One of five planned Lao dams on the Mekong’s main stream, integral to Laos’ strategy of becoming Southeast Asia’s power-exporting “battery,” is already proving to have devastating environmental and social impacts.
Category: Region
Selected environmental stories from media outlets in the Mekong region and beyond.
Expert Commentary on the ‘Review of Design Changes Made for the Xayaburi Hydropower Project’
Report draws out key points and discusses their implications for Xayaburi and other dams under construction or consideration on the lower Mekong mainstream and within the region.
Dam Development Is ‘Silencing’ the Mekong River
As the first dam on the Lower Mekong begins operations, a major turning point for the ecological well being of the basin is occurring, as well as for the millions of river-dependent people affected.
Vietnamese plaintiffs to fight dismissal of FPG case
Conglomerate paid the Vietnamese government US$500 million after admitting that its dumping of toxic waste into the sea 3 years ago caused ecological damage, but fishermen and families affected have received nothing.
MONRE to survey Mekong Delta’s subsidence
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment plans to establish a monitoring system and conduct full inspections of land subsidence in the Mekong Delta provinces between 2020 and 2025.
Thai police arrest ‘kingpin’ in Asian wildlife trafficking
The Vietnamese national is alleged to be a kingpin in Asia’s illegal trade in endangered species, dealing a blow to a family-run syndicate that smuggles elephant ivory, rhino horn and tiger parts to Chinese and Vietnamese dealers.
Laos creates fund to cope with climate change
To support the making and amendment of government policies on climate change as well as the development of strategies, regulations, plans and action plans designed to enable Laos to tackle climate change.