'Unnecessary' dam project threatens rarest wildlife (Cambodia)

[Coventina]

Source: The Independent

One of the world's rarest reptiles, the critically-endangered Siamese crocodile, is gravely threatened by a proposed dam in an unspoilt region of Cambodia, British conservationists warn.

Construction of the Chay Areng dam in the Cardamom mountains will wipe out a fifth or more of the remaining population of the crocodiles, which stands at fewer than 200 individuals in the wild, according to Fauna and Flora International (FFI), which is based in Cambridge.

It will displace hundreds of indigenous people from their homes, and do enormous damage to the wildlife in a valley which alone holds more than 30 globally threatened species of mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and amphibians, ranging from tigers, Asian elephants and pileated gibbons to the white-winged duck, the yellow-headed temple turtle and one of the world's rarest and most prized freshwater fish, the Asian arowana.

Furthermore, says FFI, an economic assessment showed that the 120ft dam, which is being promoted by a Chinese power company, is not necessary for Cambodia's future electricity demand and is in effect surplus to requirements. FFI is calling on the Cambodian government to cancel the scheme.



Read more: http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/un.htmlssary-dam-project-threatens-rarest-wildlife-945292.html

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The article goes on to say that the Chinese are busy building infrastructure in Cambodia in exchange for getting access to Cambodia's natural resources.

Cambodia just can't win for losing....

[victordrazen]

1. This practice is one of the most evil

lending huge sums to small countries that they can't repay then they are in debt to "the bank" forever who proceeeds to rape their resources, and the money is used for projects they don't need like this.