Better Ecosystem: Over 10.7 million acres forest areas established in Sagaing

While forest reserves and protected public forests are being extended in Sagaing region, it is reported that in 2022, four forest areas have already set and 46.35% of the total area of Sagaing Region are established as the forest areas. Forest preservation works and collecting taxes are being conducted by Sagaing Region Forest Department in line with the six forest policies.

Director, Forest Department (Sagaing), Kyaw Zeya, said “ Sagaing Region Forest Department is supervising the natural forest sustainability under the forest law.  We have set 161 forest reserves and 107 protected public forests, 8 protected areas and total area acre is over 10.7 million. So, 46.35% of the total area of Sagaing Region is established as the forest areas. Four forest areas (over 389,000 acres of total area) have already been established. Moreover, in order to preserve environment in line with the forest law, efforts are being made in extending forest reserves, protected public forest and forest areas.”

 He said that there is 24.34% forest coverage in the region according to the Forest Resource Assessment-FRA 2020. During 2022 in Sagaing region, till to date, the established four forest areas are Mahamyaing Wildlife Sanctuary (over 290,000 acres) in Kalewa and Mingin townships of Kale district and Mawlaik township of Mawlaik district/ Bat Cave Mountain BumiYotetwin (26525 acres) as the special forest area in Kanbalu township of Shwebo district/ ZalonTaung Nation Park (60046 acres) in Banmauk township of Katha District. By setting the forest areas like that, it can be beneficial in reducing climate change, protecting losses of biodiversity and natural resources with better ecosystem.