The Central Highlands is the upstream area of many large rivers such as the Srepok River, the Sesan River, the Ba River, and the Dong Nai River. However, water resources and biodiversity in this area are declining in both quality and quantity due to the pressure of building hydropower dams, mining, developing cultivated areas for industrial crops. On top of all this, there are the negative impacts of climate change.
Accordingly, the Government has issued policies and directives related to the rehabilitation and development of forest resources and stopping the exploitation of natural wood, and the conservation and development of the water resources of the rivers.
With funding from Oxfam Novib, the Centre for Social Research and Development (CSRD) collaborated with PanNature on the “Water Resources Management” project in Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak and Dak Nong provinces. The main purpose of the project is to contribute to the conservation and improvement of the livelihoods of local communities in the Srepok and Sesan Rivers. We also wish to raise awareness of the community and policymakers and to share practical experience in forest governance and community-based resources at the national and regional levels.
CSRD will undertake and fulfill a second objective of the project “Promote meaningful participation through community networks in Srepok River basin management in Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Kon Tum and Dak Nong provinces”. The project duration is from in June 2016 to May 2017, with a total budget of 457,000,000 VND. The project activities focus on:
- Strengthening the capacity of local community groups,
- Focusing on women and youth groups in the river basin,
- Supporting sustainable livelihood initiatives while preserving natural ecosystems, and
- Developing a network of community links.
This project will bring about positive changes for community groups by setting a goal for a sustainable community economy alongside the conservation and development of natural resources.