The Red Flag River’s proposed diversion of 21 percent of water from the upper streams of three transnational rivers (Mekong, Salween, and Brahmaputra) may be seen as a controversial issue. However, the proposed impact is actually very small. In the case of the Mekong, the discharge from the river’s upper stream accounts for just 2.96 percent of the the river’s total discharge.
Category: Region
Selected environmental stories from media outlets in the Mekong region and beyond.
China ramps up electricity imports from North Korea, Russia, Myanmar in bid to ease power crisis
The power is being generated by the Chinese-built Dapein (1) hydropower station located near Bhamo, a trading hub in northern Myanmar, according to people familiar with the matter.
Tiny crab encased in amber reveals evolutionary march out of the ocean
The stunningly preserved, 100-million-year-old crustacean also highlights the conflict surrounding Myanmar’s amber mines.
New reports point to dams ‘stressing’ Cambodia’s Mekong river fisheries
The Mekong River Commission — has conducted two new studies that support Kong Kim’s observations. The reports examine the effects of human and environmental incursions in the lower Mekong basin, where Cambodian fisherfolk say their catch has declined in recent years.
UK government calls on Thailand to accelerate its net-zero target
Thailand’s current strategy puts the kingdom 15-20 years behind the conference’s goal of having zero greenhouse-gas emissions globally by 2050 — the first objective of COP26.
Vietnam seeks technical cooperation to fight climate change
With four components, the project will provide three water purification and two rainfall collection systems, repair 850m of dykes and plant over 1,000 sq.m of mangrove forests from 2021 to 2025./.
USAID-funded Mekong Delta Coastal Habitat Conservation project launched
By partnering with businesses, provincial governments, the management board of Phu Quoc Marine Protected Area (MPA) of Phu Quoc National Park in Kien Giang province and fishing communities, the project will work to mitigate threats to coastal biodiversity and fisheries, and enhance coastal resilience in the region.
Laos accelerates cattle production for export
The move comes as the government realises the strong potential for stepping up cattle production for export, particularly when the $5.9 billion railway becomes operational in December.
New research directly links sestern fashion brands to deforestation
The researcher from Royal Holloway, University of London told VICE World News they show, for the first time, trees logged from Cambodian forest being illegally used as fuel in a garment factory supplying major Western brands.