The protest letter was signed by over 40 organisations. They criticised that the leasing lacked transparency and that the planned development project on the land could likely cause environmental degradation.

The land designated as the buffer zone around the gardens were allotted for coffee plantations in 1995. However, many of those who obtained the land plots there failed to plant any coffee trees and built villas instead, resulting in damage to the surrounding areas, they said.

“All local civil society organisations oppose the plan to lease it for industrial land development. We oppose it because our environment will be harmed. These are newly allocated coffee plantations. It means that they have now been changed to land grants,” said Aung Min, a recently elected MP representing Pyin Oo Lwin Township.

Ko Gyi, vice chairman of the Seinlann Pyin Oo Lwin Group, locals want to see the land remain as farmland.

“When it becomes industrial land, the new tenants will be able to do whatever they want there. Although the land was previously permitted for coffee plantations, many of those who obtained land plots there failed to plant any coffee trees. If they get industrial leases, they will do what they want. We will plan a public protest if no action is taken in response to the locals’ objections,” said Ko Gyi.

District Commissioner Aung Zaw Lat said an inspection team including three ministers has been assigned to the case since the local people voiced their opposition to the plan. He said as a district commissioner, he does not have the authority to lease the land but must follow instructions from above.