Mega Development

Overview

The role of mega-development projects is very important for the development of the country. That is why the government of Myanmar has opened the door for investment from other countries. A lot of mega-development projects are now being implemented across Myanmar and there are plans for Kayah State.

Currently in Kayah State, the main mega-development projects are dam projects. Over the past century, the government has constructed and systematically increased the capacity of the LawPiTa Hydroelectric Power Plant. For this, the Mobye Dam with a 168-Megawatt capacity was built. The government now intends to construct another mega-dam in Kayah state: the Ywarthit Dam of 4500 megawatts capacity on the Salween River. There also plans for a smaller dam on the Pon River.

Problem

Implementation of mega development projects such as industrial zones, dams, logging and other investments in natural resources have large impacts not only upon local indigenous people but also upon the environment. The lands of local indigenous people are confiscated; the heritage of local indigenous people is destroyed; the natural environment is destroyed and many social problems are brought by mega-development projects. The reasons for the problems caused by mega development projects are; over-centralization, weaknesses in policy and laws, lack of transparency and accountability, lack of respect of local indigenous people’s rights and a lack of welcoming the local people’s cooperation.

Specifically, mega-dam projects have already affected many local people in Kayah (Karenni) State  as a result of displacement because of the Mobye Dam. There is now public opposition to the proposed Ywarthit and Pon river dams. Local people fear for the destruction of Southeast Asia’s only remaining major free flowing river, the Salween, and for their own livelihoods and security.

Solution

Kayah Earthrights Action Network (KEAN) is now working for social and environmental justice within communities who face numerous negative impacts because of mega development projects. In order to prevent negative impacts of mega development projects and increase local people’s rights, KEAN raises local people’s awareness concerning investment laws, investment policy, indigenous rights; Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC); international mechanisms and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Social Impact Assessment (SIA) processes.

Furthermore, regarding mega-development projects, KEAN documents the pros and cons of the projects and uses those documents to advocate stakeholders in order to strengthen transparency and accountability when and after implementing projects. KEAN uses three methods, education; documentation; and advocacy, to solve the problems caused by mega-development projects and raise communities to access social and environmental justice.