Dam Threatens Cambodian Villages by Sion Ang / SOPA Images
The Mekong is one of the world’s largest rivers, animating ecosystems in China, Myanmar,
Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. The Mekong brings life to millions. Cambodia’s section of the Mekong flows free for now, although there are plans for a cascade of dams down the river. Lower Sesan II (LS2) is a 400MWh dam under construction on the Sesan, a Mekong tributary in Cambodia’s Stung Treng Province.
LS2, a joint venture by China’s HydroLancang and Cambodia’s Royal Group, will be Cambodia’s largest dam.
HydroLancang is owned by China Huaneng Group, one of China’s largest energy companies. Like other state-owned Chinese multinationalconstruction companies, China-Huaneng has been accused of labour and human rights violations, and environmental degradation.
LS2 is expected to start filling Cambodias’ energy deficit by September 2017. It began construction in 2014, despite its environmental Impact assessment failed to meet international standards. Workers on site report horrific working conditions and poor health and safety. Union officials attempting to organise the site
have been refused access.
Filling the dam’s 36,000 hectare reservoir will force the displacement of over 5000 people, largely ethnic minorities.
LS2 will forever alter the livelihoods and cultures of tens of thousands of people living along the Sesan and adjacent Srepok rivers, whose lives and traditions are closely linked to the river system and its rich natural resources.
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