DAMMING OF A MIGHTY RIVER

DAMMING OF A MIGHTY RIVER

The Tasang and Hutyi dam projects may force the Karenni people to relocate from their homes and lose their heritage
Writer: By Pongsit Pangsrivongse
Published: 23/08/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: Brunch

The mighty Salween River stretches from the high plains of the Tibetan Plateau to the Andaman Sea. In Burma, it runs through the Mon and Shan States where it is the lifeblood of the indigenous people, nourishing the land and feeding the countless ethnic groups living there. Though their customs, languages and traditions vary, one thing unites them all - their reliance on the powerful Salween River. The fact that the fruitful river has always been full of fish enforces a sense of security for them. However, their sustainable lifestyle is reaching a precarious chapter, according to concerns echoed in the seminar on the construction of Tasang and Hutyi Dams. The recent seminar was arranged by local anti-dam groups, including Towards Ecological Recovery and Regional Alliance (Terra), Salween Watch, Healthy Public Policy Foundation (HPPF) and guest speakers such as Htoo Paw, a representative of the Karenni Human Rights Group.

According to the dam-protesting organiser, the construction of the Tasang and Hutyi Dams close to Tak province on the Thai-Burmese border will be a dire consequence to the ecology of the river and villagers who depend on its resources.

But the seminar did not touch only the environmental side.

Despite the fact that the project is purely civil construction, it has slowly unveiled the conflict between the junta and the indigenous people highlighted recently when the Karen National Union (KNU) was attacked by troops from the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) and the ruling junta's State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), according to Htoo Paw.

This invasion reportedly forced more than 4,000 Karennis out of their homes, thus adding to the ever growing number of desperate refugees attempting to seek asylum in Thailand.

What perhaps is more painful for the locals than losing their homes and their land is losing their heritage and their source of income and life staple. With the flooding of the land they have lived on for centuries, members of these tight-knit communities will be dispersed. Many of them will no longer be able to rely on the waters for fish.

SOON A THING OF THE PAST: Fish from the Salween River being sold at a local market.

The fear is real. According to Dr Nirand Pitakwatchara, a member of National Human Right Commission, some of the dam projects spelt doom for communities living around the project. "This is a lesson that should have been learned from the controversial Pak Moon Dam where the presence of a reservoir resulted in the decimation of fish species," said Dr Nirand, also a former Thai senator.




The implications extend beyond the rights of the indigenous people.

Forced relocation has already led to exponential migration into Thailand. Salween Watch, a Chiang Mai-based non-governmental organisation, estimated about 60,000 Burmese ethnic villagers will be displaced by the Tasang Dam alone.

With their land turned into a colossal lake covering 500,000 rai (80,000 hectares) and faced with the threat of the junta, they will have nowhere to turn but Tak province in Thailand, adding more to security problems.

Social stability aside, the two projects should also be revised in terms of investment worth. The two dams were the realisation of power plants under Thailand's Power Development Plan (PDP).

According to Suphakit Nuntavorakarn, economic researcher at Healthy Public Policy Foundation (HPPF), both projects should be revised or scrapped as the demand for energy has been lowered since the economic contraction.

Since 2003, according to an estimate by the HPPF, the electricity surplus has been around 1,000 megawatt (MW) each year. A building facility for one megawatt of electricity costs 30 million baht; around 30 billion baht was invested on unused electricity. Last year, the economic crisis resulted in an overestimation of electricity needed, resulting in an absurd surplus of 4,333MW.

It is not that the government did not recognise this over projection and risk of investment.

In February, the energy ministry revised the new PDP for 2009 to 2024. Plans to import electricity from neighbouring countries decreased to 5,036MW, from 13,244MW. The Hutgyi and Tasang Dams' construction should have been dropped along with the reductions in the import of electricity.

In these uncertain economic times it would be unwise to dispense funds so recklessly. Such an irrational investment will certainly not justify the catastrophic consequences of this dam, which will demolish the invaluable cultural heritage and dignity of the people so bonded to this great river, concluded the participants.

How are you helping to reduce your carbon footprint? Share your eco-friendly activities, or comments, or disapprovals and email outlook@bangkokpost .co.th. Remember to type 'Earth Alert' in the subject box. http://www.bangkokp ost.com/life/ family/22562/ damming-of- a-mighty- river
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Liquor distillery fire kills five near Yangon
Posted : Sun, 23 Aug 2009 09:11:40 GMT
Author : DPA

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Yangon - A fire at a liquor distillery on the outskirts of Yangon killed at least five people and injured eight others, witnesses said Sunday. The fire raged through the Myanmar Winery Distillery Company Limited, situated about 50 kilometres north of Yangon, all Saturday night, leaving four employees dead who could be identified and one unidentified body.

Eight people were injured in the blaze, five of whom were admitted to Yangon General Hospital, and three others at Hlegu Hospital.

Some 47 fire trucks were sent to control the flames, which destroyed at least one of the vehicles before the fire was put out, a witness said.

The distillery, producer of a local liquor, was owned by five Myanmar nationals.

Copyright, respective author or news agency

http://www.earthtim es.org/articles/ show/282499, liquor-distiller y-fire-kills- five-near- yangon.html

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