EXPERTS MEET IN BANGKOK TO DISCUSS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN UPPER MEKONG SUBREGION
Press Release
ESCAP/245
DEV/2078
EXPERTS MEET IN BANGKOK TO DISCUSS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN UPPER MEKONG SUBREGION
19951117 BANGKOK, 17 November (UN Information Services) -- Experts on environment and water transportation met this week at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok to discuss the environmental impact of development projects in the Upper Mekong subregion.With trade opening among Thailand, Myanmar, China and the Lao People's Democratic Republic and with the existing natural resources, the Upper Mekong region is expected to develop into a centre for investment, the so-called Economic Quadrangle. It can provide regional industries with raw materials, especially to Thailand's fast-growing economy. Several new border checkpoints have been opened since 1993. A dramatic increase in international trade is expected through the Upper Mekong when adequate transport facilities have been developed.
Tourism is expected to play a key role in the development of the subregion. China's southern region is also seen as a large market for Thailand in the future. Moreover, tourists from China are expected to generate huge revenues for Thailand. The opening up of a transport network to link potential markets and seaports will also boost trade. According to experts' forecasts, the anticipated increase in export from the Yunnan region amounts to $500 million per year. The value of import expected to use the Upper Mekong Corridor is of the same amount. Thai products would make up the major part. A boost is also anticipated in the development of northwest Lao and the eastern Shan state of Myanmar as a result of increasing bilateral exchanges.
Development projects could, however, also induce negative consequences. Adverse social impacts such as smuggling, illegal traffic, clandestine immigration or labour-force migration were likely to occur. A boost in cross- border migration in a search for better social benefits could be expected.
More than anything, environmental impact could be disastrous: illegal logging associated with barter trade could develop along with navigation
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development. Soil erosion, decrease of soil fertility and potential saltation of reservoirs were likely to follow in a region that still remained nearly unspoiled. Increase in population, tourists, industrial and other activities were menacing the Mekong River's environment as well.
Lack of regulations and of institutional framework for navigation on the river hampered its development and raised the number of pollution risks.
In order to avoid such calamities, experts at the meeting recommended a range of measures such as the enforcement of a comprehensive regulatory framework and the setting-up of an institutional body by China, Lao, Myanmar and Thailand or the creation of a navigation legal framework on the Upper Mekong River.
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