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Economic Values of Soil Erosion in Inle Lake Watershed at Nyaung Shwe Township, Myanmar
Thesis Abstract:
The study was conducted to estimate the economic values of soil erosion and sedimentation in Inle Lake Watershed at Nyaung Shwe Township, Myanmar. On-site impacts of soil erosion in the uplands of the eastern side of Inle Lake were valuated using replacement cost method, change in productivity method, and defensive expenditure method depending on the vegetative covers. Using the replacement cost method, the on-site cost of soil erosion in fallowed land was estimated at MMK 147,337 (USD 147.34)/ha/y. For land covered by various crops, cost was MMK 72,474 (USD 72.47)/ha/y. Using the change in productivity method, the weighted average on-site cost of soil erosion in rice and garlic farms without terraces was estimated to be MMK 742,272 (USD742.27)/ha/y. The weighted average on-site cost of soil erosion in selected farms was calculated as equal to MMK 30,585 (USD 30.59)/ ha/y. Defensive expenditure method was used to estimated the weighted average onsite cost of soil erosion [MMK 88,892 (USD 88.89)] in terraced farms. The estimated aggregate on-site cost in the upland of the eastern side of the Inle Lake was MMK 510 million (USD 510,402.68)/y.
The off-site cost of sedimentation was determined from the average actual government expenditure for construction of sediment trap dams on streams flowing into the lake and for dredging the sediment inside the lake. The average annual offsite cost of sedimentation in the eastern portion of Inle Lake was MMK 6 million (USD 6,260.75) in 2006 constant terms.
The value of silt soil as the growing medium and source of soil nutrient for the floating garden agriculture was an off-site benefit of soil erosion and sedimentation. This benefit amounted to MMK 452,944 (USD 452.94)/ha of the floating gardens in the eastern side of Inle Lake during one cropping season.
The results of the study showed that the costs of soil erosion are very significant in the eastern side of the Inle Lake. The off-site benefits of sedimentation cannot offset the social cost. Soil erosion and sedimentation in the eastern side of Inle Lake had a negative net social impact amounting to MMK 57 million (USD 57,457.93)/y.
Thus, it was recommended that the government should exert more effort in minimizing soil erosion and sedimentation in the area.