Sand Dredging Operations Of “Unprecedented Scale,” Cambodia
Excerpts; By David Boyle and Vong Sokheng, in Dredging Today
A sand dredging operation of “unprecedented scale” on the Tatai river, in Koh Kong province, had decimated fish stocks, ruined eco-tourism projects and released foul-smelling gases into the air since it began in May…
Ruling party senator Ly Yong Phat’s company, LYP Group, had been granted sole rights to dredge sand in the area for export after applying for a licence late last year.
In 2009, Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen imposed a total ban on marine dredging for export, except where sand gathered and replenished itself naturally or where build-ups were obstructing waterways.
Mao Hak, director of rivers at the Ministry of Water Resources, confirmed yesterday that only rivers where sea water flowed into fresh water, replenishing sand naturally, were exempt from the premier’s ban.
Locals are now, alarmed by the scale of sand dredging along the Tatai river coast, and eco-tourism resort owners says “…The rate of dredging is so extreme that any effects from sand flushed upstream by sea currents would be inconsequential. The banks of the rivers near his resort just outside of Tatai town had begun falling in because of operations that started in May. “They are dredging like hell now, last year it wasn’t so bad but now it is just unbelievable,” he said.
The most south-western province of Cambodia, Koh Kong has a long undeveloped coastline and a mountainous, forested and largely inaccessible interior. Caption and Image source: Wikipedia
Scale of Tatai Sand Dredging Permit Revealed
Shifting Sands, A Global Witness Report
Environment at risk as Cambodia exports millions of tonnes of sand to Singapore, new Global Witness report reveals, Global Witness May 2010
Global Witness released a 2010 report on Cambodia sand trade, that said that up to 796,000 tonnes of sand was being removed from Koh Kong each month. The group estimates that the annual value of these shipments is US$28.7 million in Cambodia and $248 million once the sand reaches Singapore, and that the trade is being conducted with little regard for international standards or local laws.
Sand Dredging Prompt Fishermen’s Protests
Sand Mining and Trade, Cambodia, Global Witness, 2009
