International Day of Action 2008: Southeast Asia

Burma | Cambodia | Indonesia | Philippines | Thailand

Burma

Looking Out For Burma's Natural Resources

The Kuki Students Democratic Front (KSDF) and Burma Rivers Network(BRN) staged a mass rally for the International Day of Action Against Dams. Participants criticized and protested against the military regime's

Buddhist ceremony to celebrate the Salween River, but also to oppose the proposed dam project that will destroy it forever
Buddhist ceremony to celebrate the Salween River, but also to oppose the proposed dam project that will destroy it forever
misuse and mismanagement of Burma's natural resources by the building of destructive mega dams across the rivers. Ethnic Karen people living along Burma’s Salween River gathered in colorful traditional dress to pray to the spirits of the river and the land around it for protection against the planned construction of the Hut Gyi Dam, which threatens to devastate the area’s fragile ecosystem. Over 250 villagers from over 18 villages in the area affected by the proposed dam took part in the ceremony, and were joined by Burmese opposition politicians, environmentalists and student activists. All of these concerned participants also called on Indian, Thai and Chinese companies to end their join-venture projects with Burma’s military regime that plans to construct dams on every major river in the country.

Contact

Kuki Students Democratic Front (KSDF)
Phone: +91 9899278511
Email: ksdfhq@yahoo.com.co.in

Karen children sing in honor of rivers
Karen children sing in honor of rivers
Day of Action Event

Karen Rivers Watch helped coordinate events in both Moei Junction on the Salween bank and at a hideout on the Salween back near the Wei Gyi (Upper Salween Dam) area. At Moei Junction, a local abbot performed religious rites in honor of the river and villagers joined in with the chants. At the Wei Gyi event, local musicians performed using Karen musical instruments and children sang. Additionally, Karen children took part in a drawing contest with the theme, "My River, My Life".

Contact

Karen Rivers Watch
Email: ka_rw2003@yahoo.com



Cambodia

River Thanks Giving Day In Cambodia

Participants set up the community exhibition
Participants set up the community exhibition

With the help of close to 500 participants, the Culture and Environment Preservation Association (CEPA) organized another annual River Thanks Giving Day on March 14th as an action against dams. Impacts of local development projects were reported  to the governor and stakeholders at the event through visual exhibition and spoken presentations, and solutions were discussed. A highlight of the event was a local student theater performance about the importance of river resources to sustain the lives and livelihoods of local people. 

Contact
Mr. Tek Vannara, Advocacy Program Manager
CEPA
P.O. Box 1486, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Phone: 855-12 772282
Email: mkr@cepa-cambodia.org
Web: www.cepa-cambodia.org

Indonesia

Boating Campaign on the Siak River
Boating Campaign on the Siak River
April Event honored the Day of Action

A day of activities focused on rivers was held April 4th in the province of Riau. A boat campaign that sought to spread public awareness of the need to keep the Siak River clean was held and covered a 175 km distance. Additonally, efforts were put into starting a project that will focus on mapping the potential sources of waste in the Siak.

Contact

Riko Kurniawan, Organizer
Yayasan Elang
Elang Foundation
Phone: 0761-26570
Email: rikokurniawan@gmail.com
Email: elang.yayasan@gmail.com

Philippines

Students Involved in Saving Rivers

High school and college-age students were given the opportunity to participate in an essay contest where they were asked to write about rivers. Additionally, there was a tree planting event on March 14.

Contact

Dr. Michael A. Bengwayan
Project PINETREE
P.O. Box 74, La Trinidad, Benguet 2601, Philippines
Email: pinetreemab@hotmail.com

Gathering to Save the Pulangi River

The Pulangiyon people held a "Kavuronan Festival" with the theme, "Save Pulangi River, Save the Tribe." The Festival provided a forum in which alliances were formed and people discussed ways to resist the plans to dam the river in mid-2008. The Festival also featured ethnic music and dance, visible marches and a series of discussions and speeches. In addition to focusing on the protection of the river, there were efforts to create a movement for the preservation of the sacred burial ground "Apo Mamalu," which holds the ancestors of the Pulangiyon.

Contact

Datu Wilmar Ampuan, Chairman
Natabuk Federation Inc.
Kibawe, Bukidnon, Philippines
Email: natabuk@yahoo.com

Thailand

Government pressured to stop all dam projects

More than 500 dam-affected villagers and local and foreign conservationists in Bangkok marched for 11 hours along the banks of the Moon river to protest against past and future dam projects. The 15-kilometer march ended near the controversial Pak Moon dam site in the Khong Chiam district. Here, the group read out their statement and held a commemoration service to mark the 100th day since the death of leading social activist Wanida Tantiwitthayapitak, who led the decade-long series of protests against the Pak Moon dam. Wanida died last year after a long battle with breast cancer. This year's anti-dam event was the first that was held without Wanida.

Contact

Pa Kongtham, Chairwoman
Patam, Moon and Rasi Salai Preservation Commission
and The Assembly of the Poor
Email: thaipoor@csloxinfo.com


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