1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

1.4 Declaration on sustainability of the described Technology

Is the Technology described here problematic with regard to land degradation, so that it cannot be declared a sustainable land management technology?

No

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Water source protection involves protecting lakes, rivers, springs, or man-made reservoirs to avoid water pollution and damage by livestock and wild animals. In the past, the emphasis was on fencing and improving vegetation cover at the discharge point itself, but a recent focus is on groundwater recharge areas.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Water source protection involves protecting lakes, rivers, springs or man-made reservoirs to avoid water pollution and damage by livestock and wild animals. In the past this included fencing and enhancing vegetation cover at the discharge point – that is, where the water starts flowing. However, today, water source protection also focuses on improving groundwater recharge areas. The water source protection technology has many benefits. In addition to providing a clean and regular supply of drinking and irrigation water, it also enhances the vegetation cover of the catchment area.
Strategies target maintaining adequate water levels in underground water reservoirs to ensure a continuous flow of streams and springs. In Yakpugang Community Forest, the technology has been applied specifically in the southern mountainous part of the village. An area of 638 acres (255 hectares) has been established as the recharge zone, and three springs have been identified for source protection. Native tree species have been planted annually in the degraded watershed to improve forest conditions. The main purpose is to protect the quality and quantity of the water for both drinking and irrigation purposes. The technology is supported by an approach that involves collective efforts of the community who realize that if their drinking and irrigation water supply is to be sustainable, they must work together.
The main purpose is to ensure a continuous supply of water for drinking and irrigation to the community. This is achieved through managing the catchment areas where rainwater soaks through the ground to reach a groundwater reservoir, and one of the key interventions is protecting the water sources from wild animals and livestock.
The water source protection technology involves 1) meeting different stakeholders, 2) signing agreements between the stakeholders, 3) site selection and survey, 4) planting of native tree species, and 5) conducting annual monitoring and evaluation. Inputs like fencing materials, planting materials, and human resources are required for the implementation and maintenance of the technology.
The technology is liked because it helps provide a continuous supply of both clean drinking and irrigation water. Furthermore, protecting water sources by the community is rewarded in monetary form by the nearby town as part of the Payment for Environmental Services (PES). This incentive helps the community to generate income which is ploughed back into the improvement and maintenance of water sources. What is disliked is the reduction in grazing land since the land users are not allowed to graze their cattle inside the water source areas.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

Country:

Bhutan

Region/ State/ Province:

Mongar Dzongkhag (District)

Further specification of location:

Yakpugang village

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• applied at specific points/ concentrated on a small area

Is/are the technology site(s) located in a permanently protected area?

No

Map

×

2.6 Date of implementation

Indicate year of implementation:

2007

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:

• less than 10 years ago (recently)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

The project was conducted with technical assistance from SNV Bhutan and and funded through Blue Moon Funding with Watershed Management Division of the Department of Forests and Park Services. Later Mongar Regional Referral Hospital was also involved as one of the major water users.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• conserve ecosystem
• protect a watershed/ downstream areas – in combination with other Technologies
• reduce risk of disasters
• adapt to climate change/ extremes and its impacts
• create beneficial social impact

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

No

Cropland

• Annual cropping
• Tree and shrub cropping

Annual cropping - Specify crops:

• vegetables - leafy vegetables (salads, cabbage, spinach, other)
• vegetables - root vegetables (carrots, onions, beet, other)

• Chillies

Tree and shrub cropping - Specify crops:

• pome fruits (apples, pears, quinces, etc.)
• stone fruits (peach, apricot, cherry, plum, etc)

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

Specify:

Vegetables are cultivated in one growing season, however, fruit trees are perennial.

Is intercropping practiced?

No

Is crop rotation practiced?

Yes

If yes, specify:

The cole crops are rotated with root vegetables and legumes.

Waterways, waterbodies, wetlands

• Drainage lines, waterways

Main products/ services:

Irrigation channels for farming and drinking water pipes

3.3 Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

• No (Continue with question 3.4)

3.4 Water supply

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:

• mixed rainfed-irrigated

Comments:

The community was benefited greatly from the technology, and thus farming is mostly irrigated and rainfed is done, when rain falls in the area.

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• improved ground/ vegetation cover
• irrigation management (incl. water supply, drainage)
• surface water management (spring, river, lakes, sea)

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

vegetative measures

• V1: Tree and shrub cover
• V2: Grasses and perennial herbaceous plants

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by water

• Wt: loss of topsoil/ surface erosion
• Wg: gully erosion/ gullying

water degradation

• Ha: aridification
• Hs: change in quantity of surface water
• Hp: decline of surface water quality

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:

• prevent land degradation
• reduce land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

GIS map of the recharge zone of the Yakpugang spings
Yakpugang village, Mongar Gewog (Block), Mongar Dzongkhag (District), Bhutan

Author:

Ugyen Norten

Date:

07/10/2023

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology unit

If relevant, indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (e.g. 1 USD = 79.9 Brazilian Real): 1 USD =:

82.08

4.3 Establishment activities

Comments:

The establishment activities were done with the technical assistance from SNV Bhutan and the Department of Forests and Park Services since the water source falls under the community forest.

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

If you are unable to break down the costs in the table above, give an estimation of the total costs of establishing the Technology:

258500.0

If land user bore less than 100% of costs, indicate who covered the remaining costs:

The project was funded through Blue Moon in collaboration with Watershed Management Division of the Department of Forests and Park Services and Global Environment Facility (GEF) was also involved.

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

4.6 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

Comments:

Since the water source is a community asset, an individual from each household goes to the water source area for annual maintenance. This happens three times a year, and no cost goes into it except labour contribution from each household during which they bring their own tools and food.

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

None.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• concave situations

5.3 Soils

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is flooding of the area occurring?

No

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Water quantity and quality have been greatly improved with the intervention of water source protection. These three water sources provide drinking water to Mongar town and Mongar hospital.

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

5.7 Average area of land used by land users applying the Technology

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:

• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• communal (organized)

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

Yes

Specify:

The traditional legal system in our country is as per the Land Act and Land Rules and Regulations which dictate the land use in the country.

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Water availability and quality

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Climate and disaster risk reduction

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Gradual climate change

Gradual climate change

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

Climatological disasters

Hydrological disasters

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?

Comments:

The income earned from the project goes into community development and the community forest, and the expense for the project is already funded.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• > 50%

If available, quantify (no. of households and/ or area covered):

102 households

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?

• 0-10%

6.6 Adaptation

Has the Technology been modified recently to adapt to changing conditions?

No

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Norten, U. (2021). Impact of Water Management strategies- Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) in Bhutan. International Journal of Science and Innovative Research, 2(8), 109-144.

Available from where? Costs?

https://ijesir.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/0100072IJESIRnew.pdf

Title, author, year, ISBN:

WWF. (2017). Valuing Ecosystem Services in Chamkharchhu Sub Basin: Mapping Sediment Using InVEST. WWF.

Available from where? Costs?

https://wwfasia.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/final_invest_report_final_draft_may_17_spread_compressed_2.pdf

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

Source Water Protection

URL:

https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/source-water-protection

Title/ description:

Water Source Protection

URL:

https://sswm.info/arctic-wash/module-4-technology/further-resources-water-sources/water-source-protection

Title/ description:

Basic Information about Source Water Protection

URL:

https://www.epa.gov/sourcewaterprotection/basic-information-about-source-water-protection

Title/ description:

Conserving water resources with PES, an example from Yakpugang

URL:

https://kuenselonline.com/conserving-water-resources-with-pes-an-example-from-yakpugang/