[asia-apec 1863] What's New in RWESA.org (May 2002)

[Kevin Yuk-shing Li]

Rivers Watch East and Southeast Asia (RWESA)

What's New in RWESA.org (May 2002)

Status Report of Planned Dams Released
This report provides an overview of proposed dam projects in East and
Southeast Asia and highlights funding sources and what companies are
involved. An invaluable resource on proposed projects in the region!
http://www.rwesa.org/intro_dr.html

Network activities

Preliminary Impact Assessment on Navigation Channel Improvement Project of
the Lancang-Mekong River Released
Southeast Asia Rivers Network (SEARIN), in cooperation with the local
communities of Chiang Khong, conducts a joint study on the possible
environmental and social impacts created by the Navigation Channel
Improvement Project on the upper Mekong River...

Mekong Watch Japan: Japanese ODA to Burma Premature
The Baluchaung No 2 Hydropower Plant Rehabilitation Project, which Japan's
Foreign Minister announced on the occasion of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's
release, was actually approved BEFORE the release of Daw Suu...

Thailand: Appeal letter to call on JBIC NOT to fund Sanyu's water resources
study in Mekong tributaries
This is a letter endorsed by 17 civic groups in Thailand, requesting not to
fund a proposal submitted by Sanyu Consultants Inc., Japan to
comprehensively study water resources along Mekong tributaries...

Stop the Kelau Dam (SOS Selangor, Malaysia)
SOS Selangor is firmly against the building of the Kelau dam. It is
unnecessary and can only be built at high social, economic and environmental
cost.


News update

Reef blasting project threatens livelihoods of villagers in upper Mekong
River
If the reefs and sand dunes were blasted and dredged away, as proposed under
a state development project, the villagers of Chiang Saen and Chiang Khong
would be adversely affected...

Malaysia: Belaga rep links lack of info to Bakun fears
The state assemblyperson for Belaga, Stanley Ajang, has blamed failure in
keeping the Orang Ulu communities informed of remedial action being taken
for their great anxiety over possible floodings in the Bakun hydro-electric
dam site in Belaga, central Sarawak. Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) has urged
the Sarawak government and the dam developer to grant them unhindered access
to the project site.

Taiwan: Water resources officials plan new reservoirs
The Water Resource Agency is planning to build at least six new large
reservoirs beginning in 2005. The agency's intention to build six new
reservoirs, costing NT$13 billion, was criticized by Legislators on May 6 at
the Legislative Yuan...

Thailand: Swimming against the current?
The findings of the first study into Pak Moon Dam which directly involved
local people are soon to be released. Is it, like previous reports critical
of the project, doomed to fall on deaf ears?

Japan pledges money to Burma for Baluchaung rehabilitation
Japan pledged to provide 628 million yen in grant aid to Myanmar this year
to finance the restoration of the Baluchaung hydropower plant. An agreement
on the aid package was signed in Yangon on May 10, a Japanese official
said...


Check it out!
http://www.rwesa.org/

Please feel free to let me know if you want to publicise your river-related
activities through RWESA web site.

Executive Editor: Kevin Li