Chinese Company sparks Environmental Issues for Cambodia By Sina Thor (សរសេរដោយ ថោ សីុណាា) Phnom Penh’s Cambodia, October 29, -- The Chinese company called Sinohydro Group, which schedule to erect the hydroelectric dam in Koh Kong’s Thma Baing district (Areng Valley) are sparking the destruction for a the unique natural resources in Cambodia which consists of evergreen forest, grasslands, mangrove swamps, wildlife, potable water, luxury forestry and river said by Alex Gonzalez-Davidson. In southwest Cambodia, at the foot of the Cardamom Mountains, is a single dirt road that meanders through the heart of the pristine Areng valley. It is the last and unique beauty Valley in this country as well as it is an area of outstanding of viewpoints and forestry. But nowadays valley is being highly threatened by a proposed hydroelectric dam. The hydroelectric plans will be threatened nine villages, and about 1500-2000 hectares of indigenous lands including sacred forests covering over 500 hectares and in total, it threatens over 15,000 to 20,000 hectares of land and at least 39 faunal species that are globally threatened or nationally protected. If dam are going to start, it will flood a broad, flat valley that is densely populated and includes the richest agricultural land in southwest Cambodia as well as some of Cambodia’s rarest and most threatened wildlife. Meanwhile, dam will lead to cause the bad environmental and social damage relative to the amount of power generated is therefore disproportionately high, according to the research from Mr. Alex Gonzalez. To fight against this part of natural disaster, a hundred of residents including members of the ethnic Jong community from section hunted for many methods to stop them through the difference protests which held in the Koh Kong governmental department and Phnom Penh city. Backed to environmental impacts, Mr. Alex Gonzalez-Davidson, co-founder of local NGO Mother Nature Cambodia mentioned that company absolutely bring the severe impacts for residents and especially for environment if it still insists to do that. Water Local residents will face with drought and shortage of water to supplied rice field, other plantations corn, been or agro-plantation to support their everyday livelihood. “We need to get smarter about how we manage water that means everything from replacing our ageing infrastructure to ensuring we capture rain water when it does fall” Mr. Alex said. Most rivers in Koh Kong will be suffering from decades of over-extraction for irrigation and this is being exacerbated by drought, and the pressure will continue as climate change takes hold. Climate change Climate change refer to an increase the temperatures due to the deforestation of natural forest over areas and it will bring the irregular rain, hot portfolio and drought for residents. It may be a global issue. Biodiversity We have already seen a fairly disturbing loss of our biodiversity, but the problem tends to get overshadowed by climate change, land degradation and water issues. River and Fish The Areng River is the largest of only a handful of Cambodian rivers that are not connected to the Mekong River and its tributaries. For this reason the Areng River has been found to harbour a unique fish fauna that does not occur anywhere else in Cambodia, including globally threatened and endemic species. Most of these species only occur in the upper reaches of the Areng River, so their habitat will be almost entirely lost if the Areng Valley dam is built. Wildlife Koh Kong is the popular area which known at containing of the Cambodian fish, turtles, and amphibians Siamese Crocodile, tigers, elephants etc…..and those wildlife is valuable for people and especially for next generation. The Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus) is classified by IUCN and the Cambodian National Red List as endangered. The upper Areng Valley is an important site for elephants as it is within the home range of several herds. Elephants are often sighted in the valley. White-winged Duck: The White-winged Duck (Cairina scutulata) is classified as endangered by IUCN and the Cambodian National Red List. The species is in rapid global decline due to deforestation, wetland drainage and hunting. An assessment in 2002 indicated that fewer than 800 remain in the wild (IUCN, 2007). Estimates suggest the upper Areng Valley may provide vital habitat for as many as 30-40 White-winged Ducks. All suitable habitat for this species (small densely forested wetlands) will be lost if the dam is built. Besides, six species of turtle and tortoise are known to occur in standing wetlands and forested areas along the upper Areng Valley. Zone will provide an entirely suitable shelter for those wildlife and they will not be threatened if dam is cancelled. To prevent the portion of calamity, many of natural activists who dare to fight for the cancellation of the proposed hydro dam in the valley were arrested, detained and direct and indirect intimidated from Cambodian government officials. No matter what government officials used many kinds of strategies to stop them not to contest for Areng Valley’s sources, campaigners committed themselves to fight against the Chinese company and government. Showed faces in protesting in Phnom Penh town many times, natural activists have made the the lawmakers from opposition party (CNRP) raised that concerns and talked in couple times in the National Assembly. “Don’t be concern about Areng issues and I am sure that hydro dam won’t be appeared at all during Hun Sen’s mandate,” confirmed by president of Cambodian National Rescue Party, Mr. Sam Rainsy. After receiving the citation-word on Areng’s concerns from opposition leader, natural activists did not totally believe him and they wished to hear from the Prime Minister Hun Sen. Pich Siyun, Koh Kong provincial director of the Ministry of Mines and Energy said that dam will provide electronic surrounding area ad rejected the much impacts of people livelihood and environment. “Country has to develop all the infrastructures like bridges, roads and electrics and it is main sector for developing countries are doing in the world,” he said. He added that Sinohydro Company Ltd was granted approval on February 19 for six months of extensive drilling, geological mapping and prospecting in the dam concession in a letter signed by Minister of Mines and Energy Suy Sem Set and obtained. Dr Kem Ley, a consultant with the Monitoring and Evaluation Association gave his suggestion on issues that. Government should make the site to be eco tours that could bring them incomes and offer them jobs for residents and keep that area for tourists it is better than cutting down the trees for dam. And he should use other ways to build infrastructure whereby local inhabitants voluntarily preserve the nature while extending the forest recovery of the whole area of Areng Valley. “Display solar systems at their each houses and it costs cheaper than hydropower if Government wish to help citizen,” He said. He added that “government should create and promote environmental business management in the next step after creating the ecological system and it is the most significant for him to initiate that in Koh Kong’s Areng region.” In order to continuously preserve rich nature, we have to understand and cooperation of the local inhabitants are indispensable. Dr. Kem Ley criticized Cambodian government missed conducting forest management like planting together with the local people, he doesn’t actively promote the importance of the ecological system conservation. Dr. Kem Ley suggested that “Hun Sen should takes time to think of working on the environmental conservation in some part of country which still remain, as same as neighboring countries like Thailand and Malaysia, if he wishes to win the votes for other Prime Minister mandate,” ( រូបភាពផ្តល់ដោយលោក Alex Gonzalez-Davidson)
Posted on: Wed, 29 Oct 2014 11:06:42 +0000
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