Reforestation Program: Wunbaik Mangrove Forest Reserve In Yan Byae

The Forest Department annually grows 125 acres of mangroves in Wunbaik mangrove forest reserve as part of reforestation project. Wun Baik mangrove forest reserve is located in Yanbyae Township of Rakhine State and it has an area of 56,633 acres.

Min Htet Aung (Head), Yanbyae Township Forest Department said “There are over 100 species of mangroves and it is the second largest mangrove forest in Southeast Asia. Locals depend on the mangrove forests for their livelihood. Sometimes, we find dolphin specie as a rare one as well as bird species. Mangrove forests are invaluable barriers against the natural disasters such as storms and waves and the locals can extract water and land resources from the forests.”

Educative talks on mangrove forests are held twice a month to raise public awareness on the benefits of the forests. The Forest Department is implementing Myanmar Reforestation Program and will continue to carry out re-establishment of forest plantations, nurturing hybrid strains and public awareness programs, the official added.