If the locals are against the development of a coal-fired power plant, then the Mon State Ministry of Electric Power and Myanmar Investment Commission shouldn’t allow the current project in Anndin Village Tract, Parlain Region, Ye Township, Mon State to go ahead, according to Mon civil society organizations (CSOs).
The Mon CSOs stated the above at a press conference for the research report focusing on the natural resources as well as the income of locals in the Parlain region. The conference took place at Orchid Hotel, last Wednesday (March 9) in Pazundaung Township, Rangoon.
“There will be problems if this project is implemented. The locals are very worried. I think it is wrong for the Ministry of Electric Power and Myanmar Investment Commission to let this project go ahead whilst excluding the wishes of the local people. Therefore, they should ask the locals for their opinions. Now, the locals are also protesting against the project. So, they should not continue with the project,” said Nai Kasauh Mon, the Director of Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM).
On September 5,2014, the locals sent a petition to Moulmein District General Administration Office to request the Mon State Government not let the Toyo Thai Company continue its observation for the proposed coal-fired power project in the Parlain Region.
“We went to the region where the project is to be installed to gather research data. In Parlain region, there are 3858 acres of farming land. The area’s main income is food production. They can make an annual income from betel nuts as well as commercial fishing. Our report includes data of bird species and other animal species. If this project is implemented, locals will face big losses. Therefore, this project should not be implemented,” said Mi Nanda Aung, of Anndin Youth Group.
In the Parlain Region, there are 7 villages, including Anndin, Hanee Nuu, and Paline Tein villages, and 1590 households.
According to the research report, the villagers from these 7 villages mainly depend on fishing, vegetable and betel nut plantations as well as farming for their incomes.
In the region, there are about 77 bird species, 26 kinds of fruits, 11 species of crabs and 19 diverse mangroves. Aquatically, there are 138 species of fish and other 29 marine species.
On April 9, 2015, around 400 locals from Parlain Region, in cooperation with Ye Society Social Group, staged a protest by walking across Ye Town opposing the proposed coal-fired plant project, according to Anndin Youth Group.
On April 25, 2014, the representatives from Toyo-Thai Corp., Mon State’s Ministry of Electric Power and Hluttaw representatives met with locals in Anndin Village informing them that a coal power plant capable of producing 1280 mega watts of power would be constructed in the area.
