The fight for resources in Myanmar’s deep south
Tanintharyi Region, the southern tip of Myanmar, abounds with natural resources and the problems associated with them. Residents in the isolated region face over-mining by foreign companies, the proposed development of a deep-sea port, an oil refinery and a special economic zone, mechanised farming of rubber and palm oil, an illegal trade in timber, overfishing, migration, and coal-fired power plants. However, the regional government has no authority to block large projects approved by Nay Pyi Taw.