IUCN - News & Events - Water Programme Asia

Transboundary Fish Trade Study Presented at the Mekong Environmental Symposium

2013-05-16

IUCN Lao PDR recently put together a team of researchers from Lao PDR, Cambodia, and Thailand to conduct a study on employment generation of the fish trade along one of the three major transboundary routes in the region, between Stung Treng, Cambodia; Champassak, Lao PDR; and Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand.

Thai civil society discussed principles of natural resources and environmental laws

2013-03-07

Bangkok, 22 February 2013 - Representatives from academia, non-governmental organisations, legal experts and members of the Law Reform Commission of Thailand (LRCT) met to develop a legal reform framework for the integration of laws relating to land, natural resources and the environment l. The meeting was organized by the LRCT, IUCN's Mekong Water Dialogues (MWD), the Asia Foundation and Assembly for the Protection of the Environment and Natural Resources as part of Development.

After Xayaburi, it's time for some 'hydro-diplomacy'

2013-02-05

The groundbreaking ceremony for the Xayaburi dam in Laos on Nov 7 marked the symbolic end to a long and contentious international campaign to delay the dam's construction until further studies into its potential trans-boundary impacts were complete.

Mekong River Development Needs Greater Transparency

2012-11-27

New film “Mekong” explores the dynamics of hyrdropower up and down one of the world’s great rivers and takes a balanced views of sensitive’ topics.

Hydro-diplomacy: Bridging the gap between science, policy and action

2012-11-01

How we use and share water is a complex issue. It involves diverse groups of people such as farmers and fishermen, energy suppliers and developers, all who are competing for a limited and precious resource. Water use issues typically cross natural, social and political boundaries and can be local, national, regional and global in nature.

Freshwater species in Indo-Burma region under threat

2012-08-22

An assessment of 2,515 described freshwater species in the Indo-Burma region by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and partners has revealed that 13% of these species are threatened with extinction. The report comes at a time when large scale hydrological development is underway, or is proposed, throughout this region which is known for its exceptionally high diversity of freshwater species.

IUCN invests in rainforest rehabilitation to offset Congress footprint

2012-08-03

To help compensate for the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the 2012 World Conservation Congress in Jeju, IUCN has selected a credible, sustainable project for effective offsetting. The project is Infapro, by Face the Future, and is based on improved forest management in Borneo.

Southeast Asian Student Documentary Award - Call for Entries

2012-06-06

SEADocs – The Southeast Asian Student Documentary Award is a competition to encourage the art of documentary filmmaking in the region as a platform to engage with pressing social and environmental issues.

A dialogue on integrated water and wetlands management among six local authorities in Kang La Wa wetland, Khon Kaen province

2012-05-21

Sixty participants representing six tambon administrative organisations (TAOs) around Kang La Wa wetland gathered on 21–22 May 2012 to develop a collaborative plan for integrated water and wetland management to support various user groups and local livelihoods. The dialogue was supported by MWD Thailand.

The Kang La Wa wetland conservation and integrated water management dialogue kicks off

2012-05-21

On 25 April 2012, MWD Thailand, together with WWF, the Coca Cola Foundation, Khon Kaen University, Region 4 of the Department of Water Resources and other stakeholders in Khon Kaen province, held the first meeting of the provincial working group on building community and ecosystem resilience to the impacts of climate change. The meeting discussed integrated water resource and wetland management at Kang La Wa wetland in Ban Phai district.

Improving wetland functioning and services by developing a communal kaem ling (“monkey cheek”) water retention system at Wieng Nong Lom, Chiang Rai province

2012-05-15

On 7–8 May 2012, MWD Thailand, together with the villagers of Ban Bha Sak Luang, a village bordering Wieng Nong Lom wetland, and the Thailand Research Fund (TRF), joined hands to build a clay dyke strengthened with local materials such as bamboo and giant mimosa poles. The communal dyke will serve to create a small reservoir – known in Thai as a kaem ling or “monkey cheek” after the animal’s practice of filling its cheeks with food – to retain water from the rainy season and maintain water levels during the dry season. It will supply local consumption needs as well as help to restore wetland vegetation and support the growth of wetland pasture managed as a communal grazing area.

Climate change and its impact on the Lao and Cambodian people

2012-05-09

When we refer to climate change, we immediately think of the impacts it has on the livelihoods of large numbers of people, and the habitats of aquatic species on all continents.

Travels along the Mekong Fish Market Chain

2012-05-08

An early morning in late March, my IUCN colleague ,Vilavong, and I were in Naksang, Lao PDR (in the 4,000 islands) looking for transport to Pakse when a song teow (small truck converted into passenger vehicle) packed full of buckets of pa dek (fermented fish sauce, a staple of Lao cuisine) picked us up.

As Mekong Leaders Gather, Public Awaits Answers on Xayaburi Dam

2012-05-02

Save the Mekong Press Release - Phuket, Thailand – As the Mekong River Commission (MRC) member countries gather today for the MRC’s Mekong 2 Rio International Conference on Transboundary River Basin Management, the Save the Mekong coalition has called upon regional governments to immediately address the ambiguities that have been left unanswered with respect to the future of the Xayaburi Dam and other mainstream dams

Water means wealth – ‘smart’ water management in Asia and the Pacific

2012-03-16

Marseille, France, 16 March 2012 - Availability of fresh water is essential to social and economic growth. Investing in sustainable water management should be a priority for all decision makers, according to a recent publication by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) and ADB (Asian Development Bank).

Supporting civil society to influence the development of Vietnam’s Water Law

2012-02-24

In 2011, Mekong Water Dialogue (MWD) funded Vietnam River Network (VRN) to do a detailed review of draft versions of the new Water Law. VRN and the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA) organized a series of consultation meetings to gather feedback from local NGOs, academia, and the general public. A report summarizing this feedback (in Vietnamese and a summary in English) is available on the MWD website. In 2012, MWD will continue to support civil society efforts to target the National Assembly, which has the ultimate authority for reviewing and approving laws, specifically the need for the Water Law to explicitly incorporate the principles of integrated water resource management, address international waters, and ensure public participation in water resource management.

Announcing Vietnam’s fourth Ramsar site

2012-02-24

On World Wetlands Day on February 2, 2012, the Ramsar Secretariat notified Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), the Ramsar Focal Point, that it had accepted Tram Chim as a Ramsar site. This is Vietnam’s 4th Ramsar site after Xuan Thuy, Bau Sau, and Ba Be, and the 2,000th site to be nominated globally.

The “Dhamma Yatra” – a walk to raise awareness of Mekong nature organised by MWD Thailand and partners

2011-12-21

Between 10 and 19 February 2011, a walk will take place along the Mekong River in northern Thailand to celebrate and raise awareness of the river’s natural beauty and conservation importance. The “Dhamma Yatra” walk for Mekong nature is being jointly organised by MWD Thailand and its partners, the Mekong-Lanna Network for Nature and Culture Conservation, Hill Area and Community Development Foundation (HADF), Living River Siam, Northern River Basin Network, Khun Nikom Phuttha and his Dhamma Yatra Network, Plum Village, a network of people from eight Mekong provinces, Anantara Golden Triangle, Panyapeti Institute, the Tambon Community Organization Network from seven Mekong provinces in northeast Thailand, and the Recycle Band.

Indigenous women discuss managing water resources to enhance food security and adapt to climate change

2011-12-21

On 2–3 December 2011, MWD Thailand, together with the Inter Mountain Peoples’ Education and Culture in Thailand Association (IMPECT), the Hill Area and Community Development Foundation (HADF), and the Indigenous Women’s Network of Thailand, held a seminar in Chiang Rai for indigenous women to discuss and exchange views on managing water resources to enhance food security and adapt to climate change. Twenty women representing 10 ethnic groups (including Karen, Hmong, Mien, Palong, Lawa, Shan, Lahu, Lisu, Kachin and Akha) from Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai took an active part in the event.

Thai Floods

2011-11-03

As the floods in Thailand reach record levels, they are causing unprecedented damage to human lives, property and the natural environment.