Myanmar Accelerates Nationwide Reforestation Drive
Yangon, The Gulf Observer: Chairman of the State Administration Council and Prime Minister of Myanmar, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, has emphasized the government’s commitment to intensifying nationwide reforestation efforts to increase forest coverage and combat environmental degradation.
Speaking at the Second Monsoon Tree-Growing Ceremony for 2025, held yesterday morning at Yanaungmyin Forest Reserve in Dekkhinathiri Township, Nay Pyi Taw, the Senior General reiterated the government’s target of establishing forest reserves and protected public forests covering 30 per cent of the country. Additionally, the government plans to designate 10 per cent of the nation’s land as natural conservation areas to protect biodiversity, wildlife, and significant geophysical regions.
Highlighting the progress made under the current administration, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing stated that Myanmar has already established 1,324 forest reserves and protected public forests, covering 25.94 per cent of land areas, and 62 natural conservation areas spanning 6.43 per cent of national territory. He urged all relevant ministries, regional governments, and citizens to work collectively toward the ambitious goal of raising the country’s forest coverage to 50 per cent, ensuring a lasting legacy for future generations.
Special attention is being given to Myanmar’s dry zones, particularly Mandalay, Magway, and Sagaing regions, where water scarcity and arid conditions challenge agriculture and afforestation efforts. In response, the government is expediting tree planting along roadsides and establishing two-acre firewood plantations in every village, alongside ongoing greening initiatives across 13 designated districts to mitigate soil erosion and water loss.
The Senior General underlined the critical role of forests in ensuring national development, food security, public health, and disaster prevention. “It is essential to promote green cities, clean cities, smart cities, and green villages across Myanmar,” he said, urging citizens to plant shade trees, windbreaks, and flowering plants along roads, public spaces, and residential areas as part of a broader environmental conservation movement.
During the ceremony, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing personally planted a neem sapling, symbolizing the country’s commitment to sustainability. The event saw the participation of SAC Vice-Chairman Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win, council members, Union-level officials, students, faculty from Nay Pyi Taw academic institutions, Tatmadaw senior officers, and residents.
A total of 3,000 saplings from 18 plant species were planted at the Yanaungmyin Forest Reserve during the event, marking a continuation of the first ceremony held on June 15, where an identical number of saplings from 16 species were planted.
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing concluded by emphasizing that forests are indispensable to Myanmar’s development and resilience, and called for greater community participation in building a greener, healthier, and more sustainable nation.
