The Amazon Of Asia - Laos

October 2010

The Mekong River is already being put to serious economic use by the Chinese, and now the Lao people are determined to do the same. But can it really pull the nation out of poverty, and at what cost?

Until recently the 'Amazon of Asia', was one of the world's last untouched rivers, but plans for a series of 55 dams in Laos look set to change that. With the majority of the population of Laos living below the poverty line, the government claims that hydropower is the quickest way to raise living standards, anticipating revenue of $80 million a year. Yet as scores of villages are uprooted to make way for the development, traditional subsistence communities are struggling. "We used to rely on nature for our living. Now if we don't buy, we can't eat", complains villager Cham Pha. The new dams also pose a threat to the ecosystem, endangering several species. Weighing up potential development and damage, the Lao people face a tough dilemma: "I'm worried about the environment but I want our village to have electricity".

Produced By ABC Australia
Distributed By Journeyman Pictures

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• 4946
• news
• documentary
• current affairs
• journeyman
• journeyman pictures

[baybossSKS]

WOW! This is so captivating! I'm a Laos american, know very little about laos but i can't help but to have a soft spot for laos and it's people. I support these projects, the pros seem to over weigh the cons by a landslide. although i don't think you can put a price on a species and culture, if something can be worked out this seems to be highly beneficial from a economical standpoint witch seems to be desperately needed. i hope the people benefit from this and quality of life greatly improves

[pokemaste24601]

Like this if you're a GEPer

[zoolo96]

toda verdad es afirmada i y p n g f x e z d q

[mocny01]

@kskeune Yes,,I agree,,life of people will be hard soon just like on West,,Work, trafic, no time,,no more nature

[kskeune]

Laos is beautiful country and just stay the way it is with a beautiful nature.

[zoolo96]

La ecología si sanaría ser un pretexto para ciertos habladores.

[ernesdee2o916]

I'm Laotian and I don't give a fuck. Everything is gonna get fucked up anyways. Reguardless where you live shit is gonna be all fucked up by humans.

[khambon]

Of cause, LAOS pride baby & Beautiful people! Beautiful country! I agree with u guys" leezybabaye & sitti98 ", Laos is rich of natural sources that Lao people should be proud of their culture as well. I've been back to visit LAOS on 11/2000, I've seen a lot of developments of the country and I'm guessing there would be more by now. I strongly believe that Lao government really know what they're doing and especially the LPDR PARTY must see & know how to lead the Country.

[sitti98]

Beautiful country!  Beautiful people! Be proud of yourself because your culture and your land are amazing!

[leezybabaye]

LAOS pride baby.

[tshawbfawb]

If these "journalists" were reporting on the Amazon, would they call it the Mekong of South America? Why or why not?