Nurseries provide seedlings for national reforestation program, parts of arboretum established in Myanmar: successful completion of another project year
Myanmar is amongst the economies with the highest forest cover in the Greater Mekong Subregion. But not only are the forests extensive, as they are influenced by tropical and subtropical monsoon mountainous climates they are home to rare fauna and flora. These are also valuable sources of commercial timber and non-timber forest products (NTFPs), which support the livelihoods of the people of Myanmar. However, the overexploitation of forests for livelihoods through charcoal production, shifting cultivation, and encroachment has compromised this goal and led to the loss of forest genetic resources. A way to harmonize these demands had to be found.
Thus, in 2019 APFNet started the project “Integrated Forest Ecosystem Management Planning and Demonstration” in the Greater Mekong Sub-Region (Myanmar), which aimed to conserve the existing forest germplasm resources both in-situ and ex-situ and demonstrate the integrated management of the watershed, which is one of the key habitats of the rare species. In October 2022, the third year of the 5-year project ended, and despite previous obstacles posed by the pandemic project activities have been successfully continued to be implemented.
As mentioned, one of the main foci of the project is the conservation of the diverse forest germplasm resources of Myanmar. More than 80 plant species are so threatened, they are already included in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red list. Additionally, forest genetic resources are essential for forest-dwelling communities that rely on timber and NTFPs for food security, subsistence, and income generation.
In this context, the APFNet project established a breeding nursery in the first 2 project years and is currently establishing an arboretum inside the Forest Research Institute (FRI) in Yezin, Naypyitaw in Southern Myanmar, mainly to preserve species ex-situ, but also to provide seedlings for national reforestation efforts. The nursery is already running, in this project year it already provided 500 tree seedlings to Myanmar’s National Tree Program. The arboretum, which is still under construction, completed the planting of various thematic zones on 16 ha in 2022, including the zone for medical plants, endangered tree species and the precious timber tree garden, and protected 9 ha of native forest zone out in parallel with the construction of an education centre, an entrance gate and the road system (Fig.1).Myanmar is amongst the economies with the highest forest cover in the Greater Mekong Subregion. But not only are the forests extensive, as they are influenced by tropical and subtropical monsoon mountainous climates they are home to rare fauna and flora. These are also valuable sources of commercial timber and non-timber forest products (NTFPs), which support the livelihoods of the people of Myanmar. However, the overexploitation of forests for livelihoods through charcoal production, shifting cultivation, and encroachment has compromised this goal and led to the loss of forest genetic resources. A way to harmonize these demands had to be found.
Thus, in 2019 APFNet started the project “Integrated Forest Ecosystem Management Planning and Demonstration” in the Greater Mekong Sub-Region (Myanmar), which aimed to conserve the existing forest germplasm resources both in-situ and ex-situ and demonstrate the integrated management of the watershed, which is one of the key habitats of the rare species. In October 2022, the third year of the 5-year project ended, and despite previous obstacles posed by the pandemic project activities have been successfully continued to be implemented.
As mentioned, one of the main foci of the project is the conservation of the diverse forest germplasm resources of Myanmar. More than 80 plant species are so threatened, they are already included in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red list. Additionally, forest genetic resources are essential for forest-dwelling communities that rely on timber and NTFPs for food security, subsistence, and income generation.
In this context, the APFNet project established a breeding nursery in the first 2 project years and is currently establishing an arboretum inside the Forest Research Institute (FRI) in Yezin, Naypyitaw in Southern Myanmar, mainly to preserve species ex-situ, but also to provide seedlings for national reforestation efforts. The nursery is already running, in this project year it already provided 500 tree seedlings to Myanmar’s National Tree Program. The arboretum, which is still under construction, completed the planting of various thematic zones on 16 ha in 2022, including the zone for medical plants, endangered tree species and the precious timber tree garden, and protected 9 ha of native forest zone out in parallel with the construction of an education centre, an entrance gate and the road system (Fig.1).
While the conservation of genetic resources in ex-situ gene banks is important, the in-situ conservation in forests and on farms is the most important measure to sustainably protect the genetic resources of tree species.
Thus, the second focus of the project is the implementation of integrated watershed forest management in the Palaung watershed. The watershed is located in Shan State. Many of this area’s tree species are commercially important and rare. Between 2001 and 2010, the Shan State's net forest loss was the highest among the states. The annual rate of deforestation is now 0.93% in the area. Consequently, many environmental and social issues, such as land degradation, soil erosion, lower water quality, and poverty, became a vicious cycle. In addition, population growth, limited alternative livelihood opportunities, poor environmental awareness and deforestation, and forest degradation by practicing shifting cultivation resulted in a worsening of the situation. Hence, how to implement the integrated watershed land and secure environmental stability is becoming a critical question for forest management in Shan State.
To enable the local people to carve out a livelihood while protecting the watershed, APFNet supported them to establish agroforestry plots to prevent erosion and decrease the need for unsustainable logging. In project year 3, the already established 37 ha of agroforestry demonstration plots were maintained and monitored (Fig.2a). The survival rate of planted trees on most plots was above 80%. Furthermore, a machine for the processing of turmeric, a highly valuable NTFP, was provided to the village community, which enables farmers to sell an added-value product (turmeric powder) instead of the raw material (Fig.2b), thus achieving a higher income. This activity is expected to promote small and medium enterprises at the village level. In the new project year, more than 3700 bamboo, timber and fruit trees will be planted in 16 ha of additional demonstration plots. These will be intercropped with seasonal crops.
Capacity building and knowledge transfer to the local community, local government and staff are also important objectives for this APFNet project, which aims to have a long-term impact and ensure sustainable forest management practices beyond the duration of the project. In this context, training for the village community on using the turmeric grinder machine was provided. Further training on the processing of turmeric powder and marketing as well as on agroforestry in combination with organic farming will follow this year. In addition, during the upcoming project year, several pieces of training for young researchers and local leaders on integrated forest management will be conducted. Also, the arboretum project site received its first study groups of students in year 3. In the upcoming project year, the arboretum will be further developed, e.g. by establishing a labelling system for plants in the thematic gardens and the education centre will be furnished, so the number of visitors and study tours are expected to increase over time.
Capacity building and knowledge transfer to the local community, local government and staff are also important objectives for this APFNet project, which aims to have a long-term impact and ensure sustainable forest management practices beyond the duration of the project. In this context, training for the village community on using the turmeric grinder machine was provided. Further training on the processing of turmeric powder and marketing as well as on agroforestry in combination with organic farming will follow this year. In addition, during the upcoming project year, several pieces of training for young researchers and local leaders on integrated forest management will be conducted. Also, the arboretum project site received its first study groups of students in year 3. In the upcoming project year, the arboretum will be further developed, e.g. by establishing a labelling system for plants in the thematic gardens and the education centre will be furnished, so the number of visitors and study tours are expected to increase over time.
Thus, in 2019 APFNet started the project “Integrated Forest Ecosystem Management Planning and Demonstration” in the Greater Mekong Sub-Region (Myanmar), which aimed to conserve the existing forest germplasm resources both in-situ and ex-situ and demonstrate the integrated management of the watershed, which is one of the key habitats of the rare species. In October 2022, the third year of the 5-year project ended, and despite previous obstacles posed by the pandemic project activities have been successfully continued to be implemented.
As mentioned, one of the main foci of the project is the conservation of the diverse forest germplasm resources of Myanmar. More than 80 plant species are so threatened, they are already included in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red list. Additionally, forest genetic resources are essential for forest-dwelling communities that rely on timber and NTFPs for food security, subsistence, and income generation.
In this context, the APFNet project established a breeding nursery in the first 2 project years and is currently establishing an arboretum inside the Forest Research Institute (FRI) in Yezin, Naypyitaw in Southern Myanmar, mainly to preserve species ex-situ, but also to provide seedlings for national reforestation efforts. The nursery is already running, in this project year it already provided 500 tree seedlings to Myanmar’s National Tree Program. The arboretum, which is still under construction, completed the planting of various thematic zones on 16 ha in 2022, including the zone for medical plants, endangered tree species and the precious timber tree garden, and protected 9 ha of native forest zone out in parallel with the construction of an education centre, an entrance gate and the road system (Fig.1).Myanmar is amongst the economies with the highest forest cover in the Greater Mekong Subregion. But not only are the forests extensive, as they are influenced by tropical and subtropical monsoon mountainous climates they are home to rare fauna and flora. These are also valuable sources of commercial timber and non-timber forest products (NTFPs), which support the livelihoods of the people of Myanmar. However, the overexploitation of forests for livelihoods through charcoal production, shifting cultivation, and encroachment has compromised this goal and led to the loss of forest genetic resources. A way to harmonize these demands had to be found.
Thus, in 2019 APFNet started the project “Integrated Forest Ecosystem Management Planning and Demonstration” in the Greater Mekong Sub-Region (Myanmar), which aimed to conserve the existing forest germplasm resources both in-situ and ex-situ and demonstrate the integrated management of the watershed, which is one of the key habitats of the rare species. In October 2022, the third year of the 5-year project ended, and despite previous obstacles posed by the pandemic project activities have been successfully continued to be implemented.
As mentioned, one of the main foci of the project is the conservation of the diverse forest germplasm resources of Myanmar. More than 80 plant species are so threatened, they are already included in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red list. Additionally, forest genetic resources are essential for forest-dwelling communities that rely on timber and NTFPs for food security, subsistence, and income generation.
In this context, the APFNet project established a breeding nursery in the first 2 project years and is currently establishing an arboretum inside the Forest Research Institute (FRI) in Yezin, Naypyitaw in Southern Myanmar, mainly to preserve species ex-situ, but also to provide seedlings for national reforestation efforts. The nursery is already running, in this project year it already provided 500 tree seedlings to Myanmar’s National Tree Program. The arboretum, which is still under construction, completed the planting of various thematic zones on 16 ha in 2022, including the zone for medical plants, endangered tree species and the precious timber tree garden, and protected 9 ha of native forest zone out in parallel with the construction of an education centre, an entrance gate and the road system (Fig.1).
Fig.1 Entrance gate of the Arboretum in Yezin, newly constructed education centre, greenhouse and data collection of planted trees in the thematic garden
Thus, the second focus of the project is the implementation of integrated watershed forest management in the Palaung watershed. The watershed is located in Shan State. Many of this area’s tree species are commercially important and rare. Between 2001 and 2010, the Shan State's net forest loss was the highest among the states. The annual rate of deforestation is now 0.93% in the area. Consequently, many environmental and social issues, such as land degradation, soil erosion, lower water quality, and poverty, became a vicious cycle. In addition, population growth, limited alternative livelihood opportunities, poor environmental awareness and deforestation, and forest degradation by practicing shifting cultivation resulted in a worsening of the situation. Hence, how to implement the integrated watershed land and secure environmental stability is becoming a critical question for forest management in Shan State.
To enable the local people to carve out a livelihood while protecting the watershed, APFNet supported them to establish agroforestry plots to prevent erosion and decrease the need for unsustainable logging. In project year 3, the already established 37 ha of agroforestry demonstration plots were maintained and monitored (Fig.2a). The survival rate of planted trees on most plots was above 80%. Furthermore, a machine for the processing of turmeric, a highly valuable NTFP, was provided to the village community, which enables farmers to sell an added-value product (turmeric powder) instead of the raw material (Fig.2b), thus achieving a higher income. This activity is expected to promote small and medium enterprises at the village level. In the new project year, more than 3700 bamboo, timber and fruit trees will be planted in 16 ha of additional demonstration plots. These will be intercropped with seasonal crops.
Fig.2 a) Monitoring activities in agroforestry plots in Leinli village in Palaung watershed (left picture);
b) The newly purchased food processing machine in Leinli village (right photo)
b) The newly purchased food processing machine in Leinli village (right photo)
Capacity building and knowledge transfer to the local community, local government and staff are also important objectives for this APFNet project, which aims to have a long-term impact and ensure sustainable forest management practices beyond the duration of the project. In this context, training for the village community on using the turmeric grinder machine was provided. Further training on the processing of turmeric powder and marketing as well as on agroforestry in combination with organic farming will follow this year. In addition, during the upcoming project year, several pieces of training for young researchers and local leaders on integrated forest management will be conducted. Also, the arboretum project site received its first study groups of students in year 3. In the upcoming project year, the arboretum will be further developed, e.g. by establishing a labelling system for plants in the thematic gardens and the education centre will be furnished, so the number of visitors and study tours are expected to increase over time.
Capacity building and knowledge transfer to the local community, local government and staff are also important objectives for this APFNet project, which aims to have a long-term impact and ensure sustainable forest management practices beyond the duration of the project. In this context, training for the village community on using the turmeric grinder machine was provided. Further training on the processing of turmeric powder and marketing as well as on agroforestry in combination with organic farming will follow this year. In addition, during the upcoming project year, several pieces of training for young researchers and local leaders on integrated forest management will be conducted. Also, the arboretum project site received its first study groups of students in year 3. In the upcoming project year, the arboretum will be further developed, e.g. by establishing a labelling system for plants in the thematic gardens and the education centre will be furnished, so the number of visitors and study tours are expected to increase over time.
Field inspection and consultation with local people on the implementation of integrated watershed management activities
