Results fromf a vulture census at vulture restaurants in Sambo Wildlife Sanctuary of the Mekong Flooded Forest Landscape revealed that the combined number of the three vulture species has doubled in this area during the past two months, from 20 birds in late June to 41 in late August.
Category: Region
Selected environmental stories from media outlets in the Mekong region and beyond.
Vietnam’s ‘last paradise’ replaced with clubs, a casino, and a safari
Hawksbill and green turtles nested on its white-sand beaches. Crystal-clear waters teemed with coral reefs. Much of the 593-square-kilometer island was covered with forest ecosystems.
Thailand pushes dream of ‘land bridge’ to boost economy
Somboon Khamheng, a coordinator of the group, says environmentally destructive economic stimulus measures are unnecessary, adding that residents depend on the area’s natural resources to make their living.
Environmental impact report of largest FDI project in Mekong Delta approved
The Bac Lieu LNG-fired Power Plant has a total investment of VND93.6 trillion (about US$4 billion). It is currently the largest foreign direct investment project in the Mekong Delta. It is a key project, which plays the role of creating motivation to transform the economic structure of Bac Lieu Province.
US, China dueling for power on the Mekong
.Because China sits at the river’s headwaters and has shown its power to turn it off at will, the MRC, Mekong-US Partnership and Japan’s initiatives seem destined to become sideshows in another rising contest for regional influence.
World Bank to Support land administration
The $31 million Enhancing Systematic Land Registration Project will be run by the government’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment over the next five years. Its objective is to modernize land administration and scale up land registration to support the country’s aim of extending the benefits of recognized land rights to more of the Lao population.
Laos-China Railway to be green and low-carbon railway
Significance lies in environmental and ecological protection by using the same building standards and cutting-edge technology utilized in China to decrease environmental risks, while the electricity transmission pole project has helped train local people in grid operation and management with the goal of creating jobs and assuring power supply.
New data shows strong air pollution policies lengthen life expectancy
In Southeast Asia, air pollution is emerging as a major threat in metropolises like Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City and Jakarta. The average resident in these cities stands to gain two to five years of life expectancy if pollution levels were reined in to meet the WHO guideline.
Fishing vessels to be closely controlled to end IUU
Preventing and ending vessels’ illegal fishing overseas is the first requirement to lift “yellow card” warning by the European Commission, said Deputy General Director of the Directorate of Fisheries Nguyen Quang Hung.
Hong Kong energy firm ditches two Myanmar projects
The company, which has a stake in nine power plants across Myanmar, said it will not be renewing the contracts for power stations in Kyaukphyu Township, Rakhine State, and Myingyan Township in Mandalay Region.