Vientiane Times
5 July, 2013
Researchers from the National University of Laos and the Lao Living Aquatic Resources Research Centre joined with representatives of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to review the progress of a Mekong River biodiversity project yesterday.
In September 2011, IUCN Lao PDR Office organised the first ecological survey of the Mekong River between Luang Prabang and Vientiane, aiming to establish baseline data for future management strategies, to conserve natural biodiversity and ensure the livelihoods of people living along the Mekong in the three provinces of Luang Prabang, Xayaboury and Vientiane.
The survey represented the first phase of the ‘Conserving Biodiversity and Sustaining Livelihoods along the Mekong River’ project, a five year initiative running until 2015, financed by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) through Conservation International.
The scientific team included 11 participants from IUCN Lao PDR, the National University of Laos’ Faculty of Science, the Lao Living Aquatic Resources Research Centre and international consultants.