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Since 1995, ERI has worked in Burma to monitor the impacts of the military regime's policies and activities on local populations and ecosystems.
At the first Symposium on Hydropower and Sustainable Development, organized by the United Nations, the Government of China and the World Bank in Beijing on October 27-29, EarthRights International joined a small number of NGOs and farmers from Southwestern China in voicing concerns about human rights and environmental impacts of large dams, while the World Bank re-iterated its commitment to supporting controversial hydro-power plans for Asia.
Before the Symposium started, there were indications of a pro-dams bias. Our paper, prepared for the conference, was rejected by the organizers on the grounds that we referred to “Burma” rather than “Myanmar."1
The main topic of our paper, the transboundary effects of dams, with specific focus on the effects Chinese dams would have on Burma, also did not make the Symposium’s agenda. Yet the plans for 13 dams on the Salween River present a grave threat to the communities of Burma living along the Salween.
Around the world, large hydropower projects have been developed without the consent or open participation of affected communities. Furthermore, feasible energy alternatives such as small-scale renewables are often neglected. These alternatives provide less expensive and more environmentally sound sources of energy without the repercussion of resettlement or environmental degradation. The Johannesburg Plan of Implementation adopted at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002 calls for the diversification of the global energy supply increasing the share of renewable energy.
The Salween River, known as the Nu River in China, is the longest free-flowing river in Southeast Asia. Where the Salween runs along the Thai-Burmese border, at least thirteen ethnic groups, including the Shan, Karen, Karenni, Mon, Wa, Pa-O, Lahu, Padaung, Akha, Lisu and Palaung, live in traditional communities along its banks. Many ethnic groups in China also rely on the river for their livelihoods. The river basin area has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its rich biodiversity, rare wildlife and internationally recognized wetlands. Close to one hundred species of fish, migrate between the Salween River and its tributaries, and forests lining the river are some of the most fertile in the world for growing teak trees.
More than two dozen dams are planned for the Salween River and the Mekong River, all being planned, financed or constructed by China. All of these dams, whether in Burma or upstream, pose serious threats to downstream communities living in Burma. Furthermore, the building of a dam in Burma is likely to involve forced labor, environmental destruction and forced, uncompensated relocation of villages. Under the current military regime, there will be no consultation or public participation regarding the dams, and the benefits, if any, will accrue to communities far from the impacts.
Dams planned on the upper Salween River would flood areas along the river as well as its tributaries. An estimated 70,000-80,000 people in China alone will be forced to relocate if dam development goes forward on the Salween River. Projects such as these require thorough investigation into the social and environmental impacts as well as compliance with the World Commission on Dams recommendations.
In response to the proposed dams in China, representatives from NGOs issued public statements this year calling on China to halt construction of the dams until fair consultations with downstream communities could take place. Shortly afterwards, Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao suspended the dam construction plans on the upper Salween River, calling for more scientific investigations into the potential impacts. Further information about the status of these dams still remains uncertain.
This conference fostered new exchanges and partnerships between international NGOs and Chinese NGOs. All agreed on international standards for future sustainable hydropower development according to the guidelines established by the World Commission on Dams. As outlined in the NGO Statement, international NGOs assert that the following internationally recognized principles must be adhered to and respected:
1Burma is the term used by most democracy supporters who reaffirm that the elections of 1990 gave a fair victory to the party led by Aung San Suu Kyi. However, the military government at that time rejected the election results and now use the term Myanmar which continues to be recognized by the current government, the State Peace and Development Council.
