ABOUT 95 per cent of all forest fires in Myanmar are caused by human error, said U Kyaw Aung Moe, the director of the Environmental Conservation Department.
“As many as 95 per cent of forest fires in Myanmar are triggered by people. Most forest burns occurred because of the shifting cultivation system practised in mountain areas. Through forest fire, there will be deforestation, loss of wildlife habitats and scarcity of biodiversity, damaged ecosystems and cause of climate change on account of air pollution. Because of climate change, there will be natural disasters such as drought, floods, damages to crops and death of livestock animals. Besides, it can affect humans as a shortage of food can escalate outbreak of diseases,” he said.
Regarding transboundary haze pollution, ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution was signed in Kuala Lumpur town, Malaysia on 10 June 2002. This agreement is aimed to prevent, monitor, and mitigate land and forest fires to control transboundary haze pollution through concerted national efforts, regional and international cooperation. The Ministry has included control of cross-border smog in Myanmar’s sewing action plan.
“Myanmar has experienced forest fires but it is not as worrying as in neighbouring countries. Serious forest fires have not yet happened in Myanmar. Myanmar doesn’t cause a lot of trouble for grown fire because of deciduous forest in the country but a superficial fire. The country is facing environmental challenges such as deforestation, forest fires, land degradation, accumulation of solid wastes, air pollution and water pollution. The smoke pollution is happening in Myanmar because of forest fires, arson of the land to expand the farmland and other accidental fires, said U Aung Kyaw Moe.
If there is smog in our environment, the department advised the residents to stay only at their homes and improve the indoor air quality, wear the 95 mask, sunglasses and hat whenever going outside.
“As Myanmar is an agricultural country, the Sagaing region mainly grows the paddy and there are a lot of paddy mills found not only in the industrial sector but also in the villages. Then, the ricehusk is burnt along the roadside while the land is burnt to grow the grass to feed the animals. To control the burns for different reasons, the department inspects the factory and work areas and provides the awareness talk to the public. Currently, the Fire Services Department is cooperating with the Forest Department, Agriculture Department and other relevant departments to prevent forest fires and other cases of fire,” U Kyaw Aung Moe clarified. The common fires in Myanmar are forest fire, land fire, agricultural fire, garbage pile fire and urban fire. Those fires are destroying people’s lives and property. Besides, it can also harm the environment such as the destruction of biodiversity, water, air and soil pollution, it is learnt.
Lu Lay/GNLM
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