Environmental groups voice opposition to IFC dam workshops
Leading Burmese environmental groups, including Burma
Rivers Network (BRN) and Save the Salween Network (SSN), today released a
statement, voicing strong opposition to the International Finance Corporation
(IFC), which they say is currently promoting various hydropower projects in areas
that are primarily conflict zones.
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| Photo SHRF- 1,500 civilians stage protest against Upper Yeywa Dam construction on November 27, 2016 |
“BRN and SSN oppose any attempts to push ahead with
large dams while conflict continues along Burma’s major rivers, where Burma
Army offensives and systematic abuses have displaced hundreds of thousands, and
where ethnic peoples continue to be constitutionally denied their right to
decide over natural resources in their homelands,” read the statement.
The IFC is a member of the World Bank Group which finances
private sector initiatives in many developing countries including Burma.
The IFC workshops, which are to include seminars
about social and environmental impact
assessments, are scheduled to start today, January 27, in Yangon, Kachin
State capital Myitkyina, and Karenni State capital Loikaw.
Sai Khur Hseng of the Shan
Sapawa Environmental Organization and a joint-spokesperson for today’s
statement told Shan Herald that he strongly disagreed with the IFC
operation.
“I strongly disagree with
their activities,” he said. “Right now, dam constructions have been suspended.
However, the IFC is pushing a hydropower agenda. This workshop is part of their
plan to ensure the dams are built.”
Friday’s statement noted that construction of
mega-dams on the Irrawaddy and Salween rivers will have massive impacts on
local residents and the environment.
“Pushing ahead with projects in conflict zones
reinforces the root causes of conflict, and contradicts the NLD government’s
claims to be promoting democratic federalism,” said Mi Ah Chai, the other
joint-spokesperson for today’s statement.
The blueprints for hydropower
projects on the Irrawaddy River include the 20,000-megawatt chain of Myitsone
dams, while a Salween River proposal would include a series of dams in Shan
State: the 7,100 MW Mong Ton Dam; the 1,400 MW Kunlong Dam; the 1,200 MW Nong
Pha Dam; and the 200 MW Manntaung Dam. The project also includes plans for the 4,000
MW Ywathit Dam in Karenni State, and the 1,360 MW Hat Gyi Dam in Karen
State.
Three countries are
involved in these projects: China (through three state-run firms: Three Gorges
Corporation; Sinohydro; and China Southern Grid); Thailand, via its state-run arm
Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand; and Burma’s Ministry of Electric
Power, alongside the International Group of Entrepreneurs (IGE), a firm
controlled by the offspring of the late Aung Thaung, the long-time industry
minister under Snr-Gen Than Shwe’s military regime.
Once the proposed projects
are completed, 90 percent of electricity produced is slated to be exported to
China and Thailand.
By Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN)
Tags: Environment, News
