Regeringen i Laos har besluttet at fortsætte med at bygge en dæmning ved Mekong-floden. Dæmningen kan skade biodiversitet, fiskeri og miljø i området – 60 millioner personers levevilkår er dermed i fare, advarer Verdensnaturfonden tirsdag.
GLAND, November 6, 2012: The Lao government’s determination to plow ahead with construction of the controversial 3,5 billion US dollar Xayaburi hydropower dam in northern Laos puts the mighty Mekong River’s spectacular biodiversity, rich fisheries and livelihoods – vital to nearly 60 million people – in grave danger, warns WWF.
Despite fierce opposition from neighbouring countries, and some concerns raised this week by delegates attending the Asia-Europe Summit (ASEM 9) in the Lao capital, Vientiane, Laos’ Deputy Minister of Energy and Mining, Mr Viraphonh Viravong, announced that Laos will hold a ground-breaking ceremony at the dam site on Wednesday, 7 November.
Mr. Viravong said: “It [Xayaburi dam] has been assessed, it has been discussed the last two years. We have addressed most of the concerns.”
Criticism of the Xayaburi project has been mounting over the past year, with concerns centred on the serious gaps in data and failures to fully account for the impacts of the dam, particularly concerning fisheries and sediment flows.
“Laos appears to be recklessly intent on forging ahead with construction before the agreed impact studies have been completed,” said Dr Li Lifeng, Director of WWF’s Freshwater Programme.
“If the region’s governments fail now to reaffirm their concerns on Xayaburi, they risk resting the future of the Mekong on flawed analysis and gaps in critical data that could have dire consequences for millions of people living in the Mekong River basin.”
In June 2010, Thailand’s electricity utility, EGAT, signed an initial agreement with Ch. Karnchang to purchase over 95 per cent of the Xayaburi dam’s electricity, and at least four Thai banks have expressed their interest in providing loans to the project, despite the acute environmental and social costs, and the uncertainties surrounding the financial return of the project.
“Thailand has a huge stake in the project and should not turn a blind eye to the potentially devastating consequences the project will wreak on their neighbours, and their own people,” noted Li, adding:
“Thailand must take responsibility and join calls to stop the dam construction and cancel its power purchase agreement until there is regional consensus to build the dam.”
Læs videre her:
http://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?206630/Laos-pushes-ahead-with-Mekong-dam-and-risks-destroying-the-regions-lifeblood
Begynd fra: “Laos’ actions fly in the face…”
