Watershed classification in the Lower Mekong Basin: Rapid economic growth?A source of increasing potential for conflict over resource use

The Lower Mekong Basin (LMB) arguably has one of the most diverse biotic and cultural landscapes in today’s world. However, against the backdrop of residual impacts of the Indochina conflicts coupled with the extraordinary pace of economic development in some of the riparian countries over the last decade, contradictions between economic growth and environmental protection have become increasingly apparent. Fundamental political and economic changes in each country have had adverse environmental impacts on the region's shared resources.  Seeking to replicate East Asian patterns of growth and industrialisation, national leaders have pursued economic growth with minimal environmental considerations as a national aim.