The Nation
March 18, 2015
Activists in Shan State have called on the government and foreign companies to suspend plans for about 20 large dam projects.
In the statement, marking the International Day of Action for Rivers on March 14, they refer to the plans to construct four big dams on the Thanlwin river and its tributary, the Nanma river, which account for about half of the dam projects across the country.
They attacked the lack of transparency.
“We suffer from the social and environmental impacts and have yet to enjoy the benefits of them. About 8,000 people have been displaced by the Upper Paunglaung dam project.
“We fear the projects may fuel ongoing conflicts in Shan State. The majority of the projects are in areas where conflict is occurring. Due to fighting near Kwanlone dam on the Thanlwin, about 100,000 people have fled to the Chinese border. China and Thailand are trying to build the Mongtone-Tarhsan dam on the Thanlwin River in southern Shan State despite the ongoing fighting there,” the statement says.
