Abstract:
Water is one of the most fundamental components of socioeconomic development in any
society. In the agricultural-based society of Laos, including Lao Nya village, water plays a critical
role in livelihood improvement and reduction of poverty. This research focuses on water issues
related to both direct consumption of drinking water and also its use in supporting agricultural
production for self-sufficiency and for profits from crop sales. The analyis is concerned with people
living in the buffer zone of a protected area (a very sensitive upstream landscape). Their livelihood
and well-being always have a causal relationship with the quality and quantity of water, as well as
with biodiversity in these protected areas. Ensuring sustainable livelihood and the well-being of these
people is both critical and necessary. This research analyzed the livelihood options and poverty conditions of the residents at Lao
Nya village. The demand, supply and management regimes for water as well as local practices were
assessed. The principal aim of this research was to address the following three questions: (1) How can
water be better managed throughout the participatory processes encompassed in the community-based
approach? (2) How can local initiatives on water management contribute to livelihood improvement
and poverty reduction for local village residents? (3) What appropriate water management practices
can be integrated based on existing conditions? Social equity and water governance between upstream
and downstream communities are also taken into consideration in order to ensure the sustainability of
the whole watershed. The main findings of the research include the fact that a local initiative on water management
(construction of a dam, fishpond and water diversion canal) has increased rice production by 60 tons
per year and adds some 30 hectares of paddy land (61% of 48.96 hectares) of total that is cultivatable
in the dry season. In addition, three more hectares of cash crop land was made available for
cultivation by this irrigation, while water quantity and quality increased and improved, respectively.
In addition, new integration of water management strategies include a community fishpond,
combined rice-fish production in paddy fields, river bank cropping practices and promotion of
hygiene awareness among villagers. Benefit sharing from the water initiative within Lao Nya and
another village downstream (Na Bon) is being managed through negotiation and cooperation among
these village committees. Water governance covers watershed protection, water sharing, and
operation of existing water facilities, namely a dam, a canal and water wells.
Description:
Thesis (M.Sc.) -- Natural Resources and Environmental Management, School of Science. Mae Fah Luang University, 2009
