Mekong, hydropower and climate change: Reflection from community-based research towards sustainable livelihood

Transcription

1 Mekong, hydropower and climate change: Reflection from community-based research towards sustainable livelihood October 10, 2013 Phu Paradise Hotel, Muang, Nongkhai, Nongkhai province. Representatives from Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam exchange their research and views on Mekong mainstream and sustainable hydropower in Nongkhai, Thailand This forum is organized for Mekong local people in Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam to present the outcomes and conclusions of their studies on livelihood and potential negative impacts of the first lower Mekong mainstream dam, Xayaburi, and other dams on the Mekong mainstream and tributaries. It brings people in affected areas such as Thailand's Mun River, Cambodia's 3S River, and central Vietnam to exchange experiences and discuss situations on hydropower dams as well as potential collaboration amongst local groups and CSO networks. In addition, it provides the space for participants to voice their growing concerns regarding MRC's proposed concepts and actions for "sustainable hydropower dams" in the region. Thai youth group gathers to discuss on their roles and tasks

2 Coincide with the forum, local youth group organizes an exhibition on Mekong livelihoods and impacts of hydropower dams on the Mekong mainstream. A photo exhibition on Don Sahong and Xayaburi dam by photojournalist Suthep Kritsanavarin is also on display at the forum. Key points from the studies on ecology, economic values and the current situation in Mekong River and 3S River The studies on ecology and local economics conducted by local communities themselves clearly show their deep relationship with the rivers and dependence on the riparian ecosystem. The studies and experience exchanges among the communities from Mekong River and 3S River point out that the impacts of dams can expand to tributary communities as well. Life before the construction of hydropower dams was auspicious for many of these riverine communities. Many rely on fishing, agriculture, and animal husbandry as their main source of income. The coming of dams means displacement of these communities. Even though authority and companies have proposed new settlement areas with additional facilities, affected communities still face with hardship in most basic daily routines as the new sites do not align with their livelihoods and customs. They cannot fish or farm like before. Many have to move elsewhere for jobs. These reflect the unjust outcomes of dam developments. Climate change also exacerbates their struggles. Participants Water issues and water resource management are among hot debate topics at international level. Recent meeting on World Water Week in Stockholm, Sweden restates the importance of discussion on water issues especially in the Mekong region where such discussion still lacks tremendously. Mekong governments span out numerous dam development plans. Yet, communities are not informed or given the space to participate in decision-making process. Their traditional knowledge and local justice are often ignored at public hearings. This can all change if every party chooses to cooperate to act on the basis of justice and fair communication. Information should be transmitted to all party at all level and locations - along with translation when needed.

3 Reflection on Mekong situation and community research on ecology and local economics Whether it is Mekong mainstream or its tributaries in northern Cambodia, the situations are similar for river communities. The 3S rivers (Sesan Sekong, Srepok) were once flourished. There was no need to buy anything as locals could grow or find their own food in the area. The livelihoods, cultures, believes, and customs are very similar to Thai counterparts. However, the new economic development plan, as part of the Greater Mekong Surbregion (GMS), aims to build 8 hydropower dams on the 3S rivers with the Lower Sesan 2 being the first of the line-up. The coming of such project is affecting the locals. In addition, Cambodians are also fighting against problems with economic land concession - that usually ends up with large rubber plantations and mining. Campaign t-shirt to stop Xayaburi dam Xayaburi dam will be the first dam on the lower Mekong mainstream. At the time of the conference, the dam is already 15 percent completed. Another dam that local communities need to be aware of is Don Sahong dam which would be situated in Siphandone, Mekong's greatest breeding ground. The greatest problem with these developments is the lack of community consultation. Sometimes, if the developers are foreigners, such as Chinese, there would be no translator to help communicate in local language with the communities. Negative impacts of dams are apparent: unnatural shift in water levels, poorer water quality affecting the locals' health, and decreasing fish and aquatic life population. Often times, the people were not included in any part of the project as well as during the EIA process. Notification on water release is almost nonexistent or delivered too late. Problems in Mekong tributaries are more complicated than Mekong mainstreams as it is more difficult for communities in other areas to join the movement. It is also much harder to gain public attention. In addition, many developers and investments for these hydropower projects come

4 from countries where respect for human rights is not a norm, making it more likely for human rights abuses to happen. Participant expresses his views In Thailand, the concept of "development" is usually closely connected to having a lot of money. Rural communities may be considered poor in economic terms but they would be considered rich if we assess their natural resources. The government, however, decides to grant concession to large investors and promote mega-projects because it assumes that this type of development would bring income and jobs to the people. In contrast, we have seen no improvement on the people's lives. Thailand has been in the developing stage for fifty years, but its people still live under poverty. This brings to the question on whether Thailand's development direction is really the most suitable. What is truly the strategy to combat poverty? What is really the cause of poverty? The real threat is when a happy life turns calamitous. Collecting and analyzing local knowledge may be a good strategy to strengthen the community's capacity. Knowledge should not be based solely on academicians. Local communities can do their own studies. But the real challenge is how do we make the state accept our evidence and reject destructive projects. Information and meeting's materials shared at registration

5 Data on impacts of hydropower dams is important, both on Mekong mainstream and tributaries because these impacts are cross-border impacts. With the investment that's encroaching in all direction, it is important for local communities to be aware and stay informed of these projects. These data compilation will also support campaign work on the ground and at policy level. Vietnam has a good lesson with dams e.g. Dong Nai 6 dam, and Dong Nai 6A dam. It is clear that dam development policy remains problematic and the people are still in difficult situation to fight against it. Yet, the people network, which includes women's and farmers networks, is very active. If these groups can join the river network, the voice of affected communities would be louder and more powerful. A meeting among all affected actors is a good way to communicate what affected communities are facing. Vietnam, being a downstream country, will be most affected by hydropower developments. It is very important for all countries to hear what Vietnamese communities have to say. Key points on Sustainable hydropower dams in Mekong: of MRC, Concerns of people Thailand's Water Department has proceeded with MRC's Sustainable Hydropwer Initiative. The greatest concern among the participants is the misleading assumption on benefit sharing at the management level. Because this would create tensions between the government, who holds the decision-making power, and the locals, who have the knowledge and live with the river. Thai Mekong youth group voices their supports The lack of consultation and community consent for Pak Mun Dam project should not be forgotten. The loss of many fish species and ecosystem richness are a result of poor assessment and studies on social and environmental impacts. The government built a fish ladder and sort funding for aquatic breeding center but those proved to be another failure because they could not compensate the erased Pak Mun ecosystem. In Thailand, the government holds the power to decide how these impacts should be mitigated. Nonetheless, local communities have to claim for mitigation process and wait for negotiation. But the problem is that consensus is only agreed upon each government. If there is a new leader, the agreement no longer applies and the community has to repeat the process to claim for their rights. It seems that each government only acts at its advantage and hardly considers the needs of the people. Tension over water resources intensifies every day in Thailand. Now, the new

6 concept of Sustainable Hydropower is encroaching. For communities who have been fighting against dam projects, they still strongly refuse to believe the sustainability of sustainable hydropower. They insist that there are many other options for water resource management and hydropower dams are not one of those options. Again, the real question is who would gain from each option. Meach Mean from Cambodia's 3SPN points out key findings on community-led study in 3S rivers In Cambodia, Sustainable Hydropower is still very new and many communities do not necessarily have a clear understanding on the concept. In the past, River Coalition on Cambodia (RCC) has been working with its network in educating the negative potential impacts of Sustainable Hydropower. Proposing anything to Cambodian government remains a huge challenge for local communities but they still see it is important for the four Mekong governments to act upon the wants and benefits of their people. There is no solid plan among CSOs and NGOs from Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam yet, but it is clear that they are steadfast to stand against any hydropower dam projects on Mekong mainstream. What is missing is the space and time for collaboration. During the past couple decades, we see no sustainability in large hydropower dams. The benefits large dams bring to their creators can never equate the loss the ecosystem and riparian communities have to face. MRC's past experience shows no credit for the communities to believe in its proposed initiative. Keeping the Mekong free flowing is the best option. The Mekong people have the rights to reject development project and this right should be endured by MRC and the government. Yet, we always see that those who hold the decision-making power usually ignore the voice of the people and tend to agree on projects that do not truly benefit the people. It is impossible for the communities to believe that these projects will be sustainable since even basic information regarding the project is concealed by the government and the people are blocked from taking part in the decision-making process. It is important that local communities and CSOs of the three countries work closely as a network with a clear mission to stop and oppose hydropower dams. Information needs to reach affected communities and the general public.

7 Key points of concerns and recommendations on the Xayaburi and other hydropower dams in the Mekong Basin Channarong Wongla from Thai Mekong community expresses his concerns on Xayaburi dam Participants agree that there are great concerns over the impacts of hydropower dams in the Mekong basin. The meeting among Mekong leaders proves and emphasizes the negative impacts of hydropower development on many communities and the region's environment. The term "Sustainable Hydropower" is coined by capitalists. It does not reflect the decreasing fish population and detrimental impacts of hydropower dams. This is why many Thai communities are studying and recording local fishery and changes in their communities in order to help them come up with solutions (e.g. declaring no fishing zone) without waiting for outside support. Community-led research is also a good campaign tool to inform other community members and to get young adults and children to be involved in the decision-making process. The research continually bolsters the changes these communities are facing and provides a good evidence collection to foster their arguments at policy level. Nen Souket from Cambodian 3S rivers tells impacts of hydropower dams on Mekong tributaries Cambodian communities living in and at the periphery of Tonle Sap - known to be the heart of the Mekong for its rich variety of fish and great biodiversity that's feeding at least a million

8 people - also notice the changes brought by hydropower projects on the Mekong river. These communities heavily depend on Tonle Sap for fishery and other means to support their lives. Their traditions and cultures revolve around the existence of Tonle Sap fishery and ecosystem. The people did not ask for electricity but the government decided to build dams without asking for community's consent. Thus, information dissemination and communication among Mekong riparian and Tonle Sap communities are essential to strengthen local's involvement. Cambodia's 3S communities (Sesan, Sekong, Srepok Rivers) are also facing a great challenge from Lower Sesan 2 Dam project. If built, at least 10,000 people will have to move out from their homes. Lower Sesan 2 Dam will also create enormous transboundary impacts as it would be built directly on the Mekong mainstream. Vietnamese representatives share their stories from the Mekong Delta In Vietnam, decreasing amount of sediment flow in the Delta remains unsolved. The changes in the Delta would severely affect downstream agricultures, water quality, and fishery. Many people who live within proposed dam sites have already moved out but the biggest question is what would happen to the next generation who would definitely bear even tougher hardship. So, what can our network do? Participants raise their hands to make "x" sign to say no to dams

9 11 October 2013 Viengkuk, Nongkhai, Thailand Thai local communities sets up a ritual ceremony under the theme of "Prolonging Life of the Mekong River." This event was held at the courtyard near Somprasak Temple in Viengkuk Subdistrict, Muang District, Nongkhai Province. The morning starts with alms giving and Buddhist prayer ceremony. It then follows by the day's highlight: God and goddess worship and freeing fishes back to the Mekong River. A press conference is held before noon. Viengkuk Regatta Festival at Nongtongyai begins in the afternoon. Giving alms to monks Giving alms to monks

10 Praying Freeing fish back to the Mekong

11 Freeing fish back to the Mekong Preparing for the worship Offerings to the gods and goddesses

12 Gods and goddesses worship Dancing as part of the worship

13 Worshippers Mekong Youth Group