The Mekong River, a lifeline for millions across six countries, is facing a new threat: Cambodia’s grand plan to construct a massive canal linking the Mekong to its own coast. The $1.7 billion Funan Techo canal, being built with Chinese assistance, promises to enhance trade and national prestige for Cambodia. However, environmentalists warn that the project could have devastating consequences for the Mekong’s natural flood systems, further jeopardizing the river’s already fragile state.
The Mekong is the world’s largest inland fishery, generating over $11 billion annually. Its fertile delta, nurtured by the river’s sediment-rich floodwaters, is a major rice-producing region, making Vietnam the world’s third-largest exporter. The canal, with its high embankments, could prevent this vital sediment from reaching the delta, exacerbating drought conditions and impacting Vietnam’s agricultural sector, which contributes 12% to its economy.
Vietnam, with its ambitious plan to produce low-emission rice on a million hectares of farmland by 2030, heavily relies on the Mekong’s water. The potential disruption of the river’s natural flow could significantly impact Vietnam’s food security and threaten the livelihoods of millions of people. The Mekong River Commission, an organization dedicated to cooperation on Mekong-related issues, has urged all major projects to undergo thorough environmental assessments to avoid transboundary impacts.
Cambodia, however, dismisses the environmental concerns, claiming the canal is a ‘tributary project’ with no impact on the Mekong’s flow. While Cambodian officials downplay the project’s potential harm, environmental experts and international organizations highlight the risks associated with disrupting the Mekong’s natural rhythm.
The canal’s construction is fueled by nationalistic fervor, with Prime Minister Hun Manet emphasizing its role in reducing Cambodia’s dependence on Vietnam. While Vietnam has expressed concerns about the project’s impact, it has avoided open criticism, wary of historical tensions between the two nations. The project’s potential environmental consequences, coupled with its geopolitical implications, have ignited a complex web of concerns about the Mekong’s future.
Amidst the nationalistic rhetoric, the human cost of the project remains hidden. Individuals like Sok Koeun, who has resided in her tin-roofed cottage by the river since 1980, face the prospect of displacement without clear answers about compensation or relocation. The Mekong’s fate hangs in the balance, as the canal project underscores the need for careful planning and consideration of environmental consequences in the face of economic ambitions. The Mekong’s future is intertwined with the well-being of millions across the region, and its preservation requires a collaborative approach to ensure sustainable development while protecting this vital river.
