In Prek Takeo, Cambodia, the Mekong River plays a vital role in sustaining the livelihoods of millions across the six nations it flows through. This river supports the largest inland fishery globally and nourishes the rice fields of Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, which is known for being one of the world’s most productive agricultural regions.
Cambodia’s ambitious plan to construct the $1.7 billion Funan Techo canal, with assistance from China, has raised concerns about its potential impact on the delicate ecosystem of the Mekong River. The canal aims to link the Mekong to a port on the Gulf of Thailand, enabling Cambodia to export directly from factories along the river and reduce dependence on Vietnam.
While Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet is determined to proceed with the project regardless of the cost, experts warn of the dangers it poses to the Mekong River’s natural flood patterns. The construction of high embankments along the canal could disrupt the flow of silt-laden floodwaters downstream to Vietnam, potentially exacerbating droughts in the region.
The dwindling sediment deposits from the Mekong River could lead to increased salinity levels in the Mekong Delta, adversely affecting rice farming in Vietnam. This is a significant concern for Vietnam, a major rice exporter that relies heavily on the Mekong River for its agricultural productivity.
Vietnam’s agricultural sector, which accounts for 12% of the country’s economy, is heavily reliant on water from the Mekong River. The potential disruption caused by Cambodia’s canal project could jeopardize Vietnam’s plans to cultivate high-quality, low-emission rice on a vast expanse of farmland by 2030.
Despite Cambodia’s assertions that the canal will have no impact on the Mekong River’s flow, experts remain skeptical. The canal’s connection to the Mekong’s mainstream and the reliance on its water sources raise concerns about environmental consequences that could harm not only Cambodia and Vietnam but also the global food supply chain.
The nationalistic rhetoric surrounding the canal project has strained relations between Cambodia and Vietnam. While Vietnam has expressed concerns about the project’s environmental impact, Cambodia has pushed ahead with its plans, potentially overlooking the wellbeing of individuals like Sok Koeun, whose home stands in the path of the canal’s construction.
As Cambodia forges ahead with its canal project, the challenges posed by its potential environmental impact on the Mekong River and neighboring countries underscore the need for greater transparency and cooperation among all stakeholders involved in this ambitious endeavor.
