Residents of Chuncung Village are preparing to stage a protest in the Chin State’s capital Hakha to object to the construction of a dam in Lai tili Lake as part of the development of Mt. Zinghmuh as a national park without informing the public.
“It’s an authoritative act to carry this out without even informing the village administrator. When the public amicably told them [not to build the dam], they continued to work on it after assigning armed security police. Chuncung Village won’t stand this act where they continued [to build the dam] despite our dislike. The public assembly will work on protesting this issue. We will stage a protest in Hakha,” said a social activist from Chuncung Village.
“They worked on the dam without informing the public. This site is a sacred and precious site for Chuncung residents. It’s a beautiful place which is used for religious activities. It is also the source of rivers and stream. They came and started building the dam as they like. Even the administrator didn’t know [about it]. The public sent a letter to the government. They ignored it and continued to build the dam. Around 180 Chuncung residents went to ask them to stop the dam on September 4. Chuncung Village Chairman was summoned and was told to resume the work on September 8, but the elders didn’t accept it. The village elders told them to stop the work. The government doesn’t accept it and they continue to work on it by assigning security police forces in September,” he continued.
“The government has already permitted the development of the national park. The budget has already been permitted. The boundary signs have already been erected in Htantlang and Falam townships with consent from the two townships. The boundary sign hasn’t been erected in Hakha yet since it hasn’t agreed to it yet. Hakha’s side has the widest area. The Forestry Minister has already met with the local residents and told them that they will not be affected and they will be allowed to raise gayal, farm, and use the grazing land. Actually, the objections have caused us some difficulties because we aim to depend on the natural park to develop the tourism industry and attract visitors to beautiful places. Politics seems to be involved as well. They want us to do it after 2020. We will try our best to reach an understanding with the public,” said U Soe Htet, spokesperson of the Chin State government and minister of municipal affairs.
Mt. Zinghmuh is located in Hakha, Htantlang, and Falam townships and its peak is 8,414 feet above sea level. The government is developing a 19,937-acre national park, covering 7,756 acres in Hakha Township, over 4,000 acres in Htantlang Township, and over 6,000 acres in Falam Township.
