Regional consciousness

Regional consciousness

Along with Asean economic activity comes a rise in development problems

SOCIAL & LIFESTYLE
Regional consciousness

The rise of Asean has been perceived as an investment opportunity. Yet veteran conservationist Premrudee Daorueng, director of Towards Ecological Recovery and Regional Alliances (Terra), has witnessed the mounting presence of environmental problems and the resistance against environmentally harmful projects in politically oppressed countries such as Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.

Premrudee, 48, has worked with Terra since 1988. The Bangkok-based organisation monitors the environmental and social impact of development projects such as logging, energy projects and commercial plantations in Myanmar and countries in the Mekong Region.

Since 2008, Premrudee has led the Save the Mekong Coalition, a campaign protesting against a series of dam construction projects on the Mekong river.

Last week, she acted as moderator at the "Bittersweet Harvest" forum, encouraging European countries to boycott Cambodian sugar, which conservationists claim is often grown on land snatched illegally from rural farmers. It is also believed that part of the sugar cane industry in Cambodia comes from Thai investment.

Premrudee sat down recently with Life to share her thoughts on the rise of Asean Economic Community (AEC), environmental issues and diversity and harmony among local grassroots organisations in the region.

Can you share with us your experiences of working with local grassroots communities that reside in politically oppressed countries such as Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos?

Believe it or not, political systems may not be as big of an obstacle as we always perceive them to be. Recently, local grassroots communities and scholars alike in Myanmar publicly protested against the Salween River dam project.

Local villagers in Cambodia can go beyond their fear of Prime Minister Hun Sen and ask EU to boycott sugar export from Cambodia on grounds that the plantations take away their land and displace local people.

People or political systems can be different, but we can share the same need for knowledge, good environment and fair and equal sharing of natural resources.

What are your thoughts on environmental issues in Asean?

We usually think of Asean and the AEC in terms of investment opportunities. Companies are rushing to Asean, especially Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia, because they need to find new natural resources. But we need to bear in mind that natural resources are limited and environmental impact is transboundary.

The Asean bloc does not give priority to environmental issues, as its focus is on investment and political issues.

Within Asean countries, climate change is popular among governments, but they still look at this problem as an issue that requires a remedy. They do not look at it as an issue of justice and human rights as local people do.

We need to also pay special attention to biodiversity, which we collectively need to work together to protect, as this area is often neglected due to development projects.

How can you remain hopeful when there are still governments welcoming development projects, such as the construction of the Xayaburi Dam on the Mekong River, at any cost?

You cannot remain hopeful if you see yourself as the beginning and the end of everything in a pressing issue. We might not be successful if we set targets on stopping dam projects, but I am very positive that our conservation effort in the Mekong Region bears fruit. I have seen the "paradigm shift" across various spectrums in society. Local officials and government officers have begun to weigh the pros and cons of questionable development projects.

We witness dam projects in the Mekong region being criticised, shelved, concessions and loans being halted and so on and so forth. It is not easy to develop these projects anymore. People [must] view such projects with discernment if they are to succeed. This is a very positive and hopeful start.

You have been working with grassroots groups in Asean for two decades. Tell us how you view these countries and their people?

I have had the privilege of working with some very interesting people through the years, who continue to learn, share and help each other.

I have observed that the southern part of Asean _ Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines included _ has encountered both political tension and the effects of pollution brought on due to development projects. This has made them knowledgeable on such issues, and thus given them plenty of experiences to share with the rest of the world.

While countries in the Mekong Region, excluding Thailand, share available resources, Laos is a new destination for investment and the country continues to observe change. The disappearance of activist Sombath Somphone has, however, made the world community view it with suspicion.

Cambodians for me are vigilant in protesting against the sugar industry, while Myanmar scholars and activists are thoughtful, intellectual and artistically inclined.

It has also been my observation that Myanmar people look subservient from the outside, but are emotionally strong individuals. When they were isolated from the rest of the world, a number of them took to reading good literature.

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT