The Inspiring Model of Community Conserved Territories in Myanmar: Launch of the Thawthi Taw-Oo Indigenous Park

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Subject: The Inspiring Model of Community Conserved Territories in Myanmar: Launch of the Thawthi Taw-Oo Indigenous Park

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Amidst conflict and displacement, the need to preserve the lands of the people and natural environment is urgent. But visionary endeavours are still continuing. In this commentary, the KESAN network describes the recent establishment of the Thawthi Taw-Oo Indigenous Park, bringing local communities together to protect ecological systems and ways of life that are under threat. The goal is not simply conservation for today but environmental practices and reforms that will last into future generations.

These commentaries are intended to contribute to a broader understanding of the many challenges facing the country and its peoples.

See the complete list of all the Myanmar commentaries.

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The Inspiring Model of Community Conserved Territories in Myanmar

Launch of the Thawthi Taw-Oo Indigenous Park

A Myanmar Commentary by the Karen Environmental and Social Action Network

Geba Karen dance group at Tawthi Taw-Oo Indigenous Park launch ceremony. | Private source

Last December 10, 2024, saw the founding of the “Thawthi Taw Oo Indigenous Park” or TTIP in a three-day ceremony and celebration. The TTIP is the second “community conserved territory” officially recognised by the central authorities of the Karen National Union (KNU). It is located in Taw Oo (Toungoo) District, the KNU’s northern-most administrative region.

The first such initiative – the Salween Peace Park (SPP) – is based in the KNU’s Mutraw (Hpapun) District and was launched six years ago in December 2018. Despite intense aggression from the State Administration Council (the current military regime established after the 2021 coup), the Salween Peace Park continues to survive and earn international recognition for its inspired vision, the resilience of its people, and its contribution to the construction of a federal future.

Now one can fully hope and expect the SPP’s sister initiative, the newly-founded TTIP, to follow suit and help carry the vision further. P’doh Saw Eh Wah, chairperson of the TTIP Steering Committee and KNU secretary in Taw Oo District, explained in his opening speech:

“Born in this country known as Burma, we the indigenous people have never had our rights. There are no Indigenous Peoples’ rights mentioned in either the country’s constitution or national laws. We are regarded as stateless with no country, land and literacy. Our lands are being labelled as vacant/fallow lands which can be given to companies at any time in the name of development. This is a big threat for us. So, if the leaders of the country where we live do not recognize our rights, then we must find a way to assert our own rights. According to the United Nations and its UNDRIP, we the Indigenous People have the rights to manage our lands, territory, and practise our culture and traditions. Therefore, we must first acknowledge that we inherit these rights, and we must reclaim our rights through these international platforms.”

The TTIP’s launch, organised by the TTIP Steering Committee, brought together representatives of all the different ethnic and religious groups, village communities and organisations in Taw Oo District, along with representatives of numerous allied organisations and communities from outside the district who wanted to show solidarity and support for the initiative.

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Subject: The Inspiring Model of Community Conserved Territories in Myanmar: Launch of the Thawthi Taw-Oo Indigenous Park

A Myanmar Commentary by the Karen Environmental and Social Action Network