Flooding the Future: Hydropower and Cultural Survival in the Salween River Basin

Burma’s potential capacity for generating hydroelectric power is vast, though still largely untapped. Despite the military regime’s human rights record—Burma is amongst the worst-governed and most repressive countries in the world today—international financial institutions and energy companies have become increasingly aggressive in the hopes of exploiting this resource.

This article, published by OSI grantee EarthRights International, summarizes the findings of several recent studies on the highly contentious issues around development projects in Burma since 1996, and offers a series of recommendations for addressing them.

“If the dam is constructed blocking the river, not only will the Salween River stop flowing, but so will Shan history. Our culture will disappear as our houses, temples, and farms are flooded.” —Shan Refugee

For the full article please see www.earthrights.org/burma/floodthefuture.shtml.