Short News – Asia
Longer lives in Bangladesh
Life expectancy in Bangladesh has increased by 15 years since 1990, and each woman only has half as many children, limiting overpopulation.
More rare dolphins
For the first time, numbers of the extremely endangered Irrawaddy dolphin in the Cambodian Mekong river have increased - from 80 to 92 in two years.
New ’tiger economy’ pounces
Over the past ten years, Bangladesh has created economic growth. Many have left extreme poverty, despite poor conditions in the country’s garment industry.
All kids in school in Bhutan
Back in 2000, only around half of children in Bhutan completed primary school. Today, it’s nearly all children - 99 percent.
Solar alternative to nuclear power
Vietnam is building five new solar power plants. On a sunny day, they will produce as much energy as a small nuclear power station.
Solar alternative to nuclear power
Vietnam is building five new solar power plants. On a sunny day, they will produce as much energy as a small nuclear power station.
Thailand protects ’The Beach’
Maya Bay, the beautiful location of the movie The Beach, will now be shut for four months each year, to protect the place against the many tourists.
Cleaner air gives longer lives
The Chinese are now expected to live 2.4 years longer on average, thanks to four years of fighting air pollution.
Birth certificate by app
After an app-project, 95% of infants in a region of Pakistan got a birth certificate in 2015, compared to only 5% the year before. Registration gives rights.
Soldiers fight for the forest
China has ordered 60,000 soldiers to pick up shovels and start planting trees around Beijing. The ambition is to plant an area the size of Sri Lanka.
Hong Kong bans ivory trade
Lawmakers in Hong Kong have voted to phase out the country’s large ivory trade before 2021. The hope is that fewer elephants will be killed by poachers.
Rainforest to be used wisely
Papua New Guinea has now protected an area with 3600 km2 of rainforest. The 21,000 people living in the area will have the rights to use the forest sustainably.