Project Description
Spanning from Kachin State to Tanintharyi Region, the Eastern Highlands of Myanmar experience high wet season rainfall but face acute dry season water shortages. These challenges are intensified by regional poverty and social tensions, particularly in Kachin, Kayah, and Kayin States. To address water insecurity, ICEM, in partnership with Aqua Rock Konsultants and funded by the Australian Water Partnership (AWP), implemented the Hydrogeological and Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Mapping of the Eastern Highlands project. The initiative aimed to strengthen knowledge of groundwater systems and their links to inclusive, climate-resilient water resource management.
Objectives, Activities, and Results
The project assessed groundwater potential, particularly in limestone aquifers, and examined the impacts of mining on water quality within different hydrogeological zones. Climate change implications for groundwater sustainability were also analyzed. A comprehensive GESI assessment focused on poverty, gender, and ethnic minority inclusion in water management. ICEM led GIS and remote sensing tasks, producing detailed hydrogeological and GESI maps by digitizing, editing, and compiling diverse data sources. These outputs supported improved water governance and planning in the Eastern Highlands, helping inform sustainable groundwater use and more equitable water resource management across Myanmar’s diverse upland regions.
