Though export of sand from Cambodia is officially banned by Cambodian government a new report on the subject claims this rule is more observed in violation than compliance.
According to 'Global Witness', a campaining group, millions of tonnes Cambodian sand are being illegally dredged to create beaches in Singapore.
In shifting sand the group claim Singapore’s rapid expansion is driving an ‘ecologically and socially devastating’ sand-dredging industry in Cambodia.
It alleges Cambodian senators have awarded sand extraction licences ‘behind closed doors’, gaining control of an industry worth millions of dollars - but there is no evidence of any revenues reaching Cambodia’s state coffers.
It goes on to say Cambodia’s sand-dredging industry poses a ‘huge risk’ to its coastal environment, ‘threatening endangered species, fish stocks and local livelihoods’. ‘There is no evidence’ that basic environmental safeguards have been applied, with boats reportedly turning up and dredging sand, often in protected areas, with no local consultation.
This trade is driven by Singapore. The city state was the world’s largest importer of sand in 2008. |
