The Cambodia government plans to consider exploration of oil and gas in Tonle Sap Lake according to the International Herald Tribune.
Controversy over the announcement involves environmental and corruption concerns.
The 3 million acre lake is home to more than 200 species of fish, 42 types of reptiles, 225 species of birds and 46 kinds of mammals, which raises obvious environmental concerns.
However, corruption over the possible oil and gas windfall is of greater concern considering what often happens to countries that begin to gain substantially from over reliance on oil exports.
cambodia economy cambodia government corruption oil and gas oil exports tonle sap lake
2 responses so far ↓
1 nisay // Dec 20, 2007 at 3:37 pm
There is no clue yet about the oil under Tonlesap river, the government should not allow those companies to deplete the invironment where a lot of people, animals surrounding are depending upon. Though, they explored the oil, the benefit will not outweight the disadvantages we would incur.
2 jokjey-sabuy khmer // Jan 24, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Assuming there is oil under Tunle Sap (pronounce Tunlay Saap), I don’t think Cambodia should do any drilling in that water. The benefit will not out-weight the environment impact if and when there is an accident of an oil spilled. Cambodia should focus on offshore oil drilling. The are large quantity of oil being discovered. When fully operational, that should bring much cash into Cambodia’s economy.
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