Environment and land
Boundary markers create concerns for indigenous people
The Bunong indigenous people in Mondulkiri province have expressed concerns about deforestation in the Phnom Nam Lyr Wildlife Sanctuary after a forest community spotted machinery in an off-limits area and noticed markers planted in the surrounding land. But an environment official claimed the machinery was being ...
Khorn Savi
Development of Dawei SEZ expected to be delayed again
Officials are expecting the outbreak of COVID-19 to slow the development of Dawei Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Tanintharyi Region. “The virus is affecting the development process, including road construction,” said U Tin Htoo Naing, secretary of Dawei SEZ. Things are being delayed just as foreign investors ...
AUNG LOON
Myanmar shorebirds get four-fold expansion in protected wetland
Twenty years ago, few conservationists knew about the Gulf of Mottama and the secrets hidden within its complex coastline. Its location in southern Myanmar is, like many parts of the country, rugged and difficult to access. However, in the early 2010s, everything changed when surveys lead ...
Ding Li Yong
Bushfires threatening forests in northern Laos
Thousands of hectares of forests in the north of Laos have been destroyed by bushfires, the blazes are yet to be brought under control. According to local authorities, bushfires have been reported in northern Lao province of Oudomxay, Luang Namtha, Luang Prabang and Phongsaly provinces, which ...
Huaxia
Saline intrusion in Mekong Delta likely to linger on
Saline intrusion in the Mekong Delta will likely remain at a high level until the end of April or early May, before gradually declining, according to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting. In the worst case scenario, drought and saltwater intrusion may last even longer if ...
Five provinces receive funds to fight saltwater intrusion
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has allocated 800 million VND (nearly 34,000 USD) to five provinces which have declared an emergency due to saltwater intrusion. The money comes from the ministry’s Vietnam Environmental Protection Fund. The provinces are Long An, Tien Giang, Ben Tre, Kien Giang and Ca ...
Governors told to look at public land seizures
The Deputy Prime Minister in charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers, Hing Thorasky, has issued a report ordering ministers and three provincial governors to check for irregularities among lower-level officers who have illegally seized public land. These irregularities occurred in Battambang, Pailin and ...
Long Kimmarita
Lao Villagers Lose Farmland to Chinese Banana Grower
Villagers in Laos say a Chinese-owned banana plantation in has unfairly acquired the land of 46 families in the northern part of the country, many of whom were coerced by authorities into selling for a miniscule compensation package The 46 families sold 60 hectares (148 acres) ...
RFA’s Lao Service. Translated by Max Avary. Written in English by Eugene Whong.
Govt seeks Myanmar, Laos talks to deal with haze
Thailand will seek talks with Myanmar and Laos to lend strength to the fight against haze and smog pollution, according to Jatuporn Buruspat, the natural resources and environment permanent secretary. The government will seek cooperation from Myanmar and Laos authorities to jointly deal with the seasonal ...
APINYA WIPATAYOTIN
Thailand reopens 4 ports at Mekong River to allow essential goods from China to reach country
Thailand has lifted its ban to close four ports at the Mekong River to allow essential goods to be shipped to and from China as Thailand is currently facing the COVID-19 outbreak. The four ports, including cargo terminals and border crossing, were closed since March 21 ...
Xinhua
