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(2, 2001) The Perspectives of the Lancangjiang River Basin
1.
GEOGRAPHY The Lancangjiang
River is a trans-boundary river, the downstream part is connecting Mekong
River which flows through Southeast Asia. So, we may call her Lancangjiang/Mekong
River. The total length of Lancangjiang/Mekong River is 4661 km with the basin
area of 795, 000 sq. km. The length of Lancangjiang River is 2153 km and the
basin area is 161, 400 sq. km. Lancangjiang River is
ranking fifth among the great rivers in China. It originates from Qinghai
Province, then flows through Tibet Autonomous Region and Yunnan province. The
Lancangjiang River Basin (LRB) plays an important role in providing water
resources for the people of the basin as well as refuge for wildlife. 1.1
Location and Origin The Lancangjiang
River is originated from Qinghai Province. But for a long time in the past
people had no precise information on the origin of the river. In 1998 the Chinese
Academy of Sciences, the State Planning Commission, the Research Institute of
Geographical Names of the State Mapping Administration and China Association
of Scientific Explorations made their efforts to launch an initiative to
identify the origin of Lancangjiang River. Soon after the launch, an Academic
Exploration Commission of Lancangjiang River was formed together with an
Exploration Team, comprising 7 research fellows and 8 journalists. The team
leader was Prof. Guan Zhihua, a member of the Commission for Integrated Study
of Natural Resources of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The exploration
officially began on 25 June 1999 at Tianjin Municipality. The team started
their journey on horseback and three days later arrived in Xi'niing City of
Qinghai Province. The team members climbed Guoluo Mountain (4500 m above sea
level) and reached the Wenquan (warm spring) point. Afterwards they started
for Jiegu City, the seat of Yushu Tibet Autonomous Prefecture where the
origins of the three great rivers (Yangtze River, Yellow River and
Lancangjiang River) are located. The 10 days of hard work bore fruits when the
origin of Lancangjiang River was finally identified at Gongdemuza Mountain,
5224 m above sea level. The exact coordinates are 94° 41' 44 " E and 33°
42' 31 " N. The team erected a small stone monument at the site, together
with a horn of wild yak, they picked up on the way, to mark this event.
Identification of the river origin has both scientific and economic importance. The Lancangjiang
River is characterized by her flow direction from north to south, unlike other
Chinese rivers, which flow from west to east, and high gradient of 6.5 m per
kilometer in average in Yunnan province. 1.2
Climate Due to big difference
in elevation, the climate in different places of the same longitude of the LRB
may have great distinctions. The mean annual temperature may vary from
21.1-4.8 °C. The accumulated
temperature above 10°C varies from 7678.0-644.7 °C. The average sunshine is
above 2000 hours. The average precipitation is about 1000 mm, but 85% of it is
concentrated in the period from May - October. The distribution of the
precipitation is not even, i.e. increasing from north to south. The upper
reach area has very limited precipitation as of 400 mm, and the southern most
part of the LRB in Ximeng County is 2772.3 mm. The basic weather data is as
follows: Table
1 The Major Weather
Parameters in LRB
1.3 Hydrology There are 96
tributaries in the LRB. The main hydrological data of major tributaries are as
shown in table 2. Table 2 The
Hydrological Characteristics of Major Tributaries of LRB
LRB has soil and
water erosion, but not serious. Its erosion module is 69 1 t/km2
per year. The details are shown in the following table. Table
3 Erosion of LRB (Yunnan
Part)
Soil Many types of soil
are found in LRB. Generally speaking, the major types of soil in northern part
are brown earth, in middle part - red earth and in southern part - lateritic
red earth. The distribution of soil types in LRB is shown in the following
table. Table
4 Major Soil Types
2.
SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF LRB 2.1 Social Development 2.1.1 Population In 1992 the
population in Yunnan part of LRB was of 9,874,000, which took 35,8% of total
population of the province. The distribution of population was not even, e.g.
in Deqin County the density was 7.5 residents/km2, but in Dali -
305.2 people/ km2. There are in Yunnan part of LRB 18 ethnic
nationalities. The cultural and economic levels among them are very different.
They are common that agriculture is the main production pattern. Table
5 Population and Fconnmv in Yunnan Part of
LRB,1992
1 us$=8,3 Yuan 2.2
Economic Development LRB covers 3
provinces/region. They are Qinghai Province, Yunnan Province and Tibet
Autonomous Region. The land-use related data is shown below. Table
6 The Basic Facts on Land-use of
LRB
It should be pointed
out that the population in LRB is distributed unevenly. In Qinghai Province
the density is 2.1 residents per sq. km. only, but in Yunnan Province - 50.6
persons per sq. km. Within Yunnan the population density in Deqin County is
7.5 residents per sq. km, and in Dali prefecture - 305.2 residents per sq. km. LRB is a less
developed area. Among the 39 counties located in LRB, only 5 counties have
annual average income per capita more than 1000 yuan. Lincang County has only
668 yuan (US$80.5). The industry in LRB is also very weak. The production of
industry takes only 22.8% of the gross national production. Table7 Agricultural
Production in Yunnan Part of LRB, 1992, in 'oooyuan
3.
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES 3.1
Water Pollution There are 336
industry units in the Yunnan part of LRB (1992). Most of them are of small
size. According to the National List of (3000) Serious Pollution Enterprises
there are in Yunnan part of LRB
13 such enterprises, mainly paper making mill. In 1992 the industrial waste
water released to Lancangjiang River was 82, 375, 000 ton, among which only
4.98% were within criteria. The main pollutants are COD, suspension, ammonia
nitrogen and sulphide. The water quality tested is within II and III grade (China
Water Quality Criteria has 5 grades, and I grade is the best one). With the
improved environment the water quality has been improved from year to year.
The quality of water in lakes (Erhai Lake, Cibihu Lake, Xihu Lake, Tianchi
Lake) connected to Lancangjiang River is much better. 3.2
Air Pollution The harmful gas
released to air in Yunnan part of LRB is about 13.3 billion m3 per
year. The main pollutants are dusts and sulfur dioxide (SO2). General speaking,
the air quality in LRB is good with II or III grade. Table
8 Air Pollutants in Yunnan Part of LRB
3.3
Solid wastes The solid wastes are
generated by industry e.g. coal mine residues, gangues and slags. The quantity
of the wastes is shown in the following table. Table
9 Quantity of Solid Wastes in Yunnan Part of LRB
3.4.
Degraded Biodiversity 3.4.1 Forest The forest cover in
Yunnan part of LRB is 46.86%, however the forest has been degraded seriously.
Only in Xishuangbanna there is a limited area of virgin forest. Most counties
in LRB have forest cover around 30% (see table 10). Due to relatively
developed economy and dense population in the middle part of LRB, the forest
cover in this area is lower, and soil erosion is more severe than others. Table
10 Different Forest Cover in Counties of LRB
3.4.2
Pasture The pastural land in
Yunnan part of LRB is suffering from degradation. The following table shows
the degradation rate of pastural land. Table
11 Degradation Rate of
Pastural Land in Counties
3.4.1
Endangered Species LRB is famous for her
rich biodiversity. A survey indicates that the number of protected species is
more than 350, which takes 60% of total protected species in the Yunnan
Province. Due to human interferences the quantity of protected species have
been reduced significantly, including peacock, Black Snub-nose Monkey
(Rhinopithecus bieti), gibbon, Asian elephant (Elephas
maximas), Panthera
tigris corbeti,
civet cat, Macaco mulata, musk deer,
wild rice, wild potato, wild sugar cane etc., 5.
Development Potential and International Cooperation 5.1 Historical Review As early as in 1940s,
the former UN ECAFE (Economic Commission for Asia and Far East), now ESCAP (Economic
and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific) made a proposal on development and
utilization of the resources of Mekong River Basin (MRB). In 1955 a special
mission was set up by ECAFE and a report on development of the resources of
lower MRB, including Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand was made. In
September of 1957 the representatives of above-mentioned countries held a
meeting and set up Lower Mekong Commission. The Commission has 30 cooperating
countries and 17 international organizations. The Commission started with the
reconnaissance of the major tributaries of the lower Mekong River Basin
(1958-1961). In 1980s all relevant countries agreed upon a cooperative
development of the basin. At the beginning of 1991 a proposal on Golden Four
Angle Super Plan was made by the Thailand commercial and scientific circles.
In the same year a workshop was conducted in Bangkok to discuss the
possibility of development of Lancangjiang/Mekong River Basin. In February of
1993 the representatives of 4 countries of Thailand, Vietnam, Lao and Cambodia
held a meeting and signed an agreement on joint development of Mekong River.
The 4 countries expressed their wish that China and Miamar may join in this
agreement. However, due to various reasons in the region no significant
progress in implementing development plan was made. With the war ceased
in the region the economy of the region has been revitalized. The countries
related have shown their strong interest in development of the Lancangjiang/Mekong
River Basin. In April of 1993 an International Symposium on Economic
Development and Environmental Protection of Lancangjiang/Mekong River Basin
was held in Kunming, Yunnan Province of China. In November of the same year an
International Workshop on Community Development of Lancangjiang/Mekong River
was conducted in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. In August of 1993 the second
Session of the Sub-regional Economic Cooperation was convened in the HQs of
Asian Development Bank (Manila).
China, Laos, Miamar, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam sent their representatives
to the meeting. The session discussed the potential cooperation in the fields
of transportation, energy, environmental protection, human resources, trade
and tourism. In 1995 a new Mekong River Commission was formulated. The
Commission has identified some programmes/projects for the development and
environmental conservation of the lower Mekong River Basin, but a lot of
difficulties have been encountered. 5.2
Development Potential
5.2.1
Biological Resources LRB area is known for
rich biological resources. Therefore, the potential of development in this
area is not the ordinary agriculture, but special cultivation of the plants of
high value and genetic pool. Medicinal plant, decorative, fragrant and fruit
tree species as well as fishery should be put on the priority. 5.2.2
Water Resources Lancangjiang River is
a water abundant river. The total outflow at China/Laos border is
77.19milliard m3 per year. Along the river there are 6 middle or
large lakes connected to the river. The details of the lakes are shown in
table 12.
Table
12 Lakes Connected to Lancanjiane River
Although the river is
water abundant, but the length for navigation in Yunnan is limited to 391 km (from
Nandeba to the border). The 100-tonnage vessel can navigate. In case if dredge
is done, 300-tonnage vessel can navigate. 5.2.3
Tourism High mountains, deep
valley, rapids and lakes as well as many beautiful plants and wildlife are
valuable tourist resources. Many ethnic groups are being living in the area of
LRB. This is also an attraction for tourists. At present in Yunnan part of LRB
are three tourist zones, i.e. Xishuangbanna, Dali, and Sanjinag. Sanjiang
means 3 rivers, i.e. Lancangjiang, Nujiang and Jinshajiang. The Utopian xanadu
SHANGRILA is said to be in this zone. The established nature reserves are also
the hot spots for tourists. The gaps for tourism development are the
inconvenient transportation and lodging facility. In recent years Yunnan
Province have made great efforts to develop air transport. The 3 tourist zones
have built good airports (capable to have Boeing 737 for landing and taking off).
The land transport (highway) has been improved. 5.2.4.
Electric Power Abundant water
resources and great fall head make Lancangjiang River possible to generate
huge electric energy by constructing hydro-power stations. According to the
national plan some 14 stations are to be built step by step with the total
capacity of 22, 020 megawatt or 110 milliard kWh per year. By 2020 some 5
hydro-power stations will be built. They are: Manwan (just completed), Xiaowan,
Dachaoshan (under construction), Nuozadu and jinghong. By 2040 another 7
stations will become operational. They are: Gongguoqiao, Touba, Huangdeng,
Tiemenkan, Liutongjiang, Jiabi and wunonglong. On the tributaries of the LRB,
in addition to many existing small
size hydropower stations, some 40 small or medium size hydro-power
stations will be constructed within financial capacity of local authorities. Table
13 Main Indicators of Planned Hvdro-power Stations on Lancangjian
River
*The cost was made on
the basis of 1991 price 6.
International Cooperation The Lancangjiang/Mekong
River Basin is a big potential market for development. It is not sufficient to
fully develop the basin relying on their own (the 6 country) financial
resources. A wide or international cooperation will be extremely needed. This
is a common understanding of the 6 countries. However, each country has her
interest or emphasis. Sometimes the interests or emphases of the countries are
in contradiction. Therefore a harmonized coordination and cooperation is the
base for successful development of the basin. 6.1
Favourable Conditions - Wide Scope for Cooperation:
There many fields are subject to cooperative development, e.g. water
transportation (navigation), tourism, hydro-power development, forestry, agriculture, fishery,
environmental protection, mining, etc. •
Common Desire of 6 Countries:
After war ceased and financial crisis is over, the 6 countries strongly wish
to speed up the development of their economy, especially in Lancangjiang/Mekong
River Basin. China has put the development of LRB in her priority list (China
Agenda 21). •
Strong Attraction to International Community:
As early as in period of 1957-1988 the Mekong Commission received a huge
donation of US$420 million for development. The countries like USA, UK, France,
Japan, Germany, Sweden, Canada, Australia, as well as international
organizations, such as UNDP, ADB, World Bank, etc. have been showing their
strong interests to make investment for the development of the basin. 6.2
Constraints •
A huge Demand for Financial Resources:
As estimated by experts, that full development
of Lancangjiang/Mekong River Basin needs several hundred-milllards, US
dollars. The Mekong Commission has a plan to make a Mekong Basin Survey &
Study (excluding Cambodia), which needs some 4140.6 million US dollars.
Neither 6 countries themselves nor international
community are affordable to bear such financial burden. •
Contradiction Interests of the Countries:
The 6 countries (China, Mianar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam) have
their own specific interests, therefore, they may not be assent on all issues.
Generally, upper reach countries like China, Miamar, Laos are supportive in
constructing hydropower stations, and down-stream countries like Cambodia,
Vietnam are reluctant to accept such concept. They doubt whether the flow
would be reduced, that might have negative impact on the agricultural
production. Thailand, as located in the middle of the river basin, is neutral,
and sometime in favour of constructing the stations, because Thailand needs
more electric energy, which may be imported from the proposed hydropower
stations in other countries on the river. Thailand estimates that by 2005 she
will need 25 million kW, but the country will have only 11.6 million kW. The
import of electricity will be the optimum option. •
A Concern over Eco-environment and Resettlement:
The Plan of Thailand about utilization of Mekong River for irrigation in North
has caused objection from Cambodia and Vietnam. Many environmentalists are
strongly opposing the construction of dams. Local dwellers living in
area of future reservoirs are not happy to be resettled. 7.
Authors' thoughts 7.1 All the six
countries of the basin have to join in the overall planning and development
of Lancangjiang/Mekong River Basin. Unfortunately, some important
agreements/commissions are not
open to all six countries. China is not a member of the Mekong Commission.
Such situation may not be in favour of strengthening the regional cooperation. 7.2 Navigation of the
whole river will need overall cooperation of the 6 countries and huge
investment. After navigation of the river became operational, the transport
cost will decrease, and international trade
will increase. This will to large extent promote economic prosperity of all
the 6 countries. Furthermore, the navigation will open new tourist route. For
the time being, this concept is still in the discussion. The earlier starting
implementation, the better and more benefits for all the 6 countries. 7.3 Nearly all the 6
countries have made their own plan on development of the river basin. For
instance, China worked out in 1995 the Development Plan on Boundary Area of
Lancangjiang/Mekong River Basin, the investment of which is US$11.9 million;
Thailand proposed in 1993 a plan, called Golden Four Angle Super Plan. Many
regional meeting/workshops were conducted, in which only part of the 6
countries took part. They are: Sub-regional meeting
on transport, held in Bangkok, in May 1993, with countries of China, Thailand,
Laos and Miamar; Workshop on tourism cooperation, held in Chiang Rai in
September 1993, with countries of China, Thailand, Laos and Miamar. There is a
strong need to convene a high level and authoritative meeting to coordinate
and solve difficult problems. 7.4 China should
strengthen her participation in the development of the basin. References: 1.
The Research on the Environmental Planning of the Lancangjiang River Basin in
Yunnan Province,
carried out by the Research Institute of Environmental Sciences in Yunnan
Province, 1994 2. Ma Shuhong,
The Oriental Danube - a Study on the Development of the Basin of Lancangjiang/Mekong
River, Yunnan People's Publishing House, 1995 3. The Committee for the Study on Development and the Environment in the Mekong River Basin. Japan International Cooperation Agency, Japan. The Study on Development and the Environment in the Mekong River Basin, presented at the International Scientific and Industrial Forum "Great Rivers 99", hheld in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, 25-28 May, 1999. |
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