Villagers in Kalargote Island deeply concerned of coming large-scale projects

Villagers in Kalargote Island deeply concerned of coming large-scale projects

Proposed construction of an airport and deep seaport on Kalargote Island in Ye Township, Mon State is the source of serious concern for local people.

Kalagote Island is located in Ye Township, in the Bay of Bengal, about 10 miles south and northwest of Nit-Ka-yen and Kawdot villages. It is an isolated island about 9 miles long and 3300ft wide.

The village tract in Kalagote is located in the upper, middle and lower harbours as well as in Pauk Chaung.  The area hosts a total of 1088 houses and 1113 households. According to the 2014 census, over 4000 people live in the area and work in fisheries and/or farming.

According to the island residents, during the latest rainy season, red flags were planted, and a new red road was built in the area around Pauk Chaung near the Kalargote upper harbor.

Kalargote’s Village Administrator, U Daung Sein said “They [the navy] said it was for the airport, however really, we are not sure about that. They are experimenting [doing ground testing] with backhoes and bulldozers.”

Residents of Kalargote have not been fully informed about the projects by any local authorities. Local people are worried they might lose their farmlands and local business due to the large-scale projects.

“I do not want these projects here. If the [projects are implemented], we will surely lose our main source of livelihoods such as our farmlands, so how can we move forward if this happens? There are not just a couple of people, but many people live here,” said Nai Aung Min, an island resident.

The Mon State government and Bedok Construction & Engineering Co., Ltd have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)  in 2017 to construct a deep-sea port project on the island as part of the Mon State Government’s Comprehensive Development agenda.

The Mawrawaddy navy took over Kalargote in 2001, and Deputy Minister Maj-Gen Kyaw Nyunt of Ministry of Defense made it clear at the regular session of the Pyithu Hluttaw that [the Navy] has no plans to return it.

He added that the 3525 acres of land now owned by the Mawrawaddy Naval station were in compliance with procedures, and compensations were made at local prices as required by the National Defense Strategy.

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