Pyithu Hluttaw’s members discussed yesterday the motion to speed up afforestation and to fight illegal logging nationwide in attempts to avert the impact of climate change.
Following the discussion of 17 MPs, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation gave a nod to the motion.
Due to deforestation in forest-covered areas, Myanmar experienced the worst weather in 2015-2016, ranking 2nd among 187 countries in the global weather danger index. Hence, the motion urging the government to systematically implement Green Land Project in Nay Pyi Taw, Yangon, Mandalay and Pyin Oo Lwin, as soon as possible by upgrading conservation of forests across the country and simultaneously expand the projects year by year in other regions was approved by the Pyithu Hluttaw meeting held yesterday.
As regards the motion, 17 parliamentarians seconded the motion and U Ohn Win, Union Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation submitted that the motion be approved.
U Bo Gyi of Chauk constituency discussed that suitable conservations should be made in the places of deforestation and in places of decreased status of forests and eradication of illegal wood cutting should be carried out in cooperation with related departments and the public.
Daw Khin Than Nu of Mindon constituency discussed that forests of poor quality have been cleared away completely and new plants are being substituted, but the poor-quality forests have valuable wood and other bamboos and bushes in natural way, hence it has natural ecosystem. She presented that implementations may lead to false results, just by deciding upon maps without studying situations on the ground.
Afterward, U Nyan Lin of ShwePyiTha constituency discussed matters of deforestation in Myanmar and urgent need to get rid of gangs of smuggling woods illegally which will cause deforestation.
U Nyan Hein of Thanbyuzayat constituency also discussed that armed gangs of smuggling woods are inter alia the cause of deforestation, hence the need to assign duties to the special forces of eradication of smuggling woods comprising of police force and personnel from forest department.
Dr Win Aung of Khin-U constituency presented that rule of law on forest is of great need in protecting forests, and difficulties encountered by forest personnel should be promptly solved, especially their security due to the attacks of the armed gangs.
Regarding the motion, U Min Thaing of Bogale constituency, U Kyaw Myint of Taikkyi constituency, Dr Daw Khin Si Thu of Loikaw constituency, U Myint Kyi of Katha constituency, U Myat Lay Oo of Htilin constituency, U Khin Cho of Hlaingbwe constituency, U Zaw Min Lwin of Madaya constituency, U Thant Zin Tun of DekkhinaThiri constituency, U Kyaw Min Hlaing of OttaraThiri constituency, U Tun Wai of Phaung Pyin constituency, U Zarni Min of Shweku constituency and Lt Col Min Thaw Aye of Tatmadaw representative took part in discussions respectively.
As regard the motion, U Ohn Win, Union Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation discussed that the Ministry would cooperate at the full capacity in carrying out civil development programmes, with the distribution of young plants to locals and techniques and 10-year project for reforestation in Myanmar. Then the Union Minister presented that the motion be approved by the Hluttaw.
In the meeting, U Khin Cho of Hlaingbwe constituency raised the question as to situation of extraction of underground resources, which is a staple source of national income.
Concerning the question, U Ohn Win, Union Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation replied, “Apart from industrial ore minerals and gold, extraction of other minerals has increased more than last year. Extraction of refined gold, jewels and jade decreased compared to that of last year. In the financial year 2016-2017, income from ore minerals increased more than last year with income from jade and jewels found to have fetched K 280000 million. It decreased compared to last year. In the financial year 2016-2017 off-shore natural gas projects fetched US$ 2743.04 million, gaining less than last year. In the financial year, oil, natural gas, mineral jewels, forest and forest products and hydro-power product collected income tax amounting to Ks 276317.354 million, commercial tax amounting to Ks 151244.491 million and Ks 389437.558 million of special commercial tax.”
Reference: GNLM
June 1, 2017