After the coup, fishermen are catching fewer fish because mining along the Irrawaddy River has contaminated the area.

“The water has become murky because of the many gold mines upstream... Mercury from mining has also contaminated the river,” said Ah Taar from Myitkyina. He explained that they used to catch one to two viss (1.63 kg to 3.26 kg) of fish, but now only come home with half a viss. (0.815 kg). This dramatic decline is affecting the livelihoods of fishermen who depend on the fish for their daily survival.

According to Ah Taar, mining companies are dumping their waste into the river, which is killing the fish Also, some fishermen are using electricity to indiscriminately kill fish. This has led to a decline of fish stock in the Irrawaddy, the country's largest and most important waterway.

Locals told Network Media Group that it's not safe to drink the water and that their skin itches when they bathe in it.

The regime has given permission to many cronies and entrepreneurs to mine gold in the Myitsone region of Kachin State.

Environmentalists have long pointed out the destructive impact of gold mining in the area, which had been reduced under the former government of Aung San Suu Kyi. Under the dictatorship, the situation has continued to worsen, affecting the welfare and health of thousands of people and wildlife native to the region.