{"id":6319,"date":"2025-06-01T21:13:19","date_gmt":"2025-06-01T14:43:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/moemaka.net\/eng\/?p=6319"},"modified":"2025-06-01T21:13:19","modified_gmt":"2025-06-01T14:43:19","slug":"myanmars-civil-war-over-extraction-of-natural-resources-and-the-curse-of-natural-disasters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/moemaka.net\/eng\/2025\/06\/myanmars-civil-war-over-extraction-of-natural-resources-and-the-curse-of-natural-disasters\/","title":{"rendered":"Myanmar\u2019s Civil War, Over-Extraction of Natural Resources, and the Curse of Natural Disasters"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

“Myanmar Spring Chronicle \u2013 May 31 Viewpoint”<\/strong><\/p>\n

MoeMaKa, published June 1, 2025:<\/p>\n

\n

Myanmar\u2019s Civil War, Over-Extraction of Natural Resources, and the Curse of Natural Disasters<\/strong><\/p>\n

The civil war that has gripped Myanmar for over 75 years reignited with renewed intensity following the 2021 military coup. The scale of destruction, deaths, and psychological trauma now parallels or even surpasses the early stages of Myanmar\u2019s post-independence conflicts. It\u2019s hard to predict how much worse it might get.<\/p>\n

If we were to name the fuels driving this war, hatred and money would top the list. Hatred is essential in war propaganda\u2014it motivates troops to fight by amplifying stories of enemy brutality, injustice, domination, and exploitation of natural resources. These narratives, even if only partially true, are often used to justify offensive military operations.<\/p>\n

The second requirement for war is funding. Ammunition, logistics, rations, allowances\u2014all demand significant financial resources. In the context of war, with service and production industries disrupted, armed groups increasingly turn to natural resource extraction\u2014such as mining and logging\u2014as their main source of income. Compared to long-term investments in agriculture or industry, extracting and selling natural resources requires lower startup costs and offers quick returns.<\/p>\n

As a result, across Myanmar\u2014especially in Sagaing, Kachin, northern and eastern Shan, and Karen states\u2014armed groups are directly engaging in or taxing the extraction of resources such as gold, jade, rare earth elements, and timber. The environmental consequences are already visible: polluted waterways, deforestation, siltation of rivers, and contamination of farmland and drinking water.<\/p>\n

Just this week, reports from social media highlighted flooding in Chipwi. Rising waters from the confluence of the Ayeyarwady River are now approaching the Kachin state capital, Myitkyina, affecting low-lying neighborhoods.<\/p>\n

Similarly, jade mining in Hpakant frequently causes deadly landslides and pond collapses, killing dozens or even hundreds in single incidents. Waste from these mining operations has polluted streams, slowed water flow, and worsened flooding.<\/p>\n

In Tanintharyi, intensified mining operations have accelerated deforestation, altered waterways, and triggered widespread pollution. Satellite images reveal new rare earth mining sites in Wa-controlled areas of eastern Shan State. These activities have already had cross-border environmental impacts on Thailand, where evidence of river contamination and fish disease has been reported.<\/p>\n

Across Myanmar\u2014Kachin, Shan, Sagaing, Mandalay, Bago, Magway, and Tanintharyi\u2014the cumulative environmental damage from gold, jade, rare earth, and timber extraction has become increasingly evident. Armed groups urgently in need of wartime revenue are now exploiting natural resources at unsustainable levels, placing severe strain on the environment and neighboring communities.<\/p>\n

Deforestation and pollution from rare earth processing are not easily reversible. It may take decades or longer for forests to regenerate. The environmental impact of toxic mining operations cannot be remediated in just a few years.<\/p>\n

Even in Ukraine, a country rich in rare earth elements, the war with Russia has forced it to agree to shared resource production with the United States, which supplies its weapons. Myanmar, facing a similar wartime economy, is seeing both the military junta and resistance forces turning to natural resources to fund their campaigns.<\/p>\n

The over-extraction of resources is a curse in its own right, but its longer-term consequences\u2014pollution, ecological destruction, and increased vulnerability to natural disasters\u2014will be a lingering curse for the people of Myanmar for decades to come.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

“Myanmar Spring Chronicle \u2013 May 31 Viewpoint” MoeMaKa, published June 1, 2025: Myanmar\u2019s Civil War, Over-Extraction of Natural Resources, and the Curse of Natural Disasters The civil war that has gripped Myanmar for over 75 years reignited with renewed intensity…<\/p>\n

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