Environmental Impact of Bagan River Project

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Environmental Impact of Bagan River Project

Witteveen+Bos and Grontmij helping to create a safe human environment in Myanmar

The South-East Asian nation of Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) is situated in a river delta. Every year, the country is confronted with droughts, flooding and other water-related problems. In order to tackle these issues and strengthen the position of the Dutch private sector in the region, the governments of the Netherlands and Myanmar concluded an agreement on integrated water management in 2013. Further to this agreement, engineering firms Witteveen+Bos and Grontmij were recently commissioned to conduct an environmental study together with local partner Wunkyin (Environment) Myanmar Cooperative.

Under the agreement between the Netherlands and Myanmar, various water-related pilot projects have already been identified. One of these is the Bagan River Multi-Purpose Beautification Project, which is aimed at improving the navigability of the Ayeyarwady River (also known as the Irrawaddy) near the historic city of Bagan, and implementing various measures to improve local living conditions. These measures will include protecting an inhabited island in the river against erosion, upgrading the local irrigation system, generating energy by means of hydropower, and constructing a centre for tourists on the island to create new jobs for the local population.

Environmental Impact Assessment experts, river experts and hydrologists employed by Witteveen+Bos and Grontmij are conducting a study for this project on behalf of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO.nl). The aim is to assess the project's impact on the environment and the local population, and to identify possibilities for minimising any negative effects and making optimal use of positive effects.

Source: Witteveen+Bos

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