'Should postpone dam construction on the Mekong for 10 years'

The Mekong River Commission (MRC) believes that countries downstream of the Mekong River should postpone the construction of hydropower dams for a decade to prevent the risks that such works may cause.

Two people catch Mekong river catfish. (Photo: AP).

AFP said, scientists have studied the feasibility of 11 projects to build hydroelectric dams on the longest river in Southeast Asia as required by MRC. The study results are published in a report entitled Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).

The report argues that countries need more time to understand the risks that dam construction can cause. For example, dams can cause negative impacts on fish species, pushing millions of people into food unrest. Therefore, media consultant Tiffany Hacker of the MRC said it was necessary to postpone the construction of dams for 10 years.

The MRC also stressed that governments do not necessarily follow the recommendations in the report. However, Hackers hope MRC member countries - including Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand - will seriously consider the research results that the report published.

'The four countries will consider the results of the report for at least 6 months, ' AFP quoted Hackers.

More than 60 million people live on the Mekong River, according to MRC statistics. Environmental protection organizations have long been opposed to hydropower projects on the river, saying they will undermine the fragile ecosystem of the river. The International Conservation Fund (WWF) once warned that Mekong catfish - one of the largest freshwater fish species in the world - could be extinct if plans to build hydroelectric dams on the river were implemented, by The dam will prevent them from reaching the breeding ground.

According to Mr. Pham Hong Giang, Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Big Dams and Development of Water Resources, the WFF's proposal to postpone the construction of 11 hydroelectric dams on the mainstream of the Mekong River is somewhat extreme. The Mekong River has the potential to develop hydropower resources, the countries in this region themselves want to build hydroelectric dams, on the other hand, cannot keep the environment as prehistoric.

However, according to Mr. Giang, WWF's proposal is completely grounded, when many organizations and scientists have voiced warnings about the environment, or the destruction of aquatic species in the Mekong basin if proceeded. building dams, followed by thousands of people living along the river in trouble.

If the hydropower dam is postponed now or 10 years, 20 years later or permanently postponed, Vietnam can still support. Because in fact, our country's hydropower resources have not yet benefited or negatively impacted from dam construction. Even Laos, Vietnam has not yet obtained electricity from Laos, since Laos mainly sells electricity to Thailand.

Meanwhile, Dr. Nguyen Dinh Hoe, Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment gave the view, delaying the construction of hydropower dams on the Mekong River is correct, the issue of hydroelectricity construction on the Mekong River has not been studied. thorough rescue, where to exploit, where to give way to the living, where there is potential for hydropower has not been carefully calculated.

With the construction of a dam system on the Mekong River, Vietnam will be affected by hydrology. For example, when we need water, we don't see it and vice versa. In addition, the ecosystem is cut off, the lives of millions of people who depend on the Mekong ecosystem for thousands of years face many difficulties when the main source of income from seafood is no longer available. Therefore, it is necessary to consider building the most beneficial place of common interest, putting the interests of the people first.

' In the future, we should completely stop the idea of ​​building dams to protect the environment and aquatic life, ensuring the lives of people along the river, otherwise Vietnam will be heavily influenced by the impacts. negatively caused by dam construction , 'said Dr. Hoe.