Deal #6606

According to International Rivers, local people have been led to believelthat the project will not have serious negative impacts, but instead would provide substantial benefits if it proceeds.

Villagers who lives in resettlement site claimed that they have put in the low quality houses in the resettlement site, they did not situate in the suitable location because many resettlement sites are located in high hill, and villagers concerned the risk of landslides. Many villagers also faced with water shortages since they moved to stay in the resettlement site. Source: RFA Laos During the ordinary session of the National Assembly in November 2021, the Vice President of the Lao Front reported at the session that villagers affected by the construction of the Namtha 1 hydropower plant in Nalae district, Luang Namtha province, are waiting for compensation. In addition, workers who built shelters for the project have been waiting for their wages since 2015. Source: LIWG/Vientiane Times In the same time, many villagers who live in the resettlement site said that they do not have land for cultivation as the project developer and government have not allocated the land for them to do agriculture yet. Source: RFA Laos

During the three-year development of the project, 11 resettlement sites have been constructed for the 37 villages submerged under the reservoir of the plant with 1,735 households of 9,296 people resettled. Another source says: the total number of affected people is 10,500 people (who had to resettle to live in the resettlement sites). There are also 333 families of 1,649 affected people from Nalae and Sai Nam villages in Nalae district, Lungnamtha province had to relocated from downstream to upper stream. Source: RFA Laos

Environmental Degradation: According to International Rivers in 2008, although only a relatively small area of forest will be inundated by the reservoir (estimated to be 12.69km2), part of the Bokeo Reserve and the Nam Ha NPA will be directly and indirectly impacted by the Nam Tha 1 project through losses of aquatic resources, increased hunting pressure, increased likelihood of logging and NTFP collection, loss of forest to roads and power transmission lines, and the possible resettlement of villages into the Nam Ha NPA. The EIA fails to adequately assess the biodiversity value of the Nam Tha Basin and the threats posed by a large hydropower project within it. Socio-economic: livelihoods will be limited to jobs created by the project and trade. Fishing, agriculture, river transport, collection of wetland products and tourism will be affected significantly once the project commences. This would increase pressure on upland and forest resources. Displacement: People from 37 villages have been displaced and resettled Another source says: the total number of affected people is 10,500 people (who had to resettle to live in the resettlement sites). There are also 333 families of 1,649 affected people from Nalae and Sai Nam villages in Nalae district, Lungnamtha province had to relocated from downstream to upper stream. Source: RFA Laos Flooding the agricultural land who live along the Nam Tha river bank and the flooding caused by this dam damaged villagers’ farming. Source: RFA Laos In the same time, there is also a concern the impact of this dame to the damage of Nam Ha National Protected Area (NPA). This situation may lead to increased deforestation, as villagers will need to clear land for dry-land rice production. The NPA faces to the loss in aquatic resources, an increase in hunting pressure and logging, and a loss of forest cover and erosion due to road building and power line installation. Source: International River

Minister Inthirath praised the work of CSG, saying, “in the future, the station can also help boost local tourism and navigation, improve the environment of the Nam Tha River basin, protecting the ecology surrounding the reservoir, and coordinating the development of local economy. After the COD of the station, work dedicated to improving the locals’ livelihood will be resumed, paving the way for poverty alleviation and economic prosperity.” The company to plans release more fishes in future based on ecological needs. In 2019 the representatives of People councils of Lungnamtha province visited resettlement site and met with villagers there. Villagers called for help to ask project developer to improve the road, water-supply system and seek the occupation for them, as those were not much process made since they were relocated in the new places. Source: Laonews

Education: The Nam Tha River Company has launched a donation for the school with around 1,200 U.S. dollars plus computers, quilts, clothes, and sports equipments. Capacity Building: Some were trained for jobs in the Hydropower station Other: Jobs created; company has put 40,000 fishes in the reservoir