Bamboo shortages reported in Thayawady District due to ongoing fighting

By Admin 26 Oct 2023

DMG Newsroom
26 October 2023, Thayawady, Bago Region
 
Those who rely on bamboo for agriculture in western Bago Region’s Thayawady District are facing difficulties due to ongoing fighting there.
 
Fighting between junta troops and anti-regime forces has been ongoing in Thayawady, Okpho, Minhla and Letpadan townships since September.
 
As a result of the hostilities, locals are unable to cut bamboo along the Bago Yoma mountain range.
 
“Clashes between the military and local PDFs [People’s Defence Forces] have been reported in the Bago Yoma mountain range for about one month. Locals are unable to go to the jungle to cut down bamboo. Bamboo is also not available as much as needed, so it is difficult for those who make plantations,” said the owner of a timber and bamboo shop in Thayawady.
 
Some local bamboo cutters have reportedly had to flee apparent targeting.
 
“I dare not go to the Bago Yoma mountain range to cut down bamboo. I came back home from the jungle as I heard gunfire last month. Some locals had to flee because of the armed forces shooting at them while cutting down bamboo,” said a local in Letpadan.
 
Due to the scarcity of bamboo cutters and the shortage of bamboo, orchard owners have had to stop their work.
 
“We have to stop cultivation of vegetables and fruits such as pumpkin and bitter gourds. There is a shortage of bamboo at timber and bamboo wholesale centres. All vegetable farms will be destroyed if we cannot cultivate fruits and vegetables in time. All farm owners are facing difficulties,” said an orchard owner in Minhla.
 
Resistance groups have warned local residents not to enter the Bago Yoma mountain range due to the ongoing fighting.
 
Local residents mainly grow beans, pumpkins and gourds in Thayawady District, and farmers estimate that there are about 100,000 acres under cultivation.