Juna Giri of IUCN Nepal; Mr. Bhawani Dangol of WWF; Mr. Gyan Kumar Chhipi and his colleagues of TU, Mr. Tpo B. Khatri and Shalu Adhikari of CSUWN/N; and Mr. Dhurba Basnet and Mohan Mainali.

Further, our thanks also go to Executive Board Members of NLCDC like Mr. Krishna Chandra Mishra (Chirman); Mr. Dhurba Raj Chalisae; Er. Anil Piya; Ms. Jibchi Chaudhari; Mr.Prachandaman Shrestha, Er. Mathura Dangol; Ms. Gayatri Karki and Mr. Mohan Pokhrel for their cooperation to make this seminar a success event. We are grateful to our staff Ajit Shah and Prakash Shrestha; volunteers Chandan Pandit; Avash Poudel; Diwas Dahal; Merina Khadka; and Pragati Tuladhar, former intern of the Ramsar Secretariat. We express our hearty thanks to Mr. Guru Prashad Subedi, Local Development Officer of Kaski district; Mr. Yogendra Basnet, Executive Director of Pokhara Urban Development Committee; Mr Ganesh Bhattarai, former member of NTB; Mr. Juddha Gurung, Member Secretry of NTNC; Ms. Indrakala Baral, Mr.Damodar Tripathi and Mr. Puspa Koiral of AMC who were very instrumental for organizing field trip in Pokhara. We greatly acknowledge to the community people of Rupa lake who were very friendly with our international delegates while sharing their learning of lake conservation.

Finally, our special thanks go to Excellency President and Honorable Prime minister for their encouraging remarks on the conservation of Hhimalayan lakes whilst their audience to international delegates. Our thanks go to Mr. Shailendra Pokhrel, coordinator of NLCDC, for facilitating the program from the very beginning, and to Mr. Madhukar Khadka for the preparing this report.

…………………

Ramanand Pandit Member Secretary and Executive Director


Acronyms IV

Acronyms

AMC Action in Mountain Community APHA American Public Health Association ASSESS-HKH

Assessment System to Evaluate the Ecological Status of Rivers in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan Region

AWI Asian Wetland Inventory AWWA American Water Works Association BCAS Bangladesh Center for Advance Studies CAP-NET Capacity Building for Integrated Water

Resource Management CBD Convention on Bio-Diversity CCB Citizen Community Boards CEC Commission of European Community CME Collage of Military Engineering COD Chemical Oxygen Demand CPCB Central Pollution Control Board CSUWN Conservation and Sustainable Use of

Wetlands in Nepal DDC District Development Committee DNPWC Department of National Park and Wildlife

Conservation DSC Department of Soil Conservation FAO Food and Agriculture Organization GEF Global Environmental Facility GLOF Glacial Lake Outburst Flood GPS Global Positioning System IAAB Indian Association of Aquatic Biologists IAAB Indian Association of Aquatic Biologists ICIMOD International Centre for Integrated

Mountain Development ILBM-G Integrated Lake Basin Management -

Global ILEC International Lake Environmental

Committee IPFC Indo-Pacific Fisheries Commission IPM Integrated Pest Management IUCN International Union for Conservation of

Nature IWRB Integrated Water Resource Bangladesh IWRM Integrated Water Resources Management JICA Japan International Cooperation Agency JMC Janapriya Multiple Campus LCA Lake Conservation Authority LRCM Lake - River Catchment Management

MFSC Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation MoE Ministry of Environment NAST National Academy of Science and

Technology NEC National Environment Council, Bhutan NGOs Non Governmental Organizations NLCDC National Lake Conservation and

Development Committee NLCP National Lake Conservation Programme NORAD Norwegian Agency for Development

Cooperation NTB Nepal Tourism Board NTFPs Non-Timber Forest Products NTNC National Trust for Nature Conservation PES Payment for Ecosystem Service RED Regional Economy and Development RGOB Royal Government of Bhutan RLRFC Rupa Lake Restoration and Fisheries

Cooperative SAARC South Asian Association Regional

Corporation SACEP South Asia Cooperative Environment

Programme SERI Shrishti Eco-Research Institute SGP/UNDP Small Grants Programme, United Nations

Development Programme SUFEREC Student forum for forestry research &

environment conservation SVDP Soon Valley Development Program TMI The Mountain Institute TU Tribhuvan University UNEP United Nations Environmental

Programme UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific

and Cultural Organization US United State USES United South End Settlements USES Urban System with Ecological Security VDC Village Development Committees WEF Water Environment federation WHO World Health Organization WWF World Wildlife Fund

Integrated Lake Basin Management and Governance Globally, lakes cover 100,000 km3 of earth surface and over 90 percent of earth's freshwater - either in natural or artificial form. Lakes, wetlands and reservoirs are ‘lentic’ system i.e. standing water. A lake basin can be characterized as a complex combination of both flowing and standing waters because lakes usually have both inflowing and out flowing characteristics. Lakes provide many uses for sustainable human livelihoods and economic development while serving as essential habitat for a great variety of flora and fauna. Because of unique characteristics (i.e., integrating nature; long water retention time; and complex response dynamics), lake systems are much more vulnerable to stresses and more difficult to manage. All lakes undergo various transformations through time due to natural processes of aging caused by climatic, hydrologic and ecosystem changes. However, the greatest degradation impacts to lakes and reservoirs are caused by human interventions. The resource values of a lake and its basin may be degraded by a number of cases triggered by resource development activities. The global experience of lake basin management encompasses a wide variety of lessons. Some are at early stage of resource development and the resulting degradation of their environments is minimal. Others have been overexploited and their ecological services functions are suffering from serious degradation. And still others have been introduced with measures for achieving sustainable resource development, use and conservation. Regardless, the way in which the stress is exerted from the basin to the lentic body of lake water is the same, and a common and integrated approach is needed to address these wide ranging issues in lake basin management. As example, the GEF- LBMI Project conducted in 28 lakes by ILEC and summarized the experiences from the management of 28 lakes. Importance of Basin Approach: Management does not stop at the lakeshore, but must extend into the basin, and often beyond. The largest number of lake issues reported in the project originated from their upstream or downstream basins. Border Barriers (Transboundary Lakes) Must be Overcome: In principle, transboundary lakes are more difficult to manage. In practice, however, there is good progress in establishing agreed plans of action and institutions.

Technological Interventions Can be Effective: Technologies can have dramatically positive effects on lakes, provided the root causes of their problems and their sustainability are properly addressed. Success Depends Heavily on Stakeholder Involvement: Degradation of the ecosystem services provided by lakes results from unsustainable human interventions for resource development. Sustainability can be best achieved when the respective stakeholders fully understand and appreciate their respective roles regarding the problems. Long-term Commitment is Essential: The long water retention time and complex dynamics of lakes means that successful project outcomes are seldom immediate. Thus, there is a need for indicators that illustrate both planning (Process Indicators), implementation (Stress Reduction Indicators) and actual lake basin improvements (Environmental Status Indicators). Monitoring Should Not be Overlooked: Long-term monitoring data sets can form the basis for mutual understanding of Lake Basin management issues, thereby leading to cooperative actions to address them. Lake Basin Management is a Continuing Process not a One-time Project: Management interventions at a lake basin usually first happen in isolation, often for non-lake related reasons. Through time, however, the need for the integration of projects can grow. After the experiences learned from the GEF Project highlight these issues and suggest ways to achieve sustainable use of lakes and their resources, including ILBM as lake basin governance framework that involves: 1. Institutions: To manage the lake and its basin for the

benefit of all lake basin resource uses; 2. Policies: To govern people’s use of lake resources

and their impacts on lakes; 3. Participation: Involvement of people central to lake

basin management; 4. Technology: Technological possibilities and

limitations exist in almost all cases; 5. Information: Knowledge both of a traditional and

scientific nature is valuable; and

6. Finance: Sustainable finances to fund all of the above activities are essential.

ILBM is a conceptual framework for assisting Lake Basin managers and stakeholders. It takes into account the biophysical features of as well as managerial requirements for lake basin systems, that are associated with the lentic (standing or static) water properties of lakes as well as the inherent dynamics between humans and nature in the process of development, use and conservation of lake and basin resources. ILBM is not a prescriptive planning procedure. Rather, it is a compilation of the lessons learned from lake basin management experiences globally synthesized to address complex planning issues using a basin governance framework. Since it is a product of compilation and synthesis, ILBM will continue to evolve as we continue to learn more from other lake basin management experiences, and from other perspectives of governance that have not yet been adequately reflected. Continuous efforts will be needed to further expand, and refine, the concept of ILBM for it to have significant impacts on the future of lakes and other water bodies facing serious threats of degradation, particularly from human activities within their basins. ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes Lake conservation in Nepal formally kicked off in Nepal after the establishment of NLCDC in 2006 corresponding to the National Wetlands Policy (2003), and ILBM became as principle management guidelines after Nepal's participation in 12th World Lake Conference in 2007. Since then, Nepal has been presenting her learning from ILBM implementation in Hyderabad workshop (India, 2008), ILBM-G Review meeting (Japan, 2009), Bangladesh (2009), sequential ILBM-India workshop (India, 2009), Wuhan (China, 2009) and Malaysia (2010). In a course of ILMB implementation, NLCDC has been extending technical and financial supports to over 80 lakes in different parts of the countries. It has been

engaged in strengthening lake governance for conserving 9 lakes in Kaski district, and Jagadishpur Reservoir and Buddi lake in Kapilvastu districts. Designating process of lake-cluster of Pokhara valley in the Ramsar list almost has been accomplished technical works, and finally the National Lake Conservation Strategy has come up in a final stage of government approval. Nepal's lakes are Himalayan nature. They are the Asian water towers supporting conventional agrarian socio-economy and complex ethnic society; and forming religio-cultural foundation for the Hindus, Buddhist and other communities. However, these lakes are subjected to different kinds of threats associated with human and natural causes. Their sustainable conservation is urgent to serve human civilization since they are sources of freshwater supply to billions of people; they are the gene pools of nationally and globally significant biodiversity; they are sternum of the national economy, religio-culture and ecotourism. The Himalayan lakes cross its political boundary beyond Nepal to China, India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. Any conservation measures that are being prescribed for lake management also need to follow this geographical connectivity across these nations. Hence, Nepal has been proposing for the regional importance of HLCI in Bangladesh, China and Malaysia in different lake events in 2009, and now through the participation of international delegates from Japan, Bhutan, India, Pakistan, the Philippines and Nepal in a National Seminar on ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes (March 26 - 29, 2010). This seminar has come up with some conclusive remarks; one of these is the recognition of having a focal point for the sustainable conservation of the Himalayan lakes. HLCI now has a long journey to go, and the success of it depends on national, regional and international cooperation and coordination. ILEC as has been promoting ILBM also has comparative advantage of functionalizing HLCI in the Region.

- Shailendra Pokharel

- Madhukar Khadka Note: Contents here are copied from "How can We Stop Degradation of the World's Lake Environments?" and brochure of the National Seminar on "ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes" March 26-29, 2010.

Technical Session-I:

Genesis of ILBM and its Global Learning Chaired by Prof. Dr. Madan Koirala

Asst. Dean, Tribhuvan University

Paper 1

Integrated Lake Basin Management (ILBM-G) Indian component

Dr. M. S. Kodarkar

Secretary, IAAB, Hyderabad, India Member, Scientific Committee [Sci-Com], ILEC, Japan

www.iaabonline.org, [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

Introduction The ILBM-G initiative in India began with an International workshop held in August 2008 at Hyderabad which was followed by three initiatives at Bhopal, Udaipur and Pushkar in August 2009. The Ujjani Lake in Maharashtra was the first to be covered under ILBM initiative of 2008 and the case study was presented at Global ILBM meet held in Japan in 2009. The Ujjani lake case study had attracted a great deal of International attention and could serve as a template for similar initiatives in the country. Particularly, Jal Dindi component of Ujjani lake ILBM was very much appreciated and is included as a training module in the International Training programme conducted by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) (www.ilec.or.jp). As a part of Integrated Lake Basin Management - Global (ILBM-G), a project financially supported by Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, and Science and Technology, Japan, and Indian Association of Aquatic Biologists (IAAB), Hyderabad, in collaboration with International Lake Environment Committee (ILEC) and local organizations had organized three major programmes at Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh); Udaipur (Rajasthan) and Pushkar-Ajmer (Rajasthan). The objective of this initiative was to establish an inter-disciplinary, cross-sectoral platform on which diverse stake holders will come together to develop a comprehensive conservation and management plan for long term sustainability of respective lake ecosystems. The platform in the form of a lake conservation society (Sarovar samvardhini) will also serve as the 'think tank' to generate new ideas for protection of lakes. In future, the concept will be extended to other lakes and reservoirs in the country thereby establishing a strong network that will support overall environmental protection taking lake basin as the basic unit. The ILBM platform established at the end of respective programme will undertake further action to develop a comprehensive document on each lake. It will try to integrate traditional wisdom and initiatives from civil society groups in to action plans already being implemented/ proposed to be implemented by different agencies. The three lake ecosystems and their basins represent diverse geo-graphical, cultural and socio-economical settings and hold a great potential for implementation of the six principles of ILBM.

Why Focus on Lakes? 90% of the freshwater available for different human uses; right from drinking and domestic use to agriculture, Industry, aquaculture to water for nature, is in the form of lentic water (standing water) in the lakes. Lake, in the present context, is a term used for all kind of ecosystems like natural lakes, man-made reservoirs and impoundments created taking advantage of topographical features. Even the rivers are so heavily impounded that in most of the year they are chains of reservoirs. That is why as far as freshwater is concerned Lakes become focal points for better governance. Defining a Lake Any lake, fresh, brackish or marine; natural, artificial or man-made, has three basic attributes; well defined basin also called catchment or watershed, the area from where rain water flows in to the second attribute called the lake proper and downstream command area that receives water from the lake. Why Focus on Basin? As stated in the ILEC publication titled - World Lake Vision: Action reports, a lake is refection of its basin as the latter has direct influence on the former. The basic aspect i.e. quality of water ultimately defines range of goods and services from a lake ecosystem on which man depends. Integrated Lake Basin Management ILBM Integrated Lake Basin Management (ILBM) is a way of thinking that assists Lake Basin managers and stakeholders in achieving sustainable management of lakes and their basins. It takes into account that lakes have a great variety of resource values whose sustainable development and use require special management considerations for their lentic (static) water properties. In final analysis, good basin management underlines continuous improvement of Lake Basin governance that integrates institutions, policy, participation, science, technology and funding. In the light of fast degradation all over the world improvement of the state of lakes can be realized by promoting ILBM. The six basic pillars of ILBM comprehensively help and address the issues of good governance. The task of ILBM

4 National Seminar on “ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes” March 26-29, 2010

has assumed greater urgency in view of global climate change and emerging issues associated with population growth, water intensive life styles and agriculture and large scale deterioration of water quality visible in all types of aquatic environments. ILBM also offers a common platform for diverse stake holders to discuss issues involved in sustainability and has a potential to serve as a think tank for generating new ideas for good governance. ILBM-G India Three representative lakes and their basins were identified for ILBM-G India. They were Bhoj wetlands, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh; Udaipur lakes, Udaipur, Rajasthan and Ujjani lake, Found, in Maharashtra. However, due to unavailable circumstances, Ujjani programme had to be postponed and replaced by Pushkar-Annasar, Ajmer, Rajasthan and component. Brain storming session on:

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1. Pushkar [Rajasthan] 2. Udaisagar [Rajasthan] 3. Bhoj wetlands [MP] 4. Ujjani lake [Maharashtra] 5. Nath sagar [Maharashtra] 6. Hussainsagar [AP] and 7. Chilika [Orissa]

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II.. BBHHOOJJ WWEETTLLAANNDDSS,, BBHHOOPPAALL,, MMAADDHHYYAA RRAADDEESSHH,, IINNDDIIAA Introduction The Upper and Lower Lakes named after the legendary king, Raja Bhoj as the Bhoj wetlands, are ecological landmarks on the map of Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, India. Of the two, the lizard shaped larger Upper lake is situated on the South-West side of the City, while much smaller Lower lake looks like it’s protruding tongue (Fig.1). Historically, the hilly terrain and undulating topography of Bhopal was ideal for conservation of surface water and the two impoundments symbolize ancient wisdom of rulers who had built these two impoundments on the river Kolans. The Bhoj wetland is a designated Ramsar site (November 2002) and the two lakes (Upper and Lowe lake) are also one of the two case studies; other being Chilika (Orissa), included in the Global Environment Facility (GEF) sponsored International initiative on Lake Basin Management (www.ilec.or.jp). A comprehensive conservation plan titled Bhoj Wetland Project was implemented with financial support from Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) since re-designated as the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The Bhoj wetland represents a typical impoundment with multiple goods and services and its conservation and management experiences are most valuable for future of lake conservation and sustainable management in India and South Asia. ILBM essentially is a dynamic and continuous process. Present ILBM programme in the form of a brain storming session followed by a filed visit was planned for reviewing the status of lakes and issues in their sustainable management. Apparently basin urbanization and chemical based agriculture in the vast rural catchment of the lakes are twin environmental issues. In lake activities and ever spreading urban settlements around the lake are other issues of concern.

Upper Lake

Lower Lake

Integrated Lake Basin Management (ILBM-G) Indian Component 5

ILBM Analysis ILBM Needs Improved "Lake Basin Governance" by Integrating Six Basic Pillars

1. Institutions

Madhya Pradesh is one of the few states which have established an independent Lake Conservation Authority (LCA) to look after conservation and management of lake resources of the state. However, the authority needs to be further empowered and funded to undertake long term projects and action plans.

2. Policies

Basin management being a dynamic process, policies needs to be dynamic as new challenges emerge in short and long time spans. Policy frame work for developing a synergy between rural catchment and urban lake area needs to be developed. This will prevent future environmental degradation from developments in the basin of Upper lake.

3. Participation

An ILBM platform in the form of Bhoj Sarovar Samvardhini BSS - is proposed t ensure stake holders participation at every level of conservation and management programmes on Bhopal lakes. The Lake interpretation centre on Upper lake needs face lift and advertisement.

4. Technologies

Organic farming, silt trapping through Gabbian structures and aforestation is being successfully implemented in the rural catchemnt of upper lake. Impact of tourism needs to be monitored carefully. The I and D work needs further extension to newly developing areas around the lake. Eco-technologies need to be implemented to compliment technological interventions already in place.

5. Knowledge and information

Barkatullah University if the first to introduce Limnology in the country and vast knowledge base generated through research need to be translated in to implementable actions at the ground level. Similarly eco-technologies need to be integrated in to technological interventions already in place.

6. Finance

Actions implemented on the basis of ILBM generate a lot of goods and services improving overall economy of the lake basin. However, sustaining smooth flow of these benefits require committed finances for a variety of follow-up actions. Ways and means need to be developed to generate finances from beneficiaries and Governments. The letter needs to make budgetary provisions for sustaining benefits out of ILBM.

II. International Workshop on UDAIPUR

LAKES, UDAIPUR, RAJASTHAN (12th August 2009) Jheel Sanrakshan Samiti (Lake Conservation Society), 113, Chetak Marg, Udaipur, 313001Rajasthan Introduction As a part of ILBM-G programme in India the International workshop on Udaipur lakes was organized at Udaipur on 12th August 2009. Udaipur (24 35’ latitude & 73 42’ longitude, Attitude of 578 meters above MSL the historical lake city has inter-connected ten lakes; three lakes in upper catchment area (Lake Badi, Chhota Madar & Bada Madar), six lakes (Lake Pichhola, Fateh Sagar,

Swaroop Sagar, Rang Sagar, Kumharia Talab, Goverdhan Sagar) within municipal limits and one (Lake Udai Sagar) in the downstream. In addition to this there are 100 small lakes like Roopsagar, Nela, Jogi Ka Talab etc. The Udaipur lakes impounded on the river Berach (Banas Basin) and its tributaries is an integral component of the upper Berach basin, a part of the Gangetic river system. The city lakes symbolizing traditional water wisdom of this region have great tourist potential, however, also are under negative developmental pressure from basin activities and present workshop provided a common platform for diverse stake holder communities to discuss short and long term strategies for long term sustainability of lake ecosystems.

6 National Seminar on “ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes” March 26

ILBM Analysis ILBM Needs Improved "Lake Basin

1. Institutions Better coMunicipal/Governmental departments/ organizations will be basic to success of management actions.

2. Policies Inter-basin transfer of water from Sabermati basin is identified as a solution for environmental problems of Udaipur lakes.

3. Participation

A strong civil society movement in the form of Jheel Samrakshan Samiti JSS is actively pursuing the cause of lakfarmers dependent on Udaisagar are active in the movement for lakes and there is a need of integrating their efforts in the conservation and management programmes being implanted.

4. Technologies

Sewage regulation, Interception and Diversion of sewage and regulation of Interflow of water is already implemented. However, there is a need of implementing 'in lake' actions like aeration/ozonization, fish culture and weed control. Solid waste manageme


Findings from research being carried out by professional/educational institutions needs to be implanted in the form of executable ground level actions for maintaining ecological health of the lakes.

6. Finance

The conservation programmes are being funded by Ministry of Environment and Forests - planning for postBudgetary allocation of funds for annual maintenance of lakes could be a strong measure for long term conservation of lakes.

III. LAKES OF AJMER, RAJASTHAN, INDIA Introduction The Ajmer district is located in the central part of Rajasthan, India. The water resources in this district can be grouped in two categories based on their topography; lakes of Pushkar falling in Pisangan block and Ajmer lakes in Srinagar block. The area is bounded by North latitudes 260 24' 40": 260 32' 43" and East Longitudes 7431' 40": 74040' 36" (Survey of Indi45J/10, 45J/11). The area is characterized by undulating

The Lake Basins of Anasagar and Pushkar

Anasagar Lake

Puskar Lake

National Seminar on “ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes” March 26

Governance" by integrating six basic pillars

Better co-operation, co-ordination and integrating outlook between Municipal/Governmental departments/ organizations will be basic to success of management actions.

basin transfer of water from Sabermati basin is identified as a solution for environmental problems of Udaipur lakes. A strong civil society movement in the form of Jheel Samrakshan Samiti JSS is actively pursuing the cause of lake protection and conservation. Stake holders groups, farmers dependent on Udaisagar are active in the movement for lakes and there is a need of integrating their efforts in the conservation and management programmes being implanted.

ge regulation, Interception and Diversion of sewage and regulation of Interflow of water is already implemented. However, there is a need of implementing 'in lake' actions like aeration/ozonization, fish culture and weed control. Solid waste management needs a priority. Findings from research being carried out by professional/educational institutions needs to be implanted in the form of executable ground level actions for maintaining ecological health of the lakes. The conservation programmes are being funded by Ministry of Environment and

MOEF - through National Lake Conservation Programme planning for post-project sustenance of implemented actions will be the real challenge.

udgetary allocation of funds for annual maintenance of lakes could be a strong measure for long term conservation of lakes.

III. LAKES OF AJMER, RAJASTHAN, INDIA

The Ajmer district is located in the central part of Rajasthan, India. The water resources in this district can be grouped in two categories based on their topography; lakes of Pushkar falling in Pisangan block and Ajmer lakes in Srinagar block. The area is bounded by North

and East Longitudes 740

40' 36" (Survey of India Topo-sheet no. 45J/10, 45J/11). The area is characterized by undulating

topography marked by scattered hillocks and a hill range in the central part trending in NE The basins of six lakes are divided by NEhill range acting as a surface and ground water divide. West of the hill range are Pushkar, Madhya pushkar and Budha pushkar, whereas at east of hill range are Foysagar, Anasagar and Visalsar. The elevation of the plain in the Western part varies from 512 to 475 masl sloping towards North West in the western part and South West in the northern part .The central part of the area have elevation from 520 to 452 masl and slopes from the south west to the north east directi

The Lake Basins of Anasagar and Pushkar Birds eye view of Pushkar lake in good times

Puskar Lake

National Seminar on “ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes” March 26-29, 2010

ordination and integrating outlook between Municipal/Governmental departments/ organizations will be basic to success of

basin transfer of water from Sabermati basin is identified as a solution for

A strong civil society movement in the form of Jheel Samrakshan Samiti JSS is e protection and conservation. Stake holders groups,

farmers dependent on Udaisagar are active in the movement for lakes and there is a need of integrating their efforts in the conservation and management programmes

ge regulation, Interception and Diversion of sewage and regulation of Inter-lake flow of water is already implemented. However, there is a need of implementing 'in lake' actions like aeration/ozonization, fish culture and weed control. Solid waste

Findings from research being carried out by professional/educational institutions needs to be implanted in the form of executable ground level actions for maintaining

The conservation programmes are being funded by Ministry of Environment and through National Lake Conservation Programme - NLCP. However, project sustenance of implemented actions will be the real challenge.

udgetary allocation of funds for annual maintenance of lakes could be a strong

topography marked by scattered hillocks and a hill range in the central part trending in NE-SW direction.

ix lakes are divided by NE-SW trending hill range acting as a surface and ground water divide. West of the hill range are Pushkar, Madhya pushkar and Budha pushkar, whereas at east of hill range are Foysagar, Anasagar and Visalsar. The elevation of the

in in the Western part varies from 512 to 475 masl sloping towards North West in the western part and South West in the northern part .The central part of the area have elevation from 520 to 452 masl and slopes from the south west to the north east direction.

Birds eye view of Pushkar lake in good times

Integrated Lake Basin Management (ILBM-G) Indian Component 7

ILBM Needs Improved "Lake Basin Governance" by Integrating Six Basic Pillars

1. Institutions

A perfect coordination and cooperation between different Government agencies having jurisdiction on the lake is basin for any coordinated conservation intervention. A lake based authority on the line of Budha Purnima Project Authority (BPPA) in the case of Hussainsagar lake in Hyderabad can be created to look after the three lakes including Foy sagar ad Visalsar.

2. Policies

Basin management being a dynamic process, policies needs to be dynamic as new challenges emerge in short and long time spans. Policy frame work for developing a synergy between rural/fast urbanizing catchment and urban lake area needs to be developed. This will prevent future environmental degradation from developments in the basin of the lake.

3. Participation An ILBM platform in the form of Anasagar Sarovar Samvardhini is proposed to ensure stake holders participation at every level of conservation and management programmes.

4. Technologies

Organic farming, silt trapping through Gabbian structures and aforestation needs to be implemented in the rural catchemnt areas. A minimum 100 meters bio-conservation zone needs to be created around Anasagar to prevent urban impacts. Impact of recreation/tourism on the lake needs to be monitored. The Interception and Diversion (I & D) of sewage from up-land urban settlement with proper sewage treatment. - Eco-technologies need to be implemented to compliment technological interventions already in place.


A lake information centre/ lake interpretation centre needs to be established to create awareness about benefits from lakes.

6. Finance

Actions implemented on the basis of ILBM generate a lot of goods and services improving overall economy of the lake basin. However, sustaining smooth flow of these benefits requires committed financial support for a variety of follow-up actions. Ways and means need to be developed to generate finances for maintenance of the lake. The budgetary provision for annual maintenance of lake is most important. .

IV. PUSHKAR LAKES: Rajasthan PUSHKAR LAKE Reverence to nature is hall mark of Indian civilization. With perfect understanding of the relationship between man and nature, in the nature worship water and lakes have a special place. Innumerable temple tanks all over South Asia are testimony to this harmonious relationship between water and human welfare. Pushkar holds a special significance in Hindu religion and culture. On the banks of the lake is situated the only one temple dedicated to Lord Brahma the creator. In the Hindu trinity the concept of creation, sustenance and dissolution is symbolized by three deity's viz. Brahma (Creator), Vishnu (Sustainer) and Shiva (Dissolution0.

While, there are innumerable temples dedicated to Vishnu and Shiva but there is only one temple dedicated to the creator i.e. Brahma on the banks of the lake Pushakar. Thus, Pushkar is one of the holiest places visited by thousands and thousands of pilgrims and tourists throughout the year. The lake is basically a temple tank bound from all sides. Limnologically a tank or reservoir is often described as disabled lake and needs management interventions for its sustenance of its water quality. The Basin of Pushkar Lake in good monsoon year is estimated to be 23.084 km2. There are three main streams Viz., Gori nadi (presently known as Kharkheri feeder originating from the villege of that name), Pushkar nadi (Pushkar feeder) originating from Nag pahar hill and Savitri pahar nala (channel) originating from Pahari pahad (hill).


ILBM needs improved "Lake Basin Governance" by integrating six basic pillars

1. Institutions A coordination and cooperation between different administrative wings of state government can make a big difference in the lake governance

2. Policies

- Regulation of change in land use pattern to maintain basin character is basic to protection of a lake.

- The basin is rural with vast agriculture and policies on application of chemicals and fertilizers are very vital for water quality of the lake.

- A policy for development of a synergy between pre-dominantly rural basin and the lake communities is necessary.

- A 1000 meters Bio-conservation zone needs to be created around the lake with plantation of multiple plants species resistant to drought like conditions.

3. Participation

- To reorient agriculture based on limited water and regulation on exploitation of ground water need cooperation of rural communities.

- The lake dependent communities need to extend their cooperation in maintaining the lake.

- A platform for cross-community dialogue in the form of Pushkar Sarovar Samvardhini needs to be created to speared awareness and evolve conservation plans based on developing environmental challenges.

4. Technologies

- Organic farming, silt trapping through Gabion structures and aforestation needs top priority. Technologies (like tissue culture) to protect and propagate local plant gene pool to ensure productivity of marketable agricultural goods is vital for supplementing income of farmers.

- Bottom scaping of lake for better protection of biodiversity. - Aeration of water to recycle organic load on the lake. - Treatment of water and bottom to prevent evaporative water loss and loss of water

by percolation in to the ground.


- Traditional colourful arts and crafts need to be brought in to awareness creation. - An annual lake festival can make a big difference in understanding significance of

the water resource. - A Pushkar lake information centre can be established.

6. Finance

- Proper utilization of funds channeled for different rural development schemes needs to be ensured through participatory management and application of Information technology.

- The Pushkar municipality needs to make budgetary allocation of funds for maintenance of the lake.

Lessons learned Indian ILBM Experience has brought out following Aspects 1. ILBM as civil society initiative has potential to

influence decision making and implantation processes in the water sector: Ujjani ILBM has initiated discussion in Go, NGO sector

2. ILBM acts as a trigger for Public Private Initiatives for conservation and management of water resources: Udaysagar conservation project after ILBMG workshop in Udaipur

3. ILBM offers an integrated platform for diverse stake holders to deliberate on conservation issues in water sector: Brain storming session on Bhoj wetland has initiated processes in Lake Development authority, University and NGOs

4. ILBM has a potential to involve stake holders in good governance in water: Lake Conservation and management societies being established in many places

To sustain the momentum generated an ILBM network of South Asia being established soon

Way Ahead We would like to build a South Asia network of ILBM. To begin with major and important lakes and reservoirs in India will be covered with focal points and an ILBM team that will act as a think tank, civil society platform for inter-disciplinary, cross sectoral dialogue with lake and its basin as inclusive concept. The lakes and reservoirs in South Asian countries will be covered as ILBM work progresses and ultimately an independent apolitical platform - ILBM South Asia - will be established to work for sustainable management of precious aquatic resources crucial for water secure future for countries in the region.

Paper 2

Women in ILBM: The Laguna de Bay Experience

Adelina C. Santos-Borja

Chief, Research and Development, Head of Carbon Finance Unit

Laguna Lake Development Authority, Club Manila East Compound, Taytay Rizal, Philippines

Scientific Committee Member International Lake Environment Committee Foundation

Kusatsu, Shiga Prefecture, Japan 1. Introduction Laguna de Bay is the largest and most economically significant lake in the Philippines. It is a multiple use resource although at present its dominant use is for fisheries. In the past ten years, it is gaining more importance as a source of domestic water supply for the Metropolitan Manila area.

The whole basin comprising of the 900 km2 and the

2,920 km2 watershed is strategically located in the heart of Metro Manila and the Provinces of Rizal and Laguna. The wider Laguna de Bay Region covers an area of 3880 km2 which consists of 66 Local Government Units (LGUs) grouped into 5 provinces, 14 cities and 47 municipalities of which 29 are located along the lakeshore. The total human population is around 6 million and is rapidly expanding at a rate of about 2.2 %. The deforestation rate in the watershed was estimated to be 0.7% per annum. Figure 1. Map of the Laguna de Bay Basin

The lake basin is extremely threatened by rapid economic development, increasing population and widespread urban sprawl, land use conversion, the introduction of exotic and invasive species as well as uncoordinated and conflicting policies of different agencies that exercise their mandate on the lake and its watershed. These have caused negative impacts both on the aquatic and terrestrial ecosytem such as increase inputs of pollutants from agricultural, industrial, and domestic sources,

eutrophication, siltation and sedimentation of the lake and loss of biodiversity. These have posed as a continuous challenge to Integrated Lake Basin Management. 2. Management Challenges and Response The daunting task of managing the lake basin is lodged with the Laguna Lake Development Authority, which so far is the only lake basin management authority in the Philippines. It has four major programs to mitigate the degradation of the watershed and to improve the water quality of the lake. Environmental Management Program The major component of this program is the regulation of wastewater effluent discharges into the receiving waters that eventually drain into the lake. In 1997 the Environmental User Fee System was implemented primarily to reduce the pollution loading into the lake. It was designed to integrate and harmonize the command and control approach (CAC) and economic instruments to improve environmental enforcement and compliance to the effluent quality standards by industrial establishments. In essence, the EUF system makes it more expensive for the firm to pollute the environment than to properly treat their wastewater (refer to ILEC website http://wldb.ilec.or.jp/ILBMTrainingMaterials/module5.html) The LLDA also maintains its water quality monitoring program both for ambient and point sources of pollution. Data on the water quality of the lake and tributary rivers are continuously generated since the early seventies.

Fisheries Management Program Fisheries regulation, particularly aquaculture operation is based on the Zoning and Management Plan or ZOMAP. So far, this is the most feasible management system for the equitable allocation of the lake’s fishery resource. Fishcage and fishpen belts were delineated with a total area of 150 km2. Permit to own and operate an aquaculture structure is governed by the implementing rules and regulations of the ZOMAP (ILEC newsletter, 1998, No.32 ISSN 0912-7410)


Shoreland Management Program The shoreland covers a total area of 140 km2. It took the LLDA almost 30 years to assert its mandate on the regulation of activities and developments in the shoreland due to manpower and financial constraints and priorities of the top management of the LLDA. Thus, development activities have overtaken regulation and control. The very challenging task of exercising its mandate started in 1995 and through the years the LLDA has issued rules and regulations on the use and occupancy of shoreland areas. At present, the presence of informal settlers is still the biggest obstacle and is the most difficult problem facing the LLDA due its socio-economic and political nature.

Watershed Management Program Reforestation of the Watershed

With an estimated deforestation rate of 0.7% per annum, stronger partnership with the Local Government Units, the NGO’s and the private sector was forged by the LLDA to sustain the reforestation efforts in the watershed. A nursery was put up in the LLDA Office in Laguna Province which provides upon request seedlings consisting of fruit bearing trees and forest trees. In 2008, planting of bamboo species was advocated by LLDA both for environmental protection and livelihood to lessen the dependence of upland communities on timber and non-timber forest products for livelihood.

Creation of the River Rehabilitation and Protection Council The water quality of most tributary rivers, particularly those that drain into the West Bay of the lake are in worse condition. In 1996 a River Rehabilitation and Protection Council (RRPC) is created in each subwatershed to encourage broad multi-sectoral involvement and support in river clean-up activities and to establish a mechanism for sustained stakeholder participation. The members consist of representatives from the local government, academic institutions, industrial and commercial establishments, religuous groups, non-government organizations and civic orgnaizations. From a mere physical clean-up of the rivers, a systematic approach is being followed which includes mapping of the watershed, comprehensive survey of the river system and its watershed and the development of a vision for a healthy river system and watershed. Based on their vision, they formulate a River Rehabilitation and Protection Plan. The River Councils was institutionalized in 1999 by the LLDA’s Board of Directors and was provided by a seed money to support activities. Each council was registered in the Philippine’s Secuties and Exchange Commission as a non-profit organization and was later federated into a network organization in June 2001 wherein the members elected the first set of officers among themselves.

3. Women as co-managers Women play a very important role in the different environmental programs of the LLDA. Within the institution are female managers and supervisors of various disciplines working collectively in regulating the use of the lake’s resources, mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, community development and empowerment of River Councils, water quality monitoring, policy making and implementation of environmental laws. As stakeholders, women are at the forefront of environmental projects implemented through non-governmental organizations, civic organizations and cooperatives.

Environmental Awareness and River Clean-up

The Federation of River Basin Foundation in the Laguna de Bay Region, which is the umbrella organization of all the River Councils, is in the forefront of the rehabilitation of the major tributary rivers of Laguna de Bay under the leadership of its President, Mrs. Lina Lutgardo Tanjuatco. Aside from river clean ups, the Federation also play a very important role as conduit of knowledge and services for the different sectors in the community. By engaging the latter, environmental awareness activities and livelihood activities are conducted through seminars and actual demonstrations such as those dealing with solid waste management, better appreciation and understanding of environmental laws and different rules and regulations being implemented by the LLDA and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The Federation as well as the individual River Councils are also engaged by the LLDA in organizing environmental action planning among the different community representatives in a subwatershed or in a particular city or town. They are also engaged in LLDA’s public disclosure programs and in the assessment of the performance of each Local Government Unit and industrial establishments with in the Laguna de Bay Region. Figure 2. River Council Officer conducting a Seminar

on Solid Waste Management

The Women in ILBM: The Laguna de Bay Experience 11

Aside from their participation in the LLDA’a Annual Learning Forum for Stakeholders, the Federation also organize a conference every year which serve as the venue for different River Councils to update each other on their current activities, plans and programs, learn from their experience, and acquire new or more knowledge on topics of interest and concern geared towards enhancing their capabilities to perform their tasks. Livelihood through the 3Rs –reduce, reuse, recycle

One of the success stories on the 3R’s is that of the KILUS Foundation. The name stands for Kababaihang Iisa ang Layuning Umunlad ang Sambayanan which directly means women with one goal to improve the lives of the citizenry. Figure 3. KILUS Foundation Officials at the

show-room of their recycled products

The organization started in Barangay Ugong, Pasig City (a barangay is the smallest local government unit in the Philippines) as a civic group involved in the beautification and waste management in their neighborhood. The awards and recognition they received both from the national and local government and from other cause-oriented groups served as an incentive to explore other avenues in line with their goals. Kilus is now a duly registered all-women environmental multi-purpose cooperative with a membership base of 500 individuals. They became famous in the production of novelty items such as handbags, belt bags, hats, slippers, etc. out of discarded doy packs (packaging material for fruit juices). Almost all the women in the barangay households are engaged and earning money as collector of the used doy packs, cleaners and sanitizers, and sewers. This has further empowered the women economically without sacrificing their time for their family and for their household chores since they can do the work in their own house.

The products of Kilus Foundation (www.kilus.org)

are now being exported to different countries in Europe and Asia. Their office is always full of visitors from different parts of the country and from overseas to learn about their 3R’s approach for environmental protection and livelihood, aside from the continuous recognition they receive from different sectors of government and society.

Innovative utilization of water hyacinth

The over-abundance of water hyacinth (conveniently referred to as waterlily) in the lake and in the tributary rivers is one of the environmental problems in the Laguna de Bay Region. Community clean-up activities are organized during extreme infestation of water hyacinth by engaging men in the manual harvesting of the plant. The ultimate disposal site has always been a problem and some resorted to burying them in the ground or putting them in waste disposal sites. Composting has been tried but it didn’t gain wide interest and support. In recent years, enterprising civic group leaders with support from politicians such as in Paranaque City and in Taguig City, both located along the West Bay of the lake, revived the use of water hyacinth for livelihood through the manufacture of handicraft products such as bags, baskets, lampshades, containers, slippers, etc. from the dried stalks.

The harvesting of water hyacinth now became a demand-driven activity. While the biomass harvested from the lake may not be very significant, the livelihood project has provided monetary support not only to the women but to the men as well. Likewise, it has changed the outlook of people on water hyacinth from a nuisance in water ways to a viable resource which could help them financially. Figure 4. Dried stalks of water hyacinth as raw

material for handicrafts.

The foregoing information on the involvement of women in the conservation and management of lakes also highlighted the engagement of women in all the six pillars of Integrated Lake Basin Management, namely: instititution, policy, participation, technology, information and finance (www.ilec.or.jp)

Technical Session-II:

Managing Lake and their Basin Chaired by Prof. Dr. Mohan S Kodarkar

Scientific Committee Member ILEC

Paper 3

Integrated Lake Basin Management (ILBM) for the Sustainable Conservation of Himalayan Lakes of Nepal@

Pokharel Shailendra 1, Nakamura Masahisa 2

1. Program Coordinator, National Lake Conservation Development Committee, Nepal. P.O.Box: 25253. Tel.: +977-1-4420173. Fax:

+977-1-4421954. e-mail: [email protected]

2. Chairman of Scientific Committee, ILEC, 1091 Oroshima-cho Kusatsu-shi, Sigha 525-000. Japan. Telep.81-77-568-4567. Fax +81-77-568-4568, e-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: Over 5300 Himalayan lakes of Nepal have different conservation pictures. High mountain lakes in Nepal are virgin in terms of human intervention. Lakes in mid-hill and Terai are subjected to different kinds of pressures that have impacts on degradation and loss of habitat, loss of ecological integrity, and depletion of species abundance and diversity. An alarming problem that the Himalayan lakes are facing is climate change - over 26 lakes of Nepal are under threats due to GLOF. Their conservation is urgent since they are sources of freshwater to billions of people; maintain gene pools of nationally and globally significant biodiversity; yardstick of national economy, religio-culture; and ecotourism; and the only means of survival for wetlands dependent ethnic community of Nepal. ILBM is a globally accepted management tool propounded by ILEC which NLCDC see very applicable to address the Himalayan issues. NLCDC has been implementing ILBM from the development of strategic framework of lake conservation to Lake Inventory and execution of lake restoration programs in Nepal. This paper explains about the Himalayan lake issues, their global significance, trans-Himalayan nature, biodiversity values and their threats; and finally focuses on ILBM application in Rupa Lake, Pokhara. ILBM helps improving governance through strengthening policy, institution, practices, finance, information and technology. Rupa is one of the best demonstrations of ILBM integration for better lake health - better livelihoods. Keywords: Basin, Biodiversity, Conservation, Governance, Himalayan, Lakes, Wetlands 1. Introduction At a stretch of 3000 km of eco-regions of the Eastern Himalaya, in between China and India, Nepal occupies a space of 1,47,181 km2 (840 4' to 880 12' longitudes and 260 22' to 300 27' latitudes). Nepal's total land area compares with 0.03 and 0.3 percent of the globe and Asia respectively. The country has east-west mean length of 885 km, and north-south mean breadth of 193 km. Altitude varies from 70 m to the Mt. Everest (8848 m) - the highest peak of the world. The country has an extreme topography and climate that varies as altitudes vary from south to north from sub-tropical to tundra. In terms of physiography, the country characterized with its five physiographic zones - High Himal, (23%), High

Mountains (20%), Mid-Mountains (30%), Siwalik (13%) and Terai (14%). Nepal's National Wetlands Policy (2003) defines wetlands as "natural or artificially created areas, such as swamp, marsh, riverine floodplain, lake, water storage area and agriculture lands containing water from underground water resources or atmospheric precipitation that may be permanent or temporary, static or flowing, and freshwater or saline". This definition recognizes lake as a type of wetlands. National Lake Conservation Development Committee (NLCDC) defines lake in a very loose form as "all kinds of Tal, Talaiya, Daha, Kunda and Pokhari"1. Nepal is famed for its biological hotspots and is also enriched with Himalayan rivers and lakes like 6,000 rivers including, 3,252 glaciers, 2,323 glacial lakes, 23,000 ponds, over 2,700 lakes of ox-bow-types in the Terai and over 480 tectonics lakes in the middle mountains. Many lakes in high mountains are of smaller sizes and are often called Kunda or Pokhari, where as in alluvial flatlands of Terai, they are Pokhari. These Himalayan lakes are special because their origin follows diverse topography varying from subtropical to tundra climate; they are the Asian water towers; they support conventional agrarian socio-economy and complex ethnic society; and forms religio-cultural foundation for the Hindus, Buddhist and other communities. A total of Nepal's 10 percent of indigenous and ethnic communities' population of Tharu, Mushar, Kewat, Dusadh, Mallah, Kumal, Majhi, Danuwar, Dhangar, Bantar, Darai and Bote have sole dependence on Himalayan lakes/wetlands resources (Pokharel & Adhikari 2009). Their sustainable conservation is urgent to serve human civilization since they are sources of freshwater supply to billions of people; they are the gene pools of nationally and globally significant biodiversity; they are sternum of national economy, religio-culture and ecotourism; and the only means of wetlands dependent ethnic community of Nepal.

1 'Tal' is a Nepali terminology that denotes 'lake' in the English. Similarly 'Talaiya' is a rhetoric form of 'Tal' commonly used together with 'Tal' as Tal-Talaiya. 'Daha' are water bodies or pockets formed by rivers in their routes. 'Kunda' means small water pockets especially in mountain watersheds, and is main source of drinking water supply for the mountain communities. Several 'Kunda' in Nepal have pertinent socio-economic-cum-religious values. @ This paper was presented first in the 13th Global Lake Conference, Wuahn, China, 2009.


1.1 Nepal’s Himalayan lakes as the Ramsar site There are of 9 lakes of Nepal designated in the Ramsar list. They are: the Koshi Tappu (17,500 ha); Beeshazari Tal (3,200 ha); Jagdishpur Reservoir (225 ha); Ghodaghodi Tal (2,563 ha), Rara Tal (1,036 ha), Sheyphoksundo Lake (452 ha), Gokyo Lake Cluster (42.69 ha), Gosainkunda Lake Cluster (13.80 ha) and Mai Pokhari. These lakes contribute 0.05 percent of total coverage of lakes of the global significance. 1.2 Potential Himalayan lakes of international significance Table 1 shows potential Himalayan lakes of Nepal of global significance. Others such lakes are Raja Rani of Morang district, Jata Pokhari of Ramechhap district, and lake-cluster of Pokhara valley. Raja Rani is significant because of habitats of rare orchids, butterflies and origin place of an ethnic community called Dhimal. Lake-cluster of the Pokhara valley bears unique geography, and ecotourism. Chimdi Lake in Sunsari district is biological hotspots for avifauna, amphibians and reptiles. Jata Pokhari is well famed for its religio-cultural values. Azingara Lake in Kapilvastu is renowned for habitats of wild rice, fishes and amphibians. 1.3 Trans-Himalayan lakes of Nepal2 River systems link Nepal with China, Bangladesh and India. For examples, Koshi, Gandaki, Karnali and Mahakali are perennial sources of water to downstream population of Nepal, India and Bangladesh. Any changes made in glacial features in the Himalaya would also impacts on ecological behavior of rivers therefore to the livelihoods of billion of people at downstream India, Bangladesh and Nepal. Many trans- Himalayan lakes which are also the sources of rivers Nepal fall in north of Nepal and are close to the Tibet, their flow in south drains lesser mountains and mid hills is a common concern of India & Bangladesh. Table 2 shows trans-boundary Himalayan lakes of Nepal. Scientific information of some lakes like Rara, Sheyphosundo, Gosainkunda and Gokiyo which also are the lakes of global significance is fairly available. However, comprehensive information requires exploring in remaining other lakes. 1.4 Himalayan Lake Biodiversity in Nepal It is believed that 25 percent of Nepal's vascular plant species are lake/wetland dependent. Of 246 endemic plants, about 26 species are considered as lake/wetland dependent (IUCN 2004). Of 91 nationally threatened plant species, 10 are lake/wetlands dependent including the Endangered Aconitum balangrense, Crateva unilocularis, Operculina turpethum and Vulnerable Alstonia scholaris, Butea monosperma, Neopicrorhiza scrophulariifolia, Valerina jatamansii, Piper longum, 2 Lakes' water flowing down to the rivers crossing national borders as main tributaries is considered trans-boundary lakes in context of Nepal.

Panax pseudo-ginseng, and Delbergia latifolia. Four wetlands macrophytes - Spiranthes sinensis, Cyathea spinulosa, Sphagnum nepalensis, Pandanus nepalensis - are nationally endangered (Joshi & Joshi 1991). Kobresia fissiglumis, K. gandakiensis, Pedicularis poluninii, and P. pseudoregelina from Gokyo, and 9 endemic species from Gosaikunda lake and bryophytes Sphagnum nepalense from the Mai Pokhari are reported endemic from different lakes. Of 207 mammals of Nepal, the key globally threatened mammals that are lake/wetlands dependents include the Critically Endangered Pygmy Hog (Sus salvanius), this species is believed to be extinct now; wild water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) and elephant (Elephas maximus); Vulnerable Indian smoothed-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata), and common otter (Lutra lutra), fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) and Barasingha (Cervus duvaucelii). Nepal documents 863 species of birds of which 193 species are lake/wetlands dependent. As many as 39 species of these are identified as threatened on a national level (Baral et al. 1996). Table 3 shows 12 species of globally threatened wetlands birds. Of total 185 species of fishes of Nepal, 8 are endemic. Of this, 27 species are reported to be nationally threatened including Endangered Sahar (Tor putitora), Jalkapoor (Clupisoma garuwa, Ompak bimaculatus); Vulnerable Katle (Neolissocheilus hexagonolepis), Patharchatti (Chagunius chagunio), Zebra (Danio rerio), Asala (Schizothorax richardsonii), Bucche Asala (S. plagiostomus), Chuche Asala (Schizothoraicthys progastus), Rajabam (Anguilla bengalensis); and 17 species listed as Rare. Similalry, Himalyan lakes are habitats for several herpetofauna including a primitive amphibian Himalayan Warty Newt (Tylototricton verrucosus), type locality species Lekali Khashare (Bufo himalayanus), and endemic species Jhikre Bhayguto (Limnonetes nepalensis). A little is known about butterfly diversity, though 64 species of butterflies including an endemic sub-species Parnassius epaphus and suspected species Mesoacidalia clara shieldsii to be endemic are reported from the vicinity of Rara (Khanal 2007). 1.5 Threats to the Himalayan lakes of Nepal High mountain lakes in Nepal are virgin in terms of human intervention. However, lakes of the middle mountain and the Terai are subjected to different kinds of threats associated with human and natural causes. Lake encroachment is heavily associated with human activities. Some other threats are: Lake drainage, sedimentation and reclamation: Draining out of water from lakes for dry-season crop irrigation is widespread in Nepal. Conversion of sites for aquaculture, road construction, solid-waste disposal, discharge of sediments, commercial and industrial development, dam construction, eutrophication etc. normally accelerate soil reclamation process as in Phewa

Integrated Lake Basin Management (ILBM) for the Sustainable Conservation of Himalayan Lakes of Nepal 17

Table 1: Potential Himalayan lakes of global importance Name Location Height (m) Area (ha) Tilicho lake Annapurna CA 4848 400 Dudh Pokhari Dolpa 4633 32 Jata Pokhari Upper Khimti 3500 24 Jageshwar Kunda Trisuli basin 4380 Surya Kunda Trisuli basin 4609 5 Bhairab Kunda Trisuli basin 4261 17 Panch Pokhari Makalu Barun NP 4971 NA

Table 2: Trans-boundary Himalayan lakes of Nepal Name Location Height (m) Area (ha) Rara West Nepal 2990 1036 Gosainkunda Langtang NP 4360 14 Tilicho Annapurna CA 4848 400 Sheyphoksundo Shephoksundo NP 3650 452 Dudh Pokhari Dolpa 4633 32 Jata Pokhari Upper Khimti 3500 24 Jageshwar Kunda Trisuli basin 4380 Surya Kunda Trisuli basin 4609 5 Bhairab Kunda Trisuli basin 4261 17 Gokyo Sagarmatha NP 4734 43 Panch Pokhari Makalu Barun NP 4971 NA Table 3: Globally threatened Himalayan lake/wetlands dependent birds of Nepal

lake which shows a decrease in area from 10 km2 (1956/57), to 5.5 km2 (76) and 4.4 km2 (98). There has been more than 50 percent reduction in area within 5 decades (JICA/SILT 2002). About 69 percent of the Terai wetlands are threatened by sedimentation. Habitat fragmentation and deforestation: Fate of lakes depends upon fate of forests. Settlements and agriculture fields in mid-hills and Terai are made available at the cost of clearing forests that also has survival impacts on lakes.. Forests connectivity decreases with increased habitat fragmentation, thereby creating barriers to wildlife movements; decreasing safety; reducing food availability; and enhancing poaching. Hydro-power development: Hydropower developments have several positive socio-economic impacts on the livelihoods; it may have some consequences on the formation of new lakes. Some anecdotal evidences - particularly in river basins (Koshi, Karnali, Mahakali) - showing ecological impacts of hydropower dams on reducing viable population of aquatic flora, fishes and ungulates. Nepal has 15 ungulate species dependent on lake/wetlands. Koshi Tappu, the only site with a viable population of Asian Wild Buffalo, has lost over half of its

endemic ungulate species. Dam once combined with unregulated grazing, over fishing, deforestation, expansion of settlements, solid waste and sewage disposal, water harvest etc., further aggravate impacts on ecological integrity of lakes. Irrigation: Himalyan lakes are comparatively smaller water bodies that favor short-cycle irrigation needs, and require much time to refill water volume. However, unregulated irrigation alters micro-climate of Lake Ecosystem by sudden and frequent fluctuation of water chemistry. Conversion of the Chimdi Lake has displaced some 200 fisheries family, and has questioned upon the survival of many potter communities (Gachhadar et al. 2004). Once productive agriculture and marshy fields around Begans after dam construction is subjected to rapid conversion into dense suburb and semi-commercial areas, and high density population of eel fish is no more in existence. Agriculture run-off: An estimated 2,600 tons of pesticides and 1.15 million tons of chemical fertilizers are dumped annually in the Ganges river system (IUCN 2004). Agriculture-run-off affected 69 percent of

Common Name Scientific Name Status Common Name Scientific Name Status Pink-headed Duck Rhodonessa caryophyllacea CE Grey Pelican Pelecanus

phuilippinensis V

Greater-adjutant Leptoptilos dunius E Sarus Crane Grus antigone V Lesser Florican Sypheotides indica E Indian Skimmer Rynchops albicollis V Baikal Teal Anas farmosa V Black-necked Crane Grus nigricollis V Swamp Francolin Francolinus gularis V Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus V Baer's Pochard Aythya baeri V Band-tailed Fish Eagle Haliaeetus leucoryphus V


lake/wetlands of Nepal's Terai. Impacts are bio-accumulation in higher-level animals leading to high concentration of toxic products causing death, sub-lethal effects and reduce reproductive capabilities (Pesticide poisoning led 300 people admitted to 10 hospitals in 1992); widespread occurrence of Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome, a disease caused by the fungus Aphanomyces invadans in fishes causing their mortality in Koshi Tappu (1983) and Ghodaghodi lake (1998); lake conversion from mesotrophic to eutrophic in Koshi Tappu; natural succession aggravated by overgrowth of macrophytes like water Hyacinth and Trapa as commonly seen in many lakes of the Terai and mid-hills. Sewage Disposal: Himalayan lakes in urban and sub-urban are commonly treated as sink for the disposal of untreated domestic sewerage, septic tanks and effluents. Media reports on concurrence of chronic diarrhea and dysentery in the Terai often caused by coliform bacteria. Over 100 numbers of toilets directly exposed into holy lakes of Janakpur - the Ganga Sagar and Dhanusha Sagar. The Phewa Lake is reported to have 8X106 coliform per 100 ml (Khatiwada 2008). Fishing: The trend of fish poisoning with Thiodine and Phoret is widespread in the Terai including Koshi Tappu and Ghodghodi Lake. Other mal-practices for fishing include elctro-fishing, use of small-mesh nets, draining out of water, and use of explosives. Such practices have caused a mass killing of aquatic fauna as well as affected food chain of ecosystem. For example, over-fishing in the Rupa and Begnas lakes declined the population of sahar (Tor spp.). Grazing: Himalayans lakes are subjected to open grazing for yaks, sheep and goats around in Damodar kunda, Gokyo, Gosainkunda, (Karki et al 2005, Karki 2007, Shrestha 2005). Over 12,600 cattle are recorded grazing along shoreline forests of the Ghodaghodi Lake and some 15,000 to 20,000 in Koshi Tappu, every day. Impacts of over-grazing in lake shores have resulted soil erosion and high inputs of nitrogenous nutrients, eutrophication and over-growth of aquatic macrophytes. Overgrazing also correlates with livestock health due to poor nutrients, inadequate food supply and high population pressure, making livestock exposed to diseases like liver fluke associated with marshland snails. Such disease when transmitted as epidemics to wild ungulate causes extinction of species3 (IUCN 2004). Climate Change: In Nepal, warming rates increases progressively with elevations (Liu and Chen 2000; Shrestha et al. 1999). High warming causes rapid deglaciation that alters hydrological regime of the river

3 Population of Asian Wild Water Buffalo in the Royal Chitwon National

Park in the early 1960s may have become extinct due to diseases transmitted by domestic cattle and buffaloes brought in by immigrants settling around the park areas.

basins such as increase in floods and drought frequency and magnitude; some time formation of glacial lakes in the open area around exposed end moraines; and increases vulnerability of glacial lakes to GLOF. Nepal already faced 25 GLOF in the past (Shrestha 2007), and 26 glacial lakes have potential threats of the GLOF including the Tsho Rolpa (largest glacial lakes of Nepal grew from the area of 0.23 km2 in 1957 to 1.76 km2 in 2006) and the Imja Tsho. Similarly, climate change pushes forest line towards polar region and their composition and extinction of species, including bird species (Baral 2002). Tropical wet forests and warm temperate rain forests would disappear, and cool temperate vegetation would turn to warm temperate vegetation. With the marginal increase in temperature may prolong dry-crop period in the Terai that may demand more water for irrigation at the cost of increased risk on lake conversion and loss of aquatic biodiversity. 2. Conserving the Himalayan lakes of Nepal Lake conservation gradually evolves in Nepal along with the issues of forest and biodiversity conservation. Nepal brought all forests under its suzerainty during the first three five-year plans (1956-1971) in which high emphasis were given to improve infrastructure development (Sharma et al. 2004). Lakes conservation was least concerned until this period. A notion of environmental degradation was realized first time with the formation of new Moore islands in the Bay of Bengal. This concern was high since silt load transported to the Bay was evidenced at a high cost of landslides, erosions and floods associated with intense deforestation in Nepal. Hence, from 1972 to 1978, Nepal had next priority on forest management to address environment issues through first national forestry plan (1976) and community forestry (1978). This period was important in Nepal because it became a party of the Ramsar in 1972 and established its first Ramsar site. An extent of progresses Nepal made in conservation is guided through its commitment in international conventions and treaties like Ramsar (1972); Convention on Protection of Wildlife and Cultural Heritage (1972); Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (1973); CBD (1992); and Convention on Climate Change. As responding to these conventions, Nepal developed and implemented several policies and programs. Lake conservation formally begins in Nepal from 1976 with establishment of the Koshi Tappu Wild Life Reserve. Otherwise, issues of lake remained completely ignored until staging of Nepal Biodiversity Strategy (2002) which first time pledged for the need of unified national wetland policy and legislation. Consequently, National Wetlands Policy (2003) came into effect as a keen response to conserve lake/wetlands resources wisely and sustainably with a successive formation of National Lake Conservation Development Committee in 2007. This is the only government institution aiming to coordinate national and international bodies; formulate and


implement policies and programs; and build national and international partnership with respect conserving Himalayan lakes of Nepal. 2.1 ILBM initiative in the sustainable conservation of Himalayan lakes of Nepal ILBM is a comprehensive management tool that advocates on lake governance. It has six induction governance pillars i.e. institutions, policies, participation, technology, information and finance. Integration of these components fairly harmonizes lake issues. Since 1990s, Nepal has been practicing management of forest, pasturelands, watersheds and water through integrated approach by involving local people and institution. Better experiences from these sectors could be a value addition on ILBM to address the issues of Himalayan lakes. For this cause, NLCDC has been working with Japan based International Lake Environment Committee (ILEC) since 2007. ILEC has been facilitating NLCDC to convene its lake conservation cases in international forum; enabling it to undertake assessment of the Himalayan lake conservation; providing technical inputs and guidance; and enhancing technical capacities. In May 2009, NLCDC had influenced CAP-Net workshop organized by Bangladesh Center for Advance Studies (BCAS) with an outcome of establishing the South Asian Forum for Integrated Wetlands Conservation. In August 2009, ILEC in collaboration with Indian Association of Aquatic Biodiversity had NLCDC to share its strengths in a sequence meeting in Bhopal, Udayapur, Ajmer and Jaipur. In a process of integrating ILBM, NLCDC has completed a preliminary reviewing of the status of Himalayan lakes with the finding of 5,300 lakes in Nepal, now ready to conduct field inventory to verify the validity. NLCDC would apply lake brief guideline adopted by ILEC with a little modification on it for the purpose of Lake Inventory. A national level core group of lake experts has been formed and operational to provide technical inputs for lake conservation programs. Development of strategic plan for the sustainable conservation and wise use of lakes has entered to the district level of consultation process in collaboration with IUCN Nepal, National Counsel for Science and Technology and National Trust for Nature Conservation. Further, it has extended technical and financial supports to restore and conserve habitats of over 50 representative lakes in different locations within the Nepal's geography. A scientific study for designating lake-cluster of Pokhara valley in the

Ramsar list is in a steady progress with a financial assistance of SGP/Ramsar, this initiative would add contribution to Ramsar objective with a count of 10th Ramsar site in Nepal. NLCDC has been playing an intermediary role between Action in Mountain Communities (AMC) and SGP/UNDP to integrate ILBM in an initiative of Community Safeguarding Rupa Lake in Pokhara. Here in this article, authors have made efforts to explain how six pillars of ILBM have been integrated in addressing the issues of Rupa Lake based on cumulative impacts of different programs implemented by different institutions. 2.2 ILBM in Rupa lake conservation, Pokhara Rupa is a small advancing eutrophic lake with marshes and paddy field along its shores. Lake covers an area of 115 ha in its watersheds basin is 30 km2 and has humid upper tropical and lower subtropical climate. The mean annual temperature is 19.30C and precipitation is 3157 mm. Administratively, Rupa lake basin falls in 4 different VDCs and Lekhnath Municipality. Betani, Libiyani, Syaglung, Tal Bensi, Majhi Gaon, and Devithan in the north, Panchbhaiya and Sundare Danda in east, Bhangara and Jagunkune Gaon in west and Talpari in the south are major settlement areas. A total of 49,749 people reside in the basin areas, the major occupation is subsistence agriculture (Oli 1996). Rupa is recognized for 8 main vegetation types with 379 genera and 128 families that comprise 128 tree species and 85 herbs and shrubs that comprises to 25 endangered, 13 threatened, 5 rare and 2 vulnerable species of wetlands plants. Lake is a hotspot of a native of wild rice i.e. Oryza nivara. Species of 2 toads and 4 frogs; 14 reptiles, 104 birds including 14 migratory birds and 34 mammals also are known to occur in Rupa. Of birds, 90 species are endemic (Oli 1996). 2.2.1 Issues Ill-fate of Rupa environment is high sediment input fed by Talbesi, Dovan and Khurlung Kholas and other


streams. Two temporary roads under construction in east and west are carriers of silt-load into the lake. As a result, Rupa lake has lost its >60 percent of original water body (IUCN 1996). There exist visible proofs of uncertified and intensive agriculture use along shorelines of lake. Deforestation in Rupa watersheds follow a history of construction of Highway during 1960s and subsequent urbanization at lake basin areas at the cost of denudation of forest in accessible areas which became intense during 1970-1979. The denudation process continued to accelerate until it reached its peak during the referendum in Nepal in 1992. Major urban settlements are found rapidly like Sudare Danda, Talbesi, Dihibazar and Bhangara expanding. There are no intervention adopted to regulate domestic disposals, discharge of used water, overflow and seepage from septic tanks and latrines. 2.2.2 Actions undertaken Actions undertaken have following inputs to strengthen lake governance of Rupa. They are: Policy pillar: Conservation of Rupa Lake is subjected to several cross-cutting policies and legal instruments. They are: National Conservation Strategy (1987); Nepal Environment Policy and Action Plan (1993); Nepal Biodiversity Strategy (2002); Water Resource Strategy (2002); National Wetlands Policy (2003); National Parks and Wildlife Protection Act (1973); Forest Act (1993); Aquatic Animals Protection Act (1961); Pokhara Town Development Plan (1973); Town Plan Implementation Act (1972) and Conservation Action Plans and Guidelines (1996). Institution pillar: Currently following institutions are working together at national and local levels. They are: National Planning Commission; several ministries and their departments; and NLCDC. Local institution includes: District Development Committee (DDC), Kaski; Lekhnath Municipality; Village Development Committees (VDCs); Chamber of Commerce; and Rupa Lake Restoration and Fisheries Cooperative (RLRFC) Participation pillar: Users as managers approach has been adopted in conserving Rupa through a collaborative management of local government, NGOs and local groups. They include: AMC has been working with DDC; VDC; Chambers of Commerce; RLRFC; and a network “Jaibik Shrot Samranchan Sanstha” of 14 community based organizations and 17 community forest users groups. Currently, > 3000 members under this network are functional. Information pillar: An information center in Rupa that maintains community resources like wetland museum, conference hall and library. Group members are trained on various fields of lake issues, livelihoods and environmental friendly income generation activities.

Centre is preparing an electronic database on wetland resources; traditional knowledge and biodiversity register; aquarium of indigenous fish diversity; live garden of floral diversity; specimen of wetland resources; photographs; paintings; posters; video documentary and traditional museum of fishing technology. Annapurna FM a local radio airs “Samrakchan” bulletin every Saturday on lake issues. AMC and Codefund have recently initiated lake education center in Rupa Lake in collaboration with Lekhnath Municipality and NLCDC. In this center, each month 120 students would have opportunity to comprehend biological, hydrological, socio-economic and religeo-cultural values of lakes. This education center aims to grow its scale gradually to influence others members of society. Finance pillar: Sustainable financing mechanism for conserving Rupa has been realized and practiced at community level through a cooperative mechanism i.e., RLRFC being run by 600 users. This cooperative has an annual income of 7 million Rupees from fishery alone, certain proportion of which is annually goes to lake conservation. In 2008, RLRFC had US $ 1500 input used in demarcating lake area and manual removal of aquatic weeds. Further, Lekhnath Municipality, DDC and VDC annually contribute funds and community. Trust fund as project inputs from LiBIRD and AMC is in use. Technology pillar: This pillar is needs further strengthening to address higher scale issues of Rupa Lake like desiltation; dam construction; solid waste management and pollution treatment. Though, communities have been adopting local technology in energy management; fishing; value addition on crop/fruit products; and biodiversity conservation. 2.2.3 Impact of Actions Proactive local governance: “Jaibik Shrot Samranchan Sanstha” – a conservation network - has been emerged out at grass-root as proactive local "institutional pillar" of ILBM. This network has categorized conservations action under 3 groups: 1) conservation of wetlands; 2) conservation of agriculture and horticulture resources; and 3) conservation of NTFPs. RRFC is taking lead on wetlands conservation with the involvement of wetland dependent communities including Jalahari and inputs of local government and NGOs. Pratigya cooperative is responsible to coordinate all livelihoods including agriculture, NTFPs and horticulture practices in partnership with Lekhnath Municipality. Organized biodiversity conservation: Community has adopted organized approach to conserve biodiversity in blocks for water birds, white lotus, Narkat, wild rice, otters and local Sahar fish. These conservation blocks have played a role of community-managed in situ gene banks. Inventories and community biodiversity registration have documented 69 species of wetland dependant plants, 22 species of indigenous fishes, 11 species of improved variety of fishes, 36 species of water


birds, and 24 species of wetland dependant reptiles in Rupa lake area (Regmi et. al. 2008). Value addition technology and options: Communities have explored different products from wetlands plant resources such as Kamlagotti (seeds) and Kokre (stolen part) of white lotus as alternative income generating source, which retain medicinal values. Similarly, Simalkande (Trapa sp.) was identified for marketing now has production status as per business plan. Recently, technique for solar dry fish and package fish product has made an earnings of $ 1500 in 2007 (Regmi et. al 2008). Upstream-downstream linkage: In 2002, environment payment system was initiated in Rupa lake areas with a provision of 10 percent of fund allocation made by cooperative from its net income to integrate upstream-downstream relation. The payment mechanisms were in the form of cash, community contribution, capacity building and collaborative activities. The EPS is basically targeted to poor, resource dependent, vulnerable communities around the lake, wetland and watershed areas. Lake education center: National and local government institution gradually providing their supports and inputs to strengthen local knowledge through lake education center. For this, Lekhnath Municipality has provided building infrastructure; NLCDC has provided 1 million Rupees for laboratory supports; Codefund is to provide technical inputs worth of 1 million Rupees and AMC has US $ 10,000 from SGP/UNDP to operationalise the center. Better lake health better livelihoods: There are visible evidences that lake health has been improved with improved local economy and livelihoods. For example, there is a significant reduction on deforestation reciprocated by a afforestation and fruit plantation; biodiversity resources are improved; weed control has been manually managed; lake demarcation has been done; local conflicts have been mitigated; income level through fishery, crop, livestock and business operation, and value addition of lake products have been improved. Lake has been generating financial strength that has also enabled youth to fetch remittance from their services extended to the Gulf countries. However, impacts of commercial fishery have yet to face by the community, a local dam is in a process of construction may have additional implications on lake environment. Lake Environment is obviously improved in Rupa Lake, though siltation has remained next immediate issue that requires higher level inputs. 3. Conclusion Himalayan lakes of Nepal are special in terms of their nature and functions. Himalayan lakes have global significances; they have potential for trans-Himalayan conservation; they sustain higher biodiversity hotspots; they support socio-economy of large section of people;

and they form foundation for religious and cultural development. There are 5300 such kinds of lakes alone in Nepal. However, they are under threats of anthropogenic and natural origins. NLCDC has foreseen ILBM as appropriate management tool to address issues of Himalayan lakes that helps improving governance structure. The maturity of NLCDC is too early to depict ultimate impacts of ILBM in Nepal, though series of intervention done earlier in Rupa Lake by different institution is a valid example to experience the strength of ILBM. Different inputs infused in Rupa has strengthened institutional, participation, financial and information pillars so local governance has remained proactive in sustainable conservation and improved livelihoods in Rupa area. Rupa lake conservation is one of the best governance demonstrations of ILBM to address Himalayan lake issues in Nepal. ILBM is still evolving and needs more time and efforts to mature its gravity at global scale. Acknowledgement We greatly acknowledge ILEC and NLCDC for providing all kinds of support to accomplish this paper. Thank also goes to the Chinese Society for Environmental Sciences to accept our paper for presentation in the WLC13th, Wuhan, China. 4. Reference Baral, H.S., C. Inskipp, T. Inskipp & U.R. Regmi. 1996.

Threatened birds of Nepal. Bird conservation nepal and department of national park and wildlife conservation, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Gachhadar, Pramila, A. R. Adhikari & R.P. Chaudhary.

2004. Fisheries communities and resource-use pattern: Chimdi Lake and its surrounding wetlands. Our Nature 2:35-39.

IUCN. 2004. A review of the status and threats to

wetlands in Nepal. Kathmandu. 78+v pp. IUCN. 1996. Environmental study of Rupa and Begnas

lakes, IUCN Nepal. JICA/SILT. 2002. Conservation development study on

the environmental conservation of Phewa Lake in Pokhara, Nepal. Final report submitted by SILT consultants to JICA/ Nepal, Kathmandu.

Joshi, Rabindra Man, Khagendra Sangam, and Dr. Tirtha

Bahadur Shresth. 2007. Mai Pokhari: A potential mountain wetland for Ramsar site. In: Himalayan wetlands: Risks, challenges and opportunities (Eds. Bhandari, Bishnu B. and Gea Jae Joo). Changwon: Ramsar Wetlands Center, Korea. pp 79-93.

Joshi, A.R. and D.P. Joshi. 1991. Endemic plants of

Nepal Himalaya: Conservation status and future


direction. In: Mountain environment and development. Vol. 1 (2): 1-35.

Karki Jhamak, B., Mohan Siwakoti and Neera Shrestha Pradhan. 2005. Biodiversity resources of high altitude wWetlands in Nepal: Field studies of the Gosainkunda-Naukunda and Gokyo wetlands. In: High altitude wetlands of Nepal: Views and reviews on conservation (Ed. Bhandari Bishnu, B.).The proceedings of the national workshop on high altitude wetlands of Nepal. Kathmandu: FEM. pp 67-86.

Karki, Jhamak Bahadur. 2007. Review of high altitude

wetlands iInitiatives in Nepal. In: The initiation. Student forum for forestry research & environment conservation (SUFEREC). Kathmandu Forestry College, Kathmandu.

Khanal, Bhaiya. 2007. Butterflies in and around Rara

national park. In: Himalayan wetlands: Risks, challenges and opportunities (Eds. Bhandari, Bishnu B. and Gea Jae Joo). Changwon: Ramsar Wetlands Center, Korea. pp 59-64.

Khatiwada, Shrikanta. 2005. Pokhara ko paryatan ra

bikash ko lagi tal taliya ko samrachhan. Proceeding of regional workshop on role of lakes in development and promotion of tourism. NLCDC. Pokhara.

Liu, X. and B. Chen. 2000. Glacial lake outburst floods

and risk engineering in the Himalaya. ICIMOD occasional paper No. 5, ICIMOD, Kathmandu.

Oli, K.P. (ed.). 1996. Environmental study of Nepal's

Begnas and Rupa lakes. National Conservation Strategy Implementation Project, 1996. Kathmandu. xxi+156.

Pokharel, S, and K. Adhikari. 2009. Safeguarding Himalayan wetlands: Evolving case of lake conservation in Nepal. CAP-Net regional conference on integrated management of wetlands and sustainable livelihoods in South Asia. Souvenir BCAS. Dhaka, Bangladesh. May 8-11.

Regmi Bimal, Gandhiv Kafle, Achyut Adhikari, Abishkar

Subedi, Rojee Suwal and Indra Paudel. 2008. Towards an innovative approach to integrated wetland management in Nepal. Unpublished report LIBIRD.

Sharma Sudhindra, Juhani Koponen, Dipak Gyawali and

Ajaya dixit. 2004. Aid under stress. Water, forest and Finsish support in Nepal. Published by Himal books for institute of development sudies. University of Helsinki, and interdisciplinary analyst, Kathmandu.

Shrestha, A.B., C.P. Wake, P.A. Mayewski and J.E. Dibb.

1999. Maximum temperature trends in the Himalaya and its vicinity: An analysis based on temperature records from Nepal for the period 1971-94. Journal of climate. 12:2775-2787.

Shrestha, Aanda Bhakta. 2007. Glacial lake outbrust

flood vulnerability assessment. In: Himalayan wetlands: Risks, challenges and opportunities (Eds. Bhandari, Bishnu B. and Gea Jae Joo). Changwon: Ramsar wetlands center, Korea. pp. 16-31.

Shrestha, T.K. 2005. Biodiversity in high altitude

wetlands of Nepal. In: High altitude wetlands of Nepal: Views and reviews on conservation (Ed. Bhandari, Bishnu B.). The proceeding of the national workshop on high altitude wetlands of Nepal (2005). Kathmandu:FEM.

Glacial Lakes and Wetlands in Bhutan Himalayas

National Environment Commission, P.O Box 466, Thimphu, [email protected]

Abstract: Water is the most important natural resource for the environmental conservation and development in Bhutan. Most of the large rivers originate from the Himalayan glaciers and glacial lakes and are perennial in nature. The rugged terrain of the country gives rise to swift flowing rivers. The river systems are extremely important and extensive, flowing southwards in steepand gorges through all the main vegetation zones from alpine snow and ice down to the subtropical forests of the foothills, and leaving Bhutan in broad alluvial beds on the plains of West Bengal and Assam. The major river systems are the Amochhu, Wangchhu, Punatsangchhu and Manas, all of which ultimately empties into the Brahmaputra. Due to the mountainous terrain, there are a number of wetlands and glacial lakes. Of the wetlands, the most important ones are the ones in Phobjikha (western) and Bomdilling (Eastern). Other extensive bogs and marshes were known to exist in the central valleyand findings on them are limited. The glaciers in Bhutan have retreated at an alarming rate giving rise to the increase of glacial lakes. This is largely attributed to the phenomenon of climate change. Keywords: Conservation, glacial lakesHimalayan, river systems 1. Objective & Methodology: The main aim is to study the risk assessment on the lakes & wetlands for understanding environmental impact and for planning conservation and management strategies in the Bhutan Himalayas. Some of the principal objectives are:

• To understand the cause and effect of GLOF in Hindu-Kush Himalayas

• To assess the environmental risk around the GLOF area

• To assess the changes in geomorphology, glacial morphology and lake ecology leading toand thereby identify and establish ecoas GLOF alarms, also initiate attempts in slope stability analysis and hazard zone mapping and mitigation of the lake through reducing its level

• Assessing Environmental Impacts in the watershed ecology and suggest conservation measures that can be sustained by the local stake holders

Paper 4


G Karma Chhopel National Environment Commission, P.O Box 466, Thimphu, BHUTAN

[email protected] / [email protected]

Water is the most important natural resource for the environmental conservation and development in Bhutan. Most of the large rivers originate from the Himalayan glaciers and glacial lakes and are perennial in

The rugged terrain of the country gives rise to swift The river systems are extremely important

and extensive, flowing southwards in steep-sided valleys and gorges through all the main vegetation zones from

ubtropical forests of the foothills, and leaving Bhutan in broad alluvial beds on the plains of West Bengal and Assam. The major river systems are the Amochhu, Wangchhu, Punatsangchhu and Manas, all of which ultimately empties into the

the mountainous terrain, there are a number of wetlands and glacial lakes. Of the wetlands, the most important ones are the ones in Phobjikha (western) and Bomdilling (Eastern). Other extensive bogs and marshes

valley but the research and findings on them are limited. The glaciers in Bhutan have retreated at an alarming rate giving rise to the increase of glacial lakes. This is largely attributed to the

Conservation, glacial lakes, glaciers, gorges,

The main aim is to study the risk assessment on the lakes & wetlands for understanding environmental impact and for planning conservation and management strategies in

Himalayas. Some of the principal objectives

To understand the cause and effect of GLOF in

To assess the environmental risk around the

To assess the changes in geomorphology, glacial morphology and lake ecology leading to GLOF and thereby identify and establish eco-indicators as GLOF alarms, also initiate attempts in slope stability analysis and hazard zone mapping and mitigation of the lake through reducing its level Assessing Environmental Impacts in the

y and suggest conservation measures that can be sustained by the local stake

2. River System Bhutan with an area of 38,394 Sq. Km. is located south of Tibet - the autonomous region of China and north of India. It is endowed with rich natural resounatural forest cover and abundant water in its rivers. Bhutan has a forest cover of 72.5 percent of the total area of the country, a unique situation in South Asia. It has many rivers and rivulets generally flowing in the northsouth direction merging ultimately into 4 major river systems; the Amochhu, Wangchhhu, Puna Tsang Chhu and the Manas. These rivers cross border to join the Brahmaputra River in India (See Fig.1). The long-term mean annual flow of the entire country is estimated to be 73,000 million mavailability of water per annum is estimated at 109,000mfor the estimated population of 673,000 in 2000 with the annual growth rate of 3.1 percent per annum. This is the highest in the SAARC region and perhaps iThe mountainous topography with varying altitudes from 100m to 7500m drained by four major rivers with their numerous tributaries have resulted in a high potential of hydropower put at 30, 000 MW.

Figure 1: Major Rivers of Bhutan

The abundance of water at the national level gives a false sense of security. The uneven distribution of precipitation in time and space has led to seasonal and local imbalances. The country is already confronted with localized and seasonal water shortages forpurposes. This situation is expected to be still worse with the rise in population and without a proper water management plan. Today 78% of the total population has access to potable drinking water and 12.5 percent (38,750ha) of the arable area is irrigated from the total area of 310,000 ha.


Bhutan with an area of 38,394 Sq. Km. is located south of the autonomous region of China and north of India.

It is endowed with rich natural resources of extensive natural forest cover and abundant water in its rivers.

Bhutan has a forest cover of 72.5 percent of the total area of the country, a unique situation in South Asia. It has many rivers and rivulets generally flowing in the north-

rection merging ultimately into 4 major river systems; the Amochhu, Wangchhhu, Puna Tsang Chhu and the Manas. These rivers cross border to join the Brahmaputra River in India (See Fig.1).

term mean annual flow of the entire country is to be 73,000 million m3 and the per capita

availability of water per annum is estimated at 109,000m3

for the estimated population of 673,000 in 2000 with the annual growth rate of 3.1 percent per annum. This is the highest in the SAARC region and perhaps in the world. The mountainous topography with varying altitudes from 100m to 7500m drained by four major rivers with their numerous tributaries have resulted in a high potential of hydropower put at 30, 000 MW.

Figure 1: Major Rivers of Bhutan

abundance of water at the national level gives a false

sense of security. The uneven distribution of precipitation in time and space has led to seasonal and local imbalances. The country is already confronted with localized and seasonal water shortages for drinking and agricultural purposes. This situation is expected to be still worse with the rise in population and without a proper water management plan. Today 78% of the total population has access to potable drinking water and 12.5 percent

the arable area is irrigated from the total


The pressure on the water resources is mounting due to competing demands from various users. In the past, water was mainly used for domestic and agricultural purposes. The domestic demand is increasing due to change in lifestyle caused by economic boom especially in cities like Thimphu, Paro and Phuntsholing. The water use for agriculture has also increased to keep pace with food demand of the rising population. New demands are emerging from other subhydropower and other incoming industries. Urbanization has become a key issue that has serious impacts on both water demand and water quality. 3. Wetlands Literature and resources on areas of research on wetlands in Bhutan is scarce. The current nodal agency for wetland in Bhutan rests with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, however the overall coordination and monitoring on water resources including the framing of laws and regulations and entering into bi- or multilateral aon water resources rests with the National Environment Commission. More recently the Bumthang Ugyen Wangchuck Environment Institute for Conservation has started a survey of the high altitude wetlands in the country. The flora and fauna in the wetlands remains poorly investigated even though it is assumed to harbor a wide range of biodiversity. From a conservation point of view, the most important wetland species in Bhutan is the Blacknecked Crane Grus nigricollis, for which the country has a great international responsibility. It is estimated that about 500 Black-necked cranes are present in winter, representing about 30-40% of the world population of this species. The cranes, which breed on the Tibetan Plateau, arrive in Bhutan in October/ November and leave in February/ March, returning each year to the same valleys in the central zone, at altitudes between 2,400m and 3,400m. Glacial Lakes

Bhutan is known to house 677 glaciers feeding approximately 2674 glacial lakes. According to the studconducted 24 out of 2,674 glacial lakes in Bhutan are "potentially dangerous", meaning that they could burst anytime within the next few years. Out of these lakes,


The pressure on the water resources is mounting due to competing demands from various users. In the past, water was mainly used for domestic and agricultural purposes.

increasing due to change in lifestyle caused by economic boom especially in cities like Thimphu, Paro and Phuntsholing. The water use for agriculture has also increased to keep pace with food

other sub-sectors such as hydropower and other incoming industries. Urbanization has become a key issue that has serious impacts on both

Literature and resources on areas of research on wetlands ce. The current nodal agency for wetland

in Bhutan rests with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, however the overall coordination and monitoring on water resources including the framing of laws and

or multilateral agreements on water resources rests with the National Environment Commission. More recently the Bumthang Ugyen Wangchuck Environment Institute for Conservation has started a survey of the high altitude wetlands in the

tlands remains poorly it is assumed to harbor a wide

range of biodiversity. From a conservation point of view, the most important wetland species in Bhutan is the Black-necked Crane Grus nigricollis, for which the country has a

at international responsibility. It is estimated that about necked cranes are present in winter,

40% of the world population of this species. The cranes, which breed on the Tibetan Plateau,

ber and leave in February/ March, returning each year to the same valleys in the central zone, at altitudes between 2,400m and

Bhutan is known to house 677 glaciers feeding approximately 2674 glacial lakes. According to the studies conducted 24 out of 2,674 glacial lakes in Bhutan are "potentially dangerous", meaning that they could burst anytime within the next few years. Out of these lakes,

eight lakes are in the basin that feeds the Pho Chu (river) which flooded in 1994. Lugge Tsho lake outburst and Pho chhu flood caused 123 deaths, damaged Punakha Dzong and in 1996 Lunana Raphstreng Tsho & Thorthorni Tsho lake outburst; spoiled 120 homes and 96,474 acre pastures wiped out. Lake Thorthormi is the largest glacial lakes in Bhutan, with a size of 3.42 sq. km, and thrice the dimension of Lake Lugge that burst in 1994. Below is the schematic diagram elucidating the temporal expansion of Lugge Tsho:

Thorthormi Tsho is perched precariously at 4428 metres above sea level in the remote Lunana area of northern Bhutan Rated as one of Bhutan’s likeliest future catastrophes, a breach and outburst flood through Thorthormi Tsho’s unstable moraine walls would most likely spill into the also vulnerable Raphsthreng Tsho 80 metres below, with the combined flood suddenly releasing up to 53 million cubic metres of water and debris into the upper catchment of the Pho Chu river. In a valley still bearing the scars of a just one third as large 1994 Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) which took molives and devastated villages and wrecked transport and power facilities, the prospect is frightening. Scenarios from an outflow from Thorthormi Tsho include crop destruction and livestock losses over more than half of the fertile and economically critical Punakha and Wangdue valleys, loss of a vital bridge and roads, and damage to hydropower facilities under construction. Punakha Dzong, a 14th century royal palace and religious centre, would be among 16 historic monuments at risk, along with numerous other buildings including vocational centres and a noted weekend market. Seven of the lakes are in the Mo Chhu basin, six in the Mangde Chhu basin, five in the Chamkhar Chhu basin and

Rapstreng Tsho


eight lakes are in the basin that feeds the Pho Chu (river) Tsho lake outburst and Pho

chhu flood caused 123 deaths, damaged Punakha Dzong and in 1996 Lunana Raphstreng Tsho & Thorthorni Tsho lake outburst; spoiled 120 homes and 96,474 acre pastures wiped out. Lake Thorthormi is the largest glacial lakes in

, with a size of 3.42 sq. km, and thrice the dimension of Lake Lugge that burst in 1994. Below is the schematic diagram elucidating the temporal expansion of

Thorthormi Tsho is perched precariously at 4428 metres remote Lunana area of northern

Bhutan Rated as one of Bhutan’s likeliest future catastrophes, a breach and outburst flood through Thorthormi Tsho’s unstable moraine walls would most likely spill into the also vulnerable Raphsthreng Tsho 80

th the combined flood suddenly releasing up to 53 million cubic metres of water and debris into the upper catchment of the Pho Chu river. In a valley still bearing the scars of a just one third as large 1994 Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) which took more than 20 lives and devastated villages and wrecked transport and power facilities, the prospect is frightening. Scenarios from an outflow from Thorthormi Tsho include crop destruction and livestock losses over more than half of the

ly critical Punakha and Wangdue valleys, loss of a vital bridge and roads, and damage to hydropower facilities under construction. Punakha Dzong, a 14th century royal palace and religious centre, would be among 16 historic monuments at risk, along with

erous other buildings including vocational centres and

Seven of the lakes are in the Mo Chhu basin, six in the Mangde Chhu basin, five in the Chamkhar Chhu basin and

Thorthormi Tsho

Lugge Tsho

Glacial Lakes and Wetlands in Bhutan Himalayas 25

two in the Kuri Chhu basin. They are all fed by glaciers, which cover almost an area of 1337 Sq. Km. Most of the 677 known glaciers in Bhutan have spawned perilous moraine-damned lakes that are increasing in size at a very fast rate owing to retreating glaciers, having an average displacement of about 20-30 meters every year. Only two lakes in Bhutan, Raphstreng tsho and Thorthormi tsho have been assessed most risky out of all and mitigation work was undertaken. Rest of the 26 lakes is yet awaiting a look over. Studies have revealed that fast retreating glaciers, are discharging excess water and debris in these lakes, owing to which the lakes are loosing depth, expanding in area and increasing hydrostatic pressure is weakening the natural dam walls making them susceptible to bursting. In fact the rate of change in the size of the lake, geomorphology and morphometry parametric along with trends in the glacial snout displacement are now the key factors for risk assessment. The general geomorphic evidence suggests that an advancing glacier has a lobate front and a wider snout while a retreating glacier has a low width/length ratio. Thus these two parameters are important indicators of glacial displacement. Further the microclimate of the area is strongly influenced by annual precipitation, vegetation pattern and even slope gradient, but very little literature is available in regard to these factors and glacial morphometry as well. In this part of Himalayan range glacial melt water dominates the fluvial system. The ablation zones of the glaciers are usually covered by a thick pile of supraglacial moraines and are characterized by several serrac ice sections, melting into pool of supraglacial lakes. Mass wasting is common all over the area and is initiated by heavy monsoon rains and active fluvial incisions along the lower valley slopes. All these wastes also get dumped into the lakebeds causing inflammation and outburst. Low frequency high magnitude events like earthquake and avalanches also add to these. Glacial Lake Outburst Flood not only causes loss of Biodiversity, life & Property in urban area but also spoils agro-environment of watersheds rendering hundreds of marginal farmlands uncultivable. In addition, it causes landslides, communication shut downs, soil erosion and loss, impair vegetation dynamics, force human displacement, etc even across sociopolitical boundaries. The average fluctuation rates of glaciers in Nepal and Bhutan for all types of glaciers (retreating, stationary and advancing), according to Karma (Toeb) are: Region Duration

(years) Horizontal retreat rate (m/yr)

No. of glaciers

Nepal 34 (1958-92) 3.14 100 Bhutan 30 (1963-93) 6.27 103

For retreating glaciers only:

Nepal 34 (1958-92) 6.61 58 Bhutan 30 (1963-93) 7.36 86

4. Conclusion The above discussion reflects the seriousness of the impacts of GLOF in Eastern Himalayas. It also suggests the responsible causes behind such natural calamities in reference to the local area. It is, therefore, important to trace out some base line activities that can help preventing the loss and shock of such catastrophic aftermath owing to climate change. Lack of resources and technology as obvious in any third world country keeps no other options open rather than depending on traditional ecological knowledge. In order to streamline these activities that can be planned out for hazard mitigation and environmental sustenance some sectors of identified as below: 1) Observing the recorded events and maintaining a

database of GLOF can do identification of GLOF prone area. Random remote sensed monitoring to find water loading and changes in glacial morphometry will help as an ecological indicator for predicting GLOF.

2) Maximum probable thresholds are calculated within a particular geographical area with regard to rainfall, slope elevation, slope load, soil retention ability and root cohesion.

3) Monitoring of Human activities to be done in areas of high risk. Water harvesting techniques, landuse patterns, deforestation, slope destabilization for construction of residential houses, and any other activities triggering downslide movement of earth leading to accumulation of glacial melt water should be kept controlled.

4) Preventive measures that suit the local ecology can be implemented. Plantation should be done to keep the slope load within the threshold limits. This can be optimized either by reducing the slope elevation or sizing the slope lode from time to time. Terrace cultivation is advisable as an integrated silvicultural method. Bioengineering techniques as worked out by ITECO 1994, and Tianchi 1990, can be an effective preventive device.

5) Awareness drive programmes and developing alternative risk communication methods have to be launched taking support of the traditional system and technologies.

6) Mitigation of lakes at the source by lowering its level. 7) Artificial lowering of water level of the lakes such as

Thorthormi lake 8) Installation of Technical Early Warning Systems

along Pho chu valley (Lunana, Punakha and downstream.

5. References Ageta Y., S. Iwata, H. Yabuki, N. Naito, A. Sakai, C.

Narama and Karma. 2000. Expansion of glacier lakes in recent decades in the Bhutan Himalayas. Proceedings of the Seattle Workshop, 2000; Debris-Covered Glaciers.


Bajracharya and Shrestha. 2002. Glacial Lake Outburst Flood. Kuensel XXIV (7): Dated 13th July 2002.

Dipayan Dey, South Asian Forum for Environment

(Indian Chapter), Kolkata, India. Geological Survey of Bhutan. 1999. Glaciers and Glacier

Lakes in Bhutan. Geological Survey of Bhutan. ICIMOD/ASSESS-HKH. 2007. Policy Recommendations

for Mitigation Strategies for Sustainable Water Management in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan Region. Kathmandu: WP7, D16 ICIMOD/ Development of an Assessment System to Evaluate the Ecological Status of Rivers in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan Region (ASSESS-HKH).

Komori J., D.R. Gurung, S. Iwata and H. Yabuki. 2003.

Variation and lake expansion of Chubda Glacier, Bhutan Himalayas, during the last 35 years.

Mool P.K., D. Wangda, S.R. Bajrachaya, D.R. Gurung and

S.P. Joshi. 2001. Inventory of glaciers, glacial lakes and glacial lake outburst floods, Bhutan. ICIMOD, Kathmandu.

NEC. 2004. Brief Report on State of the Environment. Thimpu: National Environment Commission.

RGOB. 1998. The Middle path, National Environment

Strategy for Bhutan. National Environment Commission, Royal Govt. of Bhutan.

RGOB. 2002. Regulation for the Environmental Clearance

of Projects and Regulation on Strategic Environmental Assessment. Thimpu: National Environment Commission, Royal Govt. of Bhutan.

RGOB. 2004. Environment Discharge Standard. Thimpu:

National Environment Commission, Royal Govt. of Bhutan.

SOE. 2001. State of the Environment Bhutan 2001.

SACEP, NORAD, UNEP, NEC, RGOB. Vuichard D. and M. Zimmermann. 1987. The 1985

catastrophic drainage of a moraine-dammed lake, Khumbu Himal, Nepal: case and consequences.

Watershed Conservation And Management Of Glacial

Lake Outburst Flood; Combating Climate Change In Himalayan Environment.

Paper 5

Challenges and Opportunities in Lake Conservation and Management A Case study of Ucchali Lakes Complex – Pakistan

Rahat Jabeen, Najam Khurshid and Farooq Awan

1Environmental Specialist. Sindh Water Sector Improvement Project, Karachi, Pakistan [email protected]

2 Senior Environmental Specialist – FAO -Karachi Pakistan. [email protected] 3Agriculture Extension Department Govt. of Punjab. Pakistan. [email protected]

Abstract: In Pakistan lakes are one of the important sources of surface water after the rivers, streams and ground water. Most of the lakes consist of two major types i.e. fresh and brackish water. River Indus is the main source of freshwater in the country. Many lakes situated on both sides of the river. Only few natural lakes systems exist having their own catchment and watershed areas with closed basins. Ucchali complex is one of the examples of natural lakes. There are three lakes present in this complex, which are Ucchali, Khabbaki and Jahlar covering an area of 1326 ha. They are situated in the north central part of Pakistan in district Khushab of Punjab province. Ucchali complex harbors many scarce and important species of waterbirds among which white headed duck Oxyra leucocephala is a flagship species due to being the only flock visiting Pakistan, this lake complex has also the status of internationally important Wetland (Ramsar site). The three lakes are closed basins surrounded by hills of varying sltitudes, which serve as the catchment areas. The hills are covered with sub-tropical broad-leaved forest. These lakes surrounded by small villages. The lakes facing various challenges in management and conservation like fluctuations in water level and salinity, illegal hunting of waterbirds, pollution, introduction of exotic fish species, eutrophication excessive recreation and deforestation in the watershed areas of the comples. Several actions has been taken in account to minimized and addressing the challenges. The local community played important role in the conservation and management of these important lakes. The relevant stakeholders are also collaborated with each other and implemented some conservation practices in the area. The lake complex is the best example of participation by the stakeholders in lake management and conservation. Keywords: Catchment areas, Eutrophication, Illegal hunting, White headed duck, Waterbirds, Pollution 1. Introduction In Pakistan lakes are one of the important sources of surface water after the rivers, streams and ground water. Area of the lakes in Pakistan estimated as 110,000 ha (Naik 1986). Most of the lakes consist of two major types i.e. fresh and brackish water. River Indus is the main

source of freshwater in the country. Many lakes situated on both sides of the river. Only few natural lakes systems exist having their own catchment and watershed areas with closed basins. Ucchali complex is one of the examples of natural lakes. There are three lakes present in this complex, which are Ucchali, Khabbaki and Jahlar covering an area of 1326 ha. They are situated in the north central part of Pakistan in district Khushab of Punjab province. Ucchali complex harbors many scarce and important species of waterbirds among which White headed duck Oxyura leucocephala is a flagship species due to being the only flock visiting Pakistan. All three lakes constitute the Ucchali Complex are Wildlife Sanctuaries under the Punjab Wildlife Act. This lake complex has also the status of internationally important Wetland (Ramsar site). The three lakes are closed basins surrounded by hills of varying altitudes, which serve as the catchment areas. The hills are covered with sub-tropical broad-leaved forest. The hills are 800 to 1500 m (above mean sea level). These lakes surrounded by small villages. Commonly the local women use these lakes banks for washing of clothes.

Ucchali Complex is an outstanding site for wintering and breeding waterbirds in Pakistan. The waterbirds during this time provide all the color to the lake. It also holds nationally important wintering and breeding populations of several other species of wildfowl and raptors. 1.1 Ucchali Lake It covers an area of 943 ha brackish to saline lake, (the largest in the Salt Range), fed by a small spring, seepage from adjacent irrigated land, and run-off from the surrounding hills of the Salt Range. The water level and salinity fluctuate according to local rainfall. The depth varies from 0.2-6 m and water is usually hyper-saline (41.5 ppt.). The management of lake is state owned (Government of the Punjab). The adjacent agricultural and submerged land is privately owned. The hill forests and rangelands are also state owned. 1.2 Khabbaki Lake The area of the lake is 238 ha. It is a shallow brackish lake in the Salt Range, fed by local rainfall and several


intermittent streams rising in the surrounding hills. The maximum depth is about 10.5 m. Salinity up to 5 ppt. was recorded. The lake is state owned; adjacent agricultural land is privately owned, and the forests and rangelands in the watershed are communally owned.

Khabbaki Lake is use for commercial fishing by the Fisheries department and right of fishing auction each year. The awarded contractor tries to exploit the maximum fish resources in the given time frame for fishing. This activity causes a lot of disturbance to the migratory water birds in the lake. Keeping in view the changes during past 50 years it is clear that the rain is one of the most significant factors. On the basis of rainfall changes from 1998 to 2005 it was observed that habitat at Khabbaki has been reduced and the Jahlar and Ucchali are also threatened (Fig 1).

Figure 1: Rainfall at Salt Range

1.3 Jahlar Lake The area of the lake is 100 ha, brackish to saline lake similar in general character to the nearby Ucchali and Khabbaki Lakes. Jahlar Lake is fed by run-off from the surrounding hills of the Salt Range. The depth varies from 0.2-6m depending on the amount of rainfall received. The lake is stated owned. 2. Biodiversity of the Complex Marsh vegetation is confined to a few small patches along the lakes shore, but there is a very rich growth of plankton in the lake. The dominant aquatic plants are Carex fedia, Hydrilla verticillata, Juncus sp, Phragmites karka, Potamogeton crispus, Saccharum spontaneum, Typha angustata, Vallisneria spiralis and Zannichellia palustris. The natural vegetation of the region is a mixture of subtropical semi-evergreen forest and tropical thorn forest with species such as Acacia modesta, Adhatoda vasica, Dodonea viscosa, Gymnosporia royleana, Olea ferruginea, Reptonia buxifolia, Tamarix aphylla, Withania coagulans and Zizyphus mauritiana and Z. nummularia. The natural vegetation around the lake has been cleared for agricultural land.

The number of birds present fluctuates widely from year to year and seems to be critically dependent on the water level and salinity. Between 1,100 and 3,100 many ducks (Anatidae) and coots wintered on the lake in the early 1970s. Over 100,000 water birds, very largely Common Coot (Fulica atra), were also recorded. The lake is now the most important wintering area for the rare White-headed Duck (Oxyura leucocephala) in Pakistan; other noteworthy winter visitors include Black necked grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) and Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) Grey heron (Ardea cinerea), Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus rubber), Greyleg Goose (Anser anser), Wigeon (Anas Penelope), Shoveler (A. clypeata), Common Pochard (Aythya ferina) and shorebirds like Common Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus), Red Wattled Lapwing (V. indicus) and Black winged stilt (Himantopus himantopus). There are no indigenous fishes in the lake; introduced fish are Catla catla, Channa marulius, Cirrhinus mrigala, Cyprinus carpio, Salmo lana, Tilapia mossambica and Labeo rohita, Labeo rohita, Catla catla, and Ctenopharyngodon idella. Mammals and amphibians known to occur in the area include Canis aureus, Vulpes vulpes, Felis libyca and Lepus nigricollis, Rana tigrin. Challenges in Conservation and Management • Fluctuations in water level and salinity are having a

detrimental effect on the habitat. • There has been considerable amount of illegal hunting

of water birds by some local people and military personnel stationed in the area.

• Pollution from domestic waste has also been reported to be a problem to a small extent.

• Introduction of exotic fish species Tilapia in one of the Lake.

• Fisheries related activities and auction of fishing rights in one of the Lake.

• Eutrophication due to high level nutrients came through run-off water from the agriculture land.

• Heavy siltation and reduction in Lake Depth. • In the mid-1990s the fishery was identified as

detrimental to the population of Oxyura • leucocephala. It is believed that the direct competition

for food between the introduced fishes and Water birds have been responsible for the decline in Water birds population (Fig. 2).

• Excessive recreation • livestock grazing and agricultural activities • Stoppage of rain water flowing into the Lake • Deforestation in the watershed areas of the complex • Introducing a legislative stronger effective enforcement

of fresh water use regime. • Lack of ownership of the local communities • Lack of trained personals for Lakes management • Climate change factor leading towards drought or

exceptionally high rainfall.

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Challenges and Opportunities in Lake Conservation and Management –A Case study of Ucchali Lakes Complex- Pakistan 29

Arable Farming is quite common in the area. The land owners have cultivated their land which is exposing from the water and this practice goes right up to the edge of the water.

Figure 2: Trend of Whit headed duck at Ucchali Complex during 2000-2005

2.1 Opportunities for Conservation and Management

Over-Hunting It is difficult to stop illegal hunting in the area. If limited hunting of selected species of water birds in a selected time frame can be allowed on a sustainable basis through special permits. Hunting should be stopped immediately after the arrival of migratory white-headed duck and can be resuming after their departure from the complex. It is suggested that the high fee of permits can be divided into two portion 75% goes to the communities and 25% for the government. Communities should be responsible to monitor hunting parties and collect the fee. Revenue generated through this practice can be utilized for betterment of socio-economic condition of the local community. Fishing Rights & Fish Auction Instead of auction of fishing rights of the lake, all fish capture from the lake should be sold on a minimal price in the local market. So, local people can get rich portentous food in a relatively cheaper price. Angling should be allowed to the locals as well as visitors without any permit or fee. Poor people from the local community can get fish without paying any cost. Visitors can pay small amount for angling that will encourage ecotourism in the area. Eutrophication Growth of aquatic plants can be reduced with the help of local people by allowing them to cut Typha and other commercially important species without any fee and ask them to remove other aquatic weeds from the lakes.

Siltation Desilting plan can be developed and implemented with the support of local people. Excavated silt can be utilized to overcome the salinity of the agriculture land. Dead plan material can be use for organic composting. Tourism Recreation plan should be develop in order to engage maximum visitor to generate revenue. Division of revenue should be 75% community portion and 25% goes to the government. Encourage local people to welcome visitor and generate money by providing food, accommodation and local guide. Stoppage of Rainwater flowing into the Lake Shortage of water in the lake will create havoc in the whole complex of these lakes. Since these lakes are playing an important role in recharging the wells and keeping climate cool which results in getting off-season crops. Majority of the farmers are dependent of these off-season crops and use wells for irrigation. If they convince that due to stoppage of lakes water their wells will be dried and climatic conditions will also be changed. They will not get the off-season crops. If they understood this function of these lakes performed, these farmers will be allow water flows in to the lakes instead of stop at their farmlands. Afforestation in the Watershed Areas of the Complex Deforestation is not only bringing silt into the lakes but also damaging the agriculture lands came on its way. Some time land sliding cause heavy damages to land as well as people. Afforestation will not only help in reducing silt load to the lakes but reducing damages of the agriculture land. Local communities can be involved in plantation campaign and only local species of trees should be planted in the catchments. Tree can be harvested on sustainable basis or rotational harvesting can be introduced. Similarly, it should not be one time activity; plantation activities should be done at least twice a year. Ownership of the Local Communities It is important to enhance ownership of the local communities over the natural resources. If the community is willing to own and if they convince and practically see that they are benefiting from the participatory management, they will provide their full cooperation and management authorities can also utilize their traditional knowledge for better management. Climate Change/Drought Pakistan being an arid country is more vulnerable to the Climate Change. Long spell of droughts, resulting in reduced water levels and the drying out of many lakes. Ucchali Lake Complex is one of the examples facing the same situation. Due to shortage of rainfall, lakes are


shrinking and water quality is also degraded. As a result, many species of migratory birds were not attracted to use these lakes as wintering ground. The famous endangered White headed duck which is use to visit this lake complex each year has changed its migratory route and found some other wintering ground. Water Shortage The lack of water has resulted in degradation and desiccation of important breeding sites in many other countries. Climatic fluctuations have been shown to influence the population dynamics of White-headed ducks. Desiltation of these lake will enhance their water capacity which is not only provide better habitat to the biodiversity but helpful to the local people by continuously recharging their wells and keeping climatic conditions stable good for longer period. Arable Farming Those farmers whose land expose from the water and want to cultivate it, through an agreement they should be agreed on only organic farming on the exposed land. A limit is also mention in the agreement that like 10 meters away from the water edge or any other safe distance from water edge. This farming will also attract plant eating birds and it easier for them to get their food easily. Pollution Leaching and run-off of fertilizers and pesticides from surrounding agricultural fields are known to pollute the lakes, although their impact has not been determined. The concept of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) should be introduced, provide training to the local farmers on IPM and encourage organic farming especially in those areas which are directly impacting on the lakes water regime. Human Disturbance Disturbance from human activities, particularly hunting, fishing and boating activities during the breeding period, is thought to be a threat to the White-headed duck. Tourist plan need to be developed instead of discourage tourism. Tourism should be encouraged because it is a source of revenue and create awareness. It is important that tourism should be well planned and according to the situation. Invasive Alien Species (Directly Impacting Habitat) Introduction of Tilapia Oreochromis sp. and Grass Carp Ctenopharyngodon idella into the complex respectively, has affected the ecological balance of vegetation, fish and other species. A habitat and recovery plan can be develop to replace these species with local once. Competition with Invasive Alien Species Introduced Tilapia and carp are likely to compete with White-headed ducks for food at Khabbaki Lake. The harmful effect of the widespread carp on breeding

waterbirds is well known. Develop a species replacement plan with the help of fisheries department and replace Tilapia with local species. Livestock Farming Domestic livestock heavily grazes vegetated areas around the lakes of the Ucchali complex. Grazing is much beyond the grazing capacity levels. Rotational grazing and selected grazing can be introduced with the support of the local communities. Instead of goat farming other option can be explore especially those are selective grazers like cow and have more yield of milk. 2.2 Strategy to Overcome Challenges and Availing

Opportunities Increase Knowledge Base Stakeholders and decision- makers should be well informed about the status and trends of lakes ecosystems, their biodiversity, socio-economic values and priorities for action required for these important lakes. Focus on Sustainable Development The values and services delivered by these lakes complex should be recognized at each level from community to the decision makers and an integrated management plan should be developed for their sustainable use and development. Promote Integrated Water Resource Management Conservation and wise use of this Lake complex can be achieved through integrated water resource management. This should be aimed to work through policy and advocacy initiatives and demonstration projects to ensure that the values and services delivered by this lake complex are fully taken into account in planning and implementation of water and fisheries management plans and strategies. Biodiversity and Ecological Network Development Improved conservation status of this lake complex and its biodiversity can be achieved through initiatives focusing on lake-dependent species and their critical habitats.

Biodiversity conservation and wise use is a fundamental requirement for sustainable development. There are many processes underway to consolidate efforts and develop a clear set of indicators to measure progress towards reaching the internationally adopted targets of significantly reducing biodiversity loss.

In this context relevant stakeholders should play a significant role in establishing network which provide support in data collection process and analysis of biodiversity, trends, highlighting the causes behind changes in population status of threatened and indicator

Challenges and Opportunities in Lake Conservation and Management –A Case study of Ucchali Lakes Complex- Pakistan 31

species and devise mechanism for sharing the data and information among all the stakeholders. 3. Adopted Measures and Actions taken 11.. AAnn aarreeaa lleevveell nneettwwoorrkk ooff tthhee llooccaall CCBBOO’’ ss hhaass bbeeeenn

oorrggaanniizzeedd nnaammeedd aass SSoooonn VVaall lleeyy NNGGOO’’ ss NNeettwwoorrkk aanndd tthhiiss iiss wwoorrkkiinngg oonn tthhee tthheemmee NNaattuurraall RReessoouurrccee MMaannaaggeemmeenntt..

2. Women groups organized turned into CBO’s and now they are implementing projects.

3. Ownership of lakes developed and community understanding of lake importance increased.

4. 3 partners CBO’s get funding in forest sector from GEF / UNDP and one Soon Valley Development Program (SVDP) from Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Funds on drought mitigation and preparedness plan, jointly implemented by SVDP and international NGO working in conservation.

5. Women community organized and trained through other organization thus the traditional behavior changed and women participation in development activities increased.

6. The performance of two Government Departments’ Forest and Wildlife improved to protect natural resources of area.

7. 70% illegal hunting cases reduced due to awareness and ownership in community.

8. Threats to Lake Biodiversity such as deforestation, forest fires reduced and overall changed occur in pattern of utilization of natural resources in area.

9. CBO’s capacity developed to implement projects at their own and interventions at community level increased in Forest sector.

10. Local community trained in lake conservation techniques and bird watching.

11. Women community awareness level increased through workshops and training.

12. Plantation trend increased in area. 13. Local community participation in development

projects increased after devolution plan in the forum of the Citizen Community Boards (CCB).

Acknowledgment: Authors of this paper are thankful to the ILEC Japan and Nepal Govt. for providing the opportunity to present their work in the Regional Forum. 4. References Ahmad, A. 1987. The lake and water birds wealth of

Pakistan, Paper presented at Conference on Lake and Water birds Conservation in Asia, Malacca, 23-28 February.

Ahmed, A. 1988. Recent tragedies with the water birds

population on some of their wintering habitats in Pakistan. WWF – Pakistan Newsletter 5(2): 4 - 8.

Anon. 1984. National Report of Pakistan In: Proc. Second

Conference of the Contracting Parties, 1984.

Convention on lakes of Groningen, Netherlands, 7-12 may 1984: 381-390. Gland, Switzerland IUCN.

Anstey, S. 1989. The status and conservation of the White

headed duck (Oxyura leucephala IWRB special publication No. (10). IWRB Slimbridge, Glocester GL2 7bX, England.

Asian Water birds Census 1986 - 1991. Water birds

survey reports. Annually, joint publication of International Water birds and Wetland Research Bureau, U.K. and Asian Wetland Bureau, Malaysia.

Carp, E. 1980. Directory of Lakes of international

importance in the Eastern Palaearctic, Gland, Switzerland: IUCN.

Chaudhry, A. Aleem. 1992. Habitat changes threaten the

White headed duck in Punjab, Pakistan, IWRB Threatened Water birds Research Group Newsletter, No. 2:5-6.

Chaudhry, A. Aleem. 1992. Habitat loss causes a decline

in White headed duck population. Proc. Pakistan Congr, Zool. Vol. 11 pp. 245-252.

Hughes, B., Robinson, J.A., Green, A.J., Li, Z.W.D. and

Mundkur, T. (Compilers). 2006. International Single Species Action Plan for the Conservation of the White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala. CMS Technical Series No. 13 & AEWA Technical Series No.8. Bonn, Germany.

Jabeen Poonam. 1990. Ecological studies on Ucchali

Lake, Salt Range, Punjab M. Sc. Zoology Thesis, Government College, Lahore. 1990

Jabeen, R. “Kalar Kahar Lake”, Article published in

Wildlife and Environment magazine and reprinted in “The Star” evening newspaper. Pakistan

Jabeen, R. 1997. “Wet Wealth of Pakistan” article

published in “The News International” Daily news paper on 5th June 1997.

Jabeen, R. 2000. “Wetlands our Liquid Assets” Article

published in Environmental News, Monthly Magazine, published under the Patronage of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry. VOL 4, Issue 6.

Jabeen, R. 2003. “Freshwater is not just water it’s Life”.

Article published in Natura, Quarterly magazine of WWF-Pakistan. Vol: 30, Issue 4, Pg: 15-16.

Jabeen, R. 2004. “Impact of Water Scarcity on the

Wetlands of Sindh”, Proceedings of the Seminar “Environmental, Social and Cultural Impact of Water Scarcity in Sindh” 15th - 16th January 2004. Organised by M.A Kazi Institute of Chemistry,


University of Sindh, Jamshoro. September 2004.Pg 173-184.

Jabeen, R., Khurshid, N.and Hasnain, S.A. .1998. Weed

Management Strategy for Eutrophic Lakes. Proceeding of National Seminar on Impact of Environment Pollution on Lakes of Sindh, 24 November 1998. Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro and EPA-Sindh.

Khan, A.A. and A.A. Chaudhry. 1994. Management Plan

for Ucchali Complex Lakes. Salt Range Pakistan WWF, PWRI.

Khurshid, N. et al. 2000. Wetland Action Plan, WWF-

Pakistan. Khurshid, N., R. Jabeen and S.A. Hasnain. 1998., An

overview of Wetlands and Water birds of Sindh. Proceeding of National Seminar on Impact of Environment Pollution on Lakes of Sindh, 24 November 1998. Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro and EPA-Sindh

Li, Z.W.D. and T. Mundkur. 2003. Status overview and

recommendations for conservation of the White headed Duck Oxyura Leucocephala in Central Asia, Lakes International Global Series 15, Kulalampur, Malaysia.

Naik, I.U. 1986. Inland fisheries and aquaculture in

Pakistan: review of the progress and new activities. Paper presented at FAO/IPFC Workshop on Strategies for the Management of Fisheries and Aquaculture in Mangrove Ecosystems, Bangkok, Thailand, 23-25 June 1986.

Naseem, F. 1990. Ecological Studies on Jahlar Lake. Salt

Range Punjab, M.Sc. Zoology Thesis, Government College, Lahore.

Rao, A. L., N. Khurshid. 1991. “Management Plan of Rawal Lake. A Part of the Management Plan of Margalla Hills National Park, IUCN & WWF Pakistan and National Council for Conservation of Wildlife Islamabad, Pakistan.

Roberts, T.J. 1991. The Birds of Pakistan. Vol. 1 Oxford

University Press, Oxford. Scott, D. 1989. Asian Lake Directory. IUCN, Gland,

Switzerland, 1989. [15] Savage, C.D.W, The Wildfowl and Lake Situation in West Pakistan. Wildfowl Trust 16 Annual Reports 1963-64: 121-123. 1968.

Sharif, R. 1993. Limnological studies on the Ucchali

Complex Lakes in the Salt Range, Punjab, Pakistan. M.Sc. Zoology Thesis, Government College, Lahore unpublished; pp. 67.

WWF and Punjab Wildlife Department. 1995.

Community based planning for lake conservation: Lessons from the Ucchali in Pakistan. Report on the Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) Training Workshop in Ucchali Complex, Pakistan: 10-21 December 1994.

Map of Ucchali Lakes Complex

Technical Session-II Continue…

Managing Lake and their Basin Chaired by Dr. Dinesh Raj Bhuju

National Academy of Science and Technology

Paper 6

ILBM in Conservation and Management of Bhoj Wetland (Upper Lake): A Ramsar Site of Bhopal (India)

Vipin Vyas, Shriparna Saxena and Pradeep Shrivastava

Department of Limnology, Barkatullah University, Bhopal 462 026 (India)

Email: [email protected]

Abstract: Upper Lake of Bhopal (Latitude 23º12' to 23º16' N and Longitude 77º18' to 77º23' E), build in the 11th century AD, is a multiple use water body supports various activities and is supermarket of biodiversity itself and offers shelter to thousand of migratory and local aquatic birds. The lake is also a lifeline for farmers of the fringe area and for fishermen community too. The lake has been facing serious problems mainly of sewage inflow and siltation of man-made nature which helps in profuse growth of macrophytes which on death and decomposition releases tremendous nutrients resulting in eutrophication in many parts of water body. The lake having an area of 32 sq km receives water from a vast catchment of approx. 370 sq km with urban and rural parts. The maximum portion of the catchment area if rural and has great impact on lake ecology while the urban catchment is mainly responsible for entry of untreated sewage. A massive restoration plan has been completed on the lake with the assistance of JBIC. Desilting, Deweeding, diversion and treatment of sewage, catchment area treatment and afforestation were the main components of the project. Hence conserving this precious resource from contamination for sustainable water use is of immense significance as an issue of policy. Keywords: wetland, biodiversity supermarket, conservation, macrophytes 1. Introduction Construction of storage reservoirs is an age old practice in India. Former rulers have contributed significantly by constructing large number of impoundments for providing drinking water to the people in their capitals and elsewhere. This was particularly necessary in arid, semi arid and other regions with highly erratic rainfall. With the time these water reservoirs become an important part of human resource by cultivating trapa and fisheries which helps in food security of world. Due to tremendous hit rate in last two decades and consequent urban development especially on the northeast fringe of the Upper Lake. This caused increase in demand for potable water and thus pressure on the lake. The increased anthropogenic activities in the watershed caused increased inflow of silt, untreated sewage, nutrients and pesticides from urban and rural areas and thus deterioration of water quality of the lakes. Aquatic resources in recent years have received a great deal of attention in India, an important source capable of

sustaining valuable natural flora and fauna. The main stream of research in our country is focused on the management and conservation aspects. Scientists working in universities and research institution studied various aspects of wetland ecosystems which served as baseline data to identify problems associated to wetlands to chalk out a sound management plan. Long considered as unproductive and reluctant area wetlands were drained, filled and dried for finding solutions of food and shelter for ever increasing human population. 2. An account of the study area The present study was conducted on upper Lake of Bhopal. Bhopal is the capital city of Madhya Pradesh also called as city of “lakes”. It is about 503 meters above mean sea level and is situated at 23o16’ N latitude and 77o25’ E longitude on hard pink red sand stones of Vindhya region. It was created by constructing an earthen dam (which separates the Upper lake from Lower lake) Raja Bhoj of Dhar in the 11th Century A.D. (1010-1055 A.D.) constructed the water body. It is the most magnificent of all the lakes and reservoirs in this region and has been alone source of drinking water supply to the 1.6 million population of the capital until the recent past. The water is drawn from various parts of the lake and is being treated in 5 water works units controlled by independent authorities. The lake is dammed at two places (i) in eastern part near Kamla Park and (ii) in the southern part at Bhabhada weir, where there are eleven sluice gates to let out the excess water from the lake into a channel, which later on connects into a small river known as Kaliasot. The south-eastern side of the lake is bounded by Shamla Hills, Van Vihar and the north-eastern side by Medical College, Koh-e-Fiza and Ahmedabad hills. A suburban township called Bairagarh is located at the western side of the lake. Besides this a large number of houses and huts of the slum dwellers were located on the north and Bairagarh, Khanugaon and Hamidia Hospital. The lake has been designated as Ramsar site in 2002. Morphometry of Water body The lake area is bounded between the latitudes 20010’- 23020’ and longitudes 77015’-77025’ as shown in the Survey of India toposheet No. 55 E/7 and 55 E/8. The lake is situated at an altitude of 532 metres above the mean sea level. Some of the important morphometric features of the lake are as follows:


Table 1: Some important morphometric features of Upper Lake

S. N. Features Upper lake 1 Constructed 11th century 2 Location Latitude 230 13’ N Longitude 770 18’ E 3 Maximum length (m) 12,500 4 Maximum width (m) 5,000 5 Maximum depth (m) 8.8 6 Mean depth (m) 3.17 7 Volume (m3) 101,540.400 8 Shore line (km) 22.4 9 Area (sq. km) 32

3. Biological characteristics of the Upper Lake The lake harbours a tremendous diversity of flora and fauna. Following are some significant ecological aspects of the lake:

• Phytoplankton: 208 species • Zooplankton: 115 species • Fish fauna: 43 species • Avifauna: 179 species • Insect: 98 species • Reptiles and Amphibians: 10 species

4. Multiple Uses The lake is the principal source of potable water to the city of 1.4 million people. In case of normal rainfall the water supply from the lake is 29 million gallons per day (MGD). Otherwise, off take may be much less (i.e. 12 to 15 MGD) depending upon the initial water level after the monsoon. This wetland is providing is tremendous benefit to its local habitants through drinking water, fish production and economically and commercially valuable plants. The cultivation if Trapa bispinosa and Nelumbo nucifera in the shoreline and the fish (major carps) available in this lake has a direct and in direct impact on the economic conditions of the people living round this wetland. The lake has been a tourist hotspot for the local residents. Motorized, rowing and pedal boats have been introduced by the state Tourism Development Corporation and private boat owners in the lake with the permission of Bhopal Municipal Corporation. Several food joints have also come-up on the bank of the lake. About 45 ha of the lake area on the southern bank of the lake falls in the Van Vihar National Park, a wildlife conservation park notified under Wildlife Protection Act 1972. Apart from this the lake has been a subject of research and education for institutions and NGOs engage in environmental education in the city. 5. Several Stakeholder of the System As stated prior the lake is a multiple use water body hence it has a several stakeholder community. 1. BMC, Distt administration, railways, PHE, Tourism,

Wildlife, Housing and Environment (Goverment Agencies) 2. Civil Society: NGOs 3. General Community. 4. Educational and Research Institutions 5. Fishermen and trapa cultivators 6. Some Misuses Related to lake and

Management Activities done so far Due to tremendous population growth of the city (from just over 0.1 million in 1951 to about 1.6 million in 2001) and rapid urban development on the eastern and northern fringes of Upper Lake especially during the second half of the 20th century subjected the lake to various environmental problems resulting in deterioration of its water quality. The major causes of environmental problems of the lake are listed in Table 2. The lake has been facing the following problems • Reduction of Storage Capacity and Water spread Area due to siltation. • Inflow of Sewage and waste water from the Catchment area. • Encroachment in Catchment Area • Agricultural Activities based on chemical fertilizers & pesticides. • Excessive growth of Aquatic Plants. • Immersion of Idols and Tajias during festivals. • Threat to Aquatic Life (Bio-diversity). The state government initiated a massive conservation and management plan with the Japanese assistance. JBIC (Japan) provided Rs. 247 crores for various activities under the project. 7. Sink Scenario of the lake The lake has a catchment area of 370 sq. km spreading in two administrative districts, Bhopal and Sehore. The catchment area can be easily categorized in rural (70%) and urban (30%) catchment with different landuses and impacts. Land use /cover Information on land use/ cover pattern, especially the extent and spatial distribution is a prerequisite to understand the catchment characteristics. The land use/cover information help in formulation of policies and programmes for wetland management. The details related to land use/cover pattern in the study area are summarised below: Land use/ land cover types and area statistics. Landuse types Area (ha) 1998 1. Built up land 2751 2. Agriculture land 10760 3. Fallow land 1249 4. Open scrub (with or without scrub) 5171 5. Plantation 120 6. Barren rocky 273 7. Open forest 503

ILBM in Conservation and Management of Bhoj Wetland (Upper Lake): A Ramsar Site of Bhopal (India) 37

8. Water bodies / River 2435 9. Marsh 522 10. Aquatic vegetation sparse 2 38 11. Aquatic vegetation dense 357 12. Other vegetations 574 TOTAL 36181 Homestead The physical extent of the total built-up land is about 2751 ha. Around Bhoj wetland in 1998, there is an increase of 707 ha. in the built up area from 1988 to 1998 and it is mainly in the southern part of the lake. Agricultural land Agriculture is the principal land use in the catchment and it is around 24338 ha. in 1988 and 21009 ha. in 1998 which includes both standing crop and fallow land. The land use/cover map of 1988 is prepared using two seasons (pre and post monsoon) satellite data, whereas the 1998 map is prepared using single date. The area understanding crop is 10760 ha. Land use/cover map on 1:50 000 scale was prepared for the catchment. These maps provide information on forests, shrubs and other land use such as agricultural land, wastelands etc.

Buffer zone plantations The area under forest (Open) 503 ha and it has not changed. Plantation accounts 76 ha in 1988 and 120 ha in 1998. There is an increase of an area of 44 ha. This is mainly due to a forestation in the waste land areas and agro forestry. Wasteland The huge area is available under the barren rocky and open scrub is included in this category. It is about 5444 ha. in 1998 while in 1988 6037 ha Municipal Catchment area Unfortunately this wetland has been threatened to a greater extent, mainly due to accelerated siltation, land reclamation and increase in the human activities in the catchment area. Rain is the main source of water, besides periodical inflow from Kolans River. The Urban portion of the catchment constitutes about 18% area of the Bhopal city inhabited by 20% population of the city spread over in 23 wards out of 66 municipal wards of the city.

Non urban Catchment area


The rural catchment area is harbouring 86 villages having 14000 households. Agriculture is the main activity in the area and 70% of the land in the catchment is under cultivation. Animal husbandry is the second main activity of the catchment. Problems linked with Non urban areas Agriculture and its Impacts Wheat, gram and soybean are the main crops in the area. Vegetables are also cultivated by some farmers. Before the onset of Green revolution probably before 1970 the agriculture practices in the catchment was mainly organically based. But demand to grow more food grain per unit area led to use of hybrid seed and agro-chemicals in the agriculture practices. Adjoining the urban area and capital city Bhopal, the farmers have direct and easy availability of agro-chemicals and hybrid seeds. These agro-chemicals are normally used without a scientific and judicious approach and finally find way into the lake. As a part of lake conservation measures the Lake Conservation Authority of MP has started an experimental activity promoting organic farming by coordinating organic farm management techniques. Since the experiment was limited to use of organic compost and did not address any other aspect like sustained supply of organic manure, certification of organic products and incentives to compensate the initial losses. Soil Erosion and Siltation: Repeated tillage in the agriculture field and unvegetated wasteland are prone to erosion of top soil during rainy season and this silt is diverted to the lake by the inlet channels and rivulets. Kolans and Uljhavan, two main rivulets drain the entire rural catchment into the lake. Afforestation and construction of civil structures was undertaken by the Bhoj wetland project in the rural catchment area on mass scale. To control inflow of silt from the catchment area and thereby reduce silt accumulation and pollution in the lakes 75 silt traps and 2 check dams were constructed across 31 inlet channels in the rural catchment. A massive afforestation programme was undertaken by Bhoj Wetland project and 1.7 million plants were planted in about 1000 ha area creating a three-tier buffer in the lake periphery. This includes roadside and river embankment plantation. 8. The main beliefs of ILBM in the framework

of Upper Lake Six pillar approach of ILBM in context to Upper Lake are as follows. In India there are several governmental agencies which are involved in utilization, management and conservation aspects of the natural resources. In MP recently, Lake Conservation Authority of MP has been constituted by the Housing and Environment Department of Govt. of MP being the nodal agency for lake conservation activity. Policies: Similarly the constitution of India categorically emphasizes on protection of our natural wealth including water through its various articles. Various acts and rules

have also been enacted by the central and state governments in this connection. Mainly the following legal instruments are in force to provide specific guidelines for lake, Environmental (Protection) Act: 1986, Water Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Rules 1975 with amendments made in 1978 and 1988, Wildlife Protection Act: 1972. Peoples Participation: Since there is a clear-cut segregation of rural and urban catchment in the case of Upper Lake of Bhopal, the former being the direct user of the lake and the later being considered to be the polluter, there is a possibilities of conflict between the two. This envisages the role of civil society in the conflict resolving and developing a linkage between the two. Technological Possibilities: In the present situation of Upper Lake the two main difficulties faced by authorities in conserving the system is sewage diversion and another is catchment area treatment. Knowledge Sources, availability of knowledge base is a requirement for any management plan for any water body. Department of Limnology in actively involved in research activities which was established in 1980 and is working actively till date. A project sponsored by Man and Biosphere Committee of Ministry of Environment of Forests (Govt. of India) in 1984 was a major knowledge base for the decision makers to start lake conservation activities. Later, many such studies paved way to identify the problems of the lakes and its possible solutions which culminated into a massive conservation plan for Bhoj wetland. It has been experienced in the cases where external funding was mobilized for lake conservation, no post project sustainability could be ensured due to lack of budgetary provisions. In case of Upper Lake the JBIC support ended with some left over fund which is being used to generate interest to run the functioning of Lake Conservation Authority of MP. This can be a model approach and still need due attention of authorities. Since the lake has a multiple stakeholders from governmental level also, separate budgetary provision can be made for each department which can be spent in coordination of LCA-MP. 9. Feasible alternative and Solutions The ILBM approach has already been started in Bhopal with special reference to Bhoj Wetland. Recently, Barkatullah University Bhopal organised a brain storming session, in association with ILEC, Japan, IAAB, Hyderabad and LCA-MP. This session was attended by a diverse group of stakeholders. The proposal of the session can be considered as promising options and solutions. There should be utmost emphasis on basin of Lake Ecosystem. Bhoj Sarovar Samvardhini will be established as the ILBM platform for future actions. It will be a common podium involving diverse stake holders and also will act as a thin tank to generate ideas for long term sustainability of lake ecosystems. Lake Pollution Index (LPI) based on select parameters will be developed for Bhoj wetland for effective identification of degradation and effective interventions. Eco-technologies and other

ILBM in Conservation and Management of Bhoj Wetland (Upper Lake): A Ramsar Site of Bhopal (India) 39

ecological interventions should complement technology based conservation measures. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) need to be more rigorously undertaken before any developmental activities in and around a lake. Present EIA procedure needs to be made more effective. Ways and means need to be explored to enhance interest of common man in the lakes and their management. An annual lake festival could be organized mainly to inform people on environmental status of the lake. University and professional college students can take up projects on different aspects of Lake Ecosystem and help in generating knowledge resources. A synergy needs to be established between basin and lake communities. This will require much more imagination and innovation. 10. References P. Shrivastava and G.H. Joshi, Status Report of Upper

Lake of Bhopal, Submitted to EPCO, 1992 P. Shrivastava, G.H. Joshi, Vipin Vyas and Abha Swarup,

Observations on the Management of A Tropical Wetland Ecosystem, J. Hydrobil. Vol. X, No. 1. 15-28, 1994

V. Valecha, V. Vyas and R. Valecha, Rehabilitation of The Twin Lakes of Bhopal, In Ecology and Pollution of Indian Lakes and Reservoirs P K Misha Ed. Pp 93-97, 1995.

M. Sahadevan, V. Vyas and P. Shrivastava, Biodiversity

of Aquatic Vegetetation in Upper Lake of Bhopal, In Conservation of Aquatic Resources. S. N. Dwivedi Ed. Pp 135-142, 2000

Amit Chaurasia, Landuse/ Landcover Pattern in the

Catchment Area of Upper Lake of Bhopal, M.Sc. Dissertation submitted to Barkatullah University, Bhopal

(India), 2000 M.S. Kodarkar, Bhoj Wetland of Bhopal, In Brain

Storming Session on ILBM, Pp 60-62, 2009 S.M. Mishra, Conservation and Management of Bhoj

Wetland of Bhopal, India, In World Lake Vision Action Report (ILEC), Pp 168-180, 2007

R. K. Bisaria, Sewage Treatment System of Bhopal,

M.Sc. Disseratation submitted to Sikkim Manipal University, India. 90 Pp, 2009

Paper 7

Ecological Engineering and Ecotechnological Applications for Lake Pollution Control in India

Sandeep Joshi

Shrishti Eco-Research Institute (SERI), B-106, Devgiri, Sinhagad Road,

Pune – 411 030, Maharashtra, India Tele: 91-020-24253773, Telefax: 91-020-66206539

Email: [email protected] Abstract: Ecological engineering has emerged as an integration of ecology and engineering concerned with the design, monitoring and construction of human relationship with ecosystem for exchange of energy, food and waste. Ecotechnology is an applied knowledge and skill that searches for accomplishing human needs with minimal ecological disruption, by binding and subtly maneuvering natural forces to leverage their beneficial effects. Sustainable engineering that can reduce damage to ecosystems, adopt ecology as fundamental basis, and ensure an orientation of precaution in the implementation of the conservation of biodiversity and sustainable management of the lake water quality with legitimate uses can be considered as viable and cost effective control of pollution. Ecotechnology is the discipline of sustainable development. Ecological engineering practices can facilitate restoration of the lake environment for the survival, development and economy of society through the integration of engineering and ecological principles. Ecotechnology has the essence of collective intelligence from the beginning of life on the earth 3.5 billion years ago to the present with proven expression of multi-species intelligence keeping away drastic and irreversible consequences when something wrong, unexpected happens. Hence, it is imperative to obtain knowledge and understanding about the structure and functioning of ecosystems and their particular susceptibilities. Keywords: Ecology, engineering, ecotechnology, lake, pollution control 1. Introduction As per CPCB’s observations, there are about 233 class - I cities in 14 major river basins of India. There population is about 105 crores. These cities have been partially covered with sewerage system – 24% only. Therefore almost 76% of the untreated sewage from these cities reaches to freshwater bodies mainly rivers and lakes. Class -II cities don't have sewerage systems at all for the collection of sewage. Just collection of the sewage is not enough. It should be further purified also. So, all these city wastewaters are naturally taken to the nearby rivers and lakes by nallas and odhas (streams - natural drains). These natural drains in the cities are serving as sewerage lines. The water quality of surface water bodies including lakes during 1995 to 2006 found that the organic and bacterial

contamination were continued to be critical due to discharge of domestic wastewater mostly in untreated form from the urban centres of the country. It is noticed by the prime institution of India – Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) - in the field of environmental monitoring in India that the urban local bodies were not able to treat increasing the load of municipal sewage flowing into water bodies without treatment1, for example Chandola Lake at Ahmedabad (36 mg/l), Hussain Sagar Lake, Budamaru, A.P (33 mg/l), and Ujjani Reservoir, Jaikwadi Reservoir in Maharashtra as observed by the other study groups like Indian Association of Aquatic Biologists (IAAB). In the present context of inconsistent rainfall and increased flashfloods, the receiving water bodies also do not have adequate water for dilution of pollution. As a result, the oxygen demand and bacterial contamination is increasing gradually. This is responsible for water borne diseases in the command area where the water is supplied for drinking and irrigation purpose. The water quality monitoring results were analyzed with respect to indicator of oxygen consuming substances (Bio-chemical demand) and indicator of pathogenic bacteria (total coliforms and faecal coliforms). The surface water bodies are subjected to present eutrophication levels due to modernisation and acceleration of urban growth and industrialization in late eighties. In a physical survey of 25 lakes in urban and semi-urban areas as a part of lake restoration programme by SERI it is observed that the magnitude of problems varies with socioeconomic development and religious-cultural status of the community surrounding the lake water body. 2. Attempts to Reduce the Pollution of Lakes due

to Urban Discharges Ecosystems in urban systems were first discussed in the modern world by Seifert and H. T. Odum in 1930s latter on by Mitsch and Eugene Odum in detail. Indian Civilist (having knowledge of civic processes) Chanakya understood the impacts of civilization on the surrounding environment and tried to develop rules to protect ecosystems from the negative impacts of human activities. Even then understanding the ecological processes is


relatively new branch of knowledge which has culminated into ecological engineering and ecotechnology. Ecotechnological systems have been developed 15 – 16 years ago through scientific rigorous lab scale, pilot studies, and field trials to evolve process and design parameters considering the biochemical kinetics and confirming the applicability for domestic as well as industrial wastewaters. These applications involved vertical eco-filtration (Soil Scape Filter) with surface – subsurface application, overland – subsurface flow (Green Channel), lentic community succession (Hydrasch Succession Pond), horizontal eco-filtration (Green Bridge), aquatic ecological principles (Green Lake System), phytofiltration, biox (biological oxygenation) and entire ecosystem approach (Brown Biodiversity Park). With the experience of 15 – 16 years, it can be stated that mechanization and operational costs of the wastewater treatment systems can be reduced substantially by incorporating and implementing the ecological treatment systems in the USES. Ecological Engineering and Ecotechnology for Pollution Treatment Ecological engineering has emerged as an integration of ecology and engineering concerned with the design, monitoring and construction of human relationship with ecosystem for exchange of energy, food and waste. The other definition of ecological engineering is given as the design of sustainable ecosystems intends to integrate human society with its natural environment. All sustainable engineering that can reduce damage to ecosystems, adopt ecology as a fundamental basis, and ensure an orientation of precaution in the implementation of the conservation of biodiversity and sustainable development may be considered as forms of ecotechnology. Ecotechnology is essentially the discipline of sustainable development. Ecological engineering practices can facilitate restoration and preservation of the environment health for the survival, development and economy of society through the integration of engineering and ecological principles. An ecologically sound approach to engineering considers that nature responds thoroughly, constantly and cumulatively. Ecotechnology operates within the borders of ecosystem rather than infringing on or contravening or overcoming it. Ecotechnology has the essence of collective intelligence from the beginning of life on the earth 3.5 billion years ago to the present with proven expression of multi-species intelligence. Ecotechnological solutions are flexible and magnanimous as possible, thus keeping away drastic and irreversible consequences when something wrong, unexpected happens. Ecological engineering and eco-technologies are dependent on the self-designing abilities of ecosystems and natural forces. When changes occur in the ecotechnological systems due to external inputs, biogeochemical cycles and food chains

are reorganized and balanced. Certain species are preferred to adapt to the changes. A new self-motivated order – food chain, tropic levels eventually are emerged suitable to the changes superimposed on it. Thus the ecological engineering and eco-technologies are distinguished from conventional engineering technology owing to focus on, and use of, biological species, communities, and ecosystem processes. Thus, the ecotechnologies are more suitable for the point and non-point sources of urban wastes generated in the lake basins and catchment of rivers as compared to the conventional mechanized systems. The mechanized systems transform one form of pollution into another form. Application of Ecotechnological Treatment Systems With the initiatives from private sectors and civil society organizations, the ecotechnological systems were successfully installed for the field scale applications in the catchment of Ujjani Reservoir. Studies on ecotechnology were initiated in 1991-92 but first field scale plant was installed in 1996 on mixture of domestic and industrial wastewater after evaluation of pilot plant performance using the same principles. Civil society organizations and military educational institute supported for field scale application of ecotechnology for pollution from non-point sources – for pollution flowing through Bhosari stream in Pune collecting wastewater from industrial and residential areas. Experiences of Treatment of Polluted Urban Streams in the Ujjani Catchment First of its kind Sparkling Stream project was executed in 200318,19,20 with the combined efforts of Shrishti Eco-Research Institute, Clean River Committee, Cummins foundation and College of Military Engineering. This was developed with clear objectives listed as effective removal of color and odor, organic and inorganic pollutants, and use of the treated water for the further beneficial uses (Table 1). The Bhosari stream enters into the CME premises after crossing the Nashik - Pune Highway no. 50 near Bhosari. It received wastewaters from the residential and industrial areas of Bhosari to the tune of 70 MLD. The water was highly contaminated with various organic and inorganic pollutants. It was densely black colored stinking water in the stream. This water was treated effectively using natural technologies like Stream Eco-System, Green Bridge and Green Lake Eco-System. The successful implementation of the ecotechnological scheme was encouraging to treat the waste streams arising from the non-point sources. With support of corporate houses and 12 NGOs in Pune the two streams – Sandvik and Ambil – were selected for the purification and beautification. In a joint monitoring of technology validation programme, in association with SERI, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board conducted sampling and testing for 7 days. It is

Ecological Engineering and Ecotechnological applications for lake pollution control in India 43

found that the treated water COD concentration was more or less as compared to the variations in untreated water. It can be concluded from the following graph, that ecotechnological treatment scheme can absorb the diurnal variations of pollution loading. 3. Brown Biodiversity Park It’s a unique concept to treat the liquid and solid waste using ecological principles and ecosystem components considering waste converting microorganisms as key role players. Then, the bioconverted products can be used by green plants and other organisms in different tropic levels as nutrition. It’s a controlled cycling of material and energy in biogeochemical cycles of simulated artificially developed ecosystem. Actually, all the ecological biomachinery at work when the wastes are discharged into the catchment of lake. For that matter entire catchment of 14500 sq. km of Ujjani Reservoir is being used by nature to correct the aberrations caused by waste streams. The brown biodiversity park waste treatment system can be as shown in Fig. 6. The Brown Biodiversity Park is affordable concept to reduce the cost of investment and energy requirement substantially and at the same time the area requirement will be about 240 ha for Pune’s wastewaters to give natural quality water which then can be comfortably used for any use with regular water works treatment and disinfection. It can be added with methane generation unit by concentrating biodegradable sludge. This will have advantage in absorbing the additional wastewaters generated from the upcoming development in the highly urbanised catchment of Ujjani reservoir. Figure 6: Simulation of ecological systems as Brown

Biodiversity Park to treat city wastes.

Presently, the wastewater generation from the Pune – Pimpri Chinchwad urban and industrial sectors is estimated as to tune of 1600 MLD. Development trend is that the cities would double up wastewater generation in next twenty years. Then the energy requirement would be 3000 MW21 just to treat wastewater with conventional systems. The energy crisis is reaching new heights time and now, then how the electricity would be made available for the future waste treatment systems. Hence, there is a need to look at waste management from the point of view of energy availability and to develop strategic action plans to use ecosystem approach in future. 4. Treatment of Sewage from Residential,

Commercial and Institutional Complexes Any urban residential complex like apartments, colonies and societies, with commercial complexes like hotels, shopping malls and multiplexes, hospitals and institutions like schools, colleges and government office complexes. Innovative idea is to use sewage eco-treatment units parallel to roads in the city – in Pune city, total length of the roads is 1800 km out of which 25 % are having width 24 m. If the width of about 2 – 4 m of Green channel for the sewage treatment is added to 24 m, then it will ease the problem of sewage conveyance to outskirts of city and issues like rehabilitation raised due to lying of sewage pipeline. Advantages of this scheme in the cities and settlements will be - minimum electricity requirement and treated wastewater can be used for road washing, cooling fountains in the squares, recharging of groundwater and rivers. 5. Benefits of Living Systems in the Treatment of

Pollution It’s a two prong action – detritus feeding organisms consume the pollutants (because its nutrient for them) and wastes generated from this process are useful for green plants and secondly, the green plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Thus, the pollutants get transferred to natural cycle’s i. e. biogeochemical cycles of carbon and other elements. Carbon gets stored in vegetation and subsequently in the soil. Plants store carbon in the forms of live biomass. Once they die, the biomass becomes a part of the food chain again and eventually enters the soil as soil carbon. This is natural process which doesn’t need electricity at all. Hence, the ecotechnologies – using ecological engineering principles to treat pollution – have immaculate advantage on energy intensive technologies. The role of vegetation in carbon deposition is the suitable option which offers the potential in human systems to function as a carbon sink. If Punekars use ecotechnology,


they can earn crores of rupees through proper liquid and solid waste management. 6. Institutional Mechanism 1. Urban and industrial zoning and planning considering

the terrain, watershed, local climatic conditions 2. Planning in compliance with contemporary siting

conditions and evolving some with local conditions to protect the integrity of the environment while developing the region

3. Ecoplanning will involve the resources and waste management concurrent with development and population growth to make it sustainable city - city has major components as a part of urban processes - energy security in the form of electricity, oil for transport, domestic sector, industrial sector and common facilities, water security for present and future demands, food for all, conservation and protection of natural plantation and urban forestry, liquid and solid waste generation and management

4. Ecoplanning will consider the energy, water and waste balance sheet of the city.

A riverine and lake health and culture should be the focus in Regional Economy and Development (RED) as it is the most important component in Lake - River Catchment Management (LRCM). A river links various cities, villages, urban, agrarian and ecological systems – forms River Culture with Nature. The civil societies flourished along the rivers from thousands of years. Every human, semi-human and natural ecosystem needs inputs from surrounding and waste dumping areas for survival and sustenance. Piling of wastes creates unhealthy condition for the life, which leads changing of physicochemical properties of freshwater resources, groundwater and land. This illness (changes in the healthy status) of water, air, soil and food harms the human as well as ecological health. This illness of water, air, soil can be termed as pollution. The pollution and health are important issues as far as welfare of society and nature is concerned. They become the really ethical issues to bring the prosperity in harmony with nature. So, the environmental quality is the key to public health or well-being. An institutional mechanism – on the basis of prime medical institution attached with hospital for every freshwater body – is proposed herewith having focus on quality watch, ecological health, pollution treatment and human well-being. This will cater the need of scientific approach with understanding of ecological engineering, and socio-economic evaluation for the overall events and interactions in the River Basin as a whole unit. 7. Rural and Urban Water Resources

Management World is moving ahead with great pace in this 21st millennium of modern world towards the sustainable

development while coping with climate change having objectives of pure water supply for everybody and complete sanitation to protect environment from pollution. The community wastewater from village settlements can be dealt with innovative approaches to convert it into resources. The National Environment Policy of India suggests that wetlands can be used as alternative technology to capital intensive municipal sewage plants (statement on page 33). It is suggested that not to use natural wetlands but construct new ones to treat wastewaters. This will be right approach to use and recycle community wastewater as a nutritional resource for farming as a component of total integrated water resources management programme. The corporations, municipal councils of cities and towns, panchayats and local administration of villages with co-operative societies of farmers can be updated, trained and educated for using ecofriendly techniques for their effective waste management – including liquid and solid wastes. 8. Action plan shall involve • To identify the critically polluted stretches of rivers,

streams and lakes • To undertake water body pollution control projects

anywhere in India without any administrative restrictions

• To keep water body under observations till it gets thoroughly cleaned

• To implement innovative techniques in combination with judicious selection of other environmental technologies in removing pollution from the water bodies and ensuring their continued improved ecological health in future

• To develop constantly new techniques best suited to the local conditions, instead of applying monoculture approach

• To guide pollution monitoring authorities in their respective projects to improve their performance in pollution control activities

9. Action Steps This can be explained briefly as:

1. To establish a Lake Watch / River Watch unit 2. To develop `Training Unit’ 3. To establish groups of technologists, analysts and

naturalists for success of the restoration project 4. To form `Lake Basin Management’ research

group and stakeholders group for maintaining the water quality of Natural / Reservoir – Artificial Lakes

5. Interaction with local, regional, national and international groups and agencies

6. Outreach – formation of Jal – Mitra Mandals and educating river-lake-friends at school level

7. To form and train local groups with public participation for the routine operations and maintenance of treatment systems or schemes

Ecological Engineering and Ecotechnological applications for lake pollution control in India 45

10. References Joshi, S. 2000. Ecotechnological treatment for Industrial

Wastewater containing Heavy Metals, Journal of Indian Association of Environment Management. 27 (2): 98 – 102.

Joshi, S. 2003. Analysis report of river samples collected

during 2nd Jal Dindi expedition submitted to Maharashtra Pollution Control board and Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of Maharashtra.

Joshi, S. 2004 Report published in Indian Express on

Pune’s Dead Rivers. Joshi, S. 2006 – 07. Reports on Restoration of Pushkar

Lake submitted to Pushkar Administration through Purana Rangji Mandir Samittee, Pushkar, Dist. Ajmer, Rajasthan State, India.

Joshi, S. 2007. City Development and Environment. In

Pune 2020 edited by Vivek Velankar et al. Published by Development Council of India, Pune Municipal Corporation, Pune. pp. 197 – 208.

Joshi, S. 2007. Ecological Intelligence for Civil

Environmental Responsibility. SERInews, 1 (9): pp 2-3.

Joshi, S. 2007. Ecotechnology for the treatment of city

wastewaters. Presentation to Planning Commission, Government of India.

Joshi, S. 2007. Sustainable Management Plans for Urban

Lakes in India. Paper presented in 12th World Lake Conference held at Jaipur by Ministry of Environment and Forests of India and ILEC, Japan.

Joshi, S. 2008. Unpublished data. Joshi, S. 2009. Ecological Engineering and Ecotechnology

to Save the Economy, Market, Human Life and Ecosystems from the Impacts of Climate Change, SERInews, emagazine vol. 3 no. 11, July 2009. Pp. 2

Joshi, S. 2009. Urban System with Ecological Security

(USES) for surface water body, SERInews, July 2009.

Joshi, S. and J. Avadhoot. 2005. Analysis report of river

samples collected during 3rd Jal Dindi expedition from rise of Mutha river to Pandharpur submitted to Jal Dindi Pratishthan, Pune.

Joshi, S. and S. Joshi. 2007. Ecotechnological applications

for the control of lake pollution. 12th World Lake Conference held at Jaipur by Ministry of Environment and Forests of India and ILEC.

Joshi, S., S. Joshi, P. Dhotekar and P. Kapole. 2007.

Comparative Statement on performance of ecotechnology in treating Pune’s polluted drains. Submitted to Principal Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of Maharashtra, India.

Kodarkar, M.S. 1995. Conservation of Lakes (with special

reference to water bodies in anda round Hyderabad). Published by Indian Association of Aquatic Biologists, Hyderabad.

Pathak, P., S.K. Jeste, S. Joshi, and V.S. Ghole. 2001.

Assessment of performance of ecological treatment units to industrial wastewater. International conference on Industrial Pollution and Control Technologies, organised by Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad, India.

Ranade, V. 2007. Lake Management – Issues and

Challenges – A Case Study of Ujjani Reservoir in Maharashtra (India). World Lake Vision Action report. pp. 217 – 224.

Shrishti Eco-Research Institute, Pune, India, unpublished

data. Sinha, P. and S. Joshi 2007. Use of Green Bridge and

Green Lake Systems to Treat Polluted Streams in Pune City. Proceedings of Workshop on Potential of Ecotechnology in water Supply and Sanitation by Shrishti Eco-Research Institute at Pune. Pp. 33-34.

www.cpcb.nic.in/water.php www.weikipedia/ecological engineering and

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecotechnology accessed on 30/06/2009

Lessons Learning Session I:

Lake Conservation in Nepal Chaired by Dr. Tirtha Bahadur Shrestha

Biodiversity Expert

Paper 8

National Lake Strategic Plan for Nepal Process and Contents

Ukesh Raj Bhuju

Consulting Advisor, National Lakes Conservation Development Committee Background Established in 2007 with the primary objective of conserving and developing the country's lakes, the National Lake Conservation Development Committee (NLCDC) envisioned the strategic plan within its scope of policy advice, program planning and implementation, public awareness, and lake protection. The process of preparing a Strategic Plan includes the five stages, namely i. Conceptualization, ii. Literature Review and Lake Inventory, iii. Appreciative Inquiry and Experts Consultations, iv. Field Consultations and Observations, and v. Consultative Workshops and Documentation. The four major partner organizations involved in the process were the International Union for Nature Conservation (IUCN) Nepal Office, the Nepal Academy of Sciences and Technology (NAST), the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), and the Tribhuvan University - Central Department of Environmental Science (TU-CDES). The researchers of the partner organizations covered 49 out of 75 districts for the purposes of field consultations and observations in and around the lakes (Table 1). Table 1: List of district consulted by different

parterres organizations

NAST NTNC TU-CDES Arghakhanchi Kaski Achham Dhading Lamjung Bajura Dhankuta Manang Dailekh Dhanusha Mustang Dandeldhura Dolakha Myagdi Doti Gorkha Nawalparasi Ilam Gulmi Parbat Jhapa Kavrepalanchok Parsa Panchthar Mahottari Rupandehi Surkhet Makwanpur Tanahu Taplejung Morang Baglung Nuwakot Banke Palpa Bara Ramechhap Bardiya Rasuwa Chitawan Saptari Dang Sarlahi Kailali Sindhuli Kanchanpur Sindhupalchok Kapilbastu Sunsari

A strategic plan on lakes of Nepal was a timely need when significant conservation achievements have been

made in the country including the 1988 National Conservation Strategy, the 2002 Nepal Biodiversity Strategy, the 2002 Water Resources Strategy Nepal, the 2003 National Wetlands Policy and the 2005 National Water Plan Nepal. The field teams consisting of 113 researchers conducted district level consultation meetings and 97 focus group discussions in 49 districts where over 1,700 participants shared their views. Rapid ecological surveys of 229 lakes were carried out (Table 2). Table 2: Persons Involved and Consulted in District

Consultations

Partners Team

Members Districts Persons Consulted

FGD DCM Total

NAST 38 20 145 392 537 NTNC 29 19 150 350 500

TU-CDES

54 10 454 215

669

Total 121 49 749 957 1706 A national workshop was organized to finalize the preliminary draft strategic plan that was prepared on the basis of the issues and suggestions gathered from the center to the fields. A draft document of the strategic plan was adopted with the four main sections, as follows:

A. Context Introduction, Lakes of Nepal, Policy, Ecology, Livelihood, Issues and Suggestions, Identification, Categorization

B. Programs Vision and expectations, Goals, Objectives, Actions, Priority

C. Business plan

Budget Estimation and Breakdown, Human and Physical Resources identification, Financial Resources, Partners identification, Implementation mechanism and Working principles

D. Annexes List of Contributors, Criteria of Prioritization, Line Item Budget, Schedule and Program Budget, Human Resources, Locations and Key Partners

The following background papers were also prepared during the process SP01 Concept Paper - Conceptual Framework on the

Process of Strategic Plan Preparation SP02 Lakes of Nepal: 5358 - A Map Based Inventory

Report SP03 tfntn}of ;+/If0f;DaGwL gLltut / sfg'gL Joj:yf -sfo{ kq_

50 National Seminar on “ILBM

SP04 Theme Paper: Natural Science - Scientific Understanding of Lakes and Ponds

SP05 Theme Paper - Socio-Economic Aspect of the Lake Ecosystems in Nepal

SP06 Issues and Suggestions Paper (Excerpts of Appreciative Inquiry, Experts Consultation and Field Consultation and Observation) (Report)

SP07 Proceedings - National Workshop December 29, 2009 (2066 Poush 14) Tuesday

The map based lake inventory listed 5,358 lakes in Nepal. According to the altitudes, 2,712 lakes (51%) are confined below 499m, and 2,111 lakes (39%) above 4,000m. Only 10% lakes are distributed in the midhills ranging between 500 and 3,999m altitudes Table 3: Altitudinal Distribution of Lakes in Altitudes (meter) Number of Lakes

Below 499 2,712 500-2,999 419

3,000-3,999 116 Above 4,000 2,111

Total 5,358 Of the total 75 districts, 74 contain lakes. There are 21 districts containing less than nine lakes, and 16 districts containing over 100 lakes. Among the remaining 38 districts, 16 contain lakes between 10 and 29, and 22 contain between 30 and 99. The eight districts with high number of lakes are Humla (381), Taplejung (380), Kapilbastu (351), Solukhumbu (339), Rupandehi (289), Banke (243), Dhanusa (230) and Dolpa (210). The lake strategic plan would complement the past strategies that left lakes to be separately addressed. There are over two dozens of Acts and Regulations that are relevant to lake ranging from forest and protected areas, to agriculture and irrigation. The main policies and strategies pertinent to lakes are the 2003 National Wetlands Policy, the 2002 Nepal Biodiversity Strategy, the 2002 Water Resources Strategy Nepal, the 2005 National Water Plan Nepal. Nepal is a party to several international convenpertinent to lakes including the Ramsar Convention. Since its accession to the Convention on April 17, 1988,

0

10

20

30

40

50

Per

cent

age

Pop

ula

tion


Scientific ding of Lakes and Ponds

Economic Aspect of the Lake

SP06 Issues and Suggestions Paper (Excerpts of Appreciative Inquiry, Experts Consultation and Field Consultation and Observation) (Report)

ational Workshop December 29,

5,358 lakes in Nepal. According to the altitudes, 2,712 lakes (51%) are confined below 499m, and 2,111 lakes (39%) above 4,000m. Only 10% lakes are distributed in the midhills ranging between 500 and 3,999m altitudes (Table 3).

Altitudinal Distribution of Lakes in Nepal

Number of Lakes % 51 8 2 39 100

Of the total 75 districts, 74 contain lakes. There are 21 districts containing less than nine lakes, and 16 districts containing over 100 lakes. Among the remaining 38 districts, 16 contain lakes between 10 and 29, and 22

ht districts with high number of lakes are Humla (381), Taplejung (380), Kapilbastu (351), Solukhumbu (339), Rupandehi (289),

and Dolpa (210).

The lake strategic plan would complement the past parately addressed. There

are over two dozens of Acts and Regulations that are relevant to lake ranging from forest and protected areas,

The main policies and strategies pertinent to lakes are the 2003 National Wetlands Policy, the 2002 Nepal Biodiversity Strategy, the 2002 Water Resources Strategy Nepal, the 2005 National Water Plan Nepal.

Nepal is a party to several international conventions pertinent to lakes including the Ramsar Convention. Since its accession to the Convention on April 17, 1988,

Nepal’s eight lakes have been recognized as Ramsar Sites. They are Rara tal, Phoksundo tal, Gosainkunda, Gokyo, Mai Pokhari, Beeshazar tal, Jand Ghodaghodi tal. In Nepal, a general terminology to denote lake in Nepali language is Tal (pronounced Taal) which generally refers to large water bodies of natural origin. Beside this, there are few other synonyms are Pokhari, Daha. It is estimated that nearly one fourth of Nepal’s biodiversity is wetland/lake dependent. plants provide food, forage and cover for both domestic and wild animals. About 172 species of the major wetland plants have been reported. Out of in Nepal, 193 are known to be dependent on wetlands. Of these wetland-dependent species, about 187 are known to be dependent on the wetlands of the Terai. About 17% of the Nepali population from 21 ethnic communities have traditionally based their livelihood on wetland. Lakes in all the ecological ranges have high religious and cultural values. Although there is no clear ownership over the lakes, they are managed by various institutions including the Village Development Committees, user groups, trusts etc. The resources of lakes were used for multiple purposes including irrigation, livestock management, domestic purposes, recreation, hydropower production, ecotourism etc. Lake resources have been used for various resources of lowland lakes were used mostly for irrigation, followed by plant as food, animal as food while other use includes water for cattle use, bathing, washing etc. It was found that midland lakes were highly used for recreational purposwimming. Water of midland lakes was found to be used for drinking purpose as it was not observed in lowland lakes. It was studied that midland lakes were more exploited for their resources use than lowland lakes. There are a number of highland lakes where water has been in use for human as well as animal drinking purpose. Highland lakes have been used for recreational purpose and water as a drinking source, where the lakes has been equally exploited for religious, traditional medicine and water for animal purposeresource uses in all the ecological zones are traditional medicine, recreation and religeous

Lowland

Midland

Highland

Figure 1: Lake Resource Use

for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes” March 26-29, 2010

Nepal’s eight lakes have been recognized as Ramsar They are Rara tal, Phoksundo tal, Gosainkunda,

Gokyo, Mai Pokhari, Beeshazar tal, Jagdishpur reservoir

In Nepal, a general terminology to denote lake in Nepali (pronounced Taal) which generally refers

to large water bodies of natural origin. Beside this, there are few other synonyms are Kunda, Sagar, Sarowar

. It is estimated that nearly one fourth of Nepal’s biodiversity is wetland/lake dependent. Wetland plants provide food, forage and cover for both domestic and wild animals. About 172 species of the major wetland

ted. Out of 874 bird species found in Nepal, 193 are known to be dependent on wetlands. Of

dependent species, about 187 are known to be dependent on the wetlands of the Terai.

About 17% of the Nepali population from 21 ethnic ve traditionally based their livelihood on

wetland. Lakes in all the ecological ranges have high religious and cultural values. Although there is no clear ownership over the lakes, they are managed by various institutions including the Village Development Committees, user groups, trusts etc. The resources of lakes were used for multiple purposes including irrigation, livestock management, domestic purposes, recreation, hydropower production, ecotourism etc.

used for various purposes. The resources of lowland lakes were used mostly for irrigation, followed by plant as food, animal as food while other use includes water for cattle use, bathing,

It was found that midland lakes were highly used for recreational purposes like boating and swimming. Water of midland lakes was found to be used for drinking purpose as it was not observed in lowland lakes. It was studied that midland lakes were more

sources use than lowland lakes. highland lakes where water has

been in use for human as well as animal drinking purpose. Highland lakes have been used for recreational purpose and water as a drinking source, where the lakes has been equally exploited for religious, traditional

and water for animal purpose. The common resource uses in all the ecological zones are traditional medicine, recreation and religeous activities (Figure 1).

Highland

National Lake Strategic plan for Nepal Process and Contents 51

Issues and suggestions pertinent to lakes were identified and collected at various stages of strategic planning process, especially appreciative inquiry, expert's consultation, field consultations and observations. They are categorized into three main components, namely policy (governance), natural science (conservation) and livelihood (sustainable development). The policy related issues are pertinent to Definition, Delineation, Nomenclature, Planning, Legislation, NLCDC organization, Partnership and Coordination, Commitments for Ramsar Convention, and Community User Groups. The issues and suggestions pertinent to natural science include Indicator Species, Water Quality,

Water Bodies, Database, Watershed management, and Education and Research. Similarly, the livelihood issues and suggestions are on Sustainable Living, Community management, Tourism, Sustainable Use, Lake Education and Awareness, and Physical Infrastructures. Program The Vision and Goal of the strategic Plan have been made compatible to the organizational goals of NLCDC. The plan contains a logical framework that stipulates purposes and outputs backed with activities and indicators. They are summarized under the three main domains (Table 4).

Table 4: Summary of Outputs and Selected Activitie s

Outputs Selected activities

Go

vern

ance

• umbrella legislation for conservation, sustainable use and equitable distribution of lake resources

• NLCDC transformed into a fully authorized body

• partnership and coordination among lake stakeholders

• a system of implementing commitments to the Ramsar convention

• 2,500 lakes community user groups formed

• Initiate lake registration systems at District Development Committees and NLCDC

• Establish Lake Management Information System • Initiate Lakes coordination forum • Prepare and implement Ramsar sites management

plan • Conduct public awareness and extension

programs

Lak

es C

on

serv

atio

n

• Key indicator aquatic species of micro and macro fauna and flora stabilized

• water quality of the representative 500 sample lakes brought within the acceptable limits

• water bodies of 1,000 priority lakes and the land use of their surroundings restored and/or maintained

• library, documentation center, lake database, education, and research works institutionalized

• prepare and implement key indicator species conservation plans

• develop protocols for water quality monitoring in the lakes

• monitor water quality in 500 sample lakes • prepare bathymetric maps of 1,000 priority lakes • develop lake database systems • upgrade NLCDC library and documentation

center • prepare and implement lake components in the

land use/watershed management plans • establish lake education and research center

Su

stai

nab

le D

evel

op

men

t

• standard of living of 50,000 households improved from sustainable fishery and aquatic plant harvests, eco-tourism, and other lake related income opportunities

• 1,000 lakes are managed by the local communities

• visitors increased in lake-tourism potential districts

• lake dependent households participated in lake conservation

• Small physical infrastructures (e.g. trails, sign posts, sheds), basic services (e.g. drinking water, boating), and conservation activities (e.g. lake clean-up) established and institutionalized in 25 priority districts

• Organize training for lake dependent households in sustainable fishery, plants harvesting techniques and ecotourism activities

• Initiate income generating activities from lakes • Initiate community management of lakes • Prepare and implement eco-tourism operational

plans in 25 lake districts • Prepare and implement lakes conservation

education action plans for schools and communities

• Establish lake museums and information centers in five priority lake districts

• Develop lake friendly physical infrastructures (e.g. trails, sign posts, sheds), basic services (e.g. drinking water, boating), and conservation activities (e.g. lake clean-up)


The five criteria adopted for the prioritization of lake districts are as follows (Table 5):

Table 5: Scales and Scores for Prioritization* Criteria Very Low 1 Low 2 Medium 3 High 4 Very High 5 Number of lakes (NLCDC, 2009)

< 71 72 to 142 >143 to 213 214 to 284 285 and above

Human Population (CBS, 2009)

up to 177,852

177853 to 344194 344195 to 510536 510537 to 676878

676879 and above

Human Development Index (UNDP, 2004)

Less than 0.400

0.400-0.449 0.450- 0.499 0.500- 0.549 0.550 and over

Watershed conditions (DSCWM, 2009)

Good Fairly Good Marginal Poor Very Poor

Conservation significance (NBRB, 2007)

None At least one recognition

Up to two recognitions

Up to three recognitions

More than three

recognitions * Details of calculations are given in the Annexes of the Strategic Plan Business plan The total budget for the implementation of the activities is Rs1,369,100,000. Its allocations are as follows: 32% for the construction, 28% for the equipment, 12% each for the remuneration and human resource development, 9% for travel and 7% for the office running costs.

Similarly, of the total budget, 55% has been allocated for the livelihood components, 41 for the natural science, and 4% for the policy (Table 6). Reflecting on the schedule of the strategic plan, the budget trend rises in the third and fifth years when most of the activities especially construction works will be concentrated.

Table 6: Budget Breakdown by Line Items (Rupees in Thousands)

Com

pone

nts

Rem

uner

atio

n

HR

D

Tra

vel

Equ

ipm

ent

Con

stru

ctio

n

OR

C

Tot

al

Policy 9,300 13,150 9,100 2,450 8,900 6,700 49,600 Natural Science 37,950 38,700 32,300 210,500 211,000 35,500 565,950 Livelihood 122,700 112,350 88,500 165,000 216,000 49,000 753,550 Total 169,950 164,200 129,900 377,950 435,900 91,200 1,369,100

% 12 12 9 28 32 7 100

Of the total 6,798 person-months of professionals that will be required for the implementation of the strategic plan, 73% will be engaged in the implementation of livelihood activities, 22% in the natural science and 5% in the policy (Figure 2). Most of the equipment costs have been included under the natural science and livelihood.

Similarly physical infrastructure construction and production of materials have been identified mostly under the components of livelihood and natural science. The main potential sources of funds considered for the purposes of the Strategic Plan implementation include the government budget, the NLCDC Internal Source and the grants from various donor partners. Considering their key roles and technical strengths in respect to the activities identified in the Strategic Plan, twenty four partner organizations have been identified. They range from the government ministries and departments to the national and international nongovernmental organizations. The NLCDC will lead, facilitate and/or coordinate depending upon the nature of the works identified in the strategic plan. The partner organizations may either implement independently or jointly. NLCDC and partner organization will consider active participation of the stakeholders during implementation (Figure 3).

186, 5%

Science, 759, 22%

Livelihood,

Figure 2: Human Resources (person-months)

Policy,

Natural

2454, 73%

National Lake Strategic plan for Nepal Process and Contents 53

Acknowledgements • Participants of the appreciative inquiries including

senior professionals, officials of the government, non-government and donor organizations, tourism entrepreneurs

• Researchers of the International Union for Nature

Conservation (IUCN) Nepal Office, the Nepal Academy of Sciences and Technology (NAST), the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), and the Tribhuvan University - Central Department of Environmental Science (TU-CDES)

• Participants of the focus group discussions, district level consultations and central level workshops and meeting

References Bhuju, Dinesh Raj and S. Sharma. 2010. Scientific

Understanding of Lakes and Ponds. Kathmandu: National Lakes Conservation Development Committee (Theme Paper Prepared for the National Lakes Strategic Plan, March 2010)

Bhuju, Ukesh Raj, P.R. Shakya, T.B. Basnet, and S. Shresha. 2007. Nepal Biodiversity Resource Book 2007: Protected Areas, Ramsar Sites and World Heritage Sites. Kathmandu: ICIMOD, Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, Nepal Nature dot Com, UNEP

Bhuju, Ukesh Raj, M. Khadka, P.K. Neupane and R.

Adhikari. 2009. Lakes of Nepal: 5358 - A Map Based Inventory, National Lakes Strategic Plan Preparation (Report). Kathmandu: Government of Nepal, Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, National Lakes Conservation Development Committee (November 2009)

CSUWN. 2010. Simsar Varnamala. Kathmandu:

Conservation and Sustainable Use of Wetlands in Nepal

DNPWC and WWF. 2006. Factsheet Rara Lake.

Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation and WWF Nepal Program

DOAD. 1992. National Fisheries Development Plan,

1992/93. Fisheries Development Division,

Figure 3: Implementation Mechanism of the National Lake Strategic Plan

Implementation

Conceptualization and Draft Preparation

NLCDC

Review and Feedback from Partners (NAST, NTNC, MTCA Planning division

DHM, DNPWC, DSCWM, DoF)

Finalization of Plans/Proposals NLCDC and Partners

Submission for Funding

Joint Programs NLCDC and Partners

Independent Programs

NLCDC Partners

Donors for Grant

Government for Annual Budget

NLCDC Internal Source

NLCDC and Partners

Partners NLCDC

Joint Programs Independent Programs

Coordination with Stakeholders Monitoring, Evaluation and Feedback


Department of Agriculture Development, HMGN, Kathmandu, Nepal.

http://www.ramsar.org/cda/en/ramsar-

home/main/ramsar/1_4000_0__ 30/07/2010 http://www.ramsar.org/cda/en/ramsar-pubs-annolist-

annotated-ramsar-16499/main/ramsar/1-30-168%5E16499_4000_0__ August 5, 2010

IUCN-Nepal. 1996. An Inventory of Nepal’s Wetlands.

IUCN-Nepal, Kathmandu. Jnawali, S.R., J.B. Karki and S. Adhikari. 2010. Socio-

Economic Aspect of the Lake Ecosystems in Nepal. Kathmandu: National Lakes Conservation Development Committee (Theme

Paper Prepared for the National Lakes Strategic Plan, March 2010)

Mool, P, S.R. Bajracharya, and S.P. Joshi. 2001.

Inventory of Glaciers, Glacial Lakes and Glacial Lake Outburst Floods: Monitoring and Early Warning Systems in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan Region – Nepal. Kathmandu: ICIMOD

Survey Department. 2007. Topographical Sheets field

verified during 1992 & 2001 (1:25,000 and 1:50,000 scales). Kathmandu: Survey Department, Government of Nepal

http://www.dos.gov.np/bigmap.html

Paper 9

A Case Study of Raja-Rani Lake in Dhankuta District

Rajendra Khanal1 and Juna Giri2

1Project Coordinator IUCN, Nepal 2M.Sc. Environmental Science, Khwopa College, Rresearch fellow, IUCN

Abstract: Wetlands in Nepal possess outstanding significance. Though high biological, economic, cultural/religious and recreational values and of crucial importance to local livelihood, most wetlands in Nepal are under considerable threats of loss and degradation. Due to heavy dependence, negligence for their conservation and management and inadequate research wetland are in verge of extinction. Raja-Rani Tal (Lake) has its own importance is too facing the problem of loss and degradation. Till to date any research has not been carried out on this Tal from any institution and sector. There is lack of information about the threats that causes loss and degradation of Raja-Rani Tal. Therefore, it seems necessary to carry out detail study about the existing threats. Thus collected information will benefit organization, communities, local people and stakeholders for the conservation and management of this site and area. So this study is planned to carry out with technical and financial support from IUCN. Keywords: Biodiversity, community, conservation, threats. 1. Introduction Raja-Rani Tal is located in Raja-Rani VDC of Dhankuta District in eastern Nepal. This is a mid-hill wetland which is situated at the base of the Mahabharat range at an elevation of 1610masl (26o52'52.2"N & 87o26'8.6"E). It is at a distance of 35km from Dharan and lies at the middle part on the way to east. Raja-Rani Tal is surrounded by small hills such as Basantatar in the east, Dadabazar in the west, Mainabudhuk in the north and Patigaun in the south. Bio-climatically it lies in the subtropical zone with annual rain-fall 1200mm per year, average annual temperature-maximum 20oC and minimum -4oC and humidity 85%.

Figure 1: Social map of Raja-Rani VDC

2. Methodology Primary Data- The primary data collection is the task of fieldwork phase, where field visit in the research area was carried out (22 to 28 February). Transect walk, questionnaire survey, key informant interview, direct field observation and focus group discussion was done during field visit to collect primary data. Secondary Data- The secondary data collection is the task of desk work phase, where number of literature study was carried out through the review of available literatures. Visit to different departments, NGO, searching various website related to the study area was also done. 3. Result Biodiversity of Raja-Rani Lake The study area harbors diverse species of plants, birds, and animals. They are listed below. Different plant species; shrubs, herbs, trees, fodders, flowering plants, medicinal and aromatic plants, NIFPs were observed in the watershed of Raja-Rani Lake such as Alnus nepalensis, Schima wallichii, Shorea robusta, Castanopsis indica, Rhododendron sp , F.lacor, boom grass, Swertia chirrata, etc. of which Alnus nepalensis is the one among the dominant species as above. The study area is the home for various kinds of bird species; such as Red jungle fowl, Red-Vented Bulbul, Scaly Thrust, Spiny Babbler, Commen Koel, White-throated Kingfisher hoopoe Asian Pied starling. Raja-Rani Lake supports animal species like Pangolin, hare, deer, leopard, porcupine, jungle cat, jungle cat, jackal, goral, squirrel, and bats. Also reptile golden monitor lizard called sun ghori in Nepali was listed from the study area. Community role in the conservation Conservation activity is being initiated in Raja-Rani Lake through local effort. At present about 10 ha area of Rani Lake has been conserved by removing invasive species. A dam of 25m long and 1m width has been constructed on the southern part to store water in Rani Lake which is shown in figure 2.


Figure 2: Dam construction

Wetland dependency People living in the Raja-Rani Lake are the main wetland resource users. They depend on wetland for fodder, livestock grazing and fishing. Grazing as well as fodder collection is common in and around the Lake area. Fish farming is being leased for three years. Existing Threat to Raja-Rani Lake Raja-Rani Lake is facing the problem of (a) pollution; solid waste disposal, discharge of domestic sewage deteriorates lake environment that enhances the growth of invasive species in lake, (b) sedimentation; Lake receives significant amount of sediment load during rainy season from adjacent hills, agricultural land and bank cutting, (c) encroachment; land conversion for agricultural practice and infrastructure development are two main cause for loss of Raja-Rani Lake, (d) invasive species; entire area of Raja-Rani lake remain under grown by excessive growth of invasive species: toadrush (guth), cat tail (pater), water cress (sim rayo), and other water weeds.

Figure 3: Invasive species

4. Conclusion

Wetlands are arguably the most important ecosystem on the planet providing essential services that sustain healthy wildlife population, human communities and economic. Raja-Rani Lake has its own significance in terms of biodiversity, hydrology, social culture, religious, scenic beauty, and economic values. It is the habitat of spiny babbler which is the endemic species of Nepal. It offers


Dam construction

Rani Lake are the main wetland nd on wetland for fodder,

livestock grazing and fishing. Grazing as well as fodder collection is common in and around the Lake area. Fish

Rani Lake is facing the problem of (a) pollution; solid waste disposal, discharge of domestic sewage deteriorates lake environment that enhances the growth of invasive species in lake, (b) sedimentation; Lake receives

ad during rainy season from adjacent hills, agricultural land and bank cutting, (c) encroachment; land conversion for agricultural practice and infrastructure development are two main cause for

Rani Lake, (d) invasive species; entire area of Rani lake remain under grown by excessive growth

of invasive species: toadrush (guth), cat tail (pater), water cress (sim rayo), and other water weeds.

Invasive species

Wetlands are arguably the most important ecosystem on the planet providing essential services that sustain healthy wildlife population, human communities and economic.

Rani Lake has its own significance in terms of biodiversity, hydrology, social culture, religious, scenic

t is the habitat of spiny babbler which is the endemic species of Nepal. It offers

great potential of eco-tourism which has two folded advantage; firstly it enhances conservation of wetland and secondly it provide economic benefit to local people which helps to uplift their livelihood. Despite its importance and significance it is facing the problem of loss and degradation due to lack of management and conservation. Local communities recognize the importance and are willing to conserve RajaRani Lake as a result conservation practice is being initiated from local effort. The main constrains for its management and conservation are lack of research and financial resources. 5. References

Bhandari, Bishnu B., (2005), High Altutude Wetlands of

Nepal- Views & Reviews and Conservation. IUCN, Nepal.

Bhandari, Bishnu B., (2009), Preliminary Inventory of

Nepal's Wetland. Kathmandu, IUCN Nepal. Bhuju, U.R., Shakaya, P.R., Basnet, T.B. and Shrestha,

Subha. (2007), Nepal Biodiversity Resource Book. ICIMOD, MOEST & UNEP, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Chaudhary, R.P, (1998), Biodiversity in Nepal

Conservation, Bangkok, Thailand. CSUWN, Simsar Varnamala. GEF and UNDP,

Katamandu, Nepal. IUCN Nepal (2004), A Review of the Status and Threats

to Wetland in Nepal. MFSC (2002), Nepal Biodiversity Strategy, UNDP &

GEF, Kathmandu, Nepal. MFSC, (2003), National Wetland Policy (2003), IUCN,

WWF, DNPWC, Kathmandu, Nepal. Sha, J.P. (1997), Koshi Tappu Wetland, Nepal's Ramsar

Site. IUCN, Bangkok, Thailand.Sherstha, T.B. (1999). Nepal Country Report on

Biological Diversity. Kathmandu, IUCN Nepal. WWF, Factsheet, Wetlands of Nepal. WWF Kathmandu,

Nepal.

Websites 1. www.ramsar.org 2. www.google.org 3. www.wetlandnepal.com4. www.bcn.com


tourism which has two folded advantage; firstly it enhances conservation of wetland and secondly it provide economic benefit to local people

ps to uplift their livelihood.

Despite its importance and significance it is facing the problem of loss and degradation due to lack of management and conservation. Local communities recognize the importance and are willing to conserve Raja-

result conservation practice is being initiated from local effort. The main constrains for its management and conservation are lack of research and

Bhandari, Bishnu B., (2005), High Altutude Wetlands of Reviews and Conservation. IUCN,

Bhandari, Bishnu B., (2009), Preliminary Inventory of Nepal's Wetland. Kathmandu, IUCN Nepal.

Bhuju, U.R., Shakaya, P.R., Basnet, T.B. and Shrestha, Subha. (2007), Nepal Biodiversity Resource Book.

NEP, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Chaudhary, R.P, (1998), Biodiversity in Nepal- Status and Conservation, Bangkok, Thailand.

CSUWN, Simsar Varnamala. GEF and UNDP,

IUCN Nepal (2004), A Review of the Status and Threats

2002), Nepal Biodiversity Strategy, UNDP &

MFSC, (2003), National Wetland Policy (2003), IUCN, WWF, DNPWC, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Sha, J.P. (1997), Koshi Tappu Wetland, Nepal's Ramsar Site. IUCN, Bangkok, Thailand.

(1999). Nepal Country Report on Biological Diversity. Kathmandu, IUCN Nepal.

WWF, Factsheet, Wetlands of Nepal. WWF Kathmandu,

www.wetlandnepal.com

Morphometry, Water Quality and Sedimentation of Phewa Lake, Pokhara,

Shrestha, Gyan Kumar Chhipi

1 Lecturer, Central Department of Environmental Science (CDES), Tribhuvan University

2 Engineering Geologist, Department of Electricity Development, GoN; Guest Faculty, CDES

Abstract: The Phewa Lake is one of the prominent tourist attractions of Pokhara close to Annapurna Mountain Range. The morphometric parameters were determined by the field survey in September and October, 2007 whereas for the analysis of water quality, the field survey was carried out in October, 2009. The depth of Phewa Lake was measured by randomly dipping Heavy Grab sampler at 107 sites of the lake and the site was located using GPS (Global Positioning System). These sites and depths were plotted in digital topographic map and calculated morphometric parameters using GIS software ArcView 3.3. Altogether, 25 sites were selected for water quality determination and Von Dorn water sampler was used to collect water samples from different depths of each site. The dissolved oxygen of surface water is above 5 mg/L indicating suitable for aquatic life however it is lower than that at deeper water. This indicates that the water quality of the lais gradually started its deterioration at some sites due to the inflow of open drainage containing sewage and solid wastes. The Phewa lake having water of volume of 30,358,882 m3 and maximum depth of 22.75 meters has high sedimentation that is triggered by bank erosion of the inlet streams, intensive land use practice without due consideration to soil erosion and frequent debris flow in the steep slopes. Therefore, there is an urgent need to control sedimentation and also organic load infthe lake. For this, complete catchment should be taken into action and local funds can be generated through Payment for Ecosystem Service (PES) mechanism. Keywords: Bathymetric map, morphometry, sedimentation, water quality 1. Introduction

Phewa watershed lies in the Mahabharat Range and is situated in the western part of Pokhara Valley, Kaski District of Nepal. It lies within the latitude of 2828°17′26″ N and longitude of 83°48′02″

which drains into Phewa Lake. The topogfrom 850 m at the lake to 2500 m at Panchaase peak. The major river of the catchment, the Harpan Khola drains into Seti River and thus forms part of the Gandaki (Narayani) river basin. The climate is humid subto humid temperate by a monsoonal rainfall pattern. Mean temperature at Pokhara (850m) ranges from 12Dec/Jan. to 25°C in July/August. Average annual rainfall is 3850mm (Airport, elev. 854m) to 5200mm (Lumle

Paper 12

orphometry, Water Quality and Sedimentation of Phewa Lake, Pokhara, Nepal

, Gyan Kumar Chhipi1 and Pradhan, Ananta Man Singh

1 Lecturer, Central Department of Environmental Science (CDES), Tribhuvan University([email protected] )

2 Engineering Geologist, Department of Electricity Development, GoN; Guest Faculty, CDES([email protected] )

The Phewa Lake is one of the prominent

tourist attractions of Pokhara close to Annapurna Mountain Range. The morphometric parameters were

ptember and October, 2007 whereas for the analysis of water quality, the field survey was carried out in October, 2009. The depth of Phewa Lake was measured by randomly dipping Heavy Grab sampler at 107 sites of the lake and the site was

(Global Positioning System). These sites and depths were plotted in digital topographic map and calculated morphometric parameters using GIS software ArcView 3.3. Altogether, 25 sites were selected for water quality determination and Von Dorn water

was used to collect water samples from different depths of each site. The dissolved oxygen of surface water is above 5 mg/L indicating suitable for aquatic life however it is lower than that at deeper water. This indicates that the water quality of the lake is moderate but is gradually started its deterioration at some sites due to the inflow of open drainage containing sewage and solid wastes. The Phewa lake having water of volume of 30,358,882 m3 and maximum depth of 22.75 meters has

by bank erosion of the inlet streams, intensive land use practice without due consideration to soil erosion and frequent debris flow in the steep slopes. Therefore, there is an urgent need to control sedimentation and also organic load inflow into the lake. For this, complete catchment should be taken into action and local funds can be generated through Payment for Ecosystem Service (PES) mechanism.

Bathymetric map, morphometry,

watershed lies in the Mahabharat Range and is situated in the western part of Pokhara Valley, Kaski District of Nepal. It lies within the latitude of 28°11′37″ to

′02″ to 85°59′18″ E which drains into Phewa Lake. The topography varies from 850 m at the lake to 2500 m at Panchaase peak. The major river of the catchment, the Harpan Khola drains into Seti River and thus forms part of the Gandaki (Narayani) river basin. The climate is humid sub-tropical

monsoonal rainfall pattern. Mean temperature at Pokhara (850m) ranges from 12°C in

C in July/August. Average annual rainfall t, elev. 854m) to 5200mm (Lumle

1662 masl). Pokhara valley is an anticlinorium whose axial plane runs NW-SE almost parallel to Seti River. Pokhara velley is fluvio-glacial and partly lacustrine deposit whose parent materials throughout the watershed is grey-phyllitic schist. Sub-tropical Riveraine forest is found near the Lake and lower reaches of Harpawhere Castanopsis spp., Alnus sppdominant. The land cover map of the Phewa watershed is shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1: Land cover map of Phewa watershed

Figure 2: Sampling sites for water

Phewa Lake is one of the prominent tourist attractions of Pokhara close to Annapurna Mountain Range It supplies water for Hydro Electricity Power Station and irrigation to approx. 320 hectares of agricultural land. Conservation of Phewa Lake from siltation and pollution has become a topic of national interest. The lake watershed lies in the fragile physiographic region which experiences intense monsoon rainfall events. Intensive land use and construction of roads without due consideration to

orphometry, Water Quality and Sedimentation of Phewa Lake, Pokhara,

, Ananta Man Singh2

1 Lecturer, Central Department of Environmental Science (CDES), Tribhuvan University

2 Engineering Geologist, Department of Electricity Development, GoN; Guest Faculty, CDES

1662 masl). Pokhara valley is an anticlinorium whose SE almost parallel to Seti River.

glacial and partly lacustrine deposit whose parent materials throughout the watershed

tropical Riveraine forest is found near the Lake and lower reaches of Harpan khola

Castanopsis spp., Alnus spp, and Schima spp. are The land cover map of the Phewa watershed is

Figure 1: Land cover map of Phewa watershed

Figure 2: Sampling sites for water

Phewa Lake is one of the prominent tourist attractions of Pokhara close to Annapurna Mountain Range It supplies water for Hydro Electricity Power Station and irrigation to approx. 320 hectares of agricultural land. Conservation

and pollution has become a topic of national interest. The lake watershed lies in the fragile physiographic region which experiences intense monsoon rainfall events. Intensive land use and construction of roads without due consideration to

58 National Seminar on "ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes" March 26-29, 2010

conservation measures are the major causes of erosion process in the watershed. This has transported enormous amount of sediments to the lake, thus reducing its capacity. 2. Methodology

For the determination of morphometric parameters and preparation of bathymetric map, the field survey was conducted in September and October, 2007. The depth of Phewa Lake were measured were measured manually by randomly dipping Heavy Grab sampler at 107 sites of the lake and the site was located using GPS (Global Positioning System). These sites and depths were plotted in digital topographic map and calculated morphometric parameters using GIS software (ArcView 3.3 software). For the analysis of water quality, the field survey was carried in October, 2009. Water sampling sites were selected using transect lines in combination with random procedures. Altogether, 25 sites were selected for water sampling which is shown in Fig. 2 and water samples were collected using Von Dorn water sampler. The water quality was analyzed using APHA 1998 and Trivedi and Goel 1987. 3. Results

Morphometry The morphometric parameters of the Phewa Lake are given in Table 1.

Table 1: Morphometric parameters

Parameters Value Shape Elongated irregular Maximum depth 22.75m Mean depth 11m Surface area 4.473 km2 Shoreline 19.275 km Maximum length 4.352 Km Width 1919.68 m Water volume 30,358,882 m3 Mean basin slope 120

Bathymetric Map The bathymetric map of the lake is shown in Figure 4. The maximum depth observed was 22.75 meters in the lake. However, deep trenches of nearly 20 meters depth were observed in two areas at the southern parts near Anadu village. Water Quality The water quality status of the lake is shown in Tab. 2. Dissolved oxygen, one of the best indicators of water quality, of different sites is shown in Fig. 3. Similarly, the vertical distribution of temperature and dissolved oxygen for the typical site 19 is shown in Fig. 5 and 6.

Figure 3: Variation of Dissolved oxygen at different site

Figure 4: Bethymetric Map of Phewa Lake

Table 2: Water quality of Phewa Lake Parameters Mean ±S.D. Range Temp. (0C) 24.82± 1.01 23.00 - 28.00 Dissolve Oxygen (mg/L) 7.87± 1.17 5.27 - 9.65 Chloride (mg/l) 36.50 ± 40.85 0.98 - 151.37 pH 7.61 ±0.41 6.80 - 8.20 Total Hardness (mg/L as CaCO3)

26.82 ± 14.42 0.16 - 50.00

Total Alkalinity (mg/L as CaCO3)

46.08± 14.41 25.00 - 90.00

Secchi disc transparency (m)

3.40 ± 1.05 1.41 - 4.90

EC (uS/cm) 40.60± 19.40 17.00 - 60.00 Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L)

26.39 ± 12.61 11.05 - 39.00

Figure 5: Vertical variation of temperature at site 19

0 5 10 15

1

4

7

10

13

16

19

22

25

Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)

Site

y = 4.75x - 121.4R² = 0.912

-20

-15

-10

-5

0

21 22 23 24 25 26

Dep

th (

m)

Temperature (0C)

Morphometry, Water Quality and Sedimentation of Phewa Lake, Pokhara, Nepal 59

Figure 6: Vertical variation of Dissolved oxygen at site 19

The mean Secchi disc transparency of the lake was 3.4 ±1.05 m and ranged from 1.41 to 4.90 m classifying it as ‘turbid’ (between 0.25 m to 2.5 m) to ‘clear’ (between 2.5 m to 25 m) based on classification of water bodies of the Asian Wetland Inventory (AWI) Manual 2002. The turbidity may be due to siltation from feeding streams, addition of organic load through drainage and polluted streams. Similarly, the mean dissolved oxygen content of the lake was 7.91 ±1.16 mg/L and varied from 5.27 to 9.65 mg/L. The dissolved oxygen of the surface water was always above 5 mg/L indicating suitable for aquatic life whereas the deeper layer water had dissolved oxygen below 5 mg/L indicating less suitable for aquatic life including fishes. The dissolved oxygen decreased towards bottom probably because of less oxygen production (photosynthesis) at the bottom layer water due to light attenuation inside water and less phytoplankton population at higher depths. In addition, the surface water is in direct contact with the atmospheric oxygen whereas the inner is not. The chloride content of the lake water was 36.50 ± 40.85 mg/L and ranged from 0.98 to 151.37 mg/L. In pristine freshwater, chloride concentrations are usually lower than 10 mg/L and sometimes below 2 mg/L. Therefore, some sites were still pristine whereas others are polluted by the inflow of drainage. The probable sources of chloride are weathering of some sedimentary rocks, sewage effluents, agricultural and road run-off. This shows that the water quality of the Phewa lake was moderate but is gradually started its deterioration at some sites may be due to the inflow of open drainage containing sewage and solid wastes. Sedimentation Sedimentation is one of the major concerns of this lake that has threatened its life. The estimated water volume of the lake is 30,358,882 m3 with the maximum depth of 22.75 meters. However, DSC in 1994 measured the maximum depth of 23.4 m and estimated the original lake volume of 37,765,030 m3 with the annual sedimentation rate of 175,000 to 225,000 m3 and Sthapit and Balla in 1999 observed the maximum depth of 23.6 m and estimated the lake capacity of 42.18 million m3 with the annual sedimentation rate of 180,000 m3. It shows that the lake volume is highly decreased at present. It is probably due to siltation. However, the large difference

may be partly due to the difference in seasons of study and different methods used for the various investigations. The high siltation in the lake may be due to the high bank erosion in the stream particularly in Harpan khola which is triggered by intense rain and intensive land use practice without considering the soil conservation measures. In addition, the larger portion of the lake basin is comprised by moderate to high slope represented by the Kuncha Formation made up of grey-green phyllites and quartzites and Fagfog Quartzite. These slopes are highly prone to landslides generating loose sediments to be eroded easily and deposited in the lake. The landslide hazard map also termed as Sediment Resource Map of Phewa watershed shows that 28% of the area is under high hazard zone, 61% under moderate hazard zone and 10% under low hazard zone. It has mapped 68 landslides covering about 4.94 sq km in the Phewa basin. For the control of sedimentation, the complete catchment should be taken into action rather than confining within shoreline. The local people should be mobilized and local funds can be generated through Payment for Ecosystem Service (PES) mechanism like boating levies, fish levies, water use fees, pollution charge etc. 4. Conclusion

The Phewa Lake having area of 4.473 sq. km and water of volume of 30,358,882 m3 has the maximum depth of 22.75 meters. It has two deep trenches each more than 20 meters. The water quality of the lake is moderate but showed the water quality deterioration at some sites. The lake is under severe pressure of sedimentation triggered by high bank erosion of the inlet streams, intensive land use without due consideration to soil erosion and frequent debris flows in the high slopes. There is an urgent need to control sedimentation and also organic load inflow. For this, complete catchment should be taken into action and local funds can be generated through Payment of Ecosystem Service (PES) mechanism. Acknowledgment Authors would like to thank the students of MSc in Environmental Science (2007/08 and 2009/2010 batch). 5. References

APHA/AWWA/WEF (American Public Health

Association/American Water Works Association/ Water Environment federation). 1995. Standard methods for the examination of Water and Waste water, 19th edition, American Public Health Association. 1015 Fifteenth Street, NW, Washington DC.20005. pp 1–4 to 3-76, 4-12, 5-15, 9-53, 9 – 63, 10-58, 10-70, 1998.

Asian Wetland Inventory (AWI). 2002. Manual, A

Manual for an Inventory of Asian Wetlands Version 1.0. C.M. Finlayson, G. W. Begg, J. Howes, J. Davies, K. Tagi and J. Lowry. Wetlands International Global Series 10. pp 37.

y = 2.565x - 24.99

R² = 0.924-20

-15

-10

-5

0

5

0 5 10 15

Dep

th (

m)

Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)

60 National Seminar on "ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes" March 26-29, 2010

CEC. 1978. Council Directive of 18 July 1978 on the quality of freshwaters needing protection or improvement in order to support fish life. (78/659/EEC) CEC (Commission of European Community) Official Journal. L/222. 1 – 10 pp, 1978.

DSC. 1994. Sedimentation Survey of Phewa Lake. HMG

Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation, Department of Soil Conservation (DSC), Research and Soil Conservation Sections. June 1994. pp 1-26.

Environment Canada. 1987. Canadian Water Quality

Guidelines (with updates). Prepared by the Task force on Water Quality Guidelines of the Canadian Council of Resource Ministry, Environment Canada, Ottawa.

Golterman, H.L., P.G. Sly and R.L Thomas1983. Study

of the Relationship between Water Quality and Sediment Transport. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Paris, pp 231.

Pradhan, A.M.S. 2008. Probablistic Landslide Hazard On

Regional Scale Using Gis-A Case Study From Phewa Watershed, Nepal In: Bulletin of Department of Water Induced Disaster Prevention.

PTTR. 1985. Management plane for the integrated development of phewa watershed 1980-1985. Phewa Tal Technical Report no. 12. FOD/NEP/74/020 field document. Kathmandu, 1980.

Sthapit and Balla. 1998. Sedimentation Monitoring of

Phewa Lake, Kaski, Nepal. In: Sustainable Forest Management. Proceedings of an International Seminar 31 Aug -2 Sept 1998. Institute of Forestry, Tribhun University, Pokhara, Nepal. Ed: Mathema, I.C Dutta, M. Balla and S. N. Adhikary. Pp 317 – 327, 1999.

Trivedi, R.K., and P.K. Goel. 1986. Chemical and

Biological Methods for Water Pollution Studies. Department of Environmental pollution, Karad, India. pp 1-75.

UNESCO. 1996. Water Quality Assessments – A Guide

to Use of Biota, Sediments and Water in Environmental Monitoring – Second Edition. Chapman, D.(ed.) on behalf of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). E and FN Spon, an imprint of Chapman and Hall.

Lessons Learning Session Continue

Lake Conservation in Nepal Chaired by Adlina S. Borja

Chief, Research and Development, Head of Carbon Finance Unit Laguna Lake Development Authority, Club Manila East Compound, Taytay Rizal, Philippines Scientific Committee Member International Lake Environment Committee Foundation Kusatsu, Shiga Prefecture, Japan

Paper 11

Conservation and Sustainable Use of Wetlands in Nepal: Lessons from the Ghodaghodi Lake Area, Western Nepal

Top B. Khatri1 and Shalu Adhikari1*

1Government of Nepal, Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation, Conservation and Sustainable Use of Wetlands in Nepal (GoN/UNDP/GEF), Babermahal, Kathmandu, Nepal

* Corresponding author- [email protected]

Abstract: With occupancy of 2.6% of the total land mass, wetlands are some of the most diverse and productive ecosystems in Nepal that are spread across different physiographical zones. With a representation of 9 wetlands of international importance, Ghodaghodi Lake Area (GLA) situated in the Far-Western Terai of Nepal was designated as the Ramsar site in August 2003. This paper is a review of experience and lessons learnt through intervention carried out by Conservation & Sustainable Use of Wetlands in Nepal (GoN/UNDP/GEF) in order to conserve and manage the GLC through active participation of local communities. With defined outcomes and targeted outputs, the project has been successful in creating a baseline on the socio-economic dimension by identifying 37.6% as wetland dependent communities (WDCs) and establishing Cotton Pigmy Goose, Marsh Mugger Crocodile and Wild Rice as biological indicator species for GLA. To foster inter-sectoral cooperation and coordination among stakeholders, the project has been successful in establishing a Multi-Stakeholder Forum, an apex body for conservation & wise use of GLA. The project aims to come up with a comprehensive catchment level management plan to address the current and contemporary issues related to wetland conservation, its ecological integrity and wise use of its resources. Keywords: Wetlands, Ghodaghodi Lake Area, Local participation, Indicator, Management plan, Ecological integrity 1. Introduction Wetlands are some of the most diverse and productive ecosystems in Nepal. It is estimated that wetlands cover about 2.6% of the country's total surface area (NBS, 2002) and are spread across different physiographic zones. These wetlands range from permanent fast flowing rivers to seasonal streams, high altitude glacial lakes to low land oxbow lakes, ghols to swamps and marshy lands, river flood plains to paddy fields and from constructed reservoir to village ponds. Owing to the significance of wetlands on various aspects like biodiversity richness, livelihood of wetland dependent community, culture and religious importance, Nepal became a signatory to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands on 17th April 1988. Presently, Nepal now has nine wetlands of International Importance. This paper is a review of experience and lessons learnt through intervention carried out by Conservation and Sustainable

Use of Wetlands in Nepal in order to conserve and manage one of terai's important wetland Ghodaghodi Lake through active participation of local communities. 2. Conservation and Sustainable Use of

Wetlands in Nepal Conservation and Sustainable Use of Wetlands in Nepal (CSUWN) is a joint undertaking of the Government of Nepal (GoN), Global Environment Facility (GEF) and United Nations Development Program (UNDP). The project is executed by Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation (MFSC). Department of Forests (DoF) and Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) are the major partners of the project. The project has a broader goal to ensure the maintenance and enhancement of wetland biodiversity and environmental goods and services for improved local livelihoods in Nepal. It aims to strengthen national and local capacity in ecosystem management and sustainable use of wetland biodiversity in Nepal. The outcome expected by the projects include wetland biodiversity conservation values integrated into national policy and planning framework; strengthened national institutional, technical and economic capacity and awareness for wetland biodiversity conservation and sustainable use; and enhanced collaborative management of wetland resources for conservation and sustainable livelihood. The project is being implemented in two Ramsar sites of Nepal: Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve (KTWR) and Ghodaghodi Lake Area (GLA) since 2009. Figure 1: Map of Nepal with PAs and the project sites (Source: CSUWN)

64 , , National Seminar on “ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes” March 26-29, 2010

3. Ghodaghodi Lake Area (GLA) With an area of 2726 hectare (ha), GLA is spread over Darakh, Ramsikharjhala and Sandepani VDCs of Kailali district at an altitude of 205m asl in Western Nepal. The area was designated as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Wetland Convention on 13th August 2003 (Ramsar No. 1314). The land cover type of the area includes forest 52.5%, degraded forest 3%, grassland 1.8%, agriculture land 34.5%, highway/greenbelt 0.5%, sand/riverbed 1.6% and lakes 6.1%. GLA includes 20 natural, permanent or seasonal lakes with area ranging from 2 to 138 ha, the largest being the Ghodaghodi Lake followed by Nakhrodi and Baishwa. Most of the lakes remain marshy during dry season except Ghodaghodi and Nakhrodi. These lakes receive water from direct precipitation, watershed and small streams. GLA harbors about 34 species of mammals, 450 species of plants and 140 species of birds, both migrant and resident, representing over 16% of national avifauna (Project document, CSUWN 2009). The lake hosts about 1% of the Asian population of Cotton Pigmy Goose (Nettapus coromandelianus). A total of 29 fish species have been recorded including the threatened Puntius chola and the endemic Notopterus notopterus and Oxygaster bacaila. The area is an important wildlife corridor between the terai and the Siwalik hills. The total population of the area is about 57,064 from 8,249 HHs of which 37.6% are Wetland Dependent Communities (WDC) (Baseline Report, 2009) that directly dependent upon wetland resources for their livelihood. 4. CSUWN at GLA 1. Indicator species established: In order to ensure

ecosystem health, three indicator species based on the threatened status at global level, importance and uniqueness of associated wetlands namely Cotton Pygmy Goose Nettapus coromandelianus, Marsh Mugger Crocodile Crocodylus palustris and Wild Rice Oryza spp were established in 2009. Scientific monitoring protocols have been developed for periodic monitoring of these species. A total of 188 individuals of Goose, 12 individuals of Marsh Mugger were recorded during the count of January 2010. Similarly, 3.6 ha of the area under wild rice have been mapped. Ghodaghodi, Tendi and Tinchatiya lakes harbor wild rice, one of the largest patches in Nepal.

2. A functional Multi Stakeholder Forum (MSF) formed: In order to coordinate, collaborate and cooperate for internalizing wetland's issues and concern into local level planning, MSC has been launched under the Chair of District Forests Coordination

Committee (DFCC) and Wetland Management Committee as its apex body on 22nd February 2010. The members are representative from district level government line agencies, VDC-chair, student's wetland clubs, teacher's network, CFUGs, NGOs and Water User Associations for collaborative management approach for conservation and wise use potential.

3. Area verification of GLA: The area as mentioned in RIS ie, 2563 ha of the GLA was verified using 2.5m spatial resolution image of 2007 and field verification through Global Positioning System (GPS) during 2009. Field maps have been prepared using GIS and the total area covered by GLA is now to be 2726 ha.

4. Catchment level Management Plan prepared: The

project has completed the preparation of catchment level management plan to address the current and contemporary issues related to wetland conservation, its ecological integrity and wise use of its resources. The area included in the plan are Churia ridge in the north, the ridge of Kandra river catchment in the east, the ridge of Doda river catchment in the west (in the Churia hills) and the confluence of these rivers in the plains to give a complete shape.

Water regulation and water recharge potentials, inclusion of potential intakes for water recharge in the GLA and the vertical –horizontal connectivity of Basanta Corridor and Churia range are the basis of the catchment identification.

The plan proposes an area of 9648ha with an overall vision "Improved livelihoods of local communities by their active participation and concerned partners support in wise use of wetlands and its products, sustainable forest resource management, downstream and upstream linkages, biodiversity conservation and protection of Churia hills". Various management interventions have been proposed for specific zones such as different forests, lakes and Lake Buffer, agriculture land and river. Conservation along with development have been given due consideration in the plan. Potential sources for sustainable financing for the implementation of the plan have included while DFCC/MSF is considered as the apex body for planning and monitoring of the programme implementation.

IUCN and WWF have earlier prepared periodic conservation action plan focusing on the lake area to cater to the need of Ramsar Convention. The current management plan will build and value adds on the plan prepared by IUCN and WWF.

The figure below shows a comparison between the current working areas versus the proposed area in the management plan.

Ghodaghodi lake Area: Experience and way forward , 65

Figure2: Current working area Figure 3: Proposed area

5. Way Forward

Though Nepal has put substantial endeavor in conserving its natural resources by setting 23.1% of the total area as Protected Areas but problems of over-exploitation, illegal harvesting, over hunting, fishing and encroachment among others, are still prevalent. Therefore balancing Conservation and Development needs is still challenging in developing country like ours. 6. Conclusion GoN has recognized the importance of wetlands through policy and actions in contributing to biodiversity conservation and livelihoods of the community, and thereby contributing to the MDGs. Sustainable conservation of wetlands rely on how stakeholders' interests are internalized, and communities' roles are respected. CUSWN has been a successful intervention in demonstrating actions of multi-stakeholder forum and participatory management of wetlands in terms of biodiversity

conservation and improving livelihoods of wetlands dependent community in the GLA.

Acknowledgement: The authors take the opportunity to thank the Field Manager, Sukhad, Kailali, Rural Development Foundation for the preparation of the draft plan and finally the ILBM for providing the opportunity to present this paper in the Regional Forum. 7. References Conservation and Sustainable Use of wetlands in Nepal,

2009. Baseline Survey Report, Ghodaghodi Lake Complex, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Conservation and sustainable Use of Wetlands in Nepal,

2006. Project Document, Kathmandu, Nepal. IUCN, 1998. An inventory of Nepal's Terai Wetlands,

IUCN, Kathmandu. Ramsar, 2002. Information Sheet on Ramsar wetlands

(Ghodaghodi lake Area)

Paper 12

Reporting lakes, reporting the universe

Dhurba Basnet and Mohan Mainali

President of Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalists Kathmandu, Nepal [email protected]

Former General Secretary of Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalists Kathmandu, Nepal [email protected]

Abstract: Journalism plays an important role in creating an environment for the conservation, promotion and utilization of Himalayan lakes in various ways. It disseminates information possessed by scientific community and general public. It warns the society about degrading conditions of lakes and its possible consequences on nature and human being. It encourages best practices in lake management. This short paper is based on the experience Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalists (NEFEJ) has gained while producing video reports on Nepal's various lakes of biological, cultural, ecological and religious importance. 1. Introduction Journalism Textbooks of journalism define journalism as an act of transmitting information, ideas and attitudes from one person to another. It uses mass media—print, radio, television and others-- to deliver information, ideas and attitudes to a sizable and diversified audience. A proud journalist tends to claim that human civilization will collapse in the absence of journalism. But there are others who believe otherwise. One of the opposite notions says: "If you don't read newspapers [listen to the radio, watch TV] you are not informed. If you do, you are misinformed." In many countries press (collective name for print, TV, radio and other mass media) is said to be losing its credibility. But in Nepal has different scenario. Various opinion pools carried out in last decades unanimously conclude that journalism has been the most trusted profession in Nepal. With this background in mind we at NEFEJ collect and process information and package information in such a way that we can proudly tell our audiences: Trust me. I am a journalist. NEFEJ Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalists (NEFEJ) was established 25 years ago by a group of journalists and experts on environment to raise awareness on environmental issue through mass media. It has been instrumental in establishing and independent FM radio stations in Nepal, first of its kind in South Asia. It has

been producing a weekly video magazine broadcast currently by Nepal television, state broadcaster and Avenues TV, a private sector satellite channels and many local stations. For us lake is a universe where we as journalists find every issue that a journalist should cover and we can use every genre—news, feature, in-depth and investigative reporting-- we as journalists can use in our profession. 2. Issues related to lakes Genetic resources We report rich area of genetic resources when we report lakes because lakes are not barren water bodies. They contain provide shelter to wide range of flora and fauna including endangered ones. Finance/Business When we report lakes we do reporting on finance and business. Fewa and Rupa lakes are two examples. Fewa support tourism which is main source of income in Pokhara. Fisheries in Rupa lake support large number of local population financially. Wildlife World's endangered wild animals such as rhino, elephant and tiger are an integral part of lakes ecology especially in Nepal's low land. We must report about these animals when we report on lakes. Huge, high altitude water tanks Lakes are huge natural water tanks that provide life to the civilizations downstream. So, we report cover the issue of human civilization when we report lakes. Culture and Religion Nepal is rich in cultural and religious diversity. To respect and promote diverse culture and religion we must report lakes because every culture/religion has maintained very close relationship with water bodies. Gosaikund, a high altitude lake in central Nepal, for example, is worshipped by the followers of Buddhism, Hinduism and Shamnism. News that one use Today news is defined in new way: news people can use. We put this new definition of news into practice when we


report lakes. We disseminate the news about lakes in a ways that people can use for different purposes. 3. Genere Journalism uses various genres to carry out its functions. These are news, feature, in-depth/investigative reporting. When we report about lakes we utilize all these formats. We produce investigate reports on wrongdoings of the people in power—formal and informal power. Lake is a huge sector to do investigative reporting as very survival of most of Nepal's lakes are threatened by the encroachment by powerful people. 4. We do many things through our reporting We try to persuade community, state, or the nation to improve conditions of lakes. We report the achievements made by people regarding lake conservation. We warn people about the degrading condition of lakes. We entertain our audience by showing the lakes and nature around lakes. We Explore and disseminate innovative ideas on conservation and utilization of lakes. We Make people feel proud of the resources they have. We promote tradition of creating, maintaining and utilization of water bodies. We enrich public debate on wise use of lakes and judicious distribution of the wealth the society accumulates through the utilization of lake resources. Finally, we show the way to peaceful and prosperous Nepal through the proper utilization of its lake-based resources. 5. Most recent initiative NEFEJ carried out an aggressive campaign on lakes in collaboration with the National Lake Conservation

Development Committee. Under this project we produced 13 video reports on various lakes. We cover following aspects of lakes in our report:

– Cultural value of lakes – Bio-diversity of lakes – Economic value of lakes – Conservation/utilization practices

All 13 video reports were broadcast by two national TV networks (Nepal TV and Avenues TV) and more than 10 local TV networks. These reports are distributed for narrowcasting through informal and formal networks. We also produce a video documentary on Nepal's lakes. This highlights the importance of Nepal's lakes, threats to the lakes and various steps taken to protect and promote lakes. 6. More needs to be done We call our campaign aggressive because any effort which cannot term aggressive is not likely to solve the problems faced by Nepal's lakes. Nepal's lakes are facing extraordinary problems which demand extraordinary measures. Sometimes, we are asked how much is enough? Our simple answer is: ask the public relations officer of the Coca Cola company or a Bollywood film company or an instant noodles company. As them how much money and creative energy they spend on convincing public to drink their softdrink, or watch their film or eat their junk food. Alternatively, you may compare the space (of newspaper and magazines) and air time of radio and television to promote these product and our product—lakes. Promoting lakes certainly requires more efforts than promoting junk food and junk idea!!!

Visioning the Future Chaired by Prof. Dr. Masahisa Nakamura

Chairman of Scientific Committee Member International Lake Environment Committee Foundation Kusatsu, Shiga Prefecture, Japan Prof. Dr. Ram Prasad Chaudhary Central Department of Botany, Tribhuvan University

Visioning the Himalayan Lake Conservation Initiative Nature and function of the Himalayan lakes is intricate in context of their distributions, socio-economy, religio-culture and politics in and beyond any country in the region like Nepal, China, Bhutan, India and Pakistan. Country focus conservation is therefore required to intervene though the regional importance of the Himalyan lakes also needs maintaining at crux. Viewing the gravity of such importance, a visioning session was scheduled as conclusive session of the nation seminar. Prof. Dr. Nakamura facilitated the session with Prof. Dr. Kodarkar, Prof. Dr. Ram Prasad Chaudhary, Prof. Dr. Madan Koirala, Prof. Dr. Sanjaya Khanal, Prof. Karan Shah, Dr. Dinesh Bhuju and Dr. Tirtha Bahadur Shrestha in the dais further to consolidate the remarks. Other international delegates and the Nepalese experts in the seminar vouchsafed their valuable inputs. Remarks of the session are mentioned below:

Prof. Dr. Masahisa Nakamura, Japan

1. Lake is the science of lentic water system. People often talk about IWRM to address water issues but it

limits its scope within lotic water body dedicated to water business. ILBM differs from IWRM because it talks about science of lentic water evolved from bottom-up approaches. ILBM is relevant to address complex dynamics of lentic water equally compelling for the sustainability of Himalayan lakes.

2. ILBM is a knowledge based management tool generated by scientific community from the study of 28 global lakes. This tool consists of six pillars - Policy, Institution, Participation, Finance, Information and Technology. ILBM is constantly an evolving case. We've database and training module to prepare human resource for it which is still inadequate. We further need to influence donors' funding by persuading policy programs and agenda of environmental water system (i.e. lake as global environmental issues) in order to extending global community for ILBM.

3. Nepali lakes were not included during scientific study in an evolutionary process of ILBM. Nepal has to develop its own source of knowledge, may be database. Some countries are in an early stage of research in lakes. For example, Costa Rica has developed lake strategy on regulating services including knowledge generation. China is focusing on PES for which involvement of naturalists is essential. PES in case of Rupa is another good example, though requires proper documentation.

4. ILEC as a catalyst institution that has been engaged in strengthening capacity in promoting and implementing ILBM in different countries. However, we may need a separate global forum for ILBM.

5. The Himalayan lakes are unique in their nature and functions, and are matchless natural treasure to support ecosystem, biodiversity, socio-economy and religio-culture in Nepal, China, Bhutan, India, Pakistan, and may be other countries. This national seminar is very pertinent footstep in regionalizing HLCI. We may need to have a focal point, programs and actions to materialize the HLCI.

6. A good start to comprehend Himalayan lake issues may require educating ourselves. I often say, lakes are intrigue in nature in their dynamics which needs combination of efforts - hardware, software and heart-ware. A lot of heart-ware is evident in Nepal for ILBM; other efforts are now compulsive to go in parallel. The case studies of some Himalayan lakes are therefore urgent. In this regard, ILEC has developed templates for preparing lake briefs which may be very instrumental and useful for Nepal as well as other countries.


7. We need exploring and extending opportunities for applied researches for the sustainability of Himalayan lakes.

8. Further, we may need to demonstrate an application of ILBM for the sustainable conservation of the Himalayan lakes in some places.

Prof. Dr. Ram Prasad Chaudhary, Nepal 1. Policy issues for promoting and conserving lakes are gaps in Nepal. We require reviewing available

water policies and exploring way forward in having national lake policies to consolidate wetlands programs specific to Himalayan lake conservation.

2. Sustainability of the Himalayan lakes relies on how we address different issues like trans-boundary, regional, national, sub-national and protected areas. It perhaps requires very strong global, regional and national commitments and coordination following CBD articles (10-21) with action agenda that harmonizes participatory and bottom up approaches and functionalizes upward and downward linkages. In many interventions, MDGs are least addressed which should not be the case in the HLCI.

3. Climate change is another awesome dimension the Himalayan lakes are facing these days. The global and regional partnership/ cooperation are urgent to triumph over the impacts of climate change. This national seminar is a break through initiative helping in devising and implementing usable and doable action agenda that are indicative, measurable and timeable.

4. Sustainability is an important aspect here. Our institutions normally disappear as funding gets over. There should strong guideline prioritizing high, medium and low altitude lakes; connecting economics, livelihoods and environment; and regionalize issues. We may learn it from 12-point water resource use plan of Norway

Prof. Dr. M.S. Kodarkar, India 1. ILBM is an inclusive concept that connects both top and bottom up approaches. India has four exemplar

cases. Hussainsagar (Hyderabad), Puskar lake (Ajmer) and lakes of Udaypur. We have learning from establishing a Lake Management Society - a multi-stakeholder forum. This society also had representation from government stakeholders, but it did not function well. However, we'd learning from the functioning of Lake Sarovar Group formed from the involvement of twenty-four grassroot organizations strongly associated with lake environment. Last year, we'd an opportunity to interact with community people of Rupa lake area in Pokhara. This interaction made us to realize that the local group like Sarovar Samridhini Group of India could be replicable in restoring lake condition of Rupa as well as other Himalayan lakes.

2. Lake conservation in India has been moving with tremendous progresses, and learning from ILBM application. We've understood that ILBM is an emerging hope to restore lake environment contributing to the livelihoods of people. We need to generate database as good start by creating a local platform of general people and academia living around lake management.

Visioning the Himalayan Lake Conservation Initiative 73

Dr. Rahat Jabeen, Pakistan 1. Pakistan is exposed to ILBM for the first time by participating in this national seminar. Pakistan also

possesses many lake of the Himalayan nature. We're learning on how ILBM could be useful to concentrate on issues of big and suffering lakes.

2. We understand the importance of Himalayan lakes to maintain ecosystem integrity complementing directly to livelihoods of millions of people; however we also have difficulties within and surpassing over the boundary of nation. HLCI therefore needs be internalized by each country in the Himalayan region.

Mr. Sandeep Joshi, India 1. Lake conservation is an emerging both green and grey areas. As a green area, a strong communication

link with government is required to establish to implement Himalayan lake programs in coordination followed by lake inventory. Mass journalism may probe important to influence wider circle of users and beneficiaries including conservation organizations.

2. HLCI might pose a false impression that higher attention is given only to high altitude lakes, but equal attention should be given to medium and low altitude lakes of the Himalayan region.

3. As a grey area, Himalayan lake conservation should be viewed in terms of collaborative management among national and regional partners.

4. Lake map is a foundation of lake conservation that should be equipped with GIS information. We should prioritize lakes for the intervention and, sustainability parameter needs explored with monitoring indicators provided that lakes' maintenance should be viewed at their basin without any loss of biodiversity.

Prof. Dr. Madan Koirala, Nepal 1. ILBM should also refer energy component whilst the sustainability of Himalayan lakes, and focus

should be given to the reservoirs inclusiveness and ownership roles given to community in ILBM implementation. For this, we may adopt learning from Laguna Conservation Authority.

Dr. Bishnu Bhandari, Nepal 1. ILBM may be applicable in addressing the issues of Himalayan lakes, but some technical issues of it

needs clarification. We haven't good experience of working with politics in resource management.

2. We need to identify our needs in advance of ILBM implementation. We may require external assistance, both financial and technical. We greatly appreciate if ILEC could do extend to this. Bringing together academia, government, INGOs/ NGO’s and community may be conducive to synergize impacts.

Mr. Ukesh Bhuju, Nepal 1. NLCDC has not only visioning ILBM as a concept but implementing it. A national ILBM network

should be established in each nation in the region by linking it with the MDG.


2. Nepal has a successful learning from NEFEJ of having informal but functional watch-group in nature and biodiversity conservation. Formulation such kind of watch-group like lake watch-group may one of the effective ways in implementing ILBM for the sustainability of Himalayan lakes.

Dr. Tek B. Gurung, Nepal 1. National Wetlands Policy (2003) is a wonderful progress Nepal has convened in due respect of

wetlands conservation in this decade. Formulation and enactment of corresponding Act is now a requisite to legitimate Himalayan lake conservation in Nepal.

2. As said earlier, Nepal has good example of community conservation of lake like in lake Rupa. Such community initiatives in Nepal now have entered to a crux that further technical and economic backup must be externally extended to sustain ecosystem services.

Dr. Vipin Vyas, India 1. PES is an important dimension of lake conservation. Community are much concerned about the use of

lake resources, so any intervention we plan for lake management should be paying higher attention in respect of aspiration of community at first. An equal emphasis should be given to generate revenue from lake conservation to sustain conservation efforts.

2. Normally, communities are unaware of technical facets of lake conservation. We may need to have dissemination materials about ecosystem structure, function and the services it provides to the community in simple language.

Mr. Shailendra Pokharel, Nepal

1. NLCDC has become one of the ILBM members after participating in ILBM India workshop in

Hyderabad, Udayapur, Puskar and Ajmer in 2008 and 2009. We've internalized the strength of ILBM for the sustainable conservation of Nepal's lake as Himalayan lakes irrespective to any geographical location, physical appearances and sizes.

2. Nepal also has unbeaten learning from participatory management of forest, water and biodiversity resources which are consistent to the conservation of Himalayan lakes. Such great learning should be reflected to the actions linking Himalayan lakes among our academia, institutions, NGOs and CBOs.

3. Probably, knowledge generation and their dissemination is the greatest gap Nepal has been facing these days. Here comes the role of universities and research institutions to prepare human capital, and media to influence audiences including grass-root communities.

4. This national seminar is meant to realize the need of regional initiative for the sustainability of Himalayan lakes and ILBM as management tool to dictate lake sustainability. Should this seminar view an urgency of case studies in the region?

5. ILBM has a decade of test travel across different countries. It is a high time for the demonstration for ILBM implementation. Nepal is ready for it, and proposes for the joint preparation of proposal for funding. For this, Nepal needs back stopping.

6. Nepal votes for the need of a focal point for the HLCI. Functioning of such a focal point in an opening stage demands supports from institution like ILEC since it has an advantage of having working

Visioning the Himalayan Lake Conservation Initiative 75

experiences with government, INGOs, NGOs, universities and communities in different parts of the world.

Dr. Dinesh Raj Bhuju, Nepal 1. Knowledge generation and dissemination is most important basis of any conservation program. There

are only 186 literatures in 4 decades about lakes in Nepal. So, major thrust should certain first to accelerate studies and researches by involving academia like KU, TU and NAST until an emergence of a focal point.

2. Lake conservation in Nepal has recently come up in Nepal with an establishment of NLCDC. Status and condition of our Himalayan lakes are still unexplored. We therefore need to strengthen national capacity including capacity of academia and other institutions.

Prof. Dr. Mohan Siwakoti, Nepal 1. The Himalayan lakes of Nepal have different significances and values. For example, lakes in Terai are

bases for livelihoods; lakes in midhill are for multiple use of water; and high altitude lakes are of great religio-cultural values.

2. HLCI should judge Nepal having comparative advantage of promoting high altitude lakes for religious tourism.

Prof. Dr. Sanjaya Khanal, Nepal 1. Any lakes found in Nepal are unique. Nepal's prime role towards conserving Himalayan lakes is to

classify and prioritize these lakes, and identify a few lakes for ILBM demonstration. in terms of ecosystem functioning and uses.

2. The HLCI is a good start, and ILBM though evolving is pertinent to address issues of Nepal's Himalayan lakes. Nepal needs Lake Act to formulate and enact in line with the National Wetlands Policy 92003) followed by knowledge management for implementing and monitoring ILBM.

Dr. Adelina S. Borja, the Philippines 1. Implementing ILBM requires harmonizing laws and policies taking an account of its 6 governance

pillars. This may be done with a simultaneous works among policy makers, academia and others.

Mr. Rajendra Khanal, Nepal 1. Nepal is in a process of preparing new constitution, and should it be appropriate to fed inputs in the

constitution for the conservation of Himalayan lakes. 2. Ownership to community for conserving Himalayan lakes is important aspect to consider in Nepal.

Therefore, it should be confined by policy and law. Further, Nepal may need a basket fund in implementing ILBM which is challenging.


Mr. Mohan Mainali, Nepal 1. Lakes conservation is still an abstract case for the journalists. Building capacity of journalists helps

influencing different tiers of audience towards conserving Himalayan lakes.

Mr. Gyan Kumar Chhipi, Nepal 1. ILBM is a pertinent tool for the conservation of Himalayan lakes which should be incorporated in

curricula of college and university.

Visioning the Himalayan Lake Conservation Initiative (Conclusion and Recommendation) 77

Conclusion and Recommendation

1. ILBM, though evolving, is a scientific; knowledge-based; inclusive and participatory tool compelling for the sustainability of the Himalayan lake in the region. Hence, a functional focal point is urgent for which backstopping from ILEC like institution is an important forward looking step.

2. Scope of ILBM has been gradually expanding in the world. Now, a separate ILBM forum is required for an effective coordination, facilitation and implementation of ILBM. ILEC as catalyst should continue its technical and financial supports for some years -particularly for developing nations.

3. Sustainability of the Himalayan lakes relies on issues like trans-boundary, regional, national, sub-national and protected areas. Therefore, a strong global, regional and national commitments following CBD articles (10-21) and MDGs with action agenda are required to go in parallel.

4. Climate change is another dimension of the Himalayan lake conservation. The global and regional partnership/cooperation is urgent triumph over the impacts of climate change.

5. A good start to comprehend Himalayan lake issues primarily requires educating ourselves. The case studies of some Himalayan lakes are therefore urgent followed by knowledge generation; database development; applied researches; human resource development; and dissemination of knowledge. Academia should incorporate lake in their curricula.

6. National policies and Acts with regards to lake conservation are either silent or conflicting and overlapping if available. Hence, policies and Acts in the nations and region should be harmonized.

7. Demonstrations of ILBM for the sustainability of Himalayan lakes are essential to convene at some places. A joint proposal for this is a must step.

8. Community ownership for conserving lakes must be placed on top whilst managing lakes.

Visits and Meeting March 28, 2010

• Fly to Pokhara • Brief en route discussion with the personnel of PTB, NLCDC, AMC, DSCO/Kaski, PUDC, NTNC

and DDC Kaski. Site seen in Phewa lake• Interaction with academic staff of Jan• Interaction with community people and users of RLSFC, Leknath Municipality, Pokhara• Visit to Wetlands Academy, Begans lake area, Pokhara• Evening presentation by NTNC in Hotel Dragon, Pokhara

March 29, 2010

• Fly back to Kathmandu • Meeting with Hon'ble Prime Minister Mr. Madhav Kumar Nepal• Meeting with Excellency President of Nepal Dr. Rambaran Yadav• March 30, 2010 • Meeting with Hon'ble Minister Mr. Saradsingh Bhandari, Ministry of Tourism and Civi

Visits and Meeting

discussion with the personnel of PTB, NLCDC, AMC, DSCO/Kaski, PUDC, NTNC Kaski. Site seen in Phewa lake

staff of Janapriya Multiple Campus, Pokhara Interaction with community people and users of RLSFC, Leknath Municipality, PokharaVisit to Wetlands Academy, Begans lake area, Pokhara Evening presentation by NTNC in Hotel Dragon, Pokhara

'ble Prime Minister Mr. Madhav Kumar Nepal Meeting with Excellency President of Nepal Dr. Rambaran Yadav

Meeting with Hon'ble Minister Mr. Saradsingh Bhandari, Ministry of Tourism and Civi

discussion with the personnel of PTB, NLCDC, AMC, DSCO/Kaski, PUDC, NTNC

Interaction with community people and users of RLSFC, Leknath Municipality, Pokhara

Meeting with Hon'ble Minister Mr. Saradsingh Bhandari, Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation

Appendix a a

Appendix A Inauguration speech Ramanand Pandit Member Secretary and Executive Director National Lake Conservation and Development Committee (NLCDC) Respected Chair person of this very important National Seminar, Krishna Chandra Mishra, The chief guest of this inaugural function Honorable Minister Mananiya Sharad Singh Bhandari, Prof. Nakamura, Chairman, Scientific Committee of ILEC, Japan, national and international experts, Nepalese scientists, invitees, ladies and gentlemen A warm welcome to all the participants of this National Seminar of ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan lakes, I am happy to in fort this aghast gathering that National Lake Conservation and Development Committee in Nepal is improving ILBM and we are extracting positive result of this action. Our lakes are situated in diverse Himalayan topography and development of Nepal can not go in isolation without their conservation covering issues like Bio-diversity, water quality and quantity and its surroundings. Nepal has more then 5,000 lakes which are diverse in their nature and origin. We refer all of this lakes are as Himalayan lakes since Nepal itself lies at the lap of the eastern Himalaya. The Himalayan lakes are source of rivers and provide precious water for agriculture, aquiculture, biodiversity conservation and other usages. It is not worthy, that 13% of our population is dependent on the lake of their livelihood. Unfortunately all the lakes are under man made stress and there is an urgent need of their protection and conservation. Government of Nepal is fully aware of the trouble of the lakes in poverty reduction and social wellbeing. I may add that any basic action taken to promote lakes should help maintaining the biodiversity, religious and cultural values and hydrological characters. For these reasons, Government of Nepal Commissioned Nepal Lake Conservation Development Committee in 2006 that aims to co-ordinate national and international institutions, contribute to lake related policy formulations and provide support to local initiatives. In short, we work at policy, program and action.

Further, the Himalayan lakes need special attention and for this Nepal, China, Bhutan, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan should come to a platform to act on common agenda of the Himalayan lake conservation. We are already disseminating this issue with all these countries; Bangladesh, China and Malaysia etc. In the present days of climate change scenario, many lakes in this region are expanding and bearing threats to Glacial Lake Outbursts and Floods. Their retreat would bring so may negative consequences. We believe, ILEC will be able to help us in this important task that will protect Himalayan ecology, livelihood of communities and ensure water security of the region. Integrated Lake Basin Management (ILBM) has remained central to all aspects of lake conservation in Nepal. With this focus, we are now in a position to develop submitting such a plan for lake conservation. We are going to submit such a plan to the concerned Ministry for favorable action. We strongly believe that ILBM approach world be instrumental in safeguarding the Himalayan lakes. Hence, we would like to expand ILBM network within Nepal and gradually extending this network in neighboring countries. This national seminar like ILEC, Ministry of environment, NTB, IUCN Nepal, WWF Nepal, TMI, ICIMOD, TU, JMC, NTNC, CSUWN and AMC. Collaboration is an illustration of strong "Partnership" Pillar of ILBM. I am very much obliged to all of these institutions that have made this event a historical one. We are thinking to promote some lakes are tourism destination keeping in mind the year 2011. Declare as the tourism year by Government of Nepal. A field trip to Pokhara to study lakes is being arranged which open an opportunity for international delegate each respective and delegates. Unite in the common for attending the important product and sure that seminar will come out with plan and programme for safe guarding our Himalayan lakes. Thank You Very Much

Appendix a b

Prof. Dr. Masahisa Nakamura Chairman of Scientific Committee of International Lake Environmental Committee (ILEC), Japan Here, friends in the Himalayan region and also members of the ILEC scientific committee. And my self chair this scientific committee we have representative from the Philippines, representative from India Kodaka, Scientific committee of ILEC consists of a fifteen members of course world. Integrated Lake Basin Management project which successes and expend the world like region activities we have had for years. Encompasses, some nine countries including India, Philippines and of course Nepal. We have just complicated the National workshop in Malaysia. We have few in South America, North America, we have lots of projects going on and I have just Kenya, Uganda, Hawaii, and even Zimbabwe. And other countries including Japan, of course there was the kept bill ready of resource provided by lakes, wetlands and other water bodies that we called lentic standing bodies of water. You may know the standing body water occupies 90% of all of the fresh water available on earth. It provides about 40% of the needs of the people. These water bodies lakes, what comes reservoirs very bearable because every lentic bodies subjected to extensive resources use fisheries, we have hydropower, water supplies, watershed irrigation activities and these resource by use non easy to sustain on the activities be very careful. This ILBM programme addresses what is being raise us prime concept in this scantory ecosystem services. Ecosystem services consists of course there resource

provision services, water supply and hydro power and so no. but the ecosystem services also include some cultural services and what is important and we often forget is the regulating services that biodiversity. Food chain, climate mitigation, flood retention capacity and so on these we use profit. Global aspects of Himalayan Mountains were without these fresh water bodies you will not get us much attraction for people because there you have social human sustainable activities highly as codify many services. We are very happy that together with we goings we will be able to stand a few days with you to really looking to promoting this idea and you moving this concept to apart go a policies, programs, institution developments and so on. So that together will be able to address this very vary essential and central issues as manifest of water and environmental management that is the lakes representative these lentic bodies of water. Again I thank you very much to give me use the opportunity to give with you for the next few days we went to pokhara, very much looking for a trip. For trip be able to come out a very tangible practicable ways ahead and produce a programme that will be highly supported by Nepalese Government and the international communities include ILEC. Again, we look for working with you Thank You Very Much

Appendix a c

Mr. Sarad Singh Bhandari Honorable minister, Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation In the very right time for us under the umbrella of great Himalayan Region we share so many natural avidities restore by the nature but we are great danger and great threat that's why this others meeting. I believe with take course of the issues and provide us some guidelines to adopt by the government. At all the means of water resources whether lakes or river. We all know that we do have great basin of Himalaya that comes from great Himalaya of tall Asia basin. Though, so many countries in geography but you share so many journeys and sober in coming. That is why we must have approach of integrated development that are exactly the seminar is addressing the issues. So I think this is the right time to know about the Integrated Lake Basin Management and use of the lakes in all the concepts of the countries. Basically, the National Lake Conservation and Development Committee happen to be under the Ministry of Tourism only for one of the activities is beautification of lakes using and providing the lakes for tourism purpose. But I think we have to look upon the issue in a politics sector a way. This is entirely scientific symbolism so I don't want to go detail in the expertise that is not my concern of the subject. We have took upon the issue in totality so that's why I'm very happy the seminar will take place on the issue will definitely come out with the policy as well as suggestion for sum of the institutional development or instrumental development. So we can address the issues of the

lake in an integrated matter. Obviously we are talking about the wetland policy, ecosystem, climate change, environmental impact and obviously we are talking about economy and financial utilization of the lakes as well. That's why what I feel that this is the right time and we are very fortune that this kind of seminar taking place in Nepal in a very correct time. Because we are going to, we all we are in the phase of transition, we are going to have our constitution in frame. That's why so many policies have to be check and care. We have taken a matter we may at least this matter in the change context in our coming policies. As well like, Nepal is going to marked "Nepal Tourism Year 2011" may be some activities can be included to promote the tourism sector in some of the very famous lakes have. As you know all the lakes, Himalayan lakes, in the high mountain as well as like in the Terai region for the source of water all are the Himalayan water or perennial water or permanent water. That's why we take care all of the issues. I believe that with all gathering of International and National experts and scientists. I believe that some concrete conclusion will come out and it will be great as central government to take off the matter and make a policy and extensive So I would like to Thank and Congratulation to the all at the maximum benefit and opportunity provided to us by the other nation. I wish of all succession of this seminar

Appendix a d

Krishna Chandra Mishra Chairperson National Lake Conservation and Development Committee (NLCDC)

Honorable minister, Respected dedicates come from the outside of the country Prof. Dr. Nakamora japan, Adalina of Philippines, Prof. Dr. Kodacar Mohan, Mr. Sandeep Joshi, Dr. Veepan Vas, Dr. Sexenna India. And the entire delegates participant's ladies and gentle man. Nepal is rich in terms of natural resources, biodiversity, freshwater resources as well as lakes. National Lake Conservation and Development Committee has formed in 2006 under the Development Committee Act (2013), as authority under the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation. The primary goal of this committee is to conserve and develop all of the lakes present in Nepal and finally promote them as a tourist destination. As we are gathered as for lake so this National Lake Conservation and Development Committee is thinking about how to conserve and develop the lake that it would attracts the world tourist which would expected the financial back bone of the country by extending the tourism industries. I am admire today because a big gathering of national and international scientist, policy makers and other technical as well as non technical intelligence persons are gathered together. During this seminar different successful studies and conservation practices as well as Nepal lake problems and conservation practices will be discussed by national and international scientist. I am also hoped that the successful conservation

practices, learned lesions and research activities from the different parts of the worlds will be useful for the further management practices of Himalayan lakes like Nepal. It is impossible to plan and organize this national seminar without supporting different national and international governmental and nongovernmental organizations. As a result international delegates are here and also national scientists also enhance this programme successful. At first I would like to thank honorable minister for Tourism Mr. Sarad Singh Bhandari, who come here in spite of all busy time and in spite on to work on this meet. I would like to especial thank for most important international delegate Prof. Dr. Masahisa Nakamura (Chairman of Scientific Committee of International Lake Environmental Committee (ILEC), Japan) and other delegate from India, Philippines, and Bhutan. They all have come from besides all their essential work and beigest time and I think that after this session they all and talk about how it would the fruitful result would come by which we will part to do some work in lakes and basins. I would like to thank national scientists for participation of this national seminar. Finally I would like to thank all of supporters such as ILEC, MoE, NTB, NTNC, AMC, TU, ICIMOD, CSUWN, WWF, TMI, HAN, and IUCN for their financial and non financial supporting of this national seminar. Thank You

Appendix B e

Appendix B

List of Participants

National Seminar on Integrated Lake Management for Sustainibilty of Himalayan Lakes

(March 26-29, 2010, Kathmandu Nepal)

S. N. Name Agency/ Organization/

University Title Country Phone no/Mobile no/Fax no

Email address

1 Adelina Santa Borja Laguna Lake Development Authority /ILEC

ILEC Scientific Committee Member Philippines [email protected]

2 Agni P Nepal Fisheries Research Division Sr Technical Officer Nepal 9741029256 [email protected]

3 Ajit Shah

National Lake Conservation Development Committee (NLCDC) Accountant Nepal 4420174 [email protected]

4 Avash Poudel

Tribhuvan University,Central Department of Environmental Science Student Nepal

[email protected]

5 Batu Krishna Uprety Department of Plant Resources

Deputy Director General Nepal 425117 [email protected]

6 Bhawani Dongol WWF Nepal

Program Officer -Freshwater

Nepal 4434820/ 9841294926

[email protected]

7 Bikram KC N.R.S Reporter Nepal 9841353619

8 C.Ba. Gurung Youth in Environment Member Nepal 2339427

9 Chandan Pandit

Tribhuvan University,Central Department of Environmental Science Student Nepal [email protected]

10 Devendra Bista Yuwa hunkar/T.U/ Good Governance Member Nepal

4232084/ 9741138136 [email protected]

11 Dhruba Basnet

Nepal Forum of Environment Journalist (NEFEJ) President Nepal

4261991/ 9851074932/ 4261191 [email protected]

12 Dhruba R Chalise

National Lake Conservation Development Committee (NLCDC) Nepal 4420173

13 Diwas Dahal


14 Dr Bishnu Bhandari

International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)

Wetland Specialist

Nepal 5003222 [email protected]

Appendix B f

S. N.

Name Agency/ Organization/ University

Title Country Phone no/Mobile no/Fax no

Email address

15 Dr Suman S Bhattarai Tribhuvan University,Tri Chandra College

Associate Professor Nepal

9851063267/ 4410488

[email protected]

16 Dr Tek Bahadur Gurung

Nepal Agricultural Research Council

Director,Livestock & Fisheries Research Nepal

4262570/ 9851106378/ 14262500

[email protected]

17 Dr Tirtha Bahadur Shrestha Nepal Academy

Life Member Nepal

5521258 (Res)

[email protected]

18 Dr. Mohan S Kodarkar ILEC– Scientific committee

Member India 977-9246591539

[email protected],[email protected]

19 Dr. Dinesh Bhuju

National Academy for Science and Technology(NAST)

Chief Science Faculty Nepal 9841992216 [email protected]

20

Dr. Madan Koirala Tribhuvan University (TU) (Institute of Science and Technology )

Assistant Dean(IOST)

Nepal 4330458/ 9841259938

[email protected]

21 Dr. Masahisa Nakamura

Research Center for Sustainability and Environment /ILEC Director Japan [email protected].

22 Dr. Shriparna Saxena Department of Limnology/ Barkatullah University Lecturer India

07556544331/ 09229200243 [email protected]

23 Dr. Vipin Vyas Department of Limnology/ Barkatullah University Lecturer India

91-755-6541345/ 9827273545

24 Er. Anil Piya


Board Member Nepal

4420173/ 9851112621/ 4238377

[email protected]

25 Fanindra R. Kharel

Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) Officer Nepal

4227926/ 9741122875 [email protected]

26 G Karma Choppel National Environment Commission

Head, Water Resources Bhutan

975-2323384/ 17624118/ 323385 [email protected]

27 Ganesh Man Bista Institute of Medicine (IOM), TU

Student(MBBS running) Nepal 9741124213

28 Gopal Raj Sherchan UNDP GEF Small Grants Program

National Coordinator Nepal

5000119/ 9851037462/ 5530269

[email protected]

29 Gyan Kumar Chippi Shrestha

Tribhuvan University,Central Department of Environmental Science

Assistant Lecturer Nepal

6637699/ 9841705062

[email protected]

30 Hon Sharat Singh Bhandari

Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoTCA)

Minister Nepal

31 Indrakala Baral

Action in Mountain Community (AMC)

President Nepal

32 Jabeen Rahat Water Sector Improvement Project

Environmental Specialist Pakistan

34661133/ 922103002554494 [email protected]

Appendix B g

S. N.



Email address

33 Jaya Dev Bista Fisheries Research Center Senior Scientist Nepal

462004/ 9846047454/ 560528 [email protected]

34 Juddha Gurung

National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC)

Member Secretary

Nepal 5526571

[email protected]

35 Juna Giri

International Union for Conservation of Nature(IUCN )

Researcher Nepal 5528781 [email protected]

36 KedarShree Joshi Reporter Nepal 9803281658

37 Kishor Rajbhandari Nepal Mountaineering Association

General Member Nepal 4434525 [email protected]

38 Kripa Ram Mehta

Tribhuvan Univerisity,Trichandra Campus,

Associate Professor Nepal

4780413/ 9841452279 [email protected]

39 Krishna C Mishra

National Lake Conservation Development Committee (NLCDC) Chairperson Nepal 4420173

40 Kumar Prasad Nepal 4256522/ 9841520286

41 Lopsang Lama

Sindhupalchok Panchpokhari Tourism Development Committee Member Nepal 9841660034 [email protected]

42 Madhu Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) Nepal 4256909

43 Madhukar Khadka

Tribhuvan University,Central Department of Environmental Science Student Nepal

[email protected]

44 Mani Raj Lamichanne Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) Manager Nepal

4256909/ 9851024366/ 4256910 [email protected]

45

Mani Raj Lamichhane Nepal Tourism Board (NTB)

Manager (Tourism Product and Resource Development )

Nepal 4256909(Ext 141)/ 4256910 [email protected]

46 Mathura Dongol

National Lake Conservation Development Committee(NLCDC)/Ministry of Irrigation

Board Member/Superintending Engineer Nepal

4211504/ 9841203890/ 4211504

[email protected]

47 Merina Khadka


48 Milan Lama

Sindhupalchok Panchpokhari Tourism Development Committee

General Secretary Nepal 9841660034

[email protected]

49 Mohan K.C

Nepal Forum of Environment Journalist (NEFEJ) Camerd P Nepal

4261991/ 9851074932/ 4261192 [email protected]

Appendix B h

S. N.



Email address

50 Mohan Mainali

Nepal Forum of Environment Journalist (NEFEJ) Journalist Nepal

4261991/ 9851074932/ 4261191 [email protected]

51 Mohan Pokhrel Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoTCA)

Joint Secretary Nepal 4420173

52 Mohan Siwakoti

Tribhuvan University (Central Department of Botany) Professor Nepal

4810021/ 9849245299

[email protected]

53 Neeta Pradhan Fisheries Research Division Senior Scientist Nepal

5560563/ 9841455083/ 5560156 [email protected]

54 Pragati Shahi The Kathmandu Post Reporter Nepal 4480100 [email protected]

55 Pragati Tuladhar Consultant Consultant Nepal 9849483916 [email protected]

56 Prajwal KC NIRS Reporter Reporter Nepal 9841353619

57 Prakash Shrestha


Office Assistant Nepal 4420174 [email protected]

58 Prof. Karan Shah Natural History Mueseum Professor Nepal 4271899/ 9841615069 [email protected]

59 Pushpa Raj Koirala

Action in Moutain Community (AMC)

Nepal

60 Rajendra Khanal

IUCN-Nepal (International Union for Conservation of Nature)

Program Co-ordinator

Nepal 5528781/ 9841787622 [email protected]

61 Rajendra Kumar KC National Inland Fisheries Development Program Chief Nepal 9841614362 [email protected]

62 Rajin Rai Nepanews.com Reporter Nepal 9803049039 [email protected]

63 Raju Baskota Gantabya Nepal Nepal 4258581

[email protected]/[email protected]

64 Ram Prasad Chaudhary Tribhuvan University Professor Nepal 4330458 [email protected]

65 Ramanand Pandit


Executive Director Nepal

4420173/ 9841058714

[email protected]

66 Resham Chettri Super Builders Pvt Ltd Executive Director Nepal

4008523/ 9851111246/ 4008524

[email protected]/[email protected]

67 Sajani Shrestha RECAST Associate Professor Nepal

6211854/ 9841360723 [email protected]

68 Sandeep Joshi Shristhi Eco-Research Institute (SERI) Director India

91-20-24253773/ 9822548796/ 66206539 [email protected]

69 Sanjaya Khanal Kathmandu University (KU) Professor Nepal

661399/ 9841273475/ 661443 [email protected]

70 Shailendra Pokhrel


Program Manager Nepal

4420173/ 9841698227

[email protected]

Appendix B i

S. N.



Email address

71 Shalu Adhikari

Conservation and Sustainable Use of Wetlands Nepal (CSUWN)

Officer Nepal 4226230/ 9841212266 [email protected]

72 Shanker Shah Tonometro Reporter Nepal [email protected]

73 Shib Raj Bhattarai Underline newpaper Reporter Nepal 9849033192 [email protected]

74 Shiva Regmi Metro F.M Reporter Nepal 4441246/ 9841424660 [email protected]

75 Swati Thapa

National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC)

Info Assistant

Nepal 5526572

[email protected]

76 Tika Bandhan Nepal Samacharpatra Press Reporter Nepal 9841370974 [email protected]

77 Ukesh Raj Bhuju


Consulting Advisor Nepal 9841292829 [email protected]

Appendix C j

Appendix C

Program schedule

National Seminar "ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes" March 26-29, 2010 Kathmandu, Nepal

Day/time Particulars Reference

March 25, 2010 International delegates arrive and their placement in

hotel

Arrangement for airport pick up for

international delegates

March 26, 2010

08.30-09.00 Registration

09.00-10.30 Official opening Venue: Nepal Tourism Board,

Bhrikuti Mandap, Kathmandu

10.30-11.00 Tea Break

11.00 - 13.00 Technical Session - I: Genesis of ILBM and its global

learning

Chaired by Prof. Madan Koirala, Asst.

Dean, Tribhuvan University

Genesis, framework and impacts of ILBM: Prof.

Nakamura, M., Chairman, Scientific Committee, ILEC

Japan.

ILBM learning from India: Prof. Kodarkar M.S., member,

Scientific Committee, ILEC and member secretary of IAAB.

Women in ILBM implementation-A case from the

Philippines: Adlina S.Borja, member, Scientific Committee,

ILEC.

13.00-14.00 Lunch Break

14.00-15.30 Technical Session - II: Managing lake and their basin.

ILBM for the sustainability of Himalayan lakes: Shailendra

Pokharel, Program coordinator, NLCDC.

Chaired by Prof. Kodarkar, M.S.

Glacial Lakes and wetlands in Bhutan Himalayas

: Dr. G. karma Choppel, National Coordinator, National

Environment Commission, Bhutan.

Challenges and opportunities in lake conservation and

management in Pakistan -A case study of Ucchali lakes

complex: Dr. Rahat Jabeen, Specialist, Sindh Water Sector

Improvement Project.

15.30-16.00 Tea Break

16.00-17.30 ILBM implementation for the conservation of Bhoj

Wetlands, Bhopal, India: Dr. Vipin Vyas and Shripana

Saxena, Lecturers, Borticola University.

Chaired by Dr. Dinesh Bhuju,

National Academy for Science and

Technology.

Ecological Engineering and Ecotechnological applications

for lake pollution control in India: Sandeep Joshi, Director,

Shrishti Eco-Research Institute, Pune, India

Learning of WWF: Neera Pradhan, Program Manager,

WWF, Nepal

End of 1st day event

March 27, 2010 Lessons learning session I: Lake conservation in Nepal Chaired by Dr. Tirtha Bahadur

Appendix C k

Shrestha, Biodiversity Expert.

09.00-11.00 Development of strategic plan of lake conservation in

Nepal: Ukesh Bhuju, NLCDC

High altitude wetlands conservation initiatives: Dr. Bishnu

Bhandari, Coordinator, ICIMOD.

Conservation status of Rajarani lake, Dhankuta district -

learning report of IUCN Nepal: Rajendra Khanal, and Juna

Giri

Morphometry, Water quality and Sedimentation of

Phewa lake, Pokhara, Nepal: Gyan Kumar Chhipi,

Lecturer, T.U.

11.00-11.30 Tea Break

11.30-13.30 Lessons learning session II: Lake conservation in Nepal

(Continue...)

Chaired by Adlina S. Borja

Conservation and sustainable use of wetlands resources:

Top Bahadur Khatri and Salu Adhikari, CSUWN.

Learning of NTNC: Dr. Siddhartha Shrestha. Director,

National Trust for Nature Conservation

Learning of The Mountain Institute: Dr. Brian Penniston,

Country Representative, TMI

Journalism in addressing lake conservation issues in

Nepal: Dhruba Basnet, President. Nepal Forum of

Environment Journalists.

13.300-14.30 Lunch

14.30-16.30 Visioning the future Facilitated by Prof. Nakamura, M.

and Prof. Ram Prasad Chaudhary,

Central Dept. of Botany, TU.

Forward looking open discussion: Exploring the future

End of the 2nd day event

March 28, 2010 Field trip to Pokhara Applicable to international delegates

08.00-09.30 Flight to Pokhara Quick refresh in hotel

09.30-14.00 Interaction with District Development Committee,

Pokhara sub-metropolis, Lekhnath municipality and local

stakeholders

Visit to Begans, Rupa, Khaste , Neureni, and Gunde lake

Quick visit to wetlands education center

14.00-15-00 lunch pack in Baral Danda

15.00-16.30 Evening boating in lake Phewa

End of the 3rd day event

March 29, 2010

08.00-09.30 Flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu

10.00-17.00 Meeting with different government personnel

national semiar on ilbm 2010

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