ISSN 0912-7402

No.49 June 2006

NEWSLETTER
International Lake Environment Committee=Promoting Sustainable Lake Management=This Newsletter is also available in Japanese.

Toward Fiscal 2006・
・・ Hironori Hamanaka, Director General of ILEC
Lakes have truly diverse values.
Some lakes are used for fishing and leisurewhile others are used for water and flood
control. Lakes also have cultural value, offering
scenic beauty to visitors and providing gorgeous
backgrounds for characters in novels
Among these diverse values, however, you
may say that the most important value of lakes
lies in the function as water resources. Ninety
percent (90%) of the liquid freshwater on thesurface of the earth is thought to exist in lakes.
Since freshwater is easily available, it sustains
the life of living creatures and is used for
agriculture and industries. Thus, freshwater is
indispensable for our life.
Today, over 6.5 billion people live on earth.
Issues and problems about water resources andlakes are becoming increasingly importantbecause the survival of human beings and thefuture of civilizations hinge on solutions to suchproblems.

Thus, lakes are vital for people. However,lakes are facing mounting issues and problems
in many parts of the world.
For example, an increasing number of lakes
have been polluted due to the expanding
activities of people. Some lakes have shrunk or
disappeared due to droughts and excessive useof water. Hazardous materials have also flowed
into many lakes. Many invasive species havebeen uncontrolled and changing the ecology oflakes. Notwithstanding that these problems haveemerged in different environments and fromdifferent social conditions surrounding the use oflakes, all of these problems are of vital concern
to those who live by lakes and depend on thewater from these lakes and their basins.
Ever since the International Lake
Environment Committee Foundation (ILEC) was
formed in 1986, ILEC has continued over thelast two decades to appeal to the international
community for the importance and means of

Tsudae, an attached lake of Lake Biwa near ILEC

IN
THIS
ISSUE

sound environmental management andsustainable use of lakes.
Administrative officials in charge of watersupply around the world have gradually begun
to understand the role and significance of lakes.
ILEC's efforts bore fruit in the declaration
adopted at the 11th World Lake Conference,
held for the first time on the African continent in2005 in Nairobi, Kenya,. The declaration evenpointed out that the preservation of lake
environments is a central theme in issues andproblems of water in the international
community.
Based on ILEC's achievements over the lasttwenty years, ILEC firmly believes that it isentrusted with the mission of defining andpropagating principles and methods forappropriate management of lakes and theirbasins for sustainable use.
More specifically, ILEC is determined to takethe initiative in solving problems concerning
lakes around the world based on two concepts,
the World Lake Vision and Integrated Lake
Basin Management. With these two driving
principles in mind, ILEC will continue to seek
cooperation with individuals and NGOs.
ILEC’s support of activities is still in a difficult
financial posision. As we will continue to makeevery effort in securing revenue via fundmanagement and other means, ILEC would liketo ask for your continuing financial support andcontributions.

■ Toward Fiscal 2006・
・・■ Outline of ILEC’s Projects for Fiscal 2006
■ GEF-Lake Basin Management Initiative Project Report and CD-ROM Completed■ The latest move in ILEC Scientific Committee■ The Survey on Promoting Partnership between Citizens and Local Governments in LakeManagement commissioned from the Ministry of the Environment■ Sessions held by ILEC on the 11th World Lake Conference■ JICA - Integrated Lake Basin Management Course■ One World Festival■ Lakes of the World: Chilika Lagoon, India■ “World Lake Vision Action Report” Kicked-off■ ILEC deeply appreciates your continued contributions.
1Outline of ILEC’s Projects for Fiscal 2006
The ILEC Board of Directors’ meeting and the council, both held on March 14, 2006, examined and approved
projects and budgets for fiscal 2006, which are outlined as follows:

Promoting activities based on the World

Building

World

Lake

Databaseand

1 Lake Vision

4 Knowledge Base

To promote activities based on the principles of the World LakeILEC will work for the formation of a uniquely interconnected

Vision, announced jointly by ILEC, Shiga Prefectural Government,

World Lake Database and Knowledge Base system to solveand UNEP International Environmental Technology Centre (IETC)

problems of the present World Lake Database of ILEC.

and other supporting organizations at the 3rd World Water Forum
held in March 2003, ILEC has prepared Actions for the World Lake
Vision to provide guidelines for preserving lakes and reservoirs.

5 Lake Research Awarding ProjectILEC also plans to hold a workshop in September 2006 at LakeAt the request of Shiga Prefectural Government, ILEC is going to

Chapalla in Mexico, to promote the World Lake Vision in theadministrate the steering committee for the 14th Ecological Lake

Central and South American regions.

Biwa Prize, promote PR activities, and steer the screening
committee.

Propagating and promoting Integrated Lake

2 Basin Management (ILBM)

6 Implementing JICA Training Programs

ILEC will translate reports on the Global Environmental Facility

ILEC will implement Integrated Lake Basin Management Course(GEF) projects into different languages in order to promote ILBM, aand Environment Education Course Focused on Fresh Water

type of management attained through projects financed by GEF.

EnvironmentⅡ at the request of the Japan International

ILEC will also hold subcommittee sessions at Stockholm during

Cooperation Agency (JICA), an independent administrative

World Water Week in August 2006.

institution in Japan. These training programs target administrative
officials, researchers, teachers, and other engineers from

3

Planning and Cooperating for the 12th
World Lake Conference

In cooperation with the Ministry of Environment and Forests ofgovernments and high-level educational institutions in developing
countries.
To implement these projects, ILEC has appropriatedthe Government of India, a cosponsor of the 12th World Lake

¥57,842,000 of general accounting budget and ¥71,410,000 of

Conference, ILEC is preparing for the conference to be held inspecial accounting budget for fiscal 2006.

2007 in Jaipur, India.
During World Water Week, ILEC will hold a kick-off meeting that
calls for participation.

GEF-Lake Basin Management
Initiative Project Report and CDROM Completed !!
The GEF-Lake Basin Management Initiative Project
Report and CD-ROM have been completed. Pleasecontact ILEC secretariat for more information. You canalso download the full-text of the report (English andJapanese [tentative translation]) from ILEC website
www.ilec.or.jp as well.

2

The latest movein ILEC Scientific Committee
ILEC Scientific Committee General
T heMeetings were held on 31 October

Conference to be held in India in 2007;

status of preparation in India for the 12th

Workshop in World Water Week in

World Lake Conference to be held inand 5 November 2005 on the occasion of

Stockholm in August 2006; Distribution of

Jaipur, India.

the 11th World Lake Conference in

the Journal “Lakes & Reservoirs” and so

Nairobi, Kenya.

There were 14

on. Also, delegates for the 11th World

participants, and the following items were

Lake Conference from the government of

the issue of restructuring
I nandparticular,
reorganization of the ILEC

discussed:andIndia joined the second meeting on 5

Scientific Committee was also discussed inreorganization of the ILEC Scientific

Restructuring

November and provided the SciComthe SciCom Bureau Meetings which were

Committee; the 12th World Lake

members with information and on theheld through 17 to 19 March 2006 on theoccasion of the 4th World Water Forum in
Mexico. The discussion took the balanceamong the field of study, region, andgender into account based on theinformation regarding current members’
intention to continue or resign as amember and the recommended candidates
for new members, which were collectedfrom all the current members in advance.
There was also an idea proposed for the
new vision for the restructured SciCom as
well.
SciCom General Meeting will
T hetentatively be held in Stockholm on
the occasion of Stockholm World Water
Week in August 2006. All the current
members and the new members will bemeeting and further discussing the futuregoals and plans.

Scientific Committee General Meeting (in Nairobi)

The Survey on Promoting Partnership between Citizens andLocal Governments in Lake Management commissioned from
the Ministry of the Environment
objective of this survey is to findT heout the applicability of the experience,

Lake Laguna (the Philippines); and Lakethe outcomes and lessons were selected

Toba (Indonesia). Firstly, a fact sheet wasfrom each report and compiled as

lessons, and the efforts made for building

distributed to each case reporter in order torecommendation.

and maintaining partnerships between

collect general information on the lake

local people and local governments in lakebasin and the activities of the lake basin

basin management by comparing andenvironment conservation by stakeholders

report of this survey tries toT hecapture the issues relating to lake

contrasting them as reported from several

in the area. Following the fact sheet, abasin management in diverse viewpoints

lake basins in the Asia and Pacific region.

case report with detail information of theirby including chapters on the challenges for

activities was submitted. The background

local people in utilizing Geographicalsurvey focuses on five lakes in theT hisAsia region: Lake Biwa (Japan); Lakeand detail activities for the partnership

Information System (GIS) for the lake

betweenbasin management and on the lessons

Poyang (China); Lake Daecheong (Korea);government, the similarity and differences,local

peopleand

local

from the GEF-LBMI project.
3

Sessions held by ILEC on the 11th World Lake Conference
World Lake Vision Special Session
World Lake Vision Special Session
T he
was held in the Amphitheatre ofnecessary to achieve its goal. He(YDI) for the development of Indonesian

concluded by saying speech that the WLV

Lake Vision. Ms. Michael (Mexico) called

Kenyatta International Conference Centre

and

Basin

for the application of the WLV principles toon the evening of October 30th 2005. It

Management should go together as thesustainably manage Lake Chapala. Mr.

was co-organized by ILEC and Shiga

two wheels of the vehicle to facilitate the

Lwanga (Uganda) discussed how the WLV

Prefectural Government. Its objective wasmanagement of lakes and resources forprinciples are being applied in their lake

to bring together on-going activities basedsustainable use.

management mechanism (LAGBIMO) ofthe

Integrated Lakeon the World Lake Vision (WLV) around

Lake George. Mr. Kuria (Kenya) reported

the world and to further the implementation

the development of “Nakuru Vision” and(Philippines) presented theM s.effortSantos
to practice and disseminate theaction plans based on it.

WLV’s guiding principles in the Philippines,

P development of the WLV, reiterated inincluding the creation of a Philippine Lakes

case presentations, ILEC
A fterannounced to prepare the WLVVision. Mr. Anshari (Indonesia) reported

Actionhis keynote speech that the WLV is a callthe initiative to form a lake forum at

implementation of the WLV principles. The

to action and a continuing effort isnational level, Yayasan Danau Indonesia

report will be presented at the next Worldof the WLV. The session had one keynote
speech and five case presentations.
rof. Rast (USA), drafting chair for theReporttoencouragetheLake Conference in India in 2007. FinallyProf. Magadza’s wrapped up thepresentations to close the session.
with the session, the translation
A longversions of the World Lake Visionwere displayed in front of the session
venue. By now it has been translated into
10 different languages, which indicatesthat WLV is one of the most multi-languagetranslated set of documents of this kind. At
the end of the Conference, the WLV wasappreciated in the “Nairobi Resolution” as
one of important contributions in promoting
the sustainable lake management.

World Lake Vision Session

Public Participation in Lake Management (Session 5-A)
session was co-organized by ILEC
T he
and Shiga Prefectural Government on

Kenya. Mr. Calcagno (UNEP) clarified the

Biwa. Mr. Troell (USA) gave anconcept of “public acceptance” throughintroduction to the establishment of

31 November 2005. It was chaired by Dr.

experiences in the UNEP-Dams andcommunity-based fisheries management

Shinji Ide (Japan) and Dr. Ong’ang’aDevelopment Project. Mr. Naruse (Japan)

institutions in the three East African(Kenya) with eight oral presentations which

introduced firefly related activities

Community States surrounding Lakecovered wide range of topics in relation to

conducted

Akanoi-Biwako

Victoria. Mr. Fujiyama (Japan) showedpublic participation in lake management.

Environmental Citizens’ Initiative in Japan.

effectiveness of Web-GIS systems for

The session room was full of participants,

Dr. Ide (Japan) analyzed the features of

information sharing in participatory lakeindicating that public participation is one of“Basin Consociations” around Lake Biwa,

management. Mr. Tola (Kenya) compared

the hottest topics in lake management.

Japan, in the context of traditional andthe roles of local communities in lake basin

modern community-based organizations

management between Kenya and Japan.

M stakeholders driven management(CBOs). Mr. Ono (Japan) brought forth theplan for Lake Kanyaboli and theconsensus building between local citizens

the discussion that followed
I npresentations,
it was pointed out thatsurrounding Yala swamp wetland inand government on sewage works for Lake1) capacity building of traditional CBOs isr. Romulus (Kenya) presented an all

4byresults of questionnaire survey foressential for watershed management, 2)
however, traditional CBOs by themselves
cannot achieve the goals due to theirlimitations, there is a need to organize new
CBOs, 3) the terms “participation” and“involvement” should be used carefully as
they are top-down approach terms used bygovernments but not by people, 4)involvement of multiple CBOs is crucial forbasin-wide activities, however, then somepolitical issues come in. Nevertheless, all
the participants in the session agreed that
local communities play the key role in lakebasin management and organization of
local population should be made based on
traditional CBOs in the area.
Public Participation in Lake Management Session

Citizen/NGOs meeting
meeting was co-organized by ILEC
T he
and ITDG-Practical Action (Kenya)

performance. Mr. Naruse (Japan) talked(Lake Turkana, Kenya) presented

about GIS application to improve water“Turkana

with the support of Living Lakes

quality and protect fireflies in their

Project” for the sustainable fishing(International network on lakes) on

community near Lake Biwa. Mr. Fujiyama

involving communities. Dr. Ong’ang’aNovember 1, 2005. The objective was to(Japan) introduced how Web-GIS is(OSIENALA, Kenya) introduced capacity

share information and experiences among

effective in promoting participatory lakebuilding efforts within communities in West

citizens and NGOs in Lake Management.

management. The session confirmed the

Kenya. Mr. Kamuren (Lake Bogoria,

The meeting had two sessions, 1)

usefulness of GIS in sharing information

Kenya) emphasized the importance ofApplication of GIS (Geographic Information

among citizens, but also they noted that

culture to empower the locals in managing

System) in lake management, and 2)

information stored in good structure of data

the natural resources. Mr. Kisembo (LakeNGO’s Lake Management Activities inbases is not useful unless some actions

George, Uganda) addressed the need for

East-African countries.

are taken guided by the information.

empowerment of the local community to

Community

Conservation

implement the sustainable programmes in
1st session had three caseT hepresentations. Mr. Kuria (Kenya)

2nd session focused on NGO-led
T heinitiatives and activities forwater and sanitation. Mr. Troke (Lakepresented their activities in Nakuru using

sustainable lake management being

Lake Magadi caused by mining of soda

GIS for monitoring urban environment

undertaken in East Africa. Mr. Bernedictfactory. Mr. Gawaya (Uganda) focused on

Magadi, Kenya) discussed the problems oftrans-border issues in environment
conservation. Mr. Orwa (Tanzania)
reported about an initiative to strengthen
capacity of the riparian communities. Mr.
Kags (Ministry of Water and Livestock
Development, Tanzania) introduced
conservation measures taken by his
Ministry for Lake Natron.
learned that a wide range
P articipantsof activities are taking place in East
Africa. They also recognized a need for
networking

NGOs

and

enhancing

information exchange so that NGOs canbenefit

each

other

and

providecomplimentary activities to the government
Citizens / NGOs meeting

more effectively.
5

JICA - Integrated Lake Basin Management Course
ILEC has held the Lake Water Quality

countries.

The period of this fiscal year’s course

Management Course commissioned by

In 2005, ILEC reviewed the contents

was from January 16 to March 17. Eightthe Japan International Cooperationof the course. It was decided to continue

trainees from 7 countries participated,

Agency (JICA) from 1991 to 2005. The

under the title of JICA - Integrated Lakeone each from Brazil, Colombia,

number of participants who haveBasin Management Course, mainly

Guatemala, Kenya, Syria, Macedonia,

completed this course is 155 from 40

focused on “sustainable use of lakes”.

and two from Ghana.
On the course, the participants
obtained various knowledge and skills
through the curriculum, for example,
interacting with local NGOs, visiting towater supply plants and sewagetreatment plants, studying in Tokyo andHiroshima, in addition to the studying at
ILEC. At the end of the course, eachtrainee made an action plan toimplement in his or her own country as aoutcome of the study. It was wonderfulexperience for the participants to learn
the lifestyle and culture of Japan throughsuch activities as the homestay programorganized by the Kusatsu Interpeople
Friendship Association (KIFA), the New
Year’s party of KIFA, and Japanese
language class organized by organizedwith Course Leaders (Prof. Matsui and Prof. Nakamura)

by JICA at ILEC in the night.

One World Festival
The international community is facing
many issues, such as environmental
destruction, human rights suppression,
ethnic battles, an increase in refugees
and widespread poverty. To solve thesegrowing global problems, it is very
important for all us to think of tasks forourselves and to act.
One World Festival has been held
since 1993 for the purpose of informing
many people about the importance ofinternational cooperation and providing
opportunities to take part in theinternational activities. This festival
assisted by NGOs, International

ILEC exhibition

Organizations, Municipal Governments
This year’s festival was held in theLake Conference in Kenya, theexample,International House Osaka on 4-5

Environment Education Class for

symposiums, exhibitions of various

February. ILEC took part in the Festival

Children, and JICA Training Courses. It

organizations, ethnic foods corners,

and displayed of photographs of

was a good opportunity to show

shows of ethnic music and dancing.

activities of ILEC such as the 11th World

activities of ILEC to many participants.

and Companies in the Kinki region has
many

6

programs,forLakes of the World:

Chilika Lagoon, India
Ajit K. Pattnaik, Chilika Development Authority, Bhubaneshwar, India,
The Chilika Lagoon is the biggest

the tidal flux was disturbed, the lagoon’s

CDA

lagoon on India’s eastern coast. Its size

salinity decreased, thereby altering thedepartments of the State Government offluctuates substantially within the course

natural ecosystem. The area and depth ofOrissa to improve conditions in theof a year, with a maximum area of 1,165

the lagoon decreased; the area covered

lagoon. The most noticeable decision to

km2 during the monsoon season and aby freshwater macrophytes increased;

date under the guidance of the CDA wasminimum of 906 km2 during the dry

biodiversity decreased; and fish catches

cutting of a new opening in 2000 to theseason. It is of relatively recent origin,declined. Some lands near the lakeshore

Bay of Bengal, and dredging the channel

being formed several thousand years

also were waterlogged at certain times

between the outer channel and the rest ofago. Freshwater runoff from the drainage

becauseofthe lagoon. The result was a restoration

basin, combined with saline water inflows

floodwaters through the lagoon mouthof the flow regime, leading to a dramaticfrom the ocean, result in a wide range of

was constrained. In addition to theimprovement in the lagoon’s salinity

fresh, brackish and saline water

clogging of the lagoon mouth and theconditions and amelioration of manyenvironments within the lagoon, with thissalinity-related problems, there also haveproblems caused by the declining salinity.

spatially and temporally diverse water

been changes in the quantities and timing

As examples, fish and crab catches (andenvironment supporting an exceptionallyof freshwater flows because of upstream

income for fisherfolk) have markedly

productive ecosystem.

thenaturalreleasehas

workedclosely

withriverine impoundments for irrigation andincreased; macrophyte coverage has

The lagoon is a well-known wintering

flood control. There also has been adeclined; and some rare and endangeredsite for migrating birds; approximately half

general increase in pollution fromfish species have returned. A monitoringof the over 211 species recorded at

agricultural, aquacultural and domestic

program was instituted, a management

Chilika are intercontinental migrants fromsources in the drainage basin.

plan was drawn up and environmental

far parts of Asia, including the Caspian

Traditional fisherfolk were particularly

flow releases are being negotiated fromSea, Lake Baikal and Siberia. The lagoon

hard hit by these problems. The decline

the upstream irrigation impoundments. It

is also only one of two lagoons in thein fish catches led many to use a smaller

is notable that the decision to open theworld that is home to the Irrawady dolphin

mesh size, thereby putting even greater

new mouth and dredge the channel was(the other being the Songkhla Lagoon inpressure on the fisheries and further

based on both scientific studies andThailand). Its rich biodiversity, along withcomplicating the problems. Pressure toextensive stakeholder consultations.

the beautiful scenery of the area, attracts

maintain livelihoods seems to have

Challenges undoubtedly remain.

many bird watchers and ecotourists. The

contributed to poaching of migratory birds

Addressing upstream problems (e.g.,lagoon is also extremely important for theand logging activities in the watershed.

siltation, untreated sewage, changes inlocal population, not only as a source ofCompounding the difficult situation was athe hydrological regime) will require much

livelihoods (mainly though its fisheries)change in government policy regarding

effort. However, conflicts over fishing

but also as a focus for cultural, religious

the lease of fishing grounds (that affectedhave abated mainly due to enhancement

and spiritual activities.

fishing rights), resulting in the loss ofof the fishery resource. Furthermore, it is

Unfortunately, Chilika was facing aaccess by traditional fisherfolk to many

encouraging to note that the Chilika

series of problems by the 1990s thatfishing grounds and a rise of commercial

Lagoon, after being placed on the

impaired many of its uses. Major

prawn culturing. Conflicts over this issue

Montreux Record (Ramsar’s list of sites

problems were related to a decreased

resulted in violent clashes and several

undergoing ecological degradation) in

salinity in the lagoon, caused by adeaths.

1993, was awarded the prestigious

narrowing of the lagoon mouth. The

The Chilika Development Authority

Ramsar Wetland Award in 2002 in

gradual choking of this outlet to (and inlet(CDA) was created in 1992 as arecognition of the improvements and wasfrom) the sea was a result of thecoordinating body between the wide

removed from the Montreux Record due

accumulation of sediment entering therange of institutions and people with ato the successful restoration of the lagoon

lagoon from the drainage basin. Because

stake in the lagoon and its basin. The

ecosystem by the CDA.

A full report on Chilika Lagoon can be found at http://www.ilec.or.jp/lbmi2/index.htm
7

“World Lake Vision Action Report” Kicked-off
The World Lake Vision Action Report will be
prepared to promote the implementation of theWorld Lake Vision (WLV).
This project was proposed by ILEC in October2005 at the WLC11 held in Nairobi, Kenya. In
response to ILEC’s invitation, 14 experts andpractitioners for lake management around theworld gathered in Mexico City on March 19, 2006
at the occasion of the 4th World Water Forum tokick-off the project and set up “WLV Action
Report Committee”, which will be a key
mechanism to prepare the Report. Participantschose Walter Rast, Professor of Texas State
University (USA) as Chairman of the Committee,
who acted as Drafting Chair to formulate the
WLV. They also discussed how to make thereportapractical

one

tosupportAction Report Committee (in Mexico City)theimplementation of the sustainable lake management based on the WLV Principles.
The report will be prepared by the following time table.
March - July 2006

Call for Papers

November 2006

Working Group Meeting to draft a report

December 2006 - February 2007

Peer review

March 2007

Printing

The final report will be presented at the WLC12 to be held in India in October-November 2007. We are looking forward to your casestudy report. For details, see ILEC Website at www.ilec.or.jp or contact at wlvacr@ilec.or.jp.

ILEC deeply appreciates your continued contributions.
ILEC would like to introduce the major contributors who

Major contributors (in the order of the Japanese syllabary)

have continued to support ILEC's activities over the past

Ayaha Corporation

years.

Kinki Labor BankILEC hereby expresses its deep appreciation for them

Koto Shinkin Bankand promises to transfer your goodwill to the environmental

Shigagin JCB Inc.

preservation of lakes around the world.

Shigachuo Shinkin Bank
Shiga DC Card Co., Ltd.
Central Finance Co., Ltd.
Felissimo Secretariat

INTERNATIONAL LAKE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE--Secretariat--

81091 Oroshimo-cho, Kusatsu-city, Shiga 520-0001, JAPANTEL +81-77-568-4567, FAX +81-77-568-4568, E-mail: info@ilec.or.jp

This brochure is printed on recycled paper.