Activists say an environmental and social impact assessment for the proposed Naung Pha dam is being carried out without a public announcement to avoid protests that have plagued other dam projects.

Shan community groups are calling for the suspension of a Chinese-backed dam on the Salween River that they say risks exacerbating conflict and environmental problems.

Shan civil society organisations have renewed their call for a halt to plans to build a series of hydropower dams along the Salween River.

Environmentalists and community groups are calling on Aung San Suu Kyi not to commit to plans to build dams on the Salween River when she meets with Thai officials this week.

Thailand, China and Burma are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding for the development of the Mong Ton hydropower project Salween River this year.

To mark the International Day of Action for Rivers, 14 March, several coordinated demonstrations sprung up along the channel, with locals from all over Burma uniting to demand suspension of the six dams planned for the Salween, one of the last and longest free-flowing rivers in the world.