Environmental protection is a top concern in the construction of the natural gas pipeline in Myanmar.

Myanmar-China pipeline spans central Myanmar, with unloading points at Kyaukphyu in Rakhine state, Yenanchaung in Magway and Thaungtha in Mandalay. Myanmar will receive 2.5 billion cubic metres of natural gas a year from the pipeline.

The major cause of worry of a possible leak in the pipeline has been put to rest, with energy officials, having preinstalled supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems.

Since its inception, the construction process and the environmental protection measures have been developed in strict compliance with international standards, owing to the inflow of foreign investment.

An in-depth look into a number of factors such as geology, climate, air, noise, water quality, hydrology, animals and plants will be provided by the environmental impact assessment (EIA) report.

EIA also identifies feasible solutions for mitigating or preventing the potential effects of the proposed projects on the environment.

The Myanmar-China Pipeline Watch Committee is continuing to press the issue of compensation, for land acquired by the pipeline operators. The committee comprises of 25 civil society groups active in 21 townships. So far, there has been no environmental pollution or ecological damage accident.