Field Notes from the Nam Ou River Basin
Over the past three and half years, IFC has been training surveyors from the central, provincial, and district-level offices of Lao PDR’s Department of Water Resources in field research, water sampling, and water resources management.
With little more than tents, mobile phones, and questionnaires, the IFC-trained researchers recently embarked on a month-long journey to the country’s northern-most provinces to record biophysical and social data on aquatic life and communities along the Nam Ou River, one of the Mekong River’s most significant tributaries.
The Nam Ou, home to a cascade of seven hydropower dams, is rapidly changing. IFC and Lao PDR officials intend to identify key characteristics of the basin and create a comprehensive profile.
“Communities are sharing their perspectives on the pros and cons of development moving into the area, which is very important for future planning of the basin,” said Sitthasone Luanglath, lead surveyor.
The team conducted 1,500 household surveys. Based on the basin’s geology, the river was sectioned into five zones and then to 75 target villages. Eight additional villages were chosen to gather in-depth information for case studies.
“This is all new information for us, a real learning experience,” said Lilao Bouapao, IFC’s consultant on social development. “Local knowledge is key to understanding people’s relationship to and reliance on water resources. We are learning that in northern Lao PDR most people are still very reliant on the Nam Ou River and its tributaries for food security and livelihoods.”
Over 50 percent of the population in this area resides within five kilometers of the river and use it for riverbank gardening, navigation, fishing, irrigation, and domestic water supply. The team learned how riverine communities are dependent on the river based on their knowledge of fisheries, water availability, floods and droughts, and the roles of women and men in water governance.
“Five kilometers from the river does not sound remote, but in some cases it was very challenging for our team to access target villages,” said Luanglath. “Getting the information needed to understand these communities’ water resource needs means walking up to three days in mountainous terrains.”
An additional team joined the household surveyors in late January to record information for case studies. Travelling by boat and road up and down the Nam Ou and its tributaries, the team mapped habitats, recorded aquatic hotspots along the river, and discussed environmental and societal changes with villagers. The researchers knew from previous research that little has been recorded about the peoples who rely on this river system, or their environment.
“Once complete, the profile could be used for the private and public sectors to plan a more sustainable future for the river basin,” said Kate Lazarus, Senior Operations Officer, IFC. “Primary data will help companies and officials understand the basin’s key environmental and social characteristics and how future development could impact the river and its communities.”
