Cambodia - Power line project threatens highly endangered bird: org

Cambodia - Power line project threatens highly endangered bird: org

A proposed power transmission line to be constructed at the edge of the
Tonle Sap Floodplain Protected Landscape as early as next year will pose a
new threat to a critically endangered bird species known as the Bengal
Florican, according to the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).

In a press release issued on Friday, the NGO says plans by state-owned
Electricite du Cambodge (EdC) for a power line to be built close to the
protected landscape may cause the approximately 432 Bengal Floricans in the
country - out of a global population of fewer than 800 - to further dwindle.

"Power transmission lines are a particular problem for large, slow-flying
birds that cannot manoeuvre easily, such as bustards," it reads. "Bustards,
which include the Bengal Florican, are among the most likely birds to
collide with overhead lines, due to having a narrow binocular view when
looking ahead."

The power line is expected to run from Kampong Cham to Siem Reap, and from
Siem Reap to Battambang, according to WCS Cambodia's senior technical
adviser, Simon Mahood.

"Re-routing the power line in areas where it would otherwise go close to the
sites where the Bengal Floricans breed is the most effective way to prevent
or reduce the chance of Bengal Floricans being killed by flying into the
power line," he said.

Ministry of Energy spokesman Tun Lean and an EdC spokesperson could not be
reached for comment yesterday. Ministry of Environment spokesman Sao
Sopheap, meanwhile, said the ministries "will have to work together" to
address the problem.

"[The ministry is] still working on this and finding out what exactly is
going on," he said. "If [the construction] is seriously affecting the
wildlife, we will have to talk to the concerned government ministry.

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

Link to Original Article:
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/power-line-project-threatens-highly-en
dangered-bird-org?utm_source=The%20Phnom%20Penh%20Post%20News%20Brief&utm_ca
mpaign=ecbfb4fb75-atphga&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_53e48d7faf-ecbfb4fb75-3
15018945

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

John Diecker
APT Consulting Group Co., Ltd.

www.aptthailand.com