Bengoh dam started construction since 2007, and costs Rm315 million. The dam is 63.2m in height and cover an area of 10.21km square. It is almost finished now, just waiting for relocation of the residents and impoundment of the dam area. Construction company: Naim Cendera Sdn Bhd, with strong link to Sarawak Chief Minister. It is meant to supply water to Kuching till 2030 at 2047 million litres/day, compared to current water demand from Kuching which stand at 590million litres/day..
From the EIA:
Some interesting facts about the threatened flora and fauna in Bengoh dam site are described in an article about the EIA of the dam project here:
The Bengoh Dam will "inundate" an area of land 8.72 kms squared, approximately the size of 173 olympic swimming pools, affecting 1009 Bidayuh people living in four Kampongs, or villages, accessible only by foot.
It will also "inundate" a vast inventory of plant and wildlife species, some of which have not been recorded in the EIA.
Does Sarawak need another dam?
Several unique ornamental ferns of the epiphytic Lycopodium family, found in Kampong Semban, are a threatened species.
None are recorded in the EIA.
Two carnivorous pitcher plant species from the Nepenthes family were found between Kampong Sait and Rejoi.
All pitcher plants are a protected species in Sarawak.
No species of pitcher plant are recorded in the EIA.
Wildlife identified in the EIA include:
- 2 species of Hornbill
- 50 species of birds
- 7 species of bats
- 14 species of mammal
- 52 species of fish
Other protected species to be "inundated" by the Bengoh Dam include flying squirrel, porcupine, pangolin and civet.
Monkeys are known to raid Kampong gardens and farms.
Some are kept as pets.
No primates were recorded in the EIA.
All primates are a Protected Species in Sarawak.
Other fauna identified by villagers include wild boar, deer, several snakes and lizard.
None of these species are recorded in the EIA.
Read more from the blog here.
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