Land Utilization: National Land Utilization Council Holds First Meeting

National Land Utilization Council held the first meeting at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation in Nay Pyi Taw on Friday afternoon.

In the meeting, Chairman of the Council Vice-Chairman of the State Administration Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win stressed that emphasis must be placed on systematic management of land resources as it is necessary to take account of land resources not only for the current situation but also for posterity to fulfil the needs of the people in food sufficiency, the richness of water sources, good transportation, peace and tranquillity of urban and society, growth of businesses, conservation of environment and preservation of cultural heritage. It is important that the management of land resources must be reviewed on various outlooks such as economic, political, legal and social affairs to adopt and implement the correct and comprehensive policies, firm legal framework and capable land management and administration systems. As the exact land utilization policies were not adopted in Myanmar in addition to the weakness of land management, land utilization problems happened. It is necessary to further strengthen the cooperation in groups and individuals among relevant ministries for strategically implementing the decisions on land and natural resources in order to easily use exact and correct information with better management for land information. Harmonious progress needs to meet the sustainable development goals. He also stressed the need to scrutinize some old land resource laws and management systems to be in conformity with the current situation, to serve the interests of the people and to be fair. If necessary, a national land law must be drawn. The council needs to form land utilization committees in the Union Territory (Nay Pyi Taw Council) and regions and states to effectively supervise the land utilization in respective areas and assign duty and functions for these committees. Necessary supporting work committees must be formed in the Union Territory (Nay Pyi Taw Council) and regions and states to contribute to tasks of the National Land Utilization Council.

Also, Secretary of the National Council Union Minister for National Resources and Environmental Conservation U Khin Maung Yi reported on duty and functions of the council and undertakings of national land utilization.

Members of the National Council and officials discussed information security for mapping system, implementation of the council’s policies, investment for land utilization, review of the national land policies and efforts for the emergence of the national land law.

The Vice-Senior General emphasized fairness of existing laws and procedures related to the land for land utilization and rights in urban and rural areas in the country. Relevant departments and organizations need to implement clear, easy and accurate land management machinery for land utilization and farming rights.