Myanmar: Communities Demand Regulation as Jade Mining Destroys Landscape

May 23, 2016 | Htet Khaung Linn, Myanmar Now
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Local activists and communities have also begun asking for changes in Myanmar's multi-billion dollar jade industry. They demand that authorities mitigate its heavy environmental impacts and offer communities some of the benefits. On March 25, 10 civil society organisations from Kachin and Yangon held a press conference in Hpakant calling for a suspension of all mining activity until authorities enforce existing environmental regulations. They ask that officials set up a commission to reveal individual company ownership, revenues of firms, and whether they adhere to rules and regulations.