Arakan locals encouraged to establish community forests

By Thiha 22 Dec 2020

Thiha | DMG
22 December 2020, Sittwe

The Forest Department has invited people in Arakan State to establish community forests in its efforts to promote local forestry practices in Myanmar.

Assistant Director U Tin Moe of the department said the government has allowed community forests across the country, and communities wishing to plant trees under this framework can apply with the concerned township Forest offices.

“The government has allowed planting community forests across the country. Our department welcomes those wishing to plant forests. Under the practice of community forestry, communities plant, manage and benefit from forests,” he said.

Community forestry is broadly defined as the management of forests by local communities to address social equity while pursuing plans for the sustainability of forest resources.

Those wishing to plant community forests must live within a 5-mile radius of the proposed site. They can submit applications stating the types of trees they want to grow as well as their long-term plans for planting, forest management and production.

The Forest Department will provide free saplings for the first year, according to U Tin Moe. Some are already growing community forests in Arakan State’s Kyaukphyu District, said Deputy Director U Chit Hlaing Win of the district Forest Department.

“There are two types of land available for planting community forests — lands owned by the Forest Department and vacant and virgin lands. If communities are to grow forests on lands owned by the Forest Department, they can apply directly with us. If they are to grow on vacant and virgin lands, they will also need to seek permission from concerned township General Administration Departments,” he said.

While the majority of community forests are grown on vacant and virgin lands in Kyaukphyu Township, most people grow them on forest reserves in neighbouring Ramree Township, according to the Kyaukphyu District Forest Department.

“To grow community forests, there must be at least five local residents as a group,” said U Chit Hlaing Win. “Our department also provides necessary assistance.”

As a concept, community forestry aims to provide timber and non-timber forest products to local people, creating livelihood opportunities and increasing forested areas as a means of poverty alleviation while promoting the sustainability of forest resources, participatory forest management and climate change mitigation, he said.