by violet » Fri Jul 14, 2017 3:32 pm
I'm not very familiar with much of anything to be honest, but Google results in some information, such as this from Oxfam
https://cambodia.oxfam.org/indigenous-p ... -sesan-2-0 :
For the indigenous peoples of Cambodia, land and forests are a major spiritual part of their lives and a living link to the spirits of their ancestors and nature. Hundreds of ethnic Punong, Tampuan, Kreung, Brao and Laos communities living along the Mekong River and its tributaries are fighting against the Lower Sesan 2 dam in northeastern Cambodia that threatens not only livelihoods and food security but also their cultural practices and beliefs.
For these ethnic communities, lands and forests form a part of the community’s cultural identity and sense of wellbeing. In the forest enclosures, the communities pray to these spirits, invoking their help in retaining the spiritual and physical strength and health of the community. The loss or degradation of their lands and forests has a major impact on local cultural practices and beliefs.
Besides the majority ethnic Khmer, Cambodia is a multi-ethnic society comprising Cham, Chinese and Vietnamese. The remaining population is composed of indigenous peoples under different names,1 belonging to two distinct linguistic families. The main groups are Austronesia speaking Jarai, and Mon-Khmer speaking: Brao, Kreung, Tampuan, Punong, Stieng, Kui and Poar.
I admit, I'm not a fan of dams, although I've assisted in their expanded existence in my lifetime. I'm for development, but have a hard time balancing that with impacts on special habitats and indigenous cultures.
According to an Environmental Impact Assessment (“EIA”) completed in October 2008 as part of a larger feasibility study, the construction of the dam will destroy 30,000 hectares of forest adjoining the Srepok and Sesan rivers, thereby having a significant impact on wildlife habitat, as well as 24% of the total agricultural land in Sesan District. The project will also have a severe impact on migratory fish stocks, creating a flooded area of 335km2 and requiring the involuntary resettlement of 1579 households to six resettlement areas, some of which are in approved forest/land concession areas“ likely be subject to considerable disturbance now and in the future.”
http://cchrcambodia.org/project_page/la ... ile-en.pdf
I'm not very familiar with much of anything to be honest, but Google results in some information, such as this from Oxfam https://cambodia.oxfam.org/indigenous-people-northeast-cambodia-fight-protect-their-cultures-and-lands-against-lower-sesan-2-0 :
[quote]For the indigenous peoples of Cambodia, land and forests are a major spiritual part of their lives and a living link to the spirits of their ancestors and nature. Hundreds of ethnic Punong, Tampuan, Kreung, Brao and Laos communities living along the Mekong River and its tributaries are fighting against the Lower Sesan 2 dam in northeastern Cambodia that threatens not only livelihoods and food security but also their cultural practices and beliefs.
For these ethnic communities, lands and forests form a part of the community’s cultural identity and sense of wellbeing. In the forest enclosures, the communities pray to these spirits, invoking their help in retaining the spiritual and physical strength and health of the community. The loss or degradation of their lands and forests has a major impact on local cultural practices and beliefs.
Besides the majority ethnic Khmer, Cambodia is a multi-ethnic society comprising Cham, Chinese and Vietnamese. The remaining population is composed of indigenous peoples under different names,1 belonging to two distinct linguistic families. The main groups are Austronesia speaking Jarai, and Mon-Khmer speaking: Brao, Kreung, Tampuan, Punong, Stieng, Kui and Poar.[/quote]
I admit, I'm not a fan of dams, although I've assisted in their expanded existence in my lifetime. I'm for development, but have a hard time balancing that with impacts on special habitats and indigenous cultures.
[quote]According to an Environmental Impact Assessment (“EIA”) completed in October 2008 as part of a larger feasibility study, the construction of the dam will destroy 30,000 hectares of forest adjoining the Srepok and Sesan rivers, thereby having a significant impact on wildlife habitat, as well as 24% of the total agricultural land in Sesan District. The project will also have a severe impact on migratory fish stocks, creating a flooded area of 335km2 and requiring the involuntary resettlement of 1579 households to six resettlement areas, some of which are in approved forest/land concession areas“ likely be subject to considerable disturbance now and in the future.”[/quote]
http://cchrcambodia.org/project_page/land_profile/pdf/13-Stung-Treng-Lower-Sesan-II-Dam-Profile-en.pdf