The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) has proposed that the Government reassess the environmental impact of two hydropower plants on the Dong Nai river before proceeding.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) has proposed that the Government reassess the environmental impact of two hydropower plants on the Dong Nai river before proceeding.
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| Gaurs wandering in the Cat Tien National Park |
According to the MONRE, construction of the Dong Nai 6 and Dong Nai 6A power plants will likely threaten the biodiversity of the Cat Tien National Park, a UNESCO-recognised biosphere reserve, particularly the Bau Sau Ramsar site.
It adds that these hydropower projects are predicted to sweep away 327.23 hectares of forest land, of which 128.37 hectares belong to the core of the Cat Tien National Park.
In an environmental impact report, which has not been independently verified, owners of the two power plants said they pledged to re-plant the forest but the exact location and plans for reforestation are not clear.
The project owners also did not give a full assessment of the impact on the loss of biodiversity.
Some of their proposed measures to mitigate the impact on biodiversity are impractical and no measures were put forward to protect the rare marbled eel.
The MONRE states further that these projects violate the laws on cultural heritage and biodiversity as they have not been appraised by the relevant authorities although their impact on protected areas are clearly visible.
The MONRE also fears that these power plants will affect the livelihood of residents in the lower reaches of the Dong Nai river and make the Cat Tien National Park less likely to be recognised as a world natural heritage site.
(Source:Nhan Dan)
