That Luang Marsh, is the largest remaining marsh in Vientiane Capital City. It covers an area of 20km² and provides a major role in the treatment of the city’s domestic and industrial wastewater, the storage of stormwater and provides livelihood support for approximately 40,000 people. An increase in economic and population growth within the city is putting increased pressure on the marsh. This has led to a decrease in the ability of the marsh to perform essential ecosystem functions.
Developments encroaching on the marsh
The marsh is being lost at an ever-increasing rate as the wetland is drained for unregulated housing and industrial building construction. Due to an increased amount of wastewater from new industries and domestic sources, a change in the nature of pollutants to include industrial materials such as heavy metals and a reduction in marsh area the ability of the marsh to effectively treat all effluent entering it has been compromised leading to untreated wastewater flowing downstream.
The loss of wetland also reduces the stormwater storage capacity and if the marsh is full the canals draining the city are in danger of backing up and overflowing. Increased pollution has a significant impact on livelihoods with both a reduction in wetland plant, bird and fish species and abundance and the likelihood of toxic and chronic levels of pollutants accumulating within in food sources. That Luang Marsh generates goods and services worth around USD 5 million annually for Vientiane Capital City.
