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Cambodia Environment News Update

• 24 April 1999
• 23 March 1999
• 25 February 1999
• 21 January 1999
• December 1998
• November 1998

24 April 1999

Cambodian Environmental Issues

Forestry Issues

The Global Witness calls the military the single greatest threat to the preservation of Cambodian's forest and to revenue collection for the cash starved central government. The RCAF Commander in Chief acknowledged that some army officials are involving in cutting and selling timbers, but refused to be named. So far, some generals have been removed and transferred to other places. Top military and defense officials refused to confirm how many or which generals were transferred (CD, 02.3.99:11). About only 10% of the illegal activity remains which will be stamped out by the air commandos. Photographs will be taken and intelligence conducted to locate clandestine logging operations. Aerial surveillance and paratroopers will be used to sweep out illegal logging in Cambodia's remaining trouble spot. The next operation will be conducted in Koh Kong, Kompong Thom, Kratie and Ratanakiri province to make sure illegal logging activities have ground to halt (CD, 04.3.99:01-9).

Moreover, the large scale illegal log export to Laos have continued and that logs also had been observed headed toward Vietnam and Thailand. Separately, a fishery expert reported seeing barges of logs floating south down the Mekong River from Kratie province and a Thai researcher reported logging activity in Modolkiri province. Two leading Khmer language newspapers also have reported logging activity inside two protected areas in the North and Northeast (CD, 12.3.99:01-18). Environment Minister Mok Mareth expressed concerns about illegal logging activities in Vrachey National Park in Stung Treng and Ratanakiri provinces (CD, 04.3.99:01-9).

Further than that, to stop completely illegal logging activity, the government of Cambodia and the donor community have to put pressure on Vietnam, Laos and Thailand to support Cambodia's log export ban. The evidence shows that the border pass with Thailand reopened recently and at least 25 logging trucks were waiting at the border to leave (CD, 12.3.99:01-18). On the other hand, forestry officials called 20 representatives of the main timber firms to a meeting to speed up company's compliance with the government's new environmental directives (CD, 25.3.99:9).

Since the crackdown was announced by Prime Minister Hun Sen, 565 unauthorized sawmills have been destroyed (CD, 23.3.99:9). The Global Witness report says that government 's high profile crackdown, including use of commandos, helicopters and aerial surveillance has only been successful in shutting down the small unauthorized sawmills. The government is trying to impress donor countries by shutting down small unofficial sawmills yet at the same time ignoring the main players. This means that the rural population are denied the timber they depend on for day to day use whilst the timber barons are getting away scot free. This will not solve the issue of deforestation and illegal logging in Cambodia (CD, 25.3.99:9).

A Taiwanese logging firm is under the investigation after 5,000 cubic meter of unmarked felled logs were found near the Boeung Per wildlife sanctuary in Kompong Thom province. In January, the government canceled a 110,000 hectare logging concession to a Taiwanese company, Lang Song International, for non compliance with procedures regarding tree felling in an area adjacent to the Boeung Per sanctuary (CD, 29.3.99:14). One of Cambodian's largest logging companies , Sampling, operating a 167,000 hectares concession in Kratie, Mondokiri, and Kompong Cham was accused of illegally using subcontractors to harvest logs in the north eastern concession area (CD, 30.3.99:8).

Land Issues

The conflicts on land issues increased. More than 150 expert from public and private sectors urged the government to recognize communal land ownership for high land minority in northeast provinces. Some 26 ethnic groups are recognized in 21 provinces with a total population of more than 300,000 (CD, 29.3.99:12).

Apart from that, thirty-six farmer delegation from Mong Russei district, Battambang province camped out in front of the National Assembly, claiming they represent 372 families who have been unlawfully evicted from their farmlands by soldiers. The farmers claim the military commander has confiscated more than 1,000 hectares of rice fields. The commander and his soldiers sold 240 hectares of the land to a businessman for $20,000 (CD, 17.3.99:8). Sixty-nine families other from Prey Veng province camped out in front of the National Assembly to complaint about the loss of land and alleged police brutality. A human right organization accused local military police in Prey Veng province of arresting and torturing 53 villagers in a dispute over the ownership of 60 hectares of land (CD, 18.3.99:7).

The Defense Ministry's Commander of military development has ordered 110 military family to move from land they occupied in Phnom Srouch district, Kampong Speu province (CD. 23.3.99:4). The military families claim they are being unfairly evicted by the general from 103 hectares of land they now live on. The general refused to appear in the provincial court of Kampong Speu (CD, 22.3.99:15).

Fishery Issues

A dramatic drop in Cambodia's sea fishery catch is being blamed on Thai fishing boat's increasing use of 20 kg bombs in Cambodia water, as well as polution and deforestation. The bombs kill all the fish in the blast area as well as damaging reefs and sea bed habitats. The bomb combined with the pollution from agricultural chemicals and waste oil and the clearing of mangrove swamps for charcoal production has seen the annual fish catch drop from 16,000 tonnes in 1996 to a little over 10,000 last year in Koh Kong province alone (CD, 05.3.99:4).

There was some corruption in the ranks of fishery officials, with an alleged $ 500,000 paid in bribes a year, the motorized fishing boat was allowed to use in the fishing operation. At least, the fishermen pay about $100 a day in bribes to fishery department officials to operate the motorized fishing boats. About 100 manh ply the Kandal and Kompong Cham province stretches of the Mekong River (CD, 10.3.99:01-09).

Dolphins

The Mekong Rover dolphin population in Cambodia has dropped to critically low levels and immediate action is needed if the dolphin is to be saved. There are fewer than 80 dolphins in northeastern Cambodian water and fewer than 100 in the entire Mekong River system (CD, 20.3.99:4). Mekong River dolphins also may be at risk because of logging barges and oil spills. The fast speed of logging boats and oil spills are threatening the living condition of the dolphins and their spawning grounds (CD, 20.3.99:5).

Wildlife

Nearly 250 exotic poisonous snakes destined for market abroad were seized by officials at Pochentong Airport. Last year, an estimated 5,000 tons of tortoises were legally exported by air from Cambodia to China. A government decree bans the trafficking of more than 100 species, including tigers and sunbear. But a stricter, more comprehensive wildlife protection law has yet to be enacted. The protection of tortoises was not stipulated in the decree and subsequences government list of protected animals. No firm figures are available on the decline of Cambodian's wildlife, but government officials previously have estimated a 70% drop in the past two years (CD, 04.3.99:8).

Cambodia's wildlife, including endangered species, is without legal protection because legislation dealing with the trade has been held up in the Council of Ministers for the past two years. Up to six tones of live wildlife including snakes and turtles, are flown to China each week. More than 70 Phnom Penh restaurants offer wildlife dishes on their manus. There has been a law drafted to addressed the problem, but it has not been looked at since 1997. By the time the law became enacted there would not be much wildlife left to protect (CD, 19.3.99:7).

Dams

Facing a food shortage caused by drought conditions, municipal official in Pailin began work on the dam project in January. The plan calls for a $190,000 dam that eventually will irrigate more than 7,000 hectares of land. More than 672 families around Pailin lack adequate water supply, food and health care (CD, 31.3.99:15).

1. Toxic Waste

Three Cambodian officials went to Taiwan to seek compensation from Formosa Plastic Corporation for dumping 3,000 tons of mercury-tainted waste in Cambodia (CD, 05.02.99:03). After the meeting in Taiwan and Cambodia, the Formosa Plastics agreed to complete the entire process of clearing the dumpsite, repackaging the waste and of shipping to a third country in 60 days (CD, 08.02.99:01).

Cambodia would demand as much as $10 million for environmental damages and others damages by the dump of the waste in Sihanoukville. Formosa Plastics maintains that the waste was non-toxic when ship from Taiwan. Cambodia as destination for the waste was a decision made by a Taiwanese shipping company without Formosa's Knowledge (CD, 10.02.99:09). Taiwan's Formosa Plastics Corporation was balking at compensating possible toxic waste victims in part because the company claims that a World Health Organization report said the waste was not dangerous (CD, 11.02.99:08).

A agreement between the FPC and the government indicates that the fines will be $1000 a day if the FPC fails to remove the waste by the agreed deadline. After 15 days, the fines would escalate to $2000 per day and continues until it reaches $ 5,000 a day (Agreement, p.2 and CD, 26.02.99:15).

The dumpsite's land was sold to Chinese businessman namely Khann Phing by RCAF in Sihanoukville (CD, 24.02.99:06).

2. Forestry

The Cambodian government officially canceled 11 logging contracts in January, bringing the total amount of land under concession down to 4.7 million hectares. Those numbers are close to the World Bank recommendation that only 4 million hectares of land should be under concession for Cambodia to sustain its forest over the long term. Cancellation of 11 concession, totaling over 2 million hectares called as a major accomplishment by World Bank. There has been some illegal logging in the concession areas prior to the cancellation of the contract. At least one concession area had been essentially logged out, so canceling that contract meant little (CD,11.02.99:09).

The authorities in at least seven provinces have torn down 300 unlicensed sawmills and seized the equipment. There was a clash on Feb 5 between the government team who do crackdown of illegal sawmills and five militiamen in Kompong Speu province, resulting one militiaman died. However, some government officials believed that only small, unlicensed sawmills in open areas or along the roads have been closed down. But those located in remote areas or in the deep jungle still operating. A lot of big unlicensed sawmills in Koh Kong are still operating. In Koh Kong, at least 83 sawmills agreed to shut down voluntarily (CD, 16.02.99: 10).

In February, about 19 unlicensed sawmills and 10 truckloads of wood processing equipment were tore down and seized in Kompong Speu Province. These were happened in Phnom Srouch District. The next move will be in Oral District against the illegal logging. The US Ambassador suggested that seizing the illegal logging equipment would be one way to get the point across (CD, 04.02.99:06).

The council of Ministers has passed a subdecree to create a national committee to monitor unregulated logging. The Ministry of Environment will be in charge of monitoring and examining logging activities and filing complaints for those who abuse forestry regulation. These will need cooperation from other relevant ministries to enforce the order. The subdecree proposed included lightly arming a hundred rangers to conduct monitoring. A draft law on how to manage forests and institute punishments for illegal loggers may be completed and submitted before CG meeting (CD, 20.02.99:03).

Global Witness warned that the country's military is positioned to resume illegal logging once critical aid are made. Global Witness concluded that Hun Sen has shown that it is possible to crack down on log exports, but it is less clear whether this crack down can be maintained after the Tokyo CG (CD, 24.02.99:08). The small sawmills operated for local use have been targeted and closed down by the RGC, resulting in a shortage of, for example, building materials and a corresponding increase in the price of timber. At the same time the major perpetrators of unsustainable and illegal logging, the military and the legal concessionaires, remain largely unaffected.

This state of affairs gives rise to the potential that the Cambodian public will see the logging crackdown as an infringement of their rights and livelihood, rather than as a serious effort to bring industrial scale operators under control for the benefit of the entire

country and its population. Any resulting public opposition to forest policy reform will seriously undermine the reconstruction of Cambodia. The RGC needs to address this issue.

Global Witness' intelligence indicates that military controlled logging operations are continuing in many areas including Bokor and Aural protected areas, Stung Treng, Koh Kong, Kompong Thom, Pursat and Kratie.

Global Witness has frequently documented serious infringements of Cambodian legislation and forestry management regulations by virtually every forest concessionaire in Cambodia. The recent cancellation of concessions targeted inactive operators or areas already too degraded to be economically viable. The most serious perpetrators of bad forest management and illegal activities remain unaffected. It is imperative that all concession activity is suspended pending the results of the ADB concession review process, due to take place in mid 1999. The RGC has the legal right to terminate the concessions of those companies that have breached the terms of their concession contracts.

If the RGC continues to target small operations whilst ignoring the major perpetrators of illegal logging, the logging crackdown has no long term future and will be largely cosmetic, whilst at the same time causing financial and other hardships to the rural population. The implications for the preservation of Cambodia's forest resources are

Severe (Global Witness).

In Koh Kong province, about 10,000 ha of original mangrove forests have been exploited intensively. Now, only about 5000 ha remain. Initially, clearing the land for shrimp farming was the major problem followed by chopping mangrove forest for charcoal production (PP, 19.02.99:04).

3. Fish, Water and Irrigation

A drop-off in fish stock in unseasonably low Cambodian rivers this season has caused a severe price increase that could affect the poor throughout the cultivation season. About 20,000 tons of fish were exported to Thailand in 1998 as opposed to the 2000 allowed by authorities. The government blames the smuggling and middleman opportunist for driving up the price of fish (CD,19.02.99:12).

Fifty seven shrimp farms in Koh Kong, out of a total 67 have failed in the past two years leaving debts in the tens of millions of dollars and reducing employment in the industry by 90%. So far, only 10 farms remain, the rest having failed because of poor aquaculture techniques and disease among the stock (CD, 19.02.99:01).

The government approved $157 million in project aimed at building and restoring irrigation system across the country within the next three years. The project are expected to be funded out of a $200 million loan package pledged by China following Hun Sen trip to Beijing. The proposed projects to be funded by loan from China will include some dams around the Tonle Sap. Apart from that the government will submit a proposal to donor to fund the $200 million Prek Thnot Dam project (CD, 18.02.99:08).

4. Land Grabbing

In Kompong Speu province, about 110 families of soldiere in Phnom Srouch district have complained the Kompong Speu court about military general who signed an eviction order to move them from 103 ha of land (CD, 04.02.99:08).

Similarly, about 175 familes of people from Battambang province protested in front of the National Assembly, claiming their has been seized by the military and Khmer Rouge defector. These people come from Bavel district. The number of land disputes involving the military and villagers has risen dramatically in Battambang areas since the Khmer Rouge defect in 1996 (CD, 06.02.99:03).

About 200 families of people in Kampot province are facing lose their land of about 400 ha to army general also (CD, 19.02.99:15). Nearly 50 farmers from this areas protested in front of National Assembly. At that time, the villagers claimed that military unit took their farmland in 1996 and put their thumbprint on document to possess their land (CD, 23.02.99:12).

Some 320 families and 56 monks from Phnom Penh's Meanchey district staged a sit-in outside the Royal Place on Wenday in an effort to persuade King Norodom Sihanouk to intervine in a land dispute. The protesters have been living on 26 ha of contested land near Trea village since 1991. The villagers blamed district officials for selling their land to a priovate company interested in developing horse racing. The Phnom Penh court ordered the villagers to move off the land (CD, 25.02.99: 08).

5. Wildlife

The UN eases its nine years ban on the trade in elephant ivory, allowing the sale of nearly 34 tons to Japan by two African nations. Under the experiment program Namibia and Zimbabwe may begin exporting ivory immediately, Botswana will get the go-ahead once it has met standard its elephant. Some wildlife groups predicted a return of wholesale elephant poaching that prompted the restrictions, which are part of the convention on International Trade in Elephant species (CD, 12.02.99:04). In Cambodia, an elephant was shot to death recently in a national park of Bokor by poachers of six men to get a tusk. A pair of elephant's tusks can fetch about $27,000 (CD, 25.02.99:09).

About 30 out of 54 traditional pharmacies in Tokyo, Yokhama, Nagoya, Osaka, Kobe and Himegi in Hyogo Prefecture sold products containing tiger parts such as alcoholic drinks containing tiger bones. The product containing tiger derivatives include tonics and aphrodisiacs (CD, 16.02.99:05). Although trade in tiger part is banned worldwide, there continues to be a lucrative demand in Asia. This encourages poachers to illegally hunt down the endangered animal, which number between 5000 and 7000 worldwide. There are five subspecies of tigers left in the world, with Indochinese found in Peninsular Malaysia. There are about 500 to 600 tigers left in the wild in Malaysia. Recently, two people were killed by man-eater and at least two people more were attacked by tigers. Humans take precedence and what we are seeing now is net effect of this loss of biodiversity and prime habitat (CD, 22.02.99:20).

The pillage of Cambodian wildlife gas gone high tech. Not content with snares and traps, poachers in Koh Kong are turning to use pre-recorded mating call and stereo system to entice wildlife to the dinner table. Moorhens, woodcocks and other gam birds are being lured by the bewitching sounds of love, relayed electronically into nets. The poachers have been setting up nets and equipment in a mangrove swamp. The poachers place nets around the table that has a speaker and a light on it and wait for a game to be attracted by the sound and light. The birds are attracted to the sound of their mates but instead, it's a trick by the human vampire to arrest and murder them (PP, 19.02.99:04).

The foreign Correspondents Club of Cambodia, the Sun way Hotel and the Hotel Le Royal will start donating food scraps to the Phnom Ta Mao Zoo (CD, 22.02.19).

II. Regional Environmental Issues

Five of the six power projects planned by Lao to sell electricity to Thailand will be suspended due to a sharp fall in demand forecast, leaving only the 900-megawatt Nam Theun 2 project to go ahead for plant commission in 2006 (The Nation, 20.01.99). Only in Lao that the affected communities by Nam Theun 2 whose home will be flooded have supported the resettlement plan (Bkk Post, 22.01.99).

Burma recently wants to purchase power from Thailand through a counter trade deal, possible starting from the end of 2001. Burma will buy at least 100 MW of Thai electricity. Purchasing power from Thailand is easier than finding finance to build new poer plants in the country (Bkk Post, 18.01.99).

In Thailand, government is planned to impose a water fee for the use of the water for agriculture purpose. The fee will convince the farmers to use water sparingly and enable government to manage water usage effectively. The ordinary farmers would be exempt, only partners of so-called economic crops such as sugar cane and durian who could afford it (Bkk Post, 15.01.99).

Environment Network Coordinator-NGO Forum

Prime Minister Hun Sen's crackdown on illegal logging has been effective in stopping most timber exports. The crackdown prove that Hun Sen has the power to stop devastation of Cambodia forest but the London Based group expressed skepticism that it woul continue after a critical international donors meeting in late February in Tokyo. For the crackdown to be effective, the government must remove the military officials out of the position (CD, 26.01.99:8). The Council of Minister has issued its own order to curb illegal logging and reforest ravaged areas. The Council also ordered a forestry law with international standard to be drafted and enacted as soon as possible. With the stricter measures to stop illegal logging, the government hopes to satisfy the international community in order to get aid (CD, 23.01.99:3).

At least 10 logging contracts covering more than 2 million hectares of land are being canceled in a move to curb illegal logging and better manage the forest. Contracts with three companies, including Thai Bonn Rong, have officially been canceled. But it was unclear whether the action will have a tangible effect. A concession list handed out at the preparatory meeting indicated that even with the termination, nearly 6 million hectares of land remain under the contract. The list released recently shows that at least nine concession totalling nearly 2 million hectares of land were quietly granted to new companies in 1998, despite World Bank pleas for a moratorium until forestry reform is complete (CD, 28.01.99:01-02).

The request to cancel a concession at Phnom Kulen that was granted to Military Region 4 in June which was overlapping the National Park has submitted to the Prime Minister by the Council of Ministers (CD, 16.01.99). The Global Witness reported that the forest adjacent to Phnom Kulen has been virtually logged out of commercially valuable wood. The Global Witness also blamed the Division 11 of Military Region 4 for involvement in illegal logging activities. The government conservation officials blamed the logging on Khmer Rouge even though there is no more Khmer Rouge (CD, 25.01.99: 01-12). In the northeast, the illegal logging has resumed. Vietnamese loggers have started a dry season onslaught in Rattanakiri (CD, 02.01.99:3).

In China, Chinese dwelling forests are being nibble away to provide disposable chopstick for use both domestically and abroad. In contrast, Japan boasts 65% forest coverage and not a single trunk cut for chopsticks but instead imports most of disposal wooden utensils from China. China produces some 45 billion pairs of single use wooden chopsticks a year which eats up some 1.66 million cubic meters of wood. If current rate of use continues China will consume all its remaining forests in about a decade.

Buthan is a country where forest cover nearly three quarter of the total areas, surrounded by nations whose forest have been stripped and transformed. More than a quarter of Buthan has been set aside in national parks. In an impoverished country where trees are the most valuable resource, logging is permitted on less than 5% of the land. About 70% of population lack of electricity, rang among the world's most prolific burners of wood (CD, 27.01.99: 01-06).

Wildlife

In an efforts to conserve Cambodian Wildlife, officials are banning the restaurants in Phnom Penh from serving wild animal meat such as deer, sun bear and tortoise. Such an order was issued last March, but a little progress was made. About 76 restaurants in Phnom Penh signed an agreement not to buy and serve wild animal meat. Cambodia wildlife population declined dramatically in the past decade (CD, 21.01.99:9). The secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) will visit Cambodia in April. Cambodia is full membership of the CITES (CD, 22.01.99:12).

The poachers have set hidden explosives in a national park in the northeast to kill tigers to obtain bones to be sold abroad. Tiger bones fetch high prices for use in traditional medicine. It is unclear how many tigers left in Cambodia (CD, 27.01.99: 11).

Fishery

Police seized hundreds of illegal fishing traps from the Tonle Sap River and lake in Battambang province. Fishing traps made of bamboo branches, called sam rase in Khmer, were placed in the river and lake without permission from the provincial fishery department. The investigative unit started to crack down on illegal fishing activities recently and found large number traps in the river which can cause the river became shallow and pollute the water (06.01.99:9).

Mekong Dolphins Protection

There may be as few as 60-100 dolphins remaining in the Mekong in Stung Treng and Kratie Provinces when less than 40 years ago their were hundreds if not thousands in this areas. The dolphins population has been decimated by man-made pollution, illegal fishing, grenades and gunfire.

Mekong River dolphins can weigh as much as 180 kgs and have a life span of up to 40 years. They can attain speeds of up to 42 kms per hour and travel in groups of 6 to 10 individuals. Recently, the Ministry of Tourism has set up a program to protect the Mekong River dolphins for tourism.

Cambodia's river dolphins population could face extinction because of explosive and electric devices used while fishing. A lack of respect for the law and the fact that local authorities have not worked hard enough to crack down on the illegal fishing have caused widespread destruction of natural resources, including dolphins. The use of grenades while fishing is widespread in these two provinces. Illegal fishing techniques have been spreading throughout the villages along the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers.

Gems

Three US-based companies; Qualshan Corp, Aikaf International Corp and Coal Creek Exchange and Trucking corp are looking to invest $ 5 million in a gem mining operation in gem rich town-Pailin. The Pailing Governor has approved for the three companies. For the time being, several Thai companies are investing in gem-mining operation in Pailin and each pays the sum of $5,000 to the city (CD, 14.01.99:10).

Concerning to Toxic Waste, Cambodia's customs director and four deputies have been suspended in the wake of investigation (CD,30.12.98:8). The Formosa Plastic and Cambodian Government have reached an agreement to remove the nearly 3,000 tons of mercury laced waste from Cambodia. The additional sample was taken by Formosa Plastic Representative and Taiwanese Environmental Officials on their visits to the dumpsite (CD,04.01.99:10). A team from Ministry of Health and Medicins Sans Frontiers has been in Sihanoukville area (CD, 13.01.99). The health risk very likely associated with the waste in Sihanoukville and toxic materials other than mercury also are possible and likely (MSF quoted by CD, 23.01.99:3).

Greenpeace and the Basel Action Network asked for more tests to determine if other toxin such as dioxin are in the waste. They also called on the Cambodian Government to act quickly to enact an anti-dumping law and sign a global convention banning waste imports (CD,20.01.99:01-02).

Recently, Japan has agreed to fund a power rehabilitation project for several Phnom Penh suburbs. The grant, worth about $710,000, is the financial aid. The first phase of the project began in 1993 and spent $ 38.5 million and on a new power plant and expansion of the underground and over headlines. Since 1993, Japan has provided more than $ 11 million for the project (CD, 30.12.98:9).

21 January 1999

Environment Network Coordinator-NGO Forum

Cambodia is one of the world’s poorest countries. About 85% of the population are farmers dependent on subsistence agriculture for their livelihoods. The average size of landholding for an individual family is about one hectare, which provides food for the family for the whole year. Complementing their livelihood are forestry and fishery resources. At present, some 15% of the population are landless -- bringing into question the assumption that there is plenty of land for everybody. If the rate of population growth remains at 2.5% a year, the population will be doubled in 20 years. Land for agriculture remains unavailable to poor people even if more than 30% of Cambodian’s remaining forests had already been cleared. What has happened to these lands? How can these people obtain access to these lands?

Privatization is another factor that is believed to have an impact on the availability of land. The privatization of forests, water and wetlands makes the land more inaccessible to rice production and fishing. This pushes people dependent on forest, agricultural and fishery resources into landlessness (EWG Meeting minute, 18.12.98).

The conflict between Agostar Company and 300 villagers in Kompong Cham on some 2,400 hectares of land clearly indicates that if the government does not intervene, many people will become landless (CD, 24.12.98:8). Similar problems have happened to people in Kompong Speu Province. Recently, they gathered in front of the provincial government house to protest the seizure of their lands by the military (RM, 12.98).

Ratanakiri province in the northeast is the land of Cambodia’s ethnic minority. The poorly planned concession and development projects are threatening the livelihood of the hill tribe people. The government granted a concession to a private company without consulting the affected local authorities and residents. In 1995, 2,500 Jarai hill tribe people lost their land when the government granted a concession for a 20,000-hectare palm oil plantation in Oýa Daw District (CD, 03.12.98:1).

Despite the adverse effects on people’s livelihoods and resultant poverty, the practice of granting forest concessions remains unchanged. According to Global Witness (1998), 350,000 hectares concessions in Stung Treng and Ratanakiri provinces were granted to Pheapimex-Fuchan (CD, 03.12.98:6). The 2,400 hectares concession in Phnom Kulen near Siem Reap was granted to Military region 4. How many have people suffered as a result of these grants? This despite that fact that in 1993, the 37,500 hectares Phnom Kulen was declared one of Cambodia's 23 protected areas by royal decree (CD, 08.12.98:01).

To prevent further loss of land, six Kreung hill tribe villages in the Ya Poey commune in Ochum district, Ratanakiri, have applied for permission to protect and manage nearly 5,000 hectares of forestland. The Non-Timber Forest Product (NTFP), an NGO based in Ratanakiri, is assisting the hill tribe to get government permission but the Ministry of Agriculture has required the village to refile the application for national approval. If the indigenous people in the northeast are not allowed to protect their land and forest, they will become refugees in their homelands (CD, 09.12.98).

In the midst of uncertainty of how landless people can get land and how government will allocate land for the next generation, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has urged the government to draft a new land law. However, the two areas of concern can be raised regarding the draft land law. First, the law can be used to remove all squatters. Second, though it prohibits protected areas, forest and waterways from being privately owned, the article does not clearly address the issue of concession, which is the main instrument of privatizing public land. In rural areas, concessions can be granted in state properties such as forest reserves and national parks. However, there is no mention of minerals. There are possible loopholes in the law that may provide concessioners full ownership rights over these areas. The draft legislation for granting concessions is not clear, making it possible for concessioners to have full ownership of the land. Also, this legislation does afford any protection for peoplee who do not have any land. The existing system and draft legislation make it easy for cadastral offices to be involved in corruption (EWG meeting minute, 18.12.98).

2. FOREST

Forest resources have declined sharply from 73% in 1970 to nearly 35% in 1997. Only a fraction of forest revenue goes to the national treasury. Government collection of revenue from logging in 1998 was only US$ 5 million, compared to US$ 12.7 million revenue in 1997. The government plans to collect US$ 19 million in 1999. According to Global Witness, the government collected only US$ 5 million in 1998 because most of the timber revenue was used for the military and the elections. Efforts made by the government to strengthen the forest sector have not brought about change (CD, 11.12.98:12).

The two neighboring countries, Vietnam and Thailand, are believed to have been indirectly involved in mass forest destruction. Recently, Vietnam has been illegally logging Cambodia's eastern forests, reportedly with the consent of PM Hun Sen. While Cambodia resources are being exhausted, the timber deal between Phnom Penh and Hanoi enables Vietnam to earn at least US$70 million through furniture exports to Europe alone. Global Witness has estimated that Cambodia could collect US$37.5 million in tax revenue a year, based on a conservative, sustainable level of harvesting (CD, 14.12.98:10).

Cambodia’s only potential timber buyers are Thai firms. At the moment, the border between the two countries is closed. So the Thai firms moved their logging deals to Burma. Recently, four Thai's firms have asked the government of Thailand to approve the log import of 120,000 cubic meters from Burma (Bangkok Post, 19.10.98).

(For details, please read the report of toxic waste studied in Sihanoukvile by EWG members).

About 80% of Cambodia’s pollution come from individuals rather than industries. Waste emanates from our bodies and homes ultimately finds its way, untreated, into the city's water supplies. It also floats in the air after the sun and winds convert it to dust. About 15% of Phnom Penh residents have no toilets.

Apart from that, Phnom Penh generates between 400 to 700 tons of garbage a day. Only 60% of Phnom Penh residents pay garbage collection fees. The 40% that do not pay just leave their garbage in the streets to be scattered by the wind and rain (CD, 26.12.98)

Across the region, power demand has grown rapidly over the last decade at annual rates ranging from 10-15%. Base demand forecasts indicate that growth will drop gradually to 7-8% as the economy slows down and electrification targets are met. Thailand will continue to be the principal market for power, accounting for 40% of the demand by 2020 (GMS, 1998).

In Thailand, social unrest caused by the high demand for electricity is high compared to other countries in the region. People protest against the building of power plants and hydroelectric dams throughout country. Recently, Electricity Generating Authority (EGAT) of Thailand was blamed for overproduction of electricity. This has Thailand to suffer from drought every year. Despite declining demand for electricity by almost half, EGAT still produces more than the demand. This means EGAT has unreasonably used up water that farmers so desperately need to grow crops (Bangkok Post, 21.11.98). Those who want dams constructed in the country have tried to make these into royal projects to discourage people from protesting and demonstrating. But the people themselves were not in favor of dam construction and requested the dam supporters not to use the Thai Royal Family’s name such controversial projects (Bangkok Post, 03.12.98).

In an effort to prevent local protest and disturb the environment in their country, Thailand has been able to persuade Lao to build hydroelectric dams to generate electricity for export. However, Thailand has postponed the purchase of electricity from Lao causing the latter to suffer from loss of market aside from environmental damage. Instead, Thailand recently signed a new agreement with Burma and China to import electricity for Thai's consumption. Thailand will use then Lao for transmission of electricity from China. However, the agreement with Vientiane for the laying of transmission lines from China to the North is yet to be settled. But it seems that Lao will be moving from being a power seller to a power transmitter (Bangkok Post, 20.11.98).

Meanwhile, Thailand is urging China to become an electricity supplier and compete with Laos PDR. A consequence of this arrangement is the building of more dams in China on the upper part of the Mekong River. This would have a negative environmental impact on downstream countries such as Cambodia and Vietnam. The loss of these countries in terms of environmental degradation will be Thailand’s gain in procuring low cost electricity.

6. STORM

In Sihanoukville, at least 25 houses were smashed to the ground and more than 600 homes had their roofs torn off by a raging storm never before seen by residents. Thirteen people were reportedly injured when the storm struck on Jan. 15, 1998 (CD, 15.12.98).

December 1998

Recently, Thai farmers, who have made their country the world's top rice exporter, will be asked to plant less rice because there is not enough water to support new crops, irrigation due to this year drought (CD, 05.11. 98, p5).

Drought has threatened the farmers throughout Cambodia. The Cambodia daily had reported about the drought in the country especially in Takeo and Svay Rieng. The drought this year leads to serious food shortages next year. As numbers of hunger this year are extremely high and a long drought occurred, the figure of estimated hungers would be higher for next year.

In Northern Thailand, there were outbreak of the planthopper insect invaded the crops and agricultural product of farmers. The government asked people to take proper action (CD, 05.11. 98, p5). In Cambodia, similar to pest outbreaks in the Northern Thailand, Grasshopper has damaged 120 hectares of rice fields in Prey Veng Province. The report also said that million of grasshoppers have already been caught and about more than $700 have been provided to farmers who did collection of grasshopper. World Food Program also provided rice as payment to farmers who help with the campaign. Some experts thought the pests had arrived from China or Philippines (CD, 03.11.98, p14).

In Kratie, the rice bugs have infested about 70 of the rice crops (960 Hectares) (CD, 28.10.98, p8). In Kandal province, planthoppers heavily damaged nearly 250 hectares of rice plant in less than a week. The report also indicated that each rice plant can be host to up to 400 planthoppers. This kind of insect destroyed 1,400 hectares of rice fields and seed beds in Kampong Speu province and 2000 hectares in Takeo province in August in the worst outbreak since 1995 (CD, 26.10.98, p10).

Apart from insects, rats also are another concerns. The agriculture officials predicted that the rice farmers could face a serious infestation by rats in the next month. The prediction is stemmed from the lack of flooding this year. The estimated damaged by rats cost $ 1 millions a year. Svay Rieng Province tends to suffer the most because the Mekong floods the southern region and sends the rats north. The paddy fields of more than 80,000 hectares along the Tonle Sap could be devastated by rats if the floods don't come. The government has promised $164,000 to the Ministry of Agriculture for rats control measures but has yet arrived (CD, 08.10.98, p10).

Food shortage hits many provinces in the country. There were reasons including drought and pest problems, reported by Cambodia Daily Newspaper, affecting rice cultivation farmers. The report also said that government has taken an action but still not reach all hungers throughout the country. Responding to such circumstance, some rural Cambodian are being driven to taking desperate measures to survive including selling their children, eating poisonous plants, murder of an entire family (CD, 30.10.98, p1). At least 9 children have reported to be sold into labor by their hungry, destitute families in the northern province of Cambodia in exchange for money and food (CD, 28.10.98, p8). Another 7-month-old son was sold by his 25-year-old mother for 20,000 riel at the Kompng Thom market (CD, 30.10.98, p6-15).

More than 360 people including men, women and children from Kompong Chhnang and Kampong Cham provinces temporally camped near the Royal Palace in hopes of receiving rice and food from King. The villagers from other three unknown provinces came to the Royal Palace as well (CD, 22.10.98, p9). In response to such serious shortage, Japanese Government donated 16,532 tons of rice to World Food Program, which accounts for $8.5 million. The donation will be sent to more than 200 distribution sites in more than half Cambodian provinces, helping 245,000 out of 1.2 million Cambodians who enrolled with WFP (CD, 27.10.98, p12).

Surprisingly, just after two months warning of possible rice shortage, the government announced it expect the upcoming harvest to meet Cambodia's needs. Despite a prolong dry spell and pest infestations, the government estimates that the 1998-99 rice crop will total 2.51 million tons that would provide each persons with 150 kg of rice, leaving a surplus of 64,000 tons (CD, 29.10.98, p10).

Logging activities have threatened Bokor and Kirirom national parks. 500 hectares of land at Bokor have cleared for enlarged rambutan, durian and pineapple farms since August. In Kirirom, in Kompong Speu province, about 50 hectares were illegally cut last month. The about 30 armed men and businessmen are behind the illegal cutting. About 40 people are involved in cutting in Kirirom. The Ministry of Environment wants to bring illegal loggers to the court. This is a good measure to punish illegal loggers (CD, 06.11.98, p9). However, recently, the tree falling has restarted in the Bokor national park. Illegal logging in Bokor National Park has risen since the European Commission funded project ended. The armed men are hiring the residents to cut down trees to enlarge their farms. About 20 armed men and businessmen are behind (CD, 19.10.98, p11).

The Cambodian Daily quoted the speech of Dr. Tao Seng Hour that armed loggers are now cutting trees in the concession areas in the northeastern provinces of Kratie and Stung Treng provinces (CD, 22.10.98, p6). About $200 million worth of illegal logs were cutting during the last dry season. More than 13,000 cubic meters of logs were cut and dragged from the 242,500 hectare Boeung Per wildlife sanctuary during the dry season by armed soldiers. However, about 1,000 cubic meters of logs were confiscated in Kandal province. The order to stop cutting down trees came many times but not effective. The Global Witness urges that Second Prime Minister has to put his political willpower behind this otherwise orders from other ministers become useless (CD, 14.10.98, p6).

Recently, Second Prime Minister laid out a plan to save forest that he acknowledged had been damaged more in the past four years than during any other period of Cambodia's history. However, the environmental officials point out that the plan can only be successfully implemented once the cash-strapped government is strong financially. (CD, 30.10.98, p12).

ADB granted $976,000 to the Ministry of Agriculture for technical assistance to the forestry sector. This money will use to follow up on the World Bank's recent work on the monitoring and controlling logging, reforming forest policy and reviewing the concession contracts. In particular, the money will hope to aid Cambodian whose livelihood are directly affected by logging (CD, 28.10.98, p8).

Environmental leaders of lower Mekong countries met in Hanoi to discuss regional efforts to develop and protect the Mekong River. The leaders from these countries met with UN Development Program officials to discuss a strategic plan for regional development. Plans discussed included basin-wide projects for agriculture, irrigation, fishing and the development of an information system (CD, 30.10.98, p12). The Cambodia's delegation to the annual Mekong River Commission meeting will push for development of the river and Cambodia (CD, 16.10.98, p10).

Economic ministers of Great Mekong Subregion countries and representatives of donors, including ADB met in Manila to explore new approaches and initiative for facilitating trade and investment in the region. The Asia crisis has tightened the financial pipeline needed to develop the Greater Mekong Subregion, threatening to scuttle plans to transform the impoverished areas along the Mekong River into an economic hub. The crisis is likely to significantly constrain the availability of the domestic and external resources for developing the region (CD, 05.10.98, p17).

November 1998

Summary of Environmental Updated Information

Environment Network Coordinator, NGO Forum on Cambodia

Cambodia now is considering up to seventeen dams. Most fall within the Mekong watershed, although only one-the Sambor project in northeastern province is a main stream Mekong dam. Dam development upstream of Cambodia on the Mekong already has been cited by experts as a factor in reduces water volumes and fish in Cambodia. According to Khy Taing Lim, Vice Chairperson of National Mekong Committee, Cambodia will not build dams without first considering seriously the negative effects. Mok Mareth, Minister of Enviroment, said he does not oppose hydroelectric plants, but demands every project have a thorough environmental assessment with the public participation. He also does not support the controversial Sambo project because it could result in a huge disaster for ecosystems in Cambodia, especially freshwater fisheries and the Tonle Sap. But the proposed $200 million Prek Thnot hydropower dam in Kompong Speu could be a different story (CD, 28.11.98: p5-6).

The 3,600 MW Son La hydroelectric power plant in Vietnam will relocate 103,000 people, many of them from ethnic minorities. 70% of funds is expected to be loaned from foreign sources and 30% from Vietnam. In Vietnam, hydro-generated electricity accounts for 63% of power supply (Power in Asia, 21.998: 260/17).

The 60 MW Nam Leuk hydropower plant in Laos is now 48%completed. The Lao government will invest US$112.6 million in the project. Of the fund, US$52 million are loans from ADB for environment protection and acquisition of consultant and engineers, and US$38.5 million will come from Japan for electrical machinery. The Loa government will contribute US$ 22.1 million to the project (Vientiane Times, 6-9.11.98).

Former Thai Prime Minister Anand said nuclear energy should be an option for the country power supply in the next decade. He added that the use of nuclear energy for generating power could have major environmental benefits since it did not normally emit carbon dioxide, green house gases or any pollutants (Bangkok Post, 03.11.98). However, the villagers from four provinces in the south are set to oppose the EGAT (Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand) proposals for their hometowns (The Sunday Nation, 01.11.98).

Thailand will postpone buying power from Laos' six major projects with a combined capacity of 2,963 megawatts by at lest one year from the original schedule of 2006. In addition, three others project are being negotiated including Sepan-senam Noi, Nam Teun 2 and Sekaman projects. Early, EGAT planned to buy power from these projects around the year 2006. Power project in Laos will likely be suspended because Thailand's slowing electricity demand and will diminish the viability of project financing. This postponement will threaten the Lao economy (The Nation, 27.11.98).

Recently, Thailand has agreed with China to buy up to 3000 megawatts of electricity from China by 2017 after economic recovery. It is a third accord following earlier agreements with Laos and Burma. Thailand has agreed to import 3000 MW from Laos by 2006, and 1500MW from Burma by 2010 (Bangkok Post, 14.11.98).

China has now moved into the role of an electricity supplier. China has signed a $160 million deal for development of Myanmar's first underground hydroelectric power plant. The five year project for construction of the 280 MW underground power plant had started 2 years ago (Power in Asia, 19.10.98:262/14).

To protect the forest from being encroached, the rangers or guards have been deployed to keep people away without taking into account other factors. They thought the guns would help to resolve all problems. Recently, according to newspaper report a ranger of the Phnom Tamao protected tourist zone shot a 17-year-old girl in the foot. The guard should not shoot them but educate them. The use of guns to protect the forest is not always a solution (CD,25.11.98, p7).

In the declaration by Second Prime Minister on 22nd October 1998, which people thought a tool to combat illegal logging did not emphasize to stop cutting down the trees. He just stressed to put an end to permission for additional investment in wood processing, to review all contracts on forest concession, equip more modern processing means for forest concession companies which implemented in accordance with the contract, review forest law and said those involved in illegal logging must be punished.

Hun Sen has urged the authority at all levels to put forest issues at the top of the agenda. Recently, authorities seized 1,000 illegally felled logs and burned 11 trucks in Kratie province and the loggers escaped. They claimed that powerful military and businessmen are behind the illegal logging, with most timbers being exported across the country's porous borders despite a ban on log exports. The government lost more than US$100 million in revenue due to illegal logging in 1996. The sum was equivalent to more than a third of total budget revenue received that year. The World Bank estimated that 4.2 million cubic meters of timber was cut in 1997 (South China Morning Post, 8.12.98).

Apart from above, flooded forest, especially around Tonle Sap, which is valuable for fish has been acknowledged to be lost at an alarmed rate. Recently, CEDAC quoted an information from local newspaper (1998:9) indicating that 50% of the flooded forest around Tonle Sap is depleted, particularly in Kompong Chhnang, Battambang, Kompong Thom and Siem Reap provinces. The report also emphases that 90% of flooded forests in Chnok Tru of Kompong Chhnang has been exploited intensively. The mass exploitation occurred due to the needs for fuel wood, charcoal, and expansion of agricultural and rice fields.

At the Buenos Aires Conference, the MIT research predicts that approximately 400,000 km2 of the forest in the Brazilian Amazon would become vulnerable to fire during the 1998 dry season. The burning of standing forest can release 10 to 80% of forest biomass to the atmosphere as heat-trapping carbon dioxide which lead to global warming (Buenos Aires Conference, 11.11.98).

Deforestation is a worldwide problem. Central America has lost two-third of its forests to logging, agriculture, fires and development. The deforestation left thousand of people dead and tens of thousand others homeless. Apart from that some nations lose more than 121,000 hectares of forest a year. A prolonged drought caused 1.21 million hectares of forest burning in Central America (CD, 30.11.98: p17). People who live in the forest are most affected by deforestation. In Thailand, the Dhammnaat Foundation is calling for the removal of tribal groups from the forest, arguing that they degrade the land by planting crops and using water, which disturbed the fragile rainforest in the northern Thailand. This group is concerned about the rainforest but ignored the livelihood of the people.

Mangrove-There are about 1.27 million hectares of mangroves in Myanmar, covering about 4% of the country's forests and make up over 48% of the 2.61 million hectares of global mangroves resources. The mangroves were being depleted three times faster than the other forest in Myanmar. The depletion of mangrove forest was mainly due to high demand of fuelwood and charcoal from cities. At present, Myanmar strives to protect mangroves (Vientiane Times, 6-9.11.98). -There are about 1.27 million hectares of mangroves in Myanmar, covering about 4% of the country's forests and make up over 48% of the 2.61 million hectares of global mangroves resources. The mangroves were being depleted three times faster than the other forest in Myanmar. The depletion of mangrove forest was mainly due to high demand of fuelwood and charcoal from cities. At present, Myanmar strives to protect mangroves (Vientiane Times, 6-9.11.98).

Thailand government has persuaded farmers to reduce the numbers of second or third rice crops by half from the previous year since the country may not have enough water for consumption. Million of paddy growers in the north and northeastern provinces will likely be hit hard by the water saving policies that are being planned to combat dropping water reserves in dams and reservoirs (The Nation, 9.11.98). Water levels in the country's dams are 50-60% lower than normal due to the drought (Bangkok Post, 03.11.98). As a result, the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority of Thailand will have to resort to recycling its tap water production waste for the first time next year if there is a serious shortage of untreated water (The Nation, 5.11.98).

Similarly, the water level in Tonle Sap Great Lake for this year is the lowest it has been for more than three decades, resulting in sharp declines in the number of fish. Expert blame the problem especially on a worldwide dry weather phenomenon called "Ël Nino", but also cite as possible factors hydroelectric development upstream and deforestation. This is lowest level of water in the Mekong in 35 years (CD, 28.11.98:1-5). After dealing with crop damage from the prolonged dry spell, farmers are now facing the opposite problem-too much rain. 8,000 hectares in each Takeo and Kompong Speu provinces will be completely written off in the coming days if the water cannot drain away (CD, 17.11.98: p12).

At present, there are about 250,000 fishermen in Tonle Sap. An estimated 3 million people in six provinces surrounding the Tonle Sap depend on fish for their livelihoods. The complaints by fishermen about the decline in fish catch have widely recognized as a negative sign which can lead to the depletion of fish resources if care of Tonle Sap has not been provided. Previously, The fishermen caught about 40 to 50kg of fish a day but now the catch goes down to few kilos a day. According to fish specialist, the estimated fish yield will decline 30 to 40 percent this year (CD, 28.11.98:p1-5-7). At present 1200 fish species are known to occur in the Mekong River system. Out of these, 500 species were found in Cambodia (Rainboth, 1996). Recently, the ETAP/UNDP report quoted by CEDAC (1998:4) indicates that 300 fish species out of 500 have already disappeared.

In Thailand, there were 122,891 factories nationwide as of 1996. Each year, 31,000 tons of pesticide, 948,000 tons of fertilizer, and 19.6 million barrels of crude oil were produced; 6.48 million tons of industrial chemicals were used for manufacturing processes. From this, the industrial sector generates about 1.1 million tons of hazardous waste. Much of wastes have been dumped into the waters without proper treatment. In the wastes, persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are found which accumulate and remain in the environment for a long period of time and have the potential to accumulate in human and animal bodies through the food chain. Twelve types of POPs are prohibited to use including dioxins, furans, polychlorinated biphenyls, DDT, chlodrance, heptachlor, toxaphene, hexachlorobenzene, aldrin, dieldrin, endrin and mirex (Bangkok Post, 2.11.98).

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