Villagers have been threatened for protesting against a licence application by three companies to build prawn farms in mangrove forests in Sun Nge Bar Laing village tract in Kawthaung township, Tanintharyi Region.

The companies want to convert more than 1,500 acres of mangrove forest to saltwater prawn farming, so 42 villagers sent them a letter outlining their objections, on January 20.

A Palaw Ba Laing villager involved with the protest said: "The village administer said that the mangrove forest [wanted] for the Su Nge Ba Laing saltwater prawn farming is state-owned property, and the locals have no rights to object. He also said that the protesters will soon face legal charges.”

The companies have applied for several acres of land, which could lead to shortages for local people who depend on the mangrove forest for their livelihoods. So, 42 villagers from five villages submitted a letter objecting to the plan.

Most of the villagers from five villages in the area: Su Nge Bar Laing, Su Nge par Khaung, Palaw Bar Laing, Leik Kyun, Wah Kyun in Su Nge Bar Laing Village tract depend on the mangrove forest to find fish, shrimp and crabs for their livelihoods, according to locals.

"Most of the people in the five villages in the Su Nge Bar Laing village tract are dependent on fishing for their livelihoods. If the 1,550 acres of mangrove forest were to be controlled by the private companies, locals would lose a significant amount of their livelihoods,“ said a villager from Su Nge Bar Laing who filed a letter of protest.

Golden Panda Co. Ltd has applied for 606 acres in the Su Nge Bar Line mangrove forest, Grand Andaman Co. Ltd has applied for 140 acres and Than Pyo Thu Co. Ltd has applied for 874 acres of Aw Gyi Di Mangrove Forest.