United Lahu Youth Organization

The repressive military dictatorship in Burma, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), the Thai government, and the Energy Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) are pushing ahead quickly and secretively with plans for a series of giant dams on the Nu/ Salween/ Than Lwin River. Salween runs along the Thai- Burmese Border at least Thirteen ethnic groups, including the Shan, Karen, Karenni, Mon, Wa, Pa-o, Lahu, Padaung, Akha, Lisu and Palaung, live in traditional communities along its banks. The communities who will be forced to bear all of the negative impacts from dam construction will not receive any benefits. It has been well documented that dams in Burma are built using forced labor. Chinese purchase natural forest resources from the SPDC. Therefore, the precious natural forest resources, which used to be found abundantly in Lahu areas, are almost all gone. Moreover, wood and bamboo are cut down with no discipline; the Lahu people are forced to cut down the trees and make charcoal to increase the SPDC military’s funds. As a result, the natural forest resources are being depleted at an alarming rate. As the climate changes for the worse, herds of wild animals are being wiped out, and the lack of water for cultivation due to the construction of the Tasang dam is causing huge food problems for those living in Lahu areas. For these reasons, ULYO provides education on conservation and preservation of natural resources to the communities as much as we can. In addition, we organize the training on systematic cultivation instead of growing opium for their living.

Labels: Environment Preservation