Environment

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Posted by: | Posted on: October 29, 2011

Saving Cambodia’s Great Lake

Dear Fellow Cambodians;

First of all, we should pray for those Cambodians who are under fear of flooding. During this unusual flooding, many farmers claimed death, many claimed homeless and many claimed starvation. Not counting the rice paddies which those young seeds are devastated by water, live stocks and commodities are in danger and scarce.

What could we describe on this natural disaster in Cambodia? And what measures are we going to gauge for?

Natural resource is substantial source for national development. Human capital, financial capital and social capital is among important capitals to lift up national prosperity and dignity. Otherwise, natural capital has been debated in recent political dialogue among political scientists.

Political scientists pointed out that there are many countries in this world which leaders have used natural capital as tool to step up to power or maintain their power. The uses of natural capital for personal wealth and power have happened among ancient kingdoms and it has continued to modern day in some countries. Scholars called “failed states” for those countries that have misused natural capital or they have used it for personal wealth and power by allowing their citizens who is the owners of that natural capital live in a dirty poor and indignitary situation. Among those scholars, James Scott named it “predatory states”.

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Posted by: | Posted on: October 5, 2011

Beoung Kok Lake: part of debate from facebook

@Kevin Sok, as I have mentioned about durable information you have mentioned, you have always based on your personal factual description. What you mentioned about Beong Kok became Beoung Lou and it was resided by robbers, thieves or terrorists; where are the durable sources and where are your references? How is your virtue and mentality to biasedly accuse your debater in this stage as supporting opposition political party? For the sake of Cambodia and a learned one, I don’t think your debate approach is praised by the wise and served the best benefit for Cambodia.

1. Boeung Kok Lake is a natural lake can be considered as the ancient natural heritage hugely benefit for a wise developer.

2. Outcomes of a wise development remaining Beoung Kok Lake for both greenery sustainable investment and reducing the over flooding water in the city.

3. The concept of urban development and poverty reduction will not in the way that government has been operating nowadays.

Dr. Bunnarith elaborated in his paper that ““GREEN RING” concept will not only raise the spiral of economic development, improve urban life and urban community, but also care for the city’s scarce natural resource, not compromising future generations.” Source: http://www2.hawaii.edu/~csaloha/ and he elaborated on replacement and housing policy in the urban poor areas that “Yet, the Government is endeavoring towards enabling, not depleting, existing housing stocks and improving housing conditions so that people, including the urban poor, can live in a safe and secure environment.” Source: http://www2.hawaii.edu/~csaloha/

So what you have said about the pollution of Beoung Kok Lake, the residents there are not blamable, it is the government’s will to govern their own citizens. However, I walked through behind Phnom Penh Hotel and around the area including boating around the lake, the situation is not like what you claimed. I praise the Phnom Penh municipality for their effort to maintain clean within the city. My personal factual description is different from you; I also can prove you by photos I took.

More comments on the debate on facebook.

Regards,

Posted by: | Posted on: October 5, 2011

Beoung Kok Lake, Urban Development and Poverty Reduction

“Cambodia’s 2001 Land Law prohibits deprivation of ownership without due process and grants the right to apply for a land title to someone who has been in possession of a private property for five years. Article 44 of the Constitution states that the government can only deprive someone of property for “public interest” purposes and requires the payment of fair and just compensation.

Land issue in Cambodia is lingering by the corruption and anarchic settlement. In the wake of war, for Cambodia, both government and people are anarchic. But the anarchic people is a large profit for anarchic government. The issue of Beoung Kok Lake once has been academically and publicly debated by the researchers, environmentalists, anthropologists and the government. The solution was settled to preserve this natural lake as the leisure place and water reservoir for flooding water in Phnom Penh capital city. But later, the government decided to give concession this important strategic land to their patron tycoon for 99 years without considering the research finding or having proper plan for it.

In a short period, government can hand that huge amount of money, but in a long run, the children of Phnom Penh city will be drawn and badly affected by this self-suicidal concession.

To duly understand Beoung Kok Lake and the urban poor/development, you should visit this website: http://saveboeungkak.wordpress.com Or if you need more academic point of view on the controversial development of Beoung Kok Lake, you should read Dr. Bunnarith’s paper; he gave us much insight on the proper development of Beoung Kok Lake http://www2.hawaii.edu/~csaloha

Posted by: | Posted on: September 28, 2011

WednesdayVenerable Loun Sovath’s Interview on Radio Australia – បទ​សម្ភាសន៍​ជាមួយ​ព្រះ​ភិក្ខុលួន សូវ៉ាត​នៅប្រទេស​អូស្រ្តាលី

Summary of the Interview in English
Originally posted at: http://luonsovath.blogspot.com/2011/09/blog-post_27.html

Interviewer: Venerable, what are your purposes in coming to Australia?
Ven. Luon Sovath: My purposes to come to Australia this time is to participate with Khmer Buddhists in Australia during this auspicious Bon Pchum Ben during this Rain Retreat Season as in Cambodia I am expelled from the pagoda by the Supreme Patriarchs and the Chief Monk of Siem Reap because of my activity in engaging with the evicted communities and the victims of land grabbing. Other purpose is to bring petition for the greater support of everyone in requesting the supreme patriarch as well as the chief monk of Siem Reap province to withdraw their orders.

Interviewer: Now, Venerable is arriving Australia, do you plan to travel to other cities as well or just stay in Melbourne?
Ven. Luon Sovath: Yes, I will travel in accordance with the invitation and friendly relationship of the Buddhist friends here.

Interviewer: so Venerable plans to stay in Australia only one month?
Ven.Luon Sovath: Yes

Interviewer: Recently, Venerable has faced many problems because of your engagement with the social activities, could Venerable discuss those issues in details for the audience here?
Ven. Luan Sovath: Truly, it is because my engagement and outreaching to the communities of land grab victims and forced eviction. In reality, it is not my problem, it is the government problem whose people have been suffered. Look at the Australian government, the suffering of the people has been justly dealt. In Cambodia, the suffering of the people have been deeply embedded by the lawless activities, physical violence and bullet shooting.

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