DEPARTMENT OF LAW

PATHEIN UNIVERSITY
 LEGAL STUDY ON MANGROVE CONSERVATION
IN AYEYARWADY REGION

SUPERVISOR - DAW NAY WAH WAH AUNG GROUP - 3

Group - 3
Phone Htet Kyaw ၅ဥ - ၃၁
Yang Aung Paing ၅ဥ - ၁၀
Min Thu Kha ၅ဥ - ၃၆
Yu Ko ၅ဥ - ၁၁
Ei Chaw Chit ၅ဥ - ၄၉
Zin Myint Moh ၅ဥ - ၅၈
Han Therapy Moe ၅ဥ - ၆၀
Ni Ni Lwin ၅ဥ - ၆၁
Shwe Yi Khaing ၅ဥ - ၅
May Zin Myint ၅ဥ - ၇၅
Abbreviation
Abstract
Table of Contents
Introduction
Research Background
Chapter - 1 Nature of Mangrove
1.1 Meanings of Mangrove
1.2 The Functions and Advantages of Mangrove
1.3 Causes of Mangrove Destruction
1.4 Principles and Legislative Frameworks of Mangrove Conservation
Chapter - 2 Management of Mangrove Conservation
2.1 Legal Frameworks of Mangrove Conservation
2.2 Conservation of Coastal Areas
2.3 Conservation of Mangrove Species
Chapter - 3 Implementation of Mangrove Conservation in the Ayeyarwady Region
3.1 Prohibition of Illegal Cutting Trees
3.2 Importance of Public Participation in Mangrove Conservation
3.3 Management ofProtective Areas
Conclusion
Acknowledgement
References
 Chapter (3)
Implementation of Mangrove Conservation
in the Ayeyarwady Region

3.1 Prohibition of Illegal Cutting Trees

3.2 Important of Public Participation in Mangrove Conservation

3.3 Management of Protective Areas

 Mangrove Conservation in the Ayeyarwady Region

Conservation Efforts Government Initiatives

❖ Reforestation: planting new

❖ Awareness Programs: Educating
mangroves.
communities about mangrove
❖ Community Involvement:
importance.
Collaboration with local communities
❖ Scientific Research: Supporting
and organizations.
studies for sustainable mangrove
❖ Policy and Regulation: Strict
management.
enforcement against illegal logging.
3.1 Prohibition of Illegal Cutting Trees

Establishment and Penalties under Forest

Specification of the Law
Forest Law
 Establishment and Specification of the Forest Law, 2018

Mangrove Forests in the Ayeyarwady Region:

❖ Significant mangrove ecosystems are present, but over 60% have been lost in 20 years.
❖ Illegal logging for charcoal production is a major threat.

Forest Law 2018 Village Firewood Plantations:

Myanmar’s Forest Law 2018 emphasizes the ❖ Section 15: The Forest Department establishes
protection of teak and reserved trees. plantations for villages.
❖ Section 8(a): All standing teak trees are owned ❖ Villages can maintain and use these plantations
by the state. for firewood.
❖ Section 17: Forest products can only be
extracted with a permit; small-scale personal
use may be exempt.
 Penalties under Forest Law

Penalties Under Forest Law 2018: Challenges and Importance

❖ Section 33(a): Fines and confiscation of timber for ❖ Illegal logging harms forests, wildlife, and
illegal possession (100,000 - 500,000 kyats for up to 1 ecosystems.
ton of teak). ❖ Strict laws and regulations are enforced to
❖ Section 43(a): Imprisonment (5-15 years) and fines for prevent deforestation.
possession of over 1 ton of teak. ❖ Collaboration among stakeholders is crucial for
❖ Section 41: Penalties for unauthorized activities sustainable development and conservation
involving non-teak trees (up to 2 years imprisonment efforts in the Ayeyarwady Region.
or fines).
❖ Section 42: Imprisonment: Up to 7 years. Fines: From
500,000 to 1 million kyats, or both. Covered Acts:
Felling, cutting, extracting, moving, or possessing
reserved trees (excluding teak) without a permit.
3.2 Importance of Public Participation in Mangrove Conservation

Legal Framework for Benefits of Community Government and

Public Participation Involvement Collaborative Efforts
 Legal Framework of Public Participation

Ayeyarwady Delta
❖ The Ayeyarwady Delta , one of the most critical mangrove ecosystems in Myanmar.
❖ Area: 33,670 km² with a 469 km coastline. Holds 46.4% of Myanmar's mangrove forests, making it one of
the largest and most vital ecosystems in the country.

Section 13(e), Conservation of

Article 8(j), Convention on Biological
Biological Diversity and Protected Section 7(d), The Forest Law, 2018
Diversity, 1992
Area Law, 2018

A contracting party must, within the The Director General, with Ministry
The Ministry, with the comment of the
framework of its national laws, respect, approval, may permit community
Nay Pyi Taw Council, State or Regional
preserve, and uphold the knowledge, involvement in managing protected
Cabinet, and with the approval of the
innovations, and practices of indigenous areas, promoting both sustainable
Union Cabinet may recognize the natural
and local communities that are essential socio-economic development for local
forest and mangrove conserved
for conserving and sustainably using communities and biodiversity
traditionally by the local people
biological diversity. conservation.
 Benefits of Community Involvement

Public participation is vital for tackling environmental challenges in the Ayeyarwady region.

Local Knowledge
Community Benefits
Impact in Ayeyarwady Delta
❏ Local communities provide valuable ❏ strengthens community
insights into mangrove ecosystems, identity and cohesion. ❏ Increased monitoring
enhancing conservation strategies. ❏ Community-managed forests and protection of
❏ Their understanding of biodiversity, lead to better biodiversity mangrove species.
seasonal changes, and sustainable outcomes, protecting native ❏ Contributes to overall
practices supports effective species and restoring ecosystem health.
management. degraded habitats.
 Government and Collaborative Efforts

Government Initiatives Collaborative Action

❖ The Myanmar government, through
❖ Partnerships among government
the Forest Department, promotes
agencies, NGOs, and communities
community participation in
enhance conservation effectiveness.
mangrove conservation.
❖ Collective action is key to
❖ Activities include community forestry
safeguarding the future of
and mangrove restoration projects,
mangroves in the Ayeyarwady Region
fostering ownership and
for future generations.
responsibility.
 3.3 Management of Protective Areas

Global and Local National Scale Mangrove

Mangrove Conservation
Frameworks for Mangrove Restoration and
and Protected Areas
Conservation Management
 Mangrove Conservation and Protected Areas

Nature-Based Solutions: Rehabilitation Efforts: Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary:

Role: Facilitate ecosystem recovery and Programs: Reforestation and Size: Expanded to 50,000 hectares.
adaptation to climate change and land-use protection in Ayeyarwady and Management: New plan to reduce
changes. Tanintharyi regions. fishing and timber harvests
Actions: planting windbreak trees, safeguarding Future Plans: Establish UNESCO Status: Designated as Myanmar’s third
coastal communities, and mitigating sea level Biosphere Reserves and Ramsar Ramsar site.
rise. Wetlands to enhance mangrove
conservation.

Protected Areas: Current status and needs:

Importance: Essential for biodiversity, ecosystem Existing Protection: Limited to Meinmahla Kyun
services, and cultural landscapes. Reserve and Lampi Marine National Park.
Ecosystem Approach: Integrated management of Urgent Need: Expand protected areas and
land, water, and resources for conservation and strengthen legislative frameworks for effective
sustainable use. conservation and restoration.
 Global and Local Frameworks for Mangrove Conservation

UN Conference on Environment and Development (1992): Myanmar Agenda 21:

Outcome: Adoption of Agenda 21 and the Rio Declaration. Focus: Sustainable forest management, conservation, and
Myanmar’s Role: Implementation through Myanmar participatory forestry.
Agenda 21 and Forest Policy. Program Areas: Sustainable development, forestry sector
enhancement, policy strengthening, and capacity building.

NGO Support for Community Forests: Community-Based Protected Areas:

Current Situation: NGOs provide essential support but Framework: Man and Biosphere Programme for long-term
often for short-term projects. mangrove protection and restoration.
Recommendations: Improve support with livelihood Proposal: Establish large biosphere reserves and Ramsar
development and market linkages for sustainability. sites, integrating conservation with sustainable
development.
 Benefits of Community Involvement

Comprehensive Mangrove Gene Bank: Thor Heyerdahl Climate Sustainable Tourism Effective Management:
Restoration Approach: Park: and Conservation:
Establishment: First of Strategy: Focus on
Research: Generates its kind by Pathein Location: Shwe Thaung Myanmar Tourism Law resource planning,
crucial knowledge for University and Yan, Ayeyarwady Region. (2018): Promotes community involvement,
effective mangrove Worldview Myanmar. Impact: 1,800 acres responsible tourism and collaboration with
restoration. Function: Safeguards contributed for and environmental stakeholders.
Permanent Parks: and researches restoration; over 20,000 B. conservation. Goal: Ensure long-term
Essential for ongoing mangrove species; hainesii were planted. Regulations: Collects sustainability of
national restoration supports biodiversity fees for tourism in protected areas in the
efforts. with 53 species protected areas and Ayeyarwady Region.
recorded. payment for ecosystem
services.
 Conclusion

Importance of Mangroves:
❖ Crucial for biodiversity preservation and local community livelihoods.
❖ Provide essential ecological functions like coastal protection, habitat for species, and climate change
mitigation.
Threats to Mangroves:
❖ Significant loss due to habitat destruction and illegal logging driven by socio-economic pressures.
❖ Loss leads to increased coastal erosion, reduced biodiversity, and diminished natural defenses against
storms.
Conservation Efforts:
❖ Focus on protecting, restoring, and sustainably managing mangrove forests.
❖ Legal frameworks are essential to prevent further degradation and ensure the survival of mangroves for
future generations.
Thank you
very much!