The Karen Rivers Watch called on the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) to impose a total ban on the construction of large dams that are harmful to the environment in formulating policies for federal democracy, the group said in a statement.

On the International Day for the Rights of the Rivers, which falls on March 14, Karen civil society groups and the Ei Tu Hta refugee camp have joined with the local people to issue a statement.

The statement called on the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) to focus on environmental policies that are in line with indigenous livelihoods in formulating policies for federal democracy.

In addition, the statement requested the National Unity Government (NUG) to recognize environmental organizations and to offer financial support, technology capacity building, and legal advice in order to run the operation smoothly, to cooperate with and support the local people, and to issue directives against the construction of large dams that harm the people.

And they also asked KNU to continue to conserve and implement natural resources such as rivers, forest resources, endangered species, and mangrove forests in accordance with the existing environmental policies set by Kawthoolei and called for effective action to prevent the natural resources of the Kawthoolei region from falling under the profiteers.

The Karen Rivers Watch called on international organizations not to recognize the military junta as a legitimate government and requested foreign investors to immediately suspend the businesses that provide financial support to the military council.