Two Important Lessons From Mekong Mainstream Dams in China released by northern Thai Ngo

8/9/2019 Two Important Lessons From Mekong Mainstream Dams in China released by northern Thai Ngo

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Two Important Lessons from Mekong Mainstream Dams in China:

Lesson I: Dams cant control flooding and in the context of the climate changecrisis, cause to dry

Lesson II: Dams cause huge disasters

Introduction

This amazing river named Mekong flows through Indochina beginning from the

Tibetan Plateau, East of the Himalayas. It flows through Si Suan Pan Na (Sib Song Pan

Na) in Yunnan Province, Burma, Laos PDR, Thailand, Cambodia and out to South China

Sea at the South of Vietnam. Certainly, this river has motivated capitalists from the timesof colonialism to the current times of globalization.

Since colonial countries left Southeast Asia without achieving trade operations in the

river, nation-states have developed into both liberal Democracies and Communist-

Socialist state regimes. The regions liberal states have since established an organizationnamed the Mekong River Commission, (MRC) which is an Inter-governmental

Organization between the Lower Mekong Countries. This organization works to manage

Mekong River resources. More recently, Socialist countries have changed their

economic mechanisms into Free Market Socialism and become members of the MRC.

While China has yet to join this organization, their change in economic mechanisms

allowed it to become a New Economic Giant. These massive changes have broughtquestions about the role of socialist political ideology in these transforming economies.

The model of economic growth-led developed has created a focus on Mekong resources

as materials to be transformed into the energy of production and assigned a monetaryvalue more impressive than the aesthetic value of nature itself.

Lesson I: Dams cant control flooding

Given the global economic compettition, an important economic growth driver is llarge

dam building on the mainstream Mekong River. Dams have been built to block the UpperMekong, which is called Lanchang Jiang in Yunnana Province, China. The first dam,

called Manwan was started in 1993 and began electricity generation by 1996, which isthe first year that riparian villagers in Mekong Downstream area in Chiang Rai Province,

Thailand were impacted by drastically low water levels. Dashaoshan Dam began

electricity generation in 2003 and Jinghong Dam started to store the water in 2008, with 5

electricity generators operating by May 2009. The latest news is the largest dam calledthe Xiaowan Dam, which started to store water and run the first electric generator on 25

September 2009. Most electricity is being sent to the East of China, where there is the


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rapid economic growth. At the same time, however, rapid flooding in the rainy season

and drastically low water levels affect downstream areas in the dry season.

Explanations?

A key point here is the rapid flooding crisis from August 2008. The impacts of

flooding in northern Thailand and Laos run opposite to official discourse, which says thatdams store water for the river in dry season and control flooding in rainy season. This

has showed us that in fact, dams cant control flooding. The flooding and riverbank

erosion that occurred from 9-10 August 2008 in the Ing and Kok River Basins has not

been seen over the last 4 decades. This also reveals that Chinas dam discourse is

nonsensical.

In 1966 there were huge natural floods. The water levels increased slowly from theMekong tributaries Kok and Ing Rivers, flowing into Mekong River. The rise in water

levels took one month before generating floods. On the contrary, the 2008 flood situation

is entirely different. At that time, news reveals that there was a flood disaster in front of aChinese dam on the Mekong, killing 40 Chinese and forcing more than 2,000,000 people

to migrate out of the area. The dam was overcapacity and after the deaths in the localcommunity, water was rapidly released. In the Ingand Kok tributaries, which are the first

flat areas in the Mekong Downstream, overnights water levels increased 2 meters. The

Mekongs muddy-colored water flowed up into its tributaries, pushing the tributaries

yellow-colored water backwards 30 kilometers. During this period there was no

indication of rain in the Mekong tributaries watersheds.

Figure 1 graph revealing the mean level river quantity in Ing and Kok Rivers during 9-15 August 2009


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Moreover, there is approved water level information from Jinghong Station, which shows

the accumulated water level to be 1,400 millimeters on 6 August 2008. The water flowfrom Jinghong City to Chiang Saen District, Thailand took 5 days on 11 August 2008,

Mekong water levels reached 11.50 meters at Chiang Khong. In the days leading up tothe high water levels, statistics show levels to be normal. But on 11 August the water

level increased at an unusually rapid pace. On 12 August, the water level was calculated

at 12.70 meters, and in the morning on 13 August calculated at 13.60 meters.

Information reveals that the level of the water increased 1.9-2 meters within three days.

The water the decreased rapidly until 16 August, when the water level was recorded at9.64 meters, again showing a 3 days water lever decrease of 3.76 meters. This kind of

information is available at the water level station in Chiang Saen District. This calculated

water level supports the riparian villagers claims that the water levels in the area raised

and fell at an abnormal rate.1

Figure 2 Graph reveal water level during 11-16 August 2008 at Chiang Khong Station, THA

This information approves that the flood waters were released from Jinghong Dam, about

355 kilometers from Chiang Saen District, Thailand, had serious impacts on downstreamriparian communities. Initial observations reveal that the impact of this disaster can bevalued at more that 85 million baht (2.65 million US dollars). This does not include the

impact evaluations from Northeastern Thailand and Lao PDR, where abnormal floods

similarly affected communities.

1 (AHNIP), 12 1

, 2551


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Figure 3 Flooding at Check Point Port in Chiang Khong on August 2008

Figure 4 The flood areas in Chiang Saen, Chiang Khong and Vieng Kaen in August 2008

The Government of Thailand, the Mekong River Commission and the Chinese

Government explained these findings in the same ways, because of their shared paradigm

that dams effectively prevent floods.


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Figure 5 Picture of Jinghong Dam, which located far from Thailand 345 kilometers

Lesson II: In the context of the climate change crisis, dams cause rivers to dry

The Chinese Government released information in June 2009 regarding drought and lack

of rain. Yet the Chinese Government must proceed in following the Energy Development

Plan and generate electricity according to the Plans production targets. The XiaowanDams electricity generator is still under construction and dam gates have yet to be

closed, despite the dams completion in 2008. It is the largest dam on the Mekong River,

at 292 meters tall and 922.75 meters wide. Six electric generators are planned for

installation. When finished, Xiaowan Dam can generate 19,000 million kilowatts of

energy per hour and store 15,000 million cubic meters of water (510 times the volume of

Prayao Lake).

Figure 6 Picture show Xiaowan Dam, which biggest in Mekong Mainstream River

The dams first electric generator was started on 25 September 2009, and even before itsstart, there was a reported possibility of drought in Yunnan Province, but water was

stored in Xiaowan Dams reservoir nonetheless. During this period, southeastern China

was also being affected by 0.13 Celsius mean temperature increase (a 0.21 degree Celsius

mean temperature increase over 10 years2.

The amount of water needed to generate electricity while preventing dam collapse is

calculated to be 6,873 million cubic meters and water storage capacity of the 4 dams is

limited to 17,603 million cubic meters. Up to 10,730 million cubic meters of water may

be released while still maintaining electricity generation.

On 7 February 2009, during Chinese and Vietnamese New Year Festivals, Chinese

government officials announced that Chinese transportation boats were stopped in the

Mekong River between the Burma-Laos border. These transportation boats need a river

depth of least 1.8 meters in order to navigate to Thailand. Chinese officials have also

announced that the current drought is the worst in the past six centuries.

2http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2010-02/23/c_13184866.htm


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Officials from the Hua Neng Cang Hydropower Company, which works on the 4 Chinesedams, have announced that low water levels will affect to electricity generation. In turn,

Xiaowan Dam needed to preserve water levels to generate electricity at a rate of 70kilowatts per hour. As a consequence, the Yunnan Provincial Government has denied the

Chiang Rai Provincial Governments request to release water to assist Mekong river

navigation.

Areas downstream of the Chinese dams are also affected by the current drought. TheMRC report form February 2010 revels that water levels at Chiang Saen Station lowered

1.5 meters over the course of one month and flow quantity decreased to 250 cubic meter

per second, exemplifying a significantly abnormal situation of rapid, decreasing water

levels.3

Water levels on the morning and mid-day of 27 February 2010 at Chiang Saen Station

calculated 0.36 meters and on the morning 28 February calculated 0.56 meters. This

means that the water level increased 0.20 meters without any report of rains upstream.

Figure 7 the Tank Graph reveal the mean water level calculated during 24 February 2 March at Chiang Khong Station

There are currently reports around the world to pressure China to answer questions about

these dams, as the Chinese boats remain stuck in Mekong River between Burma and

Laos. The abnormal rise and fall of Mekong water levels is absolutely related to the

flood crisis disaster in August 2007, which affected local ecosystems, agriculturalresources, folk fisheries, local trade, transportation, tourism and social security.

Mekong riparian villagers who have lived and travelled in the Mekong River Basin for

generations can now monitor news about rapid blasting for large boat navigation and dam

building in upstream China. They understand there is a connection between the current

environmental crises and Mekong River development. This situation has provoked the

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Mekong riparian community to raise their voices to expose problems created by recent

drought and flooding crises. We deserve a clear answer are the fluctuations in waterlevel resulting from the opening and closing of dam gates in China or not?

Impacts and changes:

1) Many new sandbar islands have emerged in the Mekong River during 2010. Local

people have never seen such evidence of drastic change in their lifetimes. Between the

Golden Triangle to Pa Dai, 21 Chinese boats ran ashore between Burma and Lao PDR.

More than 10 boats were stranded on the Mekong shoreline at Chiang Saen port.

Merchants were then forced to use trucks through the R3a road.

Mekong River rapids have been blasted in Jinghong, Xishuang Banna in China and in theBurma and Lao PDR border areas North of the Golden Triangle, removing natural

obstacles to slow down natural water flow. This has caused riverbank erosion and new

sandbar islands every year. These sandbars have become obstacles for navigation in theMekong because of shallowness and raceway changing. Cargo boats with capacity of at

least 200 tons have often run aground. Cargo boat transportation between China, Laosand Thailand in the Mekong has decreased while R3a road use will increase.

Between 2000 and 2004, a local organization called the Love Chiang Khong Group has

published a report focusing on rapid blasting and their concerns about the economic

viability of a river navigation based economy. The shift to using the R3a road is also

proving this fact. The economic viability of building a second Chiang Saen port near themouth of Kok River has also been brought into question. The unprecedented water level

fluctuations caused by Chinese dams will bring more problems to boats trying to anchor

at this port.

Low water levels in the Mekong River during 2010 has also affected 100 ferry boats and

200 trading boats loaded with cargo between Huay Sai in Bo Kaew province and LuangPrabang, forcing them to suddenly stop travel on March 19. Lao media reported that theBoat Association of three Lao provinces (Bo Kaew, Udomxai and Luang Prabang) have

never seen such drying phenomenon in 30 years. Economic losses estimated from this

phenomenon total almost 1 million Baht. It has also affected Mekong tourism, as Luang

Prabang is a well-known, attractive place that has been popular among tourists from all

over the world.

Low water levels on the Mekong have also brought impacts to its tributaries. On 23

February, water levels of Ing and Kok rivers in Chiang Rai province decreased. The

mouth of the Ing and Kok rivers was estimated to decrease 15 centimeters and 30

centimeters, respectively. The Mekongs tributaries drying up has also affected to 36 fish

conservation areas of the Ing Rivers watershed communities. Fish populations wereconfused by the quick decreasing water levels, which off-balances seasonal fish spawning

during May-July. The Mekongs tributaries are often compared to a womb, because they

are host to fish spawning. Long-term fluctuations on the Mekong will significantly


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impact the Ing River and its fish population, as well as the income of local fishers in

Chiang Rai and Pra Yao provinces.

Rapid water level changes have affected riverbank agriculture, which relies heavily onthe Mekong. In many areas, water pumps were laid down on the riverbanks alongsidefishing gear. Villagers in the Mekong have to walk very far to dip water for their crops

and vegetable. Further, the fishing gear laid on the riverbank cannot catch any fish. Asignificant measure of the unprecedented river fluctuation is the declining of Kai the

Mekong algae. Kai is an indicator of rich biodiversity in the Mekong. This plant cangrow on rocks at an estimated depth of no more than 50 centimeters, as it needs proper

sunlight and seasonal changes.

A woman representative from Baan Huey Luek community said in the Mekong meeting

in March 7, 2010 about the situation of the river, Mekong that:

This year there is no Kai to collect because the river dried. Also, when the river level is

increased and decreased very fast, Kai was about to grow became dried. We can only

collect Kai to eat in the family and we can't sell. Normally, we start collecting Kai from

February till April every year. Well, for the farmers, they dont have enough water for

their vegetable plants. If they need more water, they have to invest more cost. Now-a-day, even the fish become less and less, fishermen hardly catch one from the MekongRiver.

Moreover, Jun Thamawong, a head of village Moo.8 Rim Kong sub district, Chiang

Khong district added to this issue that:

When Kai start to grow, the level of water increased. Kai cant grow well in the deepwater, so Kai die. But when Kai grows, the Chinese dam upstream was closed. Water

decreased and Kai dried our and died. This is the unusual phenomenon of water level,

which is because of the dams in China.

Feature 8 The drying water at the Mae Ingsmouth

Feature 9 Situation of the drying water at DonMad near Mueng Kan


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Picture 10: Kai dried on the bank of the Mekong River at Baan Hai Krai

Kai, Mekong river seaweed, is used for food for the villagers and for raising fish. When

Kai is becoming less and less, fish has lack of food. The number of fish is also decreased.

Importantly, a Mekong giant catfish, which mainly eat Kai. If Kai is disappear, the

Mekong giant catfish is put in the great risk to be extinct as well. Especially, in Chiang

Saen, Chiang Khong, and Wiang Kaen district of Chiang Rai province, these areas are theplace for the Mekong giant catfish laying eggs in the dry season every year. Specially,during April to May at the Khon Phi Long is providing the deepest basin among the

Mekong rapids at over 50 feet under for giant catfish to lay eggs.

Chawalit Witayanon, PhD, an academic and expert in the field, expressed in the Mekong

meeting in March 6, 2010 on the effect of the dams that:

Dams is prior cause that has a negative impact on a decreased numbers of giant catfish.

They naturally come counter the current upstream to lay eggs. But, if the water level is

very dried up at this point, there is not enough water in the river for them to be able to

come upstream and to lag eggs. Thus, it means this year there is no chance for them to

breed. We lost another chance for them to breed, and we face the thing that they might be

soon extinct.

However, he added: it is not only Mekong giant catfish alone that have this kind ofbreeding behavior, many other kinds of fish do the same things. They swim counter the

current up to lag eggs, which all need a certain level or enough water to raise the eggs as

well. When the river dried, it directly affects the season for fish to lay eggs. In general,

the numbers of fish or the fish population is unavoidable to get decreased.

According to a local administration offices study cooperates with an international

environment reservation and experts, firmly says that the fish population in Chiang

Khong district before the Chinese dams construction and operation, there is about 33

percent of 550 in total fish species in Mekong river. Consequently, the dams have been

built, there are many changes and unusual events happened. A number of fish species in


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Mekong has reduced more than 10 percent of the mentioned statistic, for the past 10

years.

From all above facts and studies are the initial survey that shows impacts from ChiangSaen, Chiang Khong, and Wiang Kaen. Not yet included the areas in Laos and other

Mekong downstream country. In conclusion, it leads to the unusual fluctuation of

Mekong River. Naturally, the river will begin decreased since September or October, and

will be at the lowest point in April to at begin of May. Then, from May the water will be

increased to the highest level in August.

The most important question about the changes lies for all peoples who depend on the

river is that whether Chinese dams is the critical factor that have impact on the

downstream people or not? An explanation for the Mekong drought from the Chinese and

Thai government, and Mekong River Committee (MRC), which is described in the

explanation to the Mekong drought crisis and the fact behind Chinese dams

Flooding crisis in August 2008, people were not able to prepare because it came veryfast. The most severe flood case happened back in past in the year of 1966, the water was

slowly risen up. This time was not. The farms on bank of river, houses, and roads were

destroyed and soil was eroded. The lost evaluation is estimated at over 85 million baht in

39 villages in Chiang Saen, Chiang Khong, and Wiang Kaen. This is not yet included thelost in Northeastern Thailand, and Laos, where also got effects.

Baan Sob Kok, Moo 9 Chiang Saen, Chiang Rai province, is the most affected area from

the floods. About 90 percent of the agricultural lands were destroyed. For all about 144

households in Baan Sob Kok, and including Baan Sob Kum, Huey Kwuan Moo 15, BaanSaew Moo.5 and 10, were flooded.

Moreover, Rim Kong sub district, Chiang Khong district was affected as well even

though this area is located nearby rocky area, Kon Phi Long, that people expected it

would help protecting floods.

In conclusion, the flood in 2008 had impact on Baan Haad Sai Thong, Haad Bai, DonThee, Pha Kub, Muang Kan, Mai Charoen, there were 17 houses were severely

destroyed. Most of the agricultural land was affected in Baan Haad Bai village. Haad Sai

Thong villages rice fields about 1,106 Rai, corn field 1,421 Rai, ginger field 7 Rai, and

fish farm ponds were flooded. Three buffaloes died.

There are four villages were flooded in Wiang sub district, Chiang Khong district areasuch Baan Huay Meng, Huew Wiang, Haad Krai, and Don Mahawan. Sri Don Chai was

the most affected area within the past 40 years. There were two biggest floods in the past

in the year of 1966 and 1971, but the latest flood in 2008 even cost much more damages.

Baan Pak Ing Nue, Pak Ing Tai, Tung Sang, Dong Luang, Tha Charoen, Sri Don Chai

Moo.14, 15, Sri Chai Mongkol Moo.7, 12, and Rong Ha, were all flooded. Also, a partial

agricultural area in Satarn and Krue sub district: Baan Ten, Tung Aung, Thong Moo.6, 9,Mueng Chum and Sri Lanna, was all damaged for about 10,000 Rai. Fish and frog ponds


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about 180 places were flooded, and for about 413 houses located on the bank of the river

were impacted in Baan Pak Ing Tai. Besides, there are 6 villages were damaged as wellsuch Baan Huey Ian, Jam Pong in Lai Ngao sub district; Baan Huey Luek, Yai Tai, Yai

Nue, Muang in Muang Yai sub district; there were over 1,000 Rai flooded. For about 61households were affected and there were also landslide for 3 Rai.

Picture 11: The riverbanks erosion after flooding in August 2008

In addition, the damages happened in Baan Huey Sai, Boe Kaew district of Lao PDR.

There was a report of landslide and soil erosion at least in 3 places, which there were

about 4 meters river banks were gone. At Baan Teentad, there were three spots that about50 meters long of the river bank eroded and it was deep around 7-8 meters. At Baan Pa

Oy, there were two spots that affected. First place was about 500 meters long also eroded,

and its width about 30 meters. Second one was 200 meters long, and deep inland 20-25meters, and there were 7-8 houses fences were gone. At Baan Sin Udom, its riverbank

was eroded about 200 meters long, and 10 meters deep. One house was damaged.

All the fact above from both sides of Mekong River, Thai and Laos, cost a huge loss,

socially, economically and environmentally. Not yet including the soil of fear in the

peoples hearts that is still there even after the water level became to a normal stage.

Explanation to the Mekong drought crisis and the facts behind Chinese dams

The explanation of academic, high government officers, and ministers of both Thailand

and China, as well as the Mekong River Committee (MRC) shows that the biggest

drought crisis in 40 years occurring in August, 2008, and the lowest level of Mekong in50 years, in 2010 has no difference. It indicates that the drought is not affected from

Chinese dams, but from the regional drought or global warming. Also, the waterproportion from China that distributes to the downstream Mekong is a few. This claim is

only blame to the climate change. But these committees tend to ignore the impacts of

their own people.


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According to the committees numbers of water proportion from China that distributes tothe downstream Mekong is only a few: China 16%, Myanmar 2%, Laos 35%, Thailand

18%, Cambodia 18%, and Vietnam 11%. Adding to this fact, this number is actually an

approximate estimation in a year whole. The measurement is taken at the Vietnam delta,

which flow to the Southeastern Chinese sea. But Chiang Saen, Chiang Khong, and Wiang

Kaen, and Boe Kaew district in Laos, are the nearest to China, and there does not containany tributaries. The melted ice from the Himalayas floods these areas in the dry season,

where located far from Jiang Hong dam only 345 kilometers. It is clearly unfair to

conclude the flood cause only from the climate change, but excluding the impacts from

the hydropower dams in China. The fact from the MRC reports that in Chiang Saen,

Chiang Khong, and Wiang Kaen district in Northern Thailand, have received water from

China in dry season up to 95%, and in raining season will drop to 75%. (Please seepicture 12 and 13)

Picture 12: The proportion level of the water in Mekong River, in raining season


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Picture 13: The proportion level of the water in Mekong River, in dry season

Mentioning about the drought and the global warming are the crucial issues for all the

people in the world. One of the causes for the consequences is the dam construction in

the upper Mekong, in China, which affects the changes in the world ecology as well.

China is the country where has built dams the most for 25,000 dams. Global warming andclimate change are the direct results and problems from human actions indeed.

Water flows down from Himalayas in Tibet to downstream lands contributing to YangtzeRiver and Mekong River. At the same time, though when the Mekong dried up, Salween

River does not get dried. Is that because there is no dam built in Salween? Why the high

government officers, and ministers of both Thailand and China, including the MekongRiver Committee (MRC) still exclude the fact and the truth. They do not recognize that

dams have played a great role of causing Mekong drought crisis. There might be

something wrong with the logic in these peoples mind. Many studies and reports have

confirmed that dam construction is the reason behind the problems.

We have learned the important lesson that dams do not help protecting floods but

actually cause flooding in even more severely. At the last minute of decision-making,the Chinese government chooses to release the water from dam instead of get risk of

letting dams broken. That causes the flood. On the other hand, when the dry season

comes, Chinese government chooses to close the water gate and to install water for

generating electricity. What so ever, who have allowed or given a consensus for the

Chinese government to do that by themselves alone without anyone else from peoples inother countries.

In 2002, a Chinese authority on energy and power had been privatized. The main policy

of construction and operation the natural resources, in Lanchang river or Mekong river,

have been transferred to the company Huaneng. This Chinese corporation is the biggest


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and the only company that is in charge to build 15 dams. But only 8 dams that have been

passed the proper assessment. Only 4 dams have been built, finished in 1996, as such,Manwan finished in 2003, Dachaoshan and Jinghong finished in 2009. Xiaowan, the

biggest dam in the Mekong region finished in September 2009, and has started installedwater and run the first engine to generation electricity already. This 30-stories-high dam

aims to support the electricity to the industrial sector in Eastern China. Thailand also

signed a contract to buy some electricity from Yunnan province, China, about 3,000 MW

within 2017. Ultimately, the dams have the main purpose to support the industry only,

and the corporations gain the most benefit. In the name of driving the market and boosting up the capitalism economy, this shows that the opened socialist economy in

China is so much alike the liberalist market. All economic benefit is only aimed to serve

the leading and ruling class in the society.

Its very clear that the dams in upstream Mekong only benefit Chinese government who

ignores their own people and people in other downstream countries. I think they are thechildren of president Mao and the Communist Party, but they betrayed the golden

principle of they own country; it is that to respect people. Once, the leader of Chinesegovernment said that if the dams upstream affect the people downstream, they can

complain to them. I hope their ancestors would inspire the current leaders to listen to the

people about the dam impacts. Unless, we all the people from Mekong region will be

going to file this issue to the Chinese embassy. Said Niwat Roikaew, a head of NaturalResources and Cultures Conservation Network gave an interview in the Mekong Lover

website (www.mekonglover.com).

Table: Showing the Chinese upper stream Mekong dams operation and construction stage

No. Name Height

from the

Mean Sea

Level

(MSL)

Potential

installed

capacity

Potential

electricity/

power

generating

capacity(MW)

Submerge

d lands

(Rai)

Number

of

relocated

people

(Person)

Height

of dams

(meter)

Constructin

g stage

1 Gonguoqiao 1,319 510 /120 750 2,144 4,596 130 Under

constructio

n

2 Xiaowan 1,236 14,560 /9,800

4,200 23,200 32,737 300 Finished inSeptember2009

3 Manwan 994 920 /

258

1,500 2,594 3,513 126 The first

built dam,

finished in

1996

4 Dachaoshan 895 890 /240

1,350 5,163 6,100 118 Finished in2003
http://www.mekonglover.com/http://www.mekonglover.com/


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5 Nuozhadu 807 22,400 /

12,400

5,500 28,175 23,826 254 Prepared to

be built

6 Jinghong 602 1,233 /230

1,500 3,188 2,264 118 Finished in2009

7 Ganlanba 533 - 250 75 58 - Under

designing

andplanning

8 Mengsong 519 - 600 363 230 - Under

designing

and

planning

Total

15,650 64,902 73,324

Source:1. Modeled Observations on Development Scenarios in the Lower Mekong Basin, November 2004, World Bank

2. Yunan Hydropower Expansion; Update on Chinas energy industry reforms & the Nu, Lancang & Jinshahydropower dams, Chiang Mai Universitys Unit for Social & Environmental Research & Green Watershed,

Kunming, PR of China, March 2004

It is a critical lesson showing that the sustainable water management must be a cross

borders practice. Every country must honestly and friendly discuss and create a plan totake care of Mekong River together at both national and local policies. The peoples along

the Mekong must be able to participate in every process of policymaking decision, andmust benefit from the project as well. Who may think this huge flood in 2008 must be the

last time, but who knows? If the governments and the peoples in the Mekong region did

not learn from the past and try to live together peacefully: or do live without respect thenature and each other, the upstream and downstream people will continue being andfacing the together.

Epilogue: The tragedy of the Mekong civilization

In conclusion, the people who live in Chiang Saen, Chiang Khong and Wiang Kaen

district, of Chiang Rai province, Northern Thailand have affected by Chinese dams in apast decade are:

1) Mekong physical ecology has changed in the area from Chiang Saen to Pha Dai. There

are over 10 spots of soil erosion along the riverbank and cover many kilometers long.Also, sand bar and water have changed their direction. These are the consequences from

the fluctuation. Chinese government removed the upstream rapids, which functioned as a

natural small dam to contain water and slow the current; this changed the ecology of

Mekong as well.


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2) Mekong biological ecology has damaged such its fluctuation causing less Kai, fish

population and species reduction. Especially, the Mekong giant catfish is put in risk ofbeing extinct. Many reports say that in the past ten years the fish species have reduced up

to 10%

3) Agricultural farms on the riverbank have been pushed in the insecurity. The farmers

hardly predict the usual up and down water level because of the dams release and install

water. Many times the farms have been flooded and sometimes run dried. Farmers have

to bear a higher investment cost, and loss.

Picture 14: Ecology and life chains in Mekong River, in Chiang Saen, Chiang Kong and Wiang Kaen areas

4) The ecology changes affect the livelihood and cultures of the Mekong people.

Fishermen can no longer practice their traditional and local wisdom of fishing; there is

less fish in the river; the variety of plants and product from the river get reduced. They

are living in the food insecurity climate and it tends to get worse. Many fishermen give

up their fishing and trade themselves to be laborer in the city.

5) The boat tourism has been impacted from the very dried Mekong and frequent floods.

The beauty of Mekong has been destroyed, as well as the cultures, livelihood and local

economic.

The question is who will be responsible for all these negative impacts?

The great invention by human, the upstream dams, only and mostly serve the capitalists

and the ruling class in China. They ignore their people, and farmers, fishermen, in


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downstream countries as well. Because we all share and earn the livings from the same

river.

It is time to re-consider the golden principle of development, with only consider abouteconomic growth. Which has caused major economic and social impacts on natural

resources and communities. Chinese government must compensate the loss for the

people; it is not only Thai governments responsibility solely. Thai people pay tax to the

government to help recover the damages, but Chinese companies get profit from the

hydropower dams?

If we live with no respect to the nature, it will lead us to many damages and impacts.

Mekong dams project and rapids blasting for commercial navigation is also the example

of the cross-border water management, which caused impacts to the all peoples along the

Mekong. Thus, if we do not recognize and be aware of the economic and socialmainstream system that influence us, we will soon face the war fighting over for food and

natural resources. We must build up the ecological cultures and sufficient economy thatrespect the nature.

Last of all, the Chinese dams: Dachaoshan, Manwan and Xiaowan, are located on an

active transform plate boundaries which are very risky to be collapsed and will cause ahuge damage. That will be able to put an end to the whole Mekong civilization.

Picture 15: The location of Chinese dams and the active earth plate

In 2008, there was an earthquake in Sichuan province, China, killed 50,000 people. The

dam was destroyed: water flew downstream; it caused an unending domino affect.

Do you think what would be the next consequence?


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Picture 16: Showing the happened earthquake spots in Yunan province, China

Mekong Community Media ProjectMekong-Lanna Natural Resources and Cultural Conservation Network

Date post:	30-May-2018
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Two Important Lessons From Mekong Mainstream Dams in China released by northern Thai Ngo

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