Phnom Penh (VNA) – The Cambodian Ministry of Mines and Energyaffirmed on March 19 that the country’s newly-approved Master Plan for2020-2030 will not include the construction of new hydropower dams along theMekong River.

The ministry’s Director-General of Energy Victor Jona saidthe decision was made based on the results of a recent environmental impactassessment, which concluded in February.

The Cambodian government is now reviewing its policy onenergy development while weighing the viability of other alternatives such ascoal, natural gas and solar power, he stated.

The government had earlier announced plans to erect two damsat Kratie province’s Sambour district and Stung Treng province, which spurred negativereactions from various parties, including local fishing communities, non-profitgroups and environmentalists.

However, when asked if this was a temporary suspension, Jonaonly said “All future developments must be vibrant and adaptable to changes”.

This announcement was welcomed by World Wildlife Fund (WWF)Cambodia Country Director Teak Seng, who said that it was the best decision forboth people and nature.

“WWF commends the Cambodian government for ruling out thehydropower dam development and instead pursuing other energy sources such assolar to meet the Kingdom’s power demand,” he said.

WWF is ready to work with the government to supportdevelopment of a system-wide sustainable energy plan that promotes clean andrenewable energy alternatives, contributing to the country’s energy goalswithout building dams on Cambodia’s remaining free-flowing rivers, he added.

WWF Freshwater Lead (Asia Pacific) Marc Goichot said the 10-yearmoratorium on mainstream dams on the Mekong River is the best possible news forthe sustainable future of the tens of millions of people living alongside it.

The decision, he added, will help protect the richbiodiversity that depends on the Mekong River, especially the world’s largestpopulation of Irrawaddy river dolphins.

The Greater Mekong is home to more than 20,000 species ofplants, 1,200 bird species, 800 species of reptiles and amphibians and 430mammal species. Over 1,300 new species have been catalogued since 1997,according to a report on biodiversity and fisheries in the Mekong River Basin.

Within the Mekong River system, it said there areflourishing fisheries which exploit a large number of species. Estimatesindicate approximately 120 fish species are commercially traded, although thebulk of the fishery is based on 10-20 species./.