Communities in Tanintharyi Fear Plans to Dam the Tanintharyi River | 1
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Communities in Tanintharyi Fear Plans to Dam the Tanintharyi River | 1 Contents Contents ................................................................................................................................................ 3 Findings and Recommendations: ......................................................................................................... 5 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 7 Methodology ..................................................................................................................................... 8 Plans to Dam the Tanintharyi River ....................................................................................................... 9 The Development of Initial Plans ............................................................................................ 12 Plans for Dams on the Tanintharyi River gain momentum ............................................................12 Tanintharyi River continues to be under threat ............................................................................. 15 Dam Proposals Must Respect the Rights of Indigenous Communities to Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) ....................................................................................... 16 Impacts of the Tanintharyi Dam .......................................................................................................... 18 Villages along the Tanintharyi River .............................................................................................. 19 Impacts of Large Dams – Findings from the World Commission on Dams (WCD)....................... 20 Livelihoods:................................................................................................................................... 22 Water sources .............................................................................................................................. 25 Transportation .............................................................................................................................. 26 Cultural uses of the Tanintharyi River ........................................................................................... 27 Forest resources and biodiversity ................................................................................................. 29 IDPs and Refugees .......................................................................................................................30 The Future of the Peace Process.................................................................................................. 30 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................................... 31 Bibliography ................................................................................................................................... 32 Annex 1: Statement by TIPs ..............................................................................................,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,...33 Annex 2: Statement by the Chaung Ma Gyi and Kain Mya Thi Zar Committee .................................. 34 Annex 3: List of villages along the Tanintharyi River .......................................................................... 35 Communities in Tanintharyi Fear Plans to Dam the Tanintharyi River | 3 4 | Communities in Tanintharyi Fear Plans to Dam the Tanintharyi River Findings and agreement signed in 2012, armed conflict came Recommendations: to a halt. Communities also fear the impact that the dam will have on peace and stability in the region, and the future for returning IDPs and refu- gees, who may be forced to relocate again. The Tanintharyi River is one of southern Myan- mar’s largest free-flowing rivers. Starting at the In light of the risks and threats posed by pro- confluence of the Ban and Kamoethway Rivers posed dams on the Tanintharyi River, communi- in Dawei District, the river runs down through the ties call on the government, the KNU and dam Tanintharyi Valley until it empties out into the An- developers to listen to their voices and refrain daman Sea in Myeik. The river and its tributaries from moving ahead with projects which will ad- support tens of thousands of indigenous people versely impact them and the surrounding environ- and vast areas of high conservation value forest. ment. There are a total of 76 villages, 6,118 households To the Union Government:- and 32,008 people living directly along the Tanin- 4 Adopt a new energy policy that puts the tharyi River, who depend on it as a vital source needs, lives and rights of citizens at its of food security, water, transportation and cultural centre. Citizens of Tanintharyi Region have expression. suffered from the impacts of gas and coal extraction, which have generated energy for Plans to construct large dams on the Tanin- export rather than the needs of communities. tharyi River stand to submerge an area of A new energy policy driven by the needs of 144,557-acres1 , potentially displacing up to citizens must be adopted This means adopt- almost 7,000 people in 32 upstream villages, and ing small scale renewable energy alternatives significantly impacting the livelihoods, access such as micro hydro, solar and wind power to to water and transportation of over 22,000 in 42 provide energy for the people, rather than for downstream villages. Local communities have revenue generation. never been substantively consulted on these plans. 4 Abandon plans for large dams in Myanmar. Large hydropower dams have huge and The proposed dam would also have catastrophic irreversible impacts on communities, the environmental impacts, destroying rich aquatic economy, the environment, and also put ecosystems and habitats, and inundating vast immense pressures on peace and stability. areas of pristine forest, destroying some of South The Myanmar government must reconsider East Asia’s largest remaining intact forest and plans to push ahead with large dams that risk biodiversity. the lives and livelihoods of local communities The Tanintharyi River is also situated in an area and inundate vast areas of high conservation that has seen more than six decades of civil value forest. war, which forced tens of thousands to flee their homes, hiding in the forest or refugee camps on 4 Adhere to the principles of the Nation-wide the Thai border. Following a preliminary ceasefire Ceasefire Agreement. The 2015 NCA re- quires that interim arrangements must be 1 International Finance Corporation (2017). Strategic Envi- implemented until a comprehensive peace ronmental Assessment of the Hydropower Sector in Myanmar: settlement has been reached. The Myanmar Baseline assessment report: Hydro Power. USA: Washington, Karen Human Rights Group. (2018). ‘Development without us’: government must uphold the principles of the Village agency and land confiscations in south east Myanmar. NCA and refrain from moving forward with Note: information on the size of the proposed dam is not clear and available sources are conflicting – communities have projects in ceasefire areas without the full never been provided with full information on the project. coordination and cooperation of the KNU. Communities in Tanintharyi Fear Plans to Dam the Tanintharyi River | 5 To the Tanintharyi Regional To the Karen National Union (KNU): Government: 4 Uphold principles of transparency and 4 Provide full project information to affected accountability in all business activities. This communities and civil society. While there means providing all relevant information are 18 MOUs for dams on the Tanintharyi to affected communities and civil society River, local communities have received no organisations with respect to dam develop- information on their location, size or status. ments. The Regional Government must act with principles of transparency and accountability, 4 Put the interests of local communities at the and release all relevant information regard- centre of decisions. Support visions and ing dam development; this includes contract aspirations for equitable and sustainable information, energy export plans, design and development in their territories, and protect location of proposed dams, and assessments communities from negative or harmful proj- on the impacts of the dams on the environ- ects. ment and communities. To Greater Mekong Subregion Com- 4 Pursue an alternative path of development pany and other investors and dam for Tanintharyi Region. Communities through- developers interested in constructing out Tanintharyi Region have experienced a dam on the Tanintharyi River. many negative impacts from irresponsible development projects such as loss of lands 4 Provide all information on proposed dam and the destruction of livelihoods. The Tanin- projects to affected communities and civil tharyi Regional Government must adopt and society. To date GMS and other dam devel- support an alternative path of development opers have failed to provide communities that puts people and the environment at the with full information on plans for dams on centre. the Tanintharyi River. GMS and other dam developers must provide affected commu- nities and civil society organizations with all relevant information on dam development. 4 Respect the rights of local communities to Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) before moving forward with dam plans. This FPIC process must be a transparent and democratic