The project is operated by Thanlwin Company Ltd., a subsidiary of Ramanya United. Representatives from the company had met with protesting monks, youth leaders and village headmen on March 19, but a second meeting planned for May 20 was cancelled when residents pulled out. They are particularly concerned about the effect that the project will have on delicate mangrove forests in the area.

“I think that we need to build trust with residents. We have to explain to them that the project will not have adverse effects on the environment, and we have to give them time to see our opinion, so we suspended the project during discussions,” said U Thiha Soe.

He added that the Union government had already agreed to the project, but that the company did not know that residents would be so opposed. The base is intended to supply ships in the area, especially those servicing the natural gas and oil installations in the Andaman Sea.

Residents say that while the company may have gotten approval from the Union government, residents were never consulted.

“They never came to discuss the project with residents before starting construction. So we want to send a message that other companies trying to launch large projects in this area need to consult with residents first,” said Sayardaw Nanda, a monk at the Andin Monastery.

Residents have argued that the 19 acres of farmland that the company bought for the project are zoned for agriculture, and not industry. In March the company submitted an application to change the zoning of the land.

This is not the first large industrial project that Andin residents have fought against. Plans to build a coal-powered electric plant nearby was also met with fierce opposition, and that project too has been suspended.

By Mon News Agency