A Vietnamese power company has requested authorities in Gia Lai Province in the Central Highlands allow them to build two hydroelectric dams inside a natural reserve.
The 30-4 Gia Lai Company has asked the provincial People’s Committee for permission to build the Suoi Say 1 and Suoi Say 2 hydroelectric dams within the Kon Chu Rang national reserve in Kbang District.
The dams are expected to be constructed in an area where a large stream with strong torrents, spreading out to multiple waterfalls including one 54 meters high, is situated.
“From a conservationist’s perspective, it is obvious that nobody would support the building of such a construction inside a bio-reserve. However, the investment channeled into the area by the state is currently very limited,” Trinh Viet Ty, director of the Kon Chu Rang reserve, said.
Forest rangers face myriad difficulties doing their jobs due to the absence of proper roads, Ty explained, adding that it sometimes took them three to four days to go from one side of the forest to another.
If the hydroelectric dams were constructed, roads would also be built, making it easier for the rangers to carry out their patrols as well as for tourists to visit the place, the director elaborated.
“We are on the fence as it is not acceptable for forest protectors to agree to such a request,” Ty said.
On the other hand, managers of the natural reserve may miss the opportunity to receive the necessary financial support to improve their responsibility as environmental conservationists.
According to the proposal, the two dams will be established in the strictly protected nature reserve area with a combined electricity generation capacity of 40 megawatts, Ty stated.
After receiving the proposal from the power firm, the Gia Lai People’s Committee has ordered authorities to carry out surveys and give their opinions on the request, said Bui Khac Quang, director of the provincial Department of Industry and Trade.
The area in the Kon Chu Rang national reserve in Gia Lai Province, located in the Central Highlands, where the two hydroelectric dams are likely to be constructed. Photo: Tuoi Tre
According to a representative from the Gia Lai Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the area is dedicated to boosting tourism, especially ecotourism in several forests in the province.
The construction of the dams will significantly impact the primary forest, affecting the local ecosystem, he added.
“In accordance with the law, the nature reserve areas must not be affected. I do not support this proposal,” the representative stated.
It will take a long time for the project to be approved as authorities will have to thoroughly consider every aspect, according to Pham Duy Du, director of the provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment.
“I personally think building the dams would be inappropriate at the moment. The construction will definitely damage the forest in the nature reserve, more or less,” Du explained.
According to Nguyen An, director of the 30-4 Gia Lai Company, the dam construction is expected to use 25 hectares of forest, of which 6.1 hectares are special-use.
The construction is anticipated to receive VND1.2 trillion (US$53.8 million) worth of capital investment upon approval, An said.
The hydroelectricity dams would provide an annual revenue of VND160 billion ($7.1 million), contributing VND25 billion ($1.1 million) to the local budget each year and creating job opportunities for 60 local people, he added.
Trading 25 hectares of forest for 40 megawatts of power and tens of billions of dong in tax per year is not a big sacrifice, An stated, adding that the construction will not affect the lives of local citizens.
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