By Christopher Lidom and Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Oct 27: The Baram community has expressed its interest in participating in the cascading dam project, as revealed by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Abang Johari said he had received letters from local communities in Baram requesting for the cascading dam project to be implemented in Sungai Tutoh.
“Back then, when we talked about the dam project, it received a lot of flak. But now I was surprised that they are requesting for it,” he said during the Sarawak Civil Service Innovation Convention Awards 2023 held at Pullman Hotel here today.
According to Abang Johari, the development of road connectivity throughout the state has led to the rivers no longer being the primary transportation routes.
This, in turn, has resulted in the proliferation of crocodiles and conflicts between humans and crocodiles.
He said the construction of a cascading dam will help to prevent crocodiles from breeding excessively.
Moreover, these dams release bubbles that provide oxygen to the river, thereby increasing fish populations.
“With the cascading dam, you will not only get a lot of fish and less crocodiles, but you will also generate power which can be sold.
“That is only for one dam in one river. In one river, we can build five or six levels of the dam and each level can generate 100 watts of power,” he added. — DayakDaily
