The Mekong Asia

1. Economy: Although south east Asia's economy was slow to grow at first in the last few decades it has soured especially in industry. The Mekong is located on the pacific where governments have been keen to develop economies e.g. China. This has effected the river mainly through the construction of dams and the increasing population that relies on it. The Mekong Asia The Mekong has some dams and many more planned especially in China dew to there increasing fast economic development and need for clean water and power supply. As most of them are in the sediment supply zone in China questions have been asked to the effect these dams will have on the transition and sediment storage stages. The Chinese government said “The dams will be beneficial to the lower stage of the Mekong as it will control the flow during the wet season. But others disagree when the dams have needed repairing in the past much of the sediment storage zone was effected by alarmingly low discharge There are also many bridges that cross the Mekong connecting large cities and countries with each other. Population; The river basin has a population of around 55 million they contend on a yearly basis the risk of flooding. Sometimes more severe than others e.g. In 2000 over 800 people died and many more made homeless Traditional Trades: The two main traditional trades of the Mekong where agricultural and fishing. But these two trades have been severely effected by the lack of flood water, Farming relied on the silt and nutrients provided by the floods and fishing relied on the flood bringing food for the fish to eat as there’s not much food during the dry season. But because of the dams constant control of discharge flooding has stopped meaning no food is provided for the fish so there’s less to catch. Background Knowledge: The Mekong is the 7th longest river in Asia 12th longest in the world. Running through China, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam discharging in the south Chinese sea. Its source is located in China at Lasagongma Spring - location Mt. Guozongmucha, Qinghai. Recreation and Leisure: The Mekong is one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in the world because of the prosperity much of Asia is experiencing more can afford holidays. However the development of this industry may be having a negative effect on the environment and cause conflicts with local people. Transportation: Much of the Mekong is not navigable because of the reefs and shifting sand bars in the dry season and the violent rapids in the wet season. As well as this the Mekong has thousands of islands forming obstacles for large shipping vessels Because of all these activities there are many conflicts between different groups of how best the river should be used. The Asian development bank are trying to help conserve the natural environment and plan developments sustainably. By Michael Steventon