Paul is a Karen environmentalist and indigenous activist from Myanmar who has dedicated his life to defending the socio-ecological resilience of the Salween River basin—Asia’s last dam-free main river. Working at the intersection of political ecology and grassroots advocacy, he focuses on protecting both the globally significant biodiversity of the region and the cultural heritage of the Karen people

To empower cornered indigenous communities to defend their ancestral territories, Paul co-founded the Karen Environmental and Social Action Network (KESAN) in 2001. Through KESAN, he prioritizes community-led conservation, ensuring that local voices drive the protection of their own land and heritage.

Paul’s collaborative efforts culminated in the establishment of the Salween Peace Park in December 2018, a transboundary protected area where he currently serves as President. The creation of the park was a massive community-driven feat, with Paul and KESAN actively engaging 348 villages and mobilizing support from approximately 68,000 Karen people. Together, they now safeguard over 5,400 square kilometers of biodiversity. Crucially, the initiative formally re-established Kaw, a traditional indigenous land governance system that prohibits the hunting of endangered species while reinforcing the deep historical connection the Karen people have to their environment.

In 2020, Paul was awarded the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize in recognition of his lifelong commitment to environmental preservation, indigenous sovereignty, and community-based governance.