Press Release by Burma Rivers Network
March 14, 2014
Today, on the International Day of Action for Rivers, BRN members are jointly organizing public events along two of Burma’s main rivers to oppose accelerated plans to build mega dams amidst continuing conflict in ethnic areas.
Despite warnings from local authorities, communities along the Chindwin and Salween Rivers are gathering today to oppose dams being planned to export power to India, China and Thailand.
Plans for over twenty-five large dams in Burma are now being speeded up, including six on the headwaters of the Irrawaddy amidst ongoing warfare in Kachin State. Six dams are also proceeding on the Salween River in Shan, Karenni and Karen States, where ceasefires remain tenuous.
BRN is very concerned that these mega projects are speeding ahead while political issues at the root of the conflict remain unresolved, in particular the power of the central Burmese government to sell off natural resources in ethnic areas.
“We want peace talks to lead to justice and equal rights, not just open the door for large-scale resource exploitation,” said Sai Sai of BRN. “Investors should stay away until peace is established and safeguards are enforced to protect local communities and the environment.”
In the conflict zones along the Salween River, dam surveying and construction is being carried out in secrecy, with tight security by the Burmese military. Tens of thousands of villagers from the potential Salween flood zones have been forced at gunpoint off their lands over a decade ago, and are mostly living in refugee camps or migrant worksites in Thailand.
“Today communities at different ends of the country are speaking with the same voice to protect their rivers,” said Sai Sai. “We hope the government and armed groups will heed this message during peace talks.”
