Four cows have now been found dead near the O’Russey stream in Kampong Chhnang province. It is suspected that the stream was polluted by a nearby mining operation. - Photo: Environment ministry
PHNOM PENH: In a disturbing update, four cows have been found dead along the O’Russey stream, which is currently being tested after local communities found large quantities of dead fish in the stream.
The Ministry of Environment has warned that strict legal measures will be taken against any company or enterprise responsible for environmental pollution and harm to biodiversity.
In addition to the mass fish deaths reported on Wednesday (Dec 3), four cows died successively on Thursday (Dec 4). The deaths occurred as the authorities were inspecting the Cambodian Xuan Yi Minerals Co., Ltd.’s metal ore exploration site in the area.
“On Dec 4, the ministry dispatched technical officers to inspect the site of Cambodian Xuan Yi Minerals Co., Ltd., located in Khlong Popok, Chieb, Aphpivath, and Tang Krasang communes in Teuk Phos district, amid suspicions of environmental pollution causing fish and four cows belonging to local residents to die along O’Russey — a natural stream connected to the Chieb stream, southeast of the company’s location,” said the ministry.
With the support and cooperation of Kampong Chhnang Provincial Governor Sun Sovannarith, as well as officers from the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the Provincial Department of Environment, the Provincial Department of Mines and Energy, and other relevant authorities, a ministry technical team conducted testing on one water sample and several dead fish. The team continued working late into the night to monitor water quality downstream, approximately 10 km from the company’s site.
The ministry confirmed that the inspection team observed several fish still suffering from poisoning symptoms and collected additional water and fish samples for further analysis.
It issued a stern warning.
“The ministry will take strict legal action based on the Environmental Protection and Natural Resource Management Law and other applicable regulations if pollution sources are found to be caused by any company, factory, or enterprise that harms the environment and biodiversity,” it said.
Following the discovery of the fish deaths, Teuk Phos district authorities notified residents and banned the use of water from the stream in six villages in Chieb and Khlong Popok communes to prevent any risk to public health or livestock.
The environment ministry and local authorities urged residents living near the stream to stop using the water and ensure that livestock such as cows and buffalo are prevented from drinking from the contaminated stream. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
