Homalin
Encyclopedia
Homalin or Hommalinn is a small town in northwestern Burma
and capital of the Homalin Township
in Hkamti District
of the Sagaing Division
. The town lies on the Chindwin River
and is served by Homalin Airport.
The Tamanthi Wildlife Reserve
extends into the Homalin Township. Gold has been found in the river sand of Uyu River
and extraction has been undertaken jointly with the Russia
ns. The town also has a drug (heroin) manufacturing unit maintained by an Infantry Battalion of the Myanmar Army.
plied weekly between Pakokku
and Homalin. Government of Myanmar also plied its launches on this route. During World War II
, Homalin on the bank of the Chindwin River, was occupied by the Japan
ese in late May/early June 1944. Following this, after the Japanese were defeated, the town was combed thoroughly to remove any Japanese soldiers and this was followed by further preparations to counter any Japanese gunboat attacks from the river side.
On August 6, 1988, an earthquake with an epicentre near Homalin killed 3 people, damaging infrastructure.
Myanmar
had the distinction of accounting for 60% of world’s heroin supply, in 1997, with the production of about 2500 tonnes of opium
. Particularly in North Burma, the Army has been maintaining the drug refineries.The 22nd Infantry Battalion (IB) has a refinery at Homolin, apart from other places in the region, which establishes “The Regime's Complicity in the global drug trade.”
Homalin, a small town, lies close to the Indian border, at the head end of a bend in the Chindwin River, after an island. It has the backdrop of large forested mountains, which rise to a height of 9000 feet (2,743.2 m). Some amount of cultivation is also seen on the lower slopes of the hills. Geographical area of the Homalin Township is 2768927 acres (1,120,546 ha) including arable land of 18039 acres (7,300.1 ha) and forest land of 706317 acres (285,836.6 ha). The average elevation of the town is 101 m.
The Uyu River
, a major tributary of the Chindwin River flows close to Homalin. The sand in this river carries gold
particles and also, some times, small nuggets. Local villagers pan this river sand to extract gold dust with the hope of finding small nuggets.
Climate
Homalin Township
where Homalin Town is located in the Chindwin region experiences warm and wet climate. The average annual rainfall reported is between 70 inches (177.8 cm) and 90 inches (228.6 cm). Temperature variation is between 50 °F (10 °C) in winter and 92 °F (33.3 °C) in summer.
ethnic group reside in Homalin and Naga Traditional New Year is also celebrated here with fervour.
-Phaungbyin
-Homalin-Hkamti Road, which is 330 miles (531.1 km) long. This is being extended and bridges are being built by a Road Construction Special Group-10 to make it an all weather
road. A suspension bridge, 1000 ft long and 16 ft wide, was constructed recently across the Uyu River linking Homalin with the Thetkekyin-Phaungpyin-Homalin-Khamti Road.
Country boats, locally known as landwins, also ply in the waters of the Chindwin River to Homalin. Both Irrawaddy
and its major tributary the Chindwin River have Inland Water Transport facilities, which are being improved further.
The Homalin Airport (HOX) in the centre of the Homalin town has flights operating to Yangon and Mandalay and is on the popular tourist circuit. It is located at an elevation of 498 feet (151.8 m) and has a runway of 3002 feet (915 m) length.
plants are also intercropped within the rubber plantations to make the economic yield from the land even more viable. Since Rubber has a world wide demand, local people have been urged to expand area under cultivate rubber cultivation as also as tea as a commercial venture.
A TV retransmission station has been set up in Homalin, as part of establishing such stations at 41 townships of the Sagaing, Mandalay and Magway Divisions.
Mineral extraction
The exploration of gold
from the Uyu River in Homalin got a boost when the Geological Survey and Mineral Exploration Department of Myanmar and the Victorious Glory International of Russia
signed a deal for exploration of "gold and associated minerals".
The Tamanthi Dam which is component part of the Tamanthi Hydroelectric Project (installed capacity 1200 MW) on the Chindwin River, which was under planning and investigations since 2004, is to be implemented with assistance from the Government of India
, following a Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) signed on September 16, 2008 between the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation
(NHPC) of India and the Government of Burma, as a joint venture project. The submergence under this project which is now under implementation, has serious issues of displacements of 380 families from Leivomjang and Tazong villages that would come under submergence between Tamanthi
and Homalin in Sagaing Division.
Myanmar
Burma , officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar , is a country in Southeast Asia. Burma is bordered by China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, the Bay of Bengal to the southwest, and the Andaman Sea on the south....
and capital of the Homalin Township
Homalin Township
Homalin Township is a township in Hkamti District in the Sagaing Division of Burma. The principal town is Homalin. The principal rivers flowing through the township are the Chindwin River form north to south and the Uyu River from east to west, joining the Chindwin near Homalin...
in Hkamti District
Hkamti District
Hkamti District or Khamti District is a district in northern Sagaing Division of Burma . Its administrative center is the town of Singkaling Hkamti....
of the Sagaing Division
Sagaing Division
Sagaing Region is an administrative region of Burma , located in the north-western part of the country between latitude 21° 30' north and longitude 94° 97' east...
. The town lies on the Chindwin River
Chindwin River
The Chindwin River is a river in Burma , and the largest tributary of the country's chief river the Ayeyarwady . It flows entirely within Burma and is known as Ning-thi to the Manipuris.-Source:...
and is served by Homalin Airport.
The Tamanthi Wildlife Reserve
Tamanthi Wildlife Reserve
Tamanthi Wildlife Reserve is a wildlife reserve of Burma . It was established on April 11, 1974 on the eastern bank of the Chindwin River, across from the town of Tamanthi...
extends into the Homalin Township. Gold has been found in the river sand of Uyu River
Uyu River
The Uyu River, also pronounced Uru River , is a river in northern Myanmar, formerly Burma. It is a major tributary of the Chindwin River, itself the largest tributary of the country's chief river, the Ayeyarwady. Its source lies in the Hukawng Valley of Kachin State, and it takes a southwesterly...
and extraction has been undertaken jointly with the Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
ns. The town also has a drug (heroin) manufacturing unit maintained by an Infantry Battalion of the Myanmar Army.
History
The 1908 Imperial Gazetteer of India recorded that the steamers of the Irrawaddy Flotilla CompanyIrrawaddy Flotilla Company
The Irrawaddy Flotilla Company was a passenger and cargo ferry company, which operated services on the Irrawaddy River in Burma, now Myanmar. The IFC was Scottish-owned, and was managed by P Henderson & Company from Glasgow. The IFC operated from 1865 until the late 1940s...
plied weekly between Pakokku
Pakokku
Pakokku or Pa Kok Ku is a town in the Magway Division in Myanmar. It is situated about 30 km northwest of Bagan on the Ayeyarwady River. It is the second most important education center for Sangha after Mandalay. It is the administration seat of Pakokku Township and Pakokku District.The town...
and Homalin. Government of Myanmar also plied its launches on this route. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Homalin on the bank of the Chindwin River, was occupied by the Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese in late May/early June 1944. Following this, after the Japanese were defeated, the town was combed thoroughly to remove any Japanese soldiers and this was followed by further preparations to counter any Japanese gunboat attacks from the river side.
On August 6, 1988, an earthquake with an epicentre near Homalin killed 3 people, damaging infrastructure.
Myanmar
Myanmar
Burma , officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar , is a country in Southeast Asia. Burma is bordered by China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, the Bay of Bengal to the southwest, and the Andaman Sea on the south....
had the distinction of accounting for 60% of world’s heroin supply, in 1997, with the production of about 2500 tonnes of opium
Opium
Opium is the dried latex obtained from the opium poppy . Opium contains up to 12% morphine, an alkaloid, which is frequently processed chemically to produce heroin for the illegal drug trade. The latex also includes codeine and non-narcotic alkaloids such as papaverine, thebaine and noscapine...
. Particularly in North Burma, the Army has been maintaining the drug refineries.The 22nd Infantry Battalion (IB) has a refinery at Homolin, apart from other places in the region, which establishes “The Regime's Complicity in the global drug trade.”
Geography
The Uyu River
Uyu River
The Uyu River, also pronounced Uru River , is a river in northern Myanmar, formerly Burma. It is a major tributary of the Chindwin River, itself the largest tributary of the country's chief river, the Ayeyarwady. Its source lies in the Hukawng Valley of Kachin State, and it takes a southwesterly...
, a major tributary of the Chindwin River flows close to Homalin. The sand in this river carries gold
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
particles and also, some times, small nuggets. Local villagers pan this river sand to extract gold dust with the hope of finding small nuggets.
Climate
Homalin Township
Homalin Township
Homalin Township is a township in Hkamti District in the Sagaing Division of Burma. The principal town is Homalin. The principal rivers flowing through the township are the Chindwin River form north to south and the Uyu River from east to west, joining the Chindwin near Homalin...
where Homalin Town is located in the Chindwin region experiences warm and wet climate. The average annual rainfall reported is between 70 inches (177.8 cm) and 90 inches (228.6 cm). Temperature variation is between 50 °F (10 °C) in winter and 92 °F (33.3 °C) in summer.
Demographics
The town has a population of roughly 1500 people. The NagaNaga people
The term Naga people refers to a conglomeration of several tribes inhabiting the North Eastern part of India and north-western Burma. The tribes have similar cultures and traditions, and form the majority ethnic group in the Indian state of Nagaland...
ethnic group reside in Homalin and Naga Traditional New Year is also celebrated here with fervour.
Transportation system
The main artery road in the region is the ThabeikkyinThabeikkyin
Thabeikkyin is a town in the Mandalay Division of central Myanmar. It is alleged by the Democratic Voice of Burma that a secret nuclear facility is located there. -External links:*...
-Phaungbyin
Phaungbyin
Paungbyin, Pyaungbin or Phaungbyin is a town in Mawlaik District, Sagaing Division, of Burma , on the Chindwin River. It is the principal town of Paungbyin Township.-External links:* Asterism* Maplandia...
-Homalin-Hkamti Road, which is 330 miles (531.1 km) long. This is being extended and bridges are being built by a Road Construction Special Group-10 to make it an all weather
Weather
Weather is the state of the atmosphere, to the degree that it is hot or cold, wet or dry, calm or stormy, clear or cloudy. Most weather phenomena occur in the troposphere, just below the stratosphere. Weather refers, generally, to day-to-day temperature and precipitation activity, whereas climate...
road. A suspension bridge, 1000 ft long and 16 ft wide, was constructed recently across the Uyu River linking Homalin with the Thetkekyin-Phaungpyin-Homalin-Khamti Road.
Country boats, locally known as landwins, also ply in the waters of the Chindwin River to Homalin. Both Irrawaddy
Irrawaddy
Irrawaddy may refer to:*Irrawaddy River, the main river of Burma*Irrawaddy Delta, a rice growing region of the country*Ayeyarwady Region, an administrative division of Burma*The Irrawaddy, a Burmese news publication based in Chiang Mai, Thailand...
and its major tributary the Chindwin River have Inland Water Transport facilities, which are being improved further.
The Homalin Airport (HOX) in the centre of the Homalin town has flights operating to Yangon and Mandalay and is on the popular tourist circuit. It is located at an elevation of 498 feet (151.8 m) and has a runway of 3002 feet (915 m) length.
Economy
The climatic conditions in Homalin have been found suitable to grow Rubber plantations. The conditions have been well exploited by establishing viable rubber cultivation practices by introducing high-yield strains like the PRIM 600, PB-260, BPM-24, GT-1 and PBIG. This has resulted in expansion of rubber plantation areas in the township, which has created ample employment opportunities to the local people and thus improved their economic conditions and living standards. PineapplePineapple
Pineapple is the common name for a tropical plant and its edible fruit, which is actually a multiple fruit consisting of coalesced berries. It was given the name pineapple due to its resemblance to a pine cone. The pineapple is by far the most economically important plant in the Bromeliaceae...
plants are also intercropped within the rubber plantations to make the economic yield from the land even more viable. Since Rubber has a world wide demand, local people have been urged to expand area under cultivate rubber cultivation as also as tea as a commercial venture.
A TV retransmission station has been set up in Homalin, as part of establishing such stations at 41 townships of the Sagaing, Mandalay and Magway Divisions.
Mineral extraction
The exploration of gold
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
from the Uyu River in Homalin got a boost when the Geological Survey and Mineral Exploration Department of Myanmar and the Victorious Glory International of Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
signed a deal for exploration of "gold and associated minerals".
Hydropower development
As a part of the overall economic development of the Chindwin region in its upper reaches, several hydropower projects have been planned on the Chindwin River, which includes the Homalin Hydropower Project with a capacity of 150 MW. This project also envisages benefits of irrigation.The Tamanthi Dam which is component part of the Tamanthi Hydroelectric Project (installed capacity 1200 MW) on the Chindwin River, which was under planning and investigations since 2004, is to be implemented with assistance from the Government of India
Government of India
The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India...
, following a Memorandum of Understanding
Memorandum of understanding
A memorandum of understanding is a document describing a bilateral or multilateral agreement between parties. It expresses a convergence of will between the parties, indicating an intended common line of action. It is often used in cases where parties either do not imply a legal commitment or in...
(MOU) signed on September 16, 2008 between the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation
National Hydroelectric Power Corporation
NHPC Limited , A Govt. of India Enterprise, was incorporated in the year 1975 with an authorised capital of Rs. 2000 million and with an objective to plan, promote and organize an integrated and efficient development of hydroelectric power in all aspects...
(NHPC) of India and the Government of Burma, as a joint venture project. The submergence under this project which is now under implementation, has serious issues of displacements of 380 families from Leivomjang and Tazong villages that would come under submergence between Tamanthi
Tamanthi
Tamanthi, Htamanthi or Tamanthe is a village on the Chindwin River in Homalin Township in Hkamti District in the Sagaing Region of northwestern Burma.It is located near the Tamanthi Wildlife Reserve. It is near the planned multi-purpose Tamanthi Dam...
and Homalin in Sagaing Division.