This report was first published in October 2021

Implications

• The area represents Indochinese-Sundaic faunal transition, making it unique and biodiversity rich. Some species that live in Lenya cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
• Deforestation and the impact of mining on the karst landscape threatens species new to science and potentially threatens species yet to be discovered.
• Land conversion and concession processes could result in protracted conflict with local authorities and farmers.
• Environmental destruction in Lenya has a knock-on effect for proximate communities, affecting clean drinking water, agricultural viability and protection from extreme weather and landslides.
• Without conservation efforts, Lenya will no longer be a natural corridor for wildlife species and this could result in the loss of tigers in Myanmar.

Take action

• Track commercial logging and mining, and expose global supply chains to discourage purchase from Myanmar. Recipient countries should strengthen policies and enforce sanctions, require thorough due diligence and follow financial flows.
• Reach agreement on shared land authority to establish clear land use management in Lenya.
• Support environmental activists to take action that prevents logging and mining.
• Empower local communities to protect their landscape and improve their governance over natural resources.

“Attacks by the military on Indigenous Peoples and environmental defenders mean that the forests are at risk – and for this reason we want to say to the world ‘this coup doesn’t just affect our country,  but the future of the globe’.” -  Indigenous Karen activist

Source: https://news.mongabay.com/

t