E- 239 The World Bank Coastal Wetlands Protection and Development Project DATE: ROUTING: 7ti L | cC ASIA FILES (Y) OR (N) LOG# 41 Environmental and Social Review of the Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 prepared by GEC Global Environmental Consultants Ltd. Vancouver, Canada GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component Study Team Peter McNamee Team Leader, Environmental Specialist David Williams Socio-economist, Rapid Rural Appraisal Specialist Tran Thanh Xuan Local Consultant Coordinator Nguyen Anh Tuan Aquaculture Specialist Truong Trong Nghia Aquaculture Project Specialist Nguyen Dung Environmental Specialist Le Quang Thong Community Resources Specialist Tran Kim Thanh Socio-economist Trinh Hoang Ngan HydraulicNWater Resources Engineer Mr. Cuong Provincial Coordinator, Minh Hai Mr. Duc Provincial Coordinator, Soc Trang Mr. Leo Provincial Coordinator, Tra Vinh ,~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Coastal Wetands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 Table of Contents 1. INTRODUCTION .. . ............................................................... I 1.1 Study Objectives ......................................................... 1 1.2 World Bank Requirements for Environmental Review of the Project ....... 1 1.3 Constraints to Environmental Review of Buffer Zone Component ........... 2 1.4 Constraints to Social Review of the Buffer Zone Component ................... 2 1.5 Outline of This Report ..... ... 3 2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION ............................... 5 2.1 Project Objectives ....................................................... 5 2.2 Strategy to Meet Project Objectives ....................................................... 6 2.3 Strategy for Designing Project ....................................................... 6 2.4 Project Models ........................................................ 7 2A.1 FPZ Models ..........................................................................7 2.4.2 BZ Models . ........................................................................ 8 2.5 Overall Project Components ....................................................... 8 2.6 Number of BZ Farm Models ....................................................... 8 3. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW OF BUFFER ZONE ACTivrrES ........................ I 1 3.1 Summary of Current Environmental Conditions in the Buffer Zone ....... 11 3.2 Environmental Review of Proposed Buffer Zone Activities ..........I.......... 11 3.3 Recommended Mitigation and Monitoring . ............................................... 14 33.1Mtiaio.... ..... ....... ....................... .... .. ..... ......................41 3.3.2 MonItoring ........... ... ... ........ 20 4. SOCIAL REviEw OF BUFFER ZONE COMPONENT ................................... 27 4.1 I ntroduction ...................................... 27 GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component 4.2 Resettlement .............................................. 27 4.3 Conservation and Coastal Protection ....... ....................................... 29 4.4 Income Generation/Economic Development ............................................. 30 4A.1 General ........................................................ 30 4A.2 Aquaculture ........................................................ 31 4A.3 Fishing ........................................................ 31 4A.4 Agriculture ........................................................ 31 4A.5 Fuelwood Harvesting . ...................................................... 32 4.5 Sociallnfrastructure ............................................... 32 4.5.1 Ethnicty ........ .32 4.5.2 Women ...32 4.5.3 Social Implications of Economic Problems .......................................... 32 5. COMMENTS ON OVERALL PROJECT FEASIBILITY .................................. 35 5.1 Replicability of Buffer Zone Models ..................................... 35 5.2 The Concept of Coastal Protection ..................................... 35 5.3 Habitat Enhancement ............................................... 36 5.4 Appropriateness of Proposed Farm Models . .............................36 5.5 Recommendations for Implementaton of the Buffer Zone Component .37 6. LITERATURE CITED ...................................... ................. 39 7. APPENDIX A: TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR CONSULTANTS ..................... 41 7.1 Terms of Reference for International Consultants .................................... 41 7.1.1 Environmental Specialist . ............................ .................. 41 7.1.2 Socic-economic Specialist. ...............................4................1 7.2 Terms of Reference for National Consultants ........................................... 41 72.1 General Terms of Reference . .......... . ... ....................... . 41 7.2.2 Terms of Reference for Project Manager.._ 42... 72.3 Terms of Reference for Aquaculture Specialist ....................................... 42 7.24 Terms of Reference for Aquaculture Project Specialist ...._..... . ... ........... 43 7.2.5 Terms of Reference for Community Resources Specialist and RA Support Staff ._.43 72.6 Terms of Reference for Socio-economist .............. ......... .... . . 72.7 Terms of Reference for Hydraulic/Water Resources Engineer .......... 7.2.8 Terms of Reference for Environmental Specialist U...................45 Ii Cosstal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 7.2.9 Terms of Reference for Pr:-vincial Coordinator - Tra Vinh .......................................... 45 7.2.10 Terms of Reference for Provincial Coordinator - Soc Trang .4 7.2.11 Terms of Reference for Provincial Coordinator - Minh Hai .... 46 8. APPENDIX B: GENERAL ENVIRONMENTAL DESCRIPTION OF MINH HAI, SOC TRANG, AND TRA VINH PROVINCES 4.7............ .47 8.1 Clinate ..................47 8.2 Sois ............ ........47 8.3 Surface Water Hydrology and Salinity ...................... . 48 8.3.1 Surface Water Hydrology ..................................... .. ....48 8.3.2 Salinity ......... .-.50 8.4 Population 5........... 50 8.5 Land Use ...................51 8.6 Economy ........51 8.6.1 General ...... 51 8.6.2 Income ................. 51 8.6.3 Agriculture . 52 8.6.4 Forestry.-.52 8.6.5 Fisheries ................. ........... .... 53 8.7 Aquatic Resources. . ...............................*................ 54 8.7.1 Surface Water Quality ..................................... .. ... 54 8.7.2 Marine Water Quality . . .... 55 8.7.3 Groundwater ........ . ............................. . . .55 8.7A Aquatic Ecosystems, Biota, and Biodiversity ..... . 55 8.8 Terrestrial Environment ............................... 56 8.8.1 Terrestrial Ecosystems . ..... . . . 56 8.8.2 Air Quality ................... ....58 8.9 Social Environment ................. .58 8.9.1 Health..58 8.9.2 Nutrition..... .............. . ... 9 8.9.3 Quality of Drinking and Domestic Water Supply ... ..5.9.. .......................... 59 8.9.4 Surface Water for Drinking and Domestic Water . . .60 8.9.5 Groundwater for Drinking and Domestic Water 0......... 8.9.6 Rainwater for Drinking and Domestic Water . ..................................... 60 8.9.7 Health .. ....... . _....__._.. ._ . 6 8.9.7 Hiealth _ ....... .. .......... ............. . . ..................*** ... .*.*......................... e 8.9.8 Disease ...... .......... . . . .._....._....... .... . __.... . .. . ....61 Iv GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component 8.10 Employment . ........................................................ 62 8.11 Gender Issues ......................................................... 63 8.12 Infrastructure .......................................................... . 63 8.12.1 Electric Power Supply ...................................................................... . 63 8.12.2 Transportation .................................................................... . . 63 9. APPENDIX C: DETAILED ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW OF BUFFER ZONE COMPONENT .................................................................... 65 9.1 Pilot Site #1 - Bai Ghe ..... 65 9.1.1 Proposed BZ Model .................. . _ 65 9.1.2 Description of Current Environmental Conditions .66 9.1.3 Impact Analysis 8........68 9.1.A Recommendations for Mitigation and MonItoring .72 9.1.5 Comments on Replicability of Bai Ghe Buffer Zone Pilot Site .72 9.2 Pilot Site #2 - Dam Doi .......................................72 9.2.1 Proposed Buffer Zone Model ..72 9.2.2 Description of Current Environmental Conditions .. 73 9.2.3 Impact Analysis ................ 76 9.2A Recommendations for Mitigation and Monitoring . . . 0 9.2.5 Comments on Replicability of Buffer Zone Component .. .80 9.3 Pilot Site #3 - Bac Lieu .....80 9.3.1 Proposed Buffer Zone Model 0...... . .. 9.3.2 Description of Current Environmental Conditions ..... 81 9.3.3 Impact Analysis .............................. ........... ... 83 9.3.4 Recommendations for Mitigation ... ........ 86 9.4 Pilot Site #4 - Vinh Chau .....87 9A.1 Proposed Buffer Zone Models .................... . .. . . . . 87 9.4.2 Description of Current Environmental Conditions ..88 9A.3 Impact Analysis ...... ........ ... ...... 89 9AA Recommendations for Mitigation .... . ...... .93 9.5 Pilot Site #5 - My Long. ...... 4.. .. .93 9.5.1 Proposed Buffer Zone Models .. . 94 9.5.2 Description of Curmnt Environmental Condtions ........94 9.5.3 Impact Analysis . .............. _ .. . _. . ..... .96 9.5A Recommendations for Mitigation . ............................ 100 9.5.5 Comments on Replicability of Buffer Zone Component.......... .. 100 v Coastal Wetands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 IO. APPENDIX D: DETAILED RESULTS OF SOCIAL REVIEW ...................... 101 10.1 Indicative Community Action Plan for Bal Ghe . ................................... 101 10.1.1 Background ...................................................... 101 10.1.2 Consultations at Provincial and District Level . ....................... ............................. 103 10.1.3 Felt Needs of the Community at Bai Ghe Study Site . ................................................ 103 10.1.A Indicative Community Action Plan (ICAP) for Bai Ghe . ............................................. 105 10.1.5 Work Schedule ................... . _ . . .. . ..108 10.1.6 List of Interviewees ..................... 108 10.2 Indicative Community Action Plan for Dam Doi ................................... 109 10.2.1 Background ................................................. 109 10.2.2 Consultations at Provincial and District Level .. 111 10.2.3 Felt Needs of the Community at Dam Doi Study Site ..........................1.1................... 11 10.2.4 Indicative Community Action Plan (ICAP) for Dam Doi ......................................... 114 10.2.5 Work Schedule .................................................. 117 10.2.6 List of Interviewees .................................................. 118 10.3 Indicative Community Action Plan for Bac Lieu . .................................. 118 10.3.1 Background . ................................................. 118 10.3.2 Felt Needs of the Community at Bac Lieu Study Site ............................................... 122 10.3.3 Indicative Community Action Plan (ICAP) for Bac Lieu ............................. ............. 125 10.3.4 Concluding Remarks ..................... . . .126 10.3.5 Work and Travel Schedule ......................... . .127 10.3.6 List of Interviewees . ... . ............... 128 10.4 Indicative Community Action Plan for Vinh Chau Study Site .............. 128 10A.1 Background ......................................... . ..128 10.4.2 Consultations at Provincial and District Level ........................................ 134 10A.3 Felt Needs of the Community at Vinh Chau Study Site ......................................... ... 134 IOAA Indicative Community Action Plan (ICAP) for Vinh Chau ......... ....................1.3.......... 137 10A.5 Work and Travel Schedule . ........................_ . ..... . ..._ 139 10A.6 List of Interviewees ..........................._. ... 139 10.5 Indicative Community Action Plan for Dong Hal .................................. 140 10.5.1 Background ...... . 14 10.5.2 Consultations at Provincial and District Level ......... ............................... 142 10.5.3 Felt Needs of the Community at Dong Hai ..... . ............................ ...... ...142 10.5.4 4. Indicative Community Action Plan (ICAP) for Dong Hal ..._ 1 10.5.5 Work and Travel Schedule .....................147 10.5.6 List of Interviewees ..____.._....... 10.6 Indicative Community Action Plan for My Long .............................. ;... 148 10.6.1 1. Background_ . .... . .......... .......... . ... .@ ... .... . .....__ ...... . . ...... . .148 10.6.2 Consultations at Provincial and District L e vel _ _..... . 150 10.6.3 Felt Needs of the Community at My Long._ ............................. 150 10.6.4 Indicative Community Action Plan (ICAP) for My Long._. _ ...... ... ....... ....153 vI GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component 10.6.5 Work and Travel Schedule ...........................................156 10.6.6 List of Interviewees .......................................... 156 List of Tables TAaLE 1: RRA AND PRA COMPARED ............................................ 3 TABLE 2: PROPOSED APPLICATION OF FARM MODELS TO SUB-PROJECTS FOR PURPOSES OF ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW ............................................. 9 TABLE 3: SUMMARY OF PROPOSED PROJECT. AREAS ARE IN HA .. ......................................... 10 TABLE 4: SUMMARY OF FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO UNSUSTAINABLE SHRIMP AQUACULTURE IN THE PROJECT AREA IN THE EARLY 1990S ..................................... 8 TABLE 5: INDICATIVE COSTS OF EXTENSION SERVICES . ......... 20 TABLE 6: RECOMMENDED PROJECT MONITORING FRAMEWORK. ...........................................................23 TABLE 7: INTERVIEW SCHEDULE FOR SIX SITES ............................................................ 28 TABLE 8: SUMMARY OF INFLOW AND OUTFLOW IN RAINY AND DRY SEASON, CA MAU ............................... 49 List of Figures FIGURE 1: STYL'ED REPRESENTATION OF PROJECT AREA .......................................................... 7 FIGURE 2: SUMMARY OF CURRENT ENVIRONMENTAL CONDMONS IN THE PILOT STES ............................. 12 FIGURE 3: QUALITATIVE SYNTHESIS OF CURRENT STATE OF ENVIRONAMENTAL RESOURCES IN THE PILOT SrrES . 13 FIGURE 4: SUMMARY OF ISSUES AT THE PILOT SITES WITH PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION ........... ............... 14 vii Coastal Welands Protecon and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 Currency Equivalents USD $1.00 = VND $11,000 VN- 1.00 = USD S0.0000909 Acronyms and Abbreviations ADB Asian Development Bank BZ Buffer Zone EZ Economic Zone FE Forestry Enterprise FFE Fishery and Forestry Enterprise FPZ Full Protction Zone GOV Govemment of Viet Nam ICAP Indicative Community Action Plan NGO Non-Govemrnmental Organization PB Protecton Belt PL Post Larvae PPTA Project Preparatory Technical Assistance RA Rural Appraisal RRA Rapid Rural Appraisal Sida Swedish Intemational Development Agency USD United States Dollars VBA Viet Nam Bank of Agriculture VND Viet Nam Dong VNNEAP Viet Nam National Environmental Action Plan viii GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component 1. Introduction This report documents the environmental and social component of the pre-appraisal study for the Coastal Wetlands Protection and Development Project for Viet Nam. The basis for this pre-appraisal report is the Draft Final report prepared by Euroconsult (1996), plus documents prepared by intemational and national consultants during the pre-appraisal phase of Project preparation. 1.1 STUDY OBJECTIVES As stated in the Contract for Services, this study has three objectives: (i) Environmental Assessment - Based on the proposed Project, undertake an environmental assessment which takes into account the following: * the environmental impact of introducing the proposed farm models and how the adverse impacts can be minimized or mitigated - the necessary measures to he adopted by Govemrnent to ensure a repeat of the rampant expansion of unsustainable versions of shrimp farming technology since the mid 1980's can be minimized. (ii) Socio-economkc Assessment - For each major category of farmers affected by the project, undertake an analysis of the socio-economic impact of project activities comparing the -without project" situation with the "wfith project" situation on them. In the priority areas, the socio-economic/community participation team would carry out rural appraisal of major categories of affected famers and/or farming communities in both the full protection zones and the priority buffer zones to take into account their needs for socio-economic support and to ensure their effective participation in jointly protecting the mangrove conservation belts. (iii) Development of Monitoring Indicators - In order to monitor and assess the success of this Project component in achieving the goals for various measures and investments, prepare a list of socio-economic and environmental indicators which can be maintained during the implementation of the Project, and specify how they can be collected. 1.2 WORLD BANK REQUIREMENTS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW OF THE PROJECT The World Bank has prepared extensive guidelines for the environmental analysis of a number of types of projects (World Bank 1991a, b). In particular, Operational Directive 4.01 outines the format to be used in an environmental review, and World Bank (1996a) describes the potential impacts to be considered in an environnental review for different projects. The most applicable of these to the Project are: Management of Agricultural Production; Fisheries; and Plantation Chapter 1: Introduction 1 Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 DevelopmentlReforestation. The guidelines for these project types were used as a starting point for the environmental review. 1.3 CONSTRAINTS TO ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW OF BUFFER ZONE COMPONENT There are a number of constraints to conducting a proper environmental review of the proposed buffer zone component: (i) current conditions are not clearly defined. In particular, figures on numbers of households, land use, existing environmental conditions layouts of existing farm models, and economic acbvity figures are not available for the proposed 12 Sub-project areas in Euroconsutt (1996) and could only be described in indicative terms in this study given time and resource constraints; (ii) the physical layout of the buffer zone parcels has not yet been defined. In particular, the physical relationship between the 70% forested land and 30% land for housing and economic farm activites is not defined; and (iii) the number of buffer zone farm models to be used in the project has not yet been agreed upon at the time of writing this report. In the absence of a clear description of current conditions provided by Euroconsult, a detailed description of the proposed farm model layouts, particuarly with respect to what the physical relationship will be between the forested and non-forested land in the BZ, or a description of future conditions without the project, it has been assumed that the farm models will be constructed on bare land. 1.4 CONS,i FAINTS TO SOCIAL REVIEW OF THE BUFFER ZONE COMPONENT Time and budget constraints only allowed for a Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA) to be conducted, rather than a Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA). A summary comparison of what are normally described as RRA and PRA is given in Table 11. It iS clear from the table, particularly the categories "dominant mode", "outsiders roes" and "information to be owned and used mainly by", that this rural appraisal exercise more closely resembled RRA than PRA. In addition, constraints permitted only one visit to each of the ProJect sites. That said, the rural appraisal team worked to make the exercise as participatory as possible given time and resource limitations. 1taken form Chamboes (1992). 2 Chapter 1: IntioductIon GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetfands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component -- - Table 1: RRA and PRA compared. main users aid agencies, universities NGOs, govemment field organizations Key resource Overlooked local people's knowledge local people's capabilities main innovation methods behavior dominant mode extractive participatory ideal objectives leaming by outsiders empowerment of local people longer term outcomes plans, projects, publications sustainable local action outsiders roles investigator, analyst convenor, facilitator information to be owned and used outsiders local people mainly by 1.5 OUTLINE OF THIS REPORT Together with the Introduction, this study report contains five sections: - Section 2 is a project description upon which the environmental and social review was conducted. It is a synthesis of information contained in Euroconsult (1996) and Scura and Lampietti (1996) - Section 3 contains a summary of the environmental review, including recommendations for mitiqgaton and monitoring - Section 4 is a summary of the social review * Section 5 contains general comments and recommendations on Project design and implementation that follow from the major findings of the environmental and social review The main report is supplemented by a series of appendices containing consultant terms of reference as well as the detailed environmental and social -reviews of the Buffer Zone component of the Project. Chapter 1: Introduction 3 I~~~~~~~~ GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component 2. Project Description2 2.1 PROJECT OBJECTIVES As stated at the time the Euroconsult Report (1996) was prepared, the main objective of the Project is to: "carry out an environmentally sound investment programme for the coastal zone of Minh Hai, Soc Trang, and Tra Vinh Provinces that will: * improve the economic use of formerly forested and newly formed coastal wetland areas through the rehabilitabon or establishment and protection of coastal forest protection belts in the Mekong Delta * revitalize and improve the protection of important wetland ecosystems that contain valuable biological diversity and provide nurturing functions for fisheries * improve the sustainability of shrimp ponds situated in areas adjacent to the protection belts and nature conservation areas * strengthen the provision of support services for the mangrove forestry and aquaculture subsectors in the protection wetlands and key surrounding buffer areas." Also, a stated in the Euroconsult report, the Project consists of five components: (i) rehabilitation, replanting, and protection of selected parts of the recently established Full Protection Zone; (ii) revitalkation and improved protection of selected protected areas in Minh Hai Province3; (iii) buffer zone development; (iv) environmental monitoring; and (v) institutional development. The environmental component of this report is directy concemed wifth proposals for BZ development. The Project covers 50,736 ha along the entire coastline of three southem provinces in Viet Nam: Tra Vinh; Soc Trang; and Minh Hai. The Mekong Delta, of which the Project area forms a part, is young and extremely dynamic; its coastline is therefore characterized by sections of extremely high natural erosion and accretion. In addition, the Project Area is basically a wetland and is substantially covered with coastal wetland forests, particularly mangroves. These coastal wetland forests have 21This section is an atempt to synthesize and cimfify the objectes and desariton of the Project for the sake of onvironmental and social anaysis. 3This component is excluded from this analysis. Chapter 2: Project Descripton 5 Coastal Wetands Protecton end Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 been degraded continuously over time from variou causes (World Bank 1995) and the overall fisheries nurturing capacity of these wetlands has conzamitantly declined. These realities establish the fundamental goal of the Project: provide coastal protecton. While not explicitly stated, this coastal protection is to guard inland areas against erosion, storms, wave action, inundation, etc. It is expected that a side benefit of this coastal protection will be enhancement of fisheries nurturing capacity of rehabilitated coastal wetland areas. As a first step, the three provinces have established Protection Belts (PB) along their coastlines. The total PB area of the provinces is the 50,736 ha Project Area. 2.2 STRATEGY TO MEET PROJECT OBJECTIVES The strategy to meet these objectives is to divide the PBs into two zones: a Full Protection Zone (FPZ) in which essentially no human economic activities are permitted; and a Buffer Zone (BZ) in which limited and well defined human economic activities are permitted (Figure 1). An Economic Zone (EZ) sits behind the PB; full economic activities are permitted there and are of indirect consideration to the Project. Of the total 50,736 ha PB, 27,028 ha are in the FPZ and 23,708 ha are in the BZ. There is a concem that, without increased economic opportunities provided to households currently residing in the BZ, those households may continue to exploit the productive natural resources of the FPZ. But, the BZ is part of the designated PB. and a balance must therefore by provided in the BZ between protection and economic functions. Therefore, a major strategy of the BZ is to increase household income levels and overall economic well being, while retaining a part of the BZ for the protection function. The assumption is that the increased economic well-being of the households in the BZ will reduce the likelihood of incursion into the FPZ. This balance is expected to be met by having a target of 70% of the BZ as forested land on which a moderate level of forest harvests are allowed and 30% as land on which full economic activities are permitted. This 70:30 ratio is expected to be met on all household land parcels that are located in the BZ. 2.3 STRATEGY FOR DESIGNING PROJECT Time during the PPTA did not permit a detailed design of the entire coastline with respect to protection and buffer zone activities. Therefore, the following method was used to design the overall Project First, a number of project models were developed for implementation in the FPZ and BZ. These models are essentially the "building blocks" of the project. Second, a number of Sub-projects were defined. The Project Area is not uniform with respect to deltaic processes, degree of human activity in the PB, soils, elevation, administration, etc. The entire Project is therefore into 12 Sub-projects, each with relatively uniform characteristics with respect to Project objectives: Sub-project 1: West Coast of Minh Hai 6 -Chaptr2 Pojact DescripIon GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component Figure 1: Stylized representation of Project area. - Sub-project 2: Westem Ca Mau * Sub-project 3: Eastem Ca Mau - Sub-project 4: Vinh Loi-Gia Rai * Sub-project 5: Vinh Chau Sub-project 6: Trung Binh * Sub-project 7: 30 April Enterprise * Sub-project 8: Long Vinh * Sub-project 9: Dan Thanh-Dong Hai * Sub-project 10: Hiep Tranh-Trung Long Hoa * Sub-project 11: My Long * Sub-project 12: Long Hoa Each Sub-project has a part of the total FPZ and part of the total BZ. Third, the implementation of a Sub-project consists of the implementation of a number of project models that are believed suitable for conditions in that Sub-project. 2.4 PROJECT MODELS 2.4.1 FPZ Models There are two sets of models proposed for the FPZ: forestry models to plant new wetland forests on currently bare or degraded forest land; and to tend and improve existing wetland forests4. In addition, 4Dferent utilkizaon regultons are proposed for each FPZ forestry model, depending on whefter the area is an accetion or abrasion zone. Chapter 2: Project Descption 7 Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 a set of coastal engineering models are proposed for high erosion areas. 2.4.2 BZ Models There are two sets of models proposed in the BZ. Seven forestry models are proposed to replant wetand forests in the buffer zone and to achieve the stated overall goal of a 70:30 ratio of forest to non4forested land in the buffer zone. In addition, a number of farm level models are proposed for increasing economic well-being of buffer zone inhabitants. The Euroconsuft report proposed four BZ farm models: Bai Ghe; Dam Doi; Vinh Chau; and My Long. Scura and Lampietfi (1996) recommend eight farm models based on results of their May, 1996 pre-appraisal mission: Bai Ghe; West Coast of Minh Hai; Dam Doi; Bac Lieu; Vinh Chau l; Vinh Chau Il; Trung Binh; and My Long. 2.5 OVERALL PROJECT COMPONENTS There are a number of project components that are applicable to the Project as a whole: (i) resettlement of persons and households currently living in the proposed FPZ to other locations; (ii) project monitoring including benefits monitoring and environmental and social effects monitoring; and (iii) institubonal development. 2.6 NUMBER OF BZ FARM MODELS A key assumption in the entire design of the Project is that the BZ farm models are replicable across one or more Sub-projects. This is a critical assumption because these farm models will be the basis for enhancing the economic well being of households living in the BZ, and these farm models may become the basis for pilot demonstration sites during Project implementation. Recent proposals to increase the number of farm models in the BZ reflect the extreme heterogeneity of the Project area5. This is an extremely important issue with major implications for project design and implementation (Secion 5). For the time being, however, we worked under the original assumptions of the PPTA, that it is important to have a relatively small number of farm models that are each applicable to a large number of Sub-projects and a large proportion of the non-forested part of the BZ. Scura and Lampietti (1996) do not state which of their farm models could be applied to each Sub-project. Therefore, the environmental review of the Buffer Zone component is based on five of the farm models defined in Scura and Lampietfi (1996) (Table 2). dT- neterogeneity of the Project Ares is iUustrated by interviews made h July, 1996 wIt farirles hyng right at the boundary b' ~.en the BZ and the FPZ Bac ueu sub-project. They are growing freshwater crops such as watermelon and have been doing so for the last two years. They are doing so again this year. with increased natrl shrimp stocks. Apparently the soil Is too permeable to retain pond water. The proposed models for Bac ueu do not account for costs of naking shrimp ponds inpermeable. 8 Chapftr 2: Project Description GEC Ltd. Coastal WeUands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component Table 2: Proposed application of farm models to Sub-projects for purposes of environmental review. -' ~ _ _ ____ ._____________ Number Name Bai Ghe I West Coast of Minh Hai 2 Westem Ca Mau 7 30 April Enterprise 8 Long Vinh Dam Doi 3 Eastem Ca Mau Bac Lieu 4 Vinh Loi-Gia Rai Vinh Chat? 6 Vinh Chau My Long 6 Trung Binh 9 Dan Thanh-Dong Hai 10 Hiep Tranh-Trung Long Hoa 11 My Long I_________ 12 Long Hoa A summary of the Project for the purposes of conducting the environmental and social review is described in Table 3. Both Vmh Chau models presen Soun aid Lwmple (1996) vl be comdred in the envionmentl review. Chapter2: PnVect Deseripton , Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmentsl and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 Table 3: Summary of proposed Project Areas are In ha; Costs are In million USD. _ Sub-Project. ____Total Full Protectlon Zone ___ uffer Zone ___ TOM TWOW FP __ Coiste Ra,stlsmsfit TOWt FP2 Totd ___ Forsty Full Econominc AclIvitls lotl SZ- _______________ _____ Ales Cost A ~Im !*ai 7mM cost Engo "mog ouslds costs Costs *Z Arms P15r1t _Ten Cost Ae rooe Cs Costs N.. maiePm*w nl J!!!(Mm u[ J([ 1.6UsSI "UD -IMi UsDI- (MMl USC) (Ml JML (M (mi USC (ha) Model linM USD1 Imli USC 5.14 13421 7.S _____ 10.12 15410015 1___ 7.20 1 vfd coed ?,ONHi 7.6 2.02 180 1.144 2.016 0.29 . .22 4.496 2.123 1.122 0.73 1.246 RdGh 1.t .7 2 WsetwCsm Mau MdHd W.e0 2.00 2.020 1.666 1.23 0.27 ST 6 0.62 0.62 3.0680 1,432 76 0.S 867 Doi Ghe 0.9 12 3 Essl.nCSM5U MihiiHU 16.146 16.22 .2 2,1621 5,271 1.06 11.3-1 162 1.6 14.02 6.026 1.230 4.456 0.42 2.340 Dwn Cc .5 22 4 vbdt Idls Rd MIi WH 4.66 00 .6 67 163 01 4.16 16 0.16 4.51 2,302 031 761 0.22 6a0 Uc Lieu 6.9 .6 6 WiChoSu Soc Tian 5,904 2.72 4.172 2,260 122 1.47_. 1.47 1.732 721 4922 0.61 519 Vi1h Cho 4 12 67n DM* SsTiun 1,142 0.24 646 642_ 0.24 __0.24 4P 346 - .00 148 00 7 30 NIEwfo SuTio 2.26 0.66 1,020 1,167 483 0.43 ___0.43 63- 407 35 16 DMnu 1)5 .1 6 VIWi ~~~~TraVhinh 1.322 0.26 1.102 66 466 0.06 0.06 20 N 106 0.16 67 OsMOol 0 07 0.23 6 0., "'O lI iTrpsVk 2,350 1.22 1,22 1,4 140 0.06 __ . 13 0.36 0.46 1.068 340 _ 406 0.43' 320 _MyLong 0.34 077 10 TiuWi.? ~Ho IT,rsVkh 2.213 1.03 612 612 ___ 0.07 36 0.07 0.14 1.601 711 410 0.36. 460 Mv Long 0.52 0.62 it TuavIW~~~~~~~i1.336 1.10 736 677 161 0.44 ___ 0.26- - 0-.869 S0W 6 1 02 10M og 01 0.42 12 t 4og HoikWh 341 0.31 216 2165 0.26 0.25 126 64 . 0.02 ---42 _My Lon 0 05 -0.06 TOW. RMl Hal 34177 30.47 16.66 C"I l,0s 1.76 _ 16.47 22 2.46 10.70 17.614 6.623 7.148 1.93 5.143 6.63 _10.77 TOULes#Set sng 9,227 83 6.4I476 M,0 2.14 ...2.14 2.656 1.473 527 0.61 6856 1 58 1.40 Teli Tr, VInl 7.634 86 3,9 3182 707 .21 _ 026 212 .4 1.66 3.65 1.622 954 1.20 1.109 II? 2.3 Orend TOWd 61.m0 I 27.961 18.61A 66 4.62 1 15.72 444 2.2 2.8 24.45 6.716 669 3.96 7.106 - . 19 1.3 10 Chapter 2: Project Description GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component 3. Environmental Review of Buffer Zone Activities 3.1 SUMMARY OF CURRENT ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS IN THE BUFFER ZONE Appendix B contains an overview of environmental conditions in the provinces containing the Pilot Sites. This overview was used to augment the detailed environmental review of proposed BZ activities proposed for the Pilot Sites when time and resources proved limiting. Appendix C contains the detailed environmental review of proposed BZ activities for each of the Pilot Sites. The reader is referred to these two appendices for more specific information. Figure 2 and Figure 3 are summaries of current environmental conditions in the proposed Pilot Sites. Essentially, Figure 2 and Figure -3 confirm assessments of environmental conditions of the Project Area and adjoining areas made in various publications (ESSA 1992, NEDECO 19_, World Bank 1995, EVS 1996). In general, physical resources in the Pilot Sites are in relatively good condition, save for limited freshwater resources throughout all Sites. Ecological resources are more degraded due to over-exploitation, especially forests, wetlands, and fisheries; these have had a cumulative effect on biodiversity which is assessed to be considerably poor condition. The social resources, including income, gender, food production, nutriton and health, and education are uniformly more degraded still. 3.2 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW OF PROPOSED BUFFER ZONE ACTIVITIES Figure 4 contains a summary of issues related to proposed BZ activities. The main features of this assessment are as follows: (i) the risk of aquaculture disease is thought to remain large at all Pilot Sites. This is viewed as the introduction of 'exotic species", and is assessed as Significant at all Pilot Sites; (ii) in some Pilot Sites. ongoing conversion of wetlands to pond culture is thought to have significant effects on erosion and siltation rates; (iii) the risk of water pollution from pond effluent is assessed as Insignificant. While pollution from these ponds does occur and while localized water degradations may occur from aquaculture activities, the pollution loads from domestic sources will likely dominate water quality conditions as long as rural sanitation in the Project Area is practically non- existent; (iv) in some of the Pilot Sites where freshwater agriculture is either proposed for the BZ in the dry season or is practised in the full economic zone very near to the BZ, there is a concem for the effects of pestiides and herbicide contamination of water systems and shrimp ponds. This is of particular concem because persistent organochlorines appear to be the biocides of choice in the Pilot Sites; Chapter 3: Environmental Review 11 Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of BufferZone Component November, 1996 -_Proposed Pilot Sites -I 0 ASaumod RepIlicaDIIIty Iupf0Jc5 up 12. 7. 8 3 4 5 6.9.10,11.12 Physical Resources _ Soils G G G G G Surface Freshwater Resources F F P p p Groundwater Resources F F G G G Marine Water Quality G G G G G Geology and Minerals U U U U U Air Quality G G G G G Ecological Resources _ Terrestrial Biota G _ P_P__ Forests F P PF Wetlands G F P p Aquatic Biota G G G G G Freshwater Fisheries P P P P P Marine Fisheries P P P P Biodiversity G G Parks and Reserves F F N N Social and Economic Resources Income p p p p p Food Production P p p P p Drinking Water Supply F F F F F Nutrition and Health P pp p p Education p p P P p _Employment 'p p p p Ethnic Minorities N N P p N Gender Issues P p p p p Figure 2: Summary of current environmental conditions in the Pilot Sites7. | 7G - good condition; F - fair condifion; P - poor or degraded condition; N - resource is not pment U - unknown 12 Chaptr3: Environmenta Review GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component So"~ Gm twtsUvftWC 0 T.tfha H~af GOtaM.Prnt NWI~e I ori I-~~~~~O G R - Food Pvc~he ilo Sies vets of B yn fa activi Poore Dexpeaded toh uaigiitantiv Aosivesseffets Cnitin thGrvsonof ddfoa Figre : Qalia n abitive synuthresi fof curterentstiatean of uaenvironetalhsi r xesuctes in increasebiodiversiti lth Pitesi vi)extemlfactorsare expected to haveno r insignificant ompacts.fThis is breaus the types;o fvi aoreistrspaies tof busedtemn parems ofath etensive, vareniety, withdittlgendhumand inputso sav forfinePialoplaning,. etending peinodicthinnin, andhe replanting ofvthonmned areeassBoestry a aciithes arSxetd ohv ignificant po retTielcsithvivew efftet Cosutntthehproisionso additiona habta andirhabitat stuctureforbolth terresoftrilen aquaticTh biota.cthi iees expectedrto increasthse bi acivrsiyn the Pilpote Siesooi;elbi mn tePjceeiire adthe fiv refPiote Sites,ehi oiis a sythycrelateartogEnviro nmntl ent,daare assessedvias the quality of environmental resources in the Poject Area. ~.Chapter 3: nImntlRve 13 Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 Proposed Pilot Sites EC _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _~~ ~ ~ ~~ ~~ ~~ _0 _ _ _ AInMna KAeputCaDY 45U"lt 66proTS) 2. 7 | 3 , s e. e General Impacts, constraints hiflux of New Settrs ' S Land Tenure, Resource Use Rights U U U U U Exte idon - - ---- U --"'''U---U--U----U-- Credit _ S --- ---''S -''' S. '' S'' Ethnic Minorities N N U U N__ Gender, Rob of Women ' U U- UIJ-- Effects of Non-Forestry Activities on the Environ ment Converion of Wetlands for PoniConstruction I S N NN S Wer Polution from Pond Effluent I I _ _ Risk of Aqu cuiture Diase S S S S S In_troduction of Exotic Speci s S S S Effects of External Factors on Sustainability of ion- Fomstry Activities Land Use and Agrkultural Prctices I I S S Pollutbn*om Industrial E nts ''' N---- '- ----N--- NC- N I Natural Hazards (typhoons, storm surges, etc.) N N N I I Polluton from Human Settiements S S S S ,pollution from Navigation _ I I I Effects of Buffer Zone Forestry on th; Environment Sol Erosion from Silc iciring I I- - I Loss of Organic Matter by Vegtation Removal N N N N N Soil Erosion From Harvesting N N N N N Loss of Nutrients by Harvesting N N N N N Use of Fertilizer, Petlides, *nd'Herbildes N N ' N - - N N Direct Damage in Harvest Operations I N N I Decreas in Watr Qualky From increasd Nutrient Inputs I I I N N Changes in Habtt and HablieflSiructure P, '' P'S-'' P,S -' - P,S P,S ILos of Forest Products from Post Species N N N N N Effect of External Facto on Sustainability of uffer Zne Forestry Land Use and Agricultural Practics S N N N N IWater Pollution I N N I |Natural Hazards (typhoons, storm surge, etc.) N N N I I Figure 4: Summary of issues at the Pilot Sites with Project implementationi. | 3.3 RECOMMENDED MITIGATION AND MONITORING 3.3.1 Mitigation 3.3.1.1 Mitigation for Direct Environmental Issues Litte mitigaton for the direct environmental impacts of proposed BZ activities is either required or IN - not an issue; I - insignificant S - Significant; U - Urgent 14 Chapter 3: Environmental Review GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetiands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component recommended. There are two minor exceptons: (i) with respect to the issues of persistent organochlorines being used for freshwater agriculture either in the BZ or in the full economic zone adjacent to the BZ, it is recommended that, if the Project is to finance and support extension activities, modest extension resources should be devoted to proper types and use of agro-chemicals in the Bac Lieu and Vinh Chau Pilot Sites, and in other Sub-Projects as necessary; and (ii) similar extension resources should be expended for teaching environmentally appropriate methods for pond, canal, and dike construction. 3.3.1.2 MItigation for Unsustainable Expansion of Buffer Zone Components The unsustainable expansion of shrimp aquaculture in the early 1990's is responsible for much of the environmental degradation of coastal forests and wetlands in the Project Area. This Project seeks to halt and reverse this degradation along the coastal belts of three Mekong Delta Provinces. Section 3.2 concludes that there are few, if any, environmental effects of concem from proposed BZ activities. On the other hand, the ability of the proposed BZ activites in achieving the Projects important overall environmental goals is an issue. A key question is whether the Project will remove, mitigate, or ameliorate factors that caused the unsustainable aquaculture expansion and concomitant environmental degradation in the first place, and will instead promote factors that would ensure environmental (and therefore social, economic, and institutional) sustainability of BZ activities in the Project Area. Essentially six causal factors contributed to the environmental degradation in the Project Area in the 1990s: (i) National Fisheries Policies Viet Nam's fisheries are essentially is driven by national institutions and associated para-statal enterprises that view fisheries production systems, including coastal aquaculture, as (a) having no productivity limits; and (b) a good source of foreign exchange in a time when govemment funding and support to these institutions and enterprises is declining. A clear example of this exists in Minh Hai. Euroconsult (1996) states that the province wishes to decrease the total shrimp farm area to approximately that which is environmentally sustainable, approximately 80,000 ha. But, national fisheries policies call for increases in area for shrimp farming and a doubling of yield by the year 2010. Similarly, the policy response to declining nearshore fisheries is to increase the capacity for fishing offshore stocks that are assumed to be under- exploited (but see the assessment rnade in 1996 that Viet Nam's offshore fisheries potential may be less than anticipated). These policies are exacerbated by the desire for foreign exchange eamings on the part of these institutions and para-statal enterprises, and have been an extremely strong driving force in the expansion of aquaculture activities in the Project Area. It is important to note that, in Viet Nam, national line and planning institutons set production targets that are then given to provincial govemment insfttutions to implement and administer. These policies are and likely continue to be Chapter 3: Environmental Review 15 Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 strong agents i -vironmental degradation of mangroves and other coastal wetlands in the Project Area, (ii) Settlement Patterns and Land Tenure uncontrolled settlement of the Project Area by migrants occurred because of the strong effects of national fisheries policies coupled with the inability of local govemment institutions to appropriately implement the Land Law9. Settlement of the Project area in the early 1990s was consequently chaotic and unregulated; (iii) Credit for both fisheries and shrimp aquaculture became formally available from the Viet Nam Bank of Agriculture in the very early 1990's (perhaps in response to fisheries policies), making it possible and relatively simple for the private sector (i.e., households) to borrow for the rapidly expanding aquaculture sector. Total annual lending increased at an annual rate of 70% between 1992 and 1996, and loan sizes to the private sector (i.e., households) through the mid 1990's averaged about USD $800. Private sector loans in arrears were basically non-existent until 1995, when 33.7% of the short temn (i.e., less than one year) loans made for shrimp aquaculture in that year were not repaid, likely reflecting an inability of households to pay because of low production and revenues. Private sector short term loans in arrears to date in 1996 are 17.8% of the short term lending this year. Credit, easily obtained in the early 1990s, has now tumed into debt for many households; (iv) Extension good and appropriate extension promotes sustainability and therefore decreases the risk of environrmental degradation. It appears that there was not enough extension provided in the 1990s; this problem continues today. At present, aquaculture extension is carried out by three agencies: provincial and district fisheries officers; research institute staftf and staff of para-statal fisheries enterprises. The current extension system suffers from a number of key constraints: * low coverage of aquaculture farmers * lack of specialist extension staff * lack of training in extension * lack of budget equipment, and transport * lack of coordination. In parficular, farmers may receive extension advice that is consistent with national fisheries policies, but inimical to sustainability at the household level (v) Inputs, particularly hatchery PLs, were poor quality. While hatchery PLs were promoted with the expectation that higher yields and production would result, shrimp disease ensued and incomes and economic well-eing declined. While there is no conclusive evidence, it may be reasonable to assume that this promoted environmental degradation of coastal wetands; as households sought other sources of income 'Ie., in some cases granmg iegl land tenure either to alrady resident households; providing legal land tenure to new households if appropriate; or refusing legal land tenure to households when necessary, with capacity for fair enforcerent 16 Chapter3: Environme ReV1W GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component (vi) an overall resource management framework for productive natural resources in Viet Nam that is inimical to sustainability. Essentially, the legal framework for productive natural resource management in Viet Nam treats all these resources as open access common property resources; co-management of productive natural resources in Viet Nam, such as coastal wetlands and nearshore fisheries, is therefore probably very difficult to achieve. Table 3 summarizes the above. Essentially, factors that were inappropriate for sustainability, such as nabonal fisheries policy and inputs, had very strong influences on the rate of aquaculture expansion in the 1990's, while factors that were appropriate and extremely important for sustainability, such as land tenure, credit, and extension, could only be weakly applied because of various constraints. This has implications for Project design and implementation. The following are recommended to improve the chances of success of BZ activities, preventing rampant expansion of unsustainable versions of shrimp farming technology, halting and reversing environmental degradation, and creating a successful Project10: (i) either BZ activities have to be, in some way, 'decoupledm from national fisheries policies, or national fisheries policies will need to be reconfigured for sustainability; (ii) control and regulation of settlement (i.e., in-migration to the Project Area), along with efficient and fair application of the Land Law; (iii) addressing the debt problems caused by inability to repay previous loans, and provision of new credit for capital investments and working capital; (iv) provision of local (i.e., village level) extension services; and (v) fixing the problem of poor quality hatchery PL. The following recommendations are proposed to promote factors that would ensure environmental (and therefore social, economic, and institutional) sustainability of BZ activities in the Project Area and thereby reduce the risk of unsustainable expansion of other BZ activities. National Fisheries Polices Reconfiguring national fisheries policies for resource sustainability will be a difficult and long term task, is beyond the scope of the Project, and is being dealt with in part by a number of bilateral initatives". The recommendation is to try to decouple as much as possible the BZ activities from the effects of national fisheries policies. It is suggested that the institutional arrangements for the Project be configured to give as much control of and responsibility for implementation to the provincial and even district levels. There are risks in this approach, particularly with respect to replicating some of the problems that occurred in implementing the 327 Programme. But, the need to be somewhat independent from national fisheries policies to ensure sustainability, 'OAddesing in some way the basic mcompatibilty of Vast Nams resource manWement franmwok with the requiemnts of sustainable use of producive natral resouroes is compltely beyond the scope of Ihis Projoe Chapter 3: Environmental Review 17 Coastal Welands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 Table 4: Summary of factors contributing to unsustainable shrimp aquaculture in the Project area in the early 1990s. 1 National Fisheries inappropriate strong *either BZ activities have Policies -to be, in sorne way, 'dec oupledw frm national fisheries policies, or national fisheries policies will need to be reconfigured I for sustainability 2 Application of Land very appropriate weak * control and regulation of Law and Settlement settlement (i.e., in- Control nigration to the Project Area), along with efficient and fair application of the Land Law 3 Credit appropriate strong, but now weak * addressing the debt because of household problems caused by debt problem inability to repay previous lans, and provision of new credit for capital investments _ _____________ *___________________ ____________________ and working capital 4 Extension appropriate weak * provision of local (i.e., viWage level) extension services 5 Inputs not appropriate strong in last 3 years * fixing the problem of (i.e.. hatchery PLs) poor quality hatchery PL 6 Overall Resource not appropriate neutral * addressing in some way Management the basic incompatibility Framework of Viet Nam's resoure management framework with the requirements of sustainable use of productive natura resources coupled with the community focus of much of the Project, means that it is important that Project implementation responsibility be held at the local level. It is therefore recom mended that the overall Project be implemented essentially as tnree separate Projects by three multi-agency Project Management Offices, one Jn each of the provinces. These offices would consist of the various provincial level istitutions who would be responsible for implementing the three projects as well any "e.g., proposed NORAD assistance in deveopment of new Fisheries Law, and Fisheries Component of VCOP 11 (Viet Nam Canada Ocean and Coastal Cooperon Program). 18 Chapter 3: Environmental Review GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component associated technical assistance. The primary link to national institutions would be financial in nature. A Financial Management Office for each province, under the Ministry of Finance, would manage the finances of the Projects, as well as provide financial advice, guidance, and direction to each provincial level Project Management office. Land Tenure It is recommended that technical assistance be directed towards resolving this issue. Euroconsult (1996) recommends some of these types of activities as part of pre-implementation requirements (they mention gazetting PB zones and formulation of farmer's contracts), but more is needed. It is expected that this technical assistance would be for local departments of land administration and would consist of cadastral mapping; provision of offices, equipment, and training to speed up resolution of local land tenure issues. Credit issues will need to be resolved, particularly: (i) dealing with high household debt accrued during the recent years of low retums to shrimp; and (ii) provision of additional credit for crop diversification and small scale engineering works. It is beyond the scope of this study to estimate or comment on credit requirements, or to provide specific recommendations for dealing with existing debt. Extension will also need to be provided and while the proposals for providing extension services through the Vinh Chau Artemia and Shrimp Research Centre and the Can Tho University Station in Bac Lieu are highly recommended, additional extension support will be required at the village level. SCP Fisheries Consultants (1996) outlined a proposed extension sub-component in their preparation of a coastal aquaculture investment project for potential funding by the ADB. The key elements of their proposed extension are: (i) Village Aquaculture Extension Units'2, comprising village level extension officers, subject matter specialist, small scale village aquaculture laboratories, aquaculture extension centers; (ii) Provincial Extension Units: (iii) National Aquaculture Extension Centre Support; (iv) Farmer Association Support; and (v) Extension Training Courses. SCP Fisheries Consultants (1996) provides complete cost estimates for this component. A cost summary is provided in Table 5. 12ft is possible to mgime these being at the eel of the Piot Msi, or *t Sub.projets. Chapter 3: Envirnmenal Review 19 Coastal Wetfands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 Table 5: Indicative costs of extension services. Taken from SCP Fisheries Consultants (1996). Village Extension Unit S15,000 per village S2,500 per village per year Provincial Extension Unit S50,000 per province S6,000 per province National Aquaculture Extension Centre S20,000 Support Farmer Association Support _ $1,200 per association Extension Training Courses _ $160,0001- Inputs The financing of the institutional support services described in Scura and Lampietti (1996) are recommended. 3.3.2 Monitoring 3.3.2.1 Current Monitoring Situatfon Environmental monitoring in study area is fragmented, underfunded, and unmanaged. The lack of consistent and regular environmental monitoring of environmental resources is a fundamental weakness with respect to environmental management in study area. The specific problems with existing monitoring in the Project Area include: (i) monitoring of only some environmental parameters, and not all those for which environmental quality standards exist; (ii) inconsistency in the environmental parameters that are monitored from year to year and from location to locabon; (iii) insufficienit co-ordination among institutions conducting environmental monitoring; and (iv) the absence of any mechanism for using the results of monitoring to influence management or regulatory procedures. This makes it extremely difficult to obtain a clear picture of the current state of important environmental resources, how these might be changing, and the causes of any changes that might be occurring. "This would actually be a one cost for training taifners. 20 Chapter 3: Environmental Review GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component The major constraints to improved monitoring are in study area are: (i) lack of modem equipment and resources with which to regularly measure more than just basic environmental parameters; (ii) lack of computerization of data storage and retrieval making for difficult and quick access, and for analysis and presentation of spatial and temporal changes in environmental conditions; (iii) lack of financial resources; and (iv) lack of trained staff. The exception to this is a Sida supported a water quality monitoring program throughout the Mekong Delta since 1988. The focus of this program is on inorganic chemical water quality parameters; the program does not cover generally organic chemicals (e.g. pesticides), heavy metals, or biological water quality parameters (e.g. bacteria, disease organisms). It is the only permanent water quality monitoring network in the Project Area. There have been a number of water quality monitoring surveys and campaigns in the Project Area, but the data and information collected in these initiatives are maintained in the institutions that were responsible for collection. Some pesticide measurements in water have been taken, but very infrequently. Donors should examine carefully the sustainability of any technical assistance in this area because of the issue of study area's ability to finance recurrent costs. Monitoring needs to be initiated, but a careful examination of the ability of study area to finance the project after any monitoring technical assistance will be important. Any recommended monitoring must initially build from existing nabonal monitoring systems, and monitoring should tie directly to current national reporting procedures and associated planning processes, regulatory acton, and enforcement. 3.3.2.2 ImplementatIon of the Monitoring Program It will be essential that this Project be carefully and continuously monitored throughout its life. It would also be extremely useful to continue monitoring of the benefits even after the completion and repayment of the loan. The first step would be to develop a Project Monitoring and Evaluation System which would be acceptable to all parties of the loan. The elements of this system would be: (i) the establishment of a database of key indicators of the progress of the Project; (ii) the development and execution of a baseline survey before the Project commences to establish the pre-program status of these key indicators, as a base against which to measure progress as the Project moves ahead. The Bank's guidelines and procedures will be considered in designing these surveys as well as the overall project monitoring and evaluation activities; Chapter 3: Environmental Review 21 Coastal Wetands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 (iii) the development of a system to collect data from all segments of the Program on a regular basis to generate Project Monitoring reports in the appropriate frequencies and time frames (Table 6). It is recommended that the monitoring be conducted at the village level and be aggregated where necessary; (iv) the development by the Project Management Office of a computerized database where information collected will be stored, collated, analyzed, and from which the periodic reports will be generated; (v) after the first year of operation, an independent appraisal of the monitoring system which will recommend corrections or additions to the system a required to deal with any deficiencies identified. The costs of this activity should be considered an intemal recurring cost of the participating Vietnamese ministries as a part of their contribution to the Project. 22 Chapr 3: Environmntal Review GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component Table 6: Recommended Project monitoring framework. Success ofBuffer Zone Activitles to Buffer yield of crops (all types) 20 to 30 randomly selected oonce per crop Zone Hotmeholds revenue, costs, and incorme households in each Sub-project , ~~~~~~~~~~from each crop and total *once per crop, totaled annually Success of Buffer Zone Activlites on Marine * species abundance surveys * 2 or 3 alongshore locations in * once per year Environmental Quality of aquatic blota in coastal each Sub-project areas *species abundance surveys * 20 to 30 randomly selected * once at beginning of aquaculture of aquatic blota In pond intake households in each Sub-Project crop water *harvests of coastal aquatic * 20 to 30 randomly selected . once per month biota households in each Sub-Project aharvests of aquatic blota In * approxinately 5 nets In each * once per month Inshore canal bagnets'4 Sub-project Success of Buffer Zone Activites on * species abundance surveys * each Sub-project d once per year Terrestrial Environmental Quality of terrestrial blota In coastal - reforested areas, concentrating on birds blevel of human Intrusion into * each Sub-project . once per year FPZ Influx of New Settlers on Overall * number of new InhabHtants, * all households in each Sub- a once per year Sustainability of Buffer Zone Actvities cdassified by sex age, and project ethnic group *proportion of new Inhabitants h once per year without legal itl to * al households In each Sub- landholding project Effects of Land Tenure, Resource Use * proportion of population wih * all households in each Sub- once per year Rlghts legal, signed tenure to land project holding, with accompanying survey map of landholding _ 14Tuan (1996) provides a description of this monitoring component. Chaptr3: EnviromnentaiReview 23 Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 Table 6: continued. Effect of Extension | all socio-economic data 20 to 30 randomly selected dhsagreggated by whether or households In each Sub-project not extension servioes were offered and rerceived to pemmH comparison Credit * proportion of families * 20 to 30 randomly selected * once per year obtaining credH by source of households In each Sub-project credit: formal Institutions (VBA, Bank for the Poor, people's credit funds, rural associations, etc.): money lenders: traders: relatives: others * proportion of households with * 20 to 30 randomly selected * once per year loans in arrears households In each Sub-project _ Ethnic Minorities . all socdo-economic data 20 to 30 randomly selected disaggregated by ethnic group households in each Sub-p"roect __ Gender Issues * where possible socio- 20 to 30 randomly selected economic data disaggregated households In each Sub-project by sex * household level labor activity budgets for each major crop type (and for other farm activHies) disaggregated by . ________________________________________ gender an id age Conversion of Wetlands * land use by major land use * all land In each Sub-prject * once per year type, focusing on mangrove and aquaculture land use 24 Chapter 3: Environmental Review GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component Table 6: continued. Water Pollution from Nutrient Inputs and .physicaUchemical parameters *20 to 30 randomly selected t hree times per aquacuiture -crop: Pond Emuent ~~~~~~~~~~(pH. S, SS. EN, NH4-N, EP households in each Sub-project beginning; middle; and end . . ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~are the key parameters) in monitoring of pond intake and . ~~~~~~~~~~~~~pond Intake and pond effluent pond effuent canals, coupled canals, coupled wKh similar wih similar monioring of major monitorng of major canals canals upstream of BZ and upstream of PZ and leading leading away from BZ away from BZ * agrochemicals In pond intake * in pond intake and pond effluent * three times per aquacultilre crop: and pond effluent canals, canals in Sub-projects with beginning; middle; and end coupled with similar freshwater agriculture activities in monitoring of major canals the BZ andfor the adjoining full upstream of BZ and leading economic zone, coupled with away from BZ similar monitoring of major canals upstream of BZ and leading away . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ from BZ Risk of Aquaculture Disease a quality testing of hatchery PLs * 20 to 30 randomly selected * once at beginning of aquaculture for disease and overall households In each Sub-project crop vlability Effects of Agricultural Practices . see recommendations for water pollution Pollution from Human Settlements . see recommendations for water pollution Natural Processes . estimate of loss or gain of * each Sub-project * once at beginning of Project, once coastal areas and wetlands at completion of Project due to deltaic processes Resettlement * will need to be defined during preparation of Resettlement .________________________________________________ Plan Chapter 3: Environmental Review 25 I I A i GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component 4. Social Review of Buffer Zone Component 4.1 INTRODUCTION At the request of the World Bank and as part of the social feedback from communities in the Project area, an exercise in rural appraisal was conducted at six sites in three provinces in the Mekong Delta. In all, 127 interviews were conducted (Table 7). A more detailed report has been prepared for each site under the following headings: Background, Felt Needs of the Community, Indicative Community Action Plan (ICAP) (Appendix D). The main sections report under the headings of resettlement issues, conservation/ coastal protection issues, income generation/ economic development issues and infrastructure/ social issues. Each report includes a Detailed Work schedule and List of Interviewees. Whereas the purpose of the site-specific reports was to identify issues specific to each location, the purpose of this Section is to report on issues common to the project area'5. 4.2 RESETTLEMENT Local authorities report that there are 1,200 households throughout the project area to be resettled. Transportation and communications difficulties render it extremely difficult to determine the accuracy of this number. Based on field observations that suggest far fewer households to be resettled, the RA team suspects that local authorities may be inflating resettlement numbers artificially in an attempt to collect and pocket resettlement compensation funds from national authorities. In terms of numbers of households to be resettled, resettlement is a major issue at two locations (Dam Doi, Dong Hai), a minor issue at two locations (Bac Lieu, Vinh Chau) and not an issue at two locations (Bai Ghe, My Long). Numbers aside, wherever resettlement is an issue, it is complicated. Not everyone living in the FPZ Is considered an Illegal settler In Dong Hai, most villagers contributed much to the revolution during the war and are not considered to be illegally residing in the FPZ. In My Long and Vinh Chau, the few residents of the FPZ established residence 20 - 25 years ago; that is. before the existence of the FPZ. Not all Illegal settlers are created equal The easiest to deal with are those who own land in their "home provinces". Those who do not have the option of retuming to land in their home provinces remain in the FPZ because they see no other option (Dam Doi). Illegal settlement Ls economically driven; therefore, a pemanent solution must be economically driven People settle illegally in the first place because of perceived economic advantages (e.g., high profits of shrimp farming; proximity to sea and low cost of sea products 5 his Secion reflects the viows of the intemational consultant. Appendix D contains a summary made by the national consultants of the interviews made durng the Rural Appraisal. Chapter 4: Social Review 27 Coastal Wetiands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 F- Table 7: Interview schedule for six sites. Bai Ghe Minh Hai May 25 - June 2 15 Dam Doi Minh Hai May 25 - June 2 20 Bac Lieu Minh Hai July 20 - 26 29 Dong Hai Tra Vinh August 3 - 8 25 My Long Tra Vinh August 3 - 8 12 Vinh Chau Soc Trang August 10 - 13 26 TOTAL 127 harvesting). Simply moving people out of an area, even with compensation will not be a permanent solution unless they have an economic incentive to remain in the new area. Management of resettlement has been poor because local authoriffies have not been given the authorfty to manage the problem Residents of the FPZ are unaware that they are to be resettled, residents of resettiement sites are unaware that resettlers are to arrive; potential resettlers are unaware to where and under what terms of payment. Resettlement may have significant economic and social implications. In Dong Hai, 80% of the 200 families to be resettled are fishermen. At a minimum resettlement will compromise their ability to eam a living from fishing. It may force them away from a traditional way of life into different activities such as farming. Resettlement may only relocate the problem (at significant expense), not solve It In Dong Hai, none of residents in FPZ know about the resettlement program. Likewise, the new site for 278 families will be taken from Buffer Zone. and people in Buffer Zone were unaware their land was to be reallocated. It may be preferable not to resettle people out of the FPZ In My Long and Vinh Chau, local authorities believe that there are few enough households in the FPZ (10 in the case of Vinh Chau) that they will not cause any significant effect on the coastal protection forest In My Long, knowledgeable long time residents can assist the authorities in acfivities of replantation and forest management Different land tenure systems and definitions of "legal settlerw need to be considered in implementing a resettlement policy that seeks to move people out of the FPZ. Some households received a land allocation, then vs-,d it to others who were unaware of land policy and do not have official land cerfificates. Others believe that paying tax regularly constitutes legal status. In another 28 Chapter 4: Social Reviw GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component area, all coastal areas have been distributed to farmers and fishermen by local authorities. These people have land use right certificates bestowed by the project management board. 4.3 CONSERVATION AND COASTAL PROTECTION As a result of poor management, reforestation is undertaken every year but the total forested area contnues to decrease The govemment needs to establish lines of communication and promote cooperation to satisfy the objectives of reforestation and economic development. (Bac lieu). Other reasons: inadequate policy for the BZ; ineffective local regulations, weak support from national budget; restricted cooperation with scientific research institutes. (Dong Hai) Managers at the provincial level have not given full responsibility to commune authorties Therefore, it is difficult to control illegal cutting. (Bac Lieu) There are many problems with the GOV land use policy of 70X forest area: 30% pond area. It will take both time and investment capital to reach the GOV 70:30 target Most households fall far short of the required 70% forested area. They have neither the necessary capital to invest in replantation nor the required working capital to bear the short term losses of taking land out of shrimp producton (Bac lieu). Furthermore, technicians of the FEs have been unable to prove the advantages of the 70:30 rato. People are unhappy with this; however, officially, they must follow that regulation of govemment. (Dong Hai). According to local leaders and relating officers, programs of reforestaton under 70: 30 ratio has not logical, at least in Vinh Chau study site. Therefore , they are proposing different ratio as 50:50, 40:60, etc. based on particular situations. Farmers are not willing to replant the tree followed 70 : 30 ratio since they will lost much of cultivated land in Buffer Zone (Vinh Chau). Forested area has declined regardless of good or bad retums from shrimp farming. When retums from shrimp producton were high, trees were cut down to create more shrimp ponds. When shrimp disease problems resulted in poor retums, trees were cut for cash income. Shrimp culture is a clear example of the conflict between short term profit generaton and long term sustainability. As a last resort for cash income; investments in other economic options such as agriculture will reduce pressure on the forests (Dong Hai) In implementing a resettlement program, issues of the dependency of local people on natural resources need to be considered New areas must have enough resource for both subsistence needs and income generation. (Bai Ghe, Dam Doi) Local people know nothing about the coastal protection plan of the govemment However, they are willing to enter into work contracts if offered. Villagers felt they could organize themselves into special groups in order to implement and manage reforestation. The villagers understand well the characteristics of forest trees, soils and weather. They would be able to collaborate with policy makers on coastal protection plans. (Dong Hai) Chapter 4: Social Review 29 Coastal WeVands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 The importance of conservation and coastal protection is recognized Conservation through coastal protection plays an important role in My Long. Villagers here understand well the role of the coastal forest because they themselves suffered the impact of deforestation. As a result, there have been very few cases of illegal cutting of trees. As well, there are at least three known coastal protection projects in My Long. Although reforestation has been taking place slowly because of a limited budget, there has been good cooperation between villagers and forest managers. Villagers contribute to coastal protection project by giving advice to local authorities, for example, in the selection of appropriate tree species. The coastal Protection Plan for My Long is well organized despite being small. According to work contracts, each household may take 10 ha of forest or more to manage and they will receive on average VND 50,000 per hectare per year. About 40 per cent of households have entered into work contracts. The national budget for 327 pmject distributed to My Long is too small. For example, it was sufficient to replant only 5 ha in 1996. Officers in My Long wish they could find other sources of financial support to increase the speed of reforestation. (My Long) People who living nearby coastal area are pleased with reforestation plans because they will have income through work - contact with project managers . In long - term, there production would be improved. (Vinh Chau) Local people did not relate the dramatic downtum in shrimp production to coastal environmental protection or lack of same.(My Long) 4.4 INCOME GENERATION/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 4.4.1 General Economic development needs cannot be addressed by Isolated interventions A package approach is required (e.g., capital + extension (particularly if households are being asked to try a new technique or product) + freshwater wells + small tools + pilot projects to demonstrate new technologies such as Tilapia farning). Lack of investment capital acts to increase economic risk by decreasing control over inputs. Likewise, communities have neither the knowledge to pursue other economic opportunities nor have the faith in local "experts" to teach them nor the investment capital. Many potential economic options are unavailable for want of very liftte capital However, farmers are already over-indebted and even small sums (VND 1.0 - 1.5 million) are not available Management fnefficiency acts as a constraint on the realization of income generation potenfal. Not only is credit a problem but credit systems are inefficient Likewise, the management of overfishing through fisheries regulabtions is cumbersome. A program to promote sustainable practices is requird to stabilize Incomes; however, a variety of sources of Income Ls no guarantee of income stability Working capital is still required so that farmers can control factors of production and reduce risk. (e.g., extensive shrimp farming - they are prone to vagaries of weather etc.) 30 Chapter 4: Social Review GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component 4.4.2 Aquaculture Communities do not have faith in shrimp culture as a solution to their economic problems While shrimp culture is practised at all of the study sites, it is practiced far less than 3 - 4 years ago. In Bac Lieu, less than 5% of shrimp farming households continue to farm shrimp. Communities prefer investments In complementary inputs such as extension services rather than civil works. Women seem more aware than their husbands of the need to spread economic risk by pursuing opportunities other than shrimp aquaculture (e.g., tilapia, crab culture, etc.). "New" techniques such as Tilapia farming should not be counted upon to "solve" income generation problems right away as farmers are unaccustomed to them. Artemia production appears a promising economic complement in Vinh Chau and Bac Lieu. 4.4.3 Fishing Fishing is the most widely practised of income eaming activities Those who have no land or lack capital can support their families by fishing, an activity that, furthermore is available year round. Fishing is viewed very differenty depending on the community In My Long, it is a "last resort" to be engaged in when aquaculture fails or agriculture is unavailable. In Dong Hai, 80% of people eam their living solely from fishing. It is a traditional way of life that would be threatened by resettlement. The same is true of the Khmer in Vinh Chau. They do not have land and as a result are uniquely dependent on fishing to generate income Creating opportunities outside of fishing will assist in reducing fishing pressure thereby contributing to the sustainability of the resource. 4.4.4 Agriculture Those wfith agricultural options are better off economically than those without A necessary but not sufficient condition to success in agriculture is access to land There are farmers with land who cannot cultivate it for want of working capital. Land ownership/access Is a function of ethnicity In Vinh Chau, land owners are Chinese. The Khmer are landless. Freshwater wells appear to be the most productive agricultural Investment Freshwater wells would permit significant increases in productivity either because they allow a 2nd dry season paddy Chapter 4: Social Review 31 Coastal Wetands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmentol and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 crop, fruit tree (long an) production, or vegetable production. 4.4.5 Fuelwood Hlarvesting Fuelwood harvesting is a 'last resort' activity when cash income is required Any investment in other activities will assist in reducing cutting pressure on the coastal forests. 4.5 SOCIALIINFRASTRUCTURE 4.5.1 Ethnicity Productive resources and opportunities are not evenly distributed Lack of food security is particularly frequent among the ethnic groups as Khmer who lack access to productive agricultural land. Food shortages can exist for 6 - 8 months/ year. As they live in more remote areas and for various cultural and economic reasons, they tend to have much less access to education and health services. The Khmer are less equipped to compete in an increasingly money oriented economy Only the Chinese Vietnamese groups have been quick to take up the opportunities presented by the emerging cash economy. The Khmer group usually finds itself working for the Chinese/ Vietnamese groups. Furthermore, many Khmer could not answer questions because they do not speak Vietnamese. This may cause dffficulties for them in the marketing of products. 4.5.2 Women Women tend to be disadvantaged by the changes in rural society They have to share the daily work with men. However, women usually devoted much more time for the common good of the family than their husbands in activities such as food preparation, child care and housework. Women are usually more flexible In terms of production plans however, restricted access to capital prevent them from pursuing options. 4.5.3 Social Implicaffons of Economic Problems There are limIted opportunities to diversify household sources of Income In order to make people less dependent on subsistence fishing and thus be less vulnerable to food shortages. The complicated land tenure systems In the area need to be considered not only as problem In implementing support policy but also as social problem. In providing capihta to expand economic opportunIty, the social problem of seasonal food 32 Chapter 4: Social Review GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component shortages will be addressed; also farmers will be increasingly able to allow their children to continue in school Due to economic constraints, many families could not send their children to school. With the exception of some household who could send children to district high - school, others could never let their children study up higher than grade 3 at primary school. At the present time, there is only one ' school ' with 1 class-room which is enough for 30 pupils. The teacher is a villager. Most poor farmers andfishermen do not trust the govemment's credit system, citing among other problems, complicated procedures. However, access to informal credit is limited by high interest rates (up to 4% per month versus agri-bank rates of 1.2% - 1.7% per month). Authorities can contribute to the solution of a social problem by entering into coastal protection contracts not with landholders but with the landless While coastal protection plans provide a supplementary source of income for wealthier farmers, their importance for poor farmers can be crucial. Because poorer people earn a greater share of their total income from non-farm activities than do middle and upper-income people. In at least one community, It is not unemployment that Is the problem but labor shortages In My Long, land in BZ tends to be unutilized not only because of capital shortages but because laborers migrate to cities in search of higher paying jobs. The public health implications of new economic activffies need to be considered For example, it is common practice to apply DDT to onions. DDT is applied without appropriate precautions being taken. All communities requested that investments be made in road Infrastructure, freshwater wells, schools and health facilities. Chapter 4: Social Reviw 33 I GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component 5. Comments on Overall Project Feasibility The general comments below are offered with respect to overall project feasibility, design, and implementation. 5.1 REPLICABILITY OF BUFFER ZONE MODELS The review work of Scura and Lampietti (1996) suggest that the number of BZ models be increased over that proposed by Euroconsult (1996). In fact, Scura and Lampietti (1996) propose a total of eight aquaculture-based models, to be applied over 12 Sub-projects. At this level, the concept of pilot sites or study sites begins to lose relevance, and the recent proposals to increase the number of farm models in the BZ reflect the extreme heterogeneity of the Project area. This is reinforced by the recommendations of the domestic consultant team for this study that the pilot sites can only really be applicable to the Sub-projects in which they are located (see Appendix C). It may very well be that the most appropriate BZ models for each Sub-project can not be clearly articulated and defined a priori; the rapidly changing situation in the Project Area wfth respect to settlement, land tenure, quantity and quality of inputs such as PL, and so on, only exacerbate difficulties and potential risks in defining BZ farm models prior to Project implementation. The implications of this are discussed further in Section 5.5. 5.2 THE CONCEPT OF COASTAL PROTECTION The VNNEAP identifies the need for coastal protction in two important respects: (i) protection, rehabilitation, and management of exisfing mangroves and inland marshes (VNNEAP Program 1.4); and (ii) stabilize the coastline of Viet Nam and improve protection from typhoons (VNNEAP Program 1.5). The priority provinces for both Program 1.4 and Program 1.5 in the VNNEAP include Minh Hai and Soc Trang, but not Tra Vinh. In addition, the benefits of the proposed coastal engineering works in the erosion zones are unclear. In this part of Viet Nam, coastal engineering works would serve to stabilize a naturally very dynamic coastline, rather than provide typhoon protection. Benefits of coastal protecton provided by coastal engineering works occur when the BZ begins to be eroded, after the FPZ itself has been completely eroded. The analysis of Ngan (1996) indicates that complete erosion of the proposed FPZ (in the zones of high coastal erosion) would occur in from 10 to 33 years without the Project, and that this would be increased to 15 to 53 years with the Project depending on the protection option chosen. These coastal engineering works therefore will not provide immediate benefits' to the Project Area, unlike Fe situation of typhoon prone areas where protecion afforded by coastal dikes would be mmediate. Chapter 5: General Recommendatons 35 Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 and are therefore likely not be financially or economically viable using traditional methods of project analysis. It is recommended that the Bank and the GOV carefully consider whether to fund Project activities that are intended to provide coastal erosion protection benefits alone. 5.3 HABITAT ENHANCEMENT EuroconsuKt (1996) and Scura and Lampietti (1996) rightly declare that the potential financial and economic benefits of habitat enhancement caused by increasing the area of mangrove are great But, current conditions in the Project area are such that little of this potential benefit may actually be realized. The benefits, in the form of greater densites of aquatic biota of subsistence or commercial value would be captured before they had reached their full potential. Additional recruitment to nearshore fisheries created by increased habitat would be negated by: (i) a seemingly unregulated bagnet fishery that would capture much of the increased recruitment before it had reached the ocean; (ii) a catching power of the fishing vessel-based coastal fishery that is likely sufficiently high to absorb all the increased recruitment; and (iii) the added pressure of the land-based coastal fishery conducted by farmers. It is recommended that the Project be coupled with either technical assistance or investments directed towards achieving sustainability in the coastal fishery. 5.4 APPROPRIATENESS OF PROPOSED FARM MODELS Much of the financial and economic justification of the Project rests upon BZ activities, where a 70:30 ratio of mangrove (or other forest) to non-forest land is recommended. But, the justification for this ratio in terms of optimum benefits to the farmer and coastal fisheries is not provided, and there is considerable disagreernent among Vietnamese institutions on what the is best combination of shrimp and mangrove for the Project area. In addition, under the current Project design, the farmer is being asked to put land that could immediately provide crops and income every year into a use (i.e., forest products) that will provide lower retums than the annual crops and only after a number of years. The nurturing function of nmangroves on shrimp yields to the farmer is not clearly articulated, nor is the issue of possible benefits foregone by the farmer for the sake of the coastal fisheries resolved. Finally, the exact farm layout that provides a 70:30 ratio is not described. Further attention needs to be paid to the exact nature of the farm models to be applied in the BZ, because these models will determine the economic well-being of BZ residents and the overall sustainability of the Project Again, this has implications for overall project implementation (Section 5.5). 36 ChaperS: General Recommendaons GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component 5.5 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BUFFER ZONE COMPONENT This is a worthwhile and important Project for Viet Nam. Yet, it appears that complications in the original Project concept have been uncovered as a result of post PPTA activities, particularly with respect to the BZ. What originally was a coastal wetlands protection Project now appears to increasingly resemble a rural development Project. This is to be expected in Viet Nam, and reflects and supports the findings and recommendations of the VNNEAP. For this reason, as well as for the reasons outlined above in Section 3, Section 4, and Sections 5.1 to 5A, the following recommendations Project implementation are given. First, the Project should be implemented as three separate Provincial level projects, with most, if not all, controls and responsibilities at the Provincial level. Second, the BZ component of the Project not be designed a priori. Rather, the BZ component of each provincial level Project should be implemented on a programmatic basis, with districts and villages able to make funding requests to the Project for improvement of economic conditions of their BZ residents, suitable and appropriate to their needs. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, generous technical assistance should be provided, with the core of this technical assistance being one long term technical advisor stationed in each Province for a minimum of two years. This long tern technical advisor would be a community rural development specialist and his/her mandate would be to work with Project counterparts to: (i) identify small-scale BZ projects with high potential benefits for expanding production and increasing commence and value added and with large labor-intensive components and which are compatible with local needs; (ii) conduct inspections, surveying and studies; define design and construction tasks; combine them into contract packages, estimate inputs and costs and prepare bills of quantities for each package; (iii) screen, evaluate and rank the packages on the basis of cost and benefits in accelerating commerce and economic development and promoting sustainability in the BZ; (iv) guidance in use of BZ funds (v) guidance and management of extension and credit; and (vi) capacity building in local (i.e., village, district, provincial) institutions and associations for ongoing project implementation after the completion of the technical assistance. This would be supplemented by short term technical advisors in fields as deemned necessary by the long term advisor, but would likely include: fisheries and aquaculture; community forestry; institutions and policy; extension; credit; and land titling. It is estimated that approximately 90 person-months of ChapterS: General Recommendations 37 Coastal Wetands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 intemational technical advisors are required, with a similar level of national technical advisors, at a total cost of approximately USD $2 million. 38 Chapter5: GenealRecommendatons GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component 6. Literature Cited Chambers, R. 1992. Recent developments in rural appraisal: notes for a workshop. unpubi. manus. 66 pp. plus appendices. Department of Mariculture, College of Agriculture, Can Tho University. Project proposal for upgrading the Bac Lieu Mariculture Research and Extension Centre for Applied Research and Extension, Can Tho University. 17 pp. Dung, N. 1996. Environmental review of buffer zone component. 86 pp. ESSA Ltd. 1992. Water control project for the Quan Lo/Phung Hiep area, Mekong Delta, Viet Nam: Report of a pre-feasibility study. Final Technical Report submitted to Ministry of Water Resources, Viet Nam and Canadian Intemational Development Agency. 354 pp. plus appendices. EVS. 1992. Coastal and marine environmental management for Minh Hai Province, Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. Final report for Asian Development Bank. 247 pp. Ministry of Education and Training, Can Tho University. 1996. Project proposal: Shrimp diseases diagnosis and treatment centre. 8 pp. NEDECO. 1993. Master plan for the Mekong Delta in Viet Nam. prepared for World Bank. 144 pp. Ngan, T.H., 1996. Pre-appraisal: report of hydraulic civil engineer. 53 pp. Nghia, T.T. 1996a. Report Of Second Trip To Minh Hai And Tra Vinh Study Sites. 4 pp. Nghia, T.T. 1996b. Report Of Second Trip To Vinh Chau And Bac Lieu Study Sites. 7 pp. SCP Fisheries Consultants. 1996. Viet Nam coastal aquaculture sector review. Final Report submitted to Asian Development Bank. 174 pp. plus appendices. Scura, E, and J. Lampietti. 1996. World Bank Coastal Wetlands and Development Project (CWPDP): Review of coastal aquaculture component. 20 pp. plus appendices. Thanh, T.K. 1996. The World Bank, Coastal Wetlands Protection and Development Project: Pro- Appraisal - Socio-Economic and Resettlement. 30 pp. Thong, L.Q. 1996a. Indicative Community Action Plan for Bai Ghe Study Site. 11 pp. Thong, LQ. 1998b. Indicative Community Action Plan for Dam Doi Study Site. 15 pp. Thong, L.Q. 1996c. Indicative Community Action Plan for Bac Lieu Study Site. 14 pp. Thong, L.Q. 1996d. Indicative Community Action Plan for Vinh Chau Study Site. 15 pp. Chapter 6: Lltrature Cted 39 Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 Thong, L.Q. 1996e. Indicative Community Action Plan for My Long Study Site. 12 pp. Thong, L.Q. 1 996f. Indicative Community Action Plan for Dong Hai Study Site. 11 pp. luan, NA. 1996. Project proposal: impacts of the use of bagnet on shrimp resources in estuary areas of Minh Hai Province. 3 pp. World Bank. 1991a. Environmental assessment sourcebook. Volume II: Sectoral guidelines. World Bank Technical Paper No. 140. 282 pp. World Bank. 1991b. Operational Directive 4.01: Environmental Assessment. 22 pp. plus Annexes. 40 Chpftr5: Geral Recommendatfons GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component 7. Appendix A: Terms of Reference for Consultants 7.1 TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANTS 7.1.1 Environmental Specialist Based on the proposed Project undertake an environmental assessment which takes into account the following: * the environmental impact of introducing the proposed farm models and how the adverse impacts can be minimized or mitigated * the necessary measures to he adopted by Government to ensure a repeat of the rampant expansion of unsustainable versions of shrimp farming technology since the mid 1980's can be minimized. In order to monitor and assess the success of this project component in achieving the goals for various measures and investments, prepare a list of socio-economic and environmental indicators which can be maintained during the implementation of the project, and speciffy how they can be collected. 7.1.2 Socio-economic Specialist For each major category of farmers affected by the project, undertake an analysis of the socio- economic impact of project activities comparing the -without projecr' situation with the "with project" situation on them. In the priority areas, the socio-economic/community participation team would carry out rural appraisal of major categories of affected farmers and/or farming communities in both the full protection zones and the priority buffer zones to take into account their needs for socio-economic support and to ensure their effective participation in jointly protecting the mangrve conservation belts. 7.2 TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR NATIONAL CONSULTANTS 7.2.1 General Terms of Reference 1. The basis for the study will be the Coastal Wetlands Protection And Development Project currently under preparation by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Viet Nam and the World Bank, the project preparation reports prepared by EuroconsuKt, and any and all updates as provided in the report of the first pre-appraisal field mission. 2. The Project Area for this study is defined as: * the Full Protecton Zone along the entire coastline of the provinces of Minh Hai, Soc Trang, and Tra Vinh Appendix A: Terms of Reference 41 Coastal Wetands Proteeton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 * the Buffer Zone that lies directly bV--ind the Full Protection Zone along the entire coastline of the provinces of Minh Has. oc Trang, and Tra Vinh 3. There will be seven field trips conducted under this Subcontract: * the scoping mission from 2 to 11 May; * three rural appraisal missions as outlined in the report of the first pre-appraisal field mission; * one mission by the Aquaculture Project Specialist to the five prmposed farm models * one mission by the Hydraulic/Water Resources Engineer to the five proposed farm models * one mission by the Environmental Specialist to each of the five proposed farm models 4. Each member of the Subconsultant team will provide an analysis of his or her sector according to the specific Terms of Reference. This will be prepared as 10 to 20 page report, complete with accompanying data and information. 5. The Subconsultant will provide two paper copies and one diskette copy (Word 6 and Excel spreadsheet software) of the all reports, along with all data used in the analysis. The Subconsultant will be responsible for providing English versions of all reports. 6. The Subconsultant will provide copies of all Subconsultant reports, information, and data to the Consultant Team Leader by 1 September, 1996. 7. All infomiation and data provided will be for the year 1995 unless specified otherwise in the Terms of Reference. 7.2.2 Terms of Reference for Project Manager 1. Participate in the first mission (2 to 11 May) to be performed under this Subcontract. 2. Coordinate and assist all technical activities performed by the Subconsultant team. 3. Manage all activities in the study and liaise with the Project Team Leader. 4. Provide a report summarizing the results and findings of all of the Subconsultants activities. 5. During the first week of each month, provide a short monthly progress report to the Consultant Team Leader outining acfivities accomplished in. the previous month, planned activities for the current month, problems and difficulties in study implementation, recommendations for resolving the problems, and assistance required from the Consultant Team Leader. These can be FAXed or e-mailed to the Consultant Team Leader. 6. Conduct additional study activities as may be required from time to time, and as requested by the Consultant Team Leader. 7.2.3 Terms of Reference for Aquaculture Specialist 1. Participate in the first mission (2 to 11 May) to be perfomed under this Subcontract. 2. Provide detailed comments on the technical feasibility of the buffer zone models proposed by the Consultant for the five proposed study sites by: * Organizing field trips to the proposed study sites to verify the operating and producfion assumptions in the five study site models; 42 AppendbI A: Terms of Referne GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component * Coordinating with the HydraulicNUater Resources Engineer to evaluate the feasibility of the civil works to be constructed under the project; * Organizing a meeting with at least 10 farmers at each study site to verify the project assumptions and to ascertain the farmer's willingness to participate in the proposed project; and, * Meeting with local authorities at each study site to evaluate pertinent regulations and issues. 3. Develop a detailed budget for capital and operating costs of an aquaculture extension and training component for Vinh Chau at the Artemia and Shrimp Research Center. 4. In cooperation with the Aquaculture Project Specialist, design an appropriate pond lay-out and water supply/canal system for the Artemia/Shrimp production model proposed for Bac Lieu. 5. In association with the Aquaculture Project Specialist, provide a report summarizing the results and findings obtained under this Terms of Reference with recommendations for changes as appropriate. 7.2.4 Terms of Reference for Aquaculture Project Specialist 1. Participate in the first mission (2 to 11 May) to be performed under this Subcontract. 2. Provide detailed comments on the technical feasibility of the buffer zone models proposed by the Consultant for the five proposed study sites. 3. Develop a detailed budget for capital and operating costs of an aquacufture extension and training component for the Can Tho University Field Station at Bac Lieu. 4. in cooperation with the Aquacufture Specialist, design an appropriate pond lay-out and water supply/canal system for the ArtemialShnmp production model proposed for Bac Lieu study site. 5. In association with the Aquaculture Specialist, provide a report summarizing the results and findings obtained under this Terms of Reference with recommendations for changes as appropriate. 7.2.5 Terms of Reference for Community Resources Specialist and RA Support Staff 1 . Participate in the first mission (2 to 11 May) to be performed under this Subcontract 2. Organize RA team, providing names and CVs. Deadline: May 15th 3. Work with Socio-economist to transform the issues guidelines, which at the moment is generic (e.g., the same for all sites) into a specific issues guidelines document for each site. This will be done by extracting the relevant information from the Euroconsult report Deadline: May 23rd (prior to first field trip) 4. Prior to each of three fieild trips, organize and conduct a I day mobilization/ briefing session to familiarize the RA team with expected site conditions, issues, etc. Deadline: see work schedule 5. Conduct three field visits of varying lengths as per the attached work schedule Deadline: see work schedule 6. At each site, organize RA team to collect data and opinion from affected farmers following the "Issues Guidelines" document provided Deadline: see work schedule Appendbr A: Tomns of Reference 4 Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 7. At each site, conduct daily RA team meetings to ensure that notes are compiled (by hand), gaps in data/ opinion collection are identified so that they may be filled before departure from the site. Deadline: daily while In the field 8. Upon return from each field trip, organize compilation (by computer) of survey notes according to work schedule for insertion into the community acfion plan (CAP) outline. Deadline: see work schedule 9. Prepare the following sections of the CAP for each site: i) section 2: Response of Community porfion; ii) ag§ Annexes. Note: sections 3, 4 and 5 of the CAP cannot be prepared by the Consultant unless the relevant information is compiled in Annex D of the CAP Deadline: see work schedule 1 O.Transmit the RA reports to Canada on time Deadline: see work schedule. 7.2.6 Terms of Reference for Socio-economist 1. Participate in the first mission (2 to 11 May) to be performed under this Subcontract. 2. Provide assistance as required to the Aquaculture Project Specialist in the preparation of the materials to be used in the review of the y ve buffer zone models. 3. Prepare a description of the fisheries re3ettlement models to be used in Minh Hai and Tra Vinh. 4. Provide input into Section V: Stakeholder Consultation Process, Parts A and B as well as portions of Part C: Taking Into Account the needs of affected farmers and the local community, as indicated in Mr. Choeng-Hoy Chung's report outline. 5. Prepare letters of introduction (in English and Vietnamese) for Project Coordinators in Minh Hai (Mr. Cuong), Soc Trang (Mr. Duc) and Tra Vinh (Mr. Leo) to ensure the smooth functioning of the RA team field trips Deadline: May 15th (e.g., 1 week prior to 1st field trip) 6. Prepare Section V: Part A: Structure of Consultation and Participation at the Central and Provincial Level, as indicated in Mr. Choeng-Hoy Chung's report outline. This will include a description to match the organization chart already prepared Deadline: May 31st 7. Prepare Section V: Part B: Involving Local (district and commune) govemmental and non- govemmental entities. This will include a description to match the organization chart already prepared Deadline: May 31st 8. Work with the Community Resources Specialist to transform the issues guidelines document, which at the moment is generic (e.g., the same for all sites) into a specific issues guidelines document for each site. This will be done by extracting the relevant information from the Euroconsult report. Deadline: May 23rd (prior to first field trip) 7.2.7 Terms of Reference for Hydraulic/Water Resources Engineer 1. Provide a written description of the deltaic process of the Mekong Delta. 2. For each of the high erosion coastlines in the Proct Area - Eastem Ca Mau Peninsula, Vinh Loi- Gia Rai, Vmh Chau, and My Long, assess and estimate the num-ber of years before complete erosion of the FPZ, In the absence of any proposed forestry Intervention. Document all assumptions and sources of data and information. 44 Appendbr A: Torms of Refence GEC Ltd. Coastal Weftands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component 3. For each of the high erosion coastlines in the Project Area - Eastem Ca Mau Peninsula, Vinh Loi- Gia Rai, Vinh Chau, and My Long, assess and estimate the number of years before complete erosion of the FPZ, with the proposed forestry Interventions as outlined in the Euroconsult report. Document all assumptions and sources of data and information. 4. Review the integrity and technical feasibility of each of the proposed study site models with respect to their proposed primary, secondary, and tertiary engineering works. 5. Provide a report summarizing the results and findings obtained under this Terms of Reference. 7.2.8 Terms of Reference for Environmental Specialist 1. Meet with the Consultant Team Leader during the second field mission to scope the details of the environmental and social review of the five proposed farm models. 2. Conduct a field visit to each of the five study sites to review the environmental and social effects of the proposed study sites. 3. Provide a report summarizing the results and findings obtained under this Terms of Reference. 7.2.9 Terms of Reference for Provincial Coordinator - Tra Vinh 1. Participate in the first mission (2 to 11 May) to be performed under this Subcontract. 2. Provide all necessary logistical support to the Subconsultant and the Consultant in the implementation of this study in Tra Vinh. 3. Provide all required local study area maps for all site visits made by the Subconsultant; these are to include: topography; soils; existing land use; existing canal system; and other maps as required. 4. Provide a detailed description of the resettlement areas and resetUement plans for the Full Protection Zones in the province. 5. Provide a report summarizing the results and findings obtained under this Terms of Reference. 7.2.10 Terms of Reference for Provincial Coordinator - Soc Trang 1. Participate in the first mission (2 to 11 May) to be performed under this Subcontract. 2. Provide all necessary logistical support to the Subconsuftant and the Consultant in the implementation of this study in Soc Trang. 3. Provide all required local study area maps for all site visits made by the Subconsultant; these are to include: topography; soils; existing land use; existing canal system; and other maps as required. 4. Provide a detailed description of the resettlement areas and resettlement plans for the Full Protection Zones in the province. 5. Provide a report summarizing the results and findings obtained under this Termns of Reference. Appendir A: Trms of Refernce 45 Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 7.2.11 Terms of Reference for Provincial Coordinator - Minh Hai 1. Participate in the first mission (2 to 11 May) to be performed under this Subcontract. 2. Provide all necessary logistical support to the Subconsultant and the Consultant in the implementation of this study in Minh Hai. 3. Provide all required local study area maps for all site visits made by the Subconsultant these are to include: topography; soils; existing land use; existing canal system; and other maps as required. 4. Provide a detailed description of the resettlement areas and resettlement plans for the households living in the FPZ of Westem Ca Mau Peninsula, Eastem Ca Mau Peninsula, and Vinh Loi-Gia Rai. 5. Provide a report sumrnarizing the results and findings obtained under this Terms of Reference. 46 Appendix A: Terms of Refernee GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component 8. Appendix B: General Environmental Description of Minh Hal, Soc Trang, and Tra Vinh Provinces17 8.1 CLIMATE The Mekong Delta Provinces of Minh Hai, Soc Trang, and Tra Vinh (hereafter denoted as the "Project Area Provinces, or PAP") are located in the monsoon tropical region, therefore climate conditions is strongly affected by climate characteristic of this region with two distinct seasons; the dry and rainy seasons. The temperature in the PAP is high and varies little, the annual average temperature is 26.50C. Rainfall strongly affects most socioeconomic activifies in the PAP. The PAP has two distinct seasons: dry and rainy. The rainy season occurs at the same time as the Summer monsoon and the dry season is coincides with the Winter monsoon. In the West and Southwest part of the the PAP, the rainy season starts at May and lasts at the end of November (durabon of 7 months), the rest months is dry season. In the East and Northeast part of the the PAP the rainy season starts later (about 10-15 days) and come to the end earlier (also about 10-15 day) than in the West and Southwest parts. In the rainy season, there are about 100-150 days of rainfall with the total average accumulated rainfall is of 1500 to 2300 mm, comprising 90% of the total annual rainfall. Rainfall is not significant in the dry reason; the entire dry season has about 7 to 15 rainy days wfth the total accumulated rainfall of about 60 to 150 mm, occupying less than 5%/o of the total annual rainfall. 8.2 SoiLs The soils of the PAP are dominated by acid sulphate soils of varying levels of depth and activity; these soils are a major environmental factor to be considered in the overall economic development of the PAP. Experience with similar soils under similar conditions elsewhere suggests that acid generation from these soils, in the absence of suitable crops or adequate farm level water management creates severe environmental problems, affecting both commodity production and other environmental and social resources such as fisheries and drinking water supply. In addition, successful farm level water management over such large areas is uncertain, as is the ability of altemate crops (those that would minimize acidity generation from these soils) to be successfully cuftivated and marketed. There are essentially three ways in which acid generation from these problem soils can be avoided: (i) leave the areas of acid sulphate soil, particularly the shallow acid soils, as fallow. This is "7This is a synttess of nformation peented in ESSA Ltd. (1992) EVS (1996), and vadous other sources. AppendiB: Genwil Environntal Description of Projct Are Provinces 47 Coasal Wetands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 only a viable for potenbal acid sulphate soil areas, as the active sulphate soil areas are already generating acidity; (ii) cultivate crops on the acid sulphate soils that minimize soil disturbance, such as Melaleuca itree species. This is a viable option on both potential and active sulphate soil areas; and (iii) cultivate crops thtat could potentially create acid, such as rice, but apply water management techniques to suppress sulphuric acid formation. For example, a continuous layer of water on the field forms an anaerobic layer that serves as a barrier to the migration of oxygen. This, in tum, prevents acid generation. This is a viable option on both potential and active sulphate soil areas. The effects of the Vietnamese-American war on soils remain In some coastal districts. Bombing during the war caused destruction and removal of topsoil in particular sites and these sites remain difficult to regenerate. 8.3 SURFACE WATER HYDROLOGY AND SALINITY 8.3.1 Surface Water Hydrology There are four factors influencing the surface water hydrology of the PAP: (i) Precipitation Regime The major feature of the precipitabon regime is the fact that most of the annual precipitabon falls dunng a six month period, from approximately May to November, and the freshwater input from precipitation during period from December to April is minimal. This means precipitation by itself is unable to supply fresh water to the study area during the dry season; (ii) the Mekong River The Mekong River is the only practical surface source of freshwater during the dry season; (iii) Ocean Tides The tides of the South China Sea along the the PAP coastline fluctuate widely, with the high tide reaching up to 1.5 m above sea level daily. These tidal amplitudes and levels are substantially higher than the ebvation of the study area; and (iv) Transportation Canals During the past one hundred years, a network of canals were excavated across the Ca Mau Peninsula to provide drainage and transportation routes. Primnary canals in the PAPpattem intersect and connect with major natural rivers. These, coupled with the low relief of the study area and the surrounding Ca Mau Peninsula provide multiple routes for both fresh and salt water drainage into and out of the study area. These factors determine the main hydrological features of the PAP (Table 8). 48 Appendbr B: General Environmenbl DescHpfon of Project Are Provinces GEC Ltd. Coasts/ Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component Table 8: Summary of inflow and outflow in rainy and dry season, Ca Mau Peninsula. Results are from calibration procedures conducted for the VRSAP hydraulic model (Units = m3s). INFLOW: . precipitation 699 0 . Mekong above Phung Hiep 321 70 * Phung Hiep Canal -111 27 TOTAL INFLOW 999 97 OUTFLOW: . Dai Ngai River 64 33 . My Thanh River 198 -28 . Ganh Hao River 136 -5 Total to East China Sea 398 0 . Ong Doc River 70 -3 * Tac Cau River 19 5 * Cai Lon River 286 100 Total to West China Sea 375 102 TOTAL OUTFLOW 773 102 INFLOW minus OUTFLOW: 226 15 First, freshwater supply from the Mekong River in the dry season is much less than in the rainy season, about 50% of rainy season flow. Second, precipitation is a much more dominant source of fresh water to the Ca Mau Peninsula than the Mekong River in the rainy season, with approximately 80% of freshwater coming from precipitation and 20% from the Bassac River. Third, there is a general movement of water to the West China Sea; most of the water in the PAP drains to the West China Sea. In the rainy season, about 30% of the total outflow is to the East China Sea and this decreases to about 10% in the peak of the dry season. This is caused by the difference in tides between the East and West China Seas, coupled with the low elevation throughout the study area in particular and the Ca Mau Peninsula in general, and illustrates the dominating effect of the East China Sea tidal regime on the hydrology of the study area. Fourth, the net movement of water from east to west in the PAP caused by the East China Sea tides means that much of the fresh water supply from the Mekong River does not reach the study area but instead exits the Ca Mau Peninsula to the East China Sea. Appendix B: Gneal Environmental Descripfion of Projct Arma Provinces 49 Coastal Wetands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmentl and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 8.3.2 Salinity In the dry season, the tides of the East China Sea, coupled with the low freshwater supply from the Bassac River and the almost total absence of precipitation, mean that the PAP experiences extensive salt water intrusion. Table 8 indicates that slightly more the 25% of water entering the Ca Mau Peninsula and the study area is marine water from the ocean, via the My Thanh, Ganh Hao, and Ong Doc Rivers. An isohaline map generated from the VRSAP simulation of the eariy February, 1990 condition demonstrates very clearly the effect of this salinity intrusion. Salinity is greatest nearest the ocean and almost the entire southem Ca Mau Peninsula is under the influence of marine water. 8.4 POPULATION The proportion of persons under age 15 years of age in the PAP accounts for 42% of the population. Although the population growth rate of the PAP declined steadily from 2.7% in 1979 to 2.2% in1994, it is still higher than that of most other areas in the Mekong Delta, which results in a higher population pressure on economic growth and development. The current dependency ratio of the PAP is 98%, whereas the average ratio of the entire Mekong Delta is 93%. Over 80% of the population of the PAP live in rural areas. The predominantly rural population is dispersed, but due to the problem of water inundation as well as requirements for communication and transportation it is unevenly distributed. Most population concentrate on natural levees and the coastal plains, along the banks of canals and rivers, and beside the roads. Most farm families live in small settlements situated at the intersections or along the banks of the canals and rivers. A substantial portion of population increase in the PAP is attributed to net migration. Despite a relatively low living standard the province has attracted a significant number of in-migrants every year. Up to the early 1 990s most of the migrants originated from the provinces in northem and central part of the country. They were moved from densely populated areas to less populated and/or uncultivated areas in the Central Highlands and the southem part of the country to build new (agriculturally) economic zones there. However those people have encountered a number of difficulties including the lack of cultivating expertise and experience and various other hardships in the newly colonized areas. Many of them were than moving out those areas to more prosperous areas in the Mekong Delta and a number of them settled in the PAP. On the other hand, a large part of the migrants coming to the PAP from the early 1990s onward originated from the provinces within the Mekong Delta. Most of them are spontaneous (and hence are usually considered non-legal, too) migrants who are primarily motivated by economic reasons. They came to the PAP to exploit woods and other forest and aquatic products. They are the main factor causing a rapid disappearance of thousands of hectares of forests and a serious environmental degradation in recent years. Because most of those illegal migrants came to the PAP without any registration or knowledge of the relevant authorities, there are no reliable statistics on them, but their actual number is estimated in the tens of thousanc Meanwhile, many households who have migrated to the PAP prior to 1990s now tend to move out the province to other provinces in the Southeast Region or the Mekong Delta for better living conditions. 50 AppendIx B: General Envimnmental DesOdpon of Project A.s Prvinces GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetfands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component 8.5 LAND USE Current land use in the PAP is dominated by agriculture; more than 50% of the total land of the province is used for growing agricultural products. This is followed by aquaculture, 20% of the total area, and forestry, at slightly more than 12% of the agrcultural land. Land that is not being used for various reasons is high, about 10% of the total land area. The area of land not being used has decreaed substantially in recent years, reflecting increase economic activity throughout the province. While the area of protected forest and Melaleuca forest have increased, there has been a large decrease in the area forested in mangrove. Almost 50% of Minh Hai's mangrove forests have disappeared in the last four years. Concommitant with the decrease in mangrove has been an increase in the area devoted to shrimp farming activities. This trend exists in all the coastal districts save for U Minh, and is most dramatic in the districts of Ngoc Hien and Dam Doi and, to a lesser degree, the districts of Vinh Loi, Tran Van Thoi, and Gia Rai. There has been extensification of agriculture throughout the PAP. This extensificabon has consisted of a shift away from rainy season rice cropping into other agricultural commodities, particularly upland and perennial crops such and beans, pineapple, and sugarcane. The shortage of fresh water in the dry season makes it possible to cultivate two crops of rice in very limited areas of the PAP. 8.6 ECONOMY 8.6.1 General The primary sector is a backbone of the economy of the PAP. Agriculture, forestry and fishery still employ nearly 85% of its labor force though they contribute only 55% to GDP figures. This clearly indicates that labor productivity in this sector is very low and the sector is likely to have a surplus of labor for a long time. The manufacturing employs only 7% of the labor force but contributes around 20% to GDP. Over 71% of the provincial gross industrial output are generated by the state-owned large scale enterprises which concentrate in aquatic products processing industry. While most of the private enterprises are of small scale and unable to absorb larger numbers of laborers because of lack of investment capital, the state-owned enterprises in the PAP as well as elsewhere in the country are under a restructuring process, which prevent them from recruiting workers in large numbers as before. This makes the process of transition of laborers from agriculture to manufacturing proceed very slowly although there is a significant wage gap between the two sectors. The service sector contributes about 25% to GDP. 8.6.2 Income In 1993, the PAP had an annual income of VN Dong 1,670,000 (around USD 160.0) which is roughly the same as the average income of the entire Mekong Delta population but is substantially lower than Appendix B: Geneal Environmental Description of ProjectArea Provinews 51 Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 the national average which was estimated, based on Vietnam's Living Standard Survey in 1993, to USD 230. Nevertheless, there is significant gaps in income among different types of households. The highest annual income per capita, over VND 4 million, was observed among the households specializing in aquatic production which account for some 12% of the province's total population. A person in household that eamed most their income from trade, sales and services assumed an average income of VND 2,300,000 per year. Households of this type account for 5% of the total populabtion. Another 42% of the population live in the areas of multi-plant cultivation and had an average percapita income of around VND 1,700,000 per year. And finally, the households that are engaged in monoculture production eamed the lowest income, i.e., about VND 1,100,000 per head. In addition, 21% of the Minh Hai's population earned less than one third of the income of an average resident of the province. 8.6.3 Agriculture Agriculture is the largest economic sector in the PAP, and provides by far the largest source of employment for people. The important crops are: rice; sugarcane; pineapple; and vegetables. The province is a net exporter of foodstuffs. Rice production as exhibited a steady increase in the last decade (9.7% annual increase in total production since 1986) in response to movement to a free market economy. Increases in production of most other crops have been less consistent and reflect the lack of extension, markets, and availability of inputs as constraints to production of crops other than rice. Yet, the land area devoted to non-rice agricultural crops is increasing, as farm households seek to obtain greater production from land in areas that are not suitable for rainy season rice cropping because of hydrological and soil conditions. 8.6.4 Forestry Forests and trees in the PAP are used for various purposes, including fuehwood, house construction, fumiture, food, and environmental protection. The natural forest are decreasing quickly, and there are no plantation forests used for large scale timber or pulp/paper operations. The PAP has had a scattered tree planting program for a number of years, directed towards local environmental protection and provision of fuelwood. About 25,000 trees are planted per year, and can provide a sustained harvest of about 25,000 m3 of wood per year. Fuelwood is an extremely important issue the PAP (as it is throughout all of Viet Nam, where the buming of wood comprises about 90% of the domestic energy consumption nationally). Fuelwood requirements in the Mekong Delta average 0.3 m3 per capita per year. This is equivalent to about 520,000 m3 of fuelwood per year for the current populaffon of the PAP. Using published yleld curves for Melaleuca, an estimated 300,000 m3 per year is available on a sustained harvest basisl8. This, plus the sustained harvest from planted scattered trees, means a fuelwood shortfall of about 40% of ahis estiatd by assuming all the Oter Forest land was capaWie of producing a per ha yield equal to that of a MeA*buco forest operated on an 8 year roation. "Other - -esW land kely contains hameeted mangrove areas tht have not been regenertd, but K is assumed that this is copensated for by the harvet of scatred bees such as Eucaytus and ni pakn. Quardtitte variations in these assump do not change the basic quaaive assertion that current forest reources are not be to provide fuewood to the inhabitants of the province on a sustained basis. 52 AppendIx B: Generl Environmenal Dscripfton of Project Are Proinces GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component annual requirements; about 200,000 m3 of fuelwood must be found from other sources. The rapid decline in mangrove forests is caused in part by shrimp aquaculture, but is also almost certainly due to human harvest for fuelwood. We also observed, during our field visits, rather extensive coverage of mangrove along the major canals throughout the the province, reflecting the current salinity and tidal intrusion throughout most of the PAP. These mangroves have not been recorded in land use inventories, but represent significant habitat for aquatic biota. Nipa palm, a tree used for housing construction and requiring brackish water occurs throughout the main canals in the province. 8.6.5 Fisheries Fisheries are an important economic sector of the PAP, contributing ab6ut 24% of GDP. There are essentially two types of fisheries activites in the PAP: shrimp aquaculture; and capture fisheries. 8.6.5.1 Capture Fisheries Using Minh Hai as an example, fisheries stocks in the PAP are over-exploited and in danger of collapse. In Minh Hai, total marine catch increased almost two-fold from about 58,000 t in 1980 to 101,000 t in 1994, but this occurred because of an increase in the number of boats from slightly under 2,000 to almost 4,000 and a corresponding increase from about 25,000 to slightly more than 97,000 total horsepower. The catch per unit effort (tVHP) over this period decreased from 2.29 tVHP to 1.04 tVHP, a 55% decrease. Most of this has occured in the last five years, when fishing collectives were abolished under national economic reform policies and parastatal fishing enterprises emerged under fisheries policies that essentially viewed increasing capture fishery resources as a means to increase revenues and foreign exchange eamings. Current national fisheries plans aim to reduce the number of vessels in inland waters and increase the number of vessels and engine capacity of the offshore fleet. Targets for the PAP are for an increase in total engine capacity to more than 150,000 HP by the year 2010. Under this scenario, predictions for the future, in the absence of appropriate interventions, are for continued decline in fish stocks. 8.6.5.2 Aquaculture Again, using Minh Hai as the example province for the entire PAP, the total area used for shrimp farming in the PAP increased ten-fold, from 12,000 ha in 1980 to 124,000 ha in 1994. Essentially two types of shrimp aquaculture are practiced in Minh Hai'9: (i) extensive system (94,800 ha, 76.3% of shrimp aquaculture area) - totally reliant on "There are two ofher systems pradiced: semintensVe and Wdensive, but the account for 200 ha. or about 0.4% of te total shrnp aquacultue area h Fe study ara. Appendbr B.-4neul Environmental Descripon of ProJect Are Provinces 53 Coastal Wetlnds Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 natural inputs; and (ii) improved extensive system (29,000 ha, 23.3% of shrimp aquaculture area) - ponds are stocked with hatchery larvae and feed is supplied, but water is exchanged entirely by tidal movement. The increase in land area under shrimp aquaculture was accompanied by an increase in total shrimp production of only six-fold, from 5,400 t in 1980 to more than 29,000 t in 1994, and shrimp yield over this period declined from about 0.45 tVha to 0.235 tVha. There are two reasons for this: (i) a decline in natural shrimp source for the extensive systems caused by over-exploitation in the capture fisheries; and (ii) the unplanned and unregulated intensification of shrimp aquaculture (from completely extensive operations to almost 25% of the area under shrimp aquaculture experiencing some type of intensification). As early as 1991, indications were that all the environmentally suitable land available for shrimp farming had been exploited. Again, national policies to expand aquaculture production, coupled with perceived opportunities among households for increased income from intensification, led to rapid intensification. The use of poor pond designs, poor farming techniques and self-pollution, pond construction in acid soils, mangrove destruction, pestiide pollution of surface waters from increased use of high yielding rice varieties in Zone I, and low quality post-larvae obtained from nurseries during this intensification led to declining yields in the 'improved extensive" systems. Minh Hai wishes to decrease the total shrimp farm area to approximately that which is envrionmentally sustainable, approximately 80,000 ha. But, national fisheries policies call for increases in area for shrimp farming and a doubling of yield by the year 2010. 8.7 AQUATIC RESOURCES 8.7.1 Surface Water Quality Sida has supported a water quality monitoring program throughout the Mekong Delta since 1988; eleven permanent stations are located in the PAP province. The focus of this program is on inorganic chemical water quality parameters: the program does not cover organic chemicals (e.g. pesticides), heavy metals, or biological water quality parameters (e.g. bacteria, disease organisms). It is the only permanent water quality monitoring network in the PAP. There have been a number of water quality monitoring surveys and campaigns in the PAP, but the data and information collected in these initiatives are maintained in the institutions that were responsible for collection. Some pesticide measurements in water have been taken, but very infrequently. 54 AppendIx B: Geneal Environmental DesciptIon of Prqjct Ars Provinces GEC Ltd. Coastal WeUands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component Surface water quality in the study area is extremely poor, particularly with respect to salinity and bacterial contamination and acidity in some areas; it is therefore almost never used as a drinking water source. Every coliform measurement taken of canal water in the PAP exceeds the coliform standards for coliform. The lack of sufficient groundwater wells, however, means that canals are extensively used as a source of domestic water. Bacterial contamination comes from using the canals as a dump for raw sewage from latrines; only about 10% to 20% of the study area population has sufficiently adequate toilets to prevent bacterial contamination of water. Acid water is generated from acid sulphate soils in the early part of the rainy season and disperses over large areas of the PAP. pH of canal water, parficularly in the acid sulphate soil areas of Thoi Binh and Hong Dan Districts, can drop to 3-4 for extended periods of time during the rainy season. This is reflected at, for example, Ca Mau, where acidity increases in canal water for the first few weeks of the rainy season. This acid water can disperse over large areas, results in pH depressions in the shrimp aquaculture areas of Dam Doi, Ngoc Hien and Gia Rai, and can affect shrimp yield. Other than salinity, pH, and acidity, the PAP surface water meets World Health Organization standards in all cases. 8.7.2 Marine Water Quality There is no consistent monitoring of marine water quality conditions in the PAP. As is the case with fresh water quality, there have been a number of surveys and campaigns measuring marine water qualtiy; these initiatives have been restricted to the inshore marine zone. These measurements of simple inorganic water quality parameters, suggest that inshore marine water quality is good. 8.7.3 Groundwater Confined aquifers with good ground water supplies exist under the Ca Mau Peninsula in general and the PAP in particular. The depth of the good aquifers varies from 100 m to 400 m with much of the study area having an aquifer at 100 to 120 m. The aquifer is artesian, and in the area between Ca Mau - Bac Lieu canal and the East Sea, many of the wells exhibit a piezometric head above ground level, causing wells to overflow. In the area north and east of Ca Mau, the piezometric head is about I to 3 meters below ground surface. There is no consistent groundwater quality monitoring in the PAP and, any groundwater quality monitoring that is carried out is done at wells used for domestic water supply. 8.7.4 Aquatic Ecosystems, Biota, and Biodiversity Relatively litte data on the distribution of aquatic plants in the study area is available. Some of the shallower secondary canals in the study area are experiencing problems with extensive carpets of water hyacinth choking the canals, especially in the dry season. Appendix B: General Environmental Desripton of Project Are Provinces 55 Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 Studies in the lower Mekong basin suggest that the fish in the area can be grouped into two groups based on their spawning behaviour and environmental tolerance: (i) "white" fish (principally species from the families Cyprinidae, and Schilbeidae), migrate into the main channels during the dry and early rainy season to avoid the severe conditions in the inundation areas during those periods. They spawn in relatively sheltered waters after inundation has reached its peak. (ii) "black" fish (principally from the families Cariidae, Siluridae and Ophiocephalidae) have a broader environmental tolerance than "white" fish and are more widely distributed in the area. They are chiefly bottom dwellers, and show a broad range of spawning behaviour. Results of 1985 and 1991 fisheries surveys conducted acrros the Ca Mau Peninsula incidate that the rivers and canals of the study area support 191 species of fish (in 48 taxonomic families), and 34 species of shrimps and prawns (in 7 taxonomic families). In terms of average daily production, 46% of the catches consisted of fish. The most economically important species include goby, mullet, sole, snake head fish. cat fish and Sardina species. Most of the remaining biomass in the daily catches consists of shrimp (48% of the total (highest densities occurring in the south-eastem stations)), with small numbers of prawns (Macrobrachium spp.; 2% of the catches (and concentrated in the north- west of the study area)), and crayfish (4% of the daily catches). Among the economically important shrimp species caught in the area are: Metapenaeus lyswenassa and M. ensis (together accounting for 71% of the shrimp production), other less important species account for 17% of the shrimp production. The most high valued shrimp species (in terms of market price) is Penaeus indicus; this species accounted for 2% of the catches. 8.8 TERRESTRIAL ENVIRONMENT 8.8.1 Terrestrial Ecosystems Despite the overwhelming influence of human populations in the PAP, there remain pockets of what could be termed natural ecosystems: (i) the remaining mangrove forests; (ii) the areas of Melaleuca forest; (iii) grassland ecosystems representing degraded land wih low lying acid soils. This is essentially the fallow land that lies within the province; and (iv) a number of protected areas throughout the province. AJl of these ecosystems, though, have been and are continuing to be heavily to the impacts o human activities, largely through resource harvesting. 56 AppendIx B: General Environml Descrifpton of Prect Area Provinces GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component 8.8.1.1 Coastal Forests and WeUands The PAP once possessed the largest area of both mangrove and Mela/euca forests in Viet Nam. Estimates are that about 300,000 ha of Minh Hai was once covered by coastal forests and wetlands prior to the American war and recent unsustainable exploitation. Now, only about 67,000 ha of mangrove remain, and the area of Melaleuca, atthough a higher proportion of its original area than mangrove, is smaller still. Despite strong recent reforestation efforts, mangrove forests have continued to decline due to cutting for fuelwood, and conversion to shrimp farming. The remaining forests cannot meet continuously increasing demands for timber, lumber, and fuelwood; and the existing reforestation programs are in no way sufficient to compensate for forest losses. The area of mangrove forest in the Minh Hai declined from about 86,000 ha in 1980 to its current level of about 67,000 ha in 1994, a loss of 19,000 ha. Estimates made by Euroconsult (1996) are that I ha of mangrove forest provides rearing habitat for 0.7 t of capture fisheries yield. This implies that the loss of mangrove since 1980 has contributed to a more than 13,000 loss of capture fisheries yield, about 13% of current fisheries harvests and a much higher proportion of sustainable fisheries yield. Me/aleuca ecosystems, less disturbed than mangrove wetlands, are nonetheless under intense human pressure, and much of the original Melaleuca swamp forest has disappeared due to frequent fires and human activities. Some parts of these marshes have been restored to their natural conditions, and the diversity of wildlife has partially recovered, particularly in water birds. Agricultural extensification, primarily the clearing for paddy cultivation, cutting of fuelwood, and accidental and purposely lit fires during the extraction of honey and aromatic oils are the main threats to the remaining Melaleuca forests. In particular, agricultural activities have affected inland marshes in two ways. First, wetlands have been lost through their conversion to agricultural lands. Second, drainage activities and excavation works for canals and raised bed cultivation have led to the oxidation of pyrite, acidification, the formabon of iron and aluminum on acid sulfate soils and changes in the hydrological regime increasing the risk of forest fires. The acidity of drainage water from these areas may cause detrimental effects on adjacent wetlands, agriculture, aquaculture, and domesbc water supplies. 8.8.1.2 Proteced Areas The PAP has about 10,200 ha of protected area, in six locaabons: (i) The Vinh Thanh Bird Sanctuary in Bac Lieu District - a 125 ha remnant of an extensive coastal forest severely damaged during the American war and subsequent wood cutting; it was declared as a sanctuary in 1962. It is an important breeding site for waterbirds> Protection is relatively good, although the threats are poaching, insecticides used in the adjoing rice fields, and continued destruction of mangroves in the surrounding area; (ii) Bau Sen (Dam Doi) Bird Sanctuary in Dam Doi District - a 129 ha patch of moderately degraded mangrove declared as a sanctuary in 1985. The site is particularly important Appendr B: Genal EironmenlDescripton of Prlct Are ProvInes 57 Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmentbl and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 to waterbirds. Principal threats are poaching, continued mangrove harvesting, and altered water regime due to agricultural activities in the surrounding area; (iii) Cha La Bird Sanctuary in Cai Nuoc District - a 20 ha patch of very degraded mangrove forest, under some form of official protection since 1940. It is important as a breeding site for waterfowl. The site is very degraded, and principal threats include poaching and mangrove cutting; (iv) Ong Trang Nature Reserve in Ngoc Hien District - 1,640 ha on two uninhabited islands formed by deltaic aggradation processes, established as a nature reserve in 1993. Successional processes are very active in the reserve, and main threats are tree cutting and insufficient resources for demarcation and actual reserve establishment; (v) Dat Mui Special Reserve Forest in Ngoc Hien District - a 4,474 ha remnant of a large mangrove forest in Ca Mau Cape established in 1987. The degradation of the reserve is almost complete, due to shrimp aquaculture and mangrove cutting for fuelwood. This site once had the best mangrove in all Viet Nam; and (vi) Vo Dat Nature Reserve in U Minh District - about 4,000 ha in size; this is the only reserve in the study area that contains substantial Melaleuca resources. But, litfle information conceming this reserve could be recovered, save for the fact that wildfires pose a substantial threat to the reserve. There have been a number of plant and animal inventories (terrestrial and aquatic) done in the Ca Mau Peninsula. A Viet Nam Red Book exists, but there was insufficient time in to denote which, if any, Red Book species exist in in the PAP. 8.8.2 Air Quality There are no air quality monitoring stations in existence in the the PAP or in the entire Ca Mau Peninsula. Given the low level of industrialization in the Minh Hai, air quality is likely not a problem; the study team certainly never noticed any problems with the air quality at any time during the field visits. Most air quality problems (if there are any) are likely lcalized, probably in more developed areas such urban centers, with combustion engine exhaust and charcoal plants. 8.9 SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT 8.9.1 Health Despite the significant improverments in health care services provided to its populabtion, the PAP has faced a number of difficuties and constraints in developing its health -facilities and personnel. Statistics shows that among 10,000 populabtion there are only 2.1 medicine doctors and 11 hospital beds. The majority of the health centers at subdistrict levels do not have any medicine doctors. In addition, a number of heaflth facilities are now in a serious disrepair or being deteriorated, and mnost S8 Appendhx B: Genel EnvIronmentl epscrIpon of Project Area Pvinces GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component hospitals and health centers have suffered the shortage of all kinds of equipments, treatment facilities and medicines because of lack of investment capital. A paradox is that while the province is short of health facilities, the costs of treatment and other health care services are often too expensive relative to the low living standard of the population, which prevents patients from using the health facilities. Given a rather specific topographical conditions, the underdevelopment of the infrastructure system of the province is also an important factor impeding the provision of health services to the people. Most rural households live in very poor sanitary conditions. In particular, it is their tradition that they install toilets on banks of rivers and canals and dispose exhume directly onto water. An official statistics of the province shows that only 11.3% of all the households have toilets that meet sanitary standards. At the mean while, 43% population in towns and over 50% population in rural areas still have to use water from canals and rivers without any treatment. This is one of the major factors causing frequent epidemic and a very high morbidity among the population of the PAP. 8.9.2 Nutrition There is a dichotomy in the nutritional status of the population of the PAP Adults generally receive adequate nutrition. This is reflected in the low percentage of unacceptable birth weights (<2.5 kg, WHO standard); 1.7% of children bom in the PAP in 1993 had an unacceptably low birth weight. Nutritionally, young children in the PAP appear to be less well off than older children and adults.. In 1993, 46% of children surveyed in the PAP suffered from some level of malnutrition" This situation grows more acute in districts that grow less rice per capita, have smaller percentage of total cultivated area in rice, and a correspondingly larger percentage of cultivated land in shrimp production. This suggests that a large proportion of households are making insufficient income cultivating non-rice crops to provide adequate nutiritional requirements for household members. 8.9.3 Quality of Drinking and Domestic Water Supply Two uses of water are of concem: drinking water, and domestic water, water used for cooking, bathing, laundry, and so on. There are four sources of water used by the persons living in the study area: (i) canals, used by approximately 61% of the rural populabtion for domestic water supply only; (ii) municipal tap water, used by 86% of the urban population in the study area for both drinking and domestic water supply (actually very high capacity groundwater wells); (iii) groundwater, used by approximately 39% of the rural popultion and 14% of the urban population for both drinking and domestic water supply; and 'Mmrursd using te Harvard standard, modified for Vmt Nam Appendix B: Gerl Environmental Descnplon of Pract Ae Provinces 59 Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 (iv) rainwater, used only as a source of drinking water by much of the rural population. 8.9.4 Surface Water for Drinking and Domestic Water Surface water quality in the study area is extremely poor, particularly with respect to salinity and organic matter and bacterial contamination; it is therefore almost never used as a drinking water source. The lack of sufficient groundwater wells, however, means that canals are extensively used as a source of domestic water. Bacterial contamination comes from using the canals as a dump for raw sewage from latrines; only about 10% to 20% of the study area populabon has sufficiently adequate toilets to prevent bacterial contamination of water. 8.9.5 Groundwater for Drinking and Domestic Water Groundwater forms an increasingly important source of water for drinking and domestic use. Groundwater quality varies with the depth of the well, with deeper wells having little or no bacterial contamination and shallower wells having increasingly dangerous levels of bacterial contamination. Salinity does not appear to be a problem with groundwater wells. 8.9.6 Rainwater for Drinking and Domestic Water During the rainy season, households without access to groundwater often gather and store rainwater in clay jars. Additional water is purchased from vendors who transport it by boat in clay containers. Fresh water from wells is generally expensive, approximately USD $0.06 per 200 litre container, and sometimes difficult to obtain. 8.9.7 Health Despite the significant improvements in heaflth care-services provided to its populabon, the PAP has faced a number of difficulties and constraints in developing its heaflth facilities and personnel. Statistics shows that among 10,000 population there are only 2.1 medicine doctors and 11 hospital beds. The majority of the health centers at subdistrict levels do not have any medicine doctors. In addition, a number of heaflth facilities are now in a serious disrepair or being deteriorated, and most hospitals and health centers have suffered the shortage of all kinds of equipments, treatment facilities and medicines because of lack of investment capital. A paradox is that while the province is short of health facilities, the costs of treatment and other health care services are often too expensive relative to the low living standard of the population, which prevents patients from using the health facilities. Given a rather specific topographical condiftions, the underdevelopment of the infrastructure system of the province is also an important factor impeding the provision of health services to the people. Most rural households live in very poor sanitary conditons. In particular, it is their tradition that they install toilets on banks of rivers and canals and dispose exhume directly onto water. An official statistics of the province shows that only 11.3% of all the households have toilets that meet sanitary 60 Appendix B: Genel Environmentsl Descripfion of wect Ar Povinces GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component standards. At the mean while, 43% population in towns and over 50% population in rural areas stil have to use water from canals and rivers without any treatment. This is one of the major factors causing frequent epidemic and a very high morbidity among the population of the PAP province. 8.9.8 Disease The PAP experiences most of the well-known tropical diseases, namely malaria, Dengue fever, and encephalitis, as well as diseases such as tuberculosis and cholera. But, the universal presence of bacterial contamination in surface water supplies, plus the use of surface water for domestic purposes by a high proportion of the population, means that water-bome diseases of bacterial origin are extremely prevalent. The reported cases of diarrheal disease vary from about 30 to 150 per 1,000 children less than five years old. It must be remembered, however, that these are only the reported cases and the number of actual cases is much higher than thesie stated figures. It has very clearly been demonstrated in other studies that the level of reporting varies with the level of health care services2. 8.9.9 Education The population in the PAP as well as in other provinces in the Mekong Delta has a low level of education in comparison to the average level of the entire nation (Error! Reference source not found.). Results from the 1989 population census, which is the only basis for the analysis of education, indicates that 13% of children aged 6 to 9 years did not go to school at all. There is no evidence that the situation was improved over the past 5 years. Children often begin to go to school quite late to their age because of the poor transportation system. Rural children usually have to pass a number of dangerous "monkey bridges" over canals and streams before they reach their school. Many are therefore kept at home until they can go to school safely on their own. Thus, at least 20% of children aged 11-14 years were still on grade 1 to 5 (primary school) while they should have been on grade 6 to 9 (lower secondary school). This pervasive phenomenon of late school starting can adversely influence children's education career because the opportunity costs of their schooling increases as they grow and are available for work. Moreover, older children may feel uncomfortable sharing class with younger ones, which could result in high drop out rate and high repeating rate. Their education therefore is usually shorter than that of those who start school at the right age. The 1989 census reveals that a vast majority of Minh Hai's populabtion do not finish the compulsory primary education (grade 5); less than 2% have competed upper secondary education and only 1% obtained different levels of tertiary education. Now the PAP is facing a severe shortage of workers that have middle and higher level of education/skill. As shown in Table 2, the number of persons who are qualified as technical workers or obtained middle and higher level of education account for only 2% of the population aged 13 years or older, which is lower than the respective figure for the entire Mekong Delta, 3.7%, and by far lower than the national average, i.e., 9.7%. Moreover, the gap in educational attainment between males and females also seems to be a serious problem. The proportion of persons with middle or higher qualificaton among women is only half of that among 21ESSA (1992). Appendix B: General Environmentl Descnption of Projet Area Provinces 61 Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 men. All this indicates that the PAP will have to face a serious shortage of skilled manpower which should be a prerequisite for of its successful implementation of industrialization and modemization programs in particular and its socio-economic development in general. This is also one of the key obstacles to its informaton, education and communication programs in all areas. In addition, the expansion of school facilities and the development of teaching personnel have lagged far behind the needs of a steadily increasing number of school age children. the PAP is currently lacking nearly 3,700 teachers of all grades, including 3,000 primary school teachers. The teaching quality is also very low and many teachers will have to be retrained. While the situation could hardly be improved or resolved in a few years or so, the PAP should really have to design elaborate and sound policies, programs and incentives to promote education, training and human resource development That the province planned to dedicate 3% of its total budget to educational development is certainly not commensurate to the requirements. The financial constraints and the shortage of skilled manpower all together mnake the school system of the PAP concentrate mostly in towns or densely populated rural areas, which is not commensurate to its unevenly distributed population which is much influenced by the topographical features. This greatly limit the accessibility of children to the school system. In this case, an improvement of the transportation system would assume a special meaning to the educational and human resource development of the PAP province. Another key factor that influences the educabonal level of Minh Hai's population is their low living standard. Although children in compulsory education are exempted from tuition fees and those at higher grades pay only nominal school fees, many families in fact cannot afford books, tools and other costs, which tend to increase over time, for their children. In addifion, children in poor families often have to participate in eaming activities as supporting laborers, which prevents them from going to school or makes them drop out from school very early. Thus, the improvement of the education in the PAP depends much upon how it will succeed in its socio-economic development and the improvement of its population living standard. However, the low level of education is in tum one of the key barriers to the successful implementation of its socio-economic programs. This vicious circle seems to last for a long time into the future if there is no breakthrough of the situation. 8.10 EMPLOYMENT In 1994 the PAP had a total labor force of 759,000 workers accounfing for 42% of its population. The agriculture and fishery currently employ 84.3% of the total labor force. Another 3.6% are engaged in the forestry. The manufacturing employs 7% and other industries only 4% of the labor force (Error! Reference source not found.). The number of unemployed is estimated to around 10,000 oersons, accounting for nearly 13% of the economically active population, which is extreme- high in comparison to other rural areas in the country. In addition, an official statistics from Minh Hai's Planning Committee indicates that each laborer is employed for an average number of 180-200 days a year, which clearly suggest that the unemployment in the PAP is rather extensive and the employment rate could be quite high. More seriously, the PAP is currently very short of skilled labor. Only 1°' of its labor force in age span 16 years and above are qualified as technical workers; and the numbe- if persons with middle or higher qualification accounts for mnerely 0.5%. 62 Appendix B: Gneral Enironmental Dacpon of Project Area Provinces GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component Given the resource constraints the PAP has faced a number of difficulties and challenges in creating employment for its rapidly increasing population. Most people do not have much choice of eaming activibes because most employment is stil created form the monocultural rice production. While the labor transition process from agricultural to industrial sector proceeds very slowly because of lack of investment capital and skilled manpower, the province has found it very difficult to diversity industries and occupations within the agricultural production because it still cannot determine the right products to be produced andlor forecast their perspective on both domestic and intemational markets. Furthermore, agricultural land is not allowed by law to be converted to non-agricultural usage, which also tends to slow down the process of economic restructuring and labor transition. 8.11 GENDER ISSUES Viet Nam is a patriarchal society, and women appear to undertake the majority of the work in the household. In addition to sharing in farming activities with the men, women are responsible for many off-farm economic activities, as well as all the household and child care responsibilities. It is almost certainly the case that women are generally not underemployed. Women perceive themselves as full partners on the farm. When asked their occupation, they stated that they are farmers. In some cases, for example if the husband has an off-farm occupation such as being a govemment official, the wife considers herself the only farrner in the family. They tend to be the business heads of the family and operate most financial endeavours. Local trade, including local marketing, appears to be almost entirely run by women. 8.12 INFRASTRUCTURE 8.12.1 Electric Power Supply The electricity power supply capacity of the PAP province was improved to some extent in recent years. In 1991 the province has been connected to the national transmission system. This system is currently providing most electricity energy to the towns and key economic zones of the province. However, the PAP still lags far behind other provinces in the Mekong Delta in terms of electricity power generation and consumption. Up to 1994, 52 out of the 119 urban subdistricts (i.e., 43.7%) and only 5.2% of rural households in the province are supplied with elctricity power. Hence, the electricity consumption is still very low, that is, about 45 kwh per head a year. 8.12.2 Transportation The transportation system in the PAP is one of the poorest in the Mekong Delta. Given its geographical and topographical features the transportation is very largely dependent on the well developed canal system. All the vehicle road stretch about 240 km long in the province. Thus the average road density is around 3.1 m per sq. km. Most of the roads are of poor quality, not paved and only suitable for low tonnage vehicles. Currently 6 out of the 11 district towns, namely Thoi Binh, U Minh, Tran Van Thoi, Cai Nuoc, Ngoc Hien and Dam Doi, are not connected to the vehicle road Appendix B: Genera Environmental Descipfion of Pmojct Are Provinces 63 Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 system. Most villages do not have vehicle road connected to their centers. The only road of consequence traversing the project area is the National Highway No.1, which crosses the area in an east west direction and terminates at Ca Mau. The National Highway No. 1 is paved and the road surface is essentially level being between 1.3 and 1.9 m above mean sea level, except at some 20 bridges where the road rises to cross canals or rivers. Other than this highway there are Provincial roads, most of which are located within towns. These roads are generally un-surfaced and impassable by motor vehicles in the rainy seasons. There are no railways in the province. The National Highway No. I is paved and the road surface is essentially level being between 1.3 and 1.9 m above mean sea level, except at some 20 bridges where the road rises to cross canals or rivers. Other than this highway there are Provincial roads, most of which are located wifthin towns. These roads are generally un-surfaced and impassable by motor vehicles in the rainy seasons. At present the area in served by three main navigation canals plus numerous' minor waterways. The three major navigation canals are described as follows: (i) Ca Mau - Bac Lieu Canal This canal is the main traffic artery of the area at present accommodating the largest vessels (up to 250 tonnes) and carrying the bulk of goods destined for markets in other Provinces or for trans-shipment at Ho Chi Minh City. The Ca Mau - Bac Lieu section is 67 km long and averages 50 to 70 m wide. The average depth is from 4 m to 6 m depending on the tide but there are shallower sections particularly at the point where tidal fronts meet and sedimentation occurs. (ii) Quan Lo/Phung HiepCanal This canal connecting Ca Mau with Phung Hiep is 119 km long, 50 to 70 m wide but only 2 to 6 m deep. There are four bridges crossing this section of the canal varying in clearance above water level from 3.26 m to 4.36 m. These along with a number of locally built pedestrian bridges restrict the size of boat which can use the canal. (iii) Chac Bang - Thoi Binh Canal This canal is 40 km long with average width of about 40 m with varying depths generally less than 4 m. It provides navigation from Ca Mau through Thoi Binh to the Cai Lon River. The well developed canal system has been seriously deteriorated. The canals liave not been dredged for years. Many sections have become to shallow for heavier tonnage vessels and often impedes even the traffic of low tonnage vessels, particularly in dry season. More seriously, the use of heavier tonnage and high speed vessels on the canals has undermined - ,d eroded canal banks, which in tum accelerate the sedimentation process. 64 Appendir B: Genral Environmental Dscrpton of Protect Ara Provinces GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component 9. Appendix C: Detailed Environmental Review of Buffer Zone Component 9.1 PILOT SITE #1 - BAI GHE Location of Pilot Site - Sub-project No. 1, West Coast of Minh Hai Area of Pilot Ste - 2,113 ha. % Sub-project occupied by Pilot Site - 47% of area Assumed Representativeness of Pilot Site for other Sub-Projects22 - assumed applicable to Sub- projects 2, 7, and 8 9.1.1 Proposed BZ ModeI2 The primary constraint to production at Bai Ghe is that water depth can not be maintained in the ponds. This is due to a variety of reasons, including: porous soils; high rates of siltation; small, improperly compacted dikes; and, inadequate sluice gates. The combination of these factors results in reduced pond surface area and shallow water depth despite frequent introduction of tidal water that has the negative affect of increasing siltation in the pond. Besides limiting producfive area, the shallow depth results in high daytime water temperatures and generally poor culture conditions. Under traditional extensive culture conditions, PLs enter the pond during monthly high tides where they remain through the smaller juvenile stages before migrating out against the current of another high tide several months later.24 It is at this time the farmer captures these larger shrimp in a trap installed in the pond side of the sluice gate. In the shallow hot ponds at Bai Ghe, juvenile shrimp migrate against the incoming water at a much earlier stage to escape the poor conditions, thereby being harvested at a smaller, less valuable, size. By simply deepening the ponds so that wild shrimp stocks remain in the pond longer, farmers at Bai Ghe could probably double the value of existing crops because of the higher prices they would fetch for larger shrimp. With at least some restorabon of wild post-larval stocks throughout the Delta, a continuation of extensive culture techniques is the lowest risk strategy for this site. Separate supply and drainage canals would be desired, but at the modest culture densities proposed by Euroconsult (430 kglhalcrop), they are not essential. By dredging the existng canal and using the spoils to improve pond dikes, farmers would still have the option of stocking the higher valued P. monodon. a model is proposed whereby farmers at Bai Ghe would rely on wild stocks during the rainy season, and stock with high-health P. monodon, though at lower yields of 214 kglha/crop, during the dry season. To diversify risk and increase revenues, is is also proposed that farmers polyculture sex-reversed rilapia with shrimp. 2for the purposes of the envionmentl review 2'This setion is taken fron Scum and Lampietfi (1996) 24PLs and juvenile shimnp tnd to mgra ntD estuarns where they feed on the benthos and organic parifculate of his nubtient-rich environment. It is the behavior of sub-adult to migrate out of the estuary to ofshore bocans where mature and mnte. These migraon acbvities are smud by song tidal action. Appendix D: Detalled Social Review of Buffer Zone Component 65 Coastal Wetlands Prtacton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 Three interventions at Bai Ghe are recommended: (i) dredging the existing canal to use the spoils for strengthening and raising the level of the farmers dikes along the canal; (ii) providing farmers access to credit for working capital and to construct concrete sluice gates; and (iii) providing extension services and access to high-health P. monodon post larvae and sex reversed tflapia. Larger, stronger dikes and better gates would enable farmers to maintain a higher water level in their ponds, thereby increasing pond surface area while improving culture conditions. The enlarged canal would facility siltation prior to use, and with improved dikes and gates, farmers would require less replacement water to maintain depths, thereby reducing pond siltation. These measures, coupled with extension services to improve pond management (pond preparation, fertilizing, etc.), plus high quality shrimp and fish stock, would increase the value and the quantity of the harvest. 9.1.2 Description of Current Environmental Conditions 9.1.2.1 Physical Resources Sois Permanent saline soil and saline acid sulphate soil, the acid sulphate soil is distributed at a depth of 0.3 - 0.4 m below the surface. Surface Water Resources The surface freshwater resource in the area is limited, however the rainfall in the region is high enough and allow to accumulate for one paddy crop/year. Groundwater Resources The groundwater with proper quality for drinking purpose is distributed quite deep in the region with limited exploitation capacity. Marine Water Quality The results of studies on marine water quality in Eastem Sea (Gulf of Thailand under Viet Nam's National Environmental Project KT 03.22 indicate that marine water quality in the area is still good * Salinity is in the range of 7-18 ppt * Suspended Matter (SS) content is quite low (c 20 ppm) * - total nitrogen is ranged from 0.5 to 0.7 ppm. * The NH4-N is quite low (<0.02 ppm) * totl Phosphorus content is lower than 0.005 ppm. 66 Appendix D: Detiled Social Review of BufferZone Component GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component * Total Iron ranges from 0.02-0.05 ppm * The residues of pesticides and herbicides are observed in very low range and it is can be explained due to agricultural runoff water. Geology and Minerals No data available. Air Quality There have been no studies on air quality in the region, but the air quality is generally good due to very low industrial and agricultural (i.e., spraying of pesticides and herbicides) activities. 9.1.2.2 Ecological Resources Terrestrial Biota Floral resources in Minh Hai are rich in both quantity of species, size of individual and ecosystems. According to the study of Prof. Phan Nguyen Hong there are 32 of wetland species and 32 others. The terrestrial fauna is quite rich, there are observed 8 frog species, 21 reptile species, 41 birdspecies and 20 mammal species Forests Main forest style in the area is mangrove, most of them are secondary forest Wetlands Before the war (1943) the mangrove forest is abandon in the Camau peninsula but during the war time and especially from 1983 the coverage of mangrove forest is decrease dramatically. According to the statistics in period from 1983- 1988 in MinhHai about 25,000 Ha forest had been loosen. At the present time the reforestation project MILIEV funded by Netherlands Govemment is just started and it is planned to be completed in 1999. Aquatic Biota The preliminary study on aquatic biota in the Minh Hai-Kien Giang coastal and marine areas shown that there are no absolute dominant species of aquatic biota. Freshwater Fisheries There are no freshwater fisheries in the study site. Marine Fisheries Mainly nearshore, however the provincial authorities have support to increase distant fishery facilites. Blodivemity Generally high in biodiversity AppendbD: Deild Socal-RevwofBufferZone Component 67 Coastal Wetands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 Parks and Reserves None in this Pilot Site 9.1.2.3 Social and Economic Resources Income See Appendix B. Food Production See Appendix B. Drinking Water Suppily See Appendix B. Nutrition and Heaith See Appendix B. Education Very poor condition; see Appendix B. Employment See Appendix B. Ethnic Minorities Most of the Pilot Site population is Kinh. Gender Issues See Appendix B. 9.1.3 Impact Analysis 9.1.3.1 General Impacts Influx of New Settlers The tendency of population to change from agricultural activities into aquacultural acfivities in the area is quite high. Therefore more and more people are attempting to move into coastal areas to seek new sources of income. It means that the physical populafion growth in the area is not controlled by law but by aquaproductivity (marine fishery, shrimp cultivation). That will strongly impact on forestry in the area. Land Tenure, Resource Use A major risk to successful project implementation. Lessons from throughout Asia clearly show that giving local communities the skills in managing the natural resource base on which their livelihoods depend, and the responsibility for managing those resources, is the most effective way of achieving sustainable management of these resources. Local management as the mechanism for sustainable management of the BZ and FPZ require that these communities have secure access to and use of the 68 Appendbr D: Deailed Social Review of Buffer Zone Component GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component resources on which their livelihoods depend. The reality of the current situation, however, is that most productive natural resources in the Pilot Site are treated as open access common property resources, plus the fact that land tenure is confused and incomplete. Legal and policy frameworks will need modification to allow local communifies security of access to the particular natural resources on which their livelihoods depend and for whose management they are responsible. Assistance of some form will likely be required to provide successful resolution of the land tenure and resource acess issue in the Pilot Site. Extension Extension programmes would have positive impacts on socio-economic and environmental conditions. The right extension programme help people to understand proper practices in forestry, shrimp cultivation practices and environmental health. Credit In Minh Hai the credit problem seem to be less sensitive in comparison with other parts, however the proper credit support will help people to keep stable economic income and then positve impact on forestry development in the area. Ethnic Minorities Not an issue in this Pilot Site, as most of the population is of the Kinh ethnic group Role of Women Impact is uncertain, as the Project Description does not calculate existing or incremental labor requirements and which household members will be required to take up any additional labor requirements 9.1.3.2 Effects of Non-Foresry Buffer Zone Activities on the Environment Convesion of Wetlands Due to low tidal level from Westem Sea (Thailand gulf) and quite high elevation of the area and acquisition rate of coast line is quite high (50-80 mryear) the intake water canal as well as the shrimp-ponds are used to dregged quite deep, there are high potential of AS exposure during process conversion of wetland for pond construcfion. Exposure of AS will cause decreasing pH value of surface water and impact negatively on water quality as well as shrimp cultivation. However, the negative impact can be easily mifigated. Appendix D: Detailed Social Review of BufterZone Component 69 Coastal Wetands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 Pollution, Pond Effluent Main pollutants in pond effluent apparently are excess nutrients and depend upon aquacultural pracbces and kind of culture (extensive or semi-extensive, the intensive is not recommended in Mekong Delta). Risk of Aquaculture Disease Very high in Mekong Delta in recent two year of 1994-1995 and still a potential threat in 1996. Introduction of Exotic Species The dramatic shrimp diseases in Mekong Delta over two years can be explained partially by introducbon of infected PL from central Viet Nam (NhaTrang). 9.1.3.3 Effects of Extemal Factors on Sustainablllty of Non-Forsy BufferZone Activities Land Use Practices The non-proper rabo between forest and shrimp-pond as well as its distribution can impact negatively on sustainbalbe aquaculture. The agricultural practces in the region is quite simple (one paddy crop) and have limited impact Industrial Pollution At the present time there are no industries in the region, but the shrimp-feed factory project in Ong Doc is planned for investment. It means that the environment of the region now is free of industrial effluents. Even in the case when shnmp-feed factory project is implemented the industrial effluents are not considerable. Natural Hazards Not an issue. Domestic Pollution The population density in the region is not so high, however due to life style and economic conditions the sanitation situation in the region can be accessed poor, main pollutants created by human settlements are domestic wastes discharging directly into the environment (soil or surface water) can cause deterioration of the water quality. Pollution from Navigation Waterway traffic in the region is not so high due to some reasons: * in coastal area: the water depth is shallow. * inland area: only smal! boats can access. Therefor the pollution causing by waterway navigation is not a signfficant issue in the project site. 70 Appendix D: Detiled Social Review of Buffr Zone Component GEC Ltd. Coatl Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component 9.1.3.4 Effects of Buffer Zone Forestry on the Environment Site Clearing Effects on Soil Erosion The problem of soil clearing during reforestation in buffer zone is not high. Vegetation Removal Effects Not an issue Forest Harvest Soil Erosion Not an issue Nutrient Loss by Harvesting Not an issue Fertilizer, Pesticides, Herbicides Not an issue, because mangroves growing in the shrimp ponds will not undergo intensive management requiring the application of fertilizers, pesticides, etc. Direct Damage in Harvest Operations Negligible, because of the limited mangrove harvesting that will be allowed Decrease in Water Quality The convenbonal way of shrimp pond practices involve quite high water exchange rate, low nutrient inputs and therefore the impact of increasing nutrient inputs on water quality is small. Habitat and Habitat Structure This will be a positive effect, because reforestation of mangrove will increase habitat structure Loss of Forest Products from Pests The problem of forest losses due to pest species is not a big problem in Mekong Delta and the problem can be considered negligible. 9.1.3.5 Effect of Extemal Factors on Buffer Zone Forastty Activfties Land Use Practices The buffer zone and full economic zone is separated by an irrigation canal. One paddy crop is practicing in the full economic zone and there are high potential of negative impact by spraying of pesticides and herbicides. The practices shown that the spraying pesticides and herbicides can disperse 5-10 km far away by wind. The water of irrigation canal is fresh water (rain water) therefore its exchange rate is quite low and high potential of accumulation of agrochemical such as pesticides, herbicides as well as fertilizers. Appendix D: Detiled Social Review of Buffer Zone Component 71 Coastal Welands Protecton and Deveiopment Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 Water Pollution There are differences between economic activities buffer zone and full economic zone, the water pollution by extemal factors is minimized. Natural Hazards Not an issue. 9.1.4 Recommendations for Mitigation and Monitoring To mitigate the negative impacts following measures should be applied: (i) To control over settement process and population density, to support reasonable economic income of population through area of land use, ratio between forest and shrimp-pondis as well as other sanitation and healthcare conditions, (ii) Shrimp cultivation extension (iii) Financial support; (iv) Forestry extension programme. (v) General environmental extension and education programme. 9.1.5 Comments on Replicability of Bai Ghe Buffer Zone Pilot Site This Pilot Site can be applied only in coast line from estuary of OngTrang River to the boundary with Kien Giang province. 9.2 PILOT SITE #2 - DAM DoI Location of Pilot Site - Sub-project No. 3. Eastem Ca Mau Peninsula Area of Pilot Site - 2,616 ha. % Sub-project occupied by Pilot Site - 33% of area Assumed Representafiveness of Pilot Site for other Sub-Projects" - assumed applicable to no other Sub-projects 9.2.1 Proposed Buffer Zone ModeI26 At the stocking densities currently employed, there may a problem wifth self pollution of shrimp ponds through the existing canal system. Their proposal to add two new inlet canals would improve water exchange rates, plus it would also likely increase the supply of wild shrimp seed entering ponds. But. 2%r te puposes of the environmental reiew 2m6 section is btken from Scum and Lampietti (1996) 72 Appendbi D: De:ailed Socia Review of Buffr Zone Component GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Pfrject November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component these canals, as designed, would be opened to the sea over a mudflat, and the feasibility of maintaining these waterways open must be confirmed. The inter-tidal mudflat zone at the site is likely to be unstable, with potential for problems maintaining open the mouths of newly constructed canals. Much of the same benefit (increased water exchange and separate inflow and effluent) could likely be obtained by dredging the existing tidal creek (Dau Da) to serve as an inlet canal with the Bo Co Creek serving as the effluent canal. This would reduce the earthwork costs for canal infrastructure to about 25% of the Euroconsult proposal, while minimizing the risk of constructing new waterways through the coastal mudflats. Furthermore, because of the uncertainty of crop failure during the rainy season, and with at least some wild post larvae now present, a farm model consisting of extensive shrimp farming practices during the rainy season, with one crop of P. monodon produced during the dry season. This strategy still offers the option for upgrading the culture practices in the future. It is proposed that credit be provided for an additional concrete sluice gate at each farm that would enable better management of water flow in and out of ponds. These measures, coupled with extension services that improve pond management (pond preparation, fertilizing, improved feeding strategies, etc.), plus the availability of healthy P. monodon post larvae, should increase yields and financial retums to the farmers. In addition, the culture of sex reversed Tilapia would diversify the farmers risk. 9.2.2 Description of Current Environmental Conditions 9.2.2.1 Physical Resources Solis Permanent saline soil and saline acid sulphate soil, but the acid soils are distributed deeper than in Bai Ghe study site. Surface Water Resources The same as in Bai Ghe study site. However, in 1994 the one paddy crop area in the full economic zone of Dam Doi district was converted into shrimp cultivation area therefore the rainwater reservation canal and salt prevention dikes have been demolished. Groundwater Resources The same in Bai Ghe study site. Marine Water Quality The results of studies on marine water quality in Eastem Sea (Gulf of Thailand under Viet Nam's National Environmental Project KT 03:22 indicate that marine water quality in the area is still good: * Salinity is higher than 18 ppt * water is quite turbid; Suspended Matter (SS) content is higher than 40 ppm * The NH4-N in the rivers is negligible (0) but in the canal and shrimp ponds is quite high and in range of 0.013-0.55 ppm. AppendiD Detaled Socal Reviw of BufforZone Component 73 Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 * Total Phosphorus in the canals of Dam Doi is higher than in other area of Mekong Delta from 0.034 - 0.608 ppm. * Total Iron is ranged from 0.02-0.05 ppm * silica content of marine water is in range of 5-7 ppm. * residues of pesticides and herbicides are observed in very low range and it is can be explained due to agricultural runoff water. * the pH value is in range of 7.2 - 8.1 Heavy metals the observed results shown that the heavy metals concentration is quite low and stfll below threshold causing toxicty to aquatic life * Pb < 0.005 - 0.012 ppm * Cu < 0.005 ppm * Cd < 0.001 ppm * Hg < 0.001 ppm Agrochemical residues of DDT-pp, DDT-op, DDD-pp, DDE- pp, Parathion, Tetrachlovalinine, HCB, Pentachlorobenzen are observed but in very low range (0.002-0.035 ppm) Geology and Minerals No data available. Air Quality There have been no studies on air quality in the region, but the air quality is generally good due to very low industrial and agricultural-(i.e., spraying of pesticides and herbicides) activities. 92.2.2 Ecological Resources Terrestrial Biota There are 3 typical ecosystems as follows: * Mangrove forest located along river banks such as Muong Duong, Muong Dieu, Vam Dam, Dam Chim, Ganh Hao and Bay Hap rivers. * Ecosystems in the shrimp cultivation area, along Chung Kiet canal, 6-Dong canal, Tram Thung, Vam Dong Chet, Vam Bong Ket, Bo Gui canal, Ong Don canal and belonged to following villages Tan Thuan, Tan Tien, Nguyen Huan etc. * Ecosystem in the area between paddy rice area and shrimp cufltivation areas. 74 Appendbr D: Detiled Social Review of BuffrZone Co mn GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component Forests Main forest style in the area is mangrove, most of it is secondary forest. There are several reasons for this, but the main one is cutting for firewood. Wetlands See Section 9.1.2. Aquatic Biota The aquatic biota in the region is still rich in both structure and species. The main kind is saline water species. Freshwater Fisheries There are few remaining freshwater fisheries in the study site due to overexploitation. Marine Fisheries Mainly nearshore, and provincial authorities are attempting to increase offshore fisheries. Biodiversity Generally high in biodiversity Parks and Reserves Dam Doi Bird Sanctuary. See Appendix B for a more detailed description. 9.2.2.3 Social and Economic Resources Income Main income sources are: nearshore marine fishery, shrimp and other saline water aquaculture such as crab culfivation, and firewood from mangrove. See Appendix B for general overview of income situation throughout the Project Area. Food Production See Appendix B for general overview of food production throughout the Project Area. Drinking Water Supply See Appendix B for general overview of drinking water supply situation throughout the Project Area. Nutrition and Health See Appendix B for general overview of nutrition and health situation throughout the Project Area. Education Very poor condition; see Appendix B for general overview of education situation throughout the Project Area. Employment See Appendix B for general overview of employment situation throughout the Project Area. Ethnic Minorities Most of the Pilot Site population is Kinh. AppendLx D: Detiled Social Review of Buffr Zone Component 75 Coastal WeUands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 Gender Issues See Appendix B for general overview of gender situation throughout the Project Area. 9.2.3 Impact Analysis 9.2.3.1 General Impacts Influx of New Settlers The physical resettlement process is chaotc and depends upon shrimp cultivation success in the area. In the period 1987-1993 the shrimp success had occurred not in Dam Doi but in several other regions in Mekong Delta, where shrimp cultivation is good. The resuKt was many households people moved from inland into the coastal area without any permission. But in the period of 1994-1995, when shrimp- disease caused high economic losses in all the Mekong Delta, pullback was observed. This means that the population pressure on these area is permanent tendency unless the following problems are solved: E Economic support * Fuel substitution. * Control of physical resettlement process. Land Tenure, Resource Use A major risk to successful project implementation. Lessons from throughout Asia clearly show that giving local communities the skills in mnanaging the natural resource base on which their livelihoods depend, and the responsibility for managing those resources, is the most effective way of achieving sustainable mnanagement of these resources. Local management as the mechanism for sustainable management of the BZ and FPZ require that these communities have -secure access to and use of the resources on which their livelihoods depend. The reality of the current situation, however, is that nost productive natural resources in the Pilot Site are treated as open access common property resources, plus the fact that land tenure is confused and incomplete. Legal and policy frameworks will need modification to allow local communities security of access to the particular natural resources on which their livelihoods depend and for whose management they are responsible. Assistance of some form will likely be required to provide successful resolution of the land tenure and resource acess issue in the Pilot Site. 76 Appendix D: Detailed Social Review of Buffer Zone Component GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component Extension Extension programmes would have positive impacts on socio-economic and environmental conditions. The right extension programme help people to understand proper practices in forestry, shrimp cultivation practices and environmental health. Credit In Minh Hai the credit problem seem to be less sensitive in comparison with other parts, however the proper credit support will help people to keep stable economic income and then positive impact on forestry development in the area. In particular, reasonable interest on credit has strong impacts on buffer zone development The income from forestry activities is long term (at least five years after planting). Without credit and if income from shrimp cultivation activities is poor, there will be no other income sources besides nearshore fishery activities. Ethnic Minorities Not an issue in this Pilot Site, as most of the population is of the Kinh ethnic group Role of Women Impact is uncertain, as the Project Description does not calculate existing or incremental labor requirements and which household members will be required to take up any additional labor requirements. 9.2.3.2 Effocts of Non-Foresy Buffer Zone Actfvities on the Environment Conversion of Wetlands The coast line has a quite high elevation and the erosion process is very rapid (50-100 rn/year). The proposed BZ model will have a positive impact on environment if the 70:30 ratio forestpond is followed. Otherwise the following negative impact may occur * exposure of ASS, that will cause decreasing pH value of surface water then decreasing shrimp cultivation productivity; and * deforestation process Pollution, Pond Effluent The importance of water pollution from pond effluent is still unknown under extensive and low PL density semi-intensive shrimp cultivations. Experience shows that the high PL density semintensive shrimp cultivation in the Mekong Delta is not suitable due to unidenftfied reasons. In some areas the polluted pond effluent seem to be a reasons causing shrimp diseases but it is should be studied and can Appendix D: Detiled Social Revie of uferZone Component Coastal Wetands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 almost certainly be avoided if separate intake and drainage canals are constructed. Risk of Aquaculture Disease Very high in Mekong Delta in recent two years of 1994-1995 and still a potential threat in 1996 and onward. Introduction of Exotic Species The dramatic shrimp diseases in Mekong Delta over two years can be explained partially by introduction of infected PL from central Viet Nam (NhaTrang), 9.2.3.3 Effects of Extemal Factors on Sustainablifty of Non-Forestry BufferZone Actvitfes Land Use Practices Before 1994 one paddy crop cultivation was practiced in full economic zone, however it is now changed to shrimp cultivation. It means that there are no freshwater agricultural activities in either buffer zone and full economic zone. The issue to be considered is land use i.e. the ratio between forest and shrimp-ponds. The sustainable stocking density and actual area of shrimp pond should be assessed. Industrial Pollution At the present time there are no industries in the vicinity of the Pilot Site that would cause threats to buffer zone activities Natural Hazards Not an issue. The only natural hazard that should perhaps be considered is flooding in the Mekong Delta, but this Pilot Site is so far from large sources of freshwater that flood risk - is negligible. Domestic Pollution The population density in the region is not so high, however due to life style and economic conditions the sanitation situation in the region can be assessed as poor, main pollutants created by human settlements are domestic wastes discharging direcUy into the environment (soil or surface water) cause deterioration of the water quality. Pollution from Navigation Waterway traffic in the region is not so high due to some reasons: * in coastal area : the water depth is shallow. * inland area : only small boats can access. Therefore the pollution causing by waterway navigation, save for perhaps localized leakages of oily wastes from passing boats, is not a significant issue in the project site. 78 Appendbx D: Detailed Social Review of Buffer Zone Component GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetfands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component 9.2.3.4 Effects of BufferZone ForestryActivities on the Environment Site Clearing Effects on Soil Erosion The problem of soil clearing during reforestation in buffer zone is not high. Vegetation Removal Effects Not an issue Forest Harvest Soil Erosion Not an issue Nutrient Loss by Harvesting Not an issue Fertilizer, Pesticides, Herbicides Not an issue, because mangroves growing in the shrinmp ponds will not undergo intensive management requiring the application of fertilizers, pesticides, etc. Direct Damage in Harvest Operations Negligible, because of the limited mangrove harvesting that will be allowed Decrease in Water Quality The conventional way of shrimp pond practices involve quite high water exchange rate, low nutrient inputs and therefore the impact of increasing nutrient inputs on water quality is small. Habitat and Habitat Structure This will be a positive effect, because reforestation of mangrove will increase habitat structure Loss of Forest Products from Pests The problem of forest losses due to pest species is not a big problem in Mekong Delta and the problem can be considered negligible. 9.2.3.5 Effect of Extemda Factors on the Sustainability of Buffer Zone Forestry Actvfties Land Use Practices Not an issue, because economic activities in the full economc zone are the same as those currently in and proposed for the buffer zone. Water Pollution Not an issue, because economic activities in the full economc zone are the same as those currently in and proposed for the buffer zone. Natural Hazards Not an issue. The only natural hazard that should perhaps be considered is flooding in the Mekong Delta, but this Pilot Site is so far from large sources of freshwater that flood risk is negligible. Appendix D: Detaied Social Review of Buffer Zone Component 79 Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 9.2.4 Recommendations for Mitigation and Monitoring To mitigate the negative impacts following measures should be applied: (i) To control over settlement process and population density, to support reasonable economic income of population through area of land use, ratio between forest and shrimp-ponds as well as other sanitation and health care conditions; (ii) Shrimp cultivation extension (Vii) Forestry extension programme. (iv) General environmental extension and education programme. 9.2.5 Comments on Replicability of Buffer Zone Component This Pilot Site can be applied only with certainty in Sub-project No. 3: Eastem Ca Mau Peninsula. 9.3 PILOT SITE #3 - BAC LIEU Location of Pilot Site - Sub-project No. 4, Vinh Loi-Gia Rai Area of Pilot Site - 690 ha. % Sub-project occupied by Pilot Site - 30% of area Assumed Representativeness of Pilot Site for other Sub-Projects'" - assumed applicable to no other Sub-projects 9.3.1 Proposed Buffer Zone ModeI28 In the Bac Lieu district, on the Eastem Ca Mau Peninsula of Minh Hai, there is up to 50 meters of coastal accretion per year with new growth mangrove in the FPZ. The land in the BZ is mostly inhabited by Khmer that traditionally produced salt in shallow evaporation ponds. During the past several years there was a gradual upgrading of ponds for shrimp culture, but since 1993, people in this area have largely abandoned shrimp farming as an economic acfivity. There is potential for up to 2,000 ha of land to be upgraded in the BZ along Bac Lieu, and Can Tho University has recently developed a small aquaculture research and demonstration facility adjacent to the proposed study site. It is proposed that up to 200 ha of land be used as a study site under the Project to upgrade existing ponds for sustainable shrimp culture, and to link farmers to the adjacent FPZ. The close proximity of the Can Tho University field station (which would be upgraded under the support service component of the Project) would facilitate the technical extension services necessary to introduce rore nfor the purposes of te environmentl rview 'This section is aken ftrm Sou and Lanpet (1996) sO Appendix D: Debiled Socia Review of BufferZone Component GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component advanced shrimp culture technologies at this site. This would include stocking at slightly higher levels to justify the cost of treating incoming water to further insure against the threat of disease. It would also include shrimptfish polyculture -ither with Tilapia or milkfish. In this area, there already exists a main supply canal from the sea, and the site has a separate drainage canal to a nearby river-thereby separating inflow from effluent. The Project would construct common secondary canals that would also serve to settle the high silt load in the coastal waters along Bac Lieu. Water treatment ponds would be constructed on each farmeres site, where chlorine would be used to kill potential viral carriers (other crab or shrimp species) found in the water supply. The model for this study site assumes two P. monodon crops per year at 221 kg/ha/crop plus 225 kg/ha/crop of fish. 9.3.2 Description of Current Environmental Conditfons 9.3.2.1 Physical Resources Soils The main soil in Bac Lieu is permanent saline soil, the soil is slightly alkali and relatively fertile. Surface Freshwater Resources Surface freshwater resource in the area is limited. Groundwater Resources There are no data available on groundwater resources in this Pilot Site, but informal observations suggest that the quality and capacity of second groundwater aquifer is good and it can considered as a source of drinking water supply for the area. Marine Water Quality There are no data available. But the quality of marine water is likely good due to very low industrial and human activities in the region. Geology and Minerals No information was available. Air Quality There have been no studies on air quality in the region, but the air quality is generally good due to very low industrial and agricultural (i.e., spraying of pesticides and herbicides) activities. 9.3.2.2 Ecological Resources Appendbr D: Debtied Social Review of Buffer Zone Component 81 Coastl WeUtands Protweton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 Terrestrial Biota Very poor, as most of the terrestrial habitat has been lost because most of the forest has been cut for fuelwood, and this process remains uncotrolled. Forests Very poor because most of the forest has been cut for fuelwood. and this process remains uncotrolled. Wetlands Very poor. Aquatic Biota No quantitative data are available. But, the main component of aquatic biota is the marine ecosystem, and the capacity of the marine system remains healthy. Freshwater Fisheries There are few remaining freshwater fisheries in the Pilot Site due to overexploitation. Marine Fisheries Mainly nearshore; provincial authorities are attempting to increase offshore fisheries. Biodiversity Qualitatively assessed as extremely poor. Parks and Reserves Bac Lieu Bird Sanctuary. See Appendix B for a more detailed description. 9.3.2.3 Social and Economic Resources Income .Main income sources are: agricultural activibes (highland crops such as onion, fruit trees), aquaculture activities such as Artemia in dry season and shrimp cultivation in wet season. See Appendix B for general overview of income situation throughout the Project Area. Food Production See Appendix B for general overview of food production throughout the Project Area. Drinking Water Supply The percentage of drinking water coming from clean groundwater sources is lower than in other parts of the Project Area. See Appendix B for general overview of drinking water supply situation throughout the Project Area. Nutrition and Health See Appendix B for general overview of nutrition and health situation throughout the Proect Area. 82 AppendIx D: Dotailed Social Review of Buffer Zone Componwnt GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component Education Very poor condition; see Appendix B for general overview of education situation throughout the Project Area. Employment See Appendix B for general overview of employment situation throughout the Project Area. Ethnic Minorities Much of the Pilot Site population is comprised of Khmer and Hoa (Chinese) ethnic groups. Gender Issues See Appendix B for general overview of the gender situation throughout the Project Area. 9.3.3 Impact Analysis 9.3.3.1 GeneralImpacts Influx of New Settlers The percentage of the population that is poor has increased dramatically during the last decade. This is particularly true with respect to the Khmer ethnic group, as they moved to the coastal area to seek economic income from low capital investment sources such as the nearshore fishery, and fuetwood. Land Tenure, Resource Use A major risk to successful project implementation. Lessons from throughout Asia clearly show that giving local communities the skills in managing the natural resource base on which their livelihoods depend, and the responsibility for managing those resources, is the most effective way of achieving sustainable management of these resources. Local management as the mechanism for sustainable management of the BZ and FPZ require that these communities have secure access to and use of the resources on which their livelihoods depend. The reality of the current situation, however, is that most productive natural resources in the Pilot Site are treated as open access common property resources, plus the fact that land tenure is confused and incomplete. Legal and policy frameworks will need modification to allow local communities security of access to the particular natural resources on which their livelihoods depend and for whose rnanagement they are responsible. Assistance of some form will likely be required to provide successful resolution of the land tenure and resource acess issue in the Pilot Site. Appendix D. Detaild Social Reviw of Bfer Zone Component Coastal Wetands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 Extension Extension programmes would have positive impacts on socio-economic and environmental conditions. The right extension programme help people to understand proper practces in forestry, shrimp culfivation practces and environmental heE hI. For a long time people in this Pilot Site have worked without any reliable extension programs. Credt Proper credit support should have very positive impact on socio-economic development in the- area and subsequent improvement in forest and environmental quality. Ethnic Minorities A major issue in this Pilot Site. The reader is referred to Section 4 and Appendix C for a more detailed description of this general issue. Role of Women Impact is uncertain, as the Project Description does not calculate existing or incremental labor requirements and which household members will be required to take up any additional labor requirements 9.3.3.2 Effects of Non-Forestry Buffer Zone Activffies on the Environment Conversion of Wetlands There are no more wetlands in the area to convert to ponds. Pollution, Pond Effluent The elevabon of the area is quite high therefore the effluent from pond can discharge very quickly and easily into the sea. Risk of Aquaculture Disease Very high in Mekong Delta in recent two years of 1994-1995 and still a potential threat in 1996 and onward. Introduction of Exotic Species The dramatic shrimp diseases in Mekong Delta over two years can be explained partially by introduction of infected PL from central Viet Nam (NhaTrang). 9.3.3.3 Effects of Extemal Factors on Sustainability of Non-Fores BufferZone Activites Land Use Practices The current common agricultural practice in the area (in the BZ) is watermelon in wet season and onion in dry season, these vegetables are cuftivated in raised bed with a mix of shrimp culftivation. In the case of good freshwater supply (tube well) the area of watermelon can be expanded. Farmers spray upland crops with specific agrochemicals such as DDT (banned in Vaet Nam). This kind of pesticide is Appendix D: DetaIled Socal Review of BufferZone Component GEC Ltd. Coastal WetUands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component very stable in nature, has a high bioaccumulabve capacity and may impact strongly on sustainability of non-forestry activities in the BZ. Industrial Pollution At the present time there are no industries in the vicinity of the Pilot Site that would cause threats to buffer zone activities Natural Hazards Not an issue. The only natural hazard that should perhaps be considered is flooding in the Mekong Delta, but this Pilot Site is so far from large sources of freshwater that flood risk is negligible. Domestic Pollution The population density in the region is not so high, however due to life style and economic conditions the sanitation situation in the region can be assessed as poor, main pollutants created by human settlements are domestic wastes discharging directly into the environment (soil or surface water) cause deterioration of the water quality. The environmental resources at risk are shallow groundwater and human health. Pollution from Navigation Waterway traffic in the region is not so high due to some reasons: * in coastal area : the water depth is shallow. * inland area: only small boats can access. Therefore the pollution causing by waterway navigation, save for perhaps localized leakages of oily wastes from passing boats, is not a significant issue in the Pilot Site. 9.3.3.4 Effects ofBufferZone Foresty on the Environment Site Clearing Effects on Soil Erosion The site is already cleared, the soil in the area is quite porous and therefore the erosion rate is significant The incremnental effects of any soil clearing during reforestation in the buffer zone is therefore not high. Vegetation Removal Effects Not an issue Forest Harvest Soil Erosion Not an issue Nutrient Loss by Harvesting Not an issue Appendix D: Detaled Social Review of BufftrZone Component 85 Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmentbl and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 Fertilizer, Pesticides, Herbicides Not an issue, because mangroves growing in the shrimp ponds will not undergo intensive management requiring the application of fertilizers, pesticides, etc. Direct Damage in Harvest Operations Negligible, because of the limited mangrove harvesting that will be allowed Decrease in Water Qualiy The conventional way of shrimp pond practices involve quite high water exchange rate, low nutrient inputs and therefore the impact of increasing nutrient inputs on water quality is small. Habitat and Habitat Structure This will be a positive effect, because reforestation of mangrove will increase habitat structure Loss of Forest Products from Pests The problem of forest losses due to pest species is not a big problem in Mekong Delta and the problem can be considered negligible. 9.3.3.5 Effect of External Factors on Sustinab8iliy of Buffer Zone Fostry Acivites Land Use Practices The area has a relatively high elevation; it is therefore difficuKt to determine suitable type of kind of mangrove tree to replant in the area. Water Pollution Not an issue, because economic activities in the full. .economc zone are the same as those currently in and proposed for the buffer zone. Natural Hazards Not an issue. The only natural hazard that should perhaps be considered is flooding in the Mekong Delta, but this Pilot Site is so far from large sources of freshwater that flood risk is negligible. 9.3.4 Recommendations for Mitigation To mitigate the negative impacts following measures should be applied: (i) To control over settlement process and population density, to support reasonable economic incomfe of population through area of land.use, ratio between forest and shrimp-ponds as well as other sanitation and healfth care condiftions; (ii) Shrimp cultivation extension and financial support (i.e., credit) 86 Appendix D: Detailed Social Reviw of Bufer Zone Component GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component (iii) Forestry extension programme. (iv) General environmental extension and education programme. 9.4 PILOT SITE #4 - VINH CHAU Location of Pilot Site - Sub-project No. 5, Vinh Chau Area of Pilot Site - 309 ha. % Sub-project occupied by Pilot Site - 18% of area Assumed Representativeness of Pilot Site for other Sub-Projects"' - assumed applicable to no other Sub-projects 9.4.1 Proposed Buffer Zone Modeis30 Vinh Chau I A diversified production system of Artemia during the dry season and shrimplTilapia polyculture during the rainy season is proposed. The Project would provide extension and credit to the farmer for - portable pump; - pond dike improvements; and - working capital. Vi.nh Chau aI The land elevation in the FPZ at Vinh Chau is above the highest tides and the only mangrove species growing in this area are along the slopes of canals, with a few pioneering mangrove species that have been planted on the mudflats. There is a well defined 'step up' from the mudflat to the higher land of the FPZ just at the point where wave action is eroding the coast. Some people are already cultivating onions and other terrestrial crops at these higher elevation in the FPZ, and it is the opinion of the Mission that this activity should be regularized. The Vinh Chau area has limited rainfall and a pronounced dry season, so the reforestation of the FPZ would require irrigation. It appears to be more efficient to finance fresh water wells for small-scale (0.25 ha) vegetable farming in the FPZ in exchange for the farmer planting mangrove in a relatively small area (2 ha) of mudflat or along canals and creeks. 2for the pposes of the ennonmedtal review 'rhis secon is taken from scura and Lampe (1996) Appendix D: Detailed Social Review of Buffr Zone Componen 87 Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 9A.2 Description of Current Environmental Conditions 9.4.2.1 Physical Resources Solis The two main kinds of soil in the Pilot Site are permanent saline soil and dry saline soil. Surface Freshwater Resources Surface freshwater resources in the area is limited. Groundwater Resources There are no data available on groundwater resources in this Pilot Site, but informal observations suggest that the quality and capacity of second groundwater aquifer is good and it can considered as a source of drinking water supply for the area. Marine Water Quality There are no data available. But the quality of marine water is likely good due to very low industrial and human activities in the region. Geology and Mineralb No information was available. Air Quality There have been no studies on air quality in the region, but the air quality is generally good due to very low industrial and agricultural (i.e., spraying of pesticides and herbicides) activities. 9.4.2.2 Ecological Resources Terrestrial Biota Very poor, as most of the terrestrial habitat has been lost because most of the forest has been cut for fuelwood, and this process remains uncotrolled: Forests Very poor because mnost of the forest has been cut for fuelwood, and this prooess remains uncotrolled. Wetlands Very poor. Aquatic Blota No quantitative data are available. But, the main component of aquatic biota is the marine ecosystem, and the capacity of the marine system to support aquatic biota remains healthy. Freshwater Fisheries There are few remaining freshwater fisheries in the Pilot Site due to overexploitation. 88 AppendbI D: Dealed Social Review of Buffer Zone Component GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component Marine Fisheries Nearshore fisheries are severely over-exploited; provincial authorities are attempting to increase offshore fisheries. Biodiversity Qualitatively assessed as extremely poor. Parks and Reserves No parks and reserves at or in the vicinity of the Pilot Site. 9.4.2.3 Social and Economic Resources Income Main income sources are: agricultural activities (highland crops such as onion, fruit trees), aquaculture activities such as Artemia in dry season and shrimp cultivation in wet season. See Appendix B for general overview of income situation throughout the Project Area. Food Production See Appendix B for general overview of food production throughout the Project Area. Drinking Water Supply The percentage of drinking water coming from clean groundwater sources is lower than in other parts of the Project Area. See Appendix B for general overview of drinking water supply situation throughout the Project Area. Nutrition and Health See Appendix B for general overview of nutrition and healfth situation throughout the Project Area. Education Very poor condition; see Appendix B for general overview of education situation throughout the Project Area. Employment See Appendix B for general overview of employment situation throughout the Project Area. Ethnic Minorities The Pilot Site population is comprised of Khmer and Hoa (Chinese) ethnic groups. Gender Issues See Appendix B for general overview of the gender situation throughout the Project Area. 9.4.3 Impact Analysis 9.4.3.1 General Impacts Influx of New Settles There is a tendency of movement of Khner into the coastal Appendi D: Detailed Social Review of BufferZone Component 89 Coastal Wetands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 areas. These people is quite poor and the influx of new settle is impacting negatively on forest resources through cutting for fuelwood and nearshore fishing. Land Tenure, Resource Use While people are not permitted to live in the FPZ, the economic situation and an incomplete implementation of land tenure has contributed to uncontrolled resource use (land, fisheries, and forestry in particular). This is a major risk to successful project implementation.. Lessons from throughout Asia clearly show that giving local communities the skills in managing the natural resource base on which their livelihoods depend, and the responsibility for managing those resources, is the most effective way of achieving sustainable management of these resources. Local management as the mechanism for sustainable management of the BZ and FPZ require that these communities have secure access to and use of the resources on which their livelihoods depend. The reality of the current situation, however, is that most productive natural resources in the Pilot Site are treated as open access common property resources, plus the fact that land tenure is confused and incomplete. Legal and policy frameworks will need mnodification to allow local communities security of access to the particular natural resources on which their livelihoods depend and for whose management they are responsible. Assistance of some form will likely be required to provide successful resolution of the land tenure and resource acess issue in the Pilot Site. Extension Extension programmes would have positive impacts on socio-economic and environmental conditions. The right extension programme help people to understand proper practices in forestry, shrimp cultivation practices and environmental heaflth. For a long time people in this Pilot Site have worked without any reliable extension programs. Credit Proper credit support should have very positive impact on socio-economic development in the area and subsequent improvement in forest and environmental quality. Ethnic Minorties A major issue in this Pilot Site. The reader is referred to Section 4 and Appendix D for a more detailed description of this general issue. Role of Women Impact is uncertain, as the Project Description does not 90 Appendbx D: Dealled Social Review of Bufer Zone Component GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Proten and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component calculate existing or incremental labor requirements and which household members will be required to take up any additional labor requirements 9.4.3.2 Effects of Non-Forestry Buffer Zone Activities on the Environment Conversion of Wetlands There are no more wetlands in the area to convert to ponds. Pollution, Pond Effluent Artemia cultivation requires nutrients and cause eutrophication of water (algal bloom). However the coast line in the area is eroded and the shore bed is sandy-mud; this will therefore have a relatively minor impact on marine water quality. Also, the elevation of the area is quite high therefore the effluent from pond can discharge very quickly and easily into the sea. Risk of Aquaculture Disease Very high in Mekong Delta in recent two years of 1994-1995 and still a potntial threat in 1996 and onward. Introduction of Exotic Species The dramatic shrimp diseases in the Mekong Delta over two years can be explained partially by introduction of infected PL from central Viet Nam (NhaTrang). 9.4.3.3 Effects of Extemal Factors on Aquaculture Sustainabillty Land Use Practices The proposed mix of shrimp, Artemia, and upland crops creates potential for pollution. Farmers spray upland crops with specific agrochemicals such as DDT (banned in Viet Nam). This kind of pesticide is very stable in nature, has a high bioaccumulative capacity and may impact strongly on sustainability of non-forestry activities in the BZ. Industrial Pollution At the present time there are no industrbies in the vicinity of the Pilot Site that would cause threats to buffer zone activities Natural Hazards Not an issue. The only natural hazard that should perhaps be considered is flooding in the Mekong Delta, but this Pilot Site is so far from large sources of freshwater that flood risk is negligible. In addition, the Northeast monsoon, an annual event, causes rapid erosion in this Pilot Site. Domestc Pollution The populabtion density in the region is not so high, however due to life style and economic conditions the sanitation Appendbr D: Detiled Socil Review of Buff erZone Component 1 Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 situation in the region can be assessed as poor, main pollutants created by human setUements are domestic wastes discharging directly into the environment (soil or surface water) cause deterioration of the water quality. The environmental resources at risk are shallow groundwater and humnan health. Pollution from Navigation Waterway traffic in the region is not so high: * in coastal area : the water depth is shallow. * inland area: only srnall boats can access. Therefore the pollution causing by waterway navigation, save for perhaps localized leakages of oily wastes from passing boats, is not a significant issue in the Pilot Site. 9.4.3.4 Effects of Buffer Zone Forestry on the Environment Site Clearing Effects on Soil Erosion The site is already cleared, the soil in the area is quite porous and therefore the erosion rate is significant The incremental effects of any soil clearing during reforestation in the buffer zone is therefore not high. Vegetation Removal Effects Not an issue Forest Harvest Soil Erosion Not an issue Nutrient Loss by Harvesting Not an issue Fertilizer, Pesticides, Herbicides Not an issue, because mangroves growing in the shrimp ponds will not undergo intensive management requiring the application of fertilizers, pestcides, etc. Direct Damage in Harvest Operations Negligible, because of the limited forest harvesting that will be allowed in the buffer zone. Decreae In Water Quality The conventional way of shrimp pond practices involve quite high water exchange rate, low nutrient inputs and therefore the impact of increasing nutrient inputs on water quality is small. Habitat and Habitat Structure This will be a positive effect, because reforestaton will increase habitat structure Loss of Forest Products from Pests The problem of forest losses due to pest species is not a big problem in Mekong Delta and the problem can be 92 Appendix D: Deailed Social Review of Buffer Zone Component GEC Ltd. Coastal WeVands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component considered negligible. 9.4.3.5 Effect of Extemal Factors on Sustainabity of Buffer Zone Forestry Activities Land Use Practices The area has a relatively high elevation; it is therefore difficult to determine a suitable type of kind of tree to replant in the area. Water Pollution Not an issue, because economic activities in the full economc zone are the same as those currently in and proposed for the buffer zone. The soils in the area have quite high permeability; the groundwater quality may change over time due to untreated domiestic wastes and pollution from pesticides applied on freshwater crops. Natural Hazards Not an issue. The only natural hazard that should perhaps be considered is flooding in the Mekong Delta, but this Pilot Site is so far from large sources of freshwater that flood risk is negligible. 9.4.4 Recommendations for Mitigation To mitigate the negative impacts following measures should be applied: (i) To control over settlement process and population density, to support reasonable economic income of population through area of land use, ratio between forest and shrimp-ponds as well as other sanitation and health care conditions; (ii) Shrimp cultfivation extension and financial support (i.e., credit) (iii) Forestry extension programme. (iv) General environmental extension and education programme. 9.5 PILOT SITE #5 - MY LONG Locaton of Pilot Site - Sub-project No. 11, My Long Area of Pilot Site - 724 ha. % Sub-project occupied by Pilot Site - 54% of area Assumed Representativeness of Pilot Site for other Sub-Project? - assumed applicable to Sub- projects 6, 9, and 12 31for the purposes of the envonmentl review Appendix D: Det.Ied Social Review of Buffer Zon Component 93 Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 9.5.1 Proposed Buffer Zone Models32 Euroconsult characterizes the collapse of shrimp farming in this area as being due to disease. They propose a system of canals that would allow each pond to have separate inlet and outlets. Interviews with several farmers did not reveal a recent collapse in shrimp production. In fact, farmers in this area appear to have done reasonably well, conffnuing to produce a single crop of P. monodon in the dry season for the last several years. Their relative success may be due to their location at the mouth of the Co Chien River, upstream of most other shrimp farms. However, those interviewed confirmed increased production problems during the rainy season. The most important constraint in this area appears to be a lack of access to capital. No infrastructure improvements are required for this site. Recommendations include the promotion of P. monodon culture during the dry season using the high health PLs to be provided under the Project. In an effort to diversify crops from the existing system, farmers would also be provided with access to sex- reversed Tilapia fingerlings. 9.5.2 Description of Current Environmental Conditions 9.5.2.1 Physical Resources Soils The main soil in the Pilot Site is permanent saline soil, with elevation from 1.0 to 1.2 m above sea level. Surface Freshwater Resources Surface freshwater resources in the area are limited. Groundwater Resources There are no data available on groundwater resources in this Pilot Site, but informal observations suggest that there are two kinds of groundwater available in the area: * Subsurface: in the sand ridges, available in rainy season. * Groundwater: 100 m depth, of good quality. The quality and capacity of this groundwater aquifer is good and it can be considered as a source of drinking water supply for the area. Marine Water Quality There are no data available. In general, marine water quality appears to be good; the drift of small amounts of crude oils from offshore exploitation activibes into the shore has been periodically observed. Geology and Minemras No information was available. '2This secin is taken from Scur and Lampietti (1996) 94 Appendbr D: Defiled Social Review of Buffer Zone Comnponent GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetands Pratecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component Air Quality There have been no studies on air quality in the region, but the air quality is generaHy good due to very low industrial and agricultural (i.e., spraying of pesticides and herbicides) activities. 9.5.2.2 Ecological Resources Terrestrial Biota Very poor, as most of the terrestrial habitat has been lost because most of the forest has been cut for fuelwood, and this process remains uncotrolled. Forests Very poor because most of the forest has been cut for fuelwood, and this process remains uncotrolled. Only secondary forest remains and only in isolated areas. Wetlands Very poor. The main magrove forest Rhizophora mucronata in the area is practically all gone and now Avicenia alba 81., Avicennia officinalis L, pheonix padulosa mxb., lumnitzera ap. dominate. In the higher elevation areas where the effect of the tide is limited, Phoenix sociation and Acrostichum sociation dominate. The indicative mangrove species in coastline and estuary of Tra Vinh is S.cascolans but its abundance has decreased due to fuelwood cutting and erosion. Aquatic Biota No quantitative data are available. But, the main component of aquatic biota is the marine ecosystem, and the capacity of the marine system to support aquatic biota remains healthy. Freshwater Fisheries There are few remaining freshwater fisheries in the Pilot Site due to overexploitation. Marine Fisheries Nearshore fisheries are severely over-exploited; provincial authorities are attempting to increase offshore fisheries. Biodivermty The biodiversity of coastal area of this Pilot Site is greaUy reduced in recent years due to deforestation and shrimp cultivation activities. Parks and Reserves No parks and reserves at or in the vicinity of the Pilot Site. 9.5.2.3 Social and Economic Resources Appeni D: Detalod Social Revbw of Buffer Zone Component 95 Coastsl Wetlands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November. 1996 Income Main income sources are: agricultural activities (highland crops such as onion and aquaculture activities shrimp cultiation. See Appendix B for general overview of income situation throughout the Project Area. Food Production See Appendix B for general overview of food production throughout the Project Area. Drinking Water Supply Drinking water supply source in the area, is rainwater in wet season and tube wells in dry season. There are two constraints to tube wells. First, the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Programrme (funded by UNICEF) have placed minimum limitations on the number of familiates per tube well. Second, the cost per tubewell is very high (due to extreme well depth requirements in this area) so a lot of people can not pay for well water. Nutrition and Health See Appendix B for general overview of nutrition and healfth situation throughout the Project Area. Education Very poor condition; see Appendix B for general overview of education situation throughout the Project Area. Employment See Appendix B for general overview of employment situation throughout the Project Area. Ethnic Minorities The Pilot Site population is comprised of Khmer and Hoa (Chinese) ethnic groups. Gender Issues See Appendix B for general overview of the gender situation throughout the Project Area. 9.5.3 Impact Analysis 9.5.3.1 General Impacts Influx of New Settlers The problem of settlement in full pmtection zone and buffer zone in this Pilot Site is not as significant as in other proposed Pilot Sites. Again, in recent years (1994-1995), due to shrimp disease, there has been a tendency of shrimp farmers to pull back from the Pilot Site. However, they still maintain acces to their shrimp-ponds and the possibility of moving back is high once conditions for shrimp cultvation improve. 96 Appendbi D: Detailed Social Review of Buffer Zone Component GEC Ltd. Coastal WeUands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component Land Tenure, Resource Use While people are not permitted to live in the FPZ, the economic situation and an incomplete implementation of land tenure has contributed to uncontrolled resource use (land, fisheries, and forestry in particular). This is a major risk to successful project implementation. Lessons from throughout Asia clearly show that giving local communfites the skills in managing the natural resource base on which their livelihoods depend, and the responsibility for managing those resources, is the most effective way of achieving sustainable management of these resources. Local management as the mechanism for sustainable management of the BZ and FPZ require that these communifies have secure access to and use of the resources on which their livelihoods depend. The reality of the current situation, however, is that most productive natural resources in the Pilot Site are treated as open access common property resources, plus the fact that land tenure is confused and incomplete. Legal and policy frameworks will need modification to allow local communities security of access to the particular natural resources on which their livelihoods depend and for whose management they are responsible. Assistance of some form will likely be required to provide successful resolution of the land tenure and resource acess issue in the Pilot Site. Extension Extension programmes would have positive impacts on socio-economic and environmental condifions. The right extension programme help people to understand proper practices in forestry, shrimp cultivation practices and environmental health. For a long time people in this Pilot Site have worked without any reliable extension programs. Credit Proper credit support should have very positive impact on socio-economic development in the area and subsequent improvement in forest and environmental quality. Ethnic Minorities Not an issue. Role of Women Impact is uncertain, as the Project Description does not calculate exisfing or incremental labor requirements and which household members will be required to take up any additional labor requirements Appendix D: Detaled Social Reviw of BufferZone Component 97 Coastsl Wetlands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 9.5.3.2 Effects of Non-Forestry Buffer Zone Activties on the Environment Conversion of Wetlands The recent conversion of wetlands for pond construction appears to have caused increased erosion and siltation in rain season. Pollution, Pond Effluent The study in 19941995 shown that the concentration of H2S, SO4 , nutrients (N and P), NH4 in the shrimp-pond are higher than in river/canal. This means that pond effluents will increase the concentration of those compounds in adjoining surface waters. Risk of Aquaculture Disease Very high in Mekong Delta in recent two years of 1994-1995 and still a potential threat in 1996 and onward. Introduction of Exotic Species The dramatic shrimp diseases in the Mekong Delta over two years can be explained partially by introduction of infected PL from central Viet Nam (NhaTrang). 9.5.3.3 Effects of Extemal Factors on Aquaculture SustainabJllty Land Use Practices Due to expanded shrimp cultivation in recent years the salt water intrusion in the area is quite high. This has caused a decrease in agricultural activities in adjacent area is low and issues relabting to agricultural practices can be assessed as minor. Industrial Pollution At the present time there are no industries in the vicinity of the Pilot Site that would cause threats to buffer zone activities. Drift of crude oils from the oil exploitation works in Ba Ria-Vung Tau offshore area have been recorded in 1995 especially during northeast moonsoon, however the frequency is very low. Natural Hazards Not an issue. The only natural hazard that should perhaps be considered is flooding in the Mekong Delta, but this Pilot Site is so far from large sources of freshwater that flood risk is negligible.- In addifion, the Northeast monsoon, an annual event, causes rapid erosion in this Pilot Site. Domestic Pollution The population density in the region is not so high, however due to life style and economic conditions the sanitation situabon in the region can be assessed as poor, mnain pollutants aeated by human setUemnents are domnestic wastes discharging directly into the environment (soil or 98 AppendIx D: Detled Socil Revhw of Buffr Zone Comwpnewt GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component surface water) causing deterioration of the water quality. This is compounded by the fact that the soils in the area are permeable. Infiltration of human wastes will contaminate groundwater in the area. The environmental resources at risk are shallow groundwater and human health. Pollution from Navigation Waterway traffic in the region is not so high: * in coastal area: the water depth is shallow. * inland area: only small boats can access. Therefore the pollution causing by waterway navigation, save for perhaps localized leakages of oily wastes from passing boats, is not a significant issue in the Pilot Site. 9.5.3.4 Effects of Buffer Zone Forestry on the Environment Site Clearing Effects on Soil Erosion The site is already cleared, the soil in the area is quite porous and therefore the erosion rate is significant. The incremental effects of any soil clearing during reforestation in the buffer zone is therefore not high. Vegetation Removal Effects Not an issue Forest Harvest Soil Erosion Not an issue Nutrient Loss by Harvesting Not an issue Fertilizer, Pesticides, Herbicides Not an issue, because mangroves growing in the shrimp ponds will not undergo intensive management requiring the application of fertilizers, pesticides, etc. Direct Damage in Harvest Operations Negligible, because of the limited forest harvesting that will be allowed in the buffer zone. Decrease in Water Quality Not an issue. Habitat and Habitat Structure This will be a positive effect, because reforestation will increase habitat structure Loss of Forest Products from Pests The problem of forest losses due to pest species is not a big problem in Mekong Delta and can be considered negligible. Appendix D: Deailed Social Review of BufferZone Component 99 Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 9.5.3.5 Effect of Extemal Factors on Sustainability of Buffer Zone Forestry Activities Land Use Practices The area has a relatively high elevabon; it is therefore difficult to determine a suitable type of kind of tree to replant in the area. Water Pollution The soils in the area have quite high permeability; the groundwater quality may change over time due to untreated domestic wastes. Natural Hazards Not an issue. The only natural hazard that should perhaps be considered is flooding in the Mekong Delta, but this Pilot Site is so far from large sources of freshwater that flood risk is negligible. In addition, the Northeast monsoon, an annual event, causes rapid erosion in this Pilot Site. 9.5.4 Recommendations for Mitigation To mitigate the negative impacts following measures should be applied: (i) To control over settiement process and populabtion density, to support reasonable economic income of population through area of land use, ratio between forest and shrimp-ponds as well as other sanitation and health care conditions; (ii) Shrimp cultivation extension and financial support (i.e., credit) (iii) Forestry extension programme. (iv) General environmental extension and education programme. 9.5.5 Comments on Replicability of Buffer Zone Component This Pilot Site can apply only for the northem coast line of Duyen Hai District of Tra Vinh Province. 100 AppendIx D: Debiled Social Review of Buffer Zone Component GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of BufferZone Component 10. Appendix D: Detailed Results of Social Review33 10.1 INDICATIVE COMMUNITYACTION PLAN FOR BAI GHE 10.1.1 Background 10.1.1.1 The Project Sie and Study Site Part of the West Coast Protection Forest, Bai Ghe study site is located in Khanh Hai Commune, Tran Van Thoi District. It is about 3 km from Ong Doc River Mouth. it covers an area of 175 ha including 40 ha of shrimp ponds in Buffer Zone. The RA team did not see any households living in the Full Protection Zone. Forest trees are mostly Avicennia (Mam Trang). Reforestation has been practiced since 1993. This study site has typical characteristics of Full Protection Zone, Buffer Zone and Economic Zone. The sample of socio-economic survey carried out by EUROCONSULT for 20 families living in the BZ of the study site showed that these families settled during 1975 -1995 with an average farm size of 3.47 ha of which shrimp pond 2.21 ha (productive/water-surface area of 0.43 ha) and 1.37 ha of paddy land in economic zone. The family has an average 5.8 person of which 2.8 person is labor force. The houses are mainly bamboo type with average area of 38 in2. In 1994-1995, Their income was VND 3.04 million per year (VND 0.523 million per capita per year). Sources of income mainly come from fishing (VND 2.25 million); pig raising (VND 1.64 million); shrimp and crab (0.65 million) and paddy in the economic zone (VND 0.77 million). The project aims at rehabilitabng mangrove forest in the BZ to the level of 70% and developing the pond and water supply system to improved extensive shrimp culture to ensure the income of these families (say 0.7 ha of water-surface shrimp pond) at acceptable level. This is main reason for shifting shrimp cultivation from now extensive to improved or semi intensive with the project beside the trend of declining natural stock. The study site is 175 ha. 10.1.1.2 Economic Models The salient points of the economic model proposed for the Bai Ghe Study Site include: (i) the site covers 568 ha of land of which 130 ha are shrimp ponds. It sustains 114 households for an average of 1.14 ha per household 33This socion is a wanary of ntferret nio ade by t nabonal consultants of the Xnteiws conucted durng the ural appramal. Appendix D: Daied Social Review of Buffer Zone Component 101 Coastal Wetands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 (ii) No civil worics are recommended to modify the existing canal network to include separate inlet and outlet canals and to build sedimentation ponds (iii) the primary constraint to. production is that water depth cannot be maintained in the ponds. By simply deepening the ponds so that wild shrimp stocks remain in the pond longer, farmers at Bai Ghe could probably double the value of existing crops because of the higher prices they would fetch for larger shrimp. (iv) a continuation of extensive culture techniques is the lowest risk strategy for this site. (v) a model is proposed whereby farmers at Bai Ghe would rely on wild stocks during the rainy season, and stock with high-health P. monodon, though at lower yields of 214 kg/ha/crop during the dry season. To diversify risk and increase revenues, farmers should consider polyculture of sex-reversed Tilapia with shrimp. The major uncertainty is the continuation of shrimp disease problems and a reduction of the natural stock of shrimp over current levels. These risks have been reduced over the Euroconsult-proposal because of. much smaller capital expenditures; the development of altemabve crop strategies (e.g., tilapia, milkfish); and, a more aggressive approach to the problem of diseased shrimp post larvaeP. 10.1.1.3 Proposed Activities The economic model proposes the following project interventions for Bai Ghe: Civil Works * dredging the existing canal to use the spoils for strengthening and raising the level of the farmer's dikes along the canal Equipment * concrete sluice gates Consultants Training * providing extension services and access to high-health P. monodon post larvae and sex reversed fflapia. O and M * providing farmers access to credit for working capital and to construct concrete sluice gates Administration 101.1..4 Other Pertfnent Informaion none 4Concems about the econonuc model include: i) the predicted yield has never been fealized in the whole area of Minh Hai province for extensive shrimp cultne; ii) is th inom of frmrs in the a sufficint to suvive with abou 0.7 ha of producive shrimp pond; ii) are natural stocks of PL sufficient to suain proposed yied in the ong run 102 AppendIx D: Detiled Social Review of Buffer Zone Component GEC Ltd. Coastal WeUands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component 10.1.1..5 Rural Appraisal Visit A Rural Appraisal Team comprised of Mr. Le Quang Thong (Team Leader), Mr. Nguyen Van Cong and Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Hien visited the Bai Ghe and Dam Doi Study Sites from May 25 - June 1, 1996. The observations that follow are based on 15 interviews conducted by the RA team at Khanh Hai Commune. Of the 15 villagers interviewed, 13 were male and 2 female. All were Vietnamese. Ten interviewees were from Tram Thup A hamlet and five from Trum Thup B hamlet Eight interviewees listed their occupation as "fisherman" only while seven listed their occupation as "fisherman and farmer (e.g., fishing more important than farming). 10.1.2 Consultations at Provincial and District Level 10.1.2.1 Provincial Level 10.1.2.2 District Level 10.1.3 Felt Needs of the Community at Bai Ghe Study Site This section summarize the felt needs of the community under the four headings of resettlement issues. conservation/ coastal protection issues, income generation/ economic development issues and social issues. 10.1.3.1 Resettlement Issues Resettlement is not an issue in Bai Ghe. The only related concem of local authorities is with those who live temporarily in the Full Protection Zone while collectng forest products. 10.1.3.2 Conservatfonl Coastal Protectfon Issues Forest Enterprises (FE) and Forest and Fishery Enterprises (FFE) are state enterprises. As such, they are the official "owners" of forests and designated forest lands. As state enterprises, they pursue the objective of profit generation. Forest Management Protection Boards are forestry institutions dealing with protection and reforestation management. At present, the forest is closed and, in principle, exploitation is prohibited. Income from shrimp farming has decreased due to shrimp disease outbreak which acts to put more pressure on forests as a source of cash income. Aquaculture of shrimp is a clear example of the conflict between short term profit generation of resource use and long term sustainability. As shrimp is produced in poor and remote communfites and consumed in rich and luxury restaurants in the cifies or abroad, the process contains issues of social equity in resource use and mnanagement Of special intrest Is that a wrong way of development could lead to the marginalization of people, degradation of food resource and valuable Append D: Debiled Social Review of Buffr Zone Component 103 Coastal Wetands Protecton and Development Project GEC Led. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 mangrove forest. The un-sustainability of the production system is well presented in the recent shrimp disease outbreak that badly influence the livelihood of local people. In implementing the program of resettlement, issues of the dependency of local people to natural resource need to be considered. New areas could not have enough source for subsistence needs and income generation. 10.1.3.3 Income Generaton! Economic Development Issues The livelihood of local ipeople depends largely upon natural resources for subsistence needs as well as for commercial purposes. The main sources of income are from: Extensive Shrimp Cultivabon; Fishing in coastal areas and water ways; Crab cultivation; Fuelwood harvesting; and Agricultural Production. Extensive Shrimp Cultivators: The main criteria to select sites for this tradifional shrimp farming are depressed area, soil solidified but not too compact, under Rhizophora apiculata, near water ways or possible to conduct sea water to the pond in high tide and to drain in low tide. Fishermen in sea shore and water ways: They prefer sea shore, water way or muddy sedirnent beg, according to mode of lfishing and utensil used. Crab aquacultivators: The criteria are mostly the same with shrimp pond, but depressed site are not necessary, some households successfully conduct crab raising in quasi "high" site under Phoenix but avoid sulfate acid soil. Traditional Extensive Aquaculture: Except a small quantity of fresh water prawn integrated in rice field, most of the prawns cultivated for export in Minh Hai province are brackish water species of the Penaeidea family. The practice is traditional and extensive: Large ponds (usually 3 to 10 hectares) are constructed in the mangrove forest in the area between low and high tide. Some canals with removable gates connect to larger canals, rivers or directly to the sea. At the high tide, the ponds receive water from the sea. Water which contain wild seeds of prawns is trapped in the pond behind dams. No data about the density of larvae are available, but farrmers estimated that the figure reached at least one or two larvae per square meter of pond area and the approximate yield from such pond is about 150-200 kg per ha. The main incomne related issues thereby revealed include: * villagers need extension services to improve the productivity and reduce risk * incomes are declining as natural resources are depleted. A program to promote sustainable practices is required to stabilize incomes * farmers are unaccustomed to Tilapia farming; therefore, it should not be counted upon to "solve" income generation problems. 10.1.3.4 Social Issues/Physical Infrastructure Needs Land use right is a complex issue in the area. Historically, due to the war, before 1975 mangrove 104 Appendx D: Detaled Social RevIew of Buffer Zone Component GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component forests were not much occupied by the people. Since the war, however, communities have been established, at first spontaneously by immigrants who occupied areas in the mangrove forests. After 1975, according to forest law, mangrove forests and forest land belong to the state. However, due to high profit of shrimp culture, some lands were allocated to local people for shrimp ponds. Minh Hai received planned immigrants from another provinces of the country in the national program to establish a New Economic Zone. Quick profit generation was also the driving force behind the establishment of state forestry and fishery enterprises. Authoriftes at the district and village levels allocated land to military units, social organiations, state enterprises/companies and individuals. However, except FE or FFE who enjoy a legal status in dealing with the forest and shrimp business, a number of state enterprises/companies did not manage their allocated land successfulty. They re- allocated their lands to local people to conduct shrimp farming, in so doing becoming a kind of "landlord". The personnel of provincial, district or village agencies received land but did not have the time or skill to manage the business effectively. Often, they organized cooperatives to let direct aquaculturists manage the land and share profits. Households who have received allocated land and have officially issued land use rights can use this document as a guarantee with the agricultural bank to borrow. They are required to. pay tax according to site index of the land. In other cases, a farmer who receives land from other persons or organizations must pay an amount larger than the agricultural tax. Due to their official status, they will meet difficulties when lands are rebred for protecton purpose despite having invested in the lands. The complicated land tenure systems in the area need to be considered not only as problem in implementing support policy but also as social problem. 10.1.4 Indicative Community Action Plan (ICAP) for Bai Ghe This section lists the proposed actions stemming from the expressed needs of the community. 10.1.4.1 Resettlement Plan * No resettlement plan required; only a program to deal with temporary fuelwood harvesters 10.4A.2 Conservation/Coastal Protection Plan Appendb DD: Detailed Social Review of BuffrZone Component 105 Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 * Beneficiary participation in the preparation and implementation of a coastal forest plan * The need to contnue to apply the policy of Giving Forest Giving Land to farmers * For the 70:30 ratio reforestation program in Buffer Zone to succeed, local authorities must either extend the deadline or support the program with more capital. At present, villagers are receiving seedlings from FEs but must bear all other costs of replantation themselves. * Apply the policy of *Giving Forest, Giving Land". The FEs manage the average and rich forests. Villagers are given responsibility for the management of poor forests at maximum 20 ha per person. In the managed forest area, villagers may cultivate either agricultural products or aquaculture products. They must pay tax starbng in the second year after the contract. The maximum agricultural or aquaculture development per household is 10 ha of which not more than 2 ha are for digging canals. * In the replantation forest area where it is not possible to culture shrimp, farmers will be in charge of management and protection and will receive 50% of total revenue after tax. * Compel shrimp farming farmers to replant on their land * Need to have plan to deal with serious erosion along coastal area 10.1.4.3 IncomeGeneration/EconomicDevelopmentPlan * Permission to harvest ocean and forest products (e.g., crab, molluscs, dead wood for oowking) * Capital for conversion of shrimp ponds to other productive uses. Many households now are not interested in Shrimp farming any more. They would prefer to move back to Economic Zone • Fishery extension services. Villagers do not trust the advice of technicians from the FFE on dealing with shrimp disease. They worry about losing their investment capital if they continue to invest in shrimp farming. * To improve the above traditional. natural dependent and extensive system, some improved or high technologies of prawn aquaculture need to be introduced. Improved extensive aquaculture is a step of towards a more intensive system. The practice includes additional input in the form of wild larvae and feed of 200 - 300 kg per hectare. * Research on fish culture. Shrimp farming alone will not ensure food security * Solve legal cases of land resales on a case by case basis 10.1.4.4 Social Issues/Physical Infrastructure Plan * Extension Activity: up to now, institutions for agricultural, forestry and fishery extension still limited. It may be -caused by problem of transportation to remote areas like these study sites * Agricultural Credit Local people indicated that credit is very necessary to develop production systems, especially in of initial invesbent as digging pond, concrete gate, etc. Personnel from the provincial office of the Vietnam Bank of Agriculture (VBA) also reckoned the issue but he said that fund is not enough to develop credit system. He mentioned that the total debt in Minh Hai province reached 40 billion dong (interest not 106 AppendIx D: Detiled Socbl Review of Buffier Zone Component GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component included), and very difficult to reimburse, due to the shrimp disease out break. Most of the loan borrowers are from Ngoc Hien district. People in Thum Thup A Hamlet (Bai Ghe) complained that official credit system is not easy to access. One of them mentioned his case that he has 6 ha of one crop wetland nce, with certificate of land use right but cannot borrow loan from the bank of agriculture. However, in a group interview in FPZ at Thuan Tao Hamlet (Dam Doi), some households said that they received loans from VBA. Certificate of land use right were used as guarantee, and the amount of loan depend on land, the average is about 2 millions dong per 1000 sqm. At least four households in the FPZ have borrowed loans from VBA since 1994, the highest is 15 millions VND (a woman live in the house where the PRA team conduct group interview), and the lowest is 4 millions (a young man has about 2 ha of shrimp pond). * Role of informal credit system: Local people have to accept high interest rate in borrowing loan from informal credit systems. A woman in Thuan Tao said she borrow I talent of gold for one year to invest to a motor boat and she has to pay at the end of the duration 1.6 talents ( interest rate is about 13% monthly). Intermediate traders also give loans in order to *seize producer have to sell products for them", but the amount of money is not much (about 100,000 dong per households). - A conflict in resource use between the fishermen and the shrimp aqua-cultivators is well reckoned, but the benefit influences of mangrove on shrimp farming are not well understand by local people. * Agricultural, forestry and fishery extension activities are still poor, technology transferred are few and not appropriate to local condition. * Improve schooling level of villagers by support fund for class-room construction, salary for teachers. This is a high demand of both study sites. 10.1.4.5 Summary of ICAP Interventions Project interventions as requested by the community may be summarized as follows. * classroom construction * fishery extension services particulrly in dealing with shrimp dime * inuction of high technologies of shrimp aquaculture * Research on fish culture 0 and M * capita for convesion of shrimp ponds to other productiv uses * additional shrimp culture inputs: i) wild larvae; ii) feed * sahary for teachers Adminisadon * rviw policy re: harmestng of ocean and forest products (eg., crab, molluscs, dead wood for cooking) with a view to authorizing their collection * beneficiary partcipation in the preparation and inpbementtion of a coastal forest plan * the need to continue to apply the policy of Giving Forest, Givng Land to farmers * for the 70:30 ratio reforestation program in Buffer Zone to succeed, local authoritbs must either extend the deadline or support the progran with more capil * suppot farmers In the replantation fost area where It is not possible to cuue shrimp * compel shrimp farmi farmrs to replant on their land * plan to deal with serious erosion along coastal area * Solve legal case of land resaies on a case by case basis Appendix D: Dailed Social Review of Buffer Zone Component 107 Coastal Wetfands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 10.1.5 Work Schedule 25 May * Review of relating documentation * Prepare for field trip 26 May * Travel from HoChiMinh City to CaMau * Discuss with Mr. Cuong and Mr. Thanh, officers of Provincial Agriculture and Rural Development Department * Ovemight in CaMau 27 May * Meeting with Mr. Cuong, Mr. Tan * Go to West Coast Mangrove Forest Manaap nent and Protecton Board (WCMPB) * Meeting with Mr. Nguyen Van Be, Chief of S- VV WCMPB. * Ovemight in WCMPB office 28 May * Field visit to BaiGhe Study Site * Interview 16 farmers * Overnight in WCMPB office 29 May * Go to DamDoi Forest and Fishery Enterprise (DDFFE) * Discuss with Mr. Dung, director of DDFFE and other relating persons 30 31 May * Field visit and interview at household level at DamDoi Study Site (20 farmers) 31 May _ Retur to CaMau * Team discussion. 1 June * Meet Mr. Cuong I | * Overight in SocTrang 2 June *Return to HoChiMinh City. 10.1.6 List of Interviewees X=4L -' ___ 1 | Nguyen Van Ky male Tram Thup A fisherman, farmer 2 Nguyen Dung Tien 3 Tran Van Hon 4 Nguyen Thi Tuyet female fisherman 5 Le Hong Dan male 6 Nguyen Van Que fisherman+armer 7 La Van Sau a 8 Trinh Ngoc Du fisherman 9 Lam Van Duy- 10 Nguyen Van Khoa . 11 Tong Thi Hoa female Trum Thup B fisherman+farmer 12 Tran Ngoc Tuan male a 13 Ta Minh Trinh fisherm.n 14 Tran Van Hung a 15 Huynh Minh An a 108 Appendix D. Detailed Social Review of BufferZone Component GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component 10.2 INDICATIVE COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN FOR DAM Doi 10.2.1 Background 10.2.1.1 The Project Site and Study Site The Dam Doi Study Site is located in Tan Tien Commune, Dam Doi District. It is near the mouth of Gia Long Den Canal. The total study site area is 303 ha, including 54 ha of shrimp ponds. Wetlands forests have been cut seriously because of shrimp culture. The RA team found 12 households living in Full Protection Zone. The situation is worse in Buffer Zone where almost all forests have been cut down. However, since 1993, local authority started replantation. Some forest area in Full Protection Zone still remain. In this project area, govemment have implemented the Giving Forest, Giving Land To Peasant Program. Forest management has been taken by collaboration between local authorities and villagers. Potential of aquaculture and reforestation is high. The EUROCONSULT socio-economic survey was carried out on 16 families living in the BZ and 8 families living in the FPZ. It showed that these families settled during 1982-1995. The average farm size is 5.55 ha of shrimp pond with a productive/water-surface area of 2.56 ha. Each family has an average of 5.2 persons of which 2.7 persons are in the labor force. The houses are mainly made of bamboo (14) wood (8) and masonry (2) and average 51 mr in area. In 1994-1995, average household income was VND 4.3 million per year, or VND 0.821 million per capita per year. The main source of income is from shrimp culture VND 2.94 million in the BZ and VND 1.25 million in the FPZ. The project aims at rehabilitating mangrove forest in the FPZ and replanting BZ to the level of 70% and developing the pond and water supply system to improved extensive shrimp culture to ensure the income of these families (say 1.7 ha of water-surface shrimp pond) at an acceptable level. This is main reason for shifting shrimp cultivation from an extensive to an imprved or semi-intensive management level. 10.2.1.2 EconomIc Models The model developed for the Dam Doi study site is based on extensive shrimp culture with a proposed yield of 440 kg/ha/year. It applies to a 517 ha area that includes 80 ha of shrimp ponds and 40 households. Based on a visit to the site and a review of the Euroconsult report, the Mission made the following recommendations: * much of the same benefit (increased water exchange and separate inflow and effluent) could be obtained by dredging the existing tidal creek (Dau Da) to serve as an inlet canal with the Bo Co Creek serving as the effluent canal; * because of the uncertainty of crop failure during the rainy season, a model based on two crops per year with hatchery produced P. monodon is =QI recommended. A lower risk strategy would assume extensive shrimp tarming practioes during the rainy season, with Appendix D: Detalied Social Review otBuNer Zone Component 109 Coastal Wetfands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmentbl and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 one crop of P. monodon produced during the dry season. This strategy still offers the option for upgrading the culture practices in the future; * It is proposed that credit be provided for an additional concrete sluice gate at each farm that would enable better management of water flow in and out of ponds; * extension iservices to improve pond management (pond preparation, fertilizing, imprved feeding strategies, etc.); * supply of healthy P. monodon post larvae; * the culture of sex reversed Tilapia would diversify the farmer's risk. * The Dam Doi pilot study site would be replicable in about 8,000 ha of Buffer Zone along the Eastern Cau Mau peninsula. 10.2.1.3 ProposedActivities The Mission proposed the following activities: Civil Works * dredging the existing tidal creek (Dau Da) Equiprnent * concrete sluice gate at each farm Consultants Training * extension services to improve pond management 0 and M * credit be provided for an additional concrete sluice gate at each farm * supply of healthy P. monodon post larvae * the culture of sex reversed Tilapia Administration 10.2.1.4 Other Pertinent Information none 102.1.5 RuralAppraisal Wsit A Rural Appraisal Team comprised of Mr. Le Quang Thong (Team Leader), Mr. Nguyen Van Cong and Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Hien visited the Dong Hai and My Long Study Sites from August 3 - 8, 1996. 110 AppendbI D: Detailed Social Revew of Buffer Zone Component GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component 10.2.2 Consultations at Provincial and District Level 10.221 ProvincIal Level 10.2.2.2 District Level 10.2.3 Felt Needs of the Community at Dam Doi Study Site This section summarizes the felt needs of the community under the four headings of resettlement issues, conservation/ coastal protection issues, income generationl economic development issues and social issues. 10.2.3.1 Resettlement Issues According to local authorities, nearly 90% of households living in Full Protection Zone are illegal, recent arrivals. They have cultivated land in their home provinces but have come to Dam Doi to acquire forest land illegally for exploitation and possible resale. Only 10% of households are families that have been living in Dam Doi for many years. Meeting with the villagers confirmed the observation of the 90% recent arrivals; though with the complication that 30% retain land in their home provinces while the other 60% had either sold their land before emigrating to Dam Doi or were landless and very poor in their home provinces. As a result, they still try to live in the Full Protection Zone. Some other explanations for the many households living within coastal area include: * they were attracted by the high profits of shrimp farming during 1980's and early 1990's; * natural sea waterfforest products seeking can be done without so high price tool or utensil, and therefore is adapted easily for poor people. At least income eaming activities in coastal area is better than here. where does "than here" refer to??? - * local authorities did not manage well at the time of starting immigration. * especially, some households already received land allocated to them but after that they re-allocated to other people who did not know well about land policy. They continue to expand their farming activities although they do not have official land certificates. Paying tax regularly was considered as certificate to jusfify their legal status. We can view them as semi-legal ' tenants. There are several land tenure system at the Study Site. The peculiarities of the different and complicated land tenure systems need to be considered in implementing a resettlement policy that seeks to move people out of the FPZ. Three examples concem: i) the Canal Digging State Enterprise of the Company of Hydrological Works in Dam Doi District; ii) the Cooperative of Salt Producers; and iii) the 'Vuong Deo ("Hanging shrimp pond"). A resettement program was set up in February 1996 with the follwing objectives: i) to move Appendix D: Detailed Social RYview of Buffer Zone Component 111 Coastal Wetands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental end Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 spontaneous immigrants who occupied the FPZ and some areas in the BZ that need silvicultural treatment for ecological recovery out of these area; ii) to resettle and to allocate forest and forest land in appropriate sites in the BZ for the people to develop sustainable production systems. The program will be conducted according to the various laws already in place35. The program is to be implemented in two steps: * Step 1: Public awareness and education to allow people move out of the FPZ voluntarily, to help local residence to resettle in appropriate sites, with the Fund for Hunger and Poor Eradication and to retum people without local residency status to return to their home-provinces. * Step 2: Enforcement procedures to move remaining people out of the FPZs. Interventions will be made according to the situation of the people: i) households that have ricefields or homesteads in their native provinces will be retumed to their home provinces; iii) households that rely on sea fishing will be moved to suitable areas, and credit will be arranged to help them to improve fishing capability (boats and fishing utensils); iii) the real stakeholders for both conservation/ protection and production activities are not only the govemmental authorities, forestry and/or fishery enterprises, but also local communities. Therefore their constraints and opportunities need to be known. 10.2.3.2 Conservationl Coastal Protection Issues According to the PSARD, the project area in Minh Hai province will be subdivided into four (4) sub- areas as follow: - West coast, from Bai Ghe to Bay Hap river * West coast, from Bay Hap to Dat Mui * East coast, from Dat Mui to Ghenh Hao * East coast, from Ghenh Hao to Ken Chi. Does this imply that there is a FE or FFE for each of the four subzareas??| Forest Management Protection Boards are forestry institutions dealing with protection and reforestation mfanagement However, the Forest Enterprise and Forest and Fishery Enterprise are state enterprises. They are the official 'owner" of forests and forest land of the related planning area. As state enterprises, they pursue profits. At present, the forest is closed and, in principle, exploitation is prohibited. However, income from shrimp farming has been reduced due to shrimp disease outbreak, and households cannot live on revenues from shrimp farming alone. This acts to put pressure on forests for cash incomne. 35Law of Land; Low of Forest protecton and development; Deae No. 02 CP; Decidsion No. 202 CP on forest and forest land alocation; Deciion No. 432rrtg (7 Aug. 1995); Direction No. 07 (12 May 1993) of the Ministry of Labor. Vetern and Social Affairs on te establishnent of New Economic Zones; Decision No. 528/QDNUB of the Peoples Commitee of Minh Hai Pmrvince. 112 AppendIx D: DetaIled Socil Review of Buffer Zone Component GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component 102.3.3 Income Generation/Economic Development Issues The livelihood of local people depends largely upon natural resources for subsistence needs as well as for commercial purposes. The main sources of income are from: * Extensive Shrimp Cultivation * Fishing in coastal areas and water ways * Crab cuftivation * Fuelwood harvesting Extensive Shrimp Cultivators: The main criteria to select sites for this traditonal shrimp farming are depressed area, soil solidified but not too compact, under Rhizophora apiculata, near water ways or possible to conduct sea water to the pond in high tide and to drain in low tide. Fishermen in sea shore and water ways: They prefer sea shore, water way or muddy sediment beg, according to mode of fishing and utensil used. Crab aquacuffivators: The criteria are mostly the same with shrimp pond, but depressed site are not necessary, some households successfully conduct crab raising in quasi "high" site under Phoenix but avoid sulfate acid soil. Traditional Extensive Aquaculture: Except a small quantity of fresh water prawn integrated in ricefield. most of the prawns cultivated for export in Minh Hai province are brackish water species of the Penaeidea family. The practice is traditional and extensive: Large ponds (usually 3 to 10 hectares) are constructed in the mangrove forest in the area between low and high tide. Some canals with removable gates connect to larger canals, rivers or directly to the sea. At the high tide, the ponds receive water from the sea. Water which contain wild seeds of prawns is trapped in the pond behind dams. No data about the density of larvae are available, but farmers estimated that the figure reached at least one or two larvae per square meter of pond area and the approximate yield from such pond is about 150-200 kg per ha. The main income related issues thereby revealed include: * villagers need extension services to improve the productivity and reduce risk * incomes are declining as natural resources are depleted. A program to promote sustainable pracfices is required to stabilize incomes * farmers are unaccustomed to Tilapia farming; therefore, it should not be counted upon to "solve' income generation problems. 10.2.3.4 Socia Issues/Physical Infrastructure Needs Historically, due to the war, before 1975 mangrove forests were not much occupied by the people. The communities have been established and gradually developed, at first spontaneously by immigrants who occupied ecological niches in mangrove forests. Appendix D: Dt eblied Social Reviw of Bufer Zone Component 113 Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 After 1975, according to forest law, mangrove forests and forest land belong to the state. However, due to high profit of shrimp aqua-culture, some land were allocated to the local people to create shrimp ponds. Minh Hai also received planned immigrants from another provinces of the country in the national program of establishing New Economic Zone. The quick profit generation is also a driving force for the establishment of state forestry and fishery enterprises. Authorities at district and even at village levels allocated land to military units, social organizations, state enterprises/companies and persons. However, except FE or FFE who has legal status dealing with forest and shrimp business, some of the state enterprises/company had not successfully managed their allocate land, they re-allocated their lands to local people to conduct shrimp farming, and became a kind of "landlord". Personnel at the provincial, district or village agencies received land but they do not have tme and/or skill to manage the business, they therefore organized some forms of cooperatives to let direct aqua-cultivators to manage the land and share profit distributed by cooperatives. In cases that households received allocated land and have officially issued land use right, they can use this document as guarantee with the bank of agriculture to borrow loan. They have to pay tax according to site index of the land, as described in the following section. In other cases, a first farmer who receive land from other persons or organization has to pay an amount larger than agricultural tax, and even they have to invest on the ponds, due to their official status, they will meet difficulties in receiving support when land are refired for protection purpose. The complicate land tenure systems in the area need to be considered not only as problem in implementing support policy but also as social problem. 10.2.4 Indicative Community Action Plan (ICAP) for Dam Doi This section lists the proposed actions stemming from the expressed needs of the community. 10.2.4.1 Resetlement Plan * Establish official standards for legal and illegal households; * The creation of Full Protction Zone, Buffer Zone, and Economic Development Zones needs to be put into integrated land use plan; * The Govemment should have a suitable policy to address the delicate question: "Who has the right to use and the responsibility to manage local resources?". As the allocation of land for conse %ation or protection purposes creates impacts on the livelihood of local people, humar a--ivities assessment must be made a major component of land allocation policx nis is particularly so in Dam Doi. 114 Appendbx D: Detiled Social Review of Buffer Zone Component GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component 10.2.4.2 Conservationl Coastal Protection Plan * participation of people in the preparabon and implementabon of coastal plans * continue to apply the policy of Giving Forest, Giving Land to farmers. While the forest enterprises manage average and rich forests, villagers have taken poor forests at maximum 20 ha per person. On the managed forest area, villagers can cultivate either agricultural products or aquaculture and pay tax in the second year after getting contract. To the current bare land, maximum each household will get 10 ha and must not use over 2 ha for digging canals. * for 70:30 rato reforestabon program in Buffer Zone, local authority must extend the deadline unless they provide more capital. At present, villagers are only receiving seedlings from the forest enterprises and are forced to bear other costs of replantation themselves. * empower local authorities to force shrimp farmers to replant on their land * on forested areas where shrimp culture is not possible, let farmers be in charge of management and protection. They should receive 50% of total revenue after taxes. * prepare a plan to deal with serious erosion in coastal areas 10.2.4.3 Income Generationl Economic Development Plan * permit sea water/forest products collection (e.g., crabs, molluscs, dead wood for cooking) * Capital for re-production . However, many households now are not interested in Shrimp farming any more ( Bai .Ghe ) they would live to move back to Economic Zone (opinion of people in Bai Ghe) or other areas ( opinion of people on Dam Doi) * Re-sell shrimp farming land to get back invested capital ( in Dam Doi) * Fishery extension. Explanations of the people from Forest Fishery Enterprise or some other technician have not satisfied villagers about causes of shrimp disease. Thus, they still worry that they will lose investment capital again if continue doing shrimp farming. * To improve the above traditional, natural dependent* and extensive system, some improved or high technologies of prawn aquaculture need to be introduced. The Improved Extensive Aquaculture is a step of improvement towards a more intensive system. The practice includes additional input inform of wild larvae and feeding materials 200 to 300 kg per hectare. * Research on ability of development of fish culture. Shrimp farming alone cannot ensure the food security for people. as well waste the source of natural hsh. * Credit support together with extension activities. * Solve legal cases of re-sell land based on practical situation C 10.244 Social Isseswu Physical Infrastructure Plan Extension Activi: up to now, institutions for agricultural, forestry and fishery extension still limited. It may be caused by problem of transportation to remote areas like these study sites Appendix D: Dealied Socil Review of BufferZone Comrponent 115 Coastal Wetlands Proteeton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 Agricutural Credit: Local people indicated that credit is very necessary to develop production systems, especially in of initial investment as digging pond, concrete gate, etc. Personnel from the provincial office of the Vietnam Bank of Agriculture (VBA) also reckoned the issue but he said that fund is not enough to develop credit system. He mentioned that the total debt in Minh Hai province reached 40 milliard dong (interest not included), and very difficult to reimburse, due to the shrimp disease out break. Most of the loan borrowers are from Ngoc Hien district. People in Thum Thup A Hamlet (Bai Ghe) complained that official credit system is not easy to access. One of them mentinned his case that he has 6 ha of one crop wetland rice, with certificate of land use right but canno, norrow loan from the bank of agriculture. However, in a group interview in FPZ at Thuan Tao Hamlet (Dam Doi), some households said that they received loans from VBA. Certificate of land use right were used as guarantee, and the amount of loan depend on land, the average is about 2 millions dong per 1000 sqm. At least four households in the FPZ have borrowed loans from VBA since 1994, the highest is 15 millions VND (a woman live in the house where the PRA team conduct group interview), and the lowest is 4 millions (a young man has about 2 ha of shnmp pond). Role of informal credit system: Local people have to accept high interest rate in borrowing loan from informal credit systems. A woman in Thuan Tao said she borrow I talent of gold for one year to invest to a motor boat and she has to pay at the end of the duration 1.6 talents ( interest rate is about 13% monthly). Intermediate traders also give loans in order to "seize producer have to sell products for them", but the amount of money is not much (about 100,000 dong per households). A conflict in resource use between the fishermen and the shrimp aqua-cultivators is well reckoned, but the tenefit influences of mangrove on shrimp farming are not well understand by local people. Agricultural, forestry and fishery extension activities are still poor, technology transferred are few and not appropriate to local condition. Improve schooling level of villagers by support fund for class-room construction, salary for teachers. This is a high demand of both study sites. Aquaculture of shrimp is a clear example of the conflict between short term profit generation of resource use and long term sustainability. As shrimp is produced in poor and remote communities and consumed in rich and luxury restaurants in the cities or abroad, the process contains issues of social equity in resource use and management. Of special interest is that a wrong way of developmnent could lead to the marginalization of people, degradation of food resource and valuable mangrove forest. The un-sustainability of the production system is well presented in the recent shrimp disease outbreak that badly influence the livelihood of local peo.ple. In implementing the program of resettlement, issues of the dependency of local people to natural resource need to be considered. New areas could not have enough source for subsistence needs and income generation. 116 Appendx D Deiled Social Review of BufferZone Compomnt GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protcton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component 10.2.4.5 Summary of ICAP Interventions Community requested interventions may be summarized as follows: Civil Works * dredging the existing tidal creek (Dau Da) Equipment * concrete sluice gate at each farm Consultants . Training * extension services to improve pond management 0 and M * credit be provided for an additional concrete sluice gate at each farm * supply of healthy P. monodon post larvae * the culture of sex reversed Tilapia Administration 10.2.5 Work Schedule 25 May * Review of relating documentation * Prepare for field trip 26 May * Travel from HoChiMinh City to CaMau . Discuss with Mr. Cuong and Mr. Thanh, officers of Provincial Agriculture and Rural Development Department a Ovemight in CaMau 27 May a Meeting with Mr. Cuong, Mr. Tan . Go to West Coast Mangrove Forest Management and Protection Board (WCMPB) * Meeting with Mr. Nguyen Van Be Chief of the WCMPB . * Ovemight in WCMPB office 28 May . Field visit to BaiGhe Study Site * Interview 16 farmers . Ovemight in WCMPB office 29 May * Go to DamDoi Forest and Fishery Enterprise (DDFFE) * Discuss with Mr. Dung , director of DDFFE and other relating persons 30 31 May * Field visit and interview at household level at DamDoi Study Site (20 farmers) 31 May * Retum to CaMau * Team discussion . 1 June * Meet Mr. Cuong * Ovemight in SocTrang 2 June * Retum to HoChiMinh City. Appendix D: Deailed Socal Review of Buffer Zone Compone 117 Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 10.2.6 List of Interviewees 1 Nguyen Thi Tuyet female Boco fisherman 2 Tran Van Loc male 3 Bui Van Ky Thuan Tao 4 Nguyen Van Chien 5 Tran Van Hon 6 Le Van Lam 7 Doan Van Manh 8 Tran Van 9 Nguyen van Ngot BoCo 10 Hoang Van Thung 11 Ngo Thi Diep female 12 Lam Thi Tho 13 Huynh Thi Hanh 14 Tran Thanh Lam male L 15 Huynh Thi Van female 16 Nguyen Van Lien malek 17 Huynh Thanh Quy _ _ 18 | Nguyen Van Lach l U l 19 Nguyen Tan Hung |_____ThuanTao 20 Nguyen Ngoc Tu U U 10.3 INDICATIVE COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN FOR BAC LIEU 10.3.1 Background 10.3.1.1 The Project Site and Study Se The Bac Lieu project area is located in eastem Ca Mau Peninsula of Minh Hai Province. It is an accretion area subject to up to 50 m of deposition annually. Thuan Hoa is the largest commune in Bac Lieu. It consists of 12 hamlets: Bien Tay, Dong A, Dong B, Giong Giua, Thach Thang, Dap Nuoc, Cong Dien, Bo Xang, Con Moi. Vinh An. Thao Lang, Trach Dong. The populabtion of the project area is 22,518 in 4,016 households (= 5.6 per household). Most of the residents are Chinese and Khmer. The Study Site is 5.5 km long and 1.8 km wide on average. The total area is 1,000 ha. It begins 4 km north of the mouth of Bac Lieu Car,t. Every 250 m, intake canals (10 m wide and 1.5 m deep) and drainage canals (6 m wide and '..2 m deep) altemate for a total of 11 intake & 11 drainage canals. The drainage canals lead to Truong Son Canal which runs parallel with the coast and meets Bac Lieu Canal perpendicularly. There are 3 hamlets in the 1,000 ha study site: Bien Tay, Dong A & 118 Appendi D: Detailed Socal Review of Buffer Zone Component GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component Dong B. In Bien Tay, more than 80% of the people are Chinese (Tieu) while in Dong A and Dong B, 90% of the villagers are Khmer. Lay-out of Bac lieu coastal region (1000 ha) This region is 5.5 km long and 1.8 km wide in average. Each 250 m along the coast, one intake canal (10 m wide and 1.5 m deep) and one drainage small canal (6 m wide and 1.2 m deep) were dug altematively. In total there are 11 intake canals and the same amount of drainage ones. The drainage canals lead to Truong Son Canal which runs parallel with the coast and meets Bac Lieu Canal (BL Canal) perpendicularly. The mouth of BL Canal at the coast is 4 km from the closest boundary of the 1000 ha region. BL Canal can serve as a good outet for the region because the sea current most of the time drifts the waste water to the southem coast. In case of highly intensive shrimp culture, this may not be good for the regions lie next to Bac Lieu southwards (i.e. Vinh Hau, Vinh Loi regions). If it is in the same trend, the wastewater of Vinh Chau probably pours into Bac Lieu region. Thus wastewater of every region should be treated before released to the sea. However, in this Project the waste water from shrimp culture ponds is not a harmful treat. "'337" Project This project has been sponsored by the Central Govemment Fund to exploit 1000 ha of coastal area of Bac Lieu City. The area covers 250 ha from the road to dike 500 (somewhere in between dike 300 and 700 as seen in VTASC map) in which is the existing Artemia-salt production in the dry season and shrimp culture in the rainy season . This area belongs to 26 households (each possesses 12.5 ha, except 4-5 households sold half of their land for others, for instance the Faculty of Fisheries bought 6 ha which is half area of one Salt-Aftemia farmer). The remaining area from dike 500 to the protection dike (750 ha) is distributed to 400 poor households from the City for resettlement, each received 1.5-2 ha. The main production has focused on shrimp culture. The Project needs 10 billion VN dong, but only 4 billion was released to construct canal and sluice systems. These farmers really cultured P. monodon in the rainy season of 1994-1995 following the improved extensive method (1-2 PUm2, feeding with rice bran, trash fish and pellet feed). But the shrimp all died after cultured 1-1.5 months (with symptoms: swimming slowly on the water surface, rushing towards pond dikes and died here; their bodies seemed covered with a green layer of algae). Until now farmers still get in debt about 200 million VN dong. In this year, to overcome the shrimp disease problem, they suggest the following plan for each household of 2 ha: * 1.3 ha for fish culture: Lates 0.8 ha and rilapia 0.5 ha. These two species can be cultured easily, less risk of disease and popularly consumed. They can be harvested after 6 months. * 0.7 ha of dike for vegetable planting: they choose *he* (I do not know English namne, its leaves are similar which of onion and used for cooking soup or as spices ) for standard evaluation due to stable selling price. He can be harvested after 3 mnonths and twice Appendix D: Detalled Social Review of Buffer Zone Component 119 Coastal Wetfands Protocton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffor Zone Component November, 1996 more after 6 months. Others are onion, chili, "rau muong", even cotton tree because it can endure salty soil and little insecticidal chemicals are applied. These vegetables can only be cultivated in the rainy season. If one freshwater well should be available, the cultivation can extended in the dry season as well. If shrimp diseases no longer exist, they prefer shrimp instead of fish culture. Others species intended to be cultured are mud crabs, blood cockles... In the Bac Lieu district, on the Eastem Ca Mau Peninsula of Minh Hai, there is up, to 50 meters of coastal accretion per year with nei growth mangrove in the FPZ. The land in the BZ is mosty inha-' -d by Khmer that traditionally produced salt in shallow evaporation ponds. During the past sevf years there was a gradual upgrading of ponds for shrimp culture, but since 1993, people in this area have largely abandoned shrimp farming as an economic activity, with increased. There is potenbal for up to 2,000 ha of land to be upgraded in the BZ along Bac Lieu, and Can Tho University has recently developed a small aquaculture research and demonstration facility adjacent to the proposed study site. It is proposed that up to 200 ha of land be used as a study site under the Project to upgrade existing ponds for sustainable shrimp culture, and to link farmers to the adjacent FPZ. The close proximity of the Can Tho University field station (which would be upgraded under the support service component of the Project) would facilitate the technical extension services necessary to introduce more advanced shrimp culture technologies at this site. This would include stocking at slightly higher levels to justify the cost of treating incoming water to further insure against the threat of disease. It would also include shrimpflish polyculture-either with Tilapia or milkfish. In this area, there already exists a main supply canal fror, the sea, and the site has a separate drainage canal to a nearby river-thereby separating inflow from effluent The Project would construct common secondary canals that would also serve to settle the high silt load in the coastal waters along Bac Lieu. Water treatment ponds would be constructed on each farmers site, where chlorine would be used to kill potential viral carriers (other crab or shrimp species) found in the water supply. 10.3.1.2 Economic Models Two economic models have been proposed: one based on 1,000 ha (Nghia, pers. comm.), the other based on 220 ha (Scura, pers. comm.). Dr. Scura's model is based on 200 ha of existing salt ponds (+10% or 20 ha for houses, dikes, roads, etc) and 50 households. It assumes two P. monodon crops/yr @ 221 kg/halcrop.i225 kg/hatcrop fish. The model for this study site assumes two P. monodon crops per year at 221 kg/ha/crop plus 225 kg'ia/crop of fish. The mcremental FIRR was calculated at 95 percent and the EIRR at 88 percent EIRR is lower because of large off farm infrastructure costs to develop the site. Because there is standing forest in the FPZ at this site, adding protecton parcels to the farm model increases both the FIRR and the EIRR slightly. 120 Appendir D: Detaied Social Review of Buffer Zone Component GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component Nghia's model assumes 2.0 ha plots including: iJ 1.3 ha for fish culture (Lates 0.8 ha and Tilapia 0.5 ha). ii) 0. 7 ha of dike for vegetable planting ( "he', onion, chili, "rau muong" even cafton tree. The two fish species can be cultured easily, there is less risk of disease and they are popularly consumed. They can be harvested after 6 months. The vegetables ('Mhe", onion, chili, 'rau muong", even cotton trees) can be cultivated in the rainy season. cultivation may be extended into the dry season if there are tube wells and water pumps. Nghia notes that it is impossible to culture P. monodon in the dry season because of i) leaching of seawater at old, un-maintained main intake sluices; ii) most canals are heavily covered by sediment. So that P. monodon can be cultured in the dry season, it will be necessary to improve sluices and remove spoil. 10.3.1.3 ProposedActiviies Based on Dr. Scura's model, proposed project interventions would include the following: Civil Works * upgrade existing ponds for sustainable shrimp culture; * construct common secondary canals that would also serve to settle the high sift load in the coastal waters along Bac Lieu * construct water treatrnent ponds on each farmer's site Equipment * upgrade Can Tho University field station Consultants * possible requirement to conduct extension Training * technical extension services necessary to introduce more advanced shrimp culture technologies 0 and M * PLs for stocking at slightly higher levels * treatment of incoming water to insure against disease threat * introduction of shrimp/fish polyculture (Tilapia or milkfish) * chlorine use to kill potential viral carriers (other crab or shrimp species) found in the water supply. Administration * possible requirement to implement ICAP 10.3.1.4 Other Pertinent Information Can Tho University has recently developed a small aquaculture research and demonstration facility adjacent to the proposed study site. The '337 Project, sponsored by the Central Govemment Fund to exploit 1000 ha of coastal area of Bac Lieu City. The area is divided into two parcels: i) 250 ha is exploited by 26 households for Aremia-salt production in the dry season and shrimp culture in the rainy season; ii) 750 ha distributed arong 400 poor households as part of resettlement. The main production has focused on shrimp culture. Appendix D: Detailed Social Review of Buffer Zone Component 121 Coastal Wetands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 10.3.1.5 Rural Appraisal Visit A Rural Appraisal Team comprised of Mr. Le Quang Thong (Team Leader), Mr. Nguyen Van Cong and Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Hien visited the Bac Lieu Study Site from July 20 - 24, 1996. They were accompanied by Dr. Peter McNamee and Mr. David Williams from July 20 - 23, 1996. The observations that follow are based on a total of 29 interviews conducted by the RA team. Of the 29 villagers interviewed, 22 were male and 7 female; 11 were Chinese, 13 were Khmer and 5 Vietnamese; 19 were iresidents of Bien Tay commune with 5 from Dong A commune and 5 from Dong B commune. 14 interviewees listed their occupation as "fisherman" only, 4 as "farmer' only, 4 as "farmer and fishernan" (e.g., farming more important than fishing) and 7 as "fisherman and farmer) (e.g., fishing more important than farming). 10.3.2 Felt Needs of the Community at Bac Lieu Study Site This section summarizes the felt needs of the community not the consultant Needs are listed under four headings: resettlement issues, conservation/ coastal protction issues, income generation/ economic development issues and social issues. 10.3.2.1 Resettlement Issues The problem is not how to move people out of the project area (FPZ) but how to reallocate their land. In theory, no one is allowed to live nearby the coastal areas. However, there are hundreds of cottages within both the FPZ and BZ. All of coastal areas have been distributed to farmers and fishermen by local authorities through a provincial fishery project People who satisfied the following conditions such as poverty and lack of agricultural land, retired govemment officers could be given the land (or land use right). These people have land use right certificates bestowed by the project management board. On average, each household has received 1.5 ha. No cases of re-sale were found between farmers. According to the commune leader, rnany farmers have followed their land or left for another place since late 1995 because of shrimp disease in 1994 - 1995. Local authorities have not made any plan yet for the resettlement of people here. The RA team did not see any evidence of cooperation between coastal protection projects and economic development projects within the FPZ and BZ. 103.32 Conservatfon/ Coastal Protection Issues There is no erosion in Bac Ueu as is the case in Dam Doi, Ca Mau. Reforestation is undertaken every year but the total forest area confnues to decrease. This is cue to inefficient mnanagemnent Managers at the provncial level have not given full responsibWity to commune authorities. Therefore, it is difficult to control illegal cutting. Most fishermen or farmers only care about their work and how to 122 Appendkx D: Detailed Social Reviw of Buffer Zone Component GEC Ltd. Coasbtl Wetlends Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component eam a living without paying attention to forestV environmental protection. After doing the reallocation in 1992, illegal cutting is more and more serious. Wth conservation and coastal protection in mind, GOV formulated a policy of a target land use figure for shrimp ponds and forested areas of 70% forest area and 30% shrimp pond area. While some households have leamed about replanting mangroves to reach this target land use, most households fall far short of the required forest cover. As the percentage area under forest cover can only increase if the pond area decreases, not only do these households not have the necessary capital to invest in replantation, they would suffer short termn losses by taking land.out.of shrimp vroduction. It will take both time and investment capital to reach that 70:30 target. A case in point: already, the existing 327 project is facing financial problems. Pressure on the coastal forest increased throughout the 199D-1995 period. Since local authorities implemented the policy of Land Distribution to form the New Economic Zone in 1992, forested areas have declined significantly. Of note, forested areas declined regardless of good or bad retums from shrimp farming. When retums from shrimp production were high, trees were cut down to create more shrimp ponds. When shrimp disease problems resulted in poor retums, trees were cut for cash income. The govemment needs to establish lines of communication and promote cooperation between the Shrimp-Artemia Project and the Reforestation Project. Only in this way mnay they satisfy the objectives of reforestation and economic development 10.3.2.3 Income GenerationlEconomic Development Issues The issues and felt needs of the community will be understood more easily if introduced by a brief description of the main economic activities in the community. shrimp farming: (June - November): Compared to the number of households involved in shrimp production at the maximum. less than 5% of those households confinue to farm shrimp. Some moved away from the area while others converted their shrimp ponds to natural Tilapia production, crab farming or natural shrimp-fish-trapped ponds. All households practice extensive farming; therefore, incomes are not very stable. Artemia-Salt production: (December to May): Average income VND 0.5 million per hectare per year. Fishing: (Year round): This is the most popular of income eaming activities. People who have no land or lack capital can support their families either by fishing or temporary work-for hire. Agricultural production: (Seasonal): Practiced by those wifth land in the economic zone near to the buffer zone. They grow single-rice-crop, onion or beans. Paddy yield is around 3.4 ton per hectare. Some Chinese families have long an gardens. At good yield, they can eam VND 12 million per hectare per year. APPendix D: Detiled Social Review of BufferZone Component 123 Coastal Wet nds Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 Work-for-hire: (July - September): During harvesting months (July, August, September), owners of long an gardens hire villagers from coastal areas; and therefore these people have another additional income. In general, there is a lot of unemployment. The community feels that the following is required in order to promote income generation: * Capital for new farming activities: People said to RA team that Bac Lieu Fishery Project Board promised to lend them I million per household when it changed production activity from shrimp farming to the others as Artemia production, crab farming, etc., but they have not received any up to present. * Support of extension service: Extension is important, particularly if households are being asked to try a new technique or product Not surprisingly, people are afraid to lose their investment capital. * Study on ability of getting high income by Tilapia fanming. Because people often catch a lot of natural Tilapia but it seems this fish still not so attractive to market demand.- If they have a good market for this fish, villager could get another significant source of income. - Support for aquaculture production: Many households living along coastal area are willing to join Sub-project involved Tilapia or milkfish polyculture. But to shrimp culture, they seem not very interested and they agree to join in case of receiving much support from researchers. 10.3.2.4 Social Issues/ Physical Infrastructure Needs Several issues have arisen that will need to be addressed as follows: * 80% of the people in the study site are poor36 while 90% are Khmer. They have low incomes, few resources and limited opportunities under existing conditions to improve living standards. Of the Khmer, it is said that they have too little food for 6 - 8 months of the year. With the exception of some household who have land in the project area, other Khmer families have very little land formally located in the BZ. * there are limited opportunities to diversify household sources of income in order to make people less dependent on subsistence fishing and thus be ess vulnerable to food shortages. * productive resources and opportunities are not evenly distributed. Lack of food security is particularly frequent among the ethnic groups as Khmer who lack access to productive agricultural land. As they live in more remote areas and for various cultural and economic reasons, they tend to have much less access to education and health services. Furthermore, they are less equipped to compete in an increasingly money oriented economy. Only the Chines! Vietnamese groups have been quick to take up the opportunities presented by the emerging cash economy., The Khmer group usually finds itself working for the Chinese/ Vietnamese groups. em 'poor s defined as haing no moe than 15 kg nce per monft 124 Appendbi D: Detiled Social Review of Buffer Zone Component GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component * Women tend to be disadvantaged by the changes in rural society. They have to share the daily work wfth men. However, women usually devoted much more time for the common good of the family than their husbands in activities such as food preparation, child care and housework. * women are usually more flexible in terms of production plans although they have not got enough capital to proceed. 10.3.3 Indicative Community Action Plan (ICAP) for Bac Lieu 10.3.3.1 Action Plan by Major Issue The residents of the study site hamlets of Bien Tay, Dong A and Dong B would like to see the following actions taken to better incomes and quality of life in their communities: ProectionPment peope ontA nd rsetnre the Not only pong eme residents have wend tiesn Reconmr entals prhave obtained app rently vawd hlnd g.rtifichtes fvror the Coastal P .t Potin Boardi The pCajnct should have a dmnificant conponent dsvoted to so;in ing problms * alcal uthorities must have 2 uthority tD rontrol iegal cutting Conservation/ * beerficiary creattd managernsnt plan for abandoned tenda Coastal . provd capiMl fior amiers can rcreate the 70.30 fofest pond model Protection Pan a envigremental education requiredo as to peope make no appnrent link between onvifonmentan protection rnd thiir own welabsllg The delivry mechanism is critcal. Possibilities: 1) Can Tho Un__ersity demnonstration center iiB schoons; iii) pagooae * a Uand use plan for the 20 - 40 m Stt accretes each yC r * Gvery yearh ilaegal cutping a tchs repo ntation f nd thg as ea of a pngroie stays the saoer A inagerhent ptan is required to hacsrec both thevmopa of mangroves and tho rse of mangd on the areat Noten the Conseration Board is ^selling tht right' t *colloct dead brncho in the FPZ. In other words. the Board responstf for protection is ensuring destruction Income o~~~ Continue to support the people through credit sWacitos ncome . ~~Upgr de tho Artemrnia/ihery Reasearch Station of Can Tho Univerity in Project area so tha Generation/ they have appropriate decision on rdlapia ftaning as soon as possible. Continue co-operating Economic wft Can Tho Universit which has receol devebpe a small squaculWe reserch and Development dernonst faconhcity adjacent to the study sik. Developm t * Improve efficiency of irrigation systems through upgrading existing ponds for sustainable shrmp Plan culture; construction of common secondary canals that would settle the high sit ioad in the coastal waters along Bac Lieu; construction of w_ar teatment ponds. * Incrase technical extension services necessary to introduce more advanced shrimp culture technologies * Colaborate with households to experiment shrplsh poyculture. Many households living along coastal area are willing to join. _c* special policy for Khmer is required. It should inciude subsidized educaon, access to capital Social Issues/ and priority for land distibution Physical * how to inprove the education level of the Khner Infrastructure * frshwater weflt for the Khmer for drinking water. At present time, on average 20 households use Plan one freshwater-pump togefter. * promotion of food security; some possbb exchange of food (rice) for cservation sertics. NB: this has been tied unsucoessfully in places where the same areas have been planted 3 - 4 tm.es It is inpoant to tie it not iust to planting of trees but too tending of traes. This suggests NGO irnolemnt in project * work with local authorities to inprove road acoess, hoos, health faflities. Appendix : DetIled Social Review of Buff erZon Component 125 Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 10.3 .3 .2 Action Plan Interventions Summarized by Cost Category To summarize, the community would like to see the following interventions: Civil Works * Improve efficiency of irrigation systems through upgrading existing ponds for sustainable shrimp culture; * construction of common secondary canals; will serve also to settle the high silt load in the coastal waters * construction of water treatment ponds * improve road access, schools, health facilities Equipment * upgrade Can Tho University demonstration center for i) environmental education; ii) Artemiatfishery research * freshwater wells for the Khmer for drinking water Consultants * possible requirement (particularly from Can Tho University to conduct extension Training * environmental education * technical extension services to introduce more advanced shrimp culture technologies * collaborate with households to experiment with shrimp/fish polyculture 0 and M * capital to finance farmers in achieving the 70:30 ratio of forest area: pond area * Continue to support people through credit acfivities * subsidized capital for Khmer Administration * (significant component) sort out land titling problems * empower local authorities to control illegal cutting beneficiary created management plan for use/ future of abandoned land management plan for the use/ management of the 20 - 40 m of beach/coast that accretes * management plan to increase both the area of mangroves and the size of mangroves on the area. * special policy for Khmer that includes subsidized education, access to capital and priority for land distribution * pTomotion of food security; some possible exchange of food (rice) for conservabon services 10.3.4 Concluding Remarks There is a significant degree of overlap between the lists of project interventions proposed by the project team and the community. 126 Appendix D: Detalled Social Reviw of Bufer Zone Componen GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component Not surprisingly, the study team took a narrower view, concentrating on the community's needs primarily from an income generation point of view. The community took a broader view that included social items as well. Even within income generation, there is a suggesffon that the study team took a narrower view that concentrated on maximizing income from shrimp production while the community expressed interest in promoting other sources of income generation such as tilapia, polyculture, Artemia, etc.. 10.3.5 Work and Travel Schedule duly 20 * travel from HCMC to Can Tho * mfeet Mr. Nghia, Mr. Tuan (lecturers at Can Tho University) to discuss aquacuiture situation in Bac Lieu and Vinh Chau * ovemight in Can Tho July 21 * travel from Can Tho to Bac Lieu * go to study site in Bac Lieu (Thuan Hoa commune) * interview farmers (5 households) * ovemight in Bac Lieu July 22 * continue to do RA in Thuan Hoa commune (4 households) - meet Mr. Le Minh Chien, ViceChairman, Bac Lieu People's Committee * return to Thuan Hoa commune to meet farmers (4 households) * ovemight in Bac Lieu July 23 * meet farmers (16 households) of Thuan Hoa commune * meet Mr. Vo Hoang Minh, Thuan Hoe's leader to discuss present situation * continue interviews (4 households) * ovemight in Bac Lieu July 24 * return to HCMC July 25 and * meetings with Dr. Peter McNamee and Mr. David Williams 26 * report preparaffon Appendix D: Detiled SocIal-Review of Buffer Zone Component 127 Coastal Wetands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 10.3.6 List of Interviewees 74- ;j, b'-- 5 ' 6g I._r. =~p:' ~'~' = .-, . F_>J- Trii Ly Mien female Chinese Bien Tay Fisherman and farmer Ly Mui male Chinese Bien Tay Farmer Truong Thi Xem female Khmer Bien Tay Fisherman and farmer Dinh To Uyen female Vietnamese Bien Tay Fisherman and farmer Nguven Van Bay male Vietnamese Dong A Farmer Le t. j: Diep male Vietnamese Bien Tay Farmer and fisherman Le Thi Na female Khmer Bien Tay Fisherman Thach Long male Khmer Bien Tay Fisherman Son Ty male Khmer Dong B Fisherman Ngo Quoc Khiem male Chinese Dong B Fisherman Quach Tan Dai male Chinese Bien Tay Farmer and fisherman Khuu Thanh Hoa female Chinese Bien Tay Fisherman Quach Tan Loi male Chinese Bien Tay Fisherman Tran Thi Lui female Khmer Don A Fisherman Thach Thi Huong femaie Khmer Dong B Fisherman Lam Sang male Khmer Dong A Fisherman Son Leng male Khmer Dong A Fisherman Trieu To Ken male Chinese Bien Tay Farmer and Fisherman Kim Ku male Khmer Dong B Farmer Truong Van Binh male Vietnamese Bien Tay Fisherman Thach Penb male Khmer Bien Tay Fisherman and farmer Khuu Van male Chinese Bien Tay Farmer and fisherman Nguyen Van May male Vietnamese Bien Tay Farmer and fisherman Kim Son male Khmer Dong B Fisherman Thach Thi Mai female Khmer Dong A Fisherman Thach Danh Ni male Khmer Bien Tay Fisherman Truong Phat = male Chinese Bien Tay Farmer Ngo Kim male Chinese Bien Tay Farmer and fisherman -Ly Ngoc = male Chinese Bien Tay Farmer and fisherman 10.4 INDICATIVE ICOMMUNITY ACTION PLAN FOR VINH CHAU STUDY SrrE 10.4.1 Background 10.4.1.1 The Project Site and Study Site The project area is 5,935 ha with 4,202 ha in the Full Protection Zone and 1,733 ha in the Buffer Zone. It takes nearly 2 hours from Soc Trang Town to study site by road. The study site at Vinh Phuoc Commune covers hamlets Bien Tren A, Bien Tren B, Bien Duoi and Vinh Phuoc Salt co- operative. It is 140 ha in area. Several canals of the existing shrimp farm system run toward the sea. There are 492 ha of forest scattered throughout the Buffer Zone and 1,222 ha of mixed trees 128 AppendIx D: Dectiled Social Review of Buffer Zone Component GEC Ltd. Coastl Wetands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component including mangroves in the Full Protection Zone. The main sources of income are farming, shrimp and Artemia production. 20% of the population are Vietnamese. 80% are either Khmer or Chinese37. EUROCONSULT surveyed 16 families living in the economic zone, 8 families living in the BZ and 1 family living in the FPZ. These families settled during 1925 -1962 and have an average farm size of 2.0 ha of shrimp pond including a productive water surface area of 1.9 ha. Each family has an average of 6.8 persons of whom 2.6 persons are in the labor force. The houses are made mainly of bamboo (21) and masonry (4) and have an average area of 45 m2. In 1994- 1995, their income was VND 1.7 million (VND 0.232 million per capita). The main sources of income are hired labor (VND 1.6 million), salt production (VND 1.04 million), Artemia production, vegetable production and handicrafts. The project aims at rehabilitating mangrove forest in the FPZ and replanting scattered trees on the dikes in the BZ for supplying fuel wood for the area; developing the pond and water supply system for semi intensive shrimp culture to ensure the income of these families (say 1.9 ha of water-surface shrimp pond) at acceptable level. The potential expansion of Artemia area (which is located in economic zone) to the BZ were studied by Euroconsult, the field survey and consultation of local people showed that new deposited soil in the BZ is soft in structure with a high rate of infiltration and shrinkage. As a result, there are difficulties with water retention for Artemia production. Compacting by heavy machine to reduce infiltration rates is possible though the cost is much higher than that of excavation and embankment without heavy machine compacting. Furthermore, maintenance of the pond (by hand) may disturb the compacted layer. There has been progress in Soc Trang Province to reforest mudflats in erosion areas. Although this effort is worthwhile to the degree i slows erosion, it is the opinion of the Mission that over the longer termn, the strong currents and wave action along this coast will result in a gradual decrease in land area. In the meantime, incentives need to be put in place to encourage local inhabitants to plant pioneering mangrove species in the mudflats and to preserve the FPZ. 10.4.1.2 Economk Models The Vinh Chau Study Site has a total land area of 224 ha, a shrimp pond area of 118 ha and sustains 47 households. A diversified production system of Artemia during the dry season and shrimplrilapia polyculture during the rainy season is proposed. The proposed Project would provide extension and credit to the farmer for (a) portable pump; (b) pond dike improvements; and (c) working capital. Two models are proposed. Vinh Chau 11 (85 ha of land; 47 households The land elevation in the FPZ at Vinh Chau is above the highest tides and the only mangrove species growing in this area are along the slopes of canals, wContact people at the VUnh Chau Study Sib include: Mr. Vo Thanh Uoc (Coop Manaer of Vmh Phuac Coopeative), Mr. Kim Kinh (Chief Accountant) and Mr. Thien Quang Duc (Chaimun of the Forest Pwte0on Division in Soc Trng) Appendir D: Detailed Social Review of Buffer Zone Component 129 Coastal Welands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental end Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 with a few pioneering mangrove specie- that have been plante.i: n the mudflats. There is a well defined 'step up' from the mudflat to the - ner land of the FPZ it the point where wave action is eroding the coast. Some people are air ady cultivating oniorn -.id other terrestrial crops at these higher elevations in the FPZ, and it is the opinion of the Mission that this activity should be regularized. The Vinh Chau area has limited rainfall and a pronounced dry season, so the reforestation of the FPZ would require irrigation. It appears to be more efficient to finance fresh water wells for small-scale (0.25 ha) vegetable farming in the FPZ in exchange for the farmer planting mangrove in a relatively small area (2 ha) of mudfbat or along canais and creeks. Soc Trang (245 ha of land; 100ha of ponds; 100 households) One of the more successful reforestation programs in an erosion area is in the Trung Binh District of Soc Trang. The Project will provide some canal infrastructure, credit for fresh water wells, plus extension and support services to about 100 households. Each farm will be encouraged to diversify risk through a combination of shrimp/fish culture (1.5 ha) and vegetable cultivation (0.25 ha). It is assumed that the farmer will stock P. monodon for one crop during the dry season, and rely on wild PLs during the rainy season3a. 10.4.1.3 Proposed Activties The following activities are proposed: Civil WorKs * pond dike improvements * fresh water wells for small-scale (0.25 ha) vegetable farming * canal infrastructure Equipment * portable pumps Consultants Training * extension to support investments in new technology * extension and support services to 100 households 0 and M * credit for civil works, equipment and working capital * diversification of risk through a combination of shrimptfish culture (1.5 ha) and vegetable cultivation (0.25 ha) * stocking of P. monodon during dry season Administrabon XConcems about te models indude: I whefer high concentro of chweicals used for onion cufvation on ised beds will affec shrimp ponds; q) the extent to which the application of this model along the coast wUl act to dease market pnces for onions; !iQ and the fasbility of combining Artemia and shrimp production in soft soil. It is to be remmbere that he main aa for cuating onion and vegetable in ths are is bcatd in economc zone which has bvorable condition of frsh waterand soil. 130 AppendIx D: Detailed Social Review of Buffer Zone Component GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlnds Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component 10.4.1.4 Other Pertinent Information In VTASC, total area of Economic Zone (EZ) from the road to dike 700 covers 593.51 ha which is possessed by 334 households. Only 43 households involve in Antemia production in the zone from the local road to dike 300. They call this "Artemia -Salt Zone (ASZ)". Total area of ASZ is 206.45 ha, in which 160 ha is really Artemia ponds. The remaining ponds (service ponds) are for reservoir, evaporation and fertilizing and crystalizers. The average rate of service:Artemia ponds of VTASC is 2.7 (433.51:160). This rate of ASRDI Station is also 2.7 (8:3). In the dry season, Artemia andlor salt production is in operation. In the rainy season, the same ponds are stocked with P. monodon or trapped natural fish and shrimp seed. The zone from dike 700 to protection dike is 240 ha. They call 'Lang Moi Zone" (Lang Moi means New Village). This zone is the "Buffer Zone (BZ)". In the BZ, lots 1-20 were distributed to poor farmers. Each household received in average 1.32 (0.3-2.2) ha. The remaining (lots 21-29) are not in the list. The mode of production in this zone is only 'fish/shrimp trap-and-keep method" mainly in the ditches due to the higher land topography. The area from the protection dike to the coastal line (Protection Zone) is not defined by the VTASC. It is estimated about 150 ha and managed by the Vinh Chau District. In this dry season, most of farmers have been producing mainly Artemia cysts. As a result, the price of salt increases to 400 VND/kg in this moment as compared before that is 80-200 VND/kg (production cost is 40-50 VND/kg in which 40% is for raking and collecting, 40% for transportation and 20% for sundry). But only middle men can gain the profit because they have enough money to store salt and sell it at a profitable time. Most of salt farmers have to sell their salt right away, thus they are not able to take advantage of the high price period. Therefore in any cases they aiway prefer orducing Aremia cysts(especially when the price of cysts remains high). Only 20,000 tons of salt (produced from 250 ha) are needed annually in Vinh Chau and Bac Lieu to keep at high selling price. Farmers in these areas should not run after salt production when the salt price increases temporarily. They all agreed to increase the area of Artemia onds because more households can involve in Artemia cysts production in the dry season instead of only few rich farmners organize the production. It is surely realized because some farmers (Mr. Dat, Chin Lai, lot 12 next to the ASRDI Station; Mr. Sang, lot 13; Mr. Bun, lot 14 ... have operated Artemia ponds beyond dike 300). They have worked hard to prevent water leaching through the pond dike and bottom. Reasons of leaching come from 'red mud fish" (their eyes degrade and the jaws are with very strong teeth for soil digging which are adaptive for hiding life in the deep layer of pond bottom), "water snake" and perforated soil. A bulldozer can solve this problem and also help reducing the rate of service:Artemia ponds to 0.33 (1:3) (as experience of farmers who only have few Artemia and evaporation ponds and my experience in Vung Tau). The soil structure of this area was checked by the "pencil method" and It is OK although some samples (from the road to dike 300 and to dike 700) are black (color of very fine organic matter) instead of brownish (color of clay). Appendi D: Detsied Social ReWew of Buffer Zone Component 131 Cobsl Wetlands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 with a few pioneering mangrove species that have been planted on the mudfiats. There is a well defined 'step up' from the mudflat to the higher land of the FPZ just at the point where wave action is eroding the coast. Some people are already cultivabng onions and other terrestial crops at these higher elevations in the FPZ, and it is the opinion of the Mission that this activity should be regularized. The Vinh Chau area has limited rainfall and a pronounced dry season, so the reforestation of the FPZ would require irrigation. It appears to be more efficient to finance fresh water wells for small-scale (0.25 ha) vegetable farming in the FPZ in exchange for the farmer planting mangrove in a relatively small area (2 ha) of mudflat or along canals and creeks. Soc Trang (245 ha of land; 100ha of ponds; 100 households) One of the more successful reforestabon programs in an erosion area is in the Trung Binh District of Soc Trang. The Project will provide some canal infrastructure, credit for fresh water wells, plus extension and support services to about 100 households. Each farm will be encouraged to diversify risk through a combination of shrimp/fish culture (1.5 ha) and vegetable cultivabon (0.25 ha). It is assumed that the farmer will stock P. monodon for one crop during the dry season, and rely on wild PLs during the rainy season3a. 10.4.1.3 Proposed Activites The following activities are proposed: Civil Works * pond dike improvements * fresh water wells for small-scale (0.25 ha) vegetable farming * canal infrastructure Equipment * portable pumps Consultants Training * extension to support investments in new technology * extension and support services to 100 households 0 and M * credit for civil works, equipment and working capital * diversificabon of risk through a combination of shrimplfish culture (1.5 ha) and vegetable cultivation (0.25 ha) * stocking of P. monodon during dry season Administrabon MConcerns about the models incude: I) whether high concentrations of chemicals used for onion cultivation on raised beds w1ll afect shrimp ponds; I) the extent to which the applicaon of thi model ag the Coat wIl act to doease market prices for onions; ii) and the feasbility of combining Artemia and shrimp production in soft soil. ft is to be romembered that the main aea for cultabng onion and vegetable in this area is bcated in economic zone which has favorble condition of fesh water and soil 130 Appendix D: Detailed Social Review of Buffer Zone Component GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component Because the canals of VTASC fuse together, there is no separation between main intake and drainage canals. Thus the wastewater needs to be stored for releasing to the sea in the neap tide periods. There are two options of production mode: improved traditional production and completely individual production. Improved traditional production Traditional production means collective production of Artemia-salt in the dry season and shrimp culture individually in the rainy season. Improvement of traditional production as my model is actually the application of integrated production system. By mean of bulldozers, probably compacted shrimp ponds can be constructed efficiently in the area of reservoir and evaporation ponds. In the dry season, the wastewater of SCA can be discharged into Artemia culture zone (206.5 ha of ASZ, actual data) which is WSA in the model (236 ha). The CSA can be utilized as extensive shrimp culture ponds. In the rainy season, the whole salt lot can be shifted to shrimp culture with the higher percentage of SCA as compared with the dry season. In the dry season, there are still two options: * If there no risk of shrimp diseases, P. monodon can be cultured two crops per year. Dr. Scura's modified model gives the IRR and NPV as being 105% and $14324, respectively. * If there is still risk of shrimp disease, artificial-seed shrimp culture should be replaced by Artemia cyst production in the dry season. In this case the Artemia area occupies 66% of total water area. The IRR and NPV are 78% and $10190, respectively Farmers who want to produce individually (they usually prefer), should follow the above-mentioned model, consisting of of 2 ha of land for each farmer, in which 25% is dikes and the remaining is water area. 10.4.1.5 Rural Appraisal Visit A Rural Appraisal Team comprised of Mr. Le Quang Thong (Team Leader), Mr. Nguyen Van Cong and Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Hien visited the Vinh Chau Study Site from August 10 - 13, 1996. The observations that follow are based on 26 interviews conducted by the RA team. Of the 26 villagers interviewed, 22 were male and 4 female. Ten were Khmer, 13 were Chines and three were Vietnamese. 17 of the interviewees were from Bien Tren Hamlet while 9 were from Bien Duoi Hamlet Ten interviewees listed their occupabon as "fisherman" only, four listed their occupation as "farrner" only, three listed their occupabon as "fishermnan and farmer (e.g., fishing more important than farming) while nine listed their occupation as "farmer and fisherman" (e.g., farming more important than fishing). Appendbi D: Deblied Social Review of Buffer Zone Component 133 Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Socisl Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 Shrimp can be cultured in the dry season (Dec.-Mar.) because high tides frequently occur in this period and the sea water can be kept well by the newly constructed protection dike and water gates. Some farmers suggested placing compacted shrimp ponds in the BZ. But others said that the soil in this area contains high percentage of coarse organic particles, therefore it is better to construct the ponds from dike 300 to dike 700. Anyway, if possible we can test one compacted pond in the aZ. This is the integrated shrimp-Aitemia-salt production system that we have tried before in the season in VC Station (nursery instead of growout ponds in the reservoir area). The main advantages are that Anemia biomass can be supplied for shrimp ponds and the waste water of shrimp ponds is conducted to Arfemia ponds as fertilized water. But at that time, the system was not well managed because of water leaching and the poor structure of old protection dike and its sluices. The risk of shrimp culture in this neriod is that the PL in hatcheries get higher risk of diseases due to low temperature and are treated with many types of antibiotics. The source of wild shrimp seed should be utilized. One farmer said that P. merguiensis PL occupy 30-40% of total and the wild shrimp PL seem appearing abundantly in this first half year. They also think that it is better to keep the wild seed in ponds for longer time (1-1.5 months), to apply Dems roots to kill trash fish and to spread some fertilizers. But it is difficult to follow because the poor has to collect shrimp every high tide for daily expenses. To improve and maintain the canal /pond systems, the whole Cooperative needs credits to equip some machines: two small bulldozers (150 mil. VND each) to construct compacted ponds and latter maintenance and one locally-made spoils-removing boat (50 mil. VN dong each) to maintain the depth of canals. Most of them suggested to culftivate vegetable (similar which of Bac Lieu study site) in the BZ (in this case, freshwater wells are needed). Farmers said that they can control the spread of insecticides into water bodies by using a restricted ponds to store water from plant cultivation and selecting quick biodegradable chemicals. VTASC needs waste water reservoirs in the rainy season because it does not have an efficient separate inlet and outlet canal system. The ditches which serve as waste water reservoir can be stc-ked with Tilapia/milkfish/mud fish/others culture. The waste water can be discharged to the sea in the neap tide period. In the dry season, the waste water from fish/shrimp ponds can be used to fertilize Artemia ponds. The plan is based on shrimp (P. monodon or P. merguiensis) semi-intensive culture with stocking density of 3-4 pcs/m2, maximum 10 % water exchange daily. A yield of 500 kg/ha/crop can be expected. In according to some climatic and tidal assumed parameters such as: net balance of rainfall minus evaporation in the dry season is maximum -150 (in Feb-Mar) and in the rainy season in average +100 mm (Jun-Sep); in the spring tide period, the BZ can take in 30 cm seawater deep from the original land level and 50 cm that of EZ; duration of no incoming tide lsts maximum 10 days in the dry seasor. and 7 days in the rainy season. Modeling reveals that the total volume of clean water stock defines maximum area of shrimp culture. 132 AppendIx D: Debiled Social RovIew of Buffer Zone Component GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component Unlike the case in Minh Hai Province and Tra Vinh Province , Full Protection Zone areas in Soc Trang occupied by farmers although theoretically it is managed by Vinh Chau District People Committee. 104.3.2 Conservation/ Coastal Protection Issues The existing proiects : 327 project of Vietnamese govemment, Rehabilitation of Mangrove Forest Project of govemment of Netheriands and Vietnam. Their important objectives include planing and implementation of mangrove forest rehabilitation activities. According to local leaders and relating officers, programs of reforestation under 70: 30 ratio has not logical, at least in Vinh Chau study site. Therefore they are proposing different ratio as 50:50 40:60. etc. based on particular situations. Farmers are not willing to replant the tree followed 70: 30 ratio since they will lost much of cultivated land in Buffer Zone. People who living nearby coastal area are pleased with reforestation plans because they will have income through work - contact with project managers . In long - term , there production would be improved . Their suggested .plan: - Step 1: Distribution to each household officially . - Step 2: determine clearly the boundary of each plot. * Step 3: Plan Rhizophoracea and Avicennia marina. * Together with the above steps, manager make output contract with the farmers. In Buffer Zone, farmers tend to plant Eucalyptus. However, it is necessary to conduct training courses relafing forestry and coastal protecton plan for local people. The width of Full Protection Zone and Buffer Zone are 250 meters, 500 meters, respectively and they are separated by Coastal Protection Dike, Dike 700 and Dike 300. The Economic Zone includes all area of Vinh Phuoc co-operative with about 590 ha and 334 ha households. Extensive Shrimp farming, fish production have been done here. Next shrimp farms is Artemia production area which is 46 ha from 43 households. 10.4.3.3 Income Genuration/Economic Development Issues The mnain sources of income are shrimp farming. Artemia Production, Agricultural cuftivation, fishing . Shrimp farming: During late 1980's and early 1990's farmers considered salt production as their major source of income. Since 1992, high efficiency of shrimp farming attracted farmers to replace salt production by shrimp farming. They invested a lot of money borrowed from govemment credit system or from private sector hopefully get high retum from shrimp ponds. Then, they suffered AppendIx D: Detailed Social Roview of Buff rZone Component 135 Coastal Wetlnds Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 10.4.2 Consultations at Provincial and District Level 10.4.2.1 Provincial Level 10.4.2.2 District Level 10.4.3 Felt Needs of the Community at Vinh Chau Study Site This section will lists the key feedback of the RA exercise. It summarize the felt needs of the community under the four headings of resettlement issues, conservation/ coastal protection issues, income generation/ economic development issues and social issues. 10.4.3.1 Resettlement Issues There are 10 households living within Full Protection Zone. These families have been living here for more than 25 years. They do not know anything about resettlement program except the establishment of " Lang Moi 0 last few years. The opinions of local authorities are as follows: unnecessary to move these household out of Full Protection Zone. These families have been living here for years ( more than 25 years ). They do not know anything about resettlement program except the establishment of " Lang Moi last few years. 'According to local authority, it is unnecessary to move these households out of Full Protection Zone. Settle down community in Buffer Zone is basic factor to manage reforestation and forest protection programs in coastal areas. The coastal area nearby Vinh Phuoc co-operative, the study site in Vinh Chau , almost has no more forest . It caused by inefficient management and over-cutting during 1994 - 1995 when shrimp farming had been in serious disease . At the present tme reforestation has been doing local authorfties prefer to keep households living in FPZ rather than move them into Buffer Zone . But they also control the migration from other places to this coastal areas. Though land - certificate has not been released yet, local authorities gave these farner land for culfivation, on average 2 ha per family. Actually, most coastal areas of Full Protection Zone have been given to villagers by local authorties . Only few of land receivers cultivated on this land and no one pays tax to govemment. Needs of people: * Continue giving land in Full Protection Zone to farmers so that they can farm on it or replant forest tree through contracts with forest managers . * Allow people to do aquaculture production along coastline . * Having additional source of income through taking work-contract with reforestation project mnanagers. 134 Appendix D: Detailed Social Reviw f BufferZone Component GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component Health services should be constantly concemed. For example, the use of DDT in onion production is widely without any cautions. Investment on road construction, freshwater supply are necessary, too. In Lang Moi, on average every 15 families got one water-pump and they have to carry water for long distance from water- pump to home. 10.4.4 Indicative Community Action Plan (ICAP) for Vinh Chau. This section lists the proposed actions stemming from the expressed needs of the community. 10.4.4.1 Resettlement Plan * Confirm regulations relating Full Protection Zone. If authority accepts households living within Full Protection Zone are legal, they should reorganize their productivity there. In theory, government do not allow people to live within the Full Protection Zone. However, there are cottages scattered in Full Protection Zone. Furthermore, resettlement may becomes difficult when local authorities have divided and distributed land in FPZ to people. Is it a good opinion of govemrnment to let people living in or VaLn Dutng mae fisherman 2 Nguyenn VaLn Hoja male fisherman 3 Vot VaLn Lua>n mal famner and fisherman 4 TraBn VaLn NaLng nale fishermnan 5 Nguyenn VaLn YaLng male fisherman 6 Nguyenn VaLn Tari male farmer and fisherman 7 Yoarn VaLn Hoa male fisherman 8 ThaVch VaLn Th'a male fisherman 9 Nguyenn VaLn Trrng male fisheman AppendlrZD-Debiled Social Reviewof Buffer Zone Component 147 Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Bufer Zone Component November, 1996 10 TraBn VaLn Dutngg male fisherman 11 Nguyenn Cu Ujt male fisherman 12 Tr^ng VaLn ThaJng male fisherman 13 TraBn Thi An female fisherman 14 TraBn Thu Anm female farmier and fisherman 15 Nguyenn Baj HaVnh male farmner and fisherman 16 Le> VaLn Hafi male fisherman 17 ThaVch VaLn RAjt male fisherman 18 La>m VaLn Ngh\a male fisherrnan 19 Nguyenn VaLn BXnh male fisherian 20 TraBn Thb Tam female farmer and fisherman 21 Nguyenn Minh Cajng female farmer and fisherman 22 Nguyenn NgoVc Anh female farmer and fishermnan 23 Ngo> Thb BFnh female farmer and fisherman 24 Le> VaLn Ta>m male fisherman 25 TafThb Da>n female fisherman 10.6 INDICATIVE COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN FOR MY LONG 10.6.1 1. Background 10.6.1.1 The Project Site and Study Site My Long Commune is located in Tra Vinh Province about 30 minutes from the national road by motorbike. My Long Commune consists of nine hamlets named Hamlet I through Hamlet 9. The My Long Study Site covers an area of 1.360 ha of which 525 ha is in the Full Protection Zone and 835 ha is in the Buffer Zone. The study site covers hamlets number 2 , 3 , 4, 5 and 6. Records of the local authorities show there are 260 households living in Buffer Zone and about 10 families living in Full Protection Zone. The study site is 1,360 ha or 25% of the project site area of 6,525 ha. Farmers in the Buffer Zone come into coastal areas daily to fish. People of Hamlets 4 and 5 have shrimp ponds. Other farmers have agricultural land within the Buffer Zone°. 10.6.1.2 Economic Models The model proposed for the My Long Study Site covers 724 ha of land, includes 146 ha of ponds and sustains 56 households. 4wContact people for the My Long Study Site were: Mr. Mai Minh Tanh (Commune Leader), Mr. Nguyen Van Ha (Officer of the Commune Committe) 148 AppendbI D: DetIled Sodal Roview of Buffer Zone Component GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component Euroconsult characterizes the collapse of shrimp farming in this area as being due to disease. They propose a system of canals that would allow each pond to have separate inlet and outlets. Interviews with several farmers did not reveal a recent collapse in shrimp production. In fact, farmers in this area appear to have done reasonably well, continuing to produce a single crop of P. monodon in the dry season for the last several years. Their relative success may be due to their location at the mouth of the Co Chien River, upstream of most other shrimp farms. However, those interviewed confirmed increased production problems during the rainy season. The farmers interviewed do not appear to have a problem with water supply. Furthermore, Euroconsult proposes to construct the new canals at the mouth of the Co Chien River, in an area with rapid currents and significant movements of material over the mudflats. The most important constraint in this area appears to be a lack of access to capital. No infrastructure improvements are required for this site. Recommendations include the promotion of P. monodon culture during the dry season using the high health PLs to be provided under the Project. In an effort to diversify crops from the existing system, farmers would also be provided with access to sex- reversed Tilapia fingerlings. 10.6.1.3 ProposedActvities Proposed project interventions may be summarized as follows: reversed tilapia 0 and M * Promotion of P. monodon culture during the dry season using the high health PLs * access to sex-reversed Tilapia fingerlings *o imProved access to capital Administration __________________________________ 10.E6.1.4 OthernPernentInformaon none 10.6.1.5 Rural AppraisalWvisit A Rural Appraisal Team comprised of Mr. Le Quang Thong (Team Leader), Mr. Nguyen Van Cong Appendix D; Detailed Socnia Review of Buffer Zone Component 149 Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 *nd Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Hien visited the Dong Hai and My Long Study Sites from August 3 - 8, 1996. The observations that follow are based on 12 interviews conducted by the RA team. Of the 12 villagers interviewed, 9 were male and 3 female. All were Vietnamese. My Long Commune consists of Hamlets numbered 1 lthrough 9. Three interviewees were from Hamlet 2, two from Hamlet 3, five from Hamlet 4 and two from Hamlet 5. Three interviewees listed their occupation as "fisherman" only, four listed their occupation as "farmer" only while five listed their occupation as '"farmer and fisherman" (e.g., farming more important than fishing). 10.6.2 Consultations at Provincial and District Level 10.6.2.1 Provincial Level 10.6.2.2 District Level 10.6.3 Felt Needs of the Community at My Long This section summarize the needs perceived by the community under the four headings of resettlement issues, conservabon/ coastal protecton issues, income generation/ economic deve!o,ment issues and social issues. 10.6:3.1 Resettlement Issues Generally speaking, theire is no big problem of resettlement since there are only few households in the Full Protection Zone. They are considered legal residents because: rthey have been living here for long bme (more than 20 years) * the area where these farmers cultivated did not belong to the Full Protection Zone when they came to the site * The Govemrnment ha- .,et to advise them about resettlement. The RA team tried to meet some of these farmers (Mr. Bay, Mr. Sau Mung, Mr. Tam) in order to get their opinions about resettlement In general, they are ready to follow any govemment policy, even if they have to move out of FPZ. Mr. Tanh, the commune's leader said that in My Long Commune will have no problem of resettlement. The problem is how to establish and apply firm regulations for the Full Protection Zone. Mr. Tanh believed that was unnecessary to move the households within the FPZ out. These few households will not cause any significant effect on the coastal protection forest. On the contrary, their experience with tne area will assist the authorities in activities of replantation and forest management Tanh affirmed that in recent years, no one has been permitted to live inside or near to the Full Protection Zone. 1SO Appendix D: Debaled SodIl Review of BufferZone Component GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetlands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component 10.6.3.2 Conservationl Coastal Protection Issues Conservation through coastal protection plays an important role in My Long. The problem of household food security is not simply one of agricultural output, but encompasses all factors affecting a household's access to an adequate year round supply of food. The problem of household food or income is not only one of the next season's protection such as rice crop, shrimp production, fishing etc., but also includes other factors such as deforestation. Villagers here understand well the role of the coastal forest because they themselves suffered the impact of deforestation. People know that the coastal area plays an closed relation to their household food and income. Results of a survey of farmers, especially those living in coastal areas showed that they understood the issue more than the RA team had presumed. As a result, there have been very few cases of illegal cutting of trees. Villagers appreciate that the forest provides critical support to its agricultural production as well as insurance against storm and crop failure. Thus, both directly and indirectly, many forestry activities have an impact on their livelihood. At present, there are at least three known coastal protection projects in My Long: i) the "327' Project in both the FPZ and the BZ; ii) the *Improve Westem Field " or 773" Project in the BZ and the Economic Zone; and iii) the "Nam Mang Thit" Project in the BZ. Relabon between shrimp farming and coastal environment Interviewing with local people did not reveal that the dramatic downtum in the shrimp production is declining seriously , especially to semi- intensive shrimp farming. What does this mean? NB: Thong's explanation "up to the time of the last field trio (Aug 6) shrimp disease still threatens shrimp-production _frmesespecialI t practice semi-intensive farming" doesn't seem to add any meaning. Although reforestation has been taking place slowly because of a limited budget, there has been good coooeration between villaaers and forest managers. Villagers living in coastal areas are encouraged to form groups which have responsibility for forest management Despite low payment for the work of reforestation, they always work hard because they are aware the importance of reforestation. Villagers also contribute to coastal protection project by giving advice to local authorities, for example, in the selection of appropriate tree species. Interviews conducted by the RA team showed that the coastal Protection Plan for My Long is well organized despite being small. According to work contracts, each household may take 10 ha of forest or more to manage and they will receive on average VND 50,000 per hectare per year. About 40 per cent of households have entered into work contracts. In the Buffer Zone, local authorities implemented project 327 which has to recover about 327 ha of sonneratiacea The national budget for 327 project distributed to My Long is too small. For example, it was sufficient to replant only 5 ha in 1996. Officers in My Long wish they could find other sources of financial support to increase the speed of reforestation. Appendir D: Detailed Social Review of Buffer Zone Component 151 Coastal Wetands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 The Nam Mang Thit Project may improve rice-production in Buffer Zone, expected since 1997. Forest Managers together with district authorities have implemented the "Giao Dat Giao Rung Program ' giving out forest lands to the peasant. what is meant by "giving out forest land"? Very few cases violatecl forest protection. 10.6.3.3 3.3 Incomie Generation/Economic Development Issues Paddy cultivatfon which has only one crop per year. For last 3 years, farmers in Buffer Zone have produced a single rice crop in the rainy season. Hopefully, after Nam Mang Thit project finished, farmiers would grow double-rice-crop in both rainy and dry seasons. The paddy yield tends to increase every year since 1993. However, pest attack still often threats paddy production. Each household has on average 2 ha of paddy field Livestock raising is still limited. Farmers belonged to average-cass could raises cows, pigs for cash income. However, cow farming is not out of afford of households belonged to poor-class. Poor households could not raise livestock due to economic constraints. Minimum capital for a couple of cows is 2 million dong. Fishery and aquaculture production has become one of major subsector of agriculture . Production from inland fisheries has been done within buffer zone and partly in coastal area . But most fishing activities have been done along coastal area. Other crops such as com, beans, cashews trees are also grown in Buffer Zone. But income from them seemed not very high. A";'nugh farmers have different sources of income as mentioned above . their livelihood seemed j- jbje. Retums from rice production were not enough to recover all costs. The RA team could see sc ae bare fields in Buffer Zone. The agricultural productions need big amount of capital meanwhile villagers can not reach that requirement. St '-np farming is another source of income despite three consecutive years of shrimp disease. Ac .-ally, 80% of former shrimp farming households stopped investing in this activity. The remaining 20% of households are continuing with extensive shrimp farming. Overfishing becornes serious and regulations conceming fisheries management are difficult to zrvS; . Local authorities are trying to control the problem but will be inefficient unless people's in -ne is Lss dependent on fishing activities. Credit systems do not work efficiently . The RA team received many complaints about unfair lending both in terms of choosing borrowers and of related procedures. Capital requirements for production are very high yet the banks would not lend money to people who are so poor. For example, to raise 152 Appendix D: Debtled Social Review of Buffer Zone Component GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component 2 pigs each household needs at least VND 2 million; to cultivate I ha of paddy requires VND 1.5 million. These are very significant amounts to poor households. Extension activities must increase in the future. Agro-Forestry Extension staff should come to meet villagers more regularly. Villagers said that they could meet technical officers or extension staff once or twice a year. As it stands, many production problems must be solved by the villagers themselves relying on their own experience. 10.6.3.4 Social Issues/Physical Infrastructure Needs Several issues have arisen that will need to be addressed as follows: * About 60 per cent of the people in the study site are poor while most of them are fishermen . They have no agricultural land or productive equipment for fishing . They are really willing to have a support from govemment Due to lack of capital for production they have less opportunities to imprve their living-standard. * My Long commune has just been divided into My Long town and new My Long Commune. It made come changes in personnel and therefore indirectly may effect to the implementation of project. * There are limited chances to diversify household sources of income in order to help villagers less dependent on subsistence fishing and thus be vulnerable to food shortage. - Most of poor producer ( both farmer and fisherman ) do not trust much on ability of borrowing money through govemments credit system. They often complain about its complicated procedure. But producers can not get enough money for production by borrowing from private sector due to high interest rate, which is up to 4% per month compared with the one from go agricultural-bank is 1.2% -1.7% per month. • Land in Buffer Zone tends to be unculfivated or unutilized not only because of capital problem but also caused by impetuous leaving of main labors to cities in order to get work there. * Needed credit for constructing 2 sluice gates at the beginning of supply and drainage canal branches. * As well as for dredge 2 canal branches. * Credit for enlarge extension staff as well their operation. * Improve the school which is so old and dilapidated. 10.6.4 Indicative Community Action Plan (ICAP) for My Long This section lists the proposed actions stemming from the expressed needs of the community. Appendix D: Detailed Social Review of Buffer Zone Component 153 Coastal Wetands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 10.6A.1 Resettlement Plan Define clearly standards of legal residency. Suggested basic conditions: * People must have iived there for long time and their farming must be known by local authorities. * People haveB no land-use-right certificate but pay tax regularly. * People who land-use-right and permanent resident certificates. Although the problem of resettlement is not too serous, local authority should have specific program for households living within Full Protection Zone. 10.6.4.2 Conservation/Coastal Protection Plan IYs very necessary to implement coastal protection plans, especially at hamlets 2, 4 and 5. They protection plans would include two sub-components, firstly for activities carried out within protected area, secondly, for other practices which are carried out Buffer Zone . We can not implement protection plans independently in each Zone, the farmer sub-component, activities are likely to include: * Improving protected area planning capacity by strengthening management plan and co- operation it into local strategies. * Operation and Managing must be collaborated with local farmers in Buffer Zone so that they have an additional source of income. Promoting public support for conversation through environmental education and conservation awareness campaigns, This means enlargemfent of agro-forestry extension staff and economic managers. * Carrying out combined operabon since there exist different projects in Tra Vinh and My Long particularly. * Recover the shrimp farming of nouseholds in Buffer Zone in appropriate way so that it can lower the pressure in Full Protection Zone. The RA team expect that coastal protection plans in My Long have some advantages and could implement better than other places like Soc Trang, Bac Lieu. 10.6.4.3 Income Generation!Economic Pvelopment Plan * Reorganize Credit system: It must be improved to satisfy people's needs . Many interviewers complained of unfair or inefficient activities in terms of choosing borrowers. On the other side, govemrnment have to support more through the lending money and lower interest rate. * Aim to test and disseminate smallholder - based agricultural and agro-forestry technique; and ensure delivery of useful supporting services and inputs including credit * Develop sustainable farmng systems, integration of livestock producton into existing 154 Appendix D: Dtailed Social Review of Buffr Zone Component GEC Ltd. Coastal Wetands Protecton and Development Project November, 1996 Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component farming systems; strengthen extension and service systems. * It is proposed that the activities of Buffer Zone Development Component are closed to economic development. Thus, they should be initialed on commune level by commune basic and by a community planing. To do that, local authority must establish a planing division which includes experienced villagers. * Carry out land allocation, agro-forestry extension, environment training. 10.6.4A 4.4 Social Issues/ Physical Infrastructure Plan * Basic needs relating to community health, education as well the cultural needs will be attended to by programs delivered to. For example, needs to have a social find to rebuild the school, health station and improve present roads within commune. * Project activities should encourage activities of the association as Women Union, Farmer Association. 10.6.4.5 Summary of ICAP Interventions To summarize, the community would like to see the following interventions. Civil Works * rebuild the school, health station and inprove present roads within commune * carrying out combined operation since therm exist dfferent projects in Tra Vmh and My Long particularly. * recover the shrimp farming of households in Buffer Zone to reduce pressure in FPZ Equipment Consultants Training * promote public awareness through general environmental education and conservation campaigns * extension services in i) smallholder agricultural and agro-forestry technique; ii) sustainable faming systerms; ii) integration of livestock production into existing famting systems 0 and M . reorganize credit system to address complaints of unfair selection of borrowers and support govemment through subsidized lending rates * ensure delivery of useful supporting services and inputs Administration . define clearly standards of legai residence to include: i) long taem residency; ii) productive farning activities wefl-known to local authorities; lii) those without lrnd-use-rht cerSticate but who pay tax regulary; iv) those with land-uright and permanent resident cerifcates. * coastal pmbtction plans. especiatly in hamets 2,4 and 5 * Improve protected area planning capacity by strengthening management plan and co-operation * carry out land afocation * establish a planning division that includes experienced vilagers. Initiate them in basic community planning Ensure that BZ is closed to cononic development * Support of activities of the association as Women Union, Farmier Association Appendix D: Detled *vcial Review of Buffer Zone Component 155 Coasbl Wetands Protecton and Development Project GEC Ltd. Environmental and Social Review of Buffer Zone Component November, 1996 10.6.5 Work and Travel Schedule 3August _ Travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Tr Vinh * Meet Mr. Nguyen The Nam, vice-head of Forest Protection Division of Tra Vinh to discuss about resettlement, income generation and other issues in My Long and Dong Hai * Ovemight in Tra Vinh 4 August * Travel to Dong Hai which belonged to Duyen Hai District and go to study site (Ho Tau Hamlet) by boat * Meeting with 7 farmers * Discuss with local authorities (Mr. Dung, Mr. Bui) * Ovemight in Dong Hai 5 August * Continue to do RA with local residents (18 tanners) * Attended Opening-Celebration of the summer-class in Dong Hai * Meeting with more than 40 farmers during the celebration * Ovemight in Dong Hai 6 August * Travel to My Long Commune * Meeting with Mr. Mai Minh Tanh and Mr. Nguyen Van Ha, leaders of My Long Commune * Ovemight in My Long 7 August * Meeting with 12 households * Come back to Tra Vrnh Town * Ovemight in Tra Vinh 8 August * Meeting with relabting authorities (Mr. Leo, Mr. Phat, Mr. Linh, Mr. Nam) to discuss some more details _______ * Retum to Ho Chi Minh City 10.6.6 List of Interviewees r- li 1 Duong Van Nghia male ..Hamlet 4 Farmer and fisherman 2 Quang Quoc Binh male Hamlet 4 Fanner 3 Tran Van Da male Hamlet 4 Farmer and fisherman 4 Phan Van My male Hamlet 2 Farmer 5 Pham Van Tron male Hamlet 5 Farner and fisherman 6 Nguyen Van Kha male Hamlet 5 Farmer and fisherman 7 Nguyen Thi Ngoc female Hamlet 4 Farmer and fisherman 8 Huynh Van Bien male Hamlet 2 Farmer 9 Do Thi Ngoan female Hamlet 3 Fisherman 10 Duong Hong Ngoc female Hamlet 3 Fisherman 11 Nguyen Van Son male Hamlet 2 Fisherman 12 Tran Van Lan male Hamlet 4 Farmer 156 Appendie D: Deftlled Socia Review of Bufer Zone Component