- Over 1,000 new species discovered between 1997 and 2007
- The world's largest inland fishery, providing livelihoods for 60 million people
- More than 60 million people from nearly 100 distinct ethnic groups live within the Greater Mekong region.
- Forest cover in the Greater Mekong has fallen from over 55% in the early 1970's to 34% today.
Greater Mekong
What WWF is doing
River of Giants
Wild populations of the iconic Mekong giant catfish will be driven to extinction if hydropower dams planned for the Mekong River go ahead, says a new report by WWF.
Stunning wildlife, diverse people, big challenges
The Greater Mekong contains some of the richest and most biologically diverse habitats on our planet.
Its vast forests and wetlands harbour some of the world's rarest species including Asian elephants, tigers, Javan rhinos, Irrawaddy dolphin and the elusive Saola.At the heart of the region, is the Mekong River. Winding 4, 800 kms through six countries - China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam - it provides habitat to an amazing diversity of fish. This includes some of the world's largest freshwater species:
- the Giant freshwater stingray (Himantura chaophraya) weighing up to 600kgs
- Mekong giant catfish (Pangasianodon gigas) weighing up to 350kg
The Mekong River basin accounts for up to 25% of the global freshwater catch, making it the world's largest inland fishery.
Today, this region is on an ambitious development path that is resulting in rapid social, economic and environmental change.
There is no doubt the Greater Mekong must develop, the question is how?
Across the region, WWF works with communities, governments and industry to:
- Promote sustainable hydropower in the lower Mekong River basin
- Support protected area managers and communities to help maintain and protect forest and freshwater habitats
- Develop responses to threats posed by climate change
- Ensure conservation of viable populations of flagship species
- Capacity-building to create the next generation of environmental leaders
Latest news and publications
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Mekong dams threaten rare giant fish
Wild populations of the iconic Mekong giant catfish will be driven to extinction if hydropower dams planned for the Mekong River go ahead, says a new report by WWF.
Mekong dams threaten rare giant fish
Wild populations of the iconic Mekong giant catfish will be driven to extinction if hydropower dams planned for the Mekong River go ahead, says a new report by WWF.
New discoveries
Just when you think there is nothing left to discover, WWF reveals that over 1,000 new species have been found in the Greater Mekong region in just the last decade!
First Contact in the Greater Mekong reports that 1,068 new species have been identified by science between 1997 and 2007. This includes the world’s largest huntsman spider, the hot pink, cyanide-producing “dragon millipede”, and Kha Nyou thought to extinct for 11 million years.
Close Encounters in the Greater Mekong reports a bird eating fanged frog and a gecko that looks like it’s from another planet are among the 163 new species discovered in the Greater Mekong region in 2008 along, which are now at risk of extinction due to climate change.
Close Encounters in the Greater Mekong reports a bird eating fanged frog and a gecko that looks like it’s from another planet are among the 163 new species discovered in the Greater Mekong region in 2008 along, which are now at risk of extinction due to climate change.
To secure a future where people's daily actions support biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of natural resources, ensuring the function of natural ecosystems, upon which the quality of life for the people of the Greater Mekong region depend.
WWF Vision for the Greater Mekong
Protecting the Greater Mekong
A massive and irreversible current of change is underway.
Social and economic development is necessary to improve the lives of millions of people in the region, but if it is not planned sustainably it could also create serious and irreversible problems, particularly now in the face of climate change.Today, WWF Greater Mekong Programme is working with local communities, government partners and industry across Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam to help conserve the rich biodiversity and natural ecosystems, upon which the region's future depends.
Our work is focused within 4 globally important ecoregions:
Where is the Mekong River Ecoregion?
The Mekong River Ecoregion is highlighted below in grey.
View WWF Critical Regions of the World in a larger map
View WWF Critical Regions of the World in a larger map
