Environment and natural resources
Asean leaders urged to back protection of 30% of land and oceans ahead of CBD conference
Scientists and experts in the region under an umbrella, Campaign for Nature, a coalition of more than 100 conservation organizations around the world including the Wyss Campaign for Nature and National Geographic Society, have called for Asean leaders to publicly throw their support to save ...
B. Tribune
Mekong crisis could deepen fault lines within Asean if not seen as regional issue: ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute report
ASEAN, as a regional bloc, needs to take full ownership of the issues surrounding the Mekong River’s environmental crisis instead of relegating it to be of sub-regional importance for fear of displeasing Beijing, said researchers at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute. “The Mekong River ecosystem is on ...
SHARON SEE
‘Drastic forest development’: Vietnam to plant 1 billion trees — but how?
In October and November of 2020, a relentless barrage of nine typhoons and tropical storms slammed into Vietnam, setting off record floods and countless landslides. Nearly 200 people died, and property damage was estimated at $1.5 billion. Then-Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc responded on Nov. 10 ...
Michael Tatarski
National water resource security scheme discussed
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment’s Water Resource Management Department convened an online meeting with relevant units in Hanoi on May 17 to discuss building a scheme to ensure national water resource security. Speaking at the event, deputy head of the department Nguyen Minh Khuyen said Vietnam ...
VNA
MRC to monitor Mekong flow with French support
The French Government granted EUR 1.5 million to the Mekong River Commission (MRC) to monitor rainfall and river flow in order to better understand flow changes and the corresponding impacts on development projects. New funding will continue to improve and expand its network for better river ...
Herd of rare banteng spotted in Huai Kha Khaeng
Rangers and a professional photographer exploring the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary were in for a treat on May 11 when they spotted and quickly photographed more than 60 banteng cows and bulls, which are listed as endangered species. “Rangers and Athit Nima, a professional photographer, ...
THE NATION
Trafficking of banned Myanmar teak lands German company with $4m fine
WOB Timber, a logging company based in Hamburg, Germany, has been ordered by a court to pay a $4 million fine for illegally trading Myanmar timber. The April 27 decision was one of the highest financial penalties for this type of crime in the European ...
Nicolás Bustamante Hernández
'Untie knots' in Mekong Delta infrastructure growth: PM
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh Saturday called on Mekong Delta officials to “untie knots’ in infrastructure development, stressing that this was key for the region to fulfill its full potential. He also said the region should give priority to developing port and aviation infrastructure. The PM was ...
Cuu Long
Cambodian farmers can no longer rely on the Tonle Sap lake
“I’ve seen lower yields on my farm each year since maybe 2017 or 2018 – there just isn’t enough water,” says Yoeum Yoeut. Yoeut, 52, is a lifelong resident of the Baran district in Cambodia’s northwest Battambang province. Her livelihood has always depended on the natural flooding ...
Gerald Flynn, Phoung Vantha
Govt prepares to tackle weather emergencies in rainy season
The National Disaster Management Committee is preparing to respond to emergencies caused by heavy rainfall through the prompt provision of assistance and subsequent recovery. Numerous countries around the world including Laos suffer from weather extremes such as floods and earthquakes as well as crop pests and ...
Phomphong Laoin