“The region has received approximately 60% higher than average rainfall this month when compared to the same period in 2019 and 2020,” said Dr Lam Hung Son, Head of the MRC Secretariat’s Regional Flood and Drought Management Centre, noting that rainfall will be lower than average in July and about average in August and September.
Category: Mekong
‘Gamechanging’ £10m environmental DNA project to map life in world’s rivers
Analysis of eDNA works by genetically profiling faeces, mucus and other matter that organisms shed to establish their presence in an ecosystem. In the UK, the technique is used to identify the habitat of the protected great crested newt to support conservation work.
China-backed SEZs linked to Southeast Asia’s illegal wildlife trade
Most interestingly, a significant part of this trade activity was observed in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) established to encourage increased trade and investment from China.
Cleaning up our act
Asean makes a new push to deal with its world-beating marine plastic waste problem. By Ismira Lutfia Tisnadibrata in Jakarta
Outcomes of 6th MLC foreign ministers’ meeting and bilateral meeting between Cambodian and Thailand
Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation issued a press release on the outcomes of the 6th Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the bilateral meeting between Cambodian and Thai Foreign Ministers, held yesterday in Chongqing, China.
Mekong River dams cause foods and damages to farmers
Yanyong Srijaroen, WWF-Thailand Wetlands Project Manager stated that the operation of Chinese dams often involves the untimely and unexpected release of large amounts of water destroying the nests and eggs of young birds of the endangered species. Moreover, dams located at the source lead to salinization and the decline of fisheries, which affects the surrounding villages that depend on the river, as well as to its negative effects on crops because of the sediment that usually fertilizes crops at the top of the source.
Joint Statement on Enhancing Sustainable Development Cooperation of the Lancang-Mekong Countries
We encourage all the six member countries to intensify their efforts and step up the coordination and collaboration at drainage basin level to address water-related issues of common concern, such as to improve conditions for local water supply, protect the ecosystem of the Lancang-Mekong River, address the adverse impacts of floods and droughts, and other extreme weather events caused by climate change.
China Is turning Its water-scarcity crisis into a weapon
The PRC is flexing its hegemony in its region, putting other countries at a disadvantage, and making them beholden to PRC consideration for a vital resource. Some say that Beijing is weaponizing water. This is a real danger. On closer inspection, though, Beijing’s actions reflect the government’s recognition that extreme measures are needed. Water scarcity for human consumption, power, and irrigation is a significant source of potential instability. China’s water problem is serious.
