Human use--
Substantial human activity takes place in the wetlands of the Mekong River
Basin.
Mekong River delta. The Mekong delta
is used extensively for rice production, other forms of agriculture, fishing,
pond culture of shrimp and fish, forestry, salt production in coastal
marshes and outdoor recreation. Melaleuca forests are used for charcoal,
firewood and timber; these forests are also important for peat, wild honey
and fish production. Mangroves are used for food, animal fodder, medicines,
housing material and other construction material.
Mekong River mainstem. Fishing and
agriculture, mainly rice, are the dominant human activities along the
Mekong River floodplain in Cambodia, Lao PDR and Thailand. In the Chiang
Saen Basin wetland of Thailand near the borders of Myanmar and Lao PDR,
human activities are fishing, cultivation of maize and green vegetables,
and recreation.
Tributaries to the Mekong River. In
Cambodia, fishing and agriculture are large and important activities in
the Great Lake and Tonle Sap River wetlands, with a steady increase in
tourism during recent years. In contrast, there is little human use of
the sparsely populated Stung Sen wetland to the north of the Great Lake.
In Thailand, wetlands in the Chi and Mun River watersheds are used for
water supplies (municipal, domestic and/or livestock), recreation, lotus
cultivation, raising domestic ducks, bird hunting, cattle grazing, fishing,
rice cultivation, and fodder for pigs. Further to the north in Thailand,
along the Nam Mae Lok and Nam Mae Ing, wetlands are used for rice production
(rain-fed and irrigated), maize, vegetables, cattle grazing, fishing,
lotus cultivation, water for irrigation, cattle and domestic use, recreation
and domestic ducks. In Lao PDR, wetlands along tributaries are used for
fishing, hunting and in the case of wetlands of the Nam Ngum reservoir,
electricity generation.
Threats--
Mekong River Delta. The main threats
to wetlands in the Mekong River delta are:
• Rapid growth of human population;
• Intensive agricultural development;
• Proposed developments upstream, including
• Large irrigation projects;
• Hydroelectric power developments;
• Flood control projects; and
• Other industrial developments;
• Water quality degradation from domestic and agricultural sources.
In the Tien River estuary, the wetland areas are threatened
by loss of mangrove to aquaculture pond development and to uncontrolled
cutting of mangroves for charcoal, firewood and construction material.
Other threats to wetland resources include exploitation of peat in Maleleuca
forests and poaching of eggs and young birds from bird colonies.
Mekong River Mainstem. Threats to
floodplain wetlands along the lower Mekong River mainstem include:
• Proposed developments upstream, including
• Large irrigation projects;
• Hydroelectric power developments;
• Flood control projects; and
• Other industrial developments;
• Water quality degradation from domestic and agricultural sources; and
• Shipping.
Concerns are mainly in relation to potential damage
to fisheries dependent upon the wetlands for feeding and spawning. Water
quality threats exist mainly in lower reaches downstream from areas of
relatively high population and agricultural activity where large amounts
of pesticides and fertilizers are used.
Tributaries of the Mekong River. Threats to wetlands along
tributaries to the Mekong River include:
• Reduction in lakeside vegetation and critical habitat caused by;
• tree cutting for charcoal;
• reed and grass burning for lotus cultivation and other crops;
• Hunting and poaching of birds and their eggs, and other species;
• Urban sprawl;
• Fishing, recreation and other human activities that disturb waterbirds and other wildlife at critical times;
• Siltation;
• Pesticide use from nearby agriculture;
• Reduced water inflow from upstream irrigation; and
• Conversion of marshes to agricultural use.
Clearly, threats manifest themselves in a variety of
ways; not all apply to each wetland. Each wetland will have its own set
of specific threats and issues though the potential outcome, loss of important
habitat and sensitive species, may be the same.
Management dilemmas and conflicts--
Dilemmas and conflicts that confront decision-makers regarding management
of wetlands are diverse. Managers must prevent or minimize effects on
wetlands, including wetland rehabilitation or expansion efforts, while
addressing the following:
Mekong River
Delta and Mainstem
• Managing growth of the human population and intensification of agricultural development;
• Making decisions on the size, location and type of proposed developments upstream, including
• Large irrigation projects;
• Hydroelectric power developments;
• Flood control projects; and
• Other industrial developments;
• Creating guidelines and regulations to control water quality degradation from domestic and agricultural sources without imposing undue hardship on affected families;
• Creating guidelines and regulations to control habitat degradation or wildlife disturbance from shipping.
Specific protection guidelines/regulations and enforcement
measures are needed for some activities such as loss of mangrove to aquaculture
pond development and to uncontrolled cutting of mangroves for charcoal,
firewood and construction material.
A dilemma arises because activities such as these may be important for
local livelihoods and economic development (e.g., aquaculture ponds) or
for domestic use (e.g., firewood).
Tributaries of the Mekong River. Threats
to wetlands along tributaries to the Mekong River include:
• Managing growth of the human population and intensification of agricultural development;
• Managing human activities that may be stimulated by desire to increase local financial wellbeing, such as:
• Reduction in lakeside vegetation and critical habitat caused by activities such as tree cutting for charcoal and reed and grass burning for lotus cultivation and other crops;
• Hunting of birds and their eggs, and other species;
• Fishing, recreation and other human activities that disturb waterbirds and other wildlife at critical times;
• Pesticide use in nearby agriculture;
• Upstream irrigation causing reduced water inflow to wetlands; and
• Conversion of marshes to agricultural use.
• Managing other conflicts from surrounding activities that result in erosion and sediment deposition and filling-in of wetlands, such as deforestation or slash-and-burn agriculture.
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