A total of 24.629 million trees includ­ing State-owned forest plantations are being grown across the nation this monsoon

Everybody knows the government empha­sizes growing of trees involved in the rehabilitation measures in 10 townships of Mocha-hit Rakhine State in­cluding Sittway in order to overcome natural disasters, said Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing at the third mon­soon tree-growing ceremony in 2023 along both sides of the road leading to Maravijaya Buddha Image from 204/1 milepost of Yangon-Mandalay expressway in Yanaungmyin forest reserve in Lewe Township of Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.

On the occasion, the Sen­ior General planted a Gangaw sapling (Mesua ferrea) at the designated site.

Speaking on the occasion, the Senior General said that an emphasis must be placed on steadfastly growing trees and natural landscape to green all urban and rural areas including Nay Pyi Taw Council Area. For­ests and forestry ecosystem are to be conserved as a national duty for ensuring sustainable develop­ment of the nation, food security, reduction of climate change and prevention of natural dis­asters, he added.

According to the weather forecasts, he continued to say that Myanmar may face El Nino impacts from September 2023 to March 2024. As such, the Sen­ior General stressed the need to make preparations based on previous experiences for re­silience of dryness and short­age of water due to impacts of drought and dryness, he noted.

With regard to efforts of the government, the Senior Gener­al unveiled that the government is striving for greening ASEAN Highways, Yangon-Mandalay expressway and railways in collaboration of relevant min­istries.

He underscored that a total of 24.629 million trees including State-owned forest plantations are being grown across the na­tion this monsoon, adding the plan of growing 2,520 trees of 15 species at the tree-growing ceremony.

In conclusion, he gave guid­ance on establishment of fire­wood plantations in rural areas, conservation of forests on hills and along rivers and creeks and setting up mangrove forests along coastal areas.

SAC Vice-Chairman Dep­uty Prime Minister Vice-Sen­ior General Soe Win, officials, departmental officials and students participated in the tree-growing ceremony.

The Senior General in­spected thriving of Linlun (Bu­chanania latifolia), Lumbini sal and Gangaw saplings sapling in the precinct of Maravijaya Buddha Park and instructed officials to systematically carry out greening of the precinct.

The tree-growing ceremo­ny in 2023 comprised cultiva­tion of Gangaw, star-flower, teak and gum-kino plants, totalling 2,520 plants. This monsoon, the whole country has grown 24.629 million trees including State-owned forest plantations. — MNA/TTA