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October 21, 2011 - Page 1

EJOLT The Myitsone Fact sheet in the Irrawady River (Burma – ) 1

This is a provisional success story in Water 2011 in stopping a very large dam management already under construction and scheduled for completion in 2019 in the upper reaches of the , Keywords the life-line of Burma. It is located in Kachin territory, an ethnic group which > has often been in armed rebellion > Hydropower against the state. > Burma / Myanmar The project The dam on the Irrawaddy River, the lifeblood > of Burma, would create a reservoir bigger > Successful mobilization The dam was to provide about 6,000 than Singapore MW of power (comparable but smaller > Ethnic insurgency Photo by AP (in BBC News, Sept. 30, 2011) than the Three Gorges in Chine, Itaipu in

Brazil-Paraguay, Guri in Venezuela Alternatives have been suggested, like which have around 10,000 MW). building much smaller dams, to prevent to some extent the damage to the fish This US$ 3.6 billion dam is one of populations downstream. several planned along the river. The main contractor was China Power Protests against the dam Investment Corporation (CPI). China was to be an important customer for the The displacement of thousands of produced, getting people already under way and the low perhaps 90 per cent of it. quality of the EIA (Environmental Impact If built, the Irrawaddy Myitsone Dam 2 Assessment) commissioned (without would inundate approximately 766 km legal obligation) by the Chinese of forested area. company had caused protests both at the national level and at the local level. There is apparently no legal obligation in Much support also came from outside Burma to conduct any assessment. Still, Burma. the China Power Investment Corporation did commission a study by Chinese and The recent thaw in the political situation, Burmese experts, part of which became with opposition leader available to activists. no longer in house arrest, encouraged the opposition to the dam. The Peace Potential impacts Nobel Prize winner wrote an open letter pointing out the risks of the dam The dam was planned at a short because it was to be built near an distance away from the birthplace of the fault line. She wrote also that Irrawaddy River, at the of two the Irrawaddy river, that crosses the rivers considered a sacred place (as it entire territory of the country from north happens with the “prayag” of the to south, from glaziers in the eastern Himalayan and other rivers in ). Himalaya to the fertile delta rich in rice The reservoir would submerge important paddies, is “a prolific source of food, the historical and cultural sites at the Mali home of varied water flora and fauna, and N'mai Hka rivers that together make the supporter of traditional modes of life, the Irrawaddy. the muse that has inspired countless works of prose and poetry”. The projected dam is located in a region that is recognized as one world's One element in the dispute is the biodiversity hotspots and a global sporadic fighting between government conservation priority. The jungle area troops and ethnic insurgents in jungle that was to be flooded contains bears, areas near the borders with China and , elephants, red pandas and , including areas close to some many species of monkeys. of the planned dams. It was reported October 21, 2011 - Page 2

that resentment over the dams is a In conclusion, the conflict has not yet significant contributing factor to the been finally solved. There is the view military conflicts between the ethnic that President is presenting groups and the government. this decision internally and worldwide as evidence of its willingness to listen and Outcome of the process to work in the interests of the people as the country moves slowly towards On September 30, 2011, it was reported democracy after many years of military that President Thein Sein had sent a dictatorship. Critics interpret the move as letter to the Parliament announcing that a public relations gimmick which can be the Myitsone dam project would be reversed at any moment, depending suspended because “it is against the will perhaps on the intensity of Chinese of the people.” pressure. The Myitsone project has, after all, only been suspended, not Map of Irrawaddy Dams The Burma Rivers Network (BRN) made cancelled. Image by Burma Rivers Network the following statement on that date: Lessons from this case The BRN is encouraged by news that President Thein Sein plans to stop the There are then many valuation construction of the Irrawaddy Myitsone languages deployed in this conflict. The Dam, but urges the people of Burma to legal process and the administrative demand an official declaration and pull- process (for instance, in terms of a out of all personnel and equipment from participatory EIA) seem to have failed the dam site by the project-holder, China completely while the dam was being built Power Investment (CPI). BRN also although the Chinese company stated urges continued pressure on the military repeteadly that it complied with the government and the CPI to immediately internal legislation. The need for cancel the other 6 mega-dams planned electricity in China and the money on the Irrawaddy source rivers, which revenues for Burma have been a factor will have the same devastating impacts but also ethnic rights and national pride, Protest against the project, on the country. near the Myanmar Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia If the Myitsone project is indeed Photo by AP (in India Times, cancelled, this would be a great victory More on this case for the people of Burma, especially the Sept. 22, 2011) • Burma Rivers Network brave villagers at the Myitsone site who stood up to the Burma Army and refused www.burmariversnetwork.org to make way for the project. • International Rivers However, China Power Investment is now in control of the Myitsone site and www.internationalrivers.org only their actions will confirm whether

the dam is indeed suspended. There needs to be an official statement by CPI announcing this, and the Myitsone

construction camps must be closed. Most importantly the people who were The Myitsone dam under forced to move to the Myitsone dam construction relocation camp must be allowed to Photo by International Herald return their homes. Tribune, Sept. 21, 2011

This document should be cited as: Martínez-Alier J, Rodríguez-Labajos B. 2011. The Myitsone dam in the Irrawady River (Burma – Myanmar), EJOLT Factsheet No. 1, 3 p. October 21, 2011 - Page 3

CPI and Asia World the cultural and religious values of the establish joint venture to river, the values of its ecological services 2005 build hydropower projects in seven locations along Mali for downstream production of food and Hka and Nmai Hka rivers. fisheries, and also the assessment of the MoU between the Ministry 2006 of Electric Power and CPI uncertain risks of as in so Corp (Dec. 28th) many of the new dams in the Himalaya. Agreement to build the 2007 dams is signed Power Investment As in other political transition processes, Co Ltd is created for the environmental activists have had development, construction 2008 and operation of enhanced opportunities for influential hydropower projects on the Irrawaddy action. This usually goes on for some Terms of reference for EIA, time at least, until the new political approved (Mar.) regimes stabilize. This is not yet the 2009 Construction stage 1 (out of 5) begins on the Myitsone case in Burma Dam site. The resettlement of people begins (Dec.) EIA report finalised (March) Representatives of the Chinese 2010 Blasts at the Myitstone Dam government asked Burma to protect the site (April) rights of Chinese companies after Fighting erupts government troops and ethnic construction was halted in late insurgents, affecting the September 2011. The Foreign Ministry 2011 construction site (Jun.) Announcement of the representative, Hong Lei, said tersely on Myitsone dam project 1st October 2011 that the Chinese suspension (Sep.) Government always supports Chinese 2019 Target date for completion enterprises cooperating with enterprises of other countries based on the principle Chronology of major events of mutual respect, mutual benefit and Adapted from International equality, requires them to perform duties Rivers (2011b) and fulfil obligations in strict accordance with laws and regulations of the host country and urges relevant government to protect the legal and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises. The Myitsone Dam is a jointly invested project between China and Myanmar that has gone through scientific verification and strict examination of both sides. Relevant matters arising from the implementation of the project should be References handled appropriately through bilateral Financial Times, 2 Oct. 2011, Burma dam friendly consultation. disruption concerns China.

The success in stopping the Myitsone International Herald Tribune, 22 Sept. dam and other dams in the Irrawaddy, if 2011, Controversy over dam fuels rare permanent, would add weight to public outcry in Myanmar. This publication was developed environmental complaints in many other International Rivers, 2011a, Irrawaddy as a part of the project countries (also in Africa and Latin Myitsone Dam, Environmental Justice America) where Chinese companies are Organisations, Liabilities and http://www.internationalrivers.org/node/32 Trade (EJOLT) (FP7-Science in engaged in infrastructure, mining and 28 (accessed on 17 oct. 2011). Society-2010-1). EJOLT aims to fossil fuel extraction projects. improve policy responses to and International Rivers, 2011b, The Myitsone support collaborative research Dam on the Irrawaddy River: A Briefing, and action on environmental conflicts through capacity http://www.internationalrivers.org/node/68 building of environmental justice 76 (accessed on 21 oct 2011). groups around the world. Visit our free resource library and database at www.ejolt.org or follow tweets (@EnvJustice) to stay current on latest news and events.