Villagers will force open dam gates to fish
Pennapa Hongthong
The Nation, July 13, 2007
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/07/13/national/national_30040644.php
Since scientific studies were never at the centre of government policy-making on the Pak Mool Dam, scholars said yesterday they would help villagers use force to open the spillway gates to facilitate fishing.
"No need to be rational from now on as the government never listens to us," said Prapas Pintobtaeng of Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Political Science.
Prapas was appointed by both the Chuan Leekpai and Thaksin Shinawatra administrations as secretary of the committee dealing with dam. Both governments ordered numerous academic studies to help decide the future of the country's most controversial dam.
The most significant study was conducted by Ubon Ratchathani University from 2003-2004. It concluded that the hydropower dam's operation would hurt the villagers' livelihoods as well as the ecosystem of the Mool River.
The report suggested leaving the dam's gates permanently open to let fish from the Mekong River swim upstream to spawn in the Mool River.
The Thaksin Cabinet compromised by resolving in June 2004 to open the dam gates during the rainy season from May to August every year.
Although there has been controversy due to delays in opening the gates by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, the river was allowed to flow through the dam every year.
The military-appointed Surayud Chulanont administration decided last month to keep the gates closed for unclear reasons. PM's Office Minister Thirapat Serirangsan told the villagers on Tuesday night that the gates would not be opened for one year, as the government wanted to study the effects of the dam's operation.
"I listened to this with profound sorrow," said Chaiwat Satha-anand of Thammasat University.
Chaiwat, chairman of the dam committee set up by Thaksin, said the decision by Thaksin's Cabinet was based on the study by Ubon Ratchathani University, which comprehensively covered the potential impact of the dam's operation.
"For me, the decision goes along with reconciliation, that the dam can coexist with the fishing community," he said.
Those who depend on the dam's reservoir, including Egat, can benefit during the eight months that the gates are closed.
"I have doubts about the reasons the resolution of the current Cabinet is based on," he said.
Prapas said he would never again join a committee to resolve problems related to the dam. "The only thing academics can do these days is support the villagers to fight for justice," he said.
|
