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Proceedings of International Conference on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services for the Sustainable Development Goals : Policy and Practice 27-29 June 2016 at the Sirindhorn International Environmental Park, Cha-am, Phetchaburi, Thailand

Myanmar  forestry  policy  and  institutional arrangement:  Case  study  of  mangrove deforestation  between  1980  and  2015 San Win1 Sirinthornthep  Towprayoon2 Amnat  Chidthaisong3 Joint  Graduate  School  of  Energy  and  Environment,  King  Mongkut’s  University  of  Technology  Thonburi,  126,  PrachaUthit  road,  Bang  Mod,  Bangkok,  Thailand E-mail:  sanwin.fd@gmail.com1,  san.win@mail.kmutt.ac.th1,  sirin@jgsee.kmutt.ac.th2,  amnat_c@jgsee.kmutt.ac.th3,  amnat@jgsee.kmutt.ac.th3 Abstract-Mangrove  forest  in  Myanmar,  among  8  major  forest  types,  is  playing  a  key role  in  providing  ecosystem  services  to  coastal  communities  and  the  nation.  It  is  found  along  the  coast  (2,400  km),  from  Naff  River  in  Rakhine  State  to  Pachyan  River  in  Tanintharyi  Region.  It  is  threatened  by  increase  of  socioeconomic  needs,  and  climate change.  Objectives  of  the  study  include  understanding  existing  law  and  policy,  and  institutional  arrangement  status,  the  cause  and  barriers,  and  ways  cope  with  deforestation.  The  results  are  expected  to  be  supportive  in  achieving  sustainable  development  in  parallel  with  conservation.  There  have  been  several  reports  on  mangrove  cover  change  in  Myanmar.   FAO  (FRA  2007  &  2015)  reported  the  mangrove  cover  decreasing  from  555,500  ha  (1980)  to  299,000  ha  (2015).  In  addition  Forest  Department  (FD)  reported  the  degradation  rate  of  about  11,088  ha/yr.  In  terms  of  policies  and  institutional  arrangements,  forest  Law  was  amended  in  1992,  Forest  Policy  in  1994  and  Environmental  Conservation  Law  (2012)  were  enacted.  The  Mangrove  Sect ion  under  Wat ershed  Management  Division  of  FD,  Environmental  Conservation  Department  (2012)  has  been  established,  and  the  ministry  was  reformed  in  2016.  Despite  specific  law,  policy,  and  regulations,  forest  degradation  in  Myanmar  is  still  happening  in  many  ways.  Consequently,  mangroves  are  conserved  by  establishing  administrative  boundary  such  as  Reserved  Forest  and  Protected  Area  since  1896  but  (e.g.  in  Ayeyarwaddy)  136,448.26  ha  of  mangroves  were  degraded  between  1980  and  2002.  Myanmar  needs  clear  and  strong  legal  framework  followed  by  enhancing  institutional  conservation  methods  activities,  collaboration,  raising  awareness  and  alternative  job  opportunities,  to  protect  mangroves  taking  into  account  these  data  from  FAO  and  FD. Keywords:  Mangrove,  Ecosystem  services,  institution,  deforestation,  policy 88 Proceedings  of  the  International  Conference  on  Climate  Change,  Biodiversity  and  Ecosystem  Services  for  the Sustainable  Development  Goals  (SDGs):  Policy  and  Practice  27-29  June  2016,  Cha-am,  Phetchaburi,  Thailand


Proceedings of International Conference on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services for the Sustainable Development Goals : Policy and Practice 27-29 June 2016 at the Sirindhorn International Environmental Park, Cha-am, Phetchaburi, Thailand
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