KESAN works with a number of partners to advocate against large-scale dams and hydropower projects that devastate local communities and only serve to benefit the short-term economic interests of companies and governments. KESAN working with many organizations in its Anti-Dam campaigning and advocacy work, these include: the Karen Office for Relief and Development, the Karen Youth Organization, the Karen Women’s Organization, the Karen Student Network Group, Karen Human Rights Group, Burma Issues, the Federal Trade Union of Kawthoolei, Burma River Network, Living Rivers Siam, Towards Ecological Recovery Regional Alliance, Salween Watch, International Rivers, Burma Rangers, and Earthrights International.
In 2009, KESAN was involved in a successful anti-dam campaign against the building of the Hutgyi Dam (located on the Thai-Burma Border along the Salween River). With participation and support from affected communities and relevant stakeholder CBOs, a significant victory was achieved when the Thai government agreed to review the Hutgyi Dam Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) - originally completed in 2008. The Thai Government ordered a new comprehensive one to be conducted, one that includes both a Health Impact Assessment and a Social Impact Assessment for people affected on both the Burma and Thai side of the Salween River.
Also, 2010, KESAN organized and participated in two Anti-Dam events on the International Day of Action for Rivers (March 14th) as well conducted a fact finding trip to learn about and document the negative impacts of large-scale dams on communities and the environment.
The Anti-Dam events were organized in conjunction with a network organization from Thailand called Living Rivers Siam. People from Ee Tu Hta refugee camp (in Karen State), IDPs and other surrounding Karen villagers participated in the event. Other relevant stakeholders from other ethnic groups and Thai organizations also participated in solidarity with the Karen people. News articles and stories from the event were published in a Thai PBS Citizen’s Report and were posted on a local Karen website 1
A fact-finding trip to the Shwegyin Dam in Kler Lwee Htoo District, Karen State was organized for Karen Rivers Watch and KESAN staff to learn about and document the impacts of the dam. The SPDC of Burma has always claimed that all dam projects in Karen State will benefit the local people but the overwhelming evidence from the area and other dam projects suggests otherwise. Human rights violations, forced labour and displacement are common occurrences at SPDC dam sites. During the fact-finding trip, it was found that the construction of the Shwegyin Dam resulted in the flooding of 24 villages and the internal displacement and loss of livelihoods of more than 3,000 people. This type of information is useful to document for anti-dam activities as well to advocate for better environmental practices by exposing the true cost of dams to communities as well as to local and regional Karen leaders. A short citizen journalism video clip aired on Thai PBS and a short film highlighting the impact of dams on people and environment in Karen State is in production.
