Though hydropower is considered a form of clean energy, the construction and operation of hydropower dams can drastically destroy rivers, and alter people’s way of life forever. Therefore, assessment of the environmental impacts of specific hydropower projects is crucial to avoid what can be called ‘river grabbing’.
Tag: society-community
Shan and Karen CSOs strongly oppose Salween Dam
Villagers and CSOs from Shan State and Karen State on 10 March protested against the Mong Ton hydropower project during the first public consultation meeting held by the Australian consulting firm, the Snowy Mountain Engineering Corporation (SMEC) in Taunggyi, Shan State.
EGAT to solve power plant resistance
Lieutenant General Anantaporn Kanjanarat, Minister of Energy visited and delivered energy policy to Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), has ordered EGAT to provide clear information on electric power generation, back up plan and the fuel proportion used to produce electricity. EGAT is also requested to provide electricity purchase plan from abroad to present to public and investors to have better understanding on current country electricity situation. This measure happened after anti-coal fired power plants movement in many areas. Thailand’s electricity backup still remains high, the government does not urgently need to invest in new power plants, said the anti-coal fired power plant group.
Multilateral Development Banks and Safeguards
Independent evaluations at multilateral development banks (MDBs) have called for a reform of the system of safeguards that they use to deflect potential damages to communities and the environment associated with the investments they finance. Without such mitigation, roads can harm habitats, dams displace communities and slum rebuilding hurt livelihoods.
Tak residents vow to fight relocation plans
Tak residents have refused to relocate after authorities declared state land in the province’s special economic zone (SEZ) must be taken back from encroachers to pave the way for new city planning projects.
Coal power projects to be delayed
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) for 11 coal-fired power plants was signed between the Ministry of Electric Power (MOEP) and local and international private companies in 2010, and other new coal power projects are also in the planning stage.
In Laos’ economic zone, a casino and illicit trade beckon in ‘lawless playground’
Critics say the zone has instead become a mecca of gambling, prostitution and illicit trade, raising questions about the spillover effects of China’s growing economic clout beyond its borders.
Fish Shortage Stirs Ethnic Rivalry
Chea Takihiro and Igor Kossov The Vietnamese fishing families are gone. Their boats began disappearing from the banks of the Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers near Phnom Penh a few months ago, according to Cham fishing families still living in the area. By the weekend none were left, Cham fishermen told Khmer Times. The ethnic […]
Ban Pong: A Story of a Solid Community
Two hundred years ago, the ancestors of the Ban Pong people came to the area to try to develop the land, during a time where land titles did not exist. They had lived in peace until the government issued a land titling policy in the 1990s.
Thai military intimidates anti-mine villagers in northern Thailand over complaint
The military officers in northern Thailand have attempted to prevent a group of villagers from submitting a complaint to the provincial governor, saying that the act might breach the Public Assembly Act recently enacted.