Hundreds of activists and villagers gathered on May 3 and 4 to reject large-scale hydropower projects on the Salween River and demand the government scrap planned dams that will have little benefit to the public.
The “Salween Beauty Discussion and Cultural Exchange” was held in Hngat Pyaw Taw Village on Kawlon Island, the largest island on the Salween River in Hlaingbwe township, Kayin (Karen) State. Over 300 people from Kayin, Shan, Kayah (Karenni) and Mon states attended.
“The attempt to build dams has led to land confiscations and skirmishes. Many [displaced families] are facing difficulties. As long as these issues are not resolved, we can’t move on to the political dialogue [stage of the peace process] … As long as we can’t move on to the political dialogue, we can’t build a strong and promising peace. I want to say that the dams shouldn’t be built during this period,” said Saw Thar Boe, one of the organizers of the discussion and a member of the Karen River Watch.
He added that dams are not the only way Myanmar can solve its electricity shortages, and suggested the government set down a realistic energy policy that takes into account the people’s needs and can be personally managed by members of the public.
During the two-day event in Kawlon Island, activists discussed the negative impact of hydropower projects already planned for the Salween. Activists have said dams such as the Mong Ton, a US$6 billion, Chinese-backed hydropower dam slated for Shan State, has already led to widespread displacement while the reservoir could inundate ecologically important areas.
Residents from Paunglaung township in Shan State spoke of being relocated for a 140-megawatt dam, sharing their experience as a cautionary tale.
“We were forced to relocate from our homes when they started building a dam on the Paunglaung River. We were given only a little compensation. All the local residents have been facing difficulties since then. The government’s laws do not protect the public. There is no justice. We have come here to share our experience so that it won’t happen again,” said U Mae Tuu, from Paunglaung township.
In March, civil society groups, including Burma Rivers Network (BRN), Save the Salween Network (SSN) and the Burma Environment Working Group (BEWG), issued a joint statement calling for all dams to be halted until an agreement regarding a federal constitution has been reached in order to avoid potentially fuelling further armed conflict.
Translated by Thida Linn
Edited by Laignee Barron
