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Save the Mekong

The “Mother of Waters” is the world’s largest freshwater fish supply. And is critical to maintaining ecosystems across Southeast Asia

For years the World Bank has supported projects that promote development in the Global South, including the construction of large hydroelectric power plants. Many of these are planned along the Mekong river, which originates on the Tibetan Plateau in China and flows for roughly 5,000 km through Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Known as the “Mother of Waters”, the Mekong is the world’s largest freshwater fish supply and is critical to maintaining ecosystems across Southeast Asia, as well as for irrigation, navigation and the livelihood of local communities.

At this time, 65 dams are active along the river and its tributaries, while at least 11 more are planned to be built. The construction of new dams will cause further damage to the environment and will hamper fish migration, which is essential for the survival of around 60 million people. Moreover, many villages will be relocated to make room for the new infrastructures, and the people forced to radically change their lifestyle. The most affected countries are Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Environmentalists, experts and representatives of local communities, who consider the dam-based development model a threat to the planet and to the future of mankind, have long sought to raise awareness of the damage caused by the exploitation of the Mekong.

Save the Mekong is a long-term photographic project started in 2013, with the aim of documenting the environmental and social transformations caused by the exploitation of the river.

(2024)

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