Photo essay: The human cost

Words by Kate Ross

Photos by Pianporn Deetes
of hydropower
Rivers play a central role in the lives of millions of people in Southeast Asia. They are
the lifeblood of the region, providing fish, fresh water, fertile sediment, employment,
transportation, recreation and many other essential benefits. However, these critical
lifelines are increasingly threatened by the construction of cascades of large dams
which will irreversibly alter the ecology of the rivers, block crucial fish migration
routes and re-settle hundreds of thousands of families. The widespread social
and environmental impacts of large dam projects disproportionally affect riparian
communities, many of them ethnic and indigenous peoples who have limited voice in
the decision-making process. The photos presented below illustrate the importance
of three of Southeast Asias most iconic rivers, the Nam Ou, Mekong and Salween
Rivers, the way of life that they support and the impacts associated with large-scale
hydropower development on each river.

The Nam Ou River is one of the most important rivers in Laos. Originating along the Lao-China border, the river flows south
into northern Laos and on to meet the mainstream of the Mekong River. Communities of diverse ethnic minorities have relied for
generations on the Nam Ou River and surrounding forest resources for food, income and spiritual well being. These communities
are now significantly affected by the ongoing construction of a cascade of seven dams along the river. Three dams are already
completed, and phase two of the cascade development was announced in April 2016. Affected villagers have been largely kept in
the dark about project plans and resettlement schemes.

2. Downstream of the Nam Ou 6 dam stands an abandoned

village. Villagers were relocated to a site up on the hill, where
three villages were moved together, far from the river. Villagers
still travel back to their old village to look for materials for their
homes, and to visit their abandoned farms in search of food.
The image of beautiful new homes and a better life put forward
by project developers is in stark contrast to the reality which
these villagers now face.
1. The impacts from the first three dams on the Nam Ou
River are already apparent: a lady who lives just downstream
of the Nam Ou 6 dam looks out at the Nam Ou River. The
water level has become uncertain since the dam started
operation. Sometimes, water released from the dam
upstream floods her small shop. Her life has been irreversibly
altered by construction of the dam, yet she has received no
acknowledgement of the impacts or compensation from the
dam developers.

The destructive model of dam development, which externalises the true social and environmental cost of these projects, is being
exported beyond the Nam Ou River. On the lower Mekong River, two dams are under construction, along the rivers mainstream in
Laos, with a third following quickly. Before the Xayaburi Dam moved forward in 2010, the lower Mekong River flowed freely from
Laos through the Vietnam Delta. Now, Mekong communities face a similar uncertainty over their future as villagers along the Nam
Ou River.

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The Mekong River is recognised globally for its abundant biodiversity and is home to the worlds largest freshwater fishery.
Communities along the length of the river rely on fish as a critical protein source, and for many people Mekong fish are also a
primary means of livelihood. Mekong fisheries face a major threat from hydropower construction due to blocked migration routes,
reservoirs and irreversible ecosystem changes. A significant decrease in fish stocks and shifts in the rivers seasonal flood pulse
are likely to trigger a food security crisis in the region. One of the most vital fish migration pathways along the lower Mekong
mainstream is found in Siphandone, southern Laos. In 2014, construction began on the Don Sahong Dam, blocking the Hou
Sahong Channel, the main pathway in the area allowing for year-round fish migration. The dam is located just two kilometres
upstream of the Laos-Cambodia border; however, project developers have failed to study the dams trans-boundary impacts,
leading to widespread concern in Cambodia and throughout the lower Mekong region.

3. A fisherman casts his net on the

Mekong River in Siphandone, Southern
Laos, close to the site of the Don Sahong
dam. Construction of the Xayaburi
and Don Sahong dams moved forward
without meaningful consultation
with affected communities, ignoring
objections from people across the
region and ongoing concerns voiced by
neighboring countries that share the
river downstream.

4. In November 2016, the Lao

government announced plans to move
forward with a third dam on the lower
Mekong mainstream, the Pak Beng dam,
in northern Laos. A fishing boat travels
along the Mekong River in Pak Beng,
which is a popular tourist route for slow
boats coming from Thailand.

With each new dam that moves

forward, the impacts on the Mekong
River and its people are compounded,
and the unique ecosystems and vital
natural resources are pushed to the
brink of collapse.

All photos Pianporn Deetes

1. Nam Ou River in Phongsali, Northern Laos, 2016
2. Nam Ou in Phongsali, Northern Laos, 2016
3. Fisherman at Don Sahong, Laos - 2016
4. Fisherman Pak Beng, Laos - 2016
5. Salween River, Karen State, Myanmar 2007
6. IDP family, Karen State, Myanmar 2006
7. IDP camp, Karen state, Myanmar 2006
8. IDP camp, Karen state, Myanmar 2006

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The Mekongs sister river, the Salween is one of Asias longest remaining free-flowing rivers. It holds a unique place in the
identity of the diverse ethnic peoples who live along its length. The Salween River sustains rich fisheries and fertile farmland that
are central to the lives of communities living along its banks. The history and significance of the river runs deeply through these
communities. Due to decades of armed conflict, it is also a highly sensitive and contentious area. Salween communities have
experienced decades of violence and displacement in Myanmars longstanding civil war. A cascade of seven dams planned along
the Salween River represent yet another installment in a long series of devastating events.

5. A boat navigates rapids along the

Salween River near the location of the
proposed Hat Gyi dam in Karen State,
Myanmar, and the site of recent active
armed conflict.

6. Most dam-affected people in Karen and Shan State, Myanmar, are either internally
displaced people (IDPs), or refugees who were forced to flee to Thailand during
Myanmars military junta and decades of conflict. Planned dams along the Salween
River, including the Hat Gyi and Mon Ton dams, threaten to drown the hopes of
thousands of refugees of ever returning home. The proposed dams face widespread
opposition from local communities.

8. A medic treats a woman at an IDP

camp along the Salween River.

7. An IDP family at a camp along the

Salween River close to the site of the
proposed Hat Gyi dam.

Dams planned, under construction and in operation on these three rivers will have profound and irreversible social and
environmental impacts. The people who stand to lose the most are riparian communities who have little voice in decision-making
processes. There is an urgent need for governments in Southeast Asia to recognise the importance of these iconic rivers and the
benefits that they provide beyond electricity generation. Healthy rivers are the lifelines of our planet and this is nowhere more
evident than in the Nam Ou, the Mekong and the Salween Rivers.

Pianporn Deetes is the Thailand and Myanmar Campaigns Director of International Rivers. Kate Ross is the Mekong Program
Coordinator of International Rivers.

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