Crown Prince’s toddy palm woods: Efforts being made to submit in UNESCO Heritage List

In order to submit the 170 years old Crown Prince’s toddy palm woods and vicinity to the north of Mandalay as a tangible and intangible cultural heritage of UNESCO, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture, Mandalay Region Government and Mandalay University have been working with cooperation since 2016, so far about 60% of work has been completed.

Dr. Kalayar Luu, Professor Head of Dept. (Botany), Mandalay University said "We have surveyed this toddy palm woods for 12 times and conducted research and social economic data. More than 6,000 toddy palm trees planted by crown prince himself were listed. The nutritional value of toddy palm fruits in that area is measured against those in other regions and the sugar content and antioxidants are checked. Due to the good quality of toddy palm fruits and the sugar content ranges from 10 to 13, so it is very suitable for the production of the value-added toddy palm products. "

Training was given on how to produce value-added products concerning with the toddy palm trees and read the papers about the toddy palm woods. According to the president of the UNESCO, it is said that the planting of toddy palm trees with stone posts as the crown prince’s notable idea, has not been yet cultivated in ASEAN countries, so it is recorded as the tangible and intangible heritage. In the long run, there will be an opportunity for the sustainable development for the toddy palm trees to last.

Dr. Kalayar Luu, Professor Head of Dept. (Botany), Mandalay University said "Not only the toddy palm woods but also the ThaKhinMa Mountain, which lasts for many years and also the Tharaphi trees, are more than 700 years old. There are more than 100 years old religious buildings built by hermit U Khanti. The practice of collecting flowers on ThakhinMa Mountain has been putting efforts for the designation as the intangible cultural heritage list of UNESCO."

Khin Maung Win, Resident said "In the past 3 years, in our village, we have convened meetings in cooperation with the experts not to destroy the palm trees and to give education and share knowledge to preserve the old toddy palm trees. "

Swal Sai Zin, Value-added toddy palm products entrepreneur said "We’re producing toddy palm products in Bagan and also the toddy palm fruits from the crown prince’s toddy palm woods are being arranged to export. Workshop are being undertaken in order to submit nomination dossier of the crown prince’s toddy palm woods and the surrounding area as a UNESCO tangible and intangible cultural heritage."

If the crown prince’s toddy palm wood and its surroundings are included in UNESCO heritage list, there will be many opportunities for the locals such as production and sale of value-added products related to the toddy palm trees, tourism development, achieving much development in the region and generating much income.