Laos-located Don Sahong hydropower project impacts discussed

Hydropower projects on the Mekong River, including the Don Sahong in Laos , will pose a threat to the balance of water, fish, and alluvium resources, while harming the ecosystem in the Mekong Delta region, said an expert on climate change.
Hydropower projects on the Mekong River , including the Don Sahongin Laos , will pose a threat to the balance of water, fish, andalluvium resources, while harming the ecosystem in the Mekong Deltaregion, said an expert on climate change.

Prof.Doc. Le Anh Tuan from the Research Institute for Climate Change at CanTho University, pointed out that Don Sahong, the second hydropowerproject to be developed on a section of the Mekong River runningthough Laos , could lead to an extinction of catfish and othermigrant fish species in the river.

It would alsoremarkably reduce the number of endemic fish in downstream areas, Tuansaid at a conference held on August 21 in the Mekong Delta city of CanTho to prepare ideas to be contributed to the proposed Don Sahonghydropower project on the mainstream of the Mekong River .

Meanwhile, Nguyen Thanh Hai, office manager of the Steering Committeefor Southwestern Region, said if all 12 hydropower projects aredeveloped upstream, 55 percent of the Mekong River will becomelarge reservoirs. Meanwhile, downstream areas, especially the MekongDelta region, would suffer from environmental risks, he said.

At the same time, climate change and sea level rise would lead tosalinity intrusion in most of the farming areas in the region, affectingthe livelihood of about 30 million residents, he said.

Nguyen Huu Thien, an independent specialist, said the whole regionwould be affected by decisions on hydropower development in the MekongRiver - one of the greatest rivers in the world possessing a richresource that feeds millions of people.

Heemphasised that the decisions must base on thorough, quality researcheswith consultations from governments and communities affected.

During the event, scientists updated the development process ofhydropower projects on the Mekong River mainstream, assessment ofenvironment impact of Don Sahong dam, and consultation process forXayabury hydropower project.

Participants discussedways to organise the consultations on Don Sahong project and how MekongDelta localities engage in the process in a most effective manner.

The Mekong River is the world’s 12th longest river. It runsthrough China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia andVietnam.-VNA

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