Siem Reap provincial administration and the Ministry of Environment have begun an inquiry into relocating a 6ha dumpsite in Siem Reap province’s Trapaing Thom commune due to poor technical standards at the current site.
Provincial Department of Environment deputy director Sun Kong said Global Action for Environment Awareness (GAEA) is currently managing the site in Prasat Bakong district, but the ministry and the provincial hall are now looking for a new location.
He said the current dumpsite has been used for over 10 years but was lacking in technical standards.
“We have to make sure that the waste will not penetrate into the ground. The current site has a lack of technical standards, but we need to use it temporarily as the waste keeps increasing,” he said.
An anonymous provincial hall official said the relocation was necessary as Siem Reap town was developing to the east, with many people now living in the vicinity of the current dumpsite.
“Siem Reap town, as designed by the master plan, will spread to the east in Prasat Bakong district. Therefore, the town development will spread in this direction and many people also are settling down in the east as well.
“So if we leave the dumpsite here, it will begin to negatively impact the people, so we need to locate it far from the people,” he said.
The same official added that there had been previous unsuccessful enquiries about moving the dumpsite.
“In 2007 and 2008, a Korean company signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Environment to study the possibility of moving the dumpsite to Banteay Srei district. But the enquiry showed that it would affect some communities in Apsara, so the plan became quiet.
“At the moment, we are looking for a capable partner and there are many companies, but the size of the proposed dumpsites are inadequate, so it is not profitable to proceed,” he said.
A representative of GAEA Company could not be reached for comment.
