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Parlain villagers conduct ecosystems study to combat Toyo-Thai coal power plant

September 24, 2015/in ND-Burma Members' Reports

September 24, 2015 Villagers from Parlain region, located in Mon State’s Ye Township, have conducted research into the importance of local ecosystems and natural resources, aiming to use this study to combat plans to build a coal-fired power plant in their area. Amongst other concerns, the study highlights how the coal-fired plant would significantly disrupt […]

AAPP and Burma Partnership: How to Defend the Defenders?

August 27, 2015/in ND-Burma Members' Reports

A Report on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders in Burma and Appropriate Protection Mechanisms Testimonies and reports from inside the country have painted a very different picture to the new tolerant and free Burma that the Burma Government wants the world to see. Those who try to defend human rights, or question the power […]

Parlain villagers conduct ecosystems study to combat Toyo-Thai coal power plant

September 24, 2015/in ND-Burma Members' Reports

AAPP and Burma Partnership: How to Defend the Defenders?

August 27, 2015/in ND-Burma Members' Reports

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Parlain villagers conduct ecosystems study to combat Toyo-Thai coal power plant

September 24, 2015/in ND-Burma Members' Reports

September 24, 2015

Villagers from Parlain region, located in Mon State’s Ye Township, have conducted research into the importance of local ecosystems and natural resources, aiming to use this study to combat plans to build a coal-fired power plant in their area. Amongst other concerns, the study highlights how the coal-fired plant would significantly disrupt the local fishing industry, which plays a key role in Parlain’s economy.

The study, entitled “Abundance of Parlain Natural Resources and Communities: Parlain Study by its community” was conducted by villagers living in Parlain, with support from Towards Ecological Recovery and Regional Alliance (TERRA) and the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM). The final report was published in June 2015, with versions in four languages: Mon, Burmese, Thai, and English.

The study was planned in reaction to an announcement on 25 April, 2014, by Toyo-Thai Company Limited (TTCL), who stated that they intended to build a 1280 MW coal-fired power plant in Andin village, located in Parlain region. The announcement was met with clear opposition from villagers, who did not want to see a coal-fired plant built in their area.

The study aims to show the importance of Parlain ecosystems and natural resources. The report details that Parlain is an agricultural community, with a varied and diverse ecosystem; notable features of the ecosystem range from hilltop betel nut gardens, lowland paddy fields, and mangrove forests at the estuary, to aquatic ecosystems that nourish local fisheries. The report highlights the three most important resources for the local economy: betel nut, rice and fish.

Finally, the study considers possible impacts of the proposed coal-fired power plant on the local environment, detailing concerns expressed by members of the community. Importantly, the study explains that project can be split into three components, each producing distinct worries: the project site where the coal-fired power plant would stand, the extended port and jetty to unload coal and deliver coal to the power plant, and the transmission line which would connect the power plant to a grid.

One key concern expressed is that the construction of the jetty would alter the sea floor, changing the marine habitat and disrupting the local fishing industry. Others detailed worries that the coal-fired power plant would greatly change the local natural landscape and replace it with something completely foreign. Finally, others expressed concern that the coal-fired power plant would need a large group of people to operate and maintain the power plant; this is expected to cause large and sudden migration flows to the area, leading to possible erosion of local cultures and traditions.

The research was conceived in a workshop held on 2-3 December, 2014 in the Thai-Burma border town of Sangkhlaburi, Thailand, where representatives from Andin village met with members of HURFOM and TERRA to discuss Natural Resource Management Research.

In total, data collection took six months, from December 2014 to May 2015. Villagers from Parlain collected data themselves, setting up a core research team comprised of youths and monks, largely from Andin village. The research team travelled across Parlain region to collect data from local residents about their relationship with the area’s natural resources. In January 2015 the research group expanded to include additional teams from another five villages across Parlain. TERRA and HURFOM played a supporting role: monitoring the study’s progress, providing technical support in the field and assisting with data analysis.

View the study in 4 languages

AAPP and Burma Partnership: How to Defend the Defenders?

August 27, 2015/in ND-Burma Members' Reports

A Report on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders in Burma and Appropriate Protection Mechanisms

Testimonies and reports from inside the country have painted a very different picture to the new tolerant and free Burma that the Burma Government wants the world to see. Those who try to defend human rights, or question the power or narrative of the Burma Government — and their military and corporate backers —now seem to be operating in as dangerous an environment as ever.

The immediate objective of the report is to provide a comprehensive picture of the current situation of Human Rights Defenders (“HRDs”) in Burma, including the threats and risks that they face. The report also provides concrete, practical, research-based, solution-oriented policy recommendations for HRDs, the Burma authorities, and any other relevant actors, to enhance HRDs’ access to adequate and realistic protection programs, and to strengthen legislative and judicial protection mechanisms for HRDs in Burma. The medium-term objective is to facilitate the emergence of an enabling environment in which HRDs can operate freely, and carry out their valuable and legitimate human rights work. The longterm objective is to realize an improved human rights situation in Burma, whereby human rights are promoted, respected and protected, particularly those of poor, marginalized and vulnerable groups, including religious, ethnic and social minorities, as well as local grassroots communities.

Download the full report here.
Download the report briefer here.

Spring Revolution

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The Airstrikes after the journey to the China of the Junta Military LeaderDecember 10, 2024 - 1:28 pm
Operation 1027 was a coordinated military attack against the junta on October 27th, 2023. It was carried out by the Northern Brotherhood, which includes the Arakan Army, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army. Several months later, the Three Brotherhood Alliance held three meetings to negotiate with China on January 11 […]
Human Rights Situation weekly update (September 15 to 21, 2024)September 27, 2024 - 8:26 am
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ND Burma

ND-Burma formed in 2004 in order to provide a way for Burma human rights organizations to collaborate on the human rights documentation process. The 13 ND-Burma member organizations seek to collectively use the truth of what communities in Burma have endured to advocate for justice for victims. ND-Burma trains local organizations in human rights documentation; coordinates members’ input into a common database using Martus, a secure open-source software; and engages in joint-advocacy campaigns.

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