Despite official pledges to halt the trade, smugglers in Cambodia and Laos are finding ways to illegally ship timber to Vietnam. The precious hardwood is often used in furniture factories that ship their products largely to China.
Category: Region
Selected environmental stories from media outlets in the Mekong region and beyond.
Hundreds protest against polluting steel factories in central Vietnam
Hundreds of people have been protesting outside two factories in Da Nang since Monday night demanding authorities fulfill their promise to relocate people from the polluted area.
Sediment loss in Mekong River killing southern delta
A recent study finds that the Mekong River’s sediments arriving down the Cuu Long Delta fell from 65 to 75 percent compared to the total in the 1990s, and by half over the last few years.
Inclusive Green Growth Must Shape Thailand’s Future, Says GGGI Chief
Energy efficiency in industries presents a unique opportunity for Thailand’s environmental and economic policies says Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) Dr. Frank Rijsberman.
Global surveys indicate uphill battle for Laos
At least three global surveys disclosed their findings recently, with all three indicating that Laos is going backwards in term of in global development rankings
Environmental fears as EEC plans rushed
Local residents express worry: we fear the impacts on our way of life, as we do not see any development and promotion of … agriculture and fisheries, which are the livelihoods of local people, in the EEC plan.
Research: Greenhouse gas emissions of hydropower in the Mekong River Basin
The Mekong River Basin in Southeast Asia is undergoing extensive hydropower development, but the magnitude of related greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) are not well known.
Southeast Asia: hotspot for renewables or dumping ground for coal?
The various national power development plants (PDPs) do not yet adequately reflect the renewable future yet.
Belt and Road road corridors put half of Myanmar’s population at risk
Road projects under China’s Belt and Road Initiative would provide transport to areas of the Ayeyarwady basin and surrounding areas, which are home to approximately 24 million people
Hydropower construction 90% complete
The developer has said natural-like fish ladders have been developed to enable fish to migrate upstream and downstream.