MEKONG RIVER - GEOGRAPHY
News: Can a green transition save
the Mekong River?
What's in the news?
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The Mekong's annual flood-drought cycle supports
crucial fish migrations and freshwater biodiversity.
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Accounting for over 15% of the global inland fish catch, the river hosts the world's
largest inland fishery.
Mekong River:
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It is a trans-boundary
river in East Asia and Southeast Asia.
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It is the world’s
twelfth-longest river and the third-longest in Asia and the longest river
in South-east Asia.
Origin:
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It originates from the Sanjianyuang in the Tibetan Plateau in China.
Mouth:
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The river drains into the South China Sea.
Countries:
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It flows through six Asian countries - China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and
Vietnam.
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It covers a total length of 2700 km.
Biodiversity:
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It is the second
most biodiverse river basin in the world, after Amazon River Basin.
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It contains about 20,000 plant species,1,200 birds,
430 mammals, 800 amphibians and reptiles, and 850 fish species.
Capital Cities on its
Banks:
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Vientiane – the capital of Laos
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Phnom Penh - the capital of Cambodia
Significance for India:
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The Mekong
Ganga Cooperation (MGC) is an initiative by six countries – India and five
ASEAN countries – Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.
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Mekong Delta is a potential source of regional tension due to
an increasing number of hydroelectric projects that are altering the flow and
raising concerns of ecological damage.