Project News

October 2, 2012

2nd Regional Mangrove Coordination Meetings

As a part of Output4 activities, 2nd Regional Mangrove Coordination Meeting and Mangrove Seminar were held in Pathein, the capital of Ayeyawady Region, on 2nd October.

The Regional Mangrove Coordination Meeting was held during the morning and in this meeting, the Project expected that that relevant department offices at regional level to explain and exchange about each of their approaches and strategies for activities and land uses within reserved forest areas, reflecting the recent trend in the land use policy and land use plan at the national level. According to the Forest Law, reserved forest (Project) areas are reserved for forest and forestry usage only. However, currently there are diversified activities and land uses within the reserved forest areas and many government departments are involved. During the meeting, the Project also provided latest mangrove forest / land use status of Project areas to provide information for further discussions among participants.

In the afternoon the Mangrove Seminar was held and participated by relevant stakeholders such as regional level government staff, and NGOs. At first, the Project explained about achievements/ progresses, and major issues related to the project activities. After that, group discussions and presentation by groups were carried out with following themes; 1) appropriate mangrove management inside reserved forest area, 2) effective CF, and 3) effective livelihood and community empowerment activities inside reserved forest area. Through group exercises and presentations, active discussions were made among participants.

During the meeting and the seminar, photos of major project activities, copies CF management plans and draft land use maps based on latest satellite image analysis prepared by the Project were displayed at the venue. These displayed materials also helped participants to understand about the Project and its activities.

Opinions about the necessity of this kind of information sharing and exchanging opportunities were raised by majority of participants. Even though this was the final regional coordination meeting for the Project, the JICA expert team highly expects the similar activities to be continually conducted by relevant stakeholders of Myanmar side.

Groupdiscussion in the Mangrove Seminar

Displays at the Venue