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Issues
in the Shwe Natural Gas Project:
Cultural
and Environmental Destruction
Arakan,
in Western Burma, site of the Shwe
Gas Project, is an ancient kingdom that has an abundant
cultural heritage. Most people make a living from farming and
fishing – indeed, fishing is an integral part of Arakanese
culture. Through the displacement of villages along the
anticipated pipeline corridor, which in the case of the Yadana/Yetagun
pipelines were up to 15 miles on each side of the pipeline, the
military would divide centuries-old communities and destroy
buildings of cultural importance. [a] By examining past gas
pipeline projects under the Burmese military regime (State Peace
and Development Council, or SPDC), it is clear that the Shwe
Project poses an imminent threat to Burma’s cultural heritage
and environment.
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The ancient capital of Arakan, Mrauk-U |
Threats to Burmese Rainforests
Perhaps
most pressing are Burma’s growing energy needs, which the
SPDC’s Shwe Project ignores in favor or exporting gas for
profit. This hunger to fulfill basic daily energy needs such as
cooking and heating is leading to rapid deforestation. Not only
are Burmese forests dwindling from precious wood exports, but
because wood represents a basic fuel source for most Burmese.
Fuelwood accounts for nearly 90% of domestic energy consumption in
Burma, in comparison to less than 1% from electricity. Together
with logging, this is putting considerable strain on Burma's
remaining forests. [b] Rising energy demand is outstripping supply
and the annual deforestation rate was in 2000 was estimated at
1.4% per year. [c] However, instead of addressing these local
needs, the military regime is exporting an important energy source
in exchange for cash—in hopes of securing its own perpetuation.
Threats to the Arakanese Way
of Life
As
with the Yadana/Yetagun
pipelines in eastern Burma during the 1990s, the offshore Shwe
wells and related infrastructure will damage the local fishing
industry. Local fishermen claim that they are not allowed into a
radius of 10 miles of the Shwe drill ship and semisubmersible
drilling platform. Construction of permanent production facilities
would further decrease this access by local fishermen, yet to date
no debate has been held regarding possible alternatives or modes
of compensation.
Threats to Endangered Species
Already,
the military has sold off many of Arakan’s natural resources,
which has led to large-scale environmental destruction. The rapid
development of the military-controlled shrimp industry, for
example, has devastated large areas of Mangrove forests. Around
the Arakan capital Sittwe, a majority of the stationed army
battalions 270, 306, 344, MI-10 and the central
 |
The Arakan Forest Turtle (heosemys depressa), one of the most endangered turtles in the world, put at further risk by pipeline incursions. |
Western Command
have all confiscated land from farmers and have turned these into
160-250 acre large prawn farms, with income funneled back into the
military. The remaining Mangroves along the Arakan coastline are
now further threatened by the infrastructure of the Shwe gas
project.
Already
endangered animals such as the Arakan
forest turtle (heosemys depressa),
among the most endangered turtles in the world, [d]
and the Irrawaddy
River Dolphin (orcaella
brevirostris) now risk extinction, with the development
related to Shwe.
Environmental
Contamination
The
construction of drilling and production platforms, leakage of
chemicals used in the drilling process as well as potential gas
blowouts will be detrimental to the Arakan coastal area.
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The playful Irrawaddy River Dolphin (orcaella brevirostris), a quickly disappearing friend to local fishermen, threatened by the pipeline route along the Kaladan River. |
Although
often sold as a safe and clean energy source, gas exploration can
create the same environmental problems as oil exploration. During
exploration, the most damaging effects are those of the drilling
muds, which are used to maintain downhole pressure, lubricate the
oil bit, and pull cuttings away from the well head. These muds
contain volatile organic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydro
carbons, arsenic, barium, lead corrosive irons, naturally
occurring radioactive materials (NORM) such as radium 226, and
other hazardous substances. Commonly dumped into the water column,
drilling wastes reach the seabed, which rob the water and bottom
sediments of oxygen and as a result kills large proportions of
life on the ocean floor, including shellfish beds.
Another
form of waste generated by natural gas exploration is that of
toxic brine. Enormous quantities of this substance must be
separated and dealt with at exploration and production sites. This
toxic substance is made up of hydrocarbons which have been
extracted from reservoirs that include oil, gas and water that is
trapped along with the hydrocarbons in a formation called
“produced water”, as well as other gases and compounds.
Produced water contains NORM, cadmium, lead, benzene, naphthalene,
zinc, emulsified oil and grease. Historically, the industry
disposes of this toxic waste either by dumping it offshore or
onshore. The dumping of this waste has a disastrous effect on wet
lands, fish and wildlife as well as polluting water supplies. [e]
Unfortunately,
the existing legislation in Burma regulating the exploration of
oil and gas does not say anything with regard to the environment.
[f]
Under
the current system of military dictatorship in Burma, no
transparent and independent environmental and social impact
assessment of the project is possible, nor is genuine consultation
with local
stakeholders.
Learn More
The SHWE Gas Movement maintains that stopping this gas project is integral to the fight for democracy in Burma. Following are the four main issues driving our campaign to demand a halt to the ongoing plans to exploit this Shwe gas:
Visit our Take Action section to learn what you can do to help! |
Sources
[b]
Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), report on the national
training workshop on woodfuel trade in Myanmar (1996)
[c] UNESCAP, Conrado Heruela, Integrating energy and rural
development (June 2003)
[d]
http://www.turtlesurvival.org/25TurtProfiles0503.pdf
[e]
SAIN and ABSDF, Burma: Human Lives for Natural Resources (June
1994)
[f]
Burma Lawyers’ Council, Legal Issues in Burma Journal No. 9
(August 2001)
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