Without an approved EIA a project cannot move ahead; so developers are accused of hiring “friendly” environmental firms and environmental experts to conduct a study and public hearing that give favourable outcomes that support the project. Such accusations surfaced recently in the case of the Yuam River Water Diversion scheme.
Category: Region
Selected environmental stories from media outlets in the Mekong region and beyond.
Simmering glacial geo politics: upcoming crises with transboundary water cooperation on Asia’s back burner
In the short-term, the amount of water is projected to rise, contributing to floods. The Upper Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Mekong are each expected to increase total runoff by up to 27 percent. These increases will not be sustained.
Water stress poses credit risks for coal, mining and power sectors: Moody’s
In Asia, said Moody’s countries with the highest exposure to water management risks also tend to be large agricultural producers, with those banking systems facing sizable loan exposures. This is the case in India, China, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Bangladesh where in many cases credit to agriculture and fisheries is reflective of the sectors’ importance to employment.
Agreement Moves Myanmar’s Kyaukphyu Port and SEZ with China moves forward
An agreement to conduct preliminary field investigation work for the Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Deep Sea Port Project has been signed, signaling another step forward for the project, which forms part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) plans in Myanmar.
Flooding: An all-too-familiar sight
The chance of epic floods is less than 10% but his model shows each region having different probabilities of flooding events — Central (10%-20%), Northeast (20%-40%), East (30%-40%), and South (50%-60%).
Pandemic, post-coup political turmoil delay establishment of marine protected areas in Arakan State
Efforts are underway to conserve as marine protected areas the two largest mangrove forests in Myanmar: Wun Paik and Kyeintali Island.
Laos highlights progress toward SDGs
The poverty rate declined to 18 percent in 2020, while improvements have been made in food and nutrition security in terms of quality and quantity, resulting in a decrease in malnutrition and underweight in children below the age of five.
Experts disagree with coal roadmap in Power Development Plan
Over the next ten years, there should be no more new renewable energy sources approved, according to the draft.
Connecting with Laos
As the opening of a rail link with China nears, promising new possibilities for economic development are emerging.