THE Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation (MoNREC) has taken a momentous step towards designating Mount Popa as a world geopark. With its historical significance, ancient iron furnaces in Bagan era, rare biodiversity, and fossilized jaws of Gomphotheres, the area has caught the attention of authorities who plan to implement 15 geosites as a first measure in this prestigious endeavour.
During the 1/2023 meeting of the National-level Committee on Geoparks held in Nay Pyi Taw on 18 July 2023, the Union Minister for of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation disclosed the government’s plan to develop 15 geosites in the Mount Popa region, seeking to secure its status as a world geopark. This initiative aligns with the Global Geoparks Programme, launched by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2001, which currently boasts 195 global geoparks across 48 countries.
Tatmadaw cut four parts for the Buddha image and five parts for the throne with decisions to convey relevant parts of the marble rock.
Conveyance of marble parts for the Buddha image and the throne took a period from July 2020 to April 2021, and the connection of parts, carving, and keeping the parts on the throne from October 2021 to 13 February 2023. Moreover, the Vice-Senior General explained finishing the work process from 14 February to 31 July 2023 and installing the Holy Unnalon hair on 1 May 2023.
The Vice-Senior General praised all technicians, officials and well-wishers for their contributions to the completion of the Buddha image and the throne within 1,143 days till 1 August 2023 by overcoming unprecedented challenges.
The Vice-Senior General unveiled that the consecration of the Maravijaya Buddha image will be held on 1 August 2023 (the second full moon of Waso) for the people to have a chance to pay homage to the world’s tallest sitting Buddha image, and such Buddha image will be located on Thephyu Hillock in Dekkhinathiri Township of Nay Pyi Taw Council Area.
At the front wing of the Buddha image, the Vice-Senior General continued to say that each of two stone plaques bearing Pitakat treatises in Pali and Romanized languages are kept in stone plaque chambers, built from 16 March to 30 June 2022. Such work process of stone plaques was done by those from Myanmar Engineering Council and military engineers.
In this regard, he recounted that well-wishers have donated more than K16 billion to the fund for building the Buddha image and all facilities at the Maravijaya Buddha Park.
The Vice-Senior General disclosed that the Head of State will make the third clarification on the construction process of the Maravijaya Buddha image and stone plaque chambers as well as religious edifices on 23 July 2023.
The Buddha image with Bhumi Phassa Mudra in the Yadanabon era will be 63 feet high weighing 1,782 tonnes and the throne will be 18 feet high weighing 3,510 tonnes. As such, the world’s tallest Maravijaya Buddh image plus its throne will be 81 feet high and weigh 5,292 tonnes.
Officials reported on holding the consecration ceremony, hoisting umbrellas atop the small pagodas on the stone plaque chambers and a ceremony to share merits gained, preparations for successful completion of the ceremonies and invitation to members of the Sangha.
The meeting process ended with a concluding remark from the Vice-Senior General.
Anglo Mining Co Ltd handed over a marble rock from its block at Sagyin Hill near Sagyin Village of Madaya Township to Tatmadaw through Shwe Foundation to carve the Buddha image as Tatmadaw is capable to do so with abundant human resources. Moreover, a 228-acre land was also handed over to Tatmadaw to keep the Buddha image for public obeisance.
MNA/TTA
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