Dealing with Social Aspects in Hydropower Development

The development of the Mekong’s water resources have included the establishment of a number of large dams, on both the river’s main stem and tributaries, in all four member countries. These dams were constructed for a variety of purposes, including flood protection, irrigation and hydropower. These dams have been controversial, due to their negative ef-fects on natural and social environments—to the extent that some member countries, such as Thailand, have ceased building dams altogether.

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