Preliminary environmental impact assessment on the utilization of electricity as a pumping energy for irrigation system in River Chi watershed:case of Amphoe Selapoom,Changwat Roi Et
Abstract:
Preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment on the Utilization of Electricity as a Pumping Energy for Irrigation system in River Chi Watershed : Case of Amphoe Selapoom, Changwat Roi Et, the preliminary study shows no impact on physical resource, biological resource, Human use values and Quality of life values surround the study area. On the contrary, the water-pumping projects at every station located at Amphoe Selapulm yield advantages in a number of ways. People living in the studied area could use the water for agricultural purposes without having to use natural rain-requirement. This led to the possibility of growing rice twice a year (dry-and wet-season rice). In addition, the projecet also created more development on infrastructures, electric power, water resources for consumption. It could be concluded that the project agricultural development, resulting in higher productivity, eliminating the conflicts between the villagers, resulting in the unity and also created jobs for the local people. However, the problems of this project were the short distance of water delivery and the failure of the settlement of the co-operative of water users. Although this project faced high cost of investment, the production yield obtained was worthwhile. In other words, the production yield was not reduced. The project did not put villagers into debts but higher debts might come from the luxurious lifestyle they spend. This project yields more use of labour force and labour saving devices. Moreover, it caused a higher land price and higher productivity of crops which, inturn, increased the income of the villagers and improved their life quality. From the villagers' point of view, this project still has problems with the structures of main canals, canal linings which were damaged and could not hold the water. The problems caused by either too long-term use of the spillways or the substandard construction according to the standard set up by the Department of Energy Development and Promotion. Therefore, it is recommended that full consideration of project's pros and cons be givent to all the villagers who could not be served by the project, of villagers' needs. Clear explanation of benefits and limitations of the programme to the villagers should be made to prevent any conflicts among them.