Pajau Media
6th February 2025
Residents of Machan Baw Township in the Putao District report that following over a year of intensive gold mining activities along the Malihka River, the river is experiencing a significant rise in pollution levels.
“Currently, all the villages in Nam Kham and Namsa Bum within the upper Machan Baw region are engaged in gold mining activities utilizing excavators and large machinery. Recently, the river water has become contaminated and is no longer safe for use. Residents living along the riverbanks are unable to utilize resources such as fish, shellfish, or even drinking water. Those who previously relied on fishing for their livelihood are now unable to continue this work. They are encountering significant hardships,” as expressed by a local individual from Machan Baw.
In the earlier gold mining era, residents of Putao Township and Machan Baw Township relied solely on the river water from the MaliHka River for various purposes, including agriculture, fishing, and drinking.
The ongoing extensive mining activities in the upper reaches of the Malihka River have resulted in the contamination of the river water, rendering it toxic. This pollution is adversely affecting agricultural and drinking water supplies, as well as other essential areas, thereby creating significant challenges for the local population.
The fishing industry, which serves as the primary means of livelihood for the local population, is experiencing a gradual decline. This downturn is attributed to the pollution of the river's water, the extinction of various fish species, and the river's narrowing and alteration of its course.
Gold mining was previously prohibited above the Malihka River suspension bridge. However, local residents report that the pollution of the river water has deteriorated significantly due to mining activities involving large machinery, which are occurring not only along the riverbanks and agricultural lands in the villages upstream but also within the villages themselves.
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