Calling for a change in the Mekong: Reflections on the "Mekong School" and ecologically-driven development

On the banks of the Mekong River in Chiang Khong is the Mekong School, comprising a group of Thai activists and community leaders. Niwat Roikaew, or Khru Tee as he's affectionately known, is the founder of the school and a brilliant storyteller. As we sat raptly and listened, he told us the story of the Mekong Region's past and the significant changes he has witnessed in the region during the last two decades. 

He said that although people depict it with artificial lines, the Mekong River knows no boundaries, offering its riches to all who share it. He wants everyone to re-think the current direction of development, where natural resources are constantly exploited for profits without giving any thought to the lives, livelihoods, and cultures of the people who depend on the Mekong River and its hugely diverse ecosystems.

The Mekong’s rich history

I was born and brought up in Myanmar and, growing up, we did not learn much about the Mekong River. But from Kru Tee I learnt that, in the past, the Mekong River used to be abundant with resources that sustained the lives of many thousands of communities.

Relying on the rich resources of the river, a family with six or seven children did not face the same pressures as today in raising their family. They were never afraid of going hungry as the river, wetlands and streams were abundant with fish. Families could catch fish very easily, sometimes with bare hands or using simple traditional fishing equipment, evidence of the river’s extraordinary richness. Since they benefited from the gifts of the river, they hold the river very close to their hearts and the value of the river is deeply ingrained in the lives and culture of the local communities for whom the Mekong is home.

Different values of the Mekong

Khru Tee emphasized that the Mekong should not be viewed simply as a source of “economic prosperity” or for generating energy. There are other values. The Mekong River holds deep cultural value and memories.

He pointed out that the Mekong River’s influence extended beyond its immediate ecosystem and the present time, and stretches to the past. For example, the great civilization of Angkor Wat would not have existed and expanded without the Mekong River feeding and replenishing the Great Lake or Tonle Sap in Cambodia. Also, the ancient city of Luang Prabang in Lao PDR, located on its banks, was recognized as a UNESCO Heritage site because its cultural heritage is deeply intertwined with the Mekong River.

Damming the river’s flow

Khru Tee told us how the river’s journey was first marked by a profound change with the construction of the first dam three decades ago. More dams in the past two decades have resulted in severe ecological disruption. As dams regulate the flow of the river, the water level fluctuations have often caused severe drought, he said, showing pictures of the dry riverbed of the Mekong.

These conditions also affect animals including migratory birds. Conversely, when the dams start to release water for electricity or in rainy seasons when their storage if full, the sudden releases have sometimes caused the water level to rise 80cm high in just one night. The floods in the downstream area have washed away boats and livestock, causing substantial economic loss for communities who hardly own anything other than a boat and some fishing gear.

The most significant impact of the alteration of the water flow is on fish migration and spawning in the river. One prominent example that Khru Tee gave was about the impact on the Tonle Sap Lake which is part of the Mekong River system. The lake’s existence depends on the unique seasonal ebb and flow of the river into the lake and out depending on the season. This flow regime also called the Tonle Sap flood pulse is vital to nourishing the entire river and lake ecosystem in Cambodia and beyond, making the lake one of the largest freshwater fishing grounds in the world, and supporting protein and income needs for millions of people even beyond the basin.

The issue of sudden fluctuation in the river is a big challenge for local communities who often have vegetable gardens on the riverbanks. For example, harvesting river weed is one of the major sources of income for many families. But the growth of this weed needs a lower water level for a period of time, without sudden extreme rises in the water levels.

The youth of the Mekong

Khru Tee reiterated that the Mekong School is open for every citizen to learn and to engage in constructive dialogue so that we can recognize the co-existence of people and nature and cultivate the the mindset of valuing nature beyond economics and money.

He underscored the urgency for young leaders and the next generation as the new hope to bring about radical transformation in the ways in which the Mekong ecosystems are protected and used. The Mekong School aims to raise greater awareness among the youths in the region, fostering a mindset that recognizes the river’s significance and its immense ecological value beyond borders.

Note

This piece is based on a field visit to the The Mekong School: Institute of Local Knowledge as part of the workshop by the project “Building Water Sector Youth Leadership Network in the Lancang-Mekong Region.”

*Photo 1: Mekong River at Golden Triangle Area, bordering Myanmar, Lao PDR, and Thailand. Photo: Khaing Su Lwin.

*Photo 2: Navigation in the Mekong River in Golden Triangle Area, Thailand. Photo: Khaing Su Lwin.

*Photo 3: Map of the Mekong River basin showing the dams' status and locations. Photo: Mekong River Commission 2020.