A national consultation meeting was held in Hanoi on December 22 to examine the possible impacts of the 260-megawatt Don Sahong hydropower plant on the Mekong River.

Nguyen Hong Phuong, Deputy Chief of the Standing Office of the Vietnam Mekong River Commission, said the proposed hydropower project is located on the Hou Sahong channel of the Mekong River main stream.
 
Participants said the Don Sahong dam would block the flow on Hou Sahong, thus disrupting the passage of migratory fish, damaging the local biological environment, and affecting the livelihood of locals who depend on Hou Shong.

They also said the dam would have potential negative effects on the fishery resources in the area due to changes in fish migration as well as pose socio-economic risks related to fisheries.

They agreed on the existence of the dam’s impacts which must be considered in all aspects, from fishery and the passage of fish, the community of Irrawaddy dolphins in the Mekong River, water quality, ecological system and mud.

The Mekong River is the world’s 12th longest river. It runs through China , Myanmar, Laos , Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.-VNA