According to UNEP, global concrete production consumed an estimated 25.9 to 29.6 billion tons of sand in 2012. The construction industry uses the lion’s share, however, as sand makes up about two thirds of reinforced concrete. It is used in the production of glass, electronics, paper and cosmetics. Sand is the second most sought-after raw material in the world after water. Despite this alarming situation and the devastating effects of dredging on the environment and coastal dwellers, most policymakers are ignoring the issue. That is twice the annual amount of sediment borne by all the rivers in the world. More than 40 billion tons of sand are consumed worldwide every year according to UNEP’s conservative estimate. Yet sand is not an inexhaustible resource. That is the title of a study by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) that highlights the dramatic shrinkage of the Earth’s sand reserves.Īccording to experts, sand and gravel are being extracted at an unprecedented rate. Tell the governments of Cambodia and Singapore to stop the destructive dredging of rivers and coastal areas and put an end to international trafficking of this valuable resource. On July 30, opposition politician Son Chhay wrote Hun Sen: “Please, take more action to stop the lawless dredging, which provides little income for the state but has serious effects on the environment and residents’ livelihoods.” Neither the involved companies nor the Cambodian authorities seem to be particularly concerned by the ban, however. According to the British NGO Global Witness, 796,000 tons of sand made their way from Cambodia’s southwestern coast to Singapore – every month.įollowing protests by locals against the destruction of their environment, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen imposed an export ban on sand from rivers and coastal areas in 2009. The country was the booming city-state’s main supplier until 2009. “What they are doing here is illegal.” Sun Mala and two of his colleagues were arrested on August 17 for their repeated protests against against illegal dredging.Ĭambodia’s sand is literally the foundation of Singapore’s economic growth. “These companies have been wrecking and polluting the estuaries and coastal areas of Koh Kong since 2009,” explains Mother Nature co-founder Sun Mala.
The barges belong to Rainbow International and Direct Access – companies based in Vietnam – but the sand is destined for Singapore. Together with other fishermen, their families and activists of the Cambodian NGO Mother Nature, he heads out to the dredgers and transport barges that are digging up the sand of the Andoung Teuk estuary.
The water is so dirty now, and there is less fish.” Vey Van Ning is filled with righteous anger as he boards his boat on July 27. Stop the devastating dredging and trafficking in sand.” “River sand from Cambodia’s Koh Kong province is being shipped to Singapore despite an export ban. To: Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Sen Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong Rainforest donation certificates Donation certificates.Your donation for the rainforest Donate.Support our work to protect the world’s rainforests Cambodia: Koh Kong petition handed over in Phnom Penh and Berlin News (Jul 20, 2023)ĭefending the world’s rainforests since 1986.
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