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Kaladan ppt @ BRN

Apr 03, 2018

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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