The Kon Tum province in Vietnam has imposed a ban on the development of further hydropower projects citing environmental concerns.
Losses of forest cover, unavailability of resettlement options and degradation of downstream river basins have been quoted as some of the reasons behind the ban.
The provincial People’s Committee removed 21 hydropower projects from the development plan, while 48 others are currently under-development or operating, reported Saigon Daily.
Kon Tum’s decision is similar to the decisions taken by the provinces of Dak Lak, Gia Lai and Phu Yen.
The blockage has affected hundreds of the hydropower projects in the province that are located in the central region and central highlands.
Â