The cityscape of Phnom Penh resembles a work in progress. On a strip of land marking the cross-section of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers, a new hotel under construction and empty plots face the centuries-old Royal Palace.
Category: Region
Selected environmental stories from media outlets in the Mekong region and beyond.
Maximum concession period cut to half century in investment promotion overhaul
A newly-amended Investment Promotion Law has moved to cut by half the maximum investment period for new concession projects to 50 years, down from previous maximum period of 99 years.
In Cambodia, 5 Years After Chut Wutty’s Killing, Questions Remain
The late environmental activist Chut Wutty was prepared for his own death — “any time.”
‘They Do Not Count Us’: Resisting the Myitsone Dam Beyond China, the US, and Big Geopolitics
In autumn 2011, waterways took on an unprecedented prominence in Burmese thinking, thanks to the great Myitsone Dam controversy.
Vietnam’s Prime Minister halts $10.6 bln steel plant over questions of demand, pollution
Says the project is ‘very sensitive’ in the wake of Vietnam’s worst ever environmental disaster that occured last year.
Australian Mining Firm Abandons Exploration Bid in Contested Karenni State Area
The new management at the Australian mining firm Eumeralla Resources has decided not to further pursue mining opportunities in eastern Burma, following a three-year wait for permits. The Perth-based firm, which is currently undergoing a restructuring and name change, had been seeking to explore for minerals in a corner of Karenni State that has been beset by decades of conflict.
Vietnam nears top ten most polluted countries
Vietnam may surpass China to become one among 10 countries with the most serious environmental pollution in the world by 2035 if the country continues maintaining the current industrial development, experts warned.
2017 SEI Science Forum, Bangkok, May 30
Stockholm Environment Institute’s 2017 SEI Science Forum aims to support a dynamic and enduring exchange between science, people and policy, specifically focusing on the Asian region.
Climate change is undermining sustainable development in Myanmar. Here is what can be done about it.
Myanmar’s national government and some international development groups are adopting different but complementary approaches to tackling climate change.
Study Shows Impacts of ELCs on Forest and Livelihoods
While ELCs do have some positive impacts, like employment opportunities, new technologies, access to health and improved infrastructure, the negative impacts outweigh these and local communities as well as forest and wildlife are threatened by loss of land, culture and traditions.