Singapore's rapid expansion is driving an ecologically and socially devastating sand-dredging industry in Cambodia, according to a new report released today by Global Witness. This booming trade is being monopolised by two prominent Cambodian Senators with close ties to Prime Minster Hun Sen - despite a supposed government ban on sand exports.The Global Witness report Shifting Sand: how Singapore's demand for Cambodian sand threatens ecosystems and undermines good governance reveals that:
- This trade is driven by Singapore. The city state was the world's largest importer of sand in 2008. It has used sand imports to increase its landmass by 22% since the 1960s. This project has wreaked havoc on the region's coastlines, with Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia having all now announced bans on sand dredging for export due to environmental concerns.
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Related:
Sand exports to Singapore harm Cambodia: watchdog - AFP
Environment at risk as Cambodia exports millions of tonnes of sand to Singapore, new Global Witness report reveals - OneWorld.net
Report: Sand for Singapore devastating ecology - The Associated Press
Global Witness condemns sand exports from Cambodia to Singapore - Earth Times
Sand exports go on unabated - The Phnom Penh Post
S'pore urged to stop Cambodian sand imports - eco-business.com
The damage caused by Singapore's insatiable thirst for land - The Ecologist
Singapore sand demand damaging Cambodia environment - Telegraph.co.uk
Singapore sand imports threaten Cambodian ecosystem, report warns - Guardian.co.uk
Singapore sand demand damages Cambodia environment-report - Reuters AlertNet
Report: Sand for Singapore devastating ecology - Boston.com
Report: Cambodia destroying coastal ecology by sand exports to Singapore - FoxNews.com
Report: Sand for Singapore devastating ecology - KFMN Channel 8
Report: Sand for Singapore devastating ecology - Sify News
Singapore’s thirst for sand hurts Cambodia - The Herald
Singapore hits back over sand report - The Phnom Pehn Post
Reports attacks Singapore's 'devastating' sand dredging - Edie.net
Singapore sand demand seen damaging Cambodia environment - Business Insight Malaya
Sand for Singapore devastating ecology - 3 News
Is Cambodia Dredging its Rivers to Death? - Time.com
