| |
Key findings of Ubon Ratchathani
University on the Pak Moon dam
Bangkok post, Nov 01, 02
http://search.bangkokpost.co.th/bkkpost/2002/nov2002/bp20021101/news/01nov2002_news39.html
ELECTRICITY GENERATION
Statistics provided by the Electricity Generating
Authority (Egat) for 1994 and 2001 show the Pak Moon dam generated 286
million units of electricity per year, worth about 300 million baht.
However, the small amount of electricity, and the fluctuating nature of its
generation, indicate that the stability of the power distribution in the
lower Northeast region could be maintained without the dam.
IRRIGATION AND AGRICULTURE
Only 17% of the area has been irrigated. The water user charge, at 80 baht
per hour, is too high for farmers. The type of soil, choice of crops, and
the inadequate irrigation infrastructure account for the few benefits yielded by the Pak Moon dam.
IMPACT ON FISHERIES, ECOLOGY AND COMMUNITY ECONOMICS AND SOCIAL RELATIONS
The opening of the sluice gates from June 2001 has witnessed the return of
184 species of fish. The average household income has risen from 3,045 baht
per year in 2000 to 10,025 baht last year. But this is still far less than
the income prior to the dam construction (in 1990) which was 25,742 baht per
year. There has been a resumption of communal traditions to clean up fish
breeding grounds and the exchange of fish gear and labour.
ALTERNATIVES TO CONSIDER IN MANAGING THE DAM
Although the researchers proposed four options _ closing the dam all year
round, opening the sluice gates for five or eight months, and opening the
dam all year round for five years _ it is the final option that they clearly
recommend.
``This [five-year] period will provide benefits of restoring ecological
conditions, economics and community livelihood. Villagers will be able to
access fishery resources throughout the seasonal round. They will be able to
use a variety of fishing gear to catch fish following the season natural
cycle of the Moon River. In addition, opening the sluice gates year round
will give the community its confidence to invest both capital and labour in
fishing. Restoration of nature will occur, as well as restoration of
community livelihoods founded in their original locations.''
uSource: Executive Summary of the Project to Study Approaches to Restoration
of the Ecology, Livelihood, and Communities Receiving Impact from
Construction of Pak Mun Dam, Ubon Ratchathani University (September 2002) |
|
