WWF calls for emergency MRC meeting over Laos’ decision to build…

The Nation 6 October, 2013 The World Wildlife Fund, one of the biggest conservation groups, has called for an emergency meeting with the Mekong River Commission (MRC) in the wake of Laos' decision to proceed with a second dam on the river. There are fears that this move will seriously undermine the River Commission's efforts to protect the river and its rich fish life. It could also strain Read More…

Myanmar faces new conservation challenges as it opens up to the world

Mongabay 4 October, 2013 For decades, one of Southeast Asia's largest countries has also been its most mysterious. Now, emerging from years of political and economic isolation, its shift towards democracy means that Myanmar is opening up to the rest of the world. Myanmar forms part of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, and some of the largest tracts of intact habitat in the hotspot can be Read More…

Floods a yearly trial for those living along Mekong

The Cambodia Daily 2 October, 2013 TBONG KHUM DISTRICT, Kompong Cham province – From November to May, the Mekong River is quiet. So is life for the hundreds of thousands of people who live along its banks, which in Cambodia forms a 155,000 square km basin covering six provinces and Phnom Penh. During these months, the river pro­vides nearby communities with food, an income and fertile Read More…

Vietnam decides to scrap 2 hydropower dams on environment concerns

Thanh Nien News 30 September, 2013 The government has pulled the plug on two proposed hydropower plants to protect a world biosphere reserve. The order to call them off came from Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai, who had received a report on the likely environmental impacts of Dong Nai 6 and Dong Nai 6A dams on the Dong Nai Riverfrom the Ministry of Natural Resources and Read More…

IUCN and Marriott join for environmental project

Phuket Index 28 September, 2013 IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, and Marriott International have launched a partnership to protect the environment and support Thailand’s local communities through mangrove restoration, the use of sustainable seafood sources and local procurement practices in Bang Krachao and areas in the South potentially to include Mai Khao, Tai Muang Read More…

Engaging local communities, authorities and academic in conserving…

IUCN Lao PDR 26 September 2013 Finalization of Phase 2 of the CEPF supported “Conserving Biodiversity and Sustaining Livelihoods along the Mekong River in Luang Phrabang, Xayabouri and Vientiane Provinces, Laos” On July 4 2013, IUCN Lao PDR hosted a one-day workshop at its Vientiane office. The workshop participants included representatives from several environmental agencies at Read More…

Vietnam to have 41 biodiversity reserves by 2020

Viet Nam Net 26 September, 2013 For protection and sustainable development of the important natural ecosystems, species and rare genetic resources, Vietnam plans to establish 41 new biodiversity reserves by 2020. On Tuesday the General Department of Environment introduced the National Strategy on Biodiversity to 2020, with a vision to 2030. Under this strategy, in 2020, the area of Read More…

In fragmented forests, rapid mammal extinctions

New York Times 26 September, 2013 In 1987, the government of Thailand launched a huge, unplanned experiment. They built a dam across the Khlong Saeng river, creating a 60-square-mile reservoir. As the Chiew Larn reservoir rose, it drowned the river valley, transforming 150 forested hilltops into islands, each with its own isolated menagerie of wildlife. Conservation biologists have long Read More…

Non-native species pose threat

Viet Nam Net 25 September, 2013 Experts have urged Viet Nam to beef up administrative efforts to manage over 90 non-native species posing threats to the national ecosystem and biodiversity. Attending a recent meeting hosted by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment's Viet Nam Environment Administration, participants urged the ministry to curb the number of alien species Read More…

Global study reveals new hotspots of fish biodiversity

Virginia Institute of Marine Science 25 September 2013 Teeming with species, tropical coral reefs have been long thought to be the areas of greatest biodiversity for fishes and other marine life—and thus most deserving of resources for conservation. But a new global study of reef fishes reveals a surprise: when measured by factors other than the traditional species count—instead using Read More…