Developing local capacity to conserve riparian and forest vegetation

Flooded forests and fisheries are closely linked with fisheries productivity dependent on the level of flooded forest cover. These are important spawning and nursing habitats for many species of fish, some of which are considered endangered within the Mekong Basin because of the nutrients they input into the system and the refuges they provide.

Increased human pressure on the forest systems is leading to encroachment and degradation of riverine/channel/island vegetation. Deforestation around the wetland areas and flooded forest decrease as well as non-timber forest product (NTFP) collection are all affecting the vegetation. The WAP will work with the relevant local change agents to build local capacity to conserve riparian and forest vegetation which would have most impact to wetland and aquatic resources. Specifically WAP will build capacity of provincial departments of fisheries and environment to raise public awareness towards importance of such vegetation and to capacity to manage such vegetation, including within the protected area (Ramsar site).