This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/13125556
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Mekong Xayaburi dam decision due | Mekong Xayaburi dam decision due |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| By Guy Delauney BBC News, Cambodia | By Guy Delauney BBC News, Cambodia |
| The four member countries of the Mekong River Commission are meeting to make a final decision on whether to allow the construction of a controversial dam. | The four member countries of the Mekong River Commission are meeting to make a final decision on whether to allow the construction of a controversial dam. |
| The proposed hydropower project at Xayaburi would be the first to be built on the mainstream of the lower Mekong. | |
| Laos is hoping to become "the battery of southeast Asia". | Laos is hoping to become "the battery of southeast Asia". |
| The Mekong River Commission's ruling may determine whether the river stays a food resource for millions of people, or becomes a source of power instead. | The Mekong River Commission's ruling may determine whether the river stays a food resource for millions of people, or becomes a source of power instead. |
| Laos's plans mean using its rivers to generate electricity for export, thereby gaining income to develop the country - which is fine when the waterways in question are wholly within Laos. | Laos's plans mean using its rivers to generate electricity for export, thereby gaining income to develop the country - which is fine when the waterways in question are wholly within Laos. |
| It is rather more complicated when they are shared with neighbouring countries, as is the proposed Xayaburi dam and power station. | It is rather more complicated when they are shared with neighbouring countries, as is the proposed Xayaburi dam and power station. |
| It would be the first hydro project on the mainstream of the lower Mekong. | It would be the first hydro project on the mainstream of the lower Mekong. |
| Countries downstream are understandably concerned about the possible effects on them. | Countries downstream are understandably concerned about the possible effects on them. |
| Cambodian concern | Cambodian concern |
| In Cambodia, fishing communities are worried that they might see a disastrous decline in stocks. | In Cambodia, fishing communities are worried that they might see a disastrous decline in stocks. |
| Sen Salim lives in a fishing community on the outskirts of Phnom Penh. | Sen Salim lives in a fishing community on the outskirts of Phnom Penh. |
| "This river is very important - when there are many fish it helps us to make a better living. When there are fewer fish it is bad for us," he says. | "This river is very important - when there are many fish it helps us to make a better living. When there are fewer fish it is bad for us," he says. |
| "If they made a dam in the big river, it would block the water flow - then the fish wouldn't be able to get through to migrate and breed." | "If they made a dam in the big river, it would block the water flow - then the fish wouldn't be able to get through to migrate and breed." |
| It is a matter of national importance. | It is a matter of national importance. |
| Fish provides about four-fifths of the average Cambodian's protein intake, and millions of people rely on the Mekong for their livelihoods. | Fish provides about four-fifths of the average Cambodian's protein intake, and millions of people rely on the Mekong for their livelihoods. |
| World Wildlife Fund says the consequences of mainstream dams have not been studied properly. | World Wildlife Fund says the consequences of mainstream dams have not been studied properly. |
| The Mekong River Commission's own report suggested a 10-year moratorium on construction. | The Mekong River Commission's own report suggested a 10-year moratorium on construction. |
| That has been backed by community organizations - they are suggesting alternative ways of generating electricity. | That has been backed by community organizations - they are suggesting alternative ways of generating electricity. |
| "We could have solar energy, biomass, bio-gas - and also small dams not on the mainstream. The mainstream would have a big impact on millions of people. | "We could have solar energy, biomass, bio-gas - and also small dams not on the mainstream. The mainstream would have a big impact on millions of people. |
| "It's going to be a disaster if the decision is not considered carefully," said Chhith Sam Ath from the umbrella group, the NGO Forum on Cambodia. | "It's going to be a disaster if the decision is not considered carefully," said Chhith Sam Ath from the umbrella group, the NGO Forum on Cambodia. |
| Cambodia is planning mainstream Mekong dams of its own and many more have been proposed in Laos. | Cambodia is planning mainstream Mekong dams of its own and many more have been proposed in Laos. |
| The decision on the Xayaburi project is the key to them all. | The decision on the Xayaburi project is the key to them all. |