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Govt plan to divert water from Mekong River draws support and
opposition
Thai News Agency. 2 March 2008. http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=3075
Drought is long standing problem in the northeastern region and it has
not been solved by any government. The current administration is
planning to reintroduce the idea to divert water from the Mekong River
into the region. Its a controversial issue as some people question if
the project is worth investing an enormous budget.
A recent seminar on the plan to divert the river water was held by the
Water and Quality of Life Foundation and local media. The seminar
raised the issue that there should be no cost of production, and so
residents should not have to pay for the water. Other important
questions included where the water would be stored and how to divert
water from the Mekong to other rivers in the northeastern region. The
government needed to conduct thorough studies and public participation
was required.
The water level at each location of the diversion line showed the
area in the northeastern region sloped downward to the south and the
east. Gravity will help the water flow into the diversion tunnel. We
dont need water pumps. Its not worth using pumps when the gasoline
costs over 30 baht per litre," said Dr. Chongkon Pimwapee, Foundation
Committee.
The Water and Quality of Life Foundation conducted an initial study on
the planned water diversion to tackle drought in the northeastern
provinces eight years ago. The academics found the project was
possible and proposed the result of the study to the then government,
but the project was ignored. Academics however think the northeastern
region doesnt have a problem with water shortage, but rather a
problem with water management. Water diversion from the Mekong River
would not be worthwhile.
According to the data from similar projects in Africa and South
America, costs of water diversion through tunnels is high. A
government needs a big budget to finance such a project, said Asst.
Prof. Yanyong Inmuang Mahasarakham University.
Environmental problems such as saline soil and river bank erosion were
issues of concern. Drought was one of those problems which could
possibly be resolved without spending a large sum of money as there
was plenty of groundwater in the northeastern region, academics
argued. |
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