Cambodian Deputy PM observes fish passage improvements at Don Sahong dam
A high-ranking delegation from Cambodia led by Foreign Affairs Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mr Hor Namhong visited the Don Sahong hydropower project in Champassak province on October 29 to observe progress of the project, especially fish passage improvements. Mr Hor Namhong and his delegation are visiting Laos from October 28 to November 1 in response to an invitation from the Lao government. During their visit to the project site the visiting delegation was received by Minister of Energy and Mines Dr Khammany Intharath. The ministry’s Office Permanent Secretary Dr Daovong Phonekeo said the objective of the visit was to provide accurate information to the Cambodian delegation so they would be able to explain the project’s measures to mitigate environmental impacts, especially on fish, to their people. After the visit, Mr Hor Namhong and his delegation were briefed on technical aspects of the project and gained an understanding of how the developer was implementing measures to mitigate environmental impacts which may affect neighbouring countries. Dr Daovong said many groups of people had expressed concern about the project as they thought such a large dam on the Mekong River would impact the passage of fish and reduce fish populations.
