Ca Ma project Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis kicks off with field trip in Lao PDR

The visit included two provincial consultation workshops and a one-day field trip in Houaphan. The objectives were to introduce the project, prepare baseline collection on water resources and environmental management, and identify opportunities, challenges, and data availability to inform the TDA.

In both provinces, participants highlighted the extensive use of fertilizers and agrochemicals,  and pressures from hydropower and mining, irrigation development and flooding due to sudden dam releases and heavy rainfall events. Forests are being cleared for agriculture, especially cassava, causing biodiversity loss and increased erosion. Communities rely heavily on the river, but face inequities in water allocation. Water quality degradation from agrochemicals, untreated wastewater, and mining is a recurring concern. Provincial stakeholders emphasized the need for stronger data monitoring, transparent sharing mechanisms, and improved cross-border coordination with Vietnam.

A one-day field trip to Houaphan to gather additional information confirmed the presence  of automated meteorological data collection stations, sand mining operations, agricultural expansion into forest land, and insufficient  wastewater treatment facilities in certain locations. 

The visit underscored that the main challenge in water monitoring lies not in the lack of data but difficulties accessing, standardizing, and sharing data across agencies. The initial findings reinforce the need for formalized data-sharing protocols, harmonized metadata, and pilot cross-border cooperation in water monitoring and forest management that will be informed in the TDA.