Scientists fear hydropower projects pose major environmental threat

Dozens of scientists have called for the suspension of the Dong Nai 6 and Dong Nai 6A hydropower projects due to their potentially negative impact on the environment.

Scientists underline the likely environmental impact due to the projects

The Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA), Cat Tien National Park’s management board and Vietnam River Network (VRN) co-organised a seminar in the southern province of Dong Nai to analyse an environmental impact assessment of the proposed projects.
Pros and cons
At the seminar, the project investor, the Duc Long Gia Lai Group Joint Stock Company, emphasised the importance of the hydropower plants in boosting the country’s power supply and mitigating the current power shortage.
The projects could supply sufficient power for the central highlands provinces of Dak Nong and Lam Dong, as well as the southern province of Binh Phuoc, contributing some VND143 billion (USD6.93 million) to local budgets annually.
Dr. Dao Trong Tu said he understood the significance of the projects in terms of ensuring national energy security, but pointed out the environmental impact caused.
According to Tu, the high density of hydropower projects along the Dong Nai River may have a negative impact on the environment, ecological system and livelihood of those living off the river. The projects could affect the sanctuary in the middle and the upstream areas while changing the river’s current.
Dr. Vu Ngoc Long, Deputy Director of the Institute of Tropical Biology, said Cat Tien National Park was home to a wealth of rare and precious species.
He was concerned that “the construction of Dong Nai 6 and Dong Nai 6A hydropower projects could create a negative impact on the extraordinarily biodiversity present in Cat Tien National Park, threatening the conservation efforts made by the park over many years.”
Pham Thi Cam Nhung, Co-ordinator of the World Wildlife Fund for Nature in the Greater Mekong Sub-region agreed that the plants would greatly affect the park’s ecological system. Noise from engines and explosives used in the construction would affect animal breeding and wildlife.
Waste and wastewater from the construction would pollute the environment for many types of aquatic creatures, she emphasised.
Do or don’t?
Dr. Dao Trong Tu said construction of any hydropower project would have an environmental impact. However, this didn’t mean that he was totally opposed to hydropower development. He just called for careful and accurate assessment of environmental impact of these projects.
Dr. Vu Ngoc Long said, “As a scientist, I do find it difficult and costly to deal with the negative environmental impact such projects can have. It could be infeasible to totally avoid all negative environmental impacts of these two projects.”
Dr. Le Anh Tuan, from Can Tho University’s Institute of Climate Change Research recommended the projects should be suspended. He listed three reasons, including possible shortcomings during their operation, low economic efficiency, and an incomplete and unpersuasive environmental impact assessment.
“As an environmental activist, if possible, I’d not support the construction of these hydropower plants. If the investor insisted on the construction, an independent consultancy group should be set up with members from different agencies. More efforts should also be made to conduct more careful environmental assessments and prepare effective solutions.”
At the end of July, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung approved the national power development plan for the 2011-2020 period that included the Dong Nai 6 and Dong Nai 6A hydropower projects.

Dr. Vu Ngoc Long said the projects’ construction sites are living habitats for several rare species

Scientists carrying out environmental studies on the affect of the projects