Climate change adaptation on water resource management : a case study of Pakokku Township, Magway Region, Myanmary

Abstract

The Earth’s temperature has increased in recent decades and the climate has changed. The adverse effects of climate change on natural systems have also become evident since the mid of the twentieth century. Water resources are mainly affected by climate change, particularly in the central part of Myanmar that faced with water shortage. The objective of the research is to study climate change adaptation on water resource management at the Pakokku Township, Magway Region, Myanmar. The four villages, namely Shin Ma Kan, Pan Tine Chone, Paung Laung Kan and Kyee were selected as the study area because of drought and water shortage in the dry season. The 61 respondents including local governmental officers, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) officers and local people were selected by using a purposive sampling method. An in-depth interview using a set of semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain relevant data in the study area. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive and content analysis. The study found that 98% of the respondents knew about changing the climate. 100% of them knew climate change impacts such as freshwater shortage, heat waves and crop production decreasing. Regarding climate change adaptation, 100% of government officers mentioned changing seed varieties resisting to climate change in agriculture sector. 89% of them mentioned water-saving irrigation in agriculture and making good tillage in farms to maintain soil moisture content. 90% of farmers mentioned living properly in extreme weather conditions, while 88% of them mentioned changing seed varieties resisting to climate change. 100% of people who work in livestock husbandries mentioned harrowing and ploughing before monsoon coming, and changing the sowing dates of crop plantation. Considering water resource management practices adapting to climate change, 92% of the respondents mentioned using water efficiently, 86% of them mentioned water saving, 84% of them mentioned reducing water leakage. Regarding the policies related to climate change adaptation, all respondents (100%) mentioned that there was no policy on climate change adaptation that being implemented by the government in the study area. However, Myanmar’s National Adaptation Programme of Action, Myanmar National Water Policy and the water-related policy of Department of Rural Development would relate to climate change adaptation on water resource management. For examples, climate-smart agriculture and water-saving irrigation techniques. The study would recommend that the action plans on disaster risk reduction, preparedness, relief and rehabilitation should be implemented properly to reduce impacts and to enhance the capacities of all stakeholders.