THE Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation held the first 4 monthly meeting of 2019-2020 financial year at the Forest Department in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning.
In his opening remark, Union Minister U Ohn Win said the Forest Department distributed 13 million saplings before this monsoon, and called for plantation of these saplings in respective states and regions.
He also said both tree planting and logging are important for the country as 83 per cent of the country’s population is relying on the forests. Timber export could increase the country’s revenue, and that illegal trade of log must be prevented.
Sagaing Region has possessed the best forest area of the country, and timber production should be resumed in accordance with the plans in 2019-2020 financial year.
Areas of reserved/natural forests have doubled in four years, compared with those in 28 years ago.
Myanmar has set up 2,065 community forests before the current administration, and 2,866 during the term of this government, totally 4,931 units of these forests.
The Union Minister also explained a US$200 million loan from the World Bank, reforestation plans and mining business in line with the article 16 of Forest Law.
He also discussed inspection of sawmills and reforestation plans for dry zones of the country.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Minister, Nay Pyi Taw Council member and natural resources and environmental ministers for Region/State governments.
MNA
(Translated by Aung Khin)
PHOTO: MNA
Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar