8 April 2010 [MediaGlobal]: As the water level of the Mekong River continues to diminish, the concerns of those who depend on the river for survival continue to rise. Low water levels have severely disrupted river transportation for both trade and tourism, wrote Jeremy Bird, CEO of the Mekong River Commission (MRC), in an op-ed that was published in the Bangkok Post on 16 March.
“We had to cancel some trips on [the] Mekong River, in particular in Laos country due to the low water level,” Mrs. Bich, an agent for Asia King Travel, told MediaGlobal. Bich said the business, which provides tours along the Mekong, has been negatively affected by the situation.
Tourists are suffering as well, according to Bich, “Both sides lose money and time. In addition, our clients have to change their plans so other services such as flights, hotels, guides, and transportation have to be cancelled.”
The low water level of the Mekong impacts many businesses explained Bich, “It doesn’t only make our sales volume and profit decrease but also many other services, too.” According to Bird, an inadequate 2009 wet season, which ended a month and a half early, exacerbated the problem. Rainfall in both September and October was more than 30 percent below average. This leading to the most extreme dry period on record surpassing the previous low documented between 1992 and 1993.
The Mekong River is a vital waterway in Asia that stretches from the Tibetan Plateau, through China, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Throughout these countries fishermen, farmers, and other businesses depend on the Mekong. And for several decades the Mekong has been able to provide economic well-being for its inhabitants.
Countries that rely on the Mekong met to collaborate on solutions at the Mekong River Commission Summit held in Hua Hin, Thailand between 1 and 3 April. “The overall message agreed to by participants in the conference is clear: the economic, social and environmental prosperity of Mekong countries depends on how we protect and share the benefits of our common water resources through cooperative mechanisms,” remarked Bird in an MCR released statement.
“We had to cancel some trips on [the] Mekong River, in particular in Laos country due to the low water level,” Mrs. Bich, an agent for Asia King Travel, told MediaGlobal. Bich said the business, which provides tours along the Mekong, has been negatively affected by the situation.
Tourists are suffering as well, according to Bich, “Both sides lose money and time. In addition, our clients have to change their plans so other services such as flights, hotels, guides, and transportation have to be cancelled.”
The low water level of the Mekong impacts many businesses explained Bich, “It doesn’t only make our sales volume and profit decrease but also many other services, too.” According to Bird, an inadequate 2009 wet season, which ended a month and a half early, exacerbated the problem. Rainfall in both September and October was more than 30 percent below average. This leading to the most extreme dry period on record surpassing the previous low documented between 1992 and 1993.
The Mekong River is a vital waterway in Asia that stretches from the Tibetan Plateau, through China, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Throughout these countries fishermen, farmers, and other businesses depend on the Mekong. And for several decades the Mekong has been able to provide economic well-being for its inhabitants.
Countries that rely on the Mekong met to collaborate on solutions at the Mekong River Commission Summit held in Hua Hin, Thailand between 1 and 3 April. “The overall message agreed to by participants in the conference is clear: the economic, social and environmental prosperity of Mekong countries depends on how we protect and share the benefits of our common water resources through cooperative mechanisms,” remarked Bird in an MCR released statement.
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