(VientianeTimes) A scheme to regulate the Nam Theun and Nam Kading river basin in Borikhamxay and Savannakhet provinces is the first of its kind to be introduced in Laos.

The initiative, called the Nam Theun-Kading River Basin Management Project, aims to monitor the quantity and quality of water in the basin to ensure local communities are not affected by low water levels or floods.

Director General of the Water Resources Department, Mr Phonechaleun Nonthaxay, and Director of the Environment Protection Fund Office, Mr Soukkata Vichit, signed an agreement for the project last Friday at the Water Resources and Environment Administration in Vientiane.

T he World Bank has provided US$340,000 of grant aid for technical assistance from 2010 to 2012, with a view to building up the project so it is viable into the future.

“The project will operate in two areas of Borikhamxay and Savannakhet provinces and we are setting up a secretariat to manage the basin in these areas,” said Mr Phonechaleun.

The Governor of Borikhamxay province will be the president of the Nam Theun-Kading River Basin Management Committee under a prime ministerial decree.

After five years, the Governor of Savannakhet province will become committee president, also in-line with the decree.

“The project aims to ensure the water in the basin is used to best advantage and there are no adverse effects on the environment,” Mr Phonechaleun said.

The project will prevent flooding and water shortages by formulating plans to control the water level.

“Water issues are becoming a matter of great concern in many parts of the world. Climate change is affecting water resources and causing flooding, drought, heavy rainfall and sparse rains, so it makes it very difficult for us to evaluate situations that relate to water,” he said.

Mr Phonechaleun said the project would also develop strategies and plans for river basin development.

“We will coordinate with other sectors to effectively manage the use of water. We have to make sure we balance the use of water, whether for agriculture or to generate electricity. If you want to build a dam, you have to be able to release a strong flow of water.”

He said the idea of water resource management was to avoid negative impacts on the environment. This was in-line with government priorities concerning water resource management, whose objectives were to ensure the environment was not compromised.

Mr Soukkata said he wanted officials and authorities to cooperate in effectively managing the project, for the benefit of the environment and sustainable development.