globalisation HW transboundary water conflicts

Question 1

Transboundary Water Conflicts caused by Globalisation

Answer 1

Dams along Mekong River for HEP and flood control

Question 2

Transboundary Water Conflicts caused by Globalisation — China

Answer 2

owns half the length of the Mekong
- upper basin is mountainous
- southern part is in one of China’s poorest regions
- Damming the river for HEP would encourage economic development there

Question 3

Transboundary Water Conflicts caused by Globalisation — Myanmar

Answer 3

• country LEAST affected
• contains several tributaries but none would be affected by the existing dam proposals
• no plans to build any dams itself yet

Question 4

Transboundary Water Conflicts caused by Globalisation — Thailand

Answer 4

• only 36% of Thailand’s territory is within the Mekong Basin but it wants the water & electricity generated by the dams for industrial development

Question 5

Transboundary Water Conflicts caused by Globalisation — Vietnam

Answer 5

• Mekong Delta is a fertile area of 50000km2 which supports 40% of Vietnams population
• Annual floods there allow a large amount of rice to be grown
• Continuing to dam the Mekong further upstream will reduce the river flow in Vietnam (10% already lost)

Question 6

Transboundary Water Conflicts caused by Globalisation — Cambodia

Answer 6

• nearly all within the Mekong Basin
• depends on the river for crucial annual flooding of it’s rice growing area
• lack of reliable energy sources has led to depletion of its forests for firewood
• HEP would boost economic level — but would displace villagers from fertile land beside river

Question 7

Transboundary Water Conflicts caused by Globalisation — Laos

Answer 7

• one of the worlds poorest countries - 90% of population depends on Mekong for agriculture.
• most water from tributaries but dams would reduce flow downstream