Parks threaten refugees

Jungle protection endangers livelihoods of indigenous people in 55 villages.

Plans to protect swathes of mountainous jungle in Myanmar could prevent refugees from returning and uproot 16 000 people living within the proposed boundaries of two parks, campaigners said.

The parks, totalling 5 260 square kilometres, could threaten livelihoods in 55 indigenous villages in the Tanintharyi Region, according to a report by the Conservation Alliance of Tanawthari (CAT), an advocacy group.

It said the proposals – which have been demarcated after being proposed in 2002 – should be halted until refugees’ right of return was guaranteed.

“Indigenous communities must be properly consulted ... and must be able to lead and actively participate in the planning and implementation of conservation activities,” the report said.

A Myanmar official said those fears were unfounded and the rights of any people living in the area, including returning refugees, would be protected.

“We need to negotiate with local communities to get the approval from those who live inside the park area,” said Win Naing Tha, director of the forests department, by phone.

The Karen National Union, an ethnic armed group, signed a ceasefire agreement with the government in 2012 after 62 years of conflict, which led some refugees to return – although ethnic armed groups continue to fight in other areas. – Reuters