Along the Mekong River, Development Creates Sustainability Concerns
The single source of truth that the Mekong Infrastructure Tracker presents, allows stakeholders to communicate and compare development scenarios.
Key Takeaways
The Stimson Center provides a broad understanding of infrastructure projects across Southeast Asia.
Complete data allows users to assess and compare the benefits and impacts of each project.
Rapid growth in the number of dams along the Mekong River is transforming Southeast Asia’s energy, food, transportation, security, and ecological networks. Eleven hydropower dams now span the river’s mainstream before it leaves China, with hundreds more dams planned or under construction in the other countries that contain parts of this vital watershed. The development has been rapid, and the consequences to people and the environment are still largely unknown.
January 16, 2021
Facebook/visitkampotofficial
Pen Sokunthea escaped the bustle of the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, for the sleepy riverside town of Kampot two years ago, drawn by its tranquil charm and laid-back pace of life.
“I’m not a big city girl,” says Pen, who runs a cafe on the outskirts of the town 150km (90 miles) south of Phnom Penh, close to the coast. “I much prefer the peace and quiet, and Kampot is perfect for that.”
However, big changes are coming to the town, which is set to become Cambodia’s next tourism hotspot. As investment opportunities and development plans are unveiled, fears have been raised that Kampot’s tranquillity may be shattered.
Chinese construction in Cambodia’s ‘next tourism hotspot’, Kampot, has residents and NGOs worried Marissa Carruthers life@scmp.com Sleepy Kampot, in Cambodia, is facing a mass of tourist development and an influx of Chinese investment. Photo: Shutterstock
Pen Sokunthea escaped the bustle of the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, for the sleepy riverside town of Kampot two years ago, drawn by its tranquil charm and laid-back pace of life. I m not a big city girl, says Pen, who runs a cafe on the outskirts of the town 150km (90 miles) south of Phnom Penh, close to the coast. I much prefer the peace and quiet, and Kampot is perfect for that.
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Grass and rubbish burning on plantations along the base of Bokor Mountain in Kampot is raising concerns of wildfires. Photo supplied
Rubbish burning sparks forest fire fears
Wed, 23 December 2020
The burning of grass and rubbish on plantations along the base of the Bokor Mountain in Kampot province is raising concerns of wildfires and harmful air pollution.
Kampot provincial Department of Environment director Suy Thea told The Post that during this cold season, burning activities on plantation land by people along the slope of the Bokor Mountain are occurring with alarming frequency despite efforts by experts and local authorities to educate local residents about the dangers of such fires and put a stop to the practice.