Managers of Yok Don National Park in the Central Highlands have voiced their opposition to permission being granted to build a hydropower plant right inside the national park.
In 2007, Dak Lak provincial authorities agreed to let HCM City-based New Technology Application and Construction Investment Corporation, (Tecco), conduct a field survey for their Drang Phok Hydropower Plant. In 2009, Dak Lak provincial authorities asked the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to convert a large area of special-use forest near the Serepok River for other use and were accepted.
However, when Tecco was given permission to build 28 MW Drang Phok Hydropower Plant in 2011, they were faced with strong opposition from the managers of Yok Don National Park. After that, Tecco reduced their hydropower plant capacity to 26 MW but even that reduction will still destroy about 28.88 ha of special-use forest.
Hoang Vinh, Deputy Head of the Forest Ranger Unit 9, said the location is about 5km from the border between Vietnam and Cambodia and preserves a lot of precious animals as well as plants. The power plant would run across this core area and ruin the ecosystem here.
Tran Van Thanh, director of Yok Don National Park said forest protection activities would face huge obstacles, "I really don't know why this project was given permission in the first place. Nearly 30 ha of forest, where many ancient trees stand, will be annihilated. In addition, noise from the construction will drive away the animals, not to mention possible environmental pollution."
Thanh further said that when the power plant is put into use, the reservoir system might create favourable routes for illegal loggers. Illegal hunters can also disguise themselves as workers and gain access to the forest.
"As the head of Yok Don National Park, I'm absolutely against building a hydropower plant in here." he said.
Facing such strong opposition, Dak Lak provincial authorities have ordered local agencies to re-assess the project. The local Department of Industry and Trade said, after investors in Drang Phok Plant asked to build the plant inside Yok Don National Park, they have had to carefully survey the location and gather information before going ahead.. Therefore, the project is two years behind schedule.
Despite the warnings, the provincial authorities still allow the Drang Phok Hydropower Plant project to continue.
Meanwhile, Dong Nai 6 and Dong Nai 6A hydropower plant projects are likewise posing threats to the Cat Tien National Park, while the Ea K’tour project is expected to endanger to the Chu Yang Sin National Park.