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Apr, 2016 Khouth Sophak Chakrya
More than 500 villagers from 40
communities across the country gathered yesterday at Boeung Kak in Phnom Penh
to launch a campaign against the filling of lakes for commercial development
projects.
Representatives from communities
affected by the filling up of lakes, supported by the presence of around 10
monks, launched the “Free the Lakes” campaign highlighting the challenges faced
by people who were evicted to make way for private-sector projects.
Following the launch, a smaller group
of representatives proceeded to the National Assembly to submit a petition
calling on Prime Minister Hun Sen to take action on errant private sector
companies and government officials involved in the filling of lakes and
evictions.
“We want government leaders to stop
immediately development projects that require the filling up of natural lakes
in this country,” said Boeung Kak evictee spokesman Chan Puthisak.
“The filling of Boeung Kak Lake set a
terrible precedent, showing the tragedy of thousands of families who were
forcefully evicted for the benefit of private companies,” he said.
He said other communities around the
country could use Boeung Kak as an example to highlight the trials of the
evictees displaced by development projects.
The petition, which refers to a
report by urban NGO Sahmakum Teang Tnaut (STT), also details the negative
results of filling up natural lakes around Phnom Penh.
STT director Ee Sarom said while the
benefits from the big development projects went to big private investors and
some high ranking government officials, it was the people who faced the
difficulties associated with filling up lakes.
“We are worried about the filling up
of some lakes in Phnom Penh, as that will cause land disputes and damage the
ecology,” he said.
This week, the Ministry of Water
Resources and Meteorology announced the filling of lakes around Phnom Penh, such
as Porng Peay, Tompoun and Choeung Ek, would cease.
Source:
http://m.phnompenhpost.com/national/communities-unite-oppose-lake-filling
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