There are over 500,000 hectares of mangroves across the country in Myanmar, but the number is declining as many of the plants were cut down to be used as firewood, or to give way to fish farms.
To curb the degradation of the eco-system, forest reserves are being established in coastal areas of the southeast Asian country.
As part of its efforts in protecting local people living near the coastal areas from natural disaster, Myanmar is implementing a mangrove conservation project in Rakhine state’s Sittway and Kyaukpyu, and Tanintharyi region’s Myeik with the cooperation of local non-governmental organizations.
Meanwhile, the country is taking measures to improve management of water resources to prevent flooding and water scarcity.
It also called for fighting pollution of the Ayeyawaddy River that flows through the country from north to south.
The event will provide opportunities for the country to learn from international specialists about all-round management of water resources, response to natural disaster, new techniques and ideas on water resources management and achieving water sufficiency.
Moreover, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is providing new farming techniques for Myanmar as part of a project to address climate change risk on water resources and food security in the dry zone.
The new techniques include crop spacing method, drought resistant crop selection, water conservation and environmentally sensitive livestock husbandry practices.
The four-year project worth 7.9 million U.S. dollars is the first of its kind in Myanmar to receive funding from the Adaptation Fund.