Bago River Sub-basin AreaProgramme of Measures, updated 2020
The “Bago River Sub-basin Management Plan” was developed between 2016 and 2018 by the Bago River Sub-basin Committee, with input from the Bago Non-governmental Stakeholder Group. The plan includes a table of Programme of Measures (POM). This folder presents an updated POM for 2020 by FD, IWUMD, DWIR, ECD, AOD, DOF, TDC.
The plan is based on a compilation of knowledge of ecological status of waters in the sub-basin, discussion of possible abatement measures considering pressures, social and political willingness to implement measures, and funding options for reaching the goal of good ecological status (National Water Framework Directive).
The overall purpose of the Bago Sub-basin Management Plan is to contribute to “safeguarding living oceans, rivers and lakes for the benefit, safety and enjoyment of present and future generations”.
1
The Myanmar National Water Framework Directive (NWFD, 2014) developed by the National Water Resources Committee has been the reference document for the process of pilot implementing the River Basin Management Approach in Bago.
The complete Sub-basin management plan is available at https://www.niva.no/en/projectweb/myanmar
The development of this Plan has been facilitated for by the IWRM project, a project under the Myanmar Norway Environmental Programme (https://mnenvironment.com/). A collaborative project between WMD FD and NIVA, the IWUMD and DWIR being affiliated partners. The projecti s funded by the Norwegian embassy.
Bago River Sub-basin water quality monitoring; pressures and trends
Systematic Water Management. Bi-monthly sampling according to a monitoring program of 13 sample stations within the sub-basin have been undertaken by a team consisting of staff from WMD FD, IWUMD, and NIVA. The ecological status assessment in the Bago River is based on analyses of data in the period from 2016- 2018. The analyses show good ecological status of waters upstream of Bago City, and poor ecological status around Bago City area and downstream.
Main pollution sources in the Bago River Sub-basin are: Run-off from farmland and sewage from scattered dwellings and urban areas. A major run-
off typically follows the monsoon as heavy precipitation acts as surface wash-off for various pollutants.
Waste Identified industries in the catchment are mainly sawmills, and brick production industries in
the Bago Township. Diffuse rather than point source pollution is associated. Sand mining was emphasized as an important problem in Committee and Bago Non-
Governmental Stakeholder Group meetings. Related problems include riverbank erosion, riverbed degradation, river buffer zone encroachment, and deterioration of water quality.
Other pressures mentioned are electroshock and chemical fishing, and invasive shell species.
The River Basin Approach in Bago includes collaborative governance and a participatory approach
The Committee was established (2016) as an arena for coordination and decision making among Bago authorities. Bago FD is the head secretary, IWUMD; DWIR; ECD, TCD are co-secretaries. The chairperson is the MONREC Minister.
A Non-governmental Stakeholder Group was established (2016) for the purpose of dialogue and discussion among politicians, NGOs, CBOs and private actors, and for providing input to developing the Sub-basin Plan. Secretaries are, Aung Myo Htut, Hein Thant Zaw and Mg Mg Kyi.
Figure 1. Ecological status assessment in Bago. Green color of stream segment means no or low degradation, yellow possible degradation and red high degradation, white color means no data. (T.E. Eriksen, 2018).).
2
Figure 2. Land use map Bago District (Source: GIS and remote sensing section Forest Department).
4 5 6
Table 1. The table presents abatement measures for reaching good ecological status of the Bago River Sub-basin identified by sector authorities.
Department Pressure Impact of pressure
Related environmental
objective
Abatement measure
Time-line Where
Effectiveness of measure (expected
effect)
Incentive & enforcement FundingOngoing
(i)
Planned implementation
2019 (ii)
To be implemented
within 5 yrs (iii)
Forest Department (FD)
Deforestation Soil erosion, sedimentation, reduced water quality
Healthy rivers,No erosion
Ban on logging
Reforestation plantation
Extension of reserved forests and protected public forests
Awareness raising of people
Buffer zone in the Bago upstream area, restoration program
10 years Bago Mountain Range
Relatively good, illegal logging continues to some extent. Measures, (i), (ii) only marginal effect on the river ecosystem
Monitoring and Patrolling in the reserved and protected public forests; collaboration with police force and general administration department are needed.
Regional plus Union Government
Awareness buffer zone
Avoid deforestation in buffer zone
Reforestation buffer zone
10 years Bago,Taungoo,Tharyar-waddy, Pyi Districts
Measures, (i) only marginal effect on the river ecosystem as reforestation occurs away from the river.
Protect Regional plus Union Government
Unlimited Bago Time is needed for impact, but sustainability is high if awareness is duly raised.
Distribution of knowledge materials
Regional plus Union Government
Unlimited Upstream Bago Riversditto
Maintaining buffer zones improves the river ecosystem
Erosion Control and Granting community-based forests -enforcing rules and regulation
Regional plus Union Government
Unlimited Erosion control and granting community-based forests - enforcing rules and regulations
Union Government
3
Department Pressure Impact of pressure
Related environmental
objective
Abatement measure
Time-line Where
Effectiveness of measure (expected
effect)
Incentive & enforcement FundingOngoing
(i)
Planned implementation
2019 (ii)
To be implemented
within 5 yrs (iii)
Planting multiple tree species in 22.5 acres of land
Termination of leasing rubber plantations in the catchment of Kandawgyi
Establishing Botanical garden and Arboretum
Use of fertilizers / pesticides in tree plantations
Contaminated waters
No contamination,
Healthy rivers, lakes and reservoirs
10 years Kandawgyi Reduced contamination of water is expected after time.Increased
Increased people participation in conservation of Kandawgyi Watershed area
Introduction of practicing payment for ecosystem services and water pricing
Various Governmental and Non Governmental Organization.
To be confirmed
Environmental Conservation Department
(ECD)
Waste water disposal from the industrial zone and city area
Polluted water
Contaminated water
Destruction of water and river ecosystems
Reduced water quality
No contamination (toxic, polluted water)
Good ecosystem status, healthy rivers
Inspection of industry for waste water disposal and EIA regulation; Enforcement to follow the guidelines of EIA, IEE, EMP
Measuring water quality
Monitoring of waste water discharge
inspect industry after complaint
Measuring River water quality,
Develop Regional Action Plan for waste water management
Implementing Environmental Management Action Plan
Regular monitoring downstream point source pollution
Implementing Regional Waster Water Action Plan
Continuous Bago River Extension work can raise the awareness of the people and increase their willingness to conserve the water environment, this will reduce contaminated water to some extent
Law enforcement,
ECD will provide Environmental Compliance certificate to the industry which obey law and rules
Regional Government
Extinction of native fish
Reduced fresh water fish
Sustainable fish production
Field inspection,
Input of necessary
Data collection of fish resources
Continuous Fresh water
Fish production increased for
Long term permission for Union
4
Department Pressure Impact of pressure
Related environmental
objective
Abatement measure
Time-line Where
Effectiveness of measure (expected
effect)
Incentive & enforcement FundingOngoing
(i)
Planned implementation
2019 (ii)
To be implemented
within 5 yrs (iii)
Department of Fisheries (DOF)
species due to herbicides/ pesticides
Waste water disposal into natural ponds
Over Fishing
Sedimentation due to natural and man-made issues
Reduced fresh water fishing area boundaries
Weak law enforcement in conservation of fishery resources.
Collapse to comply the law by fisher men
Fishing during the closed season and closed area.
Illegal Fishing using prohibited fishing methods
resources
Reduced number of fish species
Destruction of ecosystems
Reduced production of fish resources
Livelihood improvement of fishing community.
Understanding the value of fishery resources and conserved by the future generations.
observation and data collection
Extension works by using posters and pamphlets
Law enforcement
Breeding fish species which are in danger of extinction
Increased breeding of fish species
infrastructure into the lab to test fish diseases, soil and water quality
Initiate awareness raising training
Expert and qualified staff recruited or trained staff/capacity building
in Bago Region,
Having plan for breeding of indigenous fish species.
Study on fish way.
Having plan for redefing the boundary of ponds.
Cooperation with NGOs, INGOs, UN etc, related departments and universities.
Conservation of rare fish species which are in danger of extinction.
Operating the community based fishery cooperative groups in accordance with the law and regulation of Department of
fishing areas in the whole Bago River
Domestic fishing allowed in lakes all over Bago Region
regional and local food security
Sustainable fish production
Improving the livelihood of the fishermen.
Future generation understand the value of fishery resources and conserve the fishery resources as a heritage.
Getting the higher income producing the value added fishery products
local fishermen according to the law and regulation of department of fishery.
High production per acre techniques (incentive)
Expand acres of fish breeding lakes
Introduce fish breeding with Pen culture/ Cage Culture systems in natural ponds, lakes and dams,
Introduction of capture base culture system
Operating the community based fishery cooperative groups in accordance with the law and regulation of Department
Government
5
Department Pressure Impact of pressure
Related environmental
objective
Abatement measure
Time-line Where
Effectiveness of measure (expected
effect)
Incentive & enforcement FundingOngoing
(i)
Planned implementation
2019 (ii)
To be implemented
within 5 yrs (iii)
Limited knowledge of the fishermen community.
Poor conservation of the environment
Fishery. of Fishery.
Department of Agriculture
(DOA)
Pesticides ContaminationToxicity
Health risk Awareness raising and inspection in accordance with Pesticide Law
Extension work - training/discussion
Protection and suppression of integrated pesticides
Model plot which show good agriculture practice
Organic Farming
Extension and awareness raising by testing the pesticide residues in the water
Awareness raising on Integrated nutrient management
Try to test heavy metals in the lab
Initiated in 2019 and continuous
Bago ThanatpinWawKawa
Reduced run off of pesticides to the river, long term effect expected.
Collaboration with farmers
Regional plus Union Government
No systematic use and excessive utilization of chemical fertilizers,
Weak to use natural fertilizer
Eutrophication,
imbalanced nutrient, Weak soil improvement
Toxic soils in the agricultural
NoEutrophication; Healthy rivers
Soil testing to balance the use of fertilizers and the needs of plants
Awareness raising and
Extension work (Training/ Discussion)
Model plot which show good agriculture practice
Extension and awareness raising by testing the pesticide residues in the water
To be initiated in 2019 and continuous
Bago ThanatpinWawKawa Townships
Low impact on River water
Collaboration with farmers
Regional plus Union Government
6
Department Pressure Impact of pressure
Related environmental
objective
Abatement measure
Time-line Where
Effectiveness of measure (expected
effect)
Incentive & enforcement FundingOngoing
(i)
Planned implementation
2019 (ii)
To be implemented
within 5 yrs (iii)fields
Algal blooms,
Low oxygen level, Soil acidity
Inspection work in accordance with Fertilizer Law
Model plot which show good agriculture practice
Organic Farming
Organic farming
Irrigation and Water Utilization Management Department (IWUMD)
Flood
Sedimentation
Inundation To increase farmers' income and local people's well fare through increased agricultural productivity by inundation prevention with improved irrigation facilities.
Repairing & maintenance works of Bago River
Flood protection
Provide storage reservoirs in Bago River Sub-basin
Strengthen and reshaping work for Bago flood protection embankment (Bago and Waw TS)
Excavation work of natural drainages in the Bago City area; river basin and facilitated with outlet structures construction works.
Re-excavation of drainages channel; convey to the Bago River from the boundary of Bago University Area.
Bago Sittaung Rivers flood protection work: - Strengthening work of ousting embankments,
- Construction of flood prevention dikes,
- Re-excavation of natural streams, creeks in unsilted condition
Construction of sluice gates in Thanatpin Township
Continuous Within Bago (east) Region especially Waw, Thanatpin, Kawa and Bago Townships
Measures will mitigate flooded area & decrease period of inundation in low lying area of Bago River Sub-basin downstream
Irrigation Law (2017) Regional
Government
7
Department Pressure Impact of pressure
Related environmental
objective
Abatement measure
Time-line Where
Effectiveness of measure (expected
effect)
Incentive & enforcement FundingOngoing
(i)
Planned implementation
2019 (ii)
To be implemented
within 5 yrs (iii)
Directorate of Water Resources and Improvement of River Systems (DWIR)
Sand mining
Flooding
Sedimentation
Bank erosion
Degradation of water quality
Causing and tributaries and meanders
Development of river channel to reduce erosion
Healthy rivers, lakes and streams
Reduce bank erosion
Protection for bank erosion:
- retaining wall,
revetments, groyne etc.
Control license for sand mining along Bago river
Protecting bank erosion and water way improvement
River bend cutting
Protection for bank erosion
Inspect and control license for sand mining
Depend on budgets
Along the Bago River channel
River bank erosion reduced, and flood mitigated
The Conservation of Water Resources and Rivers Law (2006)
The Conservation of Water Resources and Rivers Rule (2013)
Regional plus Union Budget
Unlimited Along the Bago River channel
River bank erosion reduced, and fish habitat restored
Impacts of sand mining like erosion and fish habitat destroy can be reduced
No special fund needed
Department of Rural Development (DRD)
Intrusion of waste water into drinking water well and lakes
Scarcity of drinking water
Contaminated water
Toxic water
Provision of safe drinking water quality from wells and lakes in line with the Myanmar Drinking Water Standard
Construction of wells (deep &shallow) and lakes by machines and hands
80 shallow wells and 153 deep wells made by machine.
7 hand dug wells
20 Soil lakes, other 101 lakes.
Total (361) wells and lakes are planned during 2019
From 2020-21 to 2024-25:
229 shallow wells and 541 deep wells made by machine.
9 wells by hand.32 Soil lakes, other 135 lakes.
Total (946) wells and lakes are planned
Unlimited (yearly)
Bago, Taungoo, Pyi and Tharyar-waddy Districts
- - Regional plus Union Government, and UNICEF
8
Department Pressure Impact of pressure
Related environmental
objective
Abatement measure
Time-line Where
Effectiveness of measure (expected
effect)
Incentive & enforcement FundingOngoing
(i)
Planned implementation
2019 (ii)
To be implemented
within 5 yrs (iii)
Bago Township Development Committee
(Bago TDC)
Waste & waste water
Cloaked drains
Poor water quality
Flooding
Health risks
Poor environmental conditions
Sufficient water flowNo eutrophication
No contamination of water
Healthy rivers, lakes and streams
Truck to collect waste
Garbage collection campaigns
3 garbage bins in city centre, emptied every day
Garbage bins near the public places
Fencing alongside the Bago market to prohibit throwing of waste to river
Inspection of waste handling by shopkeepers in Bago City
Awareness -sign alongside river
Awareness information folder for school
Recycling awareness
Unlimited(yearly)
Bago Township
Awareness raised to improve waste collection in Bago City area,
Award giving and penalty
Tax and revenues from people of Bago City
Sewage E. coli bacteria in water, nutrient pollutionreduced level of oxygen in water health risks poor environmental conditions
No eutrophicationNo contamination of waterHealthy rivers, lakes and streams
NIL Regular awareness campaigns
Patrolling along the Bago river, in particular in Bago City Area
Treatment plant established
Regular Awareness campaigns
Unlimited (yearly)
Bago Township
Pollution reduced and river water quality improved for domestic water use, and water ecosystem restored
Award giving and penalty
Tax and revenues from people of Bago City
9
Final remarks
The authors hope that the development of the plan and the plan itself motivate for greater environmental awareness in the government, and among civil society.
The authors follow the progress towards reaching the environmental objectives specified in this document by means of producing yearly progress reports, and by organizing half year Committee and Group meetings - to discuss status, measures and progress. The Terms of reference for the Committee and the Non-governmental Stakeholder Group is available in the complete Plan. This folder represents a short version of the Bago Sub-basin Management Plan. A full version can be accessed through contact with Bago FD.
Photos: Left, a group photo from a meeting in the Non-governmental Stakeholder Group, 2016; In the middle, a photo from a Committee meeting in 2016; On the right, in 2018 (Sources: Watershed Management Division Forest Department)
Bago, June 2020.
Main authors Project facilitators
Khin Phone, Forest DepartmentYe Thway Aung, Directorate of Water Resources and Improvement of River SystemsKo Ko Oo, Irrigation and Water Utilization Management Department Zaw Moe, Environmental Conservation DepartmentZaw Lwin Win, Department of FisheriesNwe Nwe Aye, Department of AgricultureZin Mar Myint, Department of Rural DevelopmentAung Khin – Bago Township Development Committee
Ingrid Nesheim, NIVAToe Aung, WMD FDSoe Myint Oo, WMD FDZaw Lwin Tun, IWUMDNikolai Friberg NIVA
10
Publications from the IWRM project can be uploaded from: https://www.niva.no/en/projectweb/myanmar/publicationsFor information on the EU Water Framework Directive, see the central website EU WFD: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/water-framework/index_en.html