The government of Laos is hoping to utilize its natural resources to boost the economy, starting with a hydropower dam in the Mekong river. Unfortunately, while the dam will give the country a financial boost, it also endangers the native species, including four of the 10 largest freshwater fish in the world, which make the Mekong their home.
The majority of the energy produced by the proposed dam–somewhere around 90 percent–would be sold to neighboring countries. According to Viraphone Viravong, director general of the country’s energy and mines department, the energy produced and sold from this and future dams could account for 20 percent of Laos’ GDP. “We don’t want to be poor any more,” Viravong said. “If we want to grow, we need this dam.”
The Mekong is home to an astounding array of very large fish, including the giant pangasius, the Siamese giant carp, and the Mekong freshwater stingray. But the most famous of all is the Mekong giant catfish, widely regarded as the largest freshwater fish in the world, with some measuring nearly three meters in length. The dam would likely threaten the existence of these and other fish who make the Mekong their home.
“This dam is the greatest challenge the MRC [Mekong River Commission] has faced since it was formed. It is the most serious test of its usefulness and relevance,” the WWF’s Marc Goichot said. “It is already very clear this dam would amplify and accelerate the negative impacts of Chinese dams to the Mekong delta. What are the other impacts?”
Via the Guardian.
Image courtesy National Geographic.
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