Behind netting hung for shade along the Mekong River bank, a woman prepares lunch in the small restaurant on the island village of Donsom, or Ban Donsom. The Laos government has announced plans to go ahead with the controversial Don Sahong Mekong River hydroelectric dam. Residents on the islands and environmental groups fear the construction of the dam may block fish migration, and threaten the ecology of the river and the well-being of those who live in the 4,000 islands area. Photograph by David Guttenfelder for an upcoming story about dams along the Mekong River