Trees planted in Ann to mark U Ottama Day

By Admin 09 Sep 2023

DMG Newsroom
9 October 2023, Sittwe

Led by environmentalists, residents in Arakan State’s Ann Township planted more than 1,300 fruit trees, edible plants and perennials to mark the 84th anniversary of U Ottama Day.

On 300 acres of land on Mt. Pyin Chaung, they planted more than 500 plants on Friday and over 800 plants on Saturday.

“We planted trees to mark U Ottama Day with a view to conserving the environment, conserving habitats for the wildlife, and facilitating the livelihoods of locals,” organiser Ko Myo Lwin said.  “We also planted trees at the mangrove forest sanctuary, which was established in honour of Sayadaw U Ottama.”

The mangrove sanctuary established by environmentalists in Ann Township covers 500 acres and boasts 56,000 mangrove trees.

Since 2019, local environmentalists have been planting trees monthly in Ann Township, and also on commemorative days. They have reportedly planted more than 300,000 trees so far.

Seventy-five percent of the trees have survived to now be significant in stature, and the remaining 25 percent is logged by local residents for firewood or to make charcoal or bricks, said Ko Myo Lwin.

“If they cut down a tree either to use it as firewood or make charcoal, young trees near die as tree trunks and branches fall on them. Certain [other] human activities also kill trees,” said Ko Myo Lwin.

Since 2015, civil society organisations have made concerted efforts to conserve forests and mangrove swamps, but the government has provided little assistance.

Environmentalists have called for government intervention as mangrove forests have been increasingly depleted in Kyaukphyu, Taungup, Ann, Myebon and Ramree townships.

U Saw Win from the Public and Environmental Development Association said: “There is a need for greater cooperation with environmental organisations and the government.”

According to 2015 data from the Arakan State Forest Department, there were 395,726 acres of mangrove forests in Arakan State at the time, though environmentalists say that acreage has been subject to significant illegal logging in the years since.