US conservationist confirms gold mining threatens world's largest tiger reserve

From the Kachin Development Networking Group

Alan Rabinowitz of the Wildlife Conservation Society last week confirmed that gold mining was "one of the biggest challenges" to the world's largest tiger reserve in Burma's Hugawng valley, polluting waterways, posing a threat to human health and contributing to a reduction in wildlife.

In an interview with the Myanmar Times on February 12, 2007, Rabinowitz said there were many gold mines in the valley despite government plans to shut them down by the start of 2007.

Valley of Darkness , a report released last month by the Kachin Development Networking Group (KDNG) detailed that there are 31 main gold mining areas with over 100 active mines throughout the tiger reserve. According to the report, the ruling military junta grants concessions to gold mining companies in the valley, collecting handsome taxes and bribes. A new concession was recently granted to the Sea Sun Star Company allowing them to mine in the valley until 2008.

In the interview, Rabinowitz remained optimistic saying that "the future looks great for Hugawng valley" and calling for a "balance between development and conservation." A spokesman for KDNG said this was unrealistic given the junta's profits from the gold mining industry. "According to the Kachin proverb, Hkan hpe U hkum rim Sha u, ngu tsun ai ga malai, asking the junta to stop gold mining is like asking a wild cat to stop hunting chickens" said Tsa Ji. "Development can only be sustainable under a democratic system that allows local people to participate in decisions about the use of their natural resources."

Valley of Darkness also details the social impacts of gold mining, including the booming sex and drug industries, land confiscation and militarization. The report is now available in Burmese as well as English at: www.aksyu.com

The Central Committee
Kachin National Organization

Monday February 5th, 2007 marks the 46th anniversary of the Kachin Independence Revolution against ethnocentric Burmese military regime. After more than four score years, we remain to be enslaved under the maniacal of militarism and our basic human rights to live and freedoms to survive are increasingly endangered evermore than the past. KNO has witnessed the build up of troops to an unprecedented level during the cease-fire era, and such action will force us to set another revolt against the Burmanization.   more »