As Southeast Asia copes with some of the worst flooding in decades, there are also worries over the environmental impact of a series of new hydroelectric dams now under construction. One dam in particular in Laos has drawn attention because of its impact on millions of people living in the Mekong Basin.

The Laos government’s proposed Xayaburi Dam, located in mountainous regions of Northern Laos, is just one of 11 dams planned for the lower Mekong River.

Carl Middleton, a lecturer at Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn University, says strategic environmental assessment reports (SEA) warn the dam would have a serious impact.

“The project would also entail major changes to the eco-systems of the Mekong River,” he said. It would largely block fish migrations including the migration route for some of the most incredible species in the world including the Mekong giant catfish. So the SEA estimates that up to 41 fish species could be at risk of extinction.”

The $3.5 billion project would be the first to be built on the Mekong’s mainstream outside China and generate 1,260 megawatts of electricity, some 95 percent of which is expected to be bought by Thailand.

But Vietnamese and Cambodian officials have joined environmentalists in criticizing Xayaburi, saying it could severely harm fish stocks that are a vital source of protein to some 40 million people.

They warn the dam will directly affect over 200,000 people that depend on the river’s ecology as well as millions of people living downstream dependent on the river system.

Despite the concerns, Lao officials are still pressing for construction.

The Vientiane-based Mekong River Commission (MRC) has responsibility for final approval for construction after determining the dam’s environmental and ecological impact.

The Commission, with representatives from Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam, is expected to deliver its verdict on the project at a meeting in November.

Srisuwan Kuankachorn, a co-director with environmental group, Towards Ecological Recovery and Regional Alliance (TERRA), says the November meeting could lead to a profound impact on the region’s politics.

“We have to take into account the impact of every dam because if one dam is allowed to be built it will lead to the developments of all the other dams”, he said. So we have to take this into account in order for us to be able to realize that the meeting in November is not a technical meeting, because it’s not a technical decision it’s a political decision that will
reshape politics in this particular region of the world, very tiny region but very problematic region – I would say.”

Vietnamese government officials say there are concerns over the impact on the rice growing delta region. They have called for a moratorium on construction until the full impacts from all the dams are understood.

Nguyen Huu Tien an agronomist and wetlands specialist from Can Tho, in the Mekong Delta, fears the dams pose a major threat to the Delta region’s ecology and environment.

“I personally think that the threats from the dams are one of the biggest threats to the Mekong Delta in its entire history”, he said. The key losses include loss of sediment load and the loss of fisheries.”

The delta region produces half the food output of Vietnam as well as 90 per cent of its rice exports. The fishing industry in the delta is also a major contributor to the regional and national economy.

Excerpt from:
Key Vote on Mekong Dam Expected Next Month

Minority villagers who are caught up in a land dispute with the sister of Cambodia’s Finance Minister say they have waited years for the courts to look at their complaints. But in this remote part of the country, they say, they have had little luck getting a judge willing to take on the case.

The land dispute is centered around Kong Yu village in Ratanakkiri province. Villagers here say they have waited four years to have a hearing for their complaints against Keat Kolney, the sister of Keat Chhon, who is the Finance Minister and holds the position of Deputy Prime Minister.

They made their complaint in January 2007, claiming they had been tricked out of their ancestral land for a rubber plantation backed by Keat Kolney.

“The land grabber is a big person,” said Lmam Phil, a representative of the villagers, who belong to the Jarai minority. “But the judge is a small one, as the villagers and myself understand it.” That means no judge will touch the case, for fear of retribution, he said.

More than 50 families have signed onto the complaint against Keat Kolney, claiming they were deceived into thumb-printing land sale agreements while they were plied with rice wine at a party held by Keat Kolney more than four years ago.

Many of the villagers are illiterate, and they say they depend on the communal land for their food and traditional rituals.

“We can no longer work on that land as it has all been taken away, so it is very difficult for us,” Lmam Phil said. “We used to cultivate, herd cattle, look for animals and vegetables, like bamboo shoots, and harvest rice there, but now it has been cleared. When we complained, no action was taken.”

Provincial court officials said they have not been inactive, but argue that improper appointments and procedures have led to delays. Keat Kolney could not be reached for comment, but she has been quoted in local media saying the land deal was fair and legal.

Romas Net, the chief of Kong Yu village, said he originally supported the villagers, but he has since changed his position.

“The villagers have been angry for a long time, but they cannot win,” he said. “There’s no use in complaining.”

Nevertheless, rights workers and a lawyer for the villagers said the court’s failure to even take up the case has broad significance.

“The court has to rule quickly, so that it can provide a model for other cases across the province,” said Pen Bonna, the local coordinator for the rights group Adhoc.

If the case is ignored for too long, everyday Cambodians will lose their trust in the judicial system, he said, and take matters into their own hands.

Read more from the original source:
In Ratanakkiri Land Dispute, Long Wait for a Judge

On July 23rd, 2AM’s Changmin guested on MBC’s ‘Quiz That Changes the World‘ and revealing his love for cooking.

MC Lee Hwi Jae began by asking, “I heard you were going to host a cooking show soon.” Changmin confirmed, “You’re right.” The studio was surprised over Changmin’s hidden talent, leading Kim Gura to ask, “Do you like cooking?’

Changmin replied, “I’ve always loved cooking ever since I was little. When Jo Kwon was going to take his college entrance exams, I packed his lunch for him. His lunch consisted of green leaves and bean paste soup and stir-fried fish paste as a side dish.” Not only was he good at cooking, but he also revealed that he was preparing to take a Western cooking license exam.

Lee Hwi Jae continued by asking, “Do you have anything you would like to cook for your future girlfriend?” He replied, “I have a lot of dishes… I once made my ex-girlfriend carbonara.”

Fellow guest T-ara’s Eunjung gushed, “I love men who can cook”, while Soyeon added, “I love men who can cook, but I also like it when they add surprise events like rings in the food.”

Source + Photos: Star N News

KARA’s Nicole recently linked hands with dessert cafe, “Mango Six”, to collaborate for an enterprise with the cafe’s new product line, “KUKI SIX”.

Nicole’s “KUKI SIX” boasts a new line-up of six bakery goods, including the ‘Choco Cookie’, ‘Chocolate Chip Cookie’, ‘Coconut Cookie’, ‘Earl Grey White Choco Muffin’, ‘Orange Cream Cheese Muffin’, and the ‘Choco Brownie’.

It was reported that Nicole was directly involved with the planning and development of the recipes, as well as marketing and promotional methods for her upcoming bakery line.

As such, Nicole became the first celebrity to engage in the food service industry by providing input into a particular recipe.

Director Kang Hoon of Mango Six stated, “Using books and the internet, Nicole researched at least 100 cookie recipes. Through this, Nicole was able to carefully select a menu that suited well with Mango Six’s concept and unique taste.” It was revealed that Director Kang is actually a close friend of Nicole’s, and personally made the business proposition to the idol.

Director Kang added, “Nicole has always been interested in cookies and bakeries in general, and had always either shared baked goods with her friends or uploaded pictures onto her Twitter. At first I thought she was just at a hobbyest level, but her knowledge in cookies is actually quite profound and many find her food to be delicious, which is why I thought she had some potential in the bakery business.”

Nicole unveiled her own thoughts about creating a bakery line under her name, “I always used to make cookies just in my leisure time, but people around me always said how delicious they were and asked me to make more for them. I used to make various bakery goods during days I didn’t have a schedule, and this has now turned into an opportunity for me to continue developing my baking skills.”

Nicole will be participating in her first promotional event for her new line on July 5th, where she will be directly involved in hand-making these cookies at the Mango Six cafe in Apgujeong for customer sampling.

“KUKI SIX” is set for nationwide sale come July 5th, followed by overseas advancements into various Asian countries next year including Japan and China.

Source: Source: Kuki News via Nate, Daily News via Nate

It was recently announced that 4minute’s HyunA would be participating in the Korean adaptation of popular reality TV show, “Dancing with the Stars“, where celebrities are paired up with dance specialists for various dance battles.

After the initial announcement, some backstage photos of the recording were tweeted by 4minute’s manager Hong Jin Taek. He wrote, “The cast and staff members thoroughly enjoyed the food that you have sent. Because HyunA is busy preparing for the broadcast, I uploaded these photos for her. HyunA was so thankful that she teared up… she’s so happy now that her stomach is full^^” Two pictures were uploaded along with the tweet, where HyunA’s cute and sexy charms are clearly evident.

On the other hand, HyunA will be joining actor Kim Young Chul, model Jessica Gomes, weather-caster Park Eun Ji, professional baduk player Lee Seul Ah, actress Kim Gyuri, singer Kim Jang Hoon, singer Moon Hee Jun, vocalist Kim Dong Gyu, marathoner Lee Bong Joo, and announcer Oh Sang Jin as part of the 11-member cast.

“Dancing with the Stars” is scheduled to broadcast its first episode on June 10th.

Source: Hong Jin Taek’s Twitter
Tip: heckler

On June 10th, the company that Lee Soo Man founded back in 1989, SM Entertainment, will have a big performance in Paris, France. Through a phone interview, he spoke about how confident he felt about expanding into Europe and beyond.

Once he is back in Paris, Lee Soo Man is scheduled to meet with 70 various composers and producers at a conference. The composers and producers are part of the SM Network, which was created in order to enter the world market. In Paris, they intend to discuss in detail on securing the European market. They will also hold discussions on how to make Korean music more relatable to both Europeans and Americans. He believes that this network played an important role in attracting the French youth and it makes him feel certain that their music will continue to make a big impact. Lee Soo Man also revealed that SM Entertainment has relationships with over 300 composers all over the world.

When asked if songs composed by foreign composers could really be considered Korean songs, Lee Soo Man said that it’s pointless in thinking about that. He compares music to food in that it all changes based on personal preference. Whoever is making or eating the food might change the ingredients a bit and add salt or make it spicier. To appeal to the tastes of European listeners, Korean music would generally have to slightly alter as well to fit their tastes. This wouldn’t necessarily make it any less Korean and he believes it’s better to live without being too strong-headed about such thoughts and labels.

He continued by saying he wants more recognition in the American market and strongly believes that he should work hard to also make SM Entertainment the best in China. He said, “We’re currently succeeding in Japan and making moves in America and Europe, but but my primary goal is to make the Hollywood in China ours. In five years, we will surely become number one in Asia.”

When asked if he was going to hold performances in other European countries, Lee Soo Man said that they also had many fans in England, Germany, Spain, and Sweden. After the show in Paris, he intends to eventually take initiative in those countries, as well.

The ‘SM Town Live’ in Paris will feature DBSK, SNSD, Super Junior, SHINee, and f(x).

Source & Photo: Chosun

Brown Eyed Girls‘ Narsha had fans drooling after she uploaded pictures of her big feast.

On May 22nd, Narsha tweeted pictures of herself in front of a small buffet, documenting every step of her eating process from praying at the beginning to the moments right before she puts the food in her mouth. The idol seemed to have been on a junk food binge, since her table had teokbokki (rice cakes in hot sauce), dumplings, and various other fried foods.

Netizens commented, “No way are you eating all of that by yourself, right?”, “How can you eat like that and be skinny?”, and “Let’s eat together~.”

Source: Ilgan Sports via Nate

A documentary showing the possible impacts of hydropower dams on the Mekong was screened in Phnom Penh Tuesday night, a week after Mekong countries failed to decide on a dam proposed in Laos.

About 200 people, most of them students, watched the film, “Where Have All the Fish Gone?: Killing the Mekong Dam by Dam,” which was directed by journalist Tom Fawtrop and screened at Pannasastra University in the capital.

The 23-minute film shows a massive hydropower dam under construction in China and street protests in Bangkok over another 11 proposed dams on the lower Mekong.

Officials from the Mekong River Commission, from Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam, ended meetings last week over a dam proposed in Xayaburi province, Laos, after failing to decide whether it could be built. More meetings over the dam are expected later this year.

Fawtrop said Tuesday he wanted the film to draw attention to the plans for dams on the Mekong that would “destroy one of the world’s greatest rivers just for the sake of generating electricity.”

The dams could have “huge costs,” he said, “loss of fishery, loss of environment, loss of biodiversity.”

“If the Mekong is destroyed, the fishery, according to estimates, will be reduced by something like between 40 percent to 60 percent,” he said.

At least eight hydroelectric dams have been proposed on the upper Mekong, with three already operational and at least one other under construction in China. Another 11 dams including the Xayaburi have been planned downstream.

The film was shot from locations in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam over three and a half months between 2010 and 2011 and includes numerous interviews with environmental experts who warn of unpredictable impacts on people and the environment were the dams to be built.

Fawtrop said the dams, if built, would have a huge impact on Cambodia, where the majority of people depend on the river for their daily protein.

“The economists working for the government and working in various ministries have completely failed to do any homework at all,” he said. “They can tell you how much electricity we can get, but they can’t tell you how many fish we will lose.”

“And a politician who wants to build the dams for political reasons may tell everybody, ‘Oh, the dam is good for your health,’ when it is actually very bad for the health of the fish and the health of the people and the health of a nation,” he said.

Up to 600,000 tons of fish each year could be at risk from dam construction, 35 percent of that in Cambodia, according to an environmental assessment by the Mekong River Commission.

Touch Seang Tana, chairman of Cambodia’s Commission for Conservation and Development of the Mekong River Dolphin Eco-Tourism Zone, said the Mekong’s Irrawady dolphins would also be at risk from dam construction.

“If built, the dams will seriously affect natural dolphins because they eat fish,” he told VOA Khmer after viewing the film. “When there are no fish, how can dolphins survive?”

He estimated between 155 and 175 dolphins to be living along the stretch of the Mekong in Kratie province, which are a draw for tourists.

“If there is dam construction as the video shows, I think the river will lose its authenticity in the future, providing no more natural resources like fish, a good environment and a fantastic landscape,” said Ing Sethearin, a university student, after the film.

Lower Mekong countries like Cambodia must choose wisely between their food needs and their energy needs, she said.

Read more from the original source:
Film Highlights Potential Harm of Mekong Dams

On the March 16th broadcast of “We Got Married” Season 3, Hwang Chansung of 2PM appeared as a guest for the Khuntoria couple, which attracted attention as Victoria previously told Nichkhun that Chansung was her favorite member of 2PM.

On this episode, the Khuntoria couple continued their idol-turned-food reporter mission, and in order to get pictures of Korean food, they invited “Food God” (Shikshin) Chansung to “pose” for them (Chansung is nicknamed “Food God” for his seemingly superhuman ability to eat). In addition, his interesting clothing caught the eyes of viewers.

Despite his reputation however, Chansung wasn’t able to “inhale” the food as quickly as expected, because every time he went to dig in, Nichkhun would yell “stop” to take a picture, while Chansung looked on with sad eyes.

At the request of the Khuntoria couple, Chansung gave an impromptu review of his meal, stating, “The kimchi has a crisp, fresh taste and isn’t greasy at all, and the spicy flavor is fantastic,” and turned into an expert food reviewer on the spot.

The Khuntoria couple showed a new side to their image as diligent reporters in this episode – check out the video below!

Source: TV Daily via Nate

Actor Kim Joon’s fans have delivered a gigantic amount of gifts in food and drinks to KBS’s ‘Crime Squad’ team.

DCInside’s ‘Kim Joon Gallery’ and T-Max’s (group Kim Joon is a member of) fancafe ‘Go T-Max’ delivered snacks worthy of 100 people from the start of ‘Crime Squad’ filming, a total of four times, handing out each personally to Kim Joon’s co-actors and actresses, as well as the staff.

On the assorted snack food gift boxes that include hand-made rice balls, donuts, rice cake, cake, cookies, drinks, fruits, etc., individual stickers with Kim Joon’s picture on them show phrases such as, “Detective Shin Dong Jin is buying this time”, “Please take care of our young Shin Dong Jin detective”, “For viewer ratings that go over 70%”, and “We support you in the path of becoming the nation’s drama”, have been stuck on, showing their effort in preparing the gifts.

Kim Joon passed on his thankful thoughts through his Twitter, “’Crime Squad’ goes off running again with the food fans gave us!! Because of you guys, we can film well. Everyone, we ate it all thankfully!”

Meanwhile, Kim Joon is receiving the viewers’ love for his character of the smart brain detective on-site and clumsy pretty boy off-site.

Source: Osen via Daum