Fishermen in Preah Romkel commune Tharaborivat district of Stung Treng province, Cambodia are concerned that their livelihood will be harmed because of Don Sahon hydropower dam construction. This dam site is very close to Cambodia-Lao border – about 2km.
Mr. Bun Thon is 44 years old and he is a member of eco-tourism committee in Preah Romkel commune. He said that constructing this hydropower dam has been affecting more than 1000 households’ livelihoods in eight villages of the commune where local people depend on fishing and eco-tourism. Also, kids have had to drop their studies due to the dam construction. And one Mekong freshwater dolphin died in 2015, he said.
The villagers suggest to the Cambodian Government to take further action to stop this dam investment project. Mr. Suos Chanthol, a member of the commune committee, raised the concern that the construction of the dam really affects eco-tourism and biodiversity of Mekong River because the construction company uses explosives to crack the rocks; and it has been affecting local peoples’ health when they use the river water for daily consumption.
Summary translated by The Mekong Eye
Image: local boat driver, FanKhmer
This story was produced in collaboration with The Mekong Eye and Mekong Matters Journalism Network through a field visit for journalists organised in partnership with Cambodian Institute for Media Studies. The journalist and their outlet retain full editorial and copyright control.
