Environment , Activists demand end to blasting of the Mekong ( SHAN ) November 29, 2002

Shan Herald Agency for News

No: 11 - 12

29 November 2002

Environment

Activists demand end to blasting of the Mekong

The Lahu National Development Organization, backed by Shan Sapawa, recently issued a statement calling for an end to destruction of rapids on the Mekong that began early this year following the accord signed by the 4 Mekong upstream countries: Burma, China, Laos and Thailand.

"The generals are not only handing out license to rape of ethnic women but also license to rape the natural resources in the area," said Japhet Jakui, secretary of LNDO.

Blasting of two rapids, namely Tang Ao and Lower Tang Luang, had already been completed between 29 March - 15 April. For the second batch that will begin on 15 December until March next year, 16 more rapids have been targeted. All of them are located between Burma's Shan State and Laos.

According to a local Lahu source, reef blasting during the last dry season was done without informing the local people in advance. As a result, many fish had been killed. A Shan fisherman from Pang Hsarn, some 30 km east of Tachilek, told LNDO that "a lot of dead fish were found floating down the river. They were rotten and couldn't be eaten. He heard that it was because of the blasting upriver."

Apart from fishing, many local people earn a living from collecting riverweed that grows among the rocks. "It can be sold for a very good price," quoted a pamphlet issued by Southeast Asia Rivers Network (SEARIN). "The local people are worried that because of the blasting there will be less of this weed growing among the rocks."

The activists' main complaint was that the project on the Mekong had been implemented without the participation of the affected people. "There is no information disclosed to the public," lamented the pamphlet.

An undisclosed action plan had been agreed upon by the anti-blast advocates, according to insider sources.

The Mekong flows for 234 km along Burma's eastern Shan State. It is rich in natural resources, particularly timber and minerals, and home to Lahu, Shan, Loi La and En people.

For further information, please contact LNDO <lndo@loxinfo.co.th>, Shan Spawa <sapawa@loxinfo.co.th>, and SEARIN http://www.searin.org.