The Lower Sesan II dam in Cambodia’s Stung Treng province has resulted in inundation of seasonal wetlands, relocation and the fragmentation of local communities. Previously self-sufficient communities are struggling as they become low-income wage labor in distant cities but face mounting debts, economic insecurity, homesickness, and mental stress. Community leaders are striving to invest in education for local youth to gain a better future.
In Cambodia’s Kampong Cham, young people no longer care about fishing skills
Fisheries play an important economic and social role in many parts of Cambodia, contributing to food and nutrition security. But many young people in fishing families no longer want to carry on their families’ traditional way of life.
4th WriteShop for Mekong Writers: Call for applicants
The writeshop will bring together writers and researchers to build capacity to think critically, and produce a written story on current environmental and development issues in the Mekong Region. Less experienced writers especially will be provided help to plan and write their articles.
More dams, less fish and fishers: A Mekong Delta fisher voices concern
One of the greatest impacts of dam construction in the Mekong Basin is on inland fisheries and the livelihoods of small-scale fishers. A fisher in the Mekong Delta talks about the plight of inland fishing livelihoods in An Phu district, An Giang province in Vietnam.
Rare frog-headed turtle brought back from the brink
A species of giant Mekong turtles was believed to have been extinct until in 2007 when a mother turtle was found. Since then, governmental authorities, a non-governmental organization, local people and even Buddhist monks have joined hands to ensure the survival of the soft-shell, frog-headed turtles. Their number has slowly grown, but humans, natural predators and climate change continue to pose serious threats.
3rd WriteShop for Mekong Writers: Call for applicants
The writeshop will bring together writers and researchers to build capacity to think critically, and produce a written story on current environmental and development issues in the Mekong Region. Less experienced writers especially will be provided help to plan and write their articles.
Diverting the Mekong River into Thailand: The Khong-Loei-Chi-Mun project
The Khong-Loei-Chi-Mun project is the latest version of a long history of plans for large-scale irrigation in Northeastern Thailand. Visiting the area, Mai Lan hears how Thailand’s Royal Irrigation Department is pushing ahead with studies, as communities, NGOs, and downstream countries worry about the environmental and social impacts.
Pak Mun Dam: 25 years after World Bank’s loan, problems remain
In Thailand, communities still suffer impacts of the World Bank’s Pak Mun Dam over 25 years after construction started. Whilst fisheries are decimated, and the communities’ fishing culture largely lost, compensation is inadequate. Yuka Kiguchi asks what are the responsibilities of the World Bank and Government for restitution and redress?
Cambodia’s women fishers concerned about Don Sahong Dam
Women fishers in Kratie Province, Cambodia are concerned about plans for the Don Sahong Dam upstream in Laos. They worry that the river’s fisheries and the endangered Irrawaddy Dolphin will be affected. Working with civil society groups, they have raised their voice through a campaign that has involved both protest and radio shows.
Large dams are not the answer to climate change in the Mekong Region
Climate change already affects Thai communities who rely on the Mekong River’s natural resources. Areeya Tivasuradej shows how the Clean Development Mechanism by supporting hydropower dams that devastate communities and ecosystems is a false solution to climate change, and calls for a new approach following Climate Justice principles.