On June 22, 2012, the sixth Vale Award sub-project, Flood control dam project for Sea-buckthorn shrub and farmland was launched in Langga Village, Tingri County. This project is expected to be finished in mid-July.
The project aims to protect 30 mu’s Sea-buckthorn shrub and farmland from being destroyed by summer floods of Luoluoqu River passing by Langga Village. It helps mitigate soil erosion and farmland conservation, which in return ensures food security, enhances environmental conservation and promote sustainable use of land.
Due to observable climate change and other natural factors, the rainfall has been unstable and summer floods emerge frequently in recent years. Even the national road has been destroyed by the mighty floods of Luoluoqu River. The floods have imposed very negative impact and threat toward the village’s farmlands and many areas of them have been flushed away. Although some Sea-buckthorn shrubs near the farmland have played a role in protecting the farmland by cushioning the floods, it is still not enough given lacking of firm measures on flood control and the Sea-buckthorn shrubs are also facing risks being flushed away. Hence, we plan to build rock dams fastened by strong wire netting to combat summer floods, where Sea-buckthorn shrubs can be better conserved to help reduce soil erosion, and farmland be protected from being destroyed. It safeguards food production, and benefits more than 190 villagers by meeting the urgent needs of the community.
The project was initially planned to help the village build a water pipeline, fetching water from water source to the village. However, after several surveys by technicians, the structure of the hill behind the village where sources the water, and the hill slope are not suitable for paving water pipeline. Therefore, after consulting with community leaders and local government officials, the project was changed to build flood control dam to protect Sea-buckthorn shrub and farmland in the village.