Press Release
September 16, 2011
Burma Rivers Network
Don't let the Irrawaddy River become another Mekong
Escalating unrest among downstream communities over the impacts of China’s Mekong dams is a clear warning of what lies in store for Burma if the Irrawaddy dam project goes ahead.
Last week a Mekong community network warned of the serious economic, social and environmental impacts Burma’s people can expect from the Irrawaddy dams.
The Network of Thai People in 8 Mekong Provinces said in its September 8 statement: "Since the first dam was built on the Upper Mekong in China, communities along the Mekong River have faced a changing river ecosystem with unpredictable water fluctuations and unusual shortages and floods which has damaged our livelihoods.”
The Network strongly encouraged the people of Burma to protect the Irrawaddy and prevent the same damage they were facing on the Mekong.
“The Mekong River is now totally under the control of dams upstream,” said the statement.
Last week Zaw Win, from Burma’s Ministry of Electric Power (1) denied that the Myitsone dam would have any serious downstream impacts. He insisted that the project would go ahead, as they had already carried out comprehensive impact assessments.
In fact, the assessment, which the government tried to keep secret, states “The fragmentation of the Irrawaddy River by a series of dams will have serious social and environmental problems not only at upstream of dams but also very far downstream to the coastal area.”
“We should learn from the lessons of the Mekong,” said Coordinator of the Burma Rivers Network. “We don’t have to guess what will happen to Burma if the Irrawaddy dams are built.”
There are seven mega-dams planned by China on the Irrawaddy River and its two source rivers the N’Mai and Mali. The majority of power produced will be exported to China.
Contact: Sai Sai, + (66)884154386
Ah Nan, + (66)848854154
Email – burmariversnetwork@gmail.com
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