Context: Myanmar's junta is reviving plans for a controversial $3.6 billion Chinese-backed Myitsone dam. The project was halted in 2011 due to public outcry over environmental damage and limited domestic benefits. The Myitsone dam project will see collaboration between Myanmar officials and China's SPIC. Despite warnings from past assessments and ongoing regional conflicts, the junta's move aligns with China's Belt and Road Initiative, emphasizing geopolitical interests over local concerns.
Myitsone Dam
- Myitsone Hydroelectric Project is situated at the convergence of Mali and N'Mai rivers in Burma.
- It is part of a larger plan comprising seven dams along the Irrawaddy, Mali Hka, and N'Mai Hka rivers, with a total capacity of 13,360 MW.
- Once completed, Myitsone dam was projected to rank as the 15th largest hydropower station globally, with a capacity of 6,000 MW.
- Located 37 kilometers from Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State, the area is renowned for its ecological significance, deemed one of the world's eight biodiversity hotspots.
- The dam site is situated close to the earthquake prone Sagaing fault line, raising concerns about seismic risks.
- Submergence resulting from the dam will inundate significant historical and cultural sites along the Mali and N'mai Hka rivers, including areas regarded as the birthplace of Burma.
- Notable landmarks like historical churches, temples, and the sacred banyan tree at the confluence of the Mali Hka and N'Mai Hka rivers will be submerged, impacting local heritage.
Irrawaddy river
- Origin: The Irrawaddy River, also known as the Ayeyarwady River, originates from the confluence of two rivers, the Mali and N'mai, in the Kachin State of Myanmar (Burma).
- Course: From its origin in the Himalayas, the Irrawaddy River flows southward through Myanmar, forming a major river basin. It traverses the central plains of Myanmar, passing through major cities like Mandalay and Bagan, before flowing into the Andaman Sea.
- Length: The river stretches approximately 2,170 kilometres in length.
- Ecological Features:
- Biodiversity Hotspot: The Irrawaddy River basin is rich in biodiversity, hosting various species of flora and fauna, including endangered species like the Irrawaddy dolphin.
- Important Bird Area: The river and its surrounding areas serve as crucial habitats for numerous bird species, making it an important bird area for conservation efforts.
Rivers of South and East Asia
South Asian Rivers:
- Brahmaputra River (China, India, and Bangladesh) - Length: 3,848 km
- Ganges River (India and Bangladesh) - Length: 2,525 km
- Indus River (China, India, and Pakistan) - Length: 3,180 km
East Asian Rivers:
- Yellow River (China) - Length: 5,464 km
- Yangtze River (China) - Length: 6,300 km
- Mekong River (China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam) - Length: 4,350 km
Southeast Asian River
Mekong River:
- Countries: China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam
- Length: Approximately 4,350 km
- Importance: One of the longest rivers in Asia, the Mekong is vital for transportation, agriculture, and fishing in the region. It supports the livelihoods of millions of people and is a crucial waterway for trade.
Chao Phraya River:
- Country: Thailand
- Length: Approximately 372 km
- Importance: The Chao Phraya River is significant for Thailand, particularly the Bangkok metropolitan area. It serves as a transportation route, a source of water for irrigation, and plays a role in flood control.
Salween River (Nu River):
- Countries: China, Myanmar, Thailand
- Length: Approximately 2,815 km
- Importance: The Salween River is one of the longest free-flowing rivers in Southeast Asia. It sustains diverse ecosystems and provides water for irrigation, hydropower generation, and local communities' livelihoods.
Red River (Hong Ha):
- Countries: China, Vietnam
- Length: Approximately 1,149 km
- Importance: The Red River is significant for both China and Vietnam. It supports agriculture, transportation, and hydroelectric power generation. In Vietnam, the river delta is crucial for rice cultivation and is densely populated.