29 November 2002
> Environment
> Activists demand end to blasting of the Mekong

> The Lahu National Development Organization, backed by Shan Sapawa,
> recently issued a statement calling for an end to destruction of
> rapids on the Mekong that began early this year following the accord
> signed by the 4 Mekong upstream countries: Burma, China, Laos and
> Thailand.
>
> "The generals are not only handing out license to rape of ethnic women
> but also license to rape the natural resources in the area," said
> Japhet Jakui, secretary of LNDO.
>
> Blasting of two rapids, namely Tang Ao and Lower Tang Luang, had
> already been completed between 29 March - 15 April. For the second
> batch that will begin on 15 December until March next year, 16 more
> rapids have been targeted. All of them are located between Burma's
> Shan State and Laos.
>
> According to a local Lahu source, reef blasting during the last dry
> season was done without informing the local people in advance. As a
> result, many fish had been killed. A Shan fisherman from Pang Hsarn,
> some 30 km east of Tachilek, told LNDO that "a lot of dead fish were
> found floating down the river. They were rotten and couldn't be eaten.
> He heard that it was because of the blasting upriver."
>
> Apart from fishing, many local people earn a living from collecting
> riverweed that grows among the rocks. "It can be sold for a very good
> price," quoted a pamphlet issued by Southeast Asia Rivers Network
> (SEARIN). "The local people are worried that because of the blasting
> there will be less of this weed growing among the rocks."
>
> The activists' main complaint was that the project on the Mekong had
> been implemented without the participation of the affected people.
> "There is no information disclosed to the public," lamented the
> pamphlet.
>
> An undisclosed action plan had been agreed upon by the anti-blast
> advocates, according to insider sources.
>
> The Mekong flows for 234 km along Burma's eastern Shan State. It is
> rich in natural resources, particularly timber and minerals, and home
> to Lahu, Shan, Loi La and En people.
>
> For further information, please contact LNDO <lndo@loxinfo.co.th>,
> Shan Spawa <sapawa@loxinfo.co.th>, and SEARIN http://www.searin.org.
>

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