03/06/14

The water and life of a river before hydro development

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<div class="article-wrap">
<div id="article-introduction">
<h1>The water and life of a river before hydro development</h1>
<h4></h4>
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<div id="article-body">
<div class="article-img-gallery" id="image-gallery"><div class="owl-carousel"><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/pg1_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='The headwaters of the Baram River
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/pg1_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='The headwaters of the Baram River
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/pg1_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='The headwaters of the Baram River
'></noscript></noscript><p>The headwaters of the Baram River</p>
<p><em></em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/pg2_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='One of the river’s upper tributaries
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/pg2_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='One of the river’s upper tributaries
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/pg2_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='One of the river’s upper tributaries
'></noscript></noscript><p>One of the river’s upper tributaries</p>
<p><em></em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/pg3_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='The lip of a waterfall
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/pg3_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='The lip of a waterfall
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/pg3_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='The lip of a waterfall
'></noscript></noscript><p>The lip of a waterfall</p>
<p><em></em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/pg4_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='A tranquil river scene 
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/pg4_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='A tranquil river scene 
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/pg4_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='A tranquil river scene 
'></noscript></noscript><p>A tranquil river scene </p>
<p><em></em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/pg5_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='Crossing a river to harvest rice
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/pg5_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='Crossing a river to harvest rice
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/pg5_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='Crossing a river to harvest rice
'></noscript></noscript><p>Crossing a river to harvest rice</p>
<p><em></em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/pg6_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='Looking up at the forest canopy from below
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/pg6_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='Looking up at the forest canopy from below
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/pg6_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='Looking up at the forest canopy from below
'></noscript></noscript><p>Looking up at the forest canopy from below</p>
<p><em></em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/pg7_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='Carnivorous pitcher plants
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/pg7_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='Carnivorous pitcher plants
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/pg7_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='Carnivorous pitcher plants
'></noscript></noscript><p>Carnivorous pitcher plants</p>
<p><em></em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/pg8_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='A caterpillar with poisonous hairs
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/pg8_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='A caterpillar with poisonous hairs
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/pg8_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='A caterpillar with poisonous hairs
'></noscript></noscript><p>A caterpillar with poisonous hairs</p>
<p><em></em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/pg9_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='An assassin bug
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/pg9_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='An assassin bug
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/pg9_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='An assassin bug
'></noscript></noscript><p>An assassin bug</p>
<p><em></em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/pg10_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='A spiny spider 
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/pg10_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='A spiny spider 
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/pg10_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='A spiny spider 
'></noscript></noscript><p>A spiny spider </p>
<p><em></em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/pg11_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='Edible mushrooms growing on a rotting log
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/pg11_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='Edible mushrooms growing on a rotting log
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/pg11_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='Edible mushrooms growing on a rotting log
'></noscript></noscript><p>Edible mushrooms growing on a rotting log</p>
<p><em></em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/pg12_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='An ancient carved figure keeps watch from a mountain ridge
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/pg12_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='An ancient carved figure keeps watch from a mountain ridge
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/pg12_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='An ancient carved figure keeps watch from a mountain ridge
'></noscript></noscript><p>An ancient carved figure keeps watch from a mountain ridge</p>
<p><em></em></p></div></div></div>
<figure class="article-image left-image" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;">
	<a href="http://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/site_assets/maps/Sarawak.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="Borneo Baram River" figure="" fileid="E2EBA22C-674F-4955-883DC274A2029A2A" height="293" data-src="/wp-content/uploads/site_assets/maps/Sarawak.jpg" style="--smush-placeholder-width: 240px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 240/293;width: 240px; height: 293px" width="240" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" class="lazyload" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="Borneo Baram River" figure="" fileid="E2EBA22C-674F-4955-883DC274A2029A2A" height="293" data-src="/wp-content/uploads/site_assets/maps/Sarawak.jpg" style="--smush-placeholder-width: 240px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 240/293;width: 240px; height: 293px" width="240" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" class="lazyload" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="Borneo Baram River" figure="" fileid="E2EBA22C-674F-4955-883DC274A2029A2A" height="293" src="/wp-content/uploads/site_assets/maps/Sarawak.jpg" style="width: 240px; height: 293px" width="240" /></noscript></noscript></a></figure>
<p>The headwaters of the Baram River in the Malaysian state of Sarawak on the island of Borneo is an area as rich in biodiversity as it is in human cultural heritage. The mountains, ridges and hills, clothed in ancient forests, give rise to fast-flowing streams that cascade down to form the parent river.</p>
<p>The photographs in this photo gallery were taken before the advent of the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy, a set of hydroelectric dams due to be built on the river.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.scidev.net/water/editorials/hydropower-described-as-renewable.html">To read the editorial on whether hydropower should truly be described as renewable, please click here. </a></p>

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<p>This article was originally published on <a href="https://www.scidev.net" target="_blank">SciDev.Net</a>. Read the <a href="https://www.scidev.net/global/multimedia/the-water-and-life-of-a-river-before-hydro-development/" target="_blank">original article</a>.</p>
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The headwaters of the Baram River

One of the river’s upper tributaries

The lip of a waterfall

A tranquil river scene

Crossing a river to harvest rice

Looking up at the forest canopy from below

Carnivorous pitcher plants

A caterpillar with poisonous hairs

An assassin bug

A spiny spider

Edible mushrooms growing on a rotting log

An ancient carved figure keeps watch from a mountain ridge

The headwaters of the Baram River in the Malaysian state of Sarawak on the island of Borneo is an area as rich in biodiversity as it is in human cultural heritage. The mountains, ridges and hills, clothed in ancient forests, give rise to fast-flowing streams that cascade down to form the parent river.

The photographs in this photo gallery were taken before the advent of the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy, a set of hydroelectric dams due to be built on the river.

To read the editorial on whether hydropower should truly be described as renewable, please click here.