Mekong River dolphins at risk of extinction (CNN)

[eppur_se_muova]

By Dan Rivers
CNN

(CNN) -- It is the life blood for tens of millions of people -- but the mighty Mekong River in southeast Asia is now facing a "devastating" threat from not one, but 11 proposed dams.

A group of NGOs has come together to issue the stark warning, claiming if the plans go ahead for hydroelectric projects in Laos, Cambodia and Thailand, that people, animals and the environment will all suffer irreparably.

Under the banner "Save the Mekong" campaigners are hoping to pressure regional governments to shelve the plans, which are being put forward by private companies from Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Russia.

Carl Middleton, from the environmental group International Rivers, told CNN: "These dams, if built, would block the major fish migrations that feed the entire region" adding "the Mekong fisheries feed the Mekong people they provide between half and four fifths of the animal protein that people eat here and up to 90 percent of rural communities are involved in fishing activity."

"Globally the Mekong River basin is the largest inshore fishery in the world. It contributes about 2 percent of the global fish catch."
***
more: http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/06/17/cambodia.dolphins/index.html