Laos hydro dam upsets Mekong River neighbors
Laos began construction last week on a multi-billion dollar hydro dam project that is opposed by other countries along the Mekong River, and activists who say the project will significantly impact the environment and the economies of four countries that rely on the river for fishing and agriculture. “The decision by Laos to push ahead with the giant Xayaburi dam makes it the first of what could prove to be a cascade of 11 proposed dams on the lower Mekong,” said the Economist last week. “Because the decision fails to take account of the consequences for downstream countries, it has raised tensions with neighbors.” The Xayaburi dam was proposed 18 months ago, and Cambodia and Vietnam asked for more investigation into what the effects the dam will have on the countries downriver. Meanwhile, Thai activists have sued their country for making a deal with Laos to buy electricity generated by the dam and have begun a “flotilla” protest on the river. …
