{"id":20129119,"date":"2024-03-29T02:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-03-28T20:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thethirdpole.net\/?post_type=explainer&#038;p=129119"},"modified":"2024-05-24T17:24:08","modified_gmt":"2024-05-24T16:24:08","slug":"the-salween-explained-asias-last-great-undammed-river","status":"publish","type":"explainer","link":"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/en\/nature\/the-salween-explained-asias-last-great-undammed-river\/","title":{"rendered":"The Salween explained: Asia\u2019s last great undammed river"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">Flowing from the headwaters in Tibet, the Salween traverses China and Myanmar and defines part of Thailand\u2019s western border. Stretching over 3,200km (2,000 miles), it is Asia\u2019s longest free-flowing river, running from the Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan province in south-west China to the delta near Mawlamyine in south-east Myanmar, where it meets the Andaman Sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, plans for seven major hydropower projects along the Salween basin threaten this status. They have also been a constant source of contention, particularly in the Salween\u2019s northern reaches. In February 2021, the military junta took control of Myanmar, ending cross-border cooperation to protect the river across the Myanmar, China and Thailand borders. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Amidst this upheaval, we assess the status of the dams and examine the stakes involved, particularly regarding the wildlife and communities at risk of displacement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-wildlife-does-the-salween-river-support\">What wildlife does the Salween River support?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Salween sustains a rich ecosystem, hosting over <a href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/256197196_FISH_DIVERSITY_IN_SALWEEN_WATERSHED_IN_THAI_WATER\">200 species of fish<\/a>, more than a dozen of which are endemic. Additionally, some migrate from the Indian Ocean to the river\u2019s upper reaches, adding to its ecological diversity. The basin is believed to house <a href=\"https:\/\/whc.unesco.org\/en\/soc\/1401\/\">nearly half<\/a> of China\u2019s animal species, including sun bears, leopards, pangolins and black snub-nosed monkeys. The river also boasts the world\u2019s greatest <a href=\"https:\/\/openknowledge.worldbank.org\/bitstream\/handle\/10986\/31256\/134202-WP-MM-SEA-of-Hydropower-Sector-PUBLIC.pdf\">biodiversity of turtles<\/a> and numerous bat species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cd-article-image aligncenter block--article-image block--article-image--article\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"block--article-image__column\"><div class=\"hide-expand block--article-image__image\"><img class=\"lazy\" data-src=\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Upper-Salween-gorge-in-China-Yunnan-provice_Alamy_GK9RXN.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Upper-Salween-gorge-in-China-Yunnan-provice_Alamy_GK9RXN-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Upper-Salween-gorge-in-China-Yunnan-provice_Alamy_GK9RXN-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Upper-Salween-gorge-in-China-Yunnan-provice_Alamy_GK9RXN.jpg 2560w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 768px, (max-width: 1024px) 1024px, 2560px\" alt=\"group of buildings near river\"\/><\/div><div class=\"block--article-image__content\"><div itemprop=\"caption\" class=\"block--article-image__caption\">In south-west China&#8217;s Yunnan province, the upper Salween River, known as the Nujiang, runs parallel to the Mekong and the Yangtze (Lancang and Jinsha locally), forming three gorges. These areas were designated a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2003. (Image: Alamy)<\/div><\/div><\/div><meta itemprop=\"contentUrl\" content=\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Upper-Salween-gorge-in-China-Yunnan-provice_Alamy_GK9RXN.jpg\"\/><meta itemprop=\"contentSize\" content=\"1 MB\"\/><meta itemprop=\"height\" content=\"1707\"\/><meta itemprop=\"width\" content=\"2560\"\/><meta itemprop=\"author\"\/><meta itemprop=\"representativeOfPage\" content=\"true\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cd-article-image aligncenter block--article-image block--article-image--article\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"block--article-image__column\"><div class=\"hide-expand block--article-image__image\"><img class=\"lazy\" data-src=\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Black-snub-nosed-monkey-in-northern-Salween-basin_FabioNodari_Alamy_J2KF4A.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Black-snub-nosed-monkey-in-northern-Salween-basin_FabioNodari_Alamy_J2KF4A-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Black-snub-nosed-monkey-in-northern-Salween-basin_FabioNodari_Alamy_J2KF4A-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Black-snub-nosed-monkey-in-northern-Salween-basin_FabioNodari_Alamy_J2KF4A.jpg 2560w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 768px, (max-width: 1024px) 1024px, 2560px\" alt=\"black snub-nosed monkey in tree\"\/><\/div><div class=\"block--article-image__content\"><div itemprop=\"caption\" class=\"block--article-image__caption\">The endangered black snub-nosed monkey resides in the northern Three Parallel Rivers area. Further south, the rarer Myanmar snub-nosed monkey was recently <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cambridge.org\/core\/journals\/oryx\/article\/critically-endangered-myanmar-snubnosed-monkey-rhinopithecus-strykeri-found-in-the-salween-river-basin-china\/CE9FAB1635DDD3386F367797C7A5EC64\">discovered<\/a> in China\u2019s Gaoligong mountains. The basin supports extraordinary biodiversity, housing nearly half of China\u2019s animal species. (Image: Fabio Nodari\u00a0\/ Alamy)<\/div><\/div><\/div><meta itemprop=\"contentUrl\" content=\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Black-snub-nosed-monkey-in-northern-Salween-basin_FabioNodari_Alamy_J2KF4A.jpg\"\/><meta itemprop=\"contentSize\" content=\"2 MB\"\/><meta itemprop=\"height\" content=\"1707\"\/><meta itemprop=\"width\" content=\"2560\"\/><meta itemprop=\"author\"\/><meta itemprop=\"representativeOfPage\" content=\"true\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-why-is-the-salween-river-important\">Why is the Salween River important?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Salween basin, which spans over 320,000 square kilometres, is the second-longest river in Southeast Asia after the Mekong and supports over <a href=\"https:\/\/openknowledge.worldbank.org\/bitstream\/handle\/10986\/31256\/134202-WP-MM-SEA-of-Hydropower-Sector-PUBLIC.pdf\">10 million people<\/a>. Entering Myanmar in the northeast, it flows through rural and agrarian areas, as well as the densely populated Mon State and its capital Mawlamyine, sustaining fisheries and agriculture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a free-flowing river, the Salween provides unique habitats for beach-nesting birds and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/280565135_The_importance_of_the_Myanmar_coast_for_water_birds\">migrating and wintering water birds<\/a>. The Three Parallel Rivers section in Yunnan is a <a href=\"https:\/\/whc.unesco.org\/en\/list\/1083\/\">Unesco World Heritage<\/a> site recognised for being possibly &#8220;the most biologically diverse temperate region on earth\u201d, along with its natural and geographical features.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Salween, which is also <a href=\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/en\/culture\/indigenous-understanding-salween-river-key-biodiversity\/\">sacred to its Indigenous inhabitants<\/a>, flows through some of Myanmar\u2019s most politically turbulent regions. Since the coup, conflicts between ethnic armed organisations and the military have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irrawaddy.com\/news\/burma\/kokang-armed-group-reports-escalating-fighting-with-myanmar-junta.html\">intensified,<\/a> centred around control of the river, its resources and people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-dams-are-planned-for-the-salween-river\">What dams are planned for the Salween River?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While large hydropower projects have been planned for various stretches of the river for decades, no dams have reached completion along the Salween mainstream. Yunnan provincial authorities halted plans for 13 hydropower projects in <a href=\"https:\/\/thediplomat.com\/2016\/06\/east-asias-last-undammed-river\/\">2016<\/a>, with plans to turn the area into a national park. But in Myanmar, seven dams, involving Chinese and Thai companies, are in various stages of planning and construction, all with <a href=\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/en\/energy\/chinas-salween-plans-in-limbo-in-post-coup-myanmar\/\">no known completion dates<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cd-article-image aligncenter block--article-image block--article-image--article\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"block--article-image__column\"><div class=\"hide-expand block--article-image__image\"><img class=\"lazy\" data-src=\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/20240521_Potential-hydropower-dams-on-Salween-map_DialogueEarth_English.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/20240521_Potential-hydropower-dams-on-Salween-map_DialogueEarth_English-768x954.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/20240521_Potential-hydropower-dams-on-Salween-map_DialogueEarth_English-824x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/20240521_Potential-hydropower-dams-on-Salween-map_DialogueEarth_English.jpg 2060w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 768px, (max-width: 1024px) 1024px, 2060px\" alt=\"Map showing potential hydropower dams on the Salween River\"\/><\/div><div class=\"block--article-image__content\"><div itemprop=\"caption\" class=\"block--article-image__caption\">(Data source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stimson.org\/project\/mekong-infrastructure\/\">Mekong Infrastructure Tracker<\/a>)<\/div><\/div><\/div><meta itemprop=\"contentUrl\" content=\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/20240521_Potential-hydropower-dams-on-Salween-map_DialogueEarth_English.jpg\"\/><meta itemprop=\"contentSize\" content=\"2 MB\"\/><meta itemprop=\"height\" content=\"2560\"\/><meta itemprop=\"width\" content=\"2060\"\/><meta itemprop=\"author\"\/><meta itemprop=\"representativeOfPage\" content=\"true\"\/><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Three of the largest dams \u2013 Tasang, Hatgyi and Weigyi \u2013 are the most contentious. The Tasang, also called Mong Ton, is Myanmar\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hydrobiodiversityimpact.org\/mong-ton\">largest proposed<\/a> dam. Development of the 7.1-gigawatt, 230-metre-tall dam has already resulted in the forced relocation of <a href=\"https:\/\/archive.internationalrivers.org\/resources\/damming-burma%E2%80%99s-war-zone-proposed-salween-dams-cement-military-control-over-ethnic-peoples\">300,000 people<\/a> in northern Shan State. The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) and China Three Gorges Corporation broke ground in 2007 with some early-stage construction, which has since stalled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Hatgyi and Weigyi dams have moved forward slowly under Myanmar\u2019s junta. Located in southeastern Kayin State, in the Salween\u2019s lower reaches, building of the 1.3-gigawatt Hatgyi dam \u2013 a collaboration between EGAT and Sinohydro International \u2013 has made progress <a href=\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/en\/energy\/chinas-salween-plans-in-limbo-in-post-coup-myanmar\/\">under General Min Aung Hlaing\u2019s regime<\/a>. Construction has led to unrest, including forced <a href=\"https:\/\/karennews.org\/2016\/10\/fighting-directly-linked-to-hat-gyi-dam-project-claim-karen-leadership\/\">relocations<\/a> by Border Guard Forces and military clashes in 2016 before the coup, involving the since-disbanded insurgent Democratic Karen Buddhist Army. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cd-article-image aligncenter block--article-image block--article-image--wide\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"block--article-image__column\"><div class=\"hide-expand block--article-image__image\"><img class=\"lazy\" data-src=\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/20240408_Salween-explainer_Illustration-2_VipinSketchplore_TheThirdPole.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/20240408_Salween-explainer_Illustration-2_VipinSketchplore_TheThirdPole-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/20240408_Salween-explainer_Illustration-2_VipinSketchplore_TheThirdPole-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/20240408_Salween-explainer_Illustration-2_VipinSketchplore_TheThirdPole.jpg 1920w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 768px, (max-width: 1024px) 1024px, 1920px\" alt=\"Illustration of village being covered by reservoir water and residents with nowhere to go, a half-finished dam in the distance.\"\/><\/div><div class=\"block--article-image__content\"><div itemprop=\"caption\" class=\"block--article-image__caption\">Although none of the Salween mainstream\u2019s planned dams have yet been completed, construction work has already led to forced relocations and heightened tensions (Illustration: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sketchplore.com\/\">Vipin\u00a0Sketchplore<\/a> \/ The Third Pole)<\/div><\/div><\/div><meta itemprop=\"contentUrl\" content=\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/20240408_Salween-explainer_Illustration-2_VipinSketchplore_TheThirdPole.jpg\"\/><meta itemprop=\"contentSize\" content=\"1 MB\"\/><meta itemprop=\"height\" content=\"1080\"\/><meta itemprop=\"width\" content=\"1920\"\/><meta itemprop=\"author\"\/><meta itemprop=\"representativeOfPage\" content=\"true\"\/><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Of particular <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wrm.org.uy\/bulletin-articles\/burma-revival-of-the-weigyi-dam\">international interest<\/a> is the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wrm.org.uy\/bulletin-articles\/burma-revival-of-the-weigyi-dam\">Weigyi dam<\/a>, financed by Thailand and contracted to Power Construction, China Southern and China Three Gorges Project Corporation. This is due to cross-border implications: the 4.5-gigawatt-capacity dam is located on Myanmar\u2019s border with Thailand. However, environmental advocacy has become challenging under the military regime, with <a href=\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/en\/energy\/myanmar-rulers-threaten-environmental-progress\/\">academics and activists expressing safety concerns<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Plans to proceed with smaller dams like Ywathit, Kunlong and Nong Pa could also exacerbate tensions, as evidenced by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.orfonline.org\/expert-speak\/dams-as-displacers-a-heavy-social-cost-to-incur\">clashes<\/a> over land clearance for the Ywathit dam. After initial land clearance for Kunlong dam in <a href=\"https:\/\/karennews.org\/2014\/02\/village-lives-bulldozed-for-kunlong-mega-project\/\">2014<\/a>, work has stalled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-tertiary-projects-may-affect-the-salween\">What tertiary projects may affect the Salween?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>China\u2019s plans to dam the Salween (where it is called the Nujiang) have been replaced by the establishment of the <a href=\"https:\/\/news.cgtn.com\/news\/2023-10-26\/Water-tower-of-China-Three-River-Source-National-Park-1odrIGHrxmg\/index.html\">Three River Source National Park<\/a>. Meanwhile, in Thailand, hydropower projects on the river\u2019s tributaries are <a href=\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/en\/livelihoods\/communities-in-dark-over-yuam-river-diversion-impacts-thailand\/\">altering its flow<\/a>. The Yuam River Diversion aims to divert its namesake major Salween tributary to irrigate the central plains of northern Thailand with 1,795 cubic meters of water annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cd-article-image aligncenter block--article-image block--article-image--wide\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"block--article-image__column\"><div class=\"hide-expand block--article-image__image\"><img class=\"lazy\" data-src=\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/20211217_Thailand-Yuam-River-diversion-Mae-Ngao-tunnel-map-v2_LukeDuggleby_TheThirdPole.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/20211217_Thailand-Yuam-River-diversion-Mae-Ngao-tunnel-map-v2_LukeDuggleby_TheThirdPole-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/20211217_Thailand-Yuam-River-diversion-Mae-Ngao-tunnel-map-v2_LukeDuggleby_TheThirdPole-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/20211217_Thailand-Yuam-River-diversion-Mae-Ngao-tunnel-map-v2_LukeDuggleby_TheThirdPole.jpg 2560w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 768px, (max-width: 1024px) 1024px, 2560px\" alt=\"hands holding down paper map on flat surface\"\/><\/div><div class=\"block--article-image__content\"><div itemprop=\"caption\" class=\"block--article-image__caption\">The Yuam River Diversion Project aims to channel water from two Salween tributaries to irrigate Thailand\u2019s central plains. This map shows the proposed tunnel route, covering roughly 62 kilometres of mountainous terrain to reach the Ping River. (Image: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lukeduggleby.com\/\">Luke Duggleby<\/a> \/ The Third Pole)<\/div><\/div><\/div><meta itemprop=\"contentUrl\" content=\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/20211217_Thailand-Yuam-River-diversion-Mae-Ngao-tunnel-map-v2_LukeDuggleby_TheThirdPole.jpg\"\/><meta itemprop=\"contentSize\" content=\"2 MB\"\/><meta itemprop=\"height\" content=\"1707\"\/><meta itemprop=\"width\" content=\"2560\"\/><meta itemprop=\"author\"\/><meta itemprop=\"representativeOfPage\" content=\"true\"\/><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cd-article-image aligncenter block--article-image block--article-image--article\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"block--article-image__column\"><div class=\"hide-expand block--article-image__image\"><img class=\"lazy\" data-src=\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/20211218_Thailand-Yuam-River-diversion-Mae-Ngao-fisher-jumps-rocks-v2_LukeDuggleby_TheThirdPole.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/20211218_Thailand-Yuam-River-diversion-Mae-Ngao-fisher-jumps-rocks-v2_LukeDuggleby_TheThirdPole-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/20211218_Thailand-Yuam-River-diversion-Mae-Ngao-fisher-jumps-rocks-v2_LukeDuggleby_TheThirdPole-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/20211218_Thailand-Yuam-River-diversion-Mae-Ngao-fisher-jumps-rocks-v2_LukeDuggleby_TheThirdPole.jpg 2560w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 768px, (max-width: 1024px) 1024px, 2560px\" alt=\"man walking between large boulders in shallow river\"\/><\/div><div class=\"block--article-image__content\"><div itemprop=\"caption\" class=\"block--article-image__caption\">The project, the first to dam the Yuam, is expected to alter the river\u2019s ecosystem and reduce water flow into the Salween (Image: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lukeduggleby.com\/\">Luke Duggleby<\/a> \/ The Third Pole)<\/div><\/div><\/div><meta itemprop=\"contentUrl\" content=\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/20211218_Thailand-Yuam-River-diversion-Mae-Ngao-fisher-jumps-rocks-v2_LukeDuggleby_TheThirdPole.jpg\"\/><meta itemprop=\"contentSize\" content=\"2 MB\"\/><meta itemprop=\"height\" content=\"1707\"\/><meta itemprop=\"width\" content=\"2560\"\/><meta itemprop=\"author\"\/><meta itemprop=\"representativeOfPage\" content=\"true\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cd-article-image aligncenter block--article-image block--article-image--article\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"block--article-image__column\"><div class=\"hide-expand block--article-image__image\"><img class=\"lazy\" data-src=\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/20211218_Thailand-Yuam-River-diversion-shrimp-traps-v2_LukeDuggleby_TheThirdPole.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/20211218_Thailand-Yuam-River-diversion-shrimp-traps-v2_LukeDuggleby_TheThirdPole-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/20211218_Thailand-Yuam-River-diversion-shrimp-traps-v2_LukeDuggleby_TheThirdPole-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/20211218_Thailand-Yuam-River-diversion-shrimp-traps-v2_LukeDuggleby_TheThirdPole.jpg 2560w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 768px, (max-width: 1024px) 1024px, 2560px\" alt=\"person standing at edge of river\"\/><\/div><div class=\"block--article-image__content\"><div itemprop=\"caption\" class=\"block--article-image__caption\">The Yuam, although not extensively studied, is thought to possess biodiversity comparable to that of the Salween and is equally vital for local livelihoods (Image: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lukeduggleby.com\/\">Luke Duggleby<\/a> \/ The Third Pole)<\/div><\/div><\/div><meta itemprop=\"contentUrl\" content=\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/20211218_Thailand-Yuam-River-diversion-shrimp-traps-v2_LukeDuggleby_TheThirdPole.jpg\"\/><meta itemprop=\"contentSize\" content=\"2 MB\"\/><meta itemprop=\"height\" content=\"1707\"\/><meta itemprop=\"width\" content=\"2560\"\/><meta itemprop=\"author\"\/><meta itemprop=\"representativeOfPage\" content=\"true\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>NGOs in Thailand and cross-border organisations like the Salween Peace Park oppose the US$1.9 billion project, which cuts through <a href=\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/en\/livelihoods\/communities-in-dark-over-yuam-river-diversion-impacts-thailand\/\">five national forest<\/a> reserves and Mae Ngao National Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although the Salween mainstream remains undammed, its tributaries face development. Dam projects on the <a href=\"https:\/\/shwetaunggroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Baluchaung-No3-Hydropower-Project-ESIA-Report.pdf\">Baluchang River<\/a> have been ongoing since 1950, with three large dams in Karenni State and one on the Teng River operational since 2009.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-might-hydropower-and-other-infrastructure-projects-damage-the-salween-river\">How might hydropower and other infrastructure projects damage the Salween River?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Salween\u2019s natural rhythm, dictated by <a href=\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/en\/culture\/indigenous-understanding-salween-river-key-biodiversity\/\">annual snowmelt and monsoon rains<\/a>, sustains a delicate balance crucial for species. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0048969723078816#:~:text=Hydropeaking%20has%20substantial%20implications%20for,%2C%20survival%2C%20and%20so%20on.\">Hydropeaking<\/a> from dams, whereby bursts of water are released to increase power at peak times, risks inundating nesting sites and disrupting habitats vital for various species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>New dam construction could disrupt fisheries, hindering animal migration routes and creating standing water and exacerbating pressure changes, injuring and disorientating marine life. This jeopardises shoreline fishers\u2019 livelihoods, compounding problems posed by overfishing and pollution. Dam construction may also diminish sediment flow vital for lower-reach ecosystems and agriculture, such as with the <a href=\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/en\/energy\/what-are-the-impacts-of-dams-on-the-mekong-river\/\">Xayaburi dam<\/a> on the Mekong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Limited research on the river\u2019s lower reaches obscures potential impacts from upstream developments. Unlike the Mekong, the Salween lacks robust data and cross-border cooperation mechanisms, like the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mrcmekong.org\/\">Mekong River Commission<\/a>, complicating efforts to address these threats effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cd-article-image aligncenter block--article-image block--article-image--wide\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"block--article-image__column\"><div class=\"hide-expand block--article-image__image\"><img class=\"lazy\" data-src=\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/20240408_Salween-explainer_Illustration-3_VipinSketchplore_TheThirdPole.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/20240408_Salween-explainer_Illustration-3_VipinSketchplore_TheThirdPole-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/20240408_Salween-explainer_Illustration-3_VipinSketchplore_TheThirdPole-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/20240408_Salween-explainer_Illustration-3_VipinSketchplore_TheThirdPole.jpg 1920w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 768px, (max-width: 1024px) 1024px, 1920px\" alt=\"Illustration of parched farmland and a river with reduced flow. In the foreground there are abandoned fishing boats and dead fish, and in the background there is a completed dam.\"\/><\/div><div class=\"block--article-image__content\"><div itemprop=\"caption\" class=\"block--article-image__caption\">Completion of dams on the Salween risks damaging habitats, disrupting fish migration, impacting biodiversity and livelihoods, and reducing vital sediment flow for downstream agriculture (Illustration: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sketchplore.com\/\">Vipin\u00a0Sketchplore<\/a> \/ The Third Pole)<\/div><\/div><\/div><meta itemprop=\"contentUrl\" content=\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/20240408_Salween-explainer_Illustration-3_VipinSketchplore_TheThirdPole.jpg\"\/><meta itemprop=\"contentSize\" content=\"2 MB\"\/><meta itemprop=\"height\" content=\"1080\"\/><meta itemprop=\"width\" content=\"1920\"\/><meta itemprop=\"author\"\/><meta itemprop=\"representativeOfPage\" content=\"true\"\/><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-has-myanmar-s-military-junta-changed-the-salween\">How has Myanmar\u2019s military junta changed the Salween?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Following the coup, civil society has been severely restricted in the region, impeding cross-border cooperation efforts. This has likely exacerbated <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irrawaddy.com\/news\/burma\/myanmar-junta-accused-of-backing-illegal-gold-mines-in-kachin-state.html\">illegal mining<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irrawaddy.com\/news\/burma\/myanmar-farmers-lose-land-erosion-sand-mining-singapore-blamed.html\">sand mining<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/asia.nikkei.com\/Life-Arts\/Life\/Myanmar-s-forests-fall-victim-to-conflict\">deforestation<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Karen-led <a href=\"https:\/\/kesan.asia\/salween-peace-park-program-3936\/\">Salween Peace Park<\/a>, a 567,000-hectare protected conservation area established in 2018, has since faced <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iccaconsortium.org\/2021\/04\/05\/alert-myanmar-junta-bombs-indigenous-salween-peace-park\/\">airstrikes<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2016\/12\/fire-on-the-salween-dams-in-conflict-zones-could-threaten-myanmars-fragile-peace-process\/\">violence<\/a> and a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bangkokpost.com\/opinion\/opinion\/2113671\/a-humanitarian-crisis-by-the-salween-river\">growing migration crisis<\/a>. Suspicion of foreign interference has resulted in <a href=\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/en\/climate\/environment-ignored-as-myanmar-struggles-with-coup\/\">funding cuts<\/a> and endangered environmental workers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cd-article-image aligncenter block--article-image block--article-image--wide\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"block--article-image__column\"><div class=\"hide-expand block--article-image__image\"><img class=\"lazy\" data-src=\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Karen-ethnic-groups-protest-Salween-dams-2019_InternationalRivers_32530314837.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Karen-ethnic-groups-protest-Salween-dams-2019_InternationalRivers_32530314837-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Karen-ethnic-groups-protest-Salween-dams-2019_InternationalRivers_32530314837-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Karen-ethnic-groups-protest-Salween-dams-2019_InternationalRivers_32530314837.jpg 2048w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 768px, (max-width: 1024px) 1024px, 2048px\" alt=\"large group of people holding up protest signs and banners\"\/><\/div><div class=\"block--article-image__content\"><div itemprop=\"caption\" class=\"block--article-image__caption\">Karen ethnic group members gather on the Thailand-Myanmar border in 2019 to protest the construction of dams on the Salween. Myanmar\u2019s military coup in February 2021 has severely restricted civil society and similar cross-border actions. (Image: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/internationalrivers\/32530314837\/in\/dateposted\/\">International Rivers<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.0\/\">CC BY NC SA<\/a>)<\/div><\/div><\/div><meta itemprop=\"contentUrl\" content=\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Karen-ethnic-groups-protest-Salween-dams-2019_InternationalRivers_32530314837.jpg\"\/><meta itemprop=\"contentSize\" content=\"1 MB\"\/><meta itemprop=\"height\" content=\"1365\"\/><meta itemprop=\"width\" content=\"2048\"\/><meta itemprop=\"author\"\/><meta itemprop=\"representativeOfPage\" content=\"true\"\/><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Even before the coup, dam construction sites were hotbeds of conflict and human rights violations, with grassroots organisation Karen Human Rights Group citing instances of violence around the Hagyi site between <a href=\"https:\/\/khrg.org\/2021\/06\/joint-statement-khrg-and-krw-construction-hatgyi-hydropower-plant-along-salween-river-must#:~:text=Human%20rights%20violations%20have%20already,military%20around%20the%20dam%20area.\">2014 and 2018<\/a>. Armed conflict in the region, which has been difficult to gauge since the coup, has led to an estimated <a href=\"https:\/\/reliefweb.int\/report\/myanmar\/myanmar-humanitarian-response-plan-2023-year-end-dashboard-jan-dec-2023\">2.6 million displaced people<\/a> across Myanmar as of end-2023. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dam construction would flood villages, forcing people to resettle, contributing to <a href=\"https:\/\/thailand.iom.int\/sites\/g\/files\/tmzbdl1371\/files\/documents\/2023-11\/iom-dtm-mobility-tracking-thailand_20231003.pdf\">migrant influx<\/a> across the Salween into Thailand, as people <a href=\"https:\/\/prachataienglish.com\/node\/10309\">flee<\/a> landmines and potential violence in Myanmar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-are-countries-outside-myanmar-influencing-mainstream-dams-on-the-salween\">How are countries outside Myanmar influencing mainstream dams on the Salween?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Along with the <a href=\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/en\/livelihoods\/communities-in-dark-over-yuam-river-diversion-impacts-thailand\/\">Yuam River Diversion project<\/a>, Thailand\u2019s EGAT is involved in developing the Weigyi, Hatgyi and Dagwin dams, with the goal of selling and purchasing power from them, while Chinese companies have interests in projects including Hatgyi, Ywathit, Tasang, Nong Pa and Kunlong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Criticism has been directed at Thailand for power purchase agreements with dams in Laos and Cambodia, given its <a href=\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/en\/energy\/interview-pai-deetes-thai-people-need-say-in-mekong-hydropower\/\">energy surplus<\/a> in recent years. Up to <a href=\"https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2016\/12\/my-spirit-is-there-life-in-the-shadow-of-the-mong-ton-dam\/\">90%<\/a> of power generated by the Tasang dam is expected to be sold to Thailand and China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cd-article-image aligncenter block--article-image block--article-image--wide\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"block--article-image__column\"><div class=\"hide-expand block--article-image__image\"><img class=\"lazy\" data-src=\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/20180221_Xayaburi-dam-under-construction_CarlMiddleton_WaterAlternatives_52220222321.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/20180221_Xayaburi-dam-under-construction_CarlMiddleton_WaterAlternatives_52220222321-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/20180221_Xayaburi-dam-under-construction_CarlMiddleton_WaterAlternatives_52220222321-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/20180221_Xayaburi-dam-under-construction_CarlMiddleton_WaterAlternatives_52220222321.jpg 2560w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 768px, (max-width: 1024px) 1024px, 2560px\" alt=\"dam under construction\"\/><\/div><div class=\"block--article-image__content\"><div itemprop=\"caption\" class=\"block--article-image__caption\">The Xayaburi dam, funded by Thai banks, became operational in 2019, with 95% of its power destined for Thailand. China and Thailand both have similar interests in the development of future Salween dams. (Image: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/water_alternatives\/52220222321\/in\/photolist-9x7PUt-9x7Q1X-9xaPXJ-9x7QM4-9xaQF5-9xaQ6E-9x7QAB-9xaQz5-9xaPRm-2nywhLH-2nyxF87\/\">Carl Middleton<\/a> \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/people\/water_alternatives\/\">Water Alternatives<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc\/2.0\/\">CC BY NC<\/a>)<\/div><\/div><\/div><meta itemprop=\"contentUrl\" content=\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/20180221_Xayaburi-dam-under-construction_CarlMiddleton_WaterAlternatives_52220222321.jpg\"\/><meta itemprop=\"contentSize\" content=\"2 MB\"\/><meta itemprop=\"height\" content=\"1708\"\/><meta itemprop=\"width\" content=\"2560\"\/><meta itemprop=\"author\"\/><meta itemprop=\"representativeOfPage\" content=\"true\"\/><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>China\u2019s influence extends beyond energy, with involvement in border conflicts, including along the Salween. Despite the military junta\u2019s tight grip on civil society, recent developments, such as Operation 1027 in October 2023, saw the government pushed back from over <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irrawaddy.com\/news\/conflicts-in-numbers\/myanmars-operation-1027-against-the-junta-two-months-on.html\">400 bases in northern Myanmar<\/a>. A fragile <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bangkokpost.com\/world\/2723058\/myanmar-rebels-say-ceasefire-agreed-with-military\">ceasefire<\/a> in Shan State in January 2024, brokered with Chinese assistance, indicates China\u2019s role in regional stability efforts.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We examine Southeast Asia\u2019s largest free-flowing river, as it navigates competing interests between the countries it spans, and discuss Myanmar\u2019s military junta\u2019s role in shaping its future <\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":20129348,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","categories":[764],"tags":[511,556,587],"country":[20000110,20000117],"class_list":["post-20129119","explainer","type-explainer","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nature","tag-biodiversity","tag-infrastructure","tag-rivers","country-china","country-myanmar"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin 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