Costs
The table below gives an overview of the costs estimates for the project site and basin. Note that these estimates are all very indicative and based on currently available data.
For the project, it is assumed that the investments costs are spread over two years at the beginning of the project period. Operational costs (item 10) are annual.
Table. Cost estimates and assumptions
No. | Cost item | Estimate project site | Estimate basin |
1 | Acquisition of land (to reconnect wetlands with the main river) | 1 ha at USD 150,000/ha | Based on 23 wetlands, their average distance to the main river and a canal width of 20 m, a total of 759 ha would be required at USD 150,000/ha. |
Total USD 150,000 | Total: USD 113,850,000 | ||
2 | Reconnecting low-lying areas with the main river (digging of canals) | The groundwork required would be 500 m length by 20 m width by 2 m depth is 20,000 m3 for a cost of USD 3/m3 | At basin level, groundwork would be required for 759 ha or 759,000 m2 with 2 m depth at USD 3/m3 |
Total USD 60,000 | Total USD 45,540,000 | ||
In addition, two sluice gates (one at the inlet and one at the outlet) would be required to manage water levels for about USD 800,000 each | In addition, each wetland would require two sluice gates or culverts (one at the inlet and one at the outlet) for about USD 800,000 each | ||
Total USD 1,600 ,000 | Total USD 36,800,000 | ||
3 | Removal of dense patches of vegetation | Assume 5 ha of dense vegetation would need to be cleared at a cost of USD 650/ha | Assume 5 ha of dense vegetation would need to be cleared for 23 sites at a cost of USD 650/ha |
Total USD 3,250 | Total USD 74,750 | ||
4 | Protect and enhance river corridors | No costs, part of overall planning and management costs, see 6 | No costs, part of overall planning and management costs, see 6 |
5 | Creating / maintaining habitat connectivity | No costs, part of overall planning and management costs, see 6 | No costs, part of overall planning and management costs, see 6 |
6 | Implementing regulation to maintain water quality | Planning, management, training, and engagement costs are assumed to be USD 200,000 for the site | Planning, management, training, and engagement costs are assumed to be USD 200,000 per site for 23 sites |
Total USD 200,000 | Total USD 4,600,000 | ||
7 | Installation of zones designated for natural fish nurseries | Estimated at USD 3,500 for one Fish Conservation Zone set up Total USD 3,500 | Estimated at USD 3,500 for one Fish Conservation Zone set up, assume one FCZ at each of the 23 sites. |
Total USD 80,500 | |||
8 | Strategy for ecotourism development | Costs of building a simple visitor centre and developing a ecotourism strategy, brochures, etc. is estimated to be USD 25,000. | Ecotourism could not be implemented at all sites, as the total market demand for ecotourism is limited and not all sites are suitable, e.g., in terms of accessibility. In total it is assumed that out of 23 sites, 5 could have ecotourism. |
Total USD 25,000 | Total USD 125,000 | ||
9 | Training and support to help households move to more sustainable livelihoods | Training, support, and engagement costs for households are assumed to be USD 200,000 for the site | Training, support, and engagement costs for households are assumed to be USD 200,000 per site |
Total USD 200,000 | Total USD 4,600,000 | ||
10 | Initiate payment for ecosystem services | Setting up a system for payments for ecosystem services (carbon credits, biodiversity credits or other) requires a certain scale to cover fixed costs. These costs are currently unknown. | Setting up a system for payments for ecosystem services (carbon credits, biodiversity credits or other) requires a certain scale to cover fixed costs. These costs are currently unknown. |
11 | Limiting activities / enforcement | The community is reportedly supportive of wetland conservation, hence there would be no enforcement costs | It is assumed that enforcement costs would be USD 500 per month or USD 6,000 per year per wetland |
Total USD 138,000 | |||
Total Capital Expenditure | USD 2,241,750 | USD 210,930,250 | |
Total Operational Expenditure | - | USD 138,000 / year |