Dam and irrigation scheme and water governance regime, case study Nam Mang3 Hydropower Project, Lao PDR. In M-PowerMekong Program on Water, Environment and Resilience (M-POWER) (pp. 21). (2013).
A multi-purpose project involving hydropower and irrigation schemes Nam Mang3 Hydropower Project is one of trans-basin diversion scheme in 18 hydropower dams in operation in Laos and only project included electricity production and irrigation scheme. But, the project has caused number of negative impacts for farmer especially in downstream or Recipient River (Nam Nyam and Houay Hong Pheng).This study aims to understand the water governance regime related between dam and irrigation scheme in order to find alternatives and to mitigate as much as possible the negative impact downstream of the dam, especially villages along the Nam Nyam valley or Napheng plain directly concerned water releases and benefit from irrigation. We used the key informant and focus group survey with various stakeholders of Nam Mang irrigation scheme and field work observation.The findings show that farmer can grow a second season of rice production and other agricultural activities, but due to the electricity generation in raining season this causes a big flood of rice fields along the Nam Nyam valley. Sometime farmer in irrigated area do not have enough water for irrigation during dry season for rice production downstream of NM3 and Nam Nyam irrigation schemes, because of low precipitation in dry season and the water is stored for generating electricity. Also there is weak governance between the dam operator and TSC-NM3 office. Overall, the project has contributed to, rather than diminishing, poverty of people and increase socio differential in the area.The study recommends a review of governance arrangements in negotiation of the operating regime for the dam, which does not seem to have been done in a transparent way, making it difficult to take into account the multiple benefits and costs to different stakeholders in such a water diversion project. So the ownership in charge of dam operation and irrigation scheme have to create a dialogue by assistance from development partners or upper government to find best alternative to mitigate negative impacts in downstream areas. Also to push the dam operators for compensation to farmers to seek new activities or livelihood activities and provide the annual budget for operation cost and maintenance irrigation scheme in good statue.
نوع الوثيقة:
conferenceObject
اللغة:
English
العلاقة:
Mekong Program on Water, Environment and Resilience (15 June 2013)
