Proposed Plan to Construct Two Large-Scale Reservoirs in Mekong Delta Sparks Concerns over Cost, Environmental Impact

During a conference on fresh water for the Mekong Delta, Dr. Vo Van Hai from the Association of Economics and Management Science proposed a plan to address the region’s water needs by constructing two large-scale reservoirs. The first proposed reservoir would be in Dong Thap near Tram Chim National Park, with a capacity of 1.5 billion m3 of water, while the second reservoir would be in Hau Giang near Lung Ngoc Hoang nature reserve, with a capacity of 1 billion m3 of water.

The cost for these reservoirs is estimated to be around 67,000 billion VND and 68,000 billion VND respectively. The construction of these reservoirs would benefit various provinces in the region by regulating water and preventing forest fires. However, there are concerns regarding the technical and environmental challenges associated with building large-scale reservoirs in the delta area. This includes land clearance, impacts on local livelihoods, and environmental protection issues that need to be carefully considered.

It is suggested that small-scale reservoirs could be an alternative to reduce costs and facilitate easier water transportation. Authorities are encouraged to promote water resource management solutions at a national and international level to ensure sustainable freshwater supply to the region.