CAMBODIAN PERSPECTIVES:THE TRANS-BOUNDARY NOTIFICATION

PROCESS OF HYDROPOWER ON THE SESAN RIVER

Ham KimkongRoyal University of Phnom

Penh (RUPP)Department of

Environmental Science ( DES)

3rd Mekong Forum on Water, Food and Energy19-21 Nov, Hanoi- Viet Nam

1

Contents• Map• Research Objectives• Chronological Events• Key Actors in practical procedure in

notification process [formal and informal]• Challenges• Questions

2

3

Source: FACT

Map of Cambodia

Research Questions

1) Examine practical procedures on notification process at different levels ( Local community to nation and region levels)

2) Explore key actors in arrangements on the notification process, greatly impacts on local communities

3) Identify challenges in trans-boundary notification process.

4

5

Chronological Events

… 2006 • Crops, agricultural production, rice fields

• Livestock, fish stock and water quality • Damaged property

2009 • 72 cows, pigs • 9 buffaloes• Assets ( Agricultural facilities), Boats and

2012… • Houses, Bicycles,• Boats , Rice stocks• Electric devices

Problems: Affected villagers do not get notification/early warning After Dam built, the dam operator and VN government did

not aware of several flooding impact on downstream communities along the Sesan river.

Problems: Affected villagers do not get notification/early warning After Dam built, the dam operator and VN government did

not aware of several flooding impact on downstream communities along the Sesan river.

Key Actors in practical procedure in the formal notification process

6

VNMC CNMC

Line Ministries

Provincial Departments

District s/Offices

CommunesVillages

Dam Operators

Problems•Lost in translation•Information takes too much time to reach stakeholders•No clear ownership of responsibility •Not mandatory •No meeting of committee

Problems•Lost in translation•Information takes too much time to reach stakeholders•No clear ownership of responsibility •Not mandatory •No meeting of committee

Key actors in practical procedure notification process

7

Issues: •Not reliable information •Dependent on volunteers

Challenges

• Equal Benefits [Food, water and Energy]

• Formal and informal notification process;

• Unclear roles of Key Actors [ limited resources, Cooperation and truth]

• No guarantees of the informal notification process [ lack of facilities, uncertainty

of news].8

Questions:

• Why not use simple technology (such as a website or MMS service, loudspeaker, radio)?

• What mechanisms are needed for emergencies?

• What mechanisms are needed for planned releases?

• What impedes the implementation of these mechanisms?

9

Thank you

10