Rapid cumulative impact assessment of wetlands of cascade hydropower projects in Mandalay region | |
| Author | Khin Sandar Myint |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.EV-19-09 |
| Subject(s) | Cumulative effects assessment (Environmental assessment)--Myanmar--Mandalay Wetland hydrology--Myanmar--Mandalay Hydrology--Myanmar--Mandalay |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering in Environmental Engineering and Management |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Cumulative Impact Assessment of composite wetlands (rivers, stream/creeks, canals, marshes, oxbow lakes, etc.) by the development of cascade hydro projects is studied in Mandalay Region. Multiple impacts including positive and negative effects on wetlands are examined by recording their ecosystem services and functions. Various impacts have been affected to Valued Ecosystem Components (VECs) over a period and thus cumulative impact on the environment. Nature of cumulative impacts is a major matter in the study area. ?is study has been proposed a conceptual scheme of Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA). To quantify drivers of effects and interactions between them, a technique of participatory appraisal has been applied in this study. Using combination of various assessment tools are used to implement CIA. ?is research used integrated approach to study the cumulative impact assessment in which Geographic information systems (GIS) is also used know the status of land use and land cover and its change retrospectively. Landsat satellite images are used to map land use and land cover with at least10-year interval(1996, 2006, 2018). ?e scoping of potential and actual drivers of changes and VECs are carried out using participatory appraisal and quantifying strengths of impacts and their interactions by combining with field investigation. Water quality especially dissolved oxygen and turbidity is also assessed. Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix (RIAM) is used to define the level of impact and significance. ?is approach indicates to be a rapid, straightforward, reliable and throughout past, present and future state. Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Respond (DPSIR) framework is used for impact assessment on the multifunction of the selected wetlands. With support of remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS). it is concluded that flood extent and intensity have been reduced due to the damming in upstream, satellite images with decreasing wetland area provided strong evidence for this. Sediment flow rate in downstream also reduced due to the trapping in the dam, normalized difference turbidity index confirm the reduction of sediment in stream, the value for Normalized Difference Turbidity Index (NDTI) in the whole downstream river was greater than 0.45 which is now reduced, around 50% part of the river is now less turbid, except where other tributaries are joining Myitnge river. ?ese tributaries are now bringing more sediments due to erosion and agricultural runoff. Land use and land cover analysis shows the transformation of wetlands to the built-up area, paddy fields, and orchards. ?e socio- economic components in the study area are impacted positively while environmental components negatively. ?e need of building the dam is unquestionable in the scenario of climate change and increasing population, but this highly needed and somewhat environmentally sustainable development is also causing cumulative impacts by decreasing (positive) the disaster (floods), enhancing the quality of life, with negatively impacting the environment through hydrological and physical changes. |
| Year | 2019 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Environmental Engineering and Management (EV) |
| Chairperson(s) | Shipin, Oleg V.; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Ekbordin Winijkul;Virdis, Salvatore G.P.; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE), Norway; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2019 |