Under the arrangements of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation, the tree-growing ceremonies took place as the monsoon public activities in 29 townships of 13 districts from the dry zone in Sagaing, Magway and Mandalay regions yesterday morning, attended by Chairman of the State Administration Council, Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing who planted a neem sapling at the Leintaw protected public forest in Meiktila District of Mandalay Region.
Speaking at the ceremony in Meiktila District, the Senior General said that as Myanmar is facing the downtrend of forest coverage, accounting for 42.19 per cent, efforts are being made to grow trees to regain 50 per cent forest coverage in the entire nation.
He highlighted that people will enjoy the benefit of growing trees in the coming 7-8 years.
The Senior General noted that thirteen districts of the nation, including the Meiktila region, are located in the dry zone, suffering from the hot season every year. The records showed Bagan, Chauk, Yenangyoung and Minbu as the hottest areas across the world in 2024.
Currently, he added that the tree-growing ceremony to green the dry zone of the country is the first-ever activity at the national level.
The Senior General underscored that although natural disasters cannot be prevented, efforts of human efforts can mitigate the impacts of these natural disasters. Planting trees does not immediately and drastically reduce temperatures, but the shade provided by trees and bamboo canopies can help lessen the effects of heat to a certain extent. Moreover, the sight of lush greenery offers visual relief and brings a sense of peace and calm to people’s hearts and minds.
At the ceremony, the Senior General unveiled that a total of 34,950 tree saplings will be planted in 13 districts of the dry zone. These venues were places of trees in the past, but they could not have deserved success due to a lack of thriving and illegal cutting.
As ceremonies to grow trees need to spend time, manpower and financial cost, everyone needs to nurture these saplings planted at the ceremony to successfully thrive.
In Myanmar, the central tropical regions – such as Sagaing, Magway, and Mandalay regions – are experiencing the most severe impacts of climate change, including drought and extreme temperature increases. These areas receive low rainfall and are among the most affected by heat stress. Therefore, to address climate change and water scarcity through nature-based solutions, it is necessary to take measures such as establishing forest plantations, conserving natural forests, planting windbreaks, practising sustainable and resilient farming methods, and managing water resources systematically.
At the ceremony, the Senior General planted a neem sapling at the designated place.
Council Joint Secretary General Ye Win Oo, SAC member General Nyo Saw, Union ministers, senior Tatmadaw officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, departmental officials, town elders, the commander of Central Command, deputy ministers, teachers, students and people participated in the tree-growing ceremony in Meiktila District.
At the ceremony, a total of 3,200 saplings of six species, including neem, raintree, flame and Indian Mahogany in the Leintaw protected public forest in Meiktila in 2025.
Also, present at the ceremony were Union Ministers U Min Naung, U Hla Moe, U Khin Maung Yi and Dr Nyunt Pe, Mandalay Region Chief Minister U Myo Aung and officials.
Similar ceremonies were held at Sagaing University of Education in Sagaing of Sagaing Region to grow 750 saplings, at No 2 Basic Education High School in Myinmu Township to grow 600 saplings, Monywa to grow 1,050 saplings, Shwebo University to grow 3,000 saplings, and University of Computer Studies in Yinmabin Township to grow 600 saplings.
In Magway Region, a total of 2,700 saplings were grown on the roadside of Magway-Kanpya Road in Magway District, 4,000 saplings at the special green zone of Yenangyoung Township, 4,000 saplings in Hsinka protected public forest in Chauk Township, 600 saplings at milepost 36/5 on Magway-Kanpya road in Myothit Township, 600 saplings in Taungdwingyi Township, 1,050 saplings in Minbu Township, 300 saplings in Pwintbyu Township, 300 saplings in Ngaphe Township, 300 saplings in Salin Township, 600 saplings in Pakokku Township, 300 saplings in Seikbyu Township, 600 saplings in Minhla Township, 900 saplings in Aunglan Township, 600 saplings in Sinbaungwe Township and 600 saplings in Kanma Township, respectively.
In Mandalay Region, they planted 1,200 saplings in Kyaukse Township, 600 saplings in Singaing Township, 600 saplings in Myingyan Township, 3,000 saplings in NyaungU Township, 600 saplings in Kyaukpadaung Township, 600 saplings in Thazi Township, 1,200 saplings in Pyawbwe Township and 500 saplings in Yamethin Township, respectively.
At all ceremonies, a total of 34,950 saplings were planted as the monsoon public activities in 29 townships of 13 districts.
After the ceremony, the Senior General proceeded to Meiktila University of Economics, where he heard reports on the collapse of the walls of the university and damage to the main lecture building and the library by the rector.
In his response, the Senior General pledged to allow repairs of the damaged structures caused by the Mandalay earthquake. He urged officials to improve the entrance road to the university with beautification and conduct research work continuously to serve the interests of the region.
MNA/TTA
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