Laos Faces Pressure to Stall Decision on Lower Mekong River Dam

Laos Faces Pressure to Stall Decision on Lower Mekong River Dam: "The planned $600-million project in the Siphandone (Khone Falls) area of southern Laos is less than two kilometers from the Cambodian border. It would create valuable electricity to fuel growth in the region, but environmentalists and neighboring countries worry it could damage an ecological system crucial for feeding millions of people in Southeast Asia.

The dam would be the second proposed for the Lower Mekong after the $3.8 billion Xayaburi Dam in northern Laos, itself a focus of public debate and controversy over its potential impact on the environment.

The Laos Government agreed to a six month period of regional consultations on the Don Sahong Dam. But these concluded in late January and Lao officials have indicated they are preparing to start construction soon, despite concerns from groups who say the dam should be studied further."



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