Open Letter To Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Royal Government of Cambodia
The Stung Chhay Areng Hydropower Dam is being develped by China Guodian Corporation. A MoU to study this proposed dam was signed between the Royal Government of Cambodia and China Guodian Corporation in November 2010, after China Southern Power Grid announced they pulled out of the project due to ‘environmental concerns’. The project is expected to be a BOT project which will require 4.5 years to build with a capacity of 108 MW and with a cost of $327 million 1. The Dam is planned to be built in the Prek Svay village, Thmar Baing commune, Thmar Baing district, Koh Kong province. However, unofficial information indicates that China Guodian Corporation may not longer be involved in the project and that China's Sinohydro Co. Ltd is considering its involvement. Information as to this possible change in dam building companies has not been made official yet or announced by the Cambodian government. If the construction goes ahead, approximently 389 households (1,642 people)2 and about 20,000 ha of forest area, including Central Cardamom Protected Forest will be affected. Also, there will be 57 species of mamals, 93 species of birds, 55 speciese of reptile (including the Critically Endangered Siamese crocodile), 29 species of amphibians, and 43 species of fish (including the endangered Dragon Fish) will be threatened3. The Project will produce only small amounts of energy, while the forest, wildlife, biodiversity, and social impacts will be very high. Moreover, the process of the Initial Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (IESIA) lacked the participation of affected people in decision making, i.e., only a small number of people took part in discussions with company representatives in which the people were unable to give comments and express their concerns over the propsoed dam. The site for people’s relocation from their current settlements is the Field 73 or the plane field, which can lead to conflicts between animals and people because it is a place where elephants cross. In addition, through a field investigation by the Rivers Coalition in Cambodia (a coalition working with national and international organizations and communities to conserve river ecology and livelihoods of people who depend on natural resources) at the area proposed for the construction of the dam between 09 and 14 November 2013, we observed that:
The area planned for the dam construction is in flat plains, not mountainous valleys suitable for the construction of a hydropower dam;
The area is full of beautiful nature with lots of waterfalls suitable for eco-tourism;
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Initial Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (IESIA) by SAWAC, January, 2008.
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Initial Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (IESIA) by SAWAC, January, 2008.
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A Summary of the Social and Environmental Impact of The Proposed Areng Valley Hydroelectric Dam, Southwest Cambodia by Conservation International, and Forestry Administration of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, production year unknown.
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The area is inhabited by “Jorng” indigenous people, especially, women and children, who will likely be the most seriously affected, because their livelihoods are directly and closely linked to the natural resources in the area. Women in this area have low education and live on farming (growing rice) and depend entirely on forestry products according to their beautiful tradition. It can be said that natural resources are the life of the communities in the area as the culture is attached deeply to people’s hearts. For instance, one 10-year-old boy said that “I want nature than the hydropower dam because the forest and natural resources belong to me, not to anyone else”.
Therefore, we have the honour to respectfully inform Samdech that people, as well as civil society and partner organizations, are greatly concerned over the losses of traditions, customs, and the daily practices of the “Jorng” indigenous people, such as slash and burn plantations (Chamkar), spiritual forests, ancestral burrial grounds, housing, and forest that offer them daily byproducts. The area planned for the dam construction is an area with rare, natural potential similar to the Amazon , which is not found anywhere else in southeast Asia. Chhay Areng is a beautiful area, rich with forest, plants, biodiversity, and invaluable endangered species. It is also an area significantly suitable for the creation of an eco-tourist area that will generate revenue for the national budget and for the people in the area. As such, we earnestly implore Samdech to consider turning this are into an eco-tourist area rather than as a dam site for the Khmer people, as well as for the indigenous people, to live with this abundant natural wealth and for their great grand children. Please, Samdech, accept our highest esteem.
Phnom Penh, 17 December 2013 Representatives: Rivers Coalition in Cambodia: The NGO Forum on Cambodia (NGOF) 3S Rivers Protection Network (3SPN) Fisheries Action Coalition Team (FACT) Culture and Environment Preservation Association (CEPA) Cambodian Volunteers for Society (CVS) Save Cambodia’s Vulnerables (SVC) Community Economic Development (CED) Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) Khmer Farmer’s Association (KFA) Northeast Rural Development Organization (NRD) Mother Nature Organization (MN)
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Ponlok Khmer Mlub Prumvihearthor Center (MPC) Cooperation Enviroment Tourism Organization (CETO) Cc:
Council for Development of Cambodia
Ministry of Economy and Finance
Ministry of Industry, Mines, and Energy
Ministry of Environment
Ministry of Tourism
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries
Ministry of Women’s Affairs
Ministry of Rural Development
Cambodian Electricity Authority
Embassy of China to Cambodia
National and International journalists
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