Construction of hydropower plants in the upper regions of the Mekong River may result in damages of about US$2 billion annually, particularly in agro and aqua production.
This was disclosed in a discussion titled ‘Development challenges to the Mekong Delta ecology by hydropower reservoirs’, hosted by the Can Tho University and the Vietnam River Network yesterday.
Twelve hydropower plants are proposed to begin construction along the Mekong River. Eight of these will be in Laos, two in Cambodia and two between Laos and Thailand border areas.
Moreover, four hydropower plants are already in existence and a further eight are being proposed. Most of these projects are under China. The Delta therefore faces serious threat to its eco-system.
Experts present at the discussion claimed that the Mekong Delta in Vietnam will be the worst affected should these hydropower plants come up.
