It is proposed to postpone the construction of a dam on the Mekong River

The proposal to postpone the construction of hydropower dams on the mainstream of the Mekong for at least 10 years is the unanimous opinion put forward at the National Conference on Dissemination and Impact of Hydropower Development on the mainstream of the Mekong River.

>>>Continue to postpone the dam construction plan in Laos

The workshop was organized by the Mekong River Commission in collaboration with Can Tho City People's Committee in Can Tho city on December 20.

The seminar attracted a large number of scientists and leaders from provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta region to attend.

At the workshop, delegates listened to the National Advisory Group on Strategic Environmental Assessment of the 12 Mekong mainstream hydropower dams, information on the hydropower development situation in the Mekong basin, implemented the study of the impact of 12 hydropower dams of the Mekong mainstream .

Since then, delegates agreed highly with the National Advisory Group on Strategic Environmental Dams 12 proposed mainstream hydropower dams to propose a postponement of the construction of the mainstream dams for at least 10 years. to have more time for extensive research and consultation, clearly defined advantages and disadvantages when building hydroelectric dams on the mainstream of the Mekong River.

In assessing the impact of 12 Mekong mainstream hydropower dams, Mr. Le Duc Trung, Chief of the Vietnam Mekong River Commission's office, affirmed that in the national consultation phase of Vietnam and in the Mekong River basin, there is a reflection on term. deep concern of local communities and social organizations on the construction of hydropower dams on the mainstream of the Mekong River seriously affecting agricultural production and ecosystems in the Mekong basin in general and the Mekong River Delta region in particular.

If we continue to build dams on the mainstream of the Mekong River, the Mekong River Delta will suffer from the disadvantages of flow activities, decline in fisheries and agricultural production, depletion of sediment, and environmental impacts. ecological school.

If the 12 mainstream hydropower plants are 'grown', it will not only affect the Mekong Delta but countries like Laos and Cambodia will also face many incalculable consequences.

Specifically, 12 hydropower dams will submerge 25,000ha of forest land and 8,000ha of cultivated land; reservoirs will change the landscape of the Mekong river valleys and be flooded all year round; 150,000ha of river-side cultivated land is affected by 996km of 11 hydroelectric dams, and over 450,000 families in Laos and Cambodia will lose their livelihoods .