At a Cambodian Lake, a Climate Crisis Unfolds

The New York Times – When I first met Ly Heng in May 2016, the forest behind his house was still smoldering — the remnants of the worst drought to hit Southeast Asia in decades. Heng lived along a small river at the top of Cambodia’s Tonle Sap Lake, in a protected area known for its rich biodiversity. At 45, he had never seen wildfires, and never seen the water level of the lake dip so Read More…

Freshwater dolphins in the Mekong are benefitting from better…

Sustainability Times – Irrawaddy dolphins are curious creatures… in more ways than one. They are curious by nature and look curious too. Instead of having long bottle-like nostrums like their relatives living in the seas, these freshwater mammals sport snub noses with bulging foreheads. They look a bit cartoonish but delightfully so. Not surprisingly, the winsome appearance of these Read More…

Mekong Delta declares urgent erosion situation

Eleven – A number of provinces in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta facing serious erosion along rivers and coastal areas are taking measures to protect the land and people in the area. The provinces are Long An, the two upstream provinces of An Giang and Dong Thap, and the coastal provinces of Ben Tre, Soc Trang and Ca Mau. Long An Province has declared an urgent erosion situation along Read More…

Cambodia’s Lifeline Threatened By Drought from Dams in China

Chiang Rai Times – People in Cambodia are grappling with dramatic changes to the country’s ecosystem as China chokes the life out of the Mekong. Meanwhile Prime Minster Hun Sen continues to Cozies up to China and its Money. The United Nations, which partners with the Cambodian government on climate, says the country one of most vulnerable areas in Asia. “Agriculture is mostly Read More…

Authorities bust illegal fishing

The Phnom Penh Post – At least 1,843 cases of illegal fishing were busted by the authorities in the last eight months and 19 out of 89 perpetrators were imprisoned by the court, said a report on the overall result of fisheries crimes cracked down nationwide. The Post obtained the report from the Fisheries Administration of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. “One Read More…

Tonlé Sap Ecosystem is threatened by Development of Hydropower Dams…

Future Directions – Every year, between May and October, floodwaters from the Lower Mekong Basin reverse the flow of the Tonlé River in Cambodia. That pushes sediment-rich waters into the Tonlé Sap Lake and its surrounding floodplains and forests, which support complex food webs, migration patterns and agricultural production. The process, known as the ‘Tonlé Sap pulsing system’, Read More…

Despite Seasonal Floods Now, Experts See Risk of Mekong Drying Up

RFA – Two leading experts on water issues in Asia warn that parts of Vietnam’s fertile southernmost areas bordering Southeast Asia’s longest river, the Mekong, are in danger of drying up. At the same time, they say, much of the Mekong is still flooded from seasonal monsoon rains. And citizens in places such as Pakse, the second most populous city in Laos, confront dangerous Read More…

Start of Latest Mekong Dam Draws Fears of River’s ‘Tipping…

VOA – Critics of the 1,285-megawatt Xayaburi hydropower dam in northern Laos fear recent upgrades to the controversial project won't be enough to save the Mekong River from a critical tipping point when it starts churning out electricity at full throttle next month. After seven years of construction, it will be the first of 11 dams planned for the river south of China — which has built Read More…

Water festival set for November 10-12

The Phnom Penh Post – Thousands of visitors are expected to throng Phnom Penh on November 10-12 for this year’s Water Festival after the National Committee for Organising National and International Festivals announced the dates for this year’s festivities. A letter announcing this year’s dates signed by Minister of Royal Palace Kong Sam Ol on Monday was obtained by The Post on Read More…

Mekong water levels close to emergency

The Phon Penh Post – Authorities urged residents living along the Mekong River in Stung Treng, Kratie and Kampong Cham provinces to be vigilant as water levels rise perilously close to meriting an emergency declaration. On Sunday, water levels in Stung Treng province were just 20cm shy of an emergency declaration – reaching 10.5m. In Kratie province, a water level of 22m requires an Read More…