Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Dams in Laos threaten Asia's largest waterfall, critically endangered river dolphin

March 16, 2009
 

Eleven proposed hydroelectric projects on the Mekong River in Southeast Asia
threaten migratory fish stocks, regional food security, and the livelihoods
of millions of people, warns a new campaign launched by environmental
groups.

The Save the Mekong coalition says the dams would "block major fish
migrations and disrupt this vitally important river, placing at risk
millions of people who depend upon the Mekong for their food security and
income." Several threatened species - including the critically endangered
Irrawaddy dolphin and the giant catfish - would be at risk, as would
important tourist sites, including Khone Falls, Asia's largest waterfall.
More than 2,100 square kilometers of land - including agricultural areas,
wetlands and tropical forests - would be flooded.

Most of the projects are planned in Laos, a poor, but resource-rich country
that shares the Mekong as a border with Cambodia and Thailand. The dams
would generate more than 20 megawatts of power, most of which would go to
cities in Thailand and Vietnam.

"Big dams don't develop Laos; they destroy invaluable rivers and resources
upon which Lao people depend for daily survival," said Shannon Lawrence, Lao
Program Director for International Rivers - a coalition member - and editor
of Power Surge, a report outlining the dams proposed in the country.

"Mekong mainstream dams - like Don Sahong - would be a tragic and costly
mistake," said Dr. Carl Middleton, International Rivers' Mekong Program
Coordinator. "For only 360 megawatts of electricity, Don Sahong would
devastate fisheries that are central to people's food security and the wider
economy and undermine the region's growing tourism potential. In a region
where wild-capture fisheries are valued at US$2 billion per year and are of
critical importance to riparian communities, these dams simply don't add
up."

Save the Mekong is urging policymakers to adopt "more sustainable and
peaceful ways" of meeting regional energy and water needs. The coalition has
launched an online petition and this past weekend opened a photo exhibition
highlighting the beauty and importance of the Mekong.