August 12,2022
STATE Chairman Prime Minister Sen-ior General Min Aung Hlaing planted a Gangaw (Mesua ferrea) sapling at a monsoon the Union Territory, Nay Pyi Taw, yesterday morning.
Also present on the occasion were SAC Vice-Chair-man Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win -el officials, the chairman of the Nay Pyi Taw Council and chief ministers of regions and -nel and students from the uni-versity of forestry and natural environment and basic education
schools.
In his speech at the cere-that plant-growing functions are to be held three times in the rainy season this year with a view to preserving forest re-greening the natural environ- ment.
Like Pakistan, Viet Nam and the Philippines, he said, Myanmar is launching green campaigns to help protect and Conserve the natural environ ment, contribute to economic development and alleviate climate change and global warming.
He added that forests play an important role in responding to climate change and studies find that one hectare of forest can store 53.2 metric tons of carbon and the world’s forests can absorb 16.2 million metric tons of carbon dioxide in a year. Therefore, it is necessary to place a special emphasis on forest conservation.
As Myanmar is one of the countries most vulnerable to the consequences of climate change and the duration of the monsoon has become shorter and it can affect the agricultur-al work of the country.
Myanmar possesses the seventh largest area of man-groves in the world and, in My-anmar, most of them are found in Rakhine State, Ayeyawady and Taninthayi Regions. They are an important ecosystem that can prevent natural dis-asters and contribute to the livelihood of the people living in the coastal areas.
Therefore, the Senior Gen-eral urged those responsible to work actively together with people and social organiza-tions to grow mangroves and shade trees in 60 townships in coastal areas. Myanmar has potential for businesses based on marine resources and so it is important to conserve for-ests in the watershed areas in order to protect the networks of creeks and rivers for long-term use.
Myanmar’s geographical position has a variety of eco-systems and natural resourc-es. Special focus should be given to the conservation of tropical forests in the arid zone as depletion of tropical forests can lead to drought, loss of un-derground water and deserti-fication, which can affect the livelihood of the local people, the Senior General pointed out.
Myanmar is enhancing co-operation with international organizations to respond to climate change, prevent nat-ural disasters, ensure food sufficiency and conserve var-ious ecosystems for the so-cioeconomic development of the country.
The Senior General con-cluded, saying that it is the custom of Myanmar people to grow plants with a view to ensuring the long-term inter-ests of posterity, that it is im-portant to bear in mind the consequences of deforestation and that it is the national duty to preserve the country’s rich forest resources, biodiversity and ecosystem for national de-velopment. Finally, the Senior General looked around and encouraged the participants who are plant-ing the saplings.—MNA
