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”.

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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).).

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Figure 2. Land use map Bago District (Source: GIS and remote sensing section Forest Department).

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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