1

INTRODUCTION
1. The rationale of research
Gam river is the largest tributary of the Lo river. Its area in Vietnam's territory is
9.168/14.972km
2
. The human activities have a strong impact to the situation and evolution
of natural resources and environment in the basin. It also contains the risk of natural
resources degradation and ecological environment. That situation requires a comprehensive
research for the rational exploitation and use of natural resources and for basin
environmental protection.
2. Research objectives and purposes
Research objectives: determine the use requirements and propose the use of three
natural resources including land, forest, and surface water to contribute in research, rational
use of natural resources, environmental protection of Gam river basin and the sustainability
of Tuyen Quang hydropower plants.
Rsearch assignment: review of research trends in rational use of natural resources and
environmental protection in basin in the world and in Vietnam; establish a theoretical basis,
approach and methodology proposed to rational use of natural resources and environmental
protection in the Gam river basin in the context of Tuyen Quang hydropower projects; analyze
the characteristics of nature and socio-economic conditions related to natural resources and
environment issues, and mining and use problem of the Gam river territory; analyze the
situation and transformation of resources and environmental under the impact of Tuyen Quang
reservoir; determine the requirements, propose rational use of land resources, forest resources,
water resources and protecting the environment of the Gam's watershed; propose mining
orientation of Tuyen Quang lake based on the basis analysis of its potential natural.
3. Research scope
The territory: the Gam river basin in Vietnam's territory has a total area 9.168km
2
,

protection in Gam river basin. The center assignment is to propose rational use of three
main natural resources of basin.
- Agurment 2: Study the rational use of natural resources and environmental protection in
Gam river basin has accessed toward watershed/basin system analysis in the relationship
between natural and human factors, between upper, middle, and down stream, and between
level 2 watershed, to determine the percentage of forest cover, land use structure, rational
exploitation and use of water resources and Tuyen Quang lake.
7. Marks and contributions of the dissertation
1) The thesis has analyzed and clarified: the characteristics of natural, socio-economic
conditions related to resources, environment and mining issues, the rational use of natural
resources, environmental protection in Gam river basin; the situation and change of land
resources, forest resources, surface water resources of the Gam river basin as a result of
Tuyen Quang lake.
2) The first time, the thesis proposed rational use of natural resources and
environmental protection in the Gam river basin following basin analysis approach with
specific findings include: proposed upstream decentralization protection, the direction used
for different types of land use and land protection on the basis of the potential erosion
classification of watershed; land capability assessment and classification of soil protection
requirements; proposed reasonable use and forest restoration on the basis of assessment of
imbalances cover and classification of forest resources in watersheds; proposed mining and
rational use of surface water resources, hydrological flow changes, situation, demand and
mining limitation, in Gam river basin based on analysis of potential surface water, the risks
and causes of surface water resources degradation, shortcomings in the management of
water resources in the basin; analyze natural conditions in Tuyen Quang lake for the
purpose of aquaculture and tourism development.
8. Dissertation structure
Besides the introduction and conclusion, the thesis includes 3 chapters, with 147 A4 pages,
44 tables, 14 maps, 12 drawings, charts, diagrams and 156 references and 16 appendices.
3


by people, affecting their life, the survival, and development of human beings. "
Between the environment and natural resources in general and natural resources in
particular have a close relationship. Therefore, protection of the environment always implies
the exploitation and rational use of natural resources of the territory.
Basin: a natural spatial territory includes all natural objects and artificial on it, which receive
storm water and ground water provides natural flow system, which is limited by the the
watershed. The entire catchment area is a unity and fulfillment naturally. On each river basin
exists close relationship between the natural and human components work. The relationship
makes both watersheds is a geographical territory, both as a dynamic system to adjust to the level
of expression and different evolutions over time and space from the upstream to the mouth river.
Decentralized Watershed: the division of watershed area into different levels, reflecting the
deterioration of soil erosion based on the geographical characteristics and their environment. The
most important objective of decentralization is to identify watershed areas need protection forests
4

for water regulation, flood protection, erosion and landslides, limited reservoir sedimentation also
such as the protection of downstream areas and bring economic benefits, ensure social security.
1.2.2. The impact of hydropower projects in natural resources and the environment in the
river basin
Depending on the type and scale of development, hydropower projects have impacts
on the environment at different levels.
For the natural environment, a system of dams - hydropower reservoirs are formed
submerged part of the basin reservoirs. The reservoir formation and operation of
hydropower plants as well as changes in flow regimes, erosion and sedimentation of lakes,
rivers, and change the appearance of new ecosystems, deforestation and loss biodiversity,
water pollution, changing climate conditions of the reservoir
For the economic environment - social area submerged by the reservoir may be the place
of residence, with the production of construction, aesthetic values, culture, and human sciences.
Therefore, the hydropower project also alter habitats and living conditions of a segment of the
population, which may have a negative impact on the environment, such as deforestation,


1.3.2. DPSIR analysis method
DPSIR (Driving forces-pressures - State - Impacts - Responses) is a cognitive model
used to identify, analyze and evaluate the causal chain-result-response measures. Thesis
DPSIR methodology used to analyze general issues related to water resources of the Gam
river basin, as a basis for determining the proposed solution to the rational use and
protection of water resources basin.
1.3.3. System analysis method
System analysis method was applied dissertation solving research tasks in sequence
content (steps) the following:
Step 1: Analyze the characteristics of natural conditions and the status of natural
resources and environment Gam river basin.
Step 2: Mapping erosion potential decentralized Gam river basin as a basis for the proposed
decentralized protection, rational use and restoration of forest use and protection of land resources.
Step 3. Assessment requires the use of water resources as a basis for proposing rational
use of water resources of the Gam river basin.
Step 4: Identify strategies for aquaculture development and tourism Tuyen Quang
reservoir area based on the analysis and evaluation of the natural conditions, natural lake.

Chapter 2
CHARACTERISTICS OF NATURAL, SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITIONS,
AND SITUATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT
IN GAM RIVER BASIN (THE TERRITORY OF VIETNAM)
2.1. The natural and socio-economic conditions and natural exploitation,
environmental protection problems of Gam river basin
2.1.1. Geographical location
On the territory of Vietnam, Gam river has about 217km long and a catchment’s area of
9.168,02 km
2
. On the administrative boundaries, the Gam river basin is located on the territory

On the Gam river in the territory of Vietnam, it is possible to identify a level from low
to high are: 100m (3,8%) and 100-200m (7,8%); 200-300m (9,9%), 300-400m (11,4%),
400-500m (11,3%), 500-700m (18,6%) 700-1.000m (19,6%); 1.000-1.500m (1,8%) in the
2.000m (below 1%). The area has a height of 500-1.000m majority with 38,2% of the total
catchment area. 1,000 or more places from small areas as peaks in the watershed. South of
the basin, along the Gam river mainstream popularity as a level below 200m elevation.
Overall, the Gam river basin topography is mainly low hills, with the fragmentation
and separation complex. Lower elevation terrain from north (above 1.000 m) to the south
and southeast (200-500m) along the Gam river flowing mainstream.
Differentiation of terrain created by landscape diversity, and greatly influenced the
direction exploitation and use of the territory. Conditions mountainous terrain dominated
resource extraction method primarily throughout history explored territory. Farming practices
have transformed the population structure of land use, exploitation of resources forms, form the
system of shifting cultivation, terracing on slopes. In the mountains upstream major advantage
for forestry development with the protection of forests. The model agroforestry farming,
forestry and agriculture combined scale can only focus on the development of low hills and
slopes. In areas of low and flat terrain along the river were filled by new sediments should be
very favorable for agriculture to help meet the demand for food, local food.
The process of long-term development of the basin's natural made adaptations and
relative stability of the natural environment. The exploitation and use of sloping land
fragmentation and the distribution of production space is subjective reasons appear to
increase the risk of natural disasters have been happening throughout the basin.
2.1.2.3. Climate
Climate of Gam river basin is nature tropical monsoon moisture, fertilizer complex,
with cold winters and drier than other areas of the Lo river system - running warm and more
humid than the Northeast. The nature of the cold last winter due to the cold polar air masses
due to the effects of tropical medium altitude terrain has made the annual average
temperature is quite low (22-24
0
C), but in a very large temperature range (12-14

construction of hydropower dams in the basin in recent years raises the conflict between
water demand for irrigation and power generation. However, the formation of Tuyen Quang
lake also has facilitated the development of tourism and aquaculture, contributing to job
creation and increased incomes for labours.
2.1.2.5. Soils
Covering of Gam river basin soil is formed under conditions of tropical monsoon
climate mountains. Therefore, yellow red soil on clay feralit and metamorphism (Fs)
accounted for over 50% of tropical land basin. Rule elevation and soil geomorphology is
characterized by non-zonal soil mantle basin. So, from a height of over 900m, and the
weakening feralit appearance of the mulch, mulch Alit red loam soils with brown, yellowish
red loam appear quite common, especially in the 1.500-1.800m. Customary land from
mining long pattern shown in the classic land-use and backward. Method exploiting
irrational slopes have accelerated erosion, leaching to the bare rocks in many places.
Soil structure coating the Gam river basin is quite diverse and rich. The abundance,
diversity of land resources to allow local catchment planning in the agro-forestry
development towards product diversification, combining agriculture - forestry with tourism
development eco tourism community.
Of the total land, soil feralit occupied the largest area, with nearly 70% of the total
catchment area. This is the kind of land capable of cultivation agroforestry and reforestation.
Groups gathered in upland watersheds Gam although small footprint but is valuable in
agriculture to provide food, local food.
Most of the Gam river catchment area is hilly terrain with steep slopes to erosion,
washout occurred powerful. Each unit of land contained in the basin are at risk of
8

developing the degenerative process. The causes of land degradation can be caused by
natural processes or by human impacts such as land use unreasonable, shifting cultivation,
monoculture, deforestation, mining products Intensity erosion, runoff, soil degradation is
enhanced by human activities. Status monoculture, intensive burst structure and discolored
soil, nutrient poor. This is a very common situation in the district upstream Gam.

Naturally, most of the Gam river basin area is hilly and plateau with large split level
quite popular these sensitive ecosystems, easily degraded and difficult to exploit and
protect. In such conditions, forest resources have an important role in regulating the flow
and soil protection, limiting natural disasters, contribute to stabilizing the basin ecological
environment, especially in the local area upstream.
In economic terms - society, in general, biological resources have contributed to the
development of certain economic - social Basin. Production value of agriculture, forestry
and often reaches 35 to 40% of the total production value of the sector in the local economy.
9

Biological resources are the basis for the development of industries such as wood
processing, food processing, food
Since 2008 Tuyen Quang reservoirs in operation has facilitated the development of aquaculture
and fisheries and eco-tourism zone of the lake due to the predominance of natural conditions.
However, so far, the extraction and use of biological resources in the basin is not really
reasonable. The forest exploitation and indiscriminate deforestation less strict management
took place in many places for many years to increase the area of bare soil and risk of natural
disasters due to deforestation. From 2000 to present, the forest cover has increased, but
mainly forest regeneration, recovery and upland forest.
The main reason degrade biological resources Gam river basin is affected by the
increasingly powerful and diverse forms of community residents living in the basin. In addition,
the management and protection are neglected for a long time. The education, raise awareness and
mobilize people to participate in forest protection and forest resources are not really effective.
2.1.3. The socio-economic conditions
2.1.3.1. Population and labor
Gam river basin area of residence of many ethnics with a population of nearly
730.000 people (2010). Population structure by sex in recent years quite stable. The
population is not evenly distributed. On the basin is 15 ethnic communities living in which
people account for the largest number is Tay. Number of employees in agriculture, forestry
large proportion of the labor structure. Population, labor and economic development - social

submerged large; ecological environment changes etc.
2.2. The situation of natural resources and environment in Gam river basin
2.2.1. The situation of soil resources in Gam river basin
2.2.1.1. The structure and distribution of soil cover
Total area of natural watersheds is 916.802,1 ha Gam, including rocky area is
130.896,5 ha and is divided into 12 major soil types. Properties, soil type Gam river basin is
quite diverse and dispersed. Land feralit gold on red clay and metamorphism (Fs) is the
largest area of 494.104,0 ha (equivalent to 53,9% of Gam river basin), followed by yellow
red loam over clay and metamorphic rocks (FHs) and land on the yellow sandstone feralit
(Fq) has an area corresponding proportion was 8,5% and 8,4% of the total catchment area.
Smallest basin is gray with yellow loam where goods are potzon (Ha) and slope
convergence (D) with both types of area less than 1% of the total area Gam river basin.
2.2.1.2. Change in land area by the construction of hydroelectric lakes in Tuyen Quang
Tuyen Quang lake has an area of 81,94 km
2
, formed by the expansion of water when the
river bed. The formation of the reservoir has 7.978 ha of land were flooded and converted to
other uses when building the hydroelectric project items as well as changes in the nature and
system of exploitation, land use after lake water. Because the reservoir is characterized by steep
slopes, narrow lake, the area submerged completely submerged area is big but small.
The submerged a large area of flat land along the river (over 60% of the total land area
flooded) has lost agricultural land by residents. This is one of the big changes of the natural
environment and the economic environment - social sector, requires effective measures for
the protection of the natural environment and especially in the resettlement planning for
local residents. Flooded land slopes up 38,28% of the land flooded, mainly red and yellow
soils feralit. Much of this land is forest land cover and land high above the rice terraces.
In addition, the construction of Tuyen Quang Hydropower also lost 440ha of land for
the construction items. A small portion of this area have been restored or converted to other
uses after the completion of construction works.
2.2.1.3. Land and rock slides in the lake and in the river bank in downstream of the dam

Gam river basin coverage is relatively high compared to other river basins of North
and North East. As of 2011, the entire region 338.169,3 ha are forest land forest coverage
rate reached 36,9% natural catchment area. In particular, the natural forest area is 322.644,0
ha, equivalent to 95% of forest area and 35,2% of the total land area of the basin.
2.2.2.2. Change of forest resources due to the impact of Tuyen Quang reservoir
- On the positive side: rising water level increases the natural water supply for natural forest
vegetation along the lake. Ensure irrigation water also facilitates the expansion of plantation areas
in the local reservoir area. Rising water levels have enriched ecosystems and habitats.
- On the negative side: the construction, the entire forest area of the reservoir area to a
height of 120m with artisanal mining. This activity also facilitates illegal logging, as the
Biodiversity and living space for many species decline. When the lake water has submerged
7.987ha soil types. In particular, forest land covers a large area with over 58%. When the lake
water has increased the risk of forest loss due to favorable mining conditions. The relocation
and resettlement of people in the lake as well as forest loss due to conversion purposes.
2.2.3. Situation of water resources in Gam river basin
2.2.3.1. Surface flow
As of Tuyen Quang Dam Gam total water year was 10.0 billion m
3
, with Qo =
319m
3
/s. Due to the impact of the structure and topography climate Gam flow should be
strong differentiation in space. The seasonal climate classification did flow regime of the
river Gam divided into two distinct seasons. The flood season lasts from May to October,
accounting for over 70% of the annual flow. During the flood season, due to the combined
effects of the floods caused morphology, structure and topography on a network of rivers to
flood Gam usually fast and pulled up slowly, causing severe flooding across the
downstream, especially the city of Tuyen Quang. Dry season from November to April next
year. In the dry season, due to the relatively large amount of rain and the possibility of
regulating the flow of the buffer should flow remained approximately 130m

In summary, the natural conditions and economic - social characteristics of the Gam
river basin has the dominant characteristics, evolution and current status of the resource,
environmental and mining issues, resource use, Environmental Protection basin.

Chapter 3
PROPOSED REASONABLE USE OF THE NATURAL RESOURCES AND
ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION IN GAM RIVER BASIN
(THE TERRITORY OF VIETNAM)
3.1. Proposed reasonable use of land resources in Gam river basin
3.1.1. Define requirements and the rational use of land resources protection
3.1.1.1. Basin potential erosion assessment
a. Classification of potential erosion for the basin
Potential erosion map of the Gam river basin is built on the model of Wischmeier and
Schmid USLE based on the following components map: map rain erosion coefficient R;
map of soil erosion resistance coefficient K, DEM digital elevation model; map slope
coefficient length L, the slope coefficient map S.
Potential soil erossion model of watershed land Gam established by Wischmeier and
Schmid's formula: A=R×K×L×S. Thesis conducted hierarchical level of erosion potential
13

based on the Gam river erosion potential value A. On the scope of the Gam river basin is
divided into 5 potential erosion (Table 3.2):
Table 3.2. The potential erosion of the Gam river basin
Potential erosion level A value
Level 1: very low potential erosion < 15
Level 2: low potential erosion 15 - 30
Level 3: average potential erosion 31 - 45
Level 4: high potential erosion 46 - 60
Level 5: very high potential erosion > 60
In Gam river basin up to 117,276.5 ha of special-use forests, corresponding to 12.7%

Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5
Basin
code

Name of the river
basin level 2
(ha) (%)

(ha) (%) (ha) (%)

(ha) (%)

(ha) (%)
Specialized

forest land
(ha)
1 Nho Que
41.490,6

41,4

35.439,4

35,3

8.497,4

8,5


18,6

3,847.1

3
Mainstream of Gam river
137.604,3

37,7

81.131,7

22,2

23.818,0

6,5

21.349,3

5,9

44.043,7

12,1

56,929.4

4
Nhi A

29,5

14.764,5

6,9

10.446,9

4,9

8.003,4

3,7

52,638.1

Total
341.865,8

37,3

242.212,0

26,4

62.803,4

6,9

52.508,8

Specialized
forest land
Bac Me 82.315,0

10.757,8

32.474,8

8.392,2

10.038,8

20.651,4

Bac Quang 3.418,7

23,5

2.897,2

171,0

327,0

0,0

Dong Van 39.165,8

12.898,8


7.766,0

Ha Giang
Yen Minh 58.596,2

15.935,0

27.904,1

6.562,5

5.396,7

2.797,9

Bao Lac 94.910,4

9.461,3

64.263,6

8.824,1

11.076,0

1.285,5

Bao Lam 80.214,0

10.473,4

3.119,5

31.364,3

Pac Nam 48.670,0

882,5

39.785,8

1.973,1

5.880,0

148,7

Cho Don 38.926,3

5.292,1

27.011,6

3.544,8

2.305,6

772,2

Bac Kan
Ngan Son 14.627,0


3.093,5

36.549,4

Yen Sơn 22.716,3

4.204,6

15.917,3

1.320,4

1.259,9

14,0

Tuyen
Quang
Lam Binh 78.152,2

16.183,2

34.700,7

12.228,0

9.964,7

5.075,5

protection. For the area of land required to protect low and very low, developers need to
implement a combination of forestry and agriculture in the form of agroforestry, forestry
and agriculture combined to protect and increase efficiency land.
3.1.2. Proposed rational use of land resources
3.1.2.1. Proposed upstream protected clasìication
a. Rationale and principles of decentralized watershed
- The basis for the proposed decentralized watershed: zoning maps of the three
existing forest Gam river basin; decentralization results in the potential erosion of tributaries
of the river basin level 2 Gam; Report report "master plan economic and social development
in 2020" and report "Adjusting, additional planning, land use planning up to 2010 and
orientations towards 2020" Committee of the 4 provinces in the basin.
- The principles of watershed: 1) the level of protection area will be allocated according to
recommendations 5 and basin level 2, 2) hierarchical watershed basin Gam need to be planned
in top-down approach and the bottom-up, and 3) the level of protection area and the proposed
15

allocation for the basin level 2 must be based on the results of erosion potential of each
proposed basin and area to inherit and protection based on the planning of the territory.
b. Results decentralize headwater (types of land use management)
Order decentralized watershed basin Gam done as follows:
b1. Identify areas for watershed protection level 2.
b2. Decentralize headwater basin level 2. Map decentralize headwater basin Gam is
done by following these steps: 1) Develop potential erosion model for basin level 2, 2)
Hierarchical Model A potential erosion of 100 the area for each river basin level 2 and 3)
Decentralization of protection for the basin level 2, 4) Determine the area of productive
forest land for watershed 2, 5) Determine the area of forest land for the basin level 2, 6)
hierarchical mapping for Gam watershed protection.
After the above steps, each river basin level 2 will be assigned protection map. Map of
land use types of the Gam river basin is built based on the maps included decentralization of 5
protection level 2 watersheds in the basin. Thesis using ArcGIS 9.3 software and Microsoft


70.993,6

20.557,2

18.698,6

1.858,6

29.785,1

20.651,4

11.321,4

Bac Quang
3.418,7

2.623,7

344,1

251,6

92,5

2.279,6

0,0


28.143,5

0,0

16.034,9

Vi Xuyen
13.461,8

12.151,3

2.531,1

2.405,3

125,8

1.854,2

7.766,0

1.310,5

Ha
Giang
Yen Minh
58.596,2

43.368,7


80.214,0

64.147,9

20.025,9

12.066,8

7.959,1

44.121,9

0,0

16.066,1

Cao
Bang
Nguyen Binh

34.651,7

31.971,0

12.116,7

8.988,9

3.127,8


9.661,3

5.516,7

25.639,9

148.7

7.703,4

Cho Don
38.926,3

32.944,5

9.834,8

6.326,6

3.508,2

22.337,5

772,2

5.981,8

Bac
Kan
Ngan Sơn


30.190,7

Na Hang
81.250,1

74.246,0

9.554,2

6.389,9

3.164,4

28.142,4

36.549,4

7.004,1

Yen Sơn
22.716,3

15.932,6

2.444,0

1.015,4

1.428,6

750.206,5

217.630,0

158.954,0

58.676,0

415.300,0

117.276,5

166.595,6

Source: Calculated according to hierarchical protection map and administrative map
Protected forest area accounts for 29,0% of the total forest area of the entire basin. In
particular, protection forest area accounts for 73% very important and vital forests accounted
for 26,9%. Special-use forest area accounts for 15,6% of the total forest area and 12,8% of the
total catchment’s area naturally. Production forests are the largest area (415.300,0 ha),
16

corresponding to 55,4% of the total forest area of the entire basin. Agricultural land and other
land not large (166.595,6 ha), equivalent to 18,2% of the total area of natural basin.
The results of the study are shown on the map hierarchy watershed protection. In
particular, differentiation in terms of catchment erosion potential is the basis for the thesis
proposed land use types of the Gam river basin.
3.1.2.2. Proposed land use orientation for different types of land use
a. Assessing the potential of land for different types of land use
a1. Assessment Method: Based on the evaluation results soil erosion potential, thesis
conducted hierarchical mapping of protection, thereby determining the protection


Upland
agriculture

Lowland
agriculture

Bac Me 82.315,0

18.698,6

1.858,6

24.052,0

2.876,1

2.857,0

20.651,4

9.364,3

1.957,0

Bac Quang 3.418,7

251.6

92,5


Meo Vac 54.683,2

7.736,1

2.768,7

25.728,3

283,0

2.132,1

0,0

14.527,7

1.507,2

Vi Xuyen 13.461,8

2.405,3

125,8

1.692,7

40,0

121,5

10.578,9

43.034,8

839,4

876,7

1.285,5

12.218,0

2.591,9

Bao Lam 80.214,0

12.066,8

7.959,1

34.803,6

3.263,1

6.055,3

0,0

12.007,6


444,2

924,7

31.364,3

2.472,7

1.380,4

Pac Nam 48.670,0

9.661,3

5.516,7

22.654,4

2.201,2

784,3

148,7

6.134,3

1.569,1

Cho Don 38.926,3



1.309,4

1.103,7

Chiem Hoa 107.735,3

10.019,2

4.592,2

49.857,3

1.121,1

7.989,1

3.965,8

7.980,9

22.209,7

Na Hang 81.250,1

6.389,9

3.164,4

22.618,9

Lam Binh 78.152,2

20.007,8

2.844,4

31.672,6

1.544,5

2.549,9

5.075,5

6.494,2

7.963,1

Toatl 916.802,1

158.954,0

58.676,0

363.375,1

18.991,9

32.933,1


Protection
Poor and regenerating forest 41,801,9 4,6%
Reforestation and regenerating
Bamboo forest 4.759,5 0,5%
Reforestation and regenerating
Plantation forest 590,8 0,1%
Protection, plantation
Very critical
protective forest land

Vacant land 102.055,4 11,1%
Protective forest plantation
Total
158.954,0 17,3%

Rich and medium forest 1.508,5 0,2%
Protection
Poor and regenerating forest 13.709,9 1,5%
Reforestation and regenerating
Bamboo forest 2.975,4 0,3%
Reforestation and regenerating
Plantation forest 473,1 0,1%
Protection, plantation
Critical protective
forest land
Vacant land 40.009,1 4,4%
Protective forest plantation
Total
58.676,0 6,4%


Poor and regenerating forest
5.575,2 0,6% Reforestation and regenerating
Bamboo forest
653,1 0,1% Reforestation and regenerating
Plantation forest
307,1 0,0% Protection, plantation
Vacant land
9.995,3 1,1% Plantation, perennial fruit crops, industrial crops
Forestry –
Agriculture land
Agricultural productive land 2.196,8 0,2%
Perennial fruit crops, industrial crops, plantation
Total
18.991,9 2,1%
Rich and medium forest
738,2 0.1% Protection
Poor and regenerating forest
6,989.7 0.8% Reforestation and regenerating
Bamboo forest
1,941.3 0.2%
Reforestation and regenerating
Plantation forest
1,753.5 0.2% Protection, plantation
Vacant land
11,136.5 1.2% Plantation, perennial fruit crops, industrial crops
Agro-forestry land
Agricultural productive land 10,373.9 1.1%
Perennial fruit crops, industrial crops, plantation
% nature
area
Forest use orientation
Plantation forest
13.844,6 1,5%
Protection, plantation, soil enhancement, change land
use purpose
Vacant land
25.931,7 2,8%
Plantation, perennial fruit crops, industrial crops
Upland
agricultural

Agricultural
productive land
66.641,9 7,3%
Perennial fruit crops, industrial crops, rice, vegetable,
plantation
Total 106.418,3

11,6%

Plantation forest
7.475,5 0,8%
Protection, plantation, soil enhancement, change land
use purpose
Vacant land
6.541,5 0,7%
Plantation, perennial fruit crops, industrial crops
Lowland

coverage rate from 10% to 30%, (iii) coverage rate of 30% -50 %, (iv) coverage rate of 50%
-70%, and (v) coverage rate of 70%.
Gam river basin are 175 communes in 17 districts. The results showed that levels
throughout the basin with 27% having coverage below 10%, over 50% had coverage of 30%
or less and 83,5% had coverage less than 50%. Specific results in maps of forest cover rate
in the commune of the Gam river basin.
3.2.1.3. Classification of imbalance cover level by commune
In order to balance the level of forest cover loss for the Gam river basin, based on the thesis
imbalance indicators cover each commune. This index is calculated by the following formula:
The imbalance of coverage ratio = Current coverage proportion/Coverage under
planning proportion (%).
Specific results showed that the Gam river basin has 62 communes having unbalanced
coverage ratio at high level, 43 communes at moderate level, 40 communes at low level and 30
communes balanced coverage, 15 communes and 12 villages of Tuyen Quang and Ha Giang.
3.2.2. Proposed reasonable use and reforestation
3.2.2.1. Proposed reforestation priority (by commune)
Evaluation results imbalanced coverage, the percentage of forest cover protection
(according to the commune level) is the basis for the thesis proposed priorities of the local
forest restoration in the basin. Specific priorities in social rehabilitation as follows:
- For the 83 communes having imbalance average and low coverage, need tending,
protection and restoration of the area, the quality of existing forests, enrichment planting
and afforestation to expand the coverage area.
- For the 62 communes with a high imbalance should cover new plantations to expand
the coverage area and the regeneration, protection and recovery area of existing forest types,
especially for with Cao Bang and Ha Giang provinces because this is the number of social
imbalance in a high coverage the most.
3.2.2.2. Identify strategies for rational use and restoration of forest resources
Based on the natural condition, results of watershed protection, land capability, land
use direction for the type of land use and the evaluation results imbalance basin cover, thesis
propose solutions to protect and restore forests Gam river basin as follows:

items degraded investment fund repairs, maintenance, and may not be overcome in time.
b. Demand for surface water
By Thanh Ha, Nguyen Dinh Ky (2006) and Huynh Thi Lan Huong (2009), the need to
use the Gam river basin tend to increase due to the increase in population size and growth of the
industry health. Specifically, the timelines in 2000, 2005 and 2010, the demand for surface
water basin Gam 252,5 million m
3
, respectively, 257,6 million and 284,3 million m
3
. Forecast
for 2020, will increase the amount of water needed to 335,7 million m3. Demand for water in
the closely dependent on the structure of local crop and uneven in the region.
3.3.1.2. Exploitation threshold of water resources
Exploitation of water resources threshold is calculated by the ratio% between excess
water during flooding from water potential. Calculation results show that the threshold
exploitation of water resources in a number of major stations on the Gam river basin ranges
from 31 to 37% of total water potential. With this result, it can be seen in both years, the
amount of water needed in 2020 using the Gam river basin is much smaller than the allowed
limit exploitation. However, in the dry season, the amount of water needed in a number of
localities in the Timeline 2010, 2020 have accounted for 10-25% of the water and is
approaching the threshold of safe operation, while demand for irrigation water in the dry
season is very large, many local water shortages occur locally.
3.3.1.3. Risks and causes of surface water resources degradation
The risk of water resource degradation Gam river basin is determined, based on
analyzing the status and changes in surface flow and the need to use surface water basins,
including the local water shortage, water quality degradation, increasing natural disasters
related to water resources.
21

Cause degradation of water resources Gam river basin is very diverse, is dominated by

a. Group management solutions needs water
a1. The solution works, techniques: 1) the construction of irrigation in the basin; 2)
repair and upgrade irrigation works have been degraded, damaged, and 3) improve ability to
regulate the existing reservoirs; 4) river dyke system upgrades.
a2. The non-structural solutions: 1) use planning and integrated water resource
protection Gam river basin, 2) inventory and assess the potential for surface water basin,
and 3) develop a production model water savings; 4) monitoring surface water quality in the
basin; 5) enhance forest cover watersheds; 6) issued regulations on the exploitation,
protection and sharing of water resources; 7) strengthening education; 8) international
cooperation in the exploitation and protection of water resources.
22

b. Group solutions related to capacity management: 1) Develop integrated management of
organizational resources Gam river basin; 2) exchange and learning experience of water
resource management in the basin in the world, and 3) enhance staff management of water
resources at the local level.
3.4. Orientation mining Tuyen Quang reservoir area
Tuyen Quang reservoirs have two important tasks that contribute to downstream flood
control and power generation. The creation of water reservoirs open up new development
opportunities based on the advantages of natural condition and economic - social condition.
Aquaculture development and tourism in the direction of Tuyen Quang reservoir is likely to yield
high economic efficiency, create jobs and contribute to poverty reduction for local reservoir area.
- For aquaculture development: The increase of floor area and the depth of the water
after the water reservoir and creating stable water levels of dams regulated by the Tuyen
Quang not create the conditions for aquaculture on a large scale, but also allows the
development of diverse species adapted to the marine waters of the region. The chemical
criteria reflect water quality in Tuyen Quang lake despite the increase in recent years but
still fully meet the requirements of natural surface water for aquaculture. The diversity of
species composition and strong development of aquatic fauna and flora of Tuyen Quang
reservoir area is a source of food plays an important role in the development of fisheries

propose orientation of mining and use of territory. From the contents of the thesis on the
Gam River basin, author draws a number of conclusions and recommendations following:
1. The research results
1. Thesis overview the research in rationable use of resources and environment
protection in the basin in the world and in Vietnam as a basis for establishing the theoretical
basis, approach, and research method proposed rational use of natural resources,
environmental protection Gam River basin.
2. Analyze the characteristics of natural, socio-economic conditions, impacts of these
factors to the situation, resources and environment change, and mining and use of natural
resources issues, particular in land, forests and surface water, as the basis to propose the
rational use of natural resources, environmental protection in Gam River basin.
3. Basin analysis approach to determine the relationship between the natural and the
human components, between the upstream, middle and downstream, and between level 2
basins to propose the rational use of land resource, forest, surface water and Tuyen Quang
lake area. This is a central task in the study of resource use and environmental protection in
Gam river basin.
4. For land resources: Assess the decentralization of erosion potential for the basin and
river basin level 2 by 5 erosion potential level as the basis for the proposed decentralized
watershed for Gam river basin. Classification the levels of protection requirements based on
soil mapping degradation situation; soil depth maps and watershed potential erosion
classification map. Proposed allocation area forms the main land use management for the
entire basin and the basin with an area of 2 forest land is 217 630 ha, forest land production
is 415300 ha, forest land use is 117276.5 ha, area and determine the type of land use
management in the river basin district of the Gam. The thesis proposes land use orientation
for different types of land use based on land capability map and orientation proposal map
for 8 main types of land use in Gam river basin. These include very important protection,
important protection, specialized forest land, forestry production land, combined
agricultural and forestry land, forestry land, low lying agricultural land and upland
agriculture. The research propose some rational use orientation of land resources based on
the natural and socio-economic conditions in Gam river basin, the diversity and sensitivity

water resource management capacity solutions group.
7. For Tuyen Quang reservoir area: The thesis analyzes the natural conditions of Tuyen
Quang Lake for the purpose of tourism and fisheries development to create jobs, incomes
increase and life stability for employees.
2. Recommendations
1. The findings and results of the thesis are credible scientific basis for proposing
rational use of natural resources and environmental protection in Gam River Basin.
However, the rate of the basin studies is 1/50.000 so generalized level remains high.
Therefore, there is a need to continue research with approach to basin analysis of rational
resource use and environmental protection in Gam River in greater proportion to increase
the specific of proposals in research results.
2. Basin analysis with extensive application of GIS technology in data management,
spatial analysis and modeling of the quantitative indicators, to rational exploitation and use
of natural resources and environmental protection is hereby integrated approach, in
accordance with the conditions of dissected mountainous terrain and rainy seasonal climate
like in our country so it should continue to be studied in other river basins in the country to
develop a completely improved methodology and research methods.