Burma economic opening threatens biodiversity. Environmental organizations are on alert.
Few multinational industries in timber and mining sectors are located in Burma. The country has been relatively untouched by the ravages of the environment that have affected other Asian countries.
Today, the gradual opening to democracy led to a renegotiation of the economic embargo. Burmese flexible laws and corruption attracts polluting industries.
Burma hosts 1,099 species of birds listed on the 1324 Asia. Coral reefs are very little affected, pristine rivers and many untapped oilfields abound offshore Myanmar. But a national company, Yuzana, in the hands of the military generals, is already at work in Hukaung Valley, considered as the world's largest reserve for tigers in 2001. It razed forests to plant sugar cane and is planning to establish a gold mine.
Thai industries face national environmental laws. They project to relocate their dirtiest production in Burma, their nearest neighbor.
Ranked at the 180th position out of 183 of the most corrupt countries by the NGO Global Transparency, conservationists fear the worst for Burma.
However, the country has a long tradition of conservation, which is lacking in the neighboring countries. A large number of international environmental organizations plan to settle in the country and intends to work with local organizations. "if Burmese people inspired themselves by the best environmental matters, they could create something incredibly beautiful" said a specialist.