Sustainable Forestry Management and Ecosystem Approach

Myanmar Sustainable Forestry Management: a hidden link in Landscape-level Ecosystem Development

Virgin tropical forest of Tanintharyi Nature Reserve

Outlines -

1. Status of Myanma forests and bio-resources2. MSFM: strength & weaknesses3. Ecosystem development4. Change and Development

Conclusion

Land Cover 2002Country Land Area 676,577 km2

Other Lands 30%

Forest Fallows 2%

Shrubs 16%Open Forests 15%

Closed Forests37%

1. Status of Myanma Forests and Bio-resources

Source: Forestry in Myanmar 2003

Central Dry Forests (being replanted)

Coastal Lowland Evergreen Forests

Delta & Coastal Mangroves (Delta mangroves being rehabilitated)

Northern Alpine & Temperate Forests

Bago Yoma MDF

Inner Semi¥evergreen & MDF

Temperate and Sub-alpine Forests

Inner MDF mixed with Dipterocarp

Biodiversity Richness• Plant Resources

- Gymnosperms & Angiosperms -11800 spp. in 273 families, 2371 genera (Kress et al 2003)

- plus fern & non-vascular plants

• Wildlife Resources- 251 mammal spp., seven endemics- 1027 bird spp, highest in mainland Asia, four endemics & 19 restricted-range bird spp.- 425 reptile and amphibian spp.- 350 fresh water fish spp.

• Strategically located at the convergence of four major floristic regions

• N. Myanmar - one of floristically richest area in mainland Asia

• 25% endemism recorded in 1940s(Kingdon-Ward 1944-45). New species being discovered.

• IUCN’s four centers of plant diversity – N. Myanmar(6000 spp), Tanintharyi (3000), Natmataung NP(2500), Chin Hills (2500)

• GTS (Globally threatened species)(IUCN 2004) –

- 39 mammal, 44 bird, 20 reptile, 38 plant, 20 non-marine reptile spp (all turtles), amphibians, fishes.

- Invertebrates and plants need survey

Source: Myanmar Investment Opportunities in Biodiversity Conservation 2005

2. MSFM: Strength and WeaknessesStrength of MSFM

Myanma Selection System (MSS) –Ensures Sustainability not only of yield but also of ecosystems

Features of MSS -1. Harvest by meticulous selection2. Complete enumeration of FY trees 3. Intensive pre/post- harvest silvicultural

operations4. Yield control (AAC) & periodic control

(FC)5. Consider ecological aspects

Teak Selection Girdling

Research finding - “Selective logging, if properly done using RIL, leads to SFM” (FAO 2005)

Forestry Plantations

Forest PlantationsOld COMPENSATORY plantations merge into natural forest and natural ecosystem

restored. LARGE plantations help sustain natural

forests

Plantation Category (2002)

C o mme rc ia l 55%

( Te a k 4 2 %; P y inkad o

8 %; P ad auk 2 %)

Lo c a l S up p ly

2 6 %

C at c hme nt P ro t e c t io n

11%

Ind us t ria l8 %

Total area (2002) – 800,000 ha Annual target – 40,000 ha

(Forestry in Myanmar, FD 2003)

Present Scenerio of Myanmar Forestry Management:MSFM adopts Forest Principles and Ecosystem Approach

The 30 year National Forest Master Plan (2002 to 2031)

* Embraces the forest principles of UNCED

- following the three pillars of SFM –economic, environmental and socio-cultural aspects , and

- with the formulation of the new Forest Policy (1995), new Forest law (1992) and Rules (1995) and CFI 1995

• Developed C & I for SFM - since 1999 and is being revised (ITTO 2005)

• Developed Model Forest Programme - by FD and JOFCA and JIFPRO in Bago Yoma

• Adoptes Ecosystem Approach –

- Adoptes Forest Policy to conserve BD , to form PAS with 5% - 10% targets

- member of Global Tiger Forum (1994), CITES (1998), Botanic Gardens Conservation International (1998) and the Cartagena BiosaftyProtocol of CBD (2001)

- ratified to UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the World Heritage Convention and RamsarConvention (2005)

• Restores Forest Landscapes–

- the ‘Integrated Plan for Greening the Dry Zone of Central Myanmar’ , A/R & N/R

- A/R of the border areas with socio-economic development

MSFM : Weaknesses

• Deviation from MSS – AAC & FC faltered, MP & GT, weak silvicultural operations & ineffective protection

• Teak/Deciduous Forestry, Forest Creaming & LUS- intensive management of only Teak bearing MDF- only few species harvested when 400 available, leading to genetic loss of elite species, forest devaluation and degradation- 54 species of LUS documented supported by ITTO, needs further dev.

• Other Ecosystems & Bio-resources are neglected- neglected forest ecosystems – Alpine, Hill & Temperate

Evergreens, Lowland Evergreens, Mangroves & Marine• Underdeveloped NTFP & Bioenergy – need

development and enforcement

Deviation from MSS: faltered logging control, weak silvicultural operation and protection

AAC - reduced, indicating less stocks Yield - rose, indicating abuseSilvicultural works & Protection -

insufficientLogging - more in accessible forestsIllegal cutting – rampant, disrupting

management data and forest valueGT - Started 1968, increased to 80% by

2001- Indicates mechanized, less sustainable logging- Less of traditional bio-logging & floating- More damage to trees and ecosystem

Forest Revenue - under-valued Value-addition – poor, LOG export

comprised 73% of TEAK & 99% of H/W

Teak Harvested against AAC (1992/3-2002/3)

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AAC(Tree) Felled(Tree) Log(CuTon)

Teak: not inexhaustible(1999)

Shrinking Teak forest and

declining forest valueIn 2000, 16.5 mill. ha of Teak bearing Mixed Deciduous forests are-

-more fragmented and

- stocked with less than 10% Teak trees

- Teak genetic degradation a possible threat

Northern Alpine & Temperate Forests

Central Dry Forests (being replanted)

Sub-Tropical/Hill Evergreen Forests

Coastal Lowland Evergreen Forests

Delta & Coastal Mangroves (Delta mangroves being rehabilitated)

•The long neglected pristine forests command –

- holistic planning, integrated management and effective protection- landscape level ecosystem mgnt. and eco-development - involve people as part of ecosystem and as partner

Teak-Deciduous Forestry: forgotten forest ecosystems

Forests of the North and the South: Alpine, Sub-Tropical and Lowland Evergreen Forests

34,500 km2 of Sundiac Low-land Evergreen and1,300 km2 of Mangroves of Tanintharyi Div. face improper land-use and abuse

75,000 km2 of Alpine, Hill and Temperate Evergreen Forests of Kachin State and 64,000 km2 of Low-land Evergreen Forests of Sagaing Div.

These virgin forests command ecosystem development

Woodfuel: a Problem and Hindrance to Resource Sustainability and Eco-development

• Bioenergy- 81% of primary energy was biomass(1992-3) including

- Woodfuel - 84% & - Crop residue - 3.3% (WB 1991)

- WF deficit for 2005 of 16 m. adt- Crop residue - 5.6 m. adt, not all consumed (World Bank Est. 1990)- Drive to produce more biomass by tree planting & more crops- Need technology development for efficient use of biomass

Demand–Supply Balance (1990-2005)

Supply Consumption

Deficit

– million m3 – – %

1990 27.6 36.2 8.6 24

2000 26.8 41.7 16.9 38

2005 24.1 45.9 21.8 48

Note: 1 m3 = 0.55 H. Ton or 0.7 T. Ton or 1 ADT (approx.)

Source: Forest Department (1997)

Bio-energy: sustainable biomass productionBioenergy Plantations – for

sustainability of natural forests

• Develop CF- Participatory natural forest mgnt.- Agro-forestry with multi-purpose tree

species - Support & area specific research

• Reforestate (degraded lands) - Fuelwood (Village Supply) plantation

- 201000 ha by 2002 (FD 2003)- in vicinity of nat. forests so that

BD can return

• Hedge-row/garden planting– nationwide planting campaign for Castor

oil plants (Jatropha species ) for biodiesel& fertilizer - 200,000 ha. in each State/Division within 5 years (7 Day News Jan 19 2006)

• Need incentive and motivation– guarantee of rights & ownership– market development and – inputs

Bioenergy Technology

• Woodfuel efficient stoves – 300,000 distributed in DZ alone by 2001

• Biogas (methane-CH4) – not much used (recent research found pig-dung produces best in hotter climate)

• Producer Gas – methanol by pyrolysis– for combustion engines/gas turbines -being developed

• Commercial bioenergy – hybridgasifier/gas turbine saves 30-40% in electricity production – being commercially produced

• Biodiesel – Castor oil (Jatropha species) fuel being promoted to use in farm machineries and others

Mangrove being depleted

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Mangrove Area Change in Myanmar

Location/Area

In 2001 In 2003 Difference

Ayeyarwadydelta

178,060 ha 177,200 ha -860 ha (0.5%)

TanintharyiDivision

141,640 ha 140,100 ha - 1540 ha (1.1%)

RakhineState

64,750 ha 64,700 ha -50 ha(0.1%)

Total Myanmar

384,450 ha 382,000 ha - 2450 ha (0.6%)

Main causes – woodfuel, agri. expansion, prawn cultureStrategy – intensive participatory management under integrated coastal eco-development

Mangrove depletion and increased paddy-land in Ayeyarwaddy Delta

NTF Resources: Need Eco-development for Sustainability

• NTFP – indispensable for subsistence and commercial uses and for rural and urban dwellers, most common being bamboo, rattan (36 sp.), medicinal, industrial and household-use plants and plant products

• Sustainability neglected – under-valued, limited legal control, no ecological control, lack awareness, destructive harvest, increasing targets

• Needs – proper land-use practice, participation, awareness, rights & ownership, input with training, technology & micro-credits development, infrastructure & market development, site specific research & micro-eco-development, networking

Status of Forestry Science and Scientific Forestry Management

• Application of Forestry Science –weak and superficial while dynamism is required for development, poor research, no long term ecosystem study

• Main reason – man power handicap, lack incentive & input

• International collaboration – limited (JICA, FORSPA, ITTO, ASEAN, Kyoto University, Goettingen Uni. and Dresden Uni., AKECU, JIFPRO, NEF & FREDA, WCS and SI)

• Urgent need – Capacity building, incentive, research & net-work development

FORSPA’s note that fits for Myanmar’s situation Constraints in Scientific Forestry Management -- lack conducive research environment

- lack trained manpower

- lack leadership in specific- area research

- lack inter-country coordination

- lack sustained funding

- lack linkages and contacts

3. Ecosystem Development: PAS

• 7 NPs, 29 WSs, 1 NR & 4 Ps –

49,000 km2 (7.4% of country area, well past Target of 5 %) (FD 2005)

• Representation of ecosystems - not sufficient

Permanent Forest Estate• 174,000 km2 (25.68% of country area out of 30% Target)

PFE

Protected Area SystemPAS

PAS: impressive increase, poor representationand poor protection

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Area Extent (Thousand hectares)

% of Total Land

PAs by Type of Habitat

Habitat Area Extent of Relevant PAS(ha) (% of total PAS)

Terrestrial PAS 4,705,575 96.01%Wetland PAS 156,531 3.19%Marine PAS 39,161 0.80% Total 4,901,267 100%

• Needs –– To expand PAS to represent enough

of different ecosystems– Effective research & development– To identify sites of global importance– To increase awareness and

participation– To guarantee rights & ownership

From GMS Report 2005

Ecosystem Development:BD & Landscape-level Conservation

Shwe Set Taw WS, habitat for endemic Cervus eldi Thamin,Star Tortoise & many endangered and rare species. Also an important religious place

Photos– Courtesy of WCS

Ecosystem approach –

‘A strategy for the integrated management of land, water and living resources that promotes conservation and sustainable use in an equitable way’ (CBD, 2000)

Ecosystems of the North

Paphiopedilum wardii

People are part of nature

Ecosystem Development: BD & Landscape-level Conservation

Khakaborazhi NP

Kachin State

Photos– Courtesy of WCS

Wetland Ecosystem and Co-habitants

Indawgyi WS

Photos– Courtesy of WCS

Coastal and Marine Ecosystems

Meinmahla Kyun WSTurtle & crocodile conservation & training

2230 km long coastline commands priority Integrated Management, Conservation and Eco-development ofTerrestrial and Marine Ecosystems

Photos– Courtesy of WCS

MangrovesProtect the coastal environment, but need urgent protection themselves

Subsistence Mangrove Industry: from Creek to Kiln affecting sustainability of marine resources for subsistence use and commercial fisheries alike

And ecological development for And ecological development for

sustainable usesustainable use

Bio-resources: a few priority species demanding immediate attention

Taiwanian cryptomeroidesin Kachin State, endangered

Kindly contributed by K. Lu, UoM

Dendrocalmus asper- Kyalwe wa, S. Myanmar-million dollar export earner in Thailand

Courtesy of K. K. GyiITTO Consultant for NTFP Market Development

Aquilaria spp.,endangered, neglected, shadowed trade

Endangered and Endemic:Gurney's Pitta in its LowlandRain Forest Habitat

Save Sundiac Lowland Rainforests and Gurney’s Pitta

• Thought extinct 20 years ago, hadn’t been seen wild for 50 years plus, one of most beautiful birds was last reported in Burma in 1914, and in Thailand in 1986. • Now rediscovered in S. Myanmar by BirdLife and BANCA in 2003, believed several hundred pairs could be surviving inside Lenya NP and Ngawun RF. • To save the birds, there is urgent need to save this last piece of Lowland Rainforests in Myanmar before being burnt down for oil-palm and rubber plantations.

Ayeyarwaddy Dolphin PA: the first in Myanmar

. Kyauk Myaung

. Bhamaw

Mingun .

Notified by Fisheries Department on 28 Dec. 2005

Photos: Contributed by Mya Than Htun & Tint HtunMarine Biologists, Fisheries Dept.

Indigenous Practice: generations of friendship and cooperation between Man and Fish

Cooperativefishingtradition –

- of cast-fisherman and the A. dolphin is a living legend in the upper reaches of theRiver Ayeyarwaddy

•They understand and depend on each other well•But not without enemies- such as ignorant fishers, gold miners

Ayeyarwaddy Dolphin(Orcaella brevirostris)• Reportedly sighted, but authentic survey only in 2002• Sighted as far north as Bhamo, 1500 km from sea• The 73 km stretch from Mingunto Kyauk Myaung is reserved in 2005

(Courtesy of Mya Than Htun & Tint Htun, Marine biologists, 2005

Key BD Sites and Corridors: Investment Opportunities in BD Conservation

BD Sites (76) and Corridors (15) Priority Corridors (7)

From ‘Myanmar Investment Opportunities in Biodiversity Conservation’ Nov. 2005

Land-use Conflict : Tanintharyi Forest Complex

Lowland Evergreen to monoculture – sacrificing critical ecosystem, BD and nature tourism potentials

National Land-use Policy, Integrated National Land-use Plan & multi-level Implementing Mechanism are the answer

Highest Tiger and Gurney’s Pittapopulations in Myanmar

•With 21,880 km2 in area, the largest Tiger Sanctuary and part of Northern Forest Complex• But most disturbing developments – on going gold-panning and forth-coming oil drilling

Land-use Conflict: Hukaung Valley WS & Extension

Photos– Courtesy of WCS

4. MSFM at a Cross-road: Need Change and Development

From ToDegenerative Practices Sustainable Development

1. Illegal & over-logging Timber Cert.; C & I; Public participation2. Agri. expansion into Integrated Land-use Policy, Plan &

forests Implementing Mechanism3. T’ya cultivation Agroforestry/community dev.4. Bureaucratic mgnt. Decentralized Participatory mgnt.5. Primary product Value-addition6. Forest creaming LUS industries7. Under-valued Ftry. Product & ecosystem values8. Wasteful NTFP Sustainable/value-added NTFP 9. Wasteful biomass Develop bioenergy & fertilizer10. Low instn capacity Capacity building, orientation, research

development & networking 11. Under-developed technology Technological development with international

collaboration & input

Conclusion• Myanmar’s forest/marine ecosystems are still relatively rich in BD

and value• MSFM has achieved sustainable yield and to a certain extent

sustainable ecosystem in the past• However, the richness in forest and bio-resources and an excellent forestry

system are not for complacency. Weaknesses and needs must be addressed, and address early than late

• Degenerative practice of MSS would not produce similar result, leave alone betterment

• Other ecosystems and remaining aspects of sustainability of natural ecosystems must definitely be considered and fulfilled

• Must definitely Include and Involve People in ecological development processes

• A must to build up Capacity, Research and Technology and International collaboration in forestry and resource sciences

• Must be transparent, rather than hidden for landscape-level eco-development

Pristine Lowland Evergreen Pristine Lowland Evergreen Forests ofForests of TanintharyiTanintharyi

Thank you