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The Mekong is one of the world’s great rivers. With its source in Tibet, the Mekong River runs through six Southeast Asian countries - China, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. The Mekong River, already heavily dammed, is under a severe threat as the governments of Thailand, Laos and Cambodia are planning to build 11 additional big hydropower dams on its lower mainstream. If built, the Xayaburi Dam—the most advanced one—threatens to cause unprecedented damage to the river’s ecology and fisheries by blocking the migratory route of at least 23 fish species and threatening the extinction of 41 more, including the critically endangered Mekong Giant Catfish. This in turn will have devastating impacts on the livelihoods and food security of millions of people living along the river who depend on its natural resources.
In September 2010, the Xayaburi Dam became the first mainstream dam to be submitted for approval by the four countries’ governments (Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam) through a regional decision-making process called the "Procedures for Notification, Prior Consultation and Agreement" (PNPCA), facilitated by the Mekong River Commission (MRC). For two years, communities, governmental officials and NGO representatives have been expressing their opposition to the construction of the dam. Despite this clear public opposition, the approval process continues to move forward. A final decision on whether the dam will be built will be made as early as tomorrow, April 22, 2011.
Visit www.savethemekong.org for more information.
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If built, the Xayaburi Dam—the most advanced one—threatens to cause unprecedented damage to the river’s ecology and fisheries by blocking the migratory route of at least 23 fish species and threatening the extinction of 41 more, including the critically endangered Mekong Giant Catfish
Posted by: Mailing list companies | 07/17/2012 at 01:12 AM