YANGON: Myanmar has designated two new protected public forest areas in Chin state and Shan state, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation on Friday (June 14).
The two designations have been completed and three more are awaiting approval, with notifications to be released before the end of June, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the ministry Daw Zin Mar Tun told Xinhua.
Establishing protected forest reserves helps preserve local tree species, prevents illegal hunting, and reduces the risk of floods and landslides, she said.
Local communities benefit from consuming fruits, plants, animals and medicinal herbs from forest, supporting both local livelihoods and biodiversity, she added.
On June 5, the ministry designated 1,517 acres as Yone Taung protected public forest in Hakha township, Chin state, and on June 6, 1,206 acres as Kaylatha Hill protected public forest in Ywangan township, Shan state.
The country has designated 10 protected public forest areas in the fiscal year 2023-2024. - Xinhua
