HENG CHIVOAN; Villagers from Roluos village in Kampot survey their fishing grounds. The mixed-use project by businessman Wing Huor has been filling in costal areas with sand. The Phnom Penh Post
Written by Khouth Sophakchakrya
Thursday, 11 September 2008
Kampot Province
Fishermen in Kampot province complain that a new SEZ project will destroy their livelihoods and forever damage their mangroves and their coastline
MORE than 300 villagers have filed complaints with the Kampot provincial governor to stop a private company from developing a coastal fishing area.
Under a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) agreement with the government, businessman Wing Huor's Kampot SEZ has been filling in coastal mangrove forests with sand, according to local residents.
The project is to eventually include a new port, factory, market, condominium complex and public park located on about 1,000 hectares of coast.
Koem Da, a resident of Roluos village in Boeung Touk commune, said people in the community rely on the area being developed for fishing.
"The pumping has filled in many fishing areas and is taking away our ability to survive here," Koem Da said.
Patrolling the coastShe said local villagers have begun patrolling fishing areas to prevent the company from continuing to pump.
"We are following the law by protecting our environment, but the company claims that what we do is illegal."
Wing Huor was travelling on Wednesday and could not be reached for comment.
"We know the company has a development project with the government that is worth millions of dollars, but they never consulted us before they began about how it would affect our community," Lor Chhean, a fisherman from Prek Thanaut commune, said.
" If the company keeps pumping sand...everything we rely on will be lost. "
Pak Tyram, deputy chief of Treuy Koh commune in Kampot district, said more than 90 percent of people in the commune are fishermen.
"The mangrove forests are where we catch fish, prawns and crab. If the company keeps pumping sand to fill in these areas, everything we rely on will be lost," he said.
More projects expected
Try Chhoun, a Kampot coordinator for the rights group Adhoc, said many new development projects have been slated for coastal areas throughout the province, and the government has targeted prime fishing spots for the establishment of SEZs.
"This is Cambodia, not Hong Kong or Singapore. The government should rethink these projects," he said.
Khem Bunheng, director of Kampot's Department of Environment, admitted that the government has targeted beachfront land to attract foreign investment and that such projects would have an impact on local communities.
"Development always affects some people's living conditions, but we can't survive without development," he said.
Sar Sorin, director of the District Fisheries Administration of Kampot, said the government has carefully studied all proposals for coastal development and that whatever problems exist for local villagers will be temporary.
"I believe the villagers and the company will be able to find a way to work together for their mutual benefit," he said.
Written by Khouth Sophakchakrya
Thursday, 11 September 2008
Kampot Province
Fishermen in Kampot province complain that a new SEZ project will destroy their livelihoods and forever damage their mangroves and their coastline
MORE than 300 villagers have filed complaints with the Kampot provincial governor to stop a private company from developing a coastal fishing area.
Under a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) agreement with the government, businessman Wing Huor's Kampot SEZ has been filling in coastal mangrove forests with sand, according to local residents.
The project is to eventually include a new port, factory, market, condominium complex and public park located on about 1,000 hectares of coast.
Koem Da, a resident of Roluos village in Boeung Touk commune, said people in the community rely on the area being developed for fishing.
"The pumping has filled in many fishing areas and is taking away our ability to survive here," Koem Da said.
Patrolling the coastShe said local villagers have begun patrolling fishing areas to prevent the company from continuing to pump.
"We are following the law by protecting our environment, but the company claims that what we do is illegal."
Wing Huor was travelling on Wednesday and could not be reached for comment.
"We know the company has a development project with the government that is worth millions of dollars, but they never consulted us before they began about how it would affect our community," Lor Chhean, a fisherman from Prek Thanaut commune, said.
" If the company keeps pumping sand...everything we rely on will be lost. "
Pak Tyram, deputy chief of Treuy Koh commune in Kampot district, said more than 90 percent of people in the commune are fishermen.
"The mangrove forests are where we catch fish, prawns and crab. If the company keeps pumping sand to fill in these areas, everything we rely on will be lost," he said.
More projects expected
Try Chhoun, a Kampot coordinator for the rights group Adhoc, said many new development projects have been slated for coastal areas throughout the province, and the government has targeted prime fishing spots for the establishment of SEZs.
"This is Cambodia, not Hong Kong or Singapore. The government should rethink these projects," he said.
Khem Bunheng, director of Kampot's Department of Environment, admitted that the government has targeted beachfront land to attract foreign investment and that such projects would have an impact on local communities.
"Development always affects some people's living conditions, but we can't survive without development," he said.
Sar Sorin, director of the District Fisheries Administration of Kampot, said the government has carefully studied all proposals for coastal development and that whatever problems exist for local villagers will be temporary.
"I believe the villagers and the company will be able to find a way to work together for their mutual benefit," he said.
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