S enior General Min Aung Hlaing underscored that the government is expediting its efforts in growing trees along both sides of roads and the establishment of a two-acre firewood plantation per village, in addition to greening 13 districts in order to increase forest coverage areas and prevent loss of water and fertile soil.

Chairman of the State Administration Council, Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, planted a neem sapling at the second monsoon tree-growing ceremony for 2025 held in Yanaungmyin forest reserve in Dekkhinathiri Township of Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning.

Speaking on the occasion, the Senior General unveiled that the government plans to establish forest reserves and protected public forests for 30 per cent of the country in order to increase the forest coverage area of the nation and protect wildlife and significant geophysical areas, while arranging to set up natural conservation areas for 10 per cent.

During its tenure, he recounted that the government has formed more than 660,000 acres of 61 forest reserves and protected public forests and more than 610,000 acres of 16 natural conservation areas. As the Senior General stressed that the government has established 1,324 forest reserves and protected public forests on 25.94 per cent of land areas and 62 natural conservation areas on 6.43 per cent of the land areas, it is necessary to strive to meet the target areas of the forest coverage, he added.

The Senior General urged relevant ministries, relevant departments, governments of Nay Pyi Taw, regions and states, together with residents, to cooperate in raising the forest coverage of the nation to 50 per cent of the total land area as a good legacy for further generations.

He noted that Mandalay, Magway and Sagaing regions, designated as dry zones of Myanmar, are difficult to operate agriculture and livestock farms and grow trees due to shortages of water and dryness.

Hence, the Senior General underscored that the government is expediting its efforts in growing trees along both sides of roads and the establishment of a two-acre firewood plantation per village in addition to greening 13 districts in order to increase forest coverage areas and prevent loss of water and fertile soil.

He revealed that the second monsoon tree-growing ceremony for 2025 will grow 3,000 saplings of 18 flowery plant species in Yanaungmyin forest reserve, similar to growing 3,000 saplings of 16 species in the first growing ceremony held on 15 June.

The Senior General emphasized that as trees and forests play a crucial role in ensuring the development of the country, food security, health and happiness and prevention of some natural disasters, it is necessary to shape green cities, clean cities, smart cities and green villages.

The Senior General urged all to grow shade trees, windbreaks and seasonally flowery plants in residences of people, along roads and public areas as part of efforts to conserve existing forests.

At the ceremony, the Senior General planted a neem sapling at the designated place.

SAC Vice-Chairman Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win, the Council Secretary, the Council Joint Secretary, SAC members, Union-level dignitaries, Union ministers, students, service personnel and officials participated in the tree-growing activities.

The Senior General viewed attendees’ participation in growing trees.

Also, present at the ceremony were the Nay Pyi Taw Council Chairman, senior Tatmadaw officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, the commander of Nay Pyi Taw Command, deputy ministers, faculty members of Naypyitaw State Academy, Naypyitaw State Polytechnic University, Government Technical Institute (Nay Pyi Taw), and the University of Forestry and Environmental Conservation.

A total of 3,000 saplings of 18 species were planted as a public movement at the second monsoon tree-growing ceremony 2025.

MNA/TTA

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