This report was first published in October 2021

Implications

• Further development of the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway (Yargyi-Kalewa Link) through AKNP will support easier direct access to valuable timber and aid poaching.
• The vast forests of AKNP are home to many different tree and orchid species, as well as medicinal plants, alongside key threatened and endangered animals and birds. Continued large-scale deforestation could result in permanent loss of some species.
• AKNP includes abundant water resources that flow into the Ayeyarwady and Chindwin rivers. Changes to the ecosystem will disrupt irrigation, drinking water and transportation for local communities downstream.

Take action

• Systematically monitor timber trade, including old-growth teak products from Myanmar, and bring visibility and accountability to the timber industry.
• Increase international pressure and monitor construction in AKNP, including associated deforestation.
• Recipient countries need to strengthen policies and enforce sanctions, regulate stockpile imports, require thorough due diligence processes, tackle corruption and follow financial flows.
• Empower local populations to protect AKNP’s natural resources and improve their governance in natural resource management.