In collaboration with Chinese government, the Burmese government has started the construction of a massive dam and hydroelectricity project, the size of greater New York City, in northern Burma at the upstream Myitsone area in Kachin State. This project will affect not only the millions of people whose livelihood depends on the Irrawaddy River, it will also have an unimaginable devastating effect on flora and fauna that thrives along the Irrawaddy River as well as Burma’s ecosystem, it’s invaluable rain forest and wild life. The environmentalists and the concerned people of Burma are now voicing their grievances and discontentment regarding this project.
On September 30, 2011, the President of Burmese government U Thein Sein announced the suspension of the Myisone Dam project. However, his announcement will suspend this project only temporarily until the end of his current term at the end of 2015. We are therefore, hereby, demand the President of Burma to announce the permanent cancellation of the entire Myitsone Dam Project immediately.
We, who love the Irrawaddy and Burma, support Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the citizens inside Burma as well as academics, experts, scientists, artists, volunteers, activists and organizations who are the defenders of the Irrawaddy. We do hereby announce that we will stand by hand-in-hand with all the above-mentioned people of Burma until this project is permanently annulled.
We will strive to maintain the sustainability of the environment in the entire Southeast Asia region by living in peace and harmony among our neighbors. We will also fight to regain the human rights and dignity and to stop the atrocities inflicted upon our Kachin brothers and sisters who were forcefully displaced by this project.
We urge all the people who love the Irrawaddy, peace and the environment to join our efforts in fighting to save the Irrawaddy and our motherland.
