Part 2: Protected areas and development
4.5.2 Identify priority bioregions and define a regional PA network
There are a number of key initial steps to be taken at regional level. These include defining:
1. The Mekong water resource system in terms of geographic planning units based on water cycle functions (Table 4.2).
2. A natural systems basis for regional analysis according to bioregions.
3. Existing levels of protection in each bioregion, and identifying those sub-regions in greatest need of protection.
4. Criteria to prioritise the bioregions in greatest need of protection.
5. Appropriate options for protection of priority bioregions.
6. A framework of broad management guidelines applying to the highest priority bioregions.
7. Appropriate economic instruments to promote the required type and level of protection in priority bioregions (e.g. levies, environmental offset schemes, tradeable permits, and user pay schemes).
This work needs to proceed as part of the MRC Basin Development Plan process and as a contribution to strategic planning for the Greater Mekong Basin. It would lay the foundation of information and analysis of options for drafting the action plan for consideration and adoption by member states as a component or supplementary agreement to the BDP.
Table 4.3: A regional planning framework
(Column 2 adapted from Ratner 2000)
4.5.2.1 Definition of bioregions
The aim of planning at the sub-regional level is to establish a natural system basis for integrated watershed planning and management emphasising networks of PAs.
It involves dividing the Mekong River water resource system in terms of a number of major water related bioregions, then assessing the existing and required level of protection of water resources and related services in each region. Where gaps are identified, it would be necessary to increase the levels of protection.
Various systems of biogeographical regions for the Mekong have been proposed, which together could provide the basis for such a planning process (for example Hirsch 1996; Baltzer et al. 2001). Criteria would be needed to identify the bioregions which are highest priority for protection and where further protection investment is required. Criteria would include, for example:
• Current level of protection.
• Level of threats and urgency for action.
• Importance in the water cycle and in the provision of development benefits.
• Type and fragility of ecosystem.
• Local community dependence on the services of the area.
4.5.2.2 Defining bioregions at the sub-national level
The prime responsibility for implementing an action plan to link PAs and water resources must rest with the participating governments. Table 4.3 indicates some of the roles for national level involvement in an integrated planning framework. Already, Vietnam and Thailand have identified various sub-national regions as the basis for development planning including river basins. Cambodia and Vietnam used a biodiversity region approach as part of the National Biodiversity Action Plan process in defining priorities for conservation within their borders. Lao PDR used a bio-geographic region approach when setting up a representative national protected area system. Each country has the basis for setting priorities for
protection through definition of appropriate sub-national bioregions and has made this a priority in their national biodiversity action plans. National scale implementation would include:
1. Adoption of an appropriate framework of sub-national bioregions consistent with those used at the Mekong regional level.
2. Defining priority-setting criteria for selection of regions most in need of protection.
3. Grouping protected areas within each region according to shared watersheds or catchments.
4. Defining priority-setting criteria for selection of PA clusters most in need of protection.
5. Identifying transboundary situations requiring priority protection.
6. Defining specific management guidelines applying to each bioregion.
7. Defining legal and economic instruments to ensure users of PA water system services pay for those benefits.
4.5.2.3 Applying bioregional management guidelines though local level planning and action
Decentralisation is a priority in each of the Lower Mekong countries. Provinces, districts and communes are becoming increasingly important in natural
resource planning and management. Greater authority is being given to local governments and to
protected area managers with strong central policies promoting collaborative forms of management with local communities. Structures such as Provincial Conservation Forums, PA management committees, local catchment boards, community conservation areas and community forests are being established.
These collaborative structures and mechanisms with local communities are essential for effective management of the protected areas and for generating a shared sense of stewardship over use of local water resource systems.
Management guidelines defined in action plans for wider bioregions will need to be worked through and expressed as specific zoning and management prescriptions within joint agreements at local level and individual PA management plans.