Environmentalists call for greater bird conservation efforts

By Admin 03 May 2023

DMG Newsroom
3 May 2023, Sittwe

Environmentalists have called for not poaching birds in particular between April and August, when many species lay their eggs. They said the hunting of birds during their egg-laying season affects their reproduction, and puts them at risk of extinction.

“Not all eggs survive to fledge due to various risks. So their population will decline over time if people hunt birds and take their eggs,” said U Yan Naung Soe, chairman of the Rakhine State Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Association.

In Myanmar, 428 species of birds are completely protected, 267 species are normally protected, and 193 species are seasonally protected. Most of the species lay their eggs between April and August.

Environmentalists say the bird population is declining year after year in Myanmar due to poaching. Deforestation also contributes to the decline. Environmentalists have called for cooperation between the relevant departments and local residents to prevent deforestation.

“We must protect the existing birds instead of eating them. Authorities must educate people about the importance of birds to the ecosystem,” said Ko Aung Zay Min from Ramree Township, who is involved in bird conservation.

Besides conserving forests, there is also a need for authorities to spend large sums of money on bird conservation programmes, according to environmental activists.

The Arakan State Forest Department said it organises talks in stable townships about the impacts of deforestation and the importance of bird species, and explains the legal consequences of illicit poaching.

U Aye Min Hlaing, deputy director of the Arakan State Forest Department, said: “Animals can’t be poached, whether it is egg-laying [season] or not. There is a law in place against poaching of wildlife. But people fail to follow the law.”

The Conservation of Biodiversity and Protected Area Law, enacted in 2018, carries penalties that include fines and three to 10 years in prison for killing, hunting and injuring completely protected wildlife. The law also prescribes up to five years in prison and/or a fine of 300,000 kyats to one million kyats for hunting or selling normally protected wildlife.

There are more than 1,000 bird species in Myanmar, and over 50 of them are considered at risk of extinction.