Over 150 scientists and farmers from Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and
Vietnam were brought together at a forum held in the southern
province of An Giang on August 1 to voice their concerns about
hydroelectricity development in the Mekong River.
The forum creates an opportunity for Mekong countries, including
Vietnam, to share experiences and discuss measures to mitigate the
negative impacts on the environment, economy and society caused by the
construction of dams along the river, said Chairman of the Southern
Institute of Ecology (SIE), Vu Ngoc Long.
Vice
Chairwoman of the Women’s Association in the southernmost province of Ca
Mau, Huynh Kim Duyen, cited low water levels, and annual decreases in
shrimp and fish volume as obvious consequences of dams.
Participants suggested that investors and governments should be fully
aware of the serious effects dam projects have on the river’s natural
resources, especially on local food safety and subsistence.
The event was co-hosted by the Vietnam River Network (VRN), the
Southern Institute of Ecology (SIE), Save the Mekong Coalition (StM)
and An Giang University.-VNA