Moving dam from forest spot opposed

The Royal Irrigation Department has refused to bow to the National World Heritage Committee's suggestion that it change the location of the proposed Huay Samong dam.

Huay Samong River in Nakhon Ratchasima province: Due to be dammed (FAO photo)

The committee, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Korbsak Sabhavasu, in a recent meeting with irrigation officials said that the dam would spell disaster for the Dong Phayayen-Khaoyai forest complex, which has been declared a world heritage site, if construction is allowed to go ahead.

Surachai Jivasurat, director of the department's mega-projects office, said the selected site, which would include around 2,700 rai of rich forest in the Taplan and the Pang Sida national parks, was the best location.

The dam's 18,000-rai reservoir would be located in a reserve forest and on private and expropriated land.

"If we can't use that area, it would be better to scrap the project," he said. "We've studied all the alternatives and concluded that this is the best site."

The six-billion-baht Huay Samong dam would feed and irrigate around 113,000 rai of farmland in Prachin Buri province. The project has been delayed for years due to the lengthy environmental impact assessment process and a fierce protest by green groups afraid of possible damage to the forest complex.

After the forest complex's designation as a world heritage site in 2005, the national world heritage committee asked the department to revise the project for fear that the dam construction could jeopardise the world heritage status of the forest, which is home to many rare wildlife species such as fresh-water crocodiles and birds.

Mr Surachai, however, played down concerns over its possible impact on the area's eco-system, saying that the proposed site was a degraded forest situated on the rim of the forest complex, not in a prime forest zone.

He argued that the project also had the backing of the water-starved farmers.

"Local people have lodged a complaint with HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn about water shortages in the area. It's time to choose between protecting the world heritage site or solving the people's problem," said the irrigation official.

In response to environmental concerns, Mr Surachai said the department had adjusted the dam's height which should help reduce the forest area that would be lost through inundation.

Nisakorn Kositratna, secretary-general of the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning which serves as a secretariat to the National World Heritage Committee, said the panel had asked the department to find an alternative site because the country couldn't afford to lose any part of this important forest.

"We are not saying the project must be shelved. We just want the agency to select another location that will not cause any damage to the world heritage site."