Forestry for community development in Myanmar: research issues

摘要

Myanmar possesses an ecological spectrum ranging from the snow-capped mountains to tropical rain forest as well as costal and marine ecosystems. Such a wide variety of environmental conditions allows for the existence of diverse flora and fauna. Keeping in line with the forest principles of UNCED 1992, the Government of Myanmar has issued the new Myanmar Forestry Policy in 1995. The new National Forest Policy introduces, and focuses on the modern concept of biodiversity conservation and upgrades the people's participation in forestry. People's welfare and participation are emphasized in the legislation by allowing the village communities to establish the community plantations on public forestlands and even in the reserves. The Forest Department of Myanmar has also decentralized its management role to release socio-economic pressure and to reduce rural poverty. Rural development programmes have been launched across the country, especially in the environmentally critical areas such as the Ayeyardady Mangrove Delta, Southern Shan State, and the Dry Zone. Research in areas such as community forestry, agroforestry, non-timber forest product and small scale forest enterprises have been conducted as an integral part of rural development programme.