Ecotax proposed for use of Mekong resources

PHUKET, May 3 (TNA) - Representatives of river basin organizations and member countries of the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) have proposed that an environmental tax be levied on the use of Mekong River resources as a mean for the sustainable protection of the 7th longest Asian river. The proposal was announced Thursday, the third day of the International Conference on Transboundary River Basin Management being held in Thailand’s southern resort Phuket province this week, during which the participating parties discuss and share their knowledge on the protection of river basins across the globe. The participating parties also suggested that the so-called "ecotax", if collected, go to the GMS member countries, which should be then allowed to determine their shares of the tax revenue to be spent on their river basin conservation and restoration projects. They regional participants have also shared a common view that water resources are a key for food and energy security and water resources development is needed to prevent any conflict among people and to also protect people’s lives. The Mekong River Commission (MRC) has, meanwhile, called for more assessments of environmental and social impacts of hydroelectric power dam projects in the Mekong River, recommending that revenues generated from the projects be redistributed to affected countries. Results from the ongoing meeting will be raised before the forthcoming UN Rio+20 Conference on Sustainable Development, scheduled to be held in Brazil next month. (TNA)