Myanmar: Pa-O residents attack coal-fired station

Myanmar: Pa-O residents attack coal-fired station

Residents have complained about the coal-fuelled Tijit power plant in
Pinlong Township, Pa-O self-administered zone in southern Shan State.

They called for environmental and social impact assessments of the station.

The Wuxi Hua Guang Electric Power Engineering Company signed a 22-year
contract with the Electric Power Enterprise under the Ministry of
Electricity and Energy and has operated a coal mine and the power plant in
Tijit Township for over a decade.

The residents said the operation had negatively affected them and the
environment.

"We want the water in the area tested first. The water flows all the way to
Inle Lake. We have lost plenty of fish. Then test the air and the earth. The
soil has been tainted. Everything needs to be tested," said Chit Wai of
Tijit.

The river in Tijit is reportedly contaminated with the waste from the coal
mine. The water resources have also apparently dried up.

Another resident Khun Win Htein said: "We have difficulties ploughing the
fields. Before the coal mine, farming was easy. Now the underground water
has entered the mines and the surrounding area becomes dry. The water tells
blue. It hardens the soil and kills the crops. People develop itches. We
want the company to do business transparently."

The business has been suspended for assessments. State newspapers reported
that the company had hired staff and run assessments since September.

"I notice women living near the station suffer more from miscarriages.
Coal-powered plants can harm nervous, respiratory and cardiac systems and
cause many diseases. The ashes have ruined the crops and people's health,"
said Khin May Than, a health educator.

Resident Sein Thoung said: "I've heard the Shan State government said it
would let the station operate. We still haven't heard from the union
government. Tijit residents oppose the station."

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Link to Original Article: http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/local/8154

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John Diecker
APT Consulting Group Co., Ltd.

www.aptthailand.com