Biodiversity
Ecosystems
Fire in Phou Phanang Forest Contained After Nine Grueling Days
The fire, which was caused by agricultural burning in the area, had spread to 17 different villages in the Sangthong district, causing damage to an area of around 120 hectares of woodland.Around 600 people, including officials and local residents, were mobilized on 20 March to ...
Jonathan Meadley
Overall Mekong River flow patterns do not change: report finding
Two hydropower projects along Southeast Asia’s most important river have had measurable, but moderate, impact on water flow, sediment and fisheries, according to preliminary findings of a report by the Mekong River Commission (MRC) released last week.With roughly one year of monitoring data, the MRC ...
Mekong dams must release less water in dry season to preserve habitats, experts say
Abnormally high-water levels in the Mekong River at the end of May indicate that dams on the river must release less water during the dry season to protect the ecosystem, experts said at an online panel Monday. Rain levels during the dry season this year have ...
Eugene Whong
Worries in Laos and Thailand as upstream dams drain Mekong River
Low water levels and a lack of sediment have affected the ecosystem and people’s livelihoods. Experts say the dams make the impact of periodic droughts in the Mekong basin worse and rob the river of the “pulse effect” that spreads water and nutrients that support ...
RFA
Mekong Countries Urged to Take Action as River Experiences Three Years of Low Flows
The Mekong River Commission (MRC) Secretariat has renewed its call for the six Mekong countries to urgently address regional low flows, water fluctuations and drought as the Lower Mekong River experiences record low flows for the third consecutive year. Keep reading ...
Latsamy Phonevilay
Australia, Germany, Switzerland to provide nearly USD13 m to improve Mekong’s overall state
Australia, Germany, and Switzerland on Jun 24 committed nearly USD13 million in funding to the Mekong River Commission (MRC) to assist Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand, and Viet Nam to respond to pressing challenges while safeguarding the ecological function of the Mekong River and improving people’s ...
KPL
Japan helps advance MRC capacity in addressing Mekong flood issues
The government of Japan last Friday granted USD2.9 million to the Mekong River Commission (MRC) to implement its new strategic plan, seeking to promote responsible development in the region.The Mekong River and its tributaries support nearly 70 million people in the Lower Mekong Basin, providing ...
KPL
KOICA, Laos assess master plan for management of Nam Ngum River Basin
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and Ministry of Energy and Mines met yesterday to discuss the final report of a project to write a master plan for Integrated Water Resource Management in the Nam Ngum River Basin. The project is funded by grant aid of ...
Times Reporters
Fish release proclaimed as PM, public propel piscine preservation
Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith yesterday led civil servants, police officers, soldiers, representatives from international organisations and the public in Vientiane in releasing 150,000 fingerlings on the occasion of this year’s National Aquatic Animal and Wildlife Conservation Day.More ...
Vientiane Times