Development of Chin State

Dr. Salai Tun Than

Introduction

The Chin State is the least developed region in the Union of Burma. The present military
administration victimizes the Chin State since only the Chins of different tribes live there; and at
the same time almost all of them are Christians. It is rumoured that some secret letters are
circulated among the Burmese soldiers stating that any Burmese soldier would be complimented
with large amounts of cash and promotion if he could marry a Chin Christian lass and convert
her into a Buddhist. Of course the existence of this letter would be denied and even disowned if
found red handed as it is the common practice of the Burmese military government. Many of the
Churches and erected crosses on the mountain taps are destroyed and some Chin Christian
pastors are arrested without any charges.

Democracy, nevertheless, will be acquired in Burma in the very near future and Chins must be
ready and prepared to develop the Chin State however difficult this may be. The Chin State has
very few resources and the land is mostly steep and hilly with not much flat land even to contain
a football field. Naturally, one of the hardest feats in the Chin State would be to construct
modern highways for surface communication. However, it should not be too difficult as in the
former days.

Survey, Exploration, Experimentation and Data Collection

Survey of vegetation, physical features of land and rivers for feasibility of future highways, eco-
tourism, riverine transportation, farming, hydro-electricity, minerals and useful stone extraction,
etc. must be carried out as an initial development work. The first priority must be given to the
feasibility study of transportation (both land and water followed by air), farming, ecotourism,
and energy. They are the first things people will need. Climatologically data should be collected
at the same time since these records will be useful for all undertakings.

While the ventures for the development of transportation, farming, eco-tourism, and energy are
in progress, the net priority should be given to study the need to establish industries for
turpentine \production, timber and plywood mills, and manufacturing paper. The actual
production can be started soon after all weather transportation is in service and assured energy is
available.

A detailed study on the exploration and extraction of minerals and useful stones should be the
last one the priority list though exploration study may be started from the very beginning as it
involves in depth study and movement of heavy machinery. Naturally transportation and assured
availability of energy play a vital role to start actual implementation for production.

Transportation

Transportation of all kinds is the most important when actual development of Chin State begins.
When we look at the Chin State map we find that there are numerous streams mostly flowing
from the north to the south. Some of them should be made navigable by fast small boats or even
small hovercrafts. Some watersheds should be contoured suitably and planted with double hedge
rows along the contour with leguminous trees. There hedge rows will make the soil absorb rain
water as much as possible and seep out spring water slowly throughout the year. Thus the water
level in the streams will be maintained more or less the same throughout the whole year. Besides,
forest fires must be put out as soon they are detected. Decayed leaves become humus in the soil
which makes the soil absorbs more water. Dredging water ways should also be done as
necessary.

There is a surface motor road from Kyauktaw in the Rakhing State to Palewa in Chin State and
seems to be a fair weather road. This road should continue to Mae lan ta lan close to Bangladesh
and Indian borders. This road should connect Daletma and Witon on its way and it should be
durable and serviceable in all weather and have double lanes.

There should be another all weather serviceable and couble lane road from Nga myin thoung
which is close to Rakhaing State to Sa baung te along the Sami chaung passing Sami
village.Sabaungte is closed to the Indian border.

There is another road from Chihka, the northern most of the Chin State, to Mindat to the south.
This road should be extended to Hondu in the south from Matupi along the Kyun Laung stream.
All the roads both new and existing should be serviceable in all weather and have double lanes.
There should be 4 to 5 all weather double line roads from east to west of the Chin State at
suitable places.All villages and towns should be connected with all weather double lane roads.
Each village should have a heliport and fairly large towns should have small air ports.

Energy

While waterway survey is in progress water falls that can be converted into hydro-electricity
must be examined. Hydro-electricity works should be installed wherever possible so long as they
do not impinge severely upon the ecosystem and abstract normal water lanes. Electricity
obtained should be consumed locally in the Chin State fully and the remaining energy should be
sold either to other states in Burma or neighbouring countries for state income. Other sources
such as solor and wind energy may be extracted for energy whenever possible. Chin State should
be self sufficient in electricity.

Eco-Tourism

Eco-tourism is not only a good business for income of the state, it can also provide us with a lot
of information on the Chin State. If feasible, it should extend from Kanpetlet and Mount Victoria
to the north ending at Chinka or any suitable place. There should be observation posts or look out
places at suitable sites. These places will become welcome stations for the tourists and vigilant
posts for forest fires. Chins as well as other Burmese citizens and students should be encouraged
to hike this tourism route both for scenic vista and scientific studies. When the budget and the
opportunity permit, there should be several routes of eco-tourism throughout the Chin State.

Farming

Although farming or agriculture is the main livelihood of Burma there are still many problems.
Problems are concerned with the land, the farmers, and the government policy. In the Chin State
most of the farmers carry out slash-and-burn or shifting cultivation or taungya farming method.
This method destroys fauna, flora, and soil resulting in denudation of cultivable slope and its
environment. This makes many flowing streams dry up in summer. Without further discussion
on this problem which would amount to pages, the author likes to dwell on implementation of
actual farming system and establishment of farm villages and metamorphosis of better rural
social life making the whole enterprise enviable. It is described as an addentum at the end of the
article.

Turpentine Production

The most suitable place or places for turpentine production should be chosen after a detailed
study on the continuous commercial availability of raw materials, assured electricity, all weather
transportation, and land configuration for building factory(ies). For long term operation, the cost
of production and certainty of market should also be considered.
Timber and Plywood Industry

Again it is needless to say that continuous and sufficient supply of raw materials is required. As
stated above, certainty of energy supply, good transportation, profitable cost of production, and
assured marketing must be considered. For maximum labour employment and income, furniture
business with modern design should be taken into account.

Paper Industry

The same underlying principles are involved in paper industry. For more labour employment
packing stuff, toilet materials, and stationery products may be manufactured.

Chromite, Nickel, Slate, Marble, Talc Production

Detailed exploration study is needed for the commercial production, feasibility of mining and
manufacture of chromite, nickel, slate, marble, talc and others. As stated above certainty of
electricity, good transportation and positive marketing are necessary considerations before any
commercial production factories are built. Cost of production must also be considered for long
term manufacturing.

Contribution of Chins

For the development of Chin State every thing has to be planed wisely so that time, money,
human energy, and natural resources may not be wasted as the progression of development goes
on. As there are many tribes involved, no tribe should be left behind no matter how small,est one
be accused of favouritism.

Assistance from Chins who are experts, specialists, and professionals are needed in every
undertaking. Nothing should be done hastily. The development of Chin State really counts on
common Chins who have nothing but willingness to participate. Every cent and dollar
contribution from Chins all over the world will hasten the Chin State development and their
ideas will undoubtedly enhance Chin State development immensely.

Our Present Situation

It is described in "North America Chin Directory 2008" that wet land rice is grown in lowland
and valley areas as Paletwa, Kanpetlet, Mindat, Matupi, Than Long, Haka, western part of
Falam, and Tan zang. Orchard crops such as orange, apple, coffee, and tea are also raised on
permanent fields on sloping hills although the acreage is not extensive. The crops that occupy on
the majority of sloping land are upland rice, corn, millet, soybean, some pulses, potato, sweet
potato, and other vegetable crops. These crops are grown under shifting cultivation method. The
yields obtained in both types of permanent and shifting cultivation are very low due to infertility
of the soil and low input of manures and fertilizers, and poor management.

Problems of Shifting Cultivation

A shifting cultivation farmer cannot farm an a given land more than a year because of severely
reduced fertility in the second year due to soil erosion and virulence of weeds and pests. In a
clean cut and burnt place some fertility is obtained in the first year from burnt ash and most of
the weed seeds and pest residues in that place are also burnt, thus making the first year relatively
free from weeds and pests. As described above, in the second year this land is besieged by all
kinds of miseries such as low fertility, weeds, vicious diseases and insects. This makes it not
worth while to continue cultivation and it is better to move to a new plot by starting all over
again by cutting, burning, etc.. It is usually done only in hill regions.

Necessity of "SALT" Farming

This shifting cultivation is to be substituted by a permanent farming. "SALT" or Sloping

Agricultural Land Technology has to be employed in this case. This method will do away with
erosion and therefore soil fertility loss will be at minimum. Besides, it will save the farmers
from yearly cutting, burning, etc. Most important of all one will have enjoyable environment full
of natural fauna and flora and the dry streams will be flowing again filled with fish and water
animals.

The sloping land should not be farmed if the slope percentage is more than 25 per cent.
However, the author has seen some farmers cultivate an area which has a slope of about 45 per
cent where the land is scarce. Of course if the farmer follows a strict SALT method there should
be not much harm to the soil except difficult working condition.

What is SALT Farming Method ?

SALT farming method is cultivation on a horizontal strip of a sloping land where the slop is
divided by a series of close double lines of hedge rows of leguminous plants which are raised at
suitable contour levels. If the slope percentage is 25 to 45, a perpendicular drop for the contour
line should be 6 feet. The width of strip for cultivation on this land will be between 9 to 13 feet.
Between the slope percentage of 10 to 25 a drop of 5 feet contour line may be used and it will
give the strip width of 13 to 25 percent. Below 10 percent slope one may employ a suitable drop
depending on the land configuration. Above 25 percent slope sloughing and harrowing should
not be carried out as it encourages erosion and difficult to operate. Instead dibbling method may
be employed to plant seeds.

Agricultural Experiment Stations

Depending on the climate, soil types, and land physical features relevant agricultural experiment
stations must be established all over the state. These experiment stations shall conduct adaptation
and characters of new crops, crop rotations and relay system, water management especially water
harvesting methods for dry season farming, fertility studies, local food consumption and eating
habits, marketing, rural social behavior, man and machine labour requirement, time and motion
study in the the farm house and farm operation, and testing of machines, equipment, and
chemicals. Experiments on farm animals, their processing, well being of soils, crops, animals,
and environment must be conducted. The results obtained must be imported to the farmers and
also published for general public and agricultural scientists. Only then rural people will prosper
and intelligent youth will want to work in the farms to boost production. Of course the results
obtained will be a valuable source for the establishment of more model farm villages all over the
Chin State and the Federal Union for.

Preparatory Stage

An area about 1500 acres of continuous and even sloping land where a motor road can be
constructed and an access to electricity can be made available is chosen for farming. Another
1000 acres plot close by is also located for farm forest. The farmer area has to be cleared. The
individual farm plots are arranged in such away that farmers live in their own plots in a cluster of
4 houses. There should be about 100 farm houses in 25 clusters of 4 houses. In the middle of
the village there shall be a school, a medical clinic, a market place, and a police substation for
security. A common burial ground may be allocated and so also a coltage industry. Each farm
should be about 12.5 acres or 5.0 hectares. All the farm plots are contoured with double hedge
rows of plants.

Farmers and Farm Wives

Farmers of this model village must have representatives from all tribes. Either English or
Burmese may be used if no native dialect could be used as a common language. Therefore these
farmers should be well educated and this will help not only understanding between tribal groups
it will be easy to teach modern farming suitable to the farm location. Thus only high school
graduates should be accepted in equal number in this model village.
The farmers will be taught in modern farming appropriate to the farm location to be
established. These farmers will become facilitators for future model farm villages. They will be
trained in the operation of modern farm including usage of suitable machines, farm accounting,
and computer operations.

Farm wives may participate whenever they can especially in the latter tow skills. They will be
trained in basic cooking, nutrition, sewing and knitting, food preservation and other suitable
trades.

There should be discussion among farmers and farm wives and even exchange of farmers within
the state, out of the state, and overseas. Sending them to advance countries for farming and farm
living should be considered.
Water

Availability of water for the farm during the rainy season should not be a problem. If there are
perennial flowing streams nearby there should be no problem also. Otherwise farmers have to
depend on harvesting water in above tanks from the farm buildings and below the ground in the
midst of contour strips. Tanks above ground and overhead should be installed close to the farm
buildings to collect falling water from the roofs during the rainy season.

Education

The central government of the Federal Union of Burma should formulate a core syllabi which
should be only 70 percent. The rest should be developed by states to suit their requirements. Fro
primary, middle, and secondary education all the students should learn through teachers and self
study from books, assignments, discovery by way of field strips, expectations, discussions, etc.

Examinations should be open book examination, take home examinations, group examinations,
etc. just to discover answers by themselves. Test mark should be not 100 but even more than a
teacher could answer within a given period, just like TOEFL examination. The examination
should be not to find where the student is weak but where he/she is strong. In other words if a
student is interested only in sport let him/her becomes a sport person. The students should know
how a village or a town or a state is operated so that he/she becomes a responsible person. The
student should serve his/her country by way of his interested specialty

Health

Human health should begin the day that person's future parents decide to get married. Future
parents' health should be examined for their future body. When the mother gets pregnant there
should be instructions on how to take care of herself and the health department must provide the
best prenatal care. Child birth should be under a trained person. Later on Lady Health Visitor
should take care of the child health together with a doctor. .

Every village should have a well trained nursery and preschool where working mother could
leave their babies in good hands without any worry. School children's physical and mental
health should be given great care until their graduation. There should be books on health written
in plain language from prenatal care to until death. Old age people should be well cared for and
homes for the aged must be established as required.

Officials in the Farms

There should be come agricultural specialists, veterinarians, foresters, special worker,

economists, doctors, dentist, teachers, administrators, etc. They should stay in the farm about a
year and visit them whenever necessary to make this model village a success in later
years. These officials must work as a team not as individuals. They can help the villagers from
every aspect of a successful community.
Model Village Publications

There should be annual publication from every section of undertaking of this model village, such
as education, health, agriculture, police, cottage industry, etc. They should be in a gazette or
official record and compiled as an annual village gazette. There may be a village magazine
where any villager may expose their literary style on any field.

There may be a poster type village newspaper. Any news may be written or printed on a post
card size and posted on a special table. There may be different sections such as lost and found,
social, religion, local news, weather, etc..

Beyond the Model Village

At the end of 5 years there should be shrewd, penetrating, and practical appraisals on this model
farm village. It should be tackled by the farmers themselves, the neighbouring farmers, men on
the street, administrators, and the legislators. The questions "Is this model farm village type
desirable in the long run for the Chin State?" "Are the farmers satisfied with their present
employment?" Is the model farm village life enviable for you?" "Is there anything you would
like to change in this model farm?" If nobody likes it natural, we should abandon it total and
consider some other type because one cannot run away from this village life. If every body like
it with or without change then let us do it in leaps and bounds.

We must team up together and work for the common improvement of the Chin State. The path
for this task is not a bed of roses. It is not important how we fall but it is important how we rise
up. Let us not predict our future, let us create it together. In the name of God we can do it.