Imaging Our Mekong - Environment

THAILAND: Landmines Threaten Elephants

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 05:33:48 -0500

MAE SOT, Thailand - More than 100 elephants hauling logs on the Thai-Burmese border are in constant danger, as one step in the wrong direction could injure or even kill them.

Troubled Waters Surround Cambodia’s Fisheries

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 02:48:50 -0500

By Andrew Nette

KANDAL, Cambodia, Apr 9 (IPS) - Im Vandang, a former solider turned fisherman, is not sure why there are less fish in the Mekong River, but he knows the situation is getting serious.

Calling on Mekong Leaders

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 23:39:04 -0500

Ounkeo Souksavanh

In the collection of views below, young people at the 3^rd Greater Mekong Subregion Summit held in Vientiane, Laos on Mar.30-31, 2008 talk about what they’d like Mekong leaders to do.

CAMBODIA: Concerns Rise with Planned Lao Dam on Mekong

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 03:10:17 -0500

By Andrew Nette

PHNOM PENH, Mar 28 (IPS Asia-Pacific) - The Lao government’s decision earlier this year to press ahead with plans to build the Don Sahong dam on the mainstream of the Mekong River in southern Laos is causing major concern in Cambodia and internationally.

In Vietnam, Bird Flu Fighters Have Ducks in Their Sights

Sat, 08 Mar 2008 04:50:30 -0600

Marwaan Macan-Markar

BANGKOK, Nov 30 (IPS Asia-Pacific) - As the temperature drops and another cool season approaches, Vietnam's duck population is coming under attention because it is suspected to have become vulnerable to the avian influenza virus.

Applications Open for EarthRights Mekong School

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 23:28:59 -0600

EarthRights Mekong School is now accepting applications for its seven month training program from activists around the Mekong Region whose work specialises in environmental issues and civil society.

'Avian Flu Spread by Poultry, Not Wild Birds'

Sat, 08 Mar 2008 04:54:21 -0600

Marwaan Macan-Markar

BANGKOK, Sep 3 (IPS Asia-Pacific) - The search for answers to the spread of the bird flu virus is calling into question a long-held practice in science where recognition is given to positive test results, say experts meeting in the Thai capital.

LAOS: On the Bird Flu Map

Sat, 08 Mar 2008 05:05:39 -0600

Marwaan Macan-Markar

BANGKOK, Mar 11 (IPS Asia-pacific) - A spell of good fortune that South-east Asia's poorest country enjoyed for three years ran out this month. Laos has become the 11th country in the world to record a human death from the bird flu virus.

Work Begins on Serepok Dam

Wed, 14 Feb 2007 06:18:11 -0600

DAK LAK, Vietnam - The first stage of dam construction for a 220-megawatt hydroelectric power plant on the Serepok river began at two communes in Central Highlands provinces of Dak Lak and Dak Nong on Feb. 7.

China's Central Bank Goes Green

Wed, 14 Feb 2007 05:52:40 -0600

BEIJING - Enterprises that have poor environmental records risk being rejected for bank loans under a nationwide credit system that factors environmental information into loan applications.

CAMBODIA: No Fish? Eat Rabbit Instead

Mon, 08 Jan 2007 21:04:46 -0600

PHNOM PENH - For the 11,000 villagers along the Srepok River in north-eastern Cambodia, life is about fish. They eat fish. They sell fish. But one day soon-if Vietnam completes six hydropower dams now planned or under construction
along the river, there man not be enough fish. Perhaps they can eat rabbits instead.

Oil Goes up the Mekong

Tue, 06 Feb 2007 10:45:49 -0600

On Dec 29, two ships carrying a total of 300 tonnes of refined oil from Thailand arrived in Jinghong in southern Yunnan, marking the initiation of a scheme to transport oil from South-east Asia, according to a China.org report.

Saffron-clad Monks Go Green

Mon, 28 Aug 2006 22:14:14 -0500

By Ung Chamroeun

ODDAR MEANCHAY, Cambodia - In this north-western Cambodian province, a group of monks banded together to form a forest community, carrying out inspections to make sure there is no felling of trees or poaching.

In the capital Phnom Penh, the Association of Buddhism for the Environment (ABE) created a website, www.sanghanetwork.org, to discuss environmental protection activities that monks are carrying out in the Mekong region. Over in Prasat Sambo district in Kompong Thom, a young monk has set up a library on the environment in his pagoda.

CAMBODIA: 'Development' Threatens Fisheries

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 06:20:04 -0500

By Sutthida Malikaew

PHNOM PENH - The Tonle Sap is one of the most productive inland fisheries in the world, providing 40 to 70 percent of the total protein consumption of the Cambodian population. But now wild fisheries are under threat in the name of development, says a fisheries expert.

Irrawaddy Dolphins Disappearing from the Mekong

Mon, 03 Oct 2005 07:21:44 -0500

by WIWAT PANDAWUTIYANON

Villagers in this southern town on the lower Mekong river know only one marine mammal, the Irrawaddy dolphin, and soon they may know it only from their elders' stories or from books.