[enviro-vlc] VOA - Environmental Groups Oppose Construction of Proposed Dams on Mekong Mainstream

[Vern Weitzel]

Subject: 	[Lancang-Mekong] VOA - Environmental Groups Oppose
Construction of Proposed Dams on Mekong Mainstream
Date: 	Thu, 25 Dec 2008 15:10:27 +0700
From: 	FER <fer at terraper.org>
Reply-To: 	fer at terraper.org


*Environmental Groups Oppose Construction of Proposed Dams on Mekong
Mainstream*

VOA - By Phaysarn Vorachak
/19/12/2008/
	

240px-Mekong_River_watershed
Mekong_River_watershed

The almost 5,000 kilometer-long Mekong River begins at the Tibet Plateau
and runs through many countries including China, Burma, Laos, Thailand,
and Cambodia before draining itself into the South China Sea at its
delta in Vietnam.  So far, only China has dammed the mainstream of the
Mekong which is known in China as the Lancang River, while lower-Mekong
countries have built dams only on its tributaries.

However, since mid-2006, the governments of Laos, Thailand and Cambodia
have granted approval to Chinese, Thai, Malaysian, Russian and
Vietnamese companies to do feasible studies on at least 11 projects to
be built on the Mekong mainstream at Pakbeng, Luangprabang, Sayabouli,
Paklay, Sanakham, Latsua and Donesahong in Laos, at Ban Koum and Pakchom
along the Thai-Lao border, and at Strung Treng and Sambor in Cambodia.

Laos-Thailand Bankum dam
Laos-Thailand Bankoum dam

Laos, one of the poorest nations in Asia, is seeking to exploit its
hydropower potential to become the battery of East Asia and sell
electricity to its developed neighbors, namely Thailand and Vietnam.

Environmental groups, including International Rivers, have expressed
objection to these projects which they say will threaten the livelihood
of local people and the river