Locals against hydropower projects on Thanlwin River

 “No need to develop these projects for foreign earnings. Instead, the government should promote eco-tourism along the Thanlwin River. A local guide can earn US$30 a day. This is a direct income for local people,” said Saw Hae Say, a local villager. 

“The government should not develop this project for regional power supply. People here have access to electricity generated from solar panels,” said Kyaw Hla, a local villager from Mi-Kayin village.

The Burma Rivers Network (BRN) said during a press conference on 19 January it plans to send petition and open letter signed by 61,000 local people and regional Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to stop the hydropower projects on Thanlwin River to Myanmar, Chinese and Thai governments.

The petitions and open letter will be sent via respective embassies and the Ministry of Electric Power, according to one of the members from the BRN.

“Our top leaders said thanks to the projects, we will get dollars and electricity. I feel worried for our country as our leaders have such thoughts. There are many things along Thanlwin River such as invaluable culture and tribal traditions, endangered species and eco-system. They only think of getting dollars. But they don’t know that sustainable natural environments can also generate a large sum of money,” said Saw Tharbo.

The number of planned projects may be between six to nine despite the government plans to construct six dam projects on the 2,820-km-long Thanlwin River, Saw Tharbo continued.

“There are more than 30,000 dams in China. But more than 3,000 dams have collapsed within forty years after being developed. How will they develop many projects in our country? In addition, Asia World Co is included in the list of developers. For example, the roads built by the Asia World Co are in need of repairs every year. 

The companies involved in these projects include Hanergy Holding Company, Hydrochina Corporation, China Three Georges Corporation, China Datang Overseas Investment Co Ltd, Sinohytro, Thailand’s EGAT International Co Ltd and local International Group of Entrepreneurs Co Ltd, Shwe Taung and Asia World, according to the BRN. 

The six hydropower projects intend to supply 90 percent of its electricity to China and Thailand. Up to now, there has been no transparency as to how the government plans to distribute the remaining power, said Ma A-nan.