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VOICE OF SOCIAL CHANGE “MAP OF LOCAL NEEDS” THE RESULTS OF THE COMMUNITY RESEARCH BURMA / MYANMAR NOVEMBER 2014 KALAW AND NYUANG SHWE TOWNSHIPS
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VOICE OF SOCIAL CHANGE “MAP OF LOCAL NEEDS”
THE RESULTS OF THE COMMUNITY RESEARCH
BURMA / MYANMAR NOVEMBER 2014
KALAW AND NYUANG SHWE TOWNSHIPS
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[Date]
vWHAT? COMMUNITY RESEARCH CONCERNING THE PROBLEMS AND NEEDS
OF LOCAL POPULATIONS IN 2 TOWNSHIPS OF SOUTHERN SHAN
vWHERE? 2 TOWNSHIPS IN SOUTHERN
SHAN STATE, BURMA/MYANMAR:
KALAW AND NYUANG SHWE
vWHO?
NON-‐‑GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATION FROM POLAND: PROJEKT BIRMA / OTHER SPACE FOUNDATION TOGETHER WITH 2 LOCAL CBO-‐‑s: GREEN RIGHTS ORGANISATION (GRO) FROM AUNGBAN AND JUSTICE MOVEMENT FOR COMMUNITY (JMC) FROM NYUANG SHWE
vWHY?
vHOW? THIS REPORT IS BASED ON 213 OF SURVEYS CONDUCTED IN 2
TOWNSHIPS OF SOUTHERN SHAN STATE (KALAW AND NYAUNG SHWE)
FOLLOWING EXTENSIVE CONSULATIONS WITH LOCAL CIVIL SOCIETY IN
SOUTHERN SHAN STATE, IT HAS BEEN OBSERVED THAT THERE IS A CONSIDERATE LACK OF ANY INFORMATION CONCERNING THE REAL
NEEDS OF THE LOCAL POPULATIONS IN THE REGION. THIS REPORT ATTEMPTS TO FILL THIS GAP
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RESA
RCH
RESEARCH OBJECTIVE OF THE RESEARCH
TO IDENTIFY PROBLEMS OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES IN TWO TOWNSHIPS OF SHAN STATE, KALAW TOWNSHIP AND NYAUNG SHWE, WITH PARTICULAR FOCUS ON ACCESS TO BASIC SERVICES AND THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS.
TO DESIGN A MAP OF INLE AND KALAW AREAS, FOCUSED ON THE MAIN CHALLENGES THAT
THE RESIDENTS OF PARTICULAR VILLAGES FACE. TO DEMONSTRATE THAT IT IS IMPORTANT TO CONDUCT TARGETED RESEARCH, RATHER
THAN OVERGENERALISE AND MAKE ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT WHOLE REGIONS. TO PROVIDE LOCAL RESEARCHERS, CIVIL SOCIETY LEADERS, LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND
INTERNATIONAL STAKEHOLDERS WITH DATA, WHICH FOCUSES ON ISSUES, WHICH MOST AFFECT LOCAL COMMUNITY, WHICH WOULD ALLOW THEM TO TAILOR THEIR ACTIVITIES TO SUIT LOCAL NEEDS.
METHODOLOGY In this research, both qualitative as well as quantitive data analysis is applied
COLLABORATIVE FACILITATION METHOD
Local researchers (civil society leaders from partner organisations JMC and GRO) decided to use “COLLABORATIVE FACILITATION METHOD” (CFM) introduced to them by E and Z. Czwartosz during a training, which took place last year 1. CFM requires the participants and facilitators to conduct a brainstorm session concerning community problems and potential solutions. In a later stage, they narrow the problems down. Ultimately, they reach an agreement and focus on one problem.
This method was used by trainers/researchers during trainings that they conducted between May and October 2014. In total 30 trainings were conducted.
SURVEY • 213 respondents (92 from Inle area and 121 from Kalaw area) participated in the survey. • Closed questionnaire, prepared by local researchers, lists 11 problems that local
communities face. • Survey participants where asked to prioritise the problems listed
IN-‐‑DEPTH.INTERVIEWS
• In November 2014, project evaluator, Martyna Gacek-‐‑Świecik, met with three researchers/trainers and six project participants from each region in order to conduct in-‐‑depth interviews in villages in Kalaw and Inle regions.
• The goal of these meetings was to comprehensively discuss problems, which their communities listed as those that most affect them. 1 Detailed description of method and their implementation into activities of Projekt Birma last project can be found here , http://projektbirma.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/report-‐‑civic-‐‑education-‐‑in-‐‑myanmar-‐‑challenges-‐‑and-‐‑opportunities.pdf , page 29.
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RESA
RCH: LO
CAL PA
RTN
ERS
LOCAL PARTNERS GREEN RIGHTS ORGANIZATION (GRO) / KALAW TOWNSHIP
§ ONE COMMON FACTOR BETWEEN THE VILLAGES WHERE GRO AND JMC HAVE
CONDUCTED TRAININGS WAS THAT THE LOCAL POPULATION HAS NEVER HAD ANY
OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN SUCH WORKSHOPS § THERE WAS OVER FIVE HUNDRED LOCAL COMMUNITY PARTICIPANTS IN THE
TRAININGS CONDUCTED AS PART OF THIS PROJECT IN 2014 § AS WILL BE DISCUSSED FURTHER, ONE OF THE CONCLUSIONS OF THE CONSULTATION WITH
THE LOCAL CBOS WAS THAT EVEN IF ANY TRAININGS TAKE PLACE, THE PARTICIPANTS ARE
NOT PROVIDED WITH ANY OPPORTUNITIES TO PUT THE KNOWLEDGE INTO PRACTICE à
WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF LOCAL CIVIC COMMITTEES WE WANTED TO
CHANGE THIS STATUS QUO
is a community-‐‑based organisation (CBO) operating mostly in Southern Shan state. It has been created in 2010 in Aungban (Kalaw Township).
GRO focuses on environmental preservation (e.g. GRO members work on preserving genetically unmodified seeds, planting trees in areas affected by large-‐‑scale deforestation), environmental education (e.g. promotion of natural farming techniques), advocacy. GRO also acts as a watchdog (e.g. exposing land-‐‑grabbing networks and illegal mining). GRO members are active participants in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) in the region.
JUSTICE MOVEMENT FOR COMMUNITY / INLE LAKE is a community-‐‑based organisation (CBO) operating around Inle Lake (Nyuang Shwe township).
Members of Justice Movement for Community (JMC) are mostly Inthar; they live and conduct their activities in villages around the lake. Their main activities focus on Civic and Electoral Education, advocacy (against the destruction of local environment), capacity-‐‑building for local leaders and assistance provided to local communities in their negotiations with the local government.
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MAP : K
ALAW TO
WNSHIP
RESEARCH: MAP OF KALAW TOWNSHIP
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RESA
RCH : BA
W SA
I AREA
RESEARCH: BAW SAI AREA -‐‑ lack of human security
BAW SAI lies in north-‐‑east of the Kalaw township. This report will focus on BAW SAI in particular, because in the process of gathering data, it has been established that it is:
§ one of the most UNDER-‐‑RESEARCHED areas of Kalaw township § at the same time, it is affected by GRAVE AND SYSTEMATIC HUMAN RIGHTS
VIOLATIONS Baw Sai covers an area of 14 miles form South to North and 10 miles from East to West
(yellow colour on the map of Kalaw Township on page 5). It is comprised of 25 villages with the population of around 20 000 people. It is located 44 miles from Taunggyi, capital of Shan state. Despite being situated nearby some of Myanmar’s most frequently visited tourist routes (only 20 miles from Heho airport, 45 miles form Inle Lake and 7 miles south from famous Pindaya cave), there is practically no available information about the situation of the local populations in the area. Baw Sai is mostly inhabited by the Danu ethnic group. As demonstrated by the surveys and direct interviews with six residents of villages around Baw Sai, the main problem in the area are ILLEGAL MINES that extract minerals such as lead, silver, copper, iron. In the area where the research has been conducted, there are 25 villages and double that number of mines extracting different minerals.
Photos: Mines in BAW SAI area: Ta Tar Kan village and Phoo Yee villages
According to interviews only TWO OUT OF FIFTY MINES HAVE PERMISSION to legally operate in Baw Sai, while the rest of mines have been secured by the unshakable cycle of corruption. Eainda, leader of Green Rights Organisation says that “most of the investment comes from Chinese businessman and Myanmar cronies”. Mines are situated inside or nearby the villages and they have very negative direct impact on the daily live of local populations (e.g. destroy agriculture and poison water resources). Baw Sai residents are in constant risk of losing their life and health. Mine explosions often damage villages infrastructure, private property and have negative impact on people’s health (e.g in many cases residents got hurt by explosions during their daily route for water; the number of reported cases of skin diseases is increasing). Also, presence of Chinese migrants who work in illegal mines results in tensions with the local community. Baw Sai resident feel insecure. According to interviewed villagers, violence against women has increased and serious cases of missing woman from village rises the question about the appearance of human trafficking channel in Baw Sai. After consultation with local partner organisation (GRO) we decided that in the section describing Kalaw Townishp this research will focus and prioritise description of problems of Baw Sai. The main reason is the alarming number of abuses suffered by local residents and lack of any accessible information, which will present main challenges that local community is faced with.
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RESPON
DEN
TS: KALA
W TO
WN
SHIP
RESPONDENTS KALAW TOWNSHIP
MEN 62%
GENDER
WOMEN 38%!
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
15-25 26-40 41-60 61+
AGE
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
DANU
PA-OH
BAMAR
TAUNG YOO
ETHNICITY
AVERAGE FAMILY SIZE: 5.5
IN KALAW TOWNSHIP, 121 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SURVEYED. BELOW WE PRESENT THE STATISTICAL DATA ABOUT THE SURVEY PARTICIPANTS (GENDER, AGE, ETHNICITY, FAMILY SIZE).
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✜✜v SU
RV
EYS: KA
LAW
TOW
NSH
IP
THE LIST INCLUDED: • LACK OF DRINKING WATER • ILLEGAL MINING • POLLUTION FROM MINES • POOR QUALITY OF
EDUCATION • CORRUPTION • DEFORESTATION • LACK OF CIVIC AWARENESS • POOR TRANSPORTATION • DECREASING PRICES OF
FARMING PRODUCTS • DISUNITED COMMUNITY • LACK OF JOB PROSPECTS • POOR QUALITY OF HEALTH
SERIVCES • ALCOHOLISM
GREEN RIGHTS
ORGANISATIONSATION
(GRO) HAS COME UP WITH A
COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF
PROBLEMS THAT AFFECT THE
LOCAL COMMUNITY SURVEYS HAVE BEEN
DISTRIBUTED AMONGST 121
MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL
COMMUNITIES IN KALAW AND
YWAR NGAN TOWNSHIPS THE RESPONDENTS HAD TO
IDENTIFY, WHICH OF THE
PROBLEMS LISTED, AFFECT
THEIR COMMUNITY THE
MOST.
SURVEYS KALAW TOWNSHIP
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PROBLEM
S IDENTIFIED
: KALAW TO
WNSHIP
# ENVIRONMENTAL DEPRIVATION
LACK OF CLEAN DRINKING WATER AND POLLUTION FROM THE MINES (area : Ywar Haung, symbol 4 on the map )
PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED KALAW TOWNSHIP
As recorded in testimonies gathered by GRO, according to the local community the mines have an extremely destructive effect on all the aspects of the life of the local community as well as local ecosystems. Before 2011, when mining projects began, main livelihood activity for residents on Baw Sai was to manufacture cheroot cigarettes, produced from cheroot leafs. Nowadays, dust from mines sticks to tree leaves changing their taste. Consequently, local people were forced to stop cheroot production since local markets refused to buy cigarettes from Baw Sai area. The lack of provision of water by is the breach of basic human rights (Art. 24 CRC; Art. 14 (2) CEDAW; Art. Art 11 and 12 ICESCR as stated in UN CESCR General Comment no.15). Moreover, by allowing the mines to operate (as a result of corruption) and to dispose of their toxic waste, the state is further violating the rights of its citizens.
Toxic water affects the health of Baw Sai residents. GRO says that in the last 3 years they have recorded an increase in diseases linked to the toxic waste from the mines, in particular skin diseases, painful skin rash (mostly observed in cases of pregnant woman) and diarrhea suffered by babies and small children. Residents do not have access to health service, nearest medical clinic is situated in Heho, around 19 miles from Baw Sai.
Photo: Resident of Yae Phyu Kan suffering from skin cancer, most likely caused by the toxins disposed by the illegal mines around Baw Sai
In Ywar Haung, 100 % of respondents have identified the lack of access to drinking water as the biggest problem for their community. According to the information provided by the members of the local civil society, in Baw Sai area there is no clean source of water. Around 25 villages located in the area supply their water from a mixture of rainwater and water from small ponds situated in every village. Since there is no electricity and no plumbing system, the water is supplied by buckets. It becomes especially problematic in the hot season. In 2010, when the region was heavily affected by drought, water had to be delivered from Heho, (a distance of 19 miles). At the time the average daily dosage of water per person was 2 cups (around 500 ml) and 2 buckets per household (40 liters). Moreover, the pond, which is the only local supply of water is contaminated by the waste from the (as mentioned above, mostly illegal) mines.
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# ILLEGAL MINING AND CORRUPTION ( areas : East Baw Sai, symbol 2 on the map )
One of the main problems in the northern part of Kalaw township is the growing number of illegal mines. Mining project in Baw Sai started in 2011, with the number of mines increasing rapidly. Today, there are around 50 mines operating in the area.
The main resource extract by the mines is lead. Other minerals are zinc, silver, copper, iron. Most of the mines are owned by Chinese businessmen and Myanmar cronies who bribe the local government in order to establish the mines.
According to the interviews, Chinese companies attempt to bribe villagers and village leaders, with the goal of dividing communities. The villagers who were interviewed stated that Shan State and Kalaw Township authorities inform neither residents nor village leaders, which companies are operating on a valid license. According to the data gathered by GRO, only two companies out of fifty operate on a valid license:.
Moreover, local community observed considerable increase in the number of illegal Chinese workers, mostly from Yunnan. According to the residents, only 3 people from 50 villages in Baw Sai area have found employment in mines. Main workforce migrates from China, often on illegal ID’s of deceased Myanmar citizens. GRO tried to talk to some of the Chinese workers but they were too frightened (most likely intimidated by the owners of the mines to talk to them) When GRO and the participants of the trainings in the Baw Sai area asked the representatives of the local government to comment on the issue, they refused to comment).
Photo: Soil erosion in Phoo Yee village caused by the explosion at the illegal mine
Photo: Civic education workshop conducted by GRO in Phoo Yee village
PROBLEM
S IDENTIFIED
: KALAW TO
WNSHIP
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# THREAT TO SECURITY ( area: East Baw Sai, symbol 2 on the map ) Roads in Bow Sai are hard to access due to erosion of soil and stones caused by mine explosions as well as general poor quality of surface. Trucks that belong to the mining companies, destroy infrastructure and seriously increase the risk of accidents -‐‑ vehicles usually cross villages with high speed. Shortly after trainings conducted by GRO, frustrated farmers from Ye Phyu blocked main road, which in turn obstructed trucks’ access to mining areas. Owing to the negotiation between residents, company, GRO and village administration, representatives of Chinese mine agreed to construct a new road, which will bypass the village.
PROBLEM
S IDENTIFIED
: KALAW TO
WNSHIP
According to the interviews, presence of Chinese workers in villages poses a threat to the security of women. According to women’s rights activist and leader of Transparency Initiative Group from Ye Phyu Kan village in Baw Sai, women do not fell safe during their lonely travels for water. Acts of sexual violence such as rape have been repeatedly occurring in the last few years, especially in areas close to mines. Moreover, women are harassed by mines’ security guards, often dressed in Burmese'ʹs Army (Tatmadaw) uniforms.
Mi Mi’s story* In the beginning of 2013, Mi Mi, a 28-‐‑year old resident from Baw Sai started to work as a cook in dormitory occupied by Chinese workers not far from the mine. One day, when she was collecting wood in a nearby grove, she was sexually abused by one of Chinese workers.
She managed to report the case to the police, despite the fact that in Myanmar being a victim of sexual harassment puts a cultural stigma and shame on a harassed woman and her family. Police never investigated the case, and later Mi Mi found out that managements of the company that employs the offender bribed the police in order for them not to investigate the case. *name has been changed
1. A number of Danu women from Baw Sai got married to Chinese labourers. According to the interviewees, women are often abandoned by their husbands who decide to return to China and leave them in debt and with children.
2. Attempts to find their husbands often failed -‐‑ during their stay in Myanmar they often hold counterfeit Myanmar ID Card and it is impossible to track them without the knowledge regarding their authentic personal data.
3. Interviewees have also shared disturbing cases of missing women from villages, which raises the question about possible human trafficking channels in Baw Sai area run by people connected to illegal mining. In 2012, a manager of one of the Chinese mines, recruited 10 local women as surrogates (conception was supposed to take place naturally by Chinese men) on the Thai-‐‑Burma border. None of the woman have later returned to Baw Sai after and they have not contacted any members of their families. The person responsible for their recruitment continues to work as mine manager in Baw Sai until today.
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# POOR QUALITY OF EDUCATION (area : Ywar Ngan, symbol 4 on the map; cities of Kalaw and Aungban) Lack of proper education is one of the main problems of most rural areas in Burma/Myanmar (see our report “Civic Education in Myanmar: Challenges and opportunities http://projektbirma.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/report-‐‑civic-‐‑education-‐‑in-‐‑myanmar-‐‑challenges-‐‑and-‐‑opportunities.pdf ) The result of the survey conducted in Kalaw Township is a good example of the state of primary education in the country (not to mention the secondary and higher education). Even in villages, which have schools, there are very few teachers. In Baw Sai area, every village has a primary school but most of the schools are closed due to lack of teachers. There is no secondary school. Combined with the fact that public transport is virtually non-‐‑existent and the state of the roads is disastrous, which makes the area extremely hard to access, local youth has no opportunity to continue education following primary school. According to interviewees only 5 % of children in Baw Sai attend middle school and only 2% attend high school. According to the interviews conducted with the members of the local community, children have no access to the teaching materials.
Furthermore, even though owners of the mines operating in Baw Sai area repeatedly promised to construct school, these promises have never come true.
PROBLEM
S IDENTIFIED
: KALAW TO
WNSHIP
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ADRESSIN
G TH
E PROBLEM
S: KALAW TO
WNSHIP
TOWNSHIP
ADDRESSING THE PROBLEMS “LOCAL INITIATIVES “-‐‑ KALAW TOWNSHIP One of the PITFALLS that we have noticed with regards to international development and democratisation projects in Southern Shan state is the gap between the theory and the implementation (the problem seems to be present more widely than just in Shan state but since we wanted to base our findings on facts rather than on assumptions, we focus on this particular area).
Local communities are often provided with THEORIES (e.g. through workshops) but with no TOOLS and MEANS (e.g. resources) to put those theories into practice.
AFTER THE TRAININGS/ WORKSHOPS LOCAL COMMUNITIES ARE RARELY PROVIDED WITH ANY MEANS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE KNOWLEDGE, WHICH IN TURNS LEADS TO THEIR CONFUSION AND
DISSILUSION WITH THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.
Together with our local partner organisations, we wanted to change it and to show that if given the opportunity, local communities can be very creative in ways of pushing for societal change. Due to the lack of accountability of the local government and intimidation of civil society initiatives pushing for greater transparency, local population in Baw Sai finds it really difficult to show their opposition against the mines.
In order to address the previously identified problems, GRO together with participants of their trainings came with a number of “Local Initiatives”:
1. ONE TREE, ONE VOTE problems addressed: deforestation, lack of civic education
2. TRAVELLING ENVIRONMENTAL PHOTO EXHIBITION problems addressed: pollution, lack of self-‐‑ organisation, illegal mining
3. COMMUNITY SELF-ORGANISATION problems addressed: illegal mining, lack of the rule of law
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ADRESSIN
G TH
E PROBLEM
S: KALAW TO
WNSHIP
TOWNSHIP
“ONE TREE, ONE VOTE” Between June and September 2014, GRO together with participants from different villages in Kalaw Township planted together 3000 trees in areas around Aungban. 2000 trees were provided by the Government Forest Department. Local government also classified future forests in Lwe Maw village as “community forest “, which means people will be responsible for the forest management.
“TRAVELLING ENVIRONMENTAL PHOTO EXHIBITION”
The popularity of the exhibition created by Aungban’s GRO together with the participants of their trainings turned out to remarkably exceed the initial estimates. Exhibition contained over 150 environmental photos, cartoons, posters, poems (including artwork from Baw Sai) and was shown is every school in Aungban. It was the first time that this kind of event addressing people from very different backgrounds ( students, teachers, both city and village residents) took place around Aungban.
Farmers from Baw Sai copied pictures and organised their own exhibition under the tittle “Environmental damage in Baw Sai area by illegal mining”
“We wanted to promote electoral education, encourage people to vote next year and at the same time address crucial environmental problem. Every tree symbolises one vote in next year’s general election. The response from the local community has been great, they were really enthusiastic, youngest ‘planter’s’ were around 2 years old and oldest over 60” – says Eainda, GRO leader.
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“COMMUNITY SELF-‐‑ORGANISATION” Due to the lack of accountability of the local government and the intimidation of any initiatives undertaken by the civil society, local population finds it really difficult to show their opposition against the mines. However, owing to the efforts of the GRO supported by Projekt Birma / The Other Space Foundation, civil society in the region is finding the way to voice its resistance. Only in Baw Sai, five villages where trainings were conducted organised themselves and formed villages’ representation groups that deal with main issues in their communities.
1. In Ta Tar Kan village residents formed Natural Resource Conservation Group. 2. In Ye Phu Khan village women created Transparency Initiative Group, which addresses
the problem of women’s security. 3. In Phow Ye village residents formed Justice Watch Group 4. In Nyaung Kein village residents formed Community Holistic Group 5. In Bone Tup village residents formed Danu literature and culture organisation
ADRESSIN
G TH
E PROBLEM
S: KALAW TO
WNSHIP
TOWNSHIP
SUCCESS STORY OF TA TAR KAN AND YE PHYU KAN VILLAGES
“After GRO trainings we decided to get united and monitor the situation in our village together. We learned what rights we have, which law is applies to our situation. All this helped us to wrote and submit a petition to local government. Many of us signed it, later we took to the township government in Taunggyi. We were surprised but also happy when government’s representative came to Baw Sai to monitor the situation. This time our water ponds were damaged because of mining activities. Managers of mines were scared. First they wanted to bribe us, first 5 000 USD, later 10 000 USD per village. But our people got united, they understood that if we want action be successfully we need to follow the law. They refused the bribe.
In the end, thanks to negotiations with township government, residents and companies mine project was moved out from Ye Phyu Kan Village. Great Power Star company was requested to leave Ta Tar Kan Village too, but so far they are still present in a village and according to new information they broke contract with government which requested them to repair all
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INLE LA
KE – N
YUANG SH
WE TO
WNSHIP
NYUANG SHWE TOWNSHIP ( INLE LAKE)
ABOUT THE REGION: INLE LAKE IS SITUATED AT THE HEART OF SHAN STATE IN NYAUNG SHWE TOWNSHIP; ITS A HOME FOR APPROXIMATELY 160,000 RESIDENTS. NYAUNG SHWE TOWN IS THE TOURIST HUB
FOR TOURISTS VISITING THE LAKE AS WELL AS A TRADE CENTRE FOR PEOPLE LIVING IN 169 VILLAGES AROUND THE LAKE. IN ADDITION TO BAMAR AND SHAN, THE BIGGEST ETHNIC
GROUPS INCLUDE INTHAR, DANU, PA-‐‑OH, TAUNGYO, PALAUNG. AFTER BAGAN, INLE LAKE IS MYANMAR’S SECOND BIGGEST TOURIST DESTINATION. IN 2012, 17% OF ALL ARRIVALS TO MYANMAR VISITED INLE LAKE 1. DESPITE OF THE
GROWING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN A REGION, LOCAL RESIDENTS BENEFIT LITTLE FROM
TOURISM. DURING THE 65-‐‑YEAR PERIOD FROM 1935 TO 2000, THE NET OPEN WATER AREA OF INLE
LAKE DECREASED FROM 69.10 KM² TO 46.69 KM², A LOSS OF 32.4%, WITH DEVELOPMENT OF
flOATING GARDEN AGRICULTURE, WHICH OCCURS LARGELY ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE LAKE.
1Destination Management Plan for Inlay lake region 2014-‐‑2019, ministry of hotel and tourism, the republic of the union of Myanmar ,http://www.mmiid.org/sites/default/files/Destination%20Management%20Plan%20for%20the%20Inlay%20Lake%20Region%20-%20Compressed%20File.pdf
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NYUANG SHWE TOWNSHIP ( INLE LAKE)
INLE LA
KE – N
YUANG SH
WE TO
WNSHIP
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JUSTICE FOR COMMUNITY (JMC) HAS COME UP WITH A
COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF
PROBLEMS THAT AFFECT THE
LOCAL COMMUNITY SURVEYS HAVE BEEN
DISTRIBUTED AMONGST 92
MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL
COMMUNITIES AROUND
INLE LAKE IN NYAUNG
SHWE TOWNSHIP. THE RESPONDENTS, MAJORITY FROM THE
INTHA ETHNIC GROUP, HAD TO IDENTIFY, WHICH
OF THE PROBLEMS LISTED
AFFECTS THEIR
COMMUNITY THE MOST.
THE LIST INCLUDED:
• LACK OF ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION • NO RULE OF LAW • DISAPPEARANCE OF LOCAL
CULTURE
• INADEQUATE LIVING
STANDARD • NOT ENOUGH REGULATIONS ON
A REGIONAL LEVEL
• LACK OF CIVIC AWARENESS
AMONG OFFICIALS AND COBS
• NO COOPERATION BETWEEN
COMMUNITY AND LOCAL
OFFICIALS
• WEAK ACCESS TO INFORMATION
• HINDERED PARTICIPATION OF
COMMUNITY IN DECISION
MAKING
• LACK OF INFORMATION ABOUT
LOCAL DIVISION OF TASKS
• LACK OF COMMUNITY
AWARENESS
33%!
67%!
Gender !
Women !Men!
SURVEY NYUANG SHWE TOWNSHIP ( INLE LAKE)
SURVEY: IN
LE LAKE
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§ LACK OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACCORDING TO LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, INLE LAKE SUFFERS ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION CAUSED BY I.A. : 1. CLIMATE CHANGE 2. UNSUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES 3. INCREASE IN POPULATION 4. RAPID GROWTH OF TOURISM
§ UNSUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES: # USE OF FERTILISERS – VILLAGE : YEE OO Agriculture is the primary source of livelihood for the majority of rural communities in Inle (94% of Inle population is rural). Farmers mainly cultivate floating tomatoes and chilli. Many farmers overuse chemical fertilisers, which directly impacts their health and the environmental state of Inle lake. Water runoff from farms contains high concentrations of chemical fertiliser residues such as phosphorus and nitrogen. Water runoff from farms contains high concentrations of chemical fertiliser residues such as phosphorus and nitrogen. This runoff finds its way to the streams and tributaries that feed the lake1. The chemicals are toxic and also pose a severe health risk to people who drink water from the lake and eat its fish. # EXPLOITATION OF FLOATING AGRICULTURES METHODS VILLAGE: WAT THAR KIN
Farming on floating islands is one of the traditional and successful agricultural technologies practice by the Intha people. Floating islands are formed from coarse grasses, reeds and other aquatic vegetation, some of which grow submerged while others have floating runners with aerial parts well above the water surface. They become main medium for planting fruits and vegetables. The dead parts of aquatic and marsh plants become entangled together and are bounded by big mosses and algae into expanses of fen, which float freely. However, the practice of farming on floating cultivation also encroaches into the diminishing area of the lake, since over time, the floating beds become solid ground and it is one of the adverse effects. About 93% (nearly 21 km²) of the recent loss in open water area of the lake, largely along its western side, is thought to be due to this agricultural practice. Direct environmental impacts associated with these combined agricultural activities within the wetlands and surrounding hills of the lake include sedimentation, eutrophication, and pollution.
1. Roy C. Sidle, Alan D. Ziegler and John B. Vogler (April 2007). "ʺContemporary changes in open water surface area of Lake Inle, Myanmar"ʺ. Sustainability Science 2 (1): 55–65. doi:10.1007/s11625-‐‑006-‐‑0020-‐‑7. ISSN 1862-‐‑4065. Retrieved 1.12.2014
PROBLEMS NYUANG SHWE TOWNSHIP ( INLE LAKE)
PROBLEM
S: INLE LA
KE
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n INADEQUATE LIVING STANDARDS VILLAGES: MYAY CHAR, THA LE OO, INN PHYAR, PHYA YAR TAUNG
55% of respondents named inadequate standards of living (mainly with regards to sanitation) as a main problem around Inle. More than 60 000 people live on (in houses built on piles) or around the lake and majority of the households dispose of sewage directly into the lake. This contributes to bacterial pollution and turbid water around lake and canals. Interviewees from Myay Char village express their concern about poor waste management and the use of plastic bottles. Some methods include burning of the litter; often litter is disposed of into the lake. Another issue that local community is concerned with is electricity. Local residents have very limited access to electricity, which as they state contributes to their isolation and very limited knowledge about the outside world.
n DISSAPEARANCE OF LOCAL CULTURE VILLAGES: MIN CHAUNG, TAUNG KYAW
Majority of respondents from Min Chaung and Taung Kyaw villages have identified the disappearance of local culture as one of the biggest threats for the Inthar community. Interviewees from Min Chaung express the difficulties they have faced during the organisation of Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival this year due to high organizational fee demanded from township authorities in Nyaung Shwe. As a result, festival was cancelled because villagers were not able to pay the fee.
Moreover, older villagers express their concern about young Inthar people loosing their tradition and culture as they are exposed to rapid change. It is linked to other diagnosed problems such as the lack of community participation in the decision making process: despite rapid development of the tourism industry local communities of Inle have very limited access to the while at the same time bearing most of its costs. In the interviews, they express their fear about loosing their cultural heritage.
PROBLEM
S: INLE LA
KE
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AS PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED IN THE SECTION DESCRIBING PROBLEMS IN KALAW
TOWNSHIP, ONE OF THE BIG PITFALLS IS THAT OFTEN LOCAL COMMUNITIES ARE NOT
INCLUDED ENOUGH IN FINDING THE SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEMS. CONSEQUENTLY, THE INITIATIVES OF LOCAL CIVIC COMMITTEES CREATED BY JUSTICE MOVEMENT FOR COMMUNITY (JMC) TOGETHER WITH THE
PARTICIPANTS OF THEIR WORKSHOPS WERE SUPPOSED TO ADDRESS THIS DEFICIT.
problems addressed: lack of environmental protection. Lack of community participation in the decision making process Since one of the biggest problems in the region identified in the survey has been environmental degradation, Justice Movement for Community wanted to encourage local population around Inle Lake to take care of the environment around them.
“Despite being one of Myanmar’s treasures, the lake is disappearing and getting dirtier. That’s why we’ve installed trash bins in some of the villages around the lake and tried to educate local communities about ways of maintaining cleanliness” Yu Hlaing Thin, JMC
1.”CLEAN THE LAKE” CAMPAIGN
2.”HUMAN RIGHTS FOR ALL”
problems addressed: disappearance of local culture, lack of access to civic education amongst the local communities
“During the Pagoda Festival we organised a campaign “Human Rights for All”around the Lake and in Nyaung Shwe. Together with 30 participants of our trainings, we distributed 1200 books about human rights, how to be an active citizen through e.g. voting. We reached people in public spaces such as ports, markets -‐‑ we also talked to the people about some of the articles from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights” – JMC members
ADDRESSIN
G TH
E PROBLEM
S: INLE LA
KE
ADDRESSING THE PROBLEMS NYUANG SHWE TOWNSHIP ( INLE LAKE)
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3. “ANTI-‐‑ LAND GRABBING WATCH “ • problems addressed: land-grabbing, no rule of law, no cooperation between local
community and local government, hindered participation of community in decision making
ADDRESSING THE PROBLEMS NYUANG SHWE TOWNSHIP ( INLE LAKE)
ADDRESSIN
G TH
E PROBLEM
S: INLE LA
KE
MEGAWATT HYDRO POWER PROJECT MIN LONE VILLAGE Since 2012 JMC is monitoring the case of MEGAWATT HYDRO POWER PROJECT, in TON LAE VILLAGE GROUP (6 VILLAGES) close to the border between Nyaung Shwe and Shwe Nyaung townships, on Bae Lae Stream. According to JMC, hydropower project started in 2009 and until today the labourers and the authorities (neither on the township level, nor village leaders) know the name of the company responsible for the project. 3 names appear in JMC’s research: Min Anaw Yat Thar, Nero and Oasis company. According to Ahkar, land grabbing researcher from Shan State
“it is very common that people affected by economic investments such as mines and hydro projects don’t know names of companies under which the projects operate. According to Myanmar Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) report, 80% companies don’t inform about their name to lower level governments”.
Hydro Power project started in 2009 and so far affected 6 villages. Until today, the land of farmers was grabbed from 4 villages. Due to their geographic location, 2 other villages (including Min Lone where JMC is working) are at risk. Land grabbing occurs on farming land: “in 1 week bulldozers destroyed farms in 4 villages. Its is an illegal practise-‐‑ farmers have tax payment documents, which confirm that they are entitled to use this land for farming so according to the law company must compensate their loss”-‐‑ said JMC’s, Yu Haling Thin. Villagers also lost access to their water resource and community forest. Unemployment in the area has increased: some of the farmers started working at the hydro project but they are not regularly paid (they have been waiting for their salaries for the last 3 months) and they work more than 9 hours per day in very difficult conditions. Residents also observed that every day from 5 to 8 trucks take the soil in big containers heading to an unknown direction. Villagers tried to follow trucks on their small motorbikes but the engines of their bikes were not powerful enough to chase the trucks. According to the JMC, it raises the question about the possible presence of valuable minerals in soil and in the open-‐‑pin mine. Some of the households are very close to project and are affected by rock explosions conducted by company. As part of the “Anti Land-‐‑Grabbing Watch” initiative, JMC together with the villagers collected data about the project and prepared a petition to township authorities, state and central government (including the President’s office). They reported the case to the National Human Rights Commission, which registered the case. In October 2014, representatives of Taunggyi State visited villages and collected their statements but people have not yet received any compensation. At the moment, the company suspended its activities. According to the JMC it may be the result of the strong resistance from villagers, but at the same time the “company’s manager made that very clear that they will resume in 2015 “.
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RESEA
RCH: CLOSIN
G REM
ARKS
RESEARCH : CLOSING REMARKS
As previously emphasized, one of the main goals of this research was to show that OFTEN PROBLEMS AND NEEDS OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES THAT ARE JUST MILES FROM EACH OTHER ARE VERY DIFFERENT . Consequently, the development strategies as well as plans of action of international organisations and international non-‐‑governmental organisations need to strike a balance between carrying out activities that are universal but at the same TAILORED TO THE PARTICULAR LOCAL NEEDS. Moreover, the process needs to be looked at comprehensively. Often, just like in the case of BAW SAI (discussed above in detail), while there are positive signs of development in the region, crucial elements of the puzzle are missing, which might lead to the invalidity of the whole process. Even though it seems obvious, national and international development projects often lack the RESEARCH OF LOCAL NEEDS, which is necessary for the members of the local community to feel as true participants in the development process. Consequently, Initiatives carried out within the framework of “LOCAL CIVIC COMMITTEES” were designed as a way to address this problem.
"ʺThis work is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Poland License. Some rights reserved by Fundacja Inna Przestrzen (FIP). The project is co-‐‑financed by the Polish development co-‐‑operation programme of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, Programme "ʺSupport for Democracy"ʺ.Permission is granted to use this work, provided that the above information, including information about used licenses, right holders and about the Polish development cooperation programme is kept"ʺ
GREEN RIGHTS ORGANIZATION (GRO) – AUNGBAN JUSTICE MOVEMENT FOR COMMUNITY – INLE LAKE
