kaladan ppt @ brn
TRANSCRIPT
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On behalf of the people from western Burma,ARN aims to protect regional ecosystems fromdeterioration and prevent the destruction ofhabitats that are home to endangered species.
We endeavour to bring an end to the persistentabuse inflicted on the people of Arakan andChin States of western Burma as a result ofdevelopment projects that entrench Burmas
oppressive military regime.
Who We Are
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What we are doing now..Publications
- periodicals- online Monthly News Chronology (update in ARN site)
Round Table Discussions
- Targeting available inside & exile areas based on the
networks/partnershipInternational Advocacy
- based on the available resourcesLocal Advocacy
- Mobilization at the grassroots, migrants communities
through the networks- briefings / presentations in the guest visits, meetings,workshops & any other intl lobby trips
Research & Documentation
- regular desk research
- facts finding- briefing papers for policy discussions
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The Movements Members
Core Groups:
Arakan Rivers Network (ARN)
Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO)
Supporting Groups:
Burma Centre Delhi (BCD) grassroots group inIndia
Earthrights International (ERI) advisor toactivities
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The Movements Key Message
The Kaladan Project should be suspendedunless and until:
1. there is local public participation;
2. there is accountability for ALL stakeholdersinvolved in the project; and
3. the benefits of the project go to the leastadvantaged communities.
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The Movements Key Aims
1. Prevent human rights violations and mitigateenvironmental damage caused by the KaladanProject.
2. Through the Kaldan Movement, help set aprecedent for future fair and responsible Indianinvestments in Burma.
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Geo-political context
Opens up vital trade route
Precursor to having a gas pipeline (former
Indian Ambassador to Burma, Shyam Saran)
India has an increase in energy demands, andtwo Indian companies are involved in theShwe Gas consortium, to explore and drill for
gas along the Arakan coast (Oil and NaturalGas Corporation & Gas Authority of IndiaLimited)
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Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Facility
Agreed on April 2, 2008 between the Governments ofIndia and Myanmar
The project will connectlandlocked northeastIndia with Kolkata by seariver, and road transport
via the Site-tway Port andKaladan River in Arakanand Chin States, andhighway in Chin State.
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Finance: Project Costs
Total project cost estimated at US$ 214 million (Site-tway Port: 74 mil + Platwa-Border road construction: 140 mil)
Funded by the Government of India, Ministry
of External Affairs
The Government of Myanmar will provide therequired land and security for all personneland technicians for free
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Companies & AuthoritiesInvolved Rail India Technical and
Economical Services (RITES) -preliminary feasibility tests
The Inland Waterway Authority of
India (IWAI) execute the portconstruction and river dredging(phases 1 & 2)
Essar Projects Ltd. maincontractor for port construction
and river dredging (phases 1 & 2) The Government of Myanmar,
Ministry of Transport highwayconstruction (phase 3)
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Project Route
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Construction Stages
Phase 1 - Redevelopment of Site-tway port to handlethe future increase in shipping. Dredging, jetty construction, IWT construction
Phase 2 Expansion of the Kaladan River betweenSite-tway and Paletwa in Chin State. Dredging, IWT construction
Phase 3 Construction of a highway between Paletwa
and the Mizoram border.
Project timeframe November 2010 to 2013 - 2016
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Kaladan Project in Arakan State
Redevelopment of Site-tway Port for largervessels
Began November 2010
Dredging the approach channel and port area(~562,000 m) for 6,000 ton ships
Construction of 2 port jetties: 219m x 15m and
54m x 15m
Construction of loading and storage facilities
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Planned Redevelopment of Site-tway Port
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Construction at Site-tway Port
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Landscape Changes
Before 2011 After 2011
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Kaladan Project in Arakan State contd.
Expansion of Kaladan River
To begin 2011 with construction pausing during rainy
season (from late May to October)
Dredging 158 km of the Kaladan River between Site-tway and Paletwa
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People along the Kaladan River
Approximately one million people live in townships along theKaladan River, which is essential for trade, farming and fishing
Over 65% of Arakan States cultivated farmland is located along the
Kaladan River
Site-tway District is home to the majority of Arakan States fishingboats, 75% without an engine
Due to lack of good roads in Arakan State, villagers rely on the riverfor trade
Not only do we fish in the river, but it is
also how we travel to other villages to
sell our produce.
~Local villager from Mrauk-U Township
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Heavy militarization
20 out of 50 Burma Army camps in ChinState are in Paletwa township
Non-ceasefire armed resistance groupsthe Chin National Army and the ArakanLiberation Army are both active indifferent areas
The presence of multiple armed groupshas increased hardships for localpeople
While we are performing night sentry duty we
are given strict instructions to make animmediate report to the nearest BurmaArmy camp if we see any rebel personscoming into the village. At the same time,we are warned that our whole village will be
punished if we fail to give the information tothe Burmese soldiers.
[Local from village near LIB55 army camp inYinletwah village, March 2011]
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Our concerns
Militarization:
Expect increasednumber of checkpoints
and deployments tosecure KaladanProject route, resultingin more human rights
abuses
Map of Burma Army battalions in ArakanState, 2006
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Our Concerns
Forced labor:Numerous reports of forced labor and portering
along Kaladan route over the past decade
Land confiscation:Along Kaladan River valley, many cases of land
confiscation for military-run farms and plantations
Extortion:
Multiple cases of contributing or paying taxesto local battalions in Ponnagywan, Kyauktaw, andPaletwaTownships
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Our concerns
Loss of livelihood:
Loss of land and access to the river will pushlocal fisherman, farmers, and traders further into
poverty, forcing many people to live in the jungleor leave the country
Environmental damage:
Destruction of mangrove forests, shrimp farms,
essential marine wildlife (Arakan State);degradation of water quality; and rapiddeforestation
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Thanks for Your
Attention
Arakan Rivers Network (ARN)
www.arakanrivers.net