WEEKLY NEWS DIGEST
Curating news, commentary and resources on development, its environmental and social impacts, and the context affecting the Mekong Region
MEKONG DEVELOPMENT
Mekong River Being ‘Dammed’ with Uncertainty by China and Laos
But the current direction of development shows that regional decision-makers do not acknowledge the broader value of the river, ignoring other users of this shared resource.
CAMBODIA
Cambodia discovers long lost eel species
It is commonly found in the Mekong basin in southern Cambodia and Vietnam as well as in Western Indo Pacific, he added.
LAOS
Thailand Unhappy About China-Funded Laos Dam
The deputy governor of Loei Province, which is immediately downstream of the site, has voiced local concerns that the impact of the dam could be even more significant than that already felt by the Xayaburi dam, despite it being considerably further upstream.
Myanmar
Plastic and the pandemic
A sharp increase in household plastic waste amid COVID-19 has exacerbated the threat posed by Yangon’s near-capacity landfills and poor waste management systems.
Thailand
Making palm oil more sustainable
Helping oil palm smallholders adopt more responsible practices is key to reducing the industry’s environmental impact.
Vietnam
Mega irrigation system to help Mekong Delta tackle drought, salinity
It would combine with a coastal dam in the region to combat climate change, rising sea levels and flooding, as well as help develop infrastructure for road transport.