Dams a threat to Mekong
Almost a decade ago, Vietnam was the most vocal neighbour in opposing Laos’ first dam on the Mekong River. Now, it has become a partner in the Lao government’s Luang Prabang dam project — its fifth on the mighty river. This new partnership is worrying, as is the rapid pace of overall Mekong hydropower development.
For one thing, the region is likely to lose its most influential opponent to the increasing damming of the river — a trend which has caused concern over its impact on the ecosystems and livelihoods of about 60 million people in the Mekong basin.
This month, the intergovernmental Mekong River Commission (MRC) began a six-month “prior consultation” on the Luang Prabang project to allow the four members — Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia — to discuss and raise their concerns. This is a condition that was set forth in the 1995 Mekong Agreement.
