Deforestation in Myanmar

Problems

• Myanmar is well known for its abundant forest resources that extend from tropical rainforests to alpine forests. The expensive forest in Myanmar not only makes a significant contribution to global carbon sequestration but it has also been recognized for its high value in biodiversity conservation. Recently, considerable pressure has been exerted on Myanmar’s forest cover and conditions because of the country's radical demographic, economic, and social changes.
  
  Deforestation in Myanmar is often attributed to three major factors: unsustainable and illegal logging, unresolved land disputes, and agricultural development. Despite deforestation, Myanmar has the largest tropical forest in mainland Southeast Asia which is home to more than 80 endemic species. Despite the size of Myanmar’s forests, only around six percent of its land is protected by law, while the rest is susceptible to deforestation. 
  
  As of 2010, Burma's living forest biomass holds 1,654 million metric tons of carbon and is home to over 80 endemic species. Despite the diversity and size of Burma's forests, only 6.3% of the land is protected, and much of it is threatened by deforestation. 
  
  

• Illegal logging

  Due to the size and scope of Burma's forests, it is difficult for government organizations like Forest Department to regulate logging. There is a high demand for timber from Burma's neighbors–notably Thailand and China–who have depleted their forests much more than Burma (take). 
  
  As a result, numerous illegal logging operations have sprung up near the Thai-Burmese border and the province of Kachin along the Chinese border. Logs are commonly cut on the Burmese side and then smuggled to processing facilities in China or Thailand.
  
  The lack of regulations has led to unbridled and destructive logging that has caused environmental damage, such as soil erosion, river contamination, and increased flooding. In Kachin State, which has some of the largest expanses of relatively untouched forest, illegal logging accounts for up to half of the deforestation. 
  
  Due to the remoteness of these regions and the international demand for hardwoods, illegal logging is a threat that is hard to address and will probably continue contributing to deforestation. The significant problem is that illegal logging is still classified in Myanmar as an environmental matter and not a criminal act, making it difficult for the Forest Department to bring a lawsuit against the offenders.

• Agricultural development

   Agriculture is the leading cause of land conversion, especially for oil palm and rubber plantations. These crops are often grown in monocultures, which reduce biodiversity and soil fertility. As a result of continuing rural population growth, new agricultural areas have developed across Burma. 
  
  While it is hard to get precise data on how much deforestation is done to make room for cultivation, it is clear that agricultural expansion is a factor. 
  
  Even though large areas of forest are not commonly cleared for agriculture, logged areas can quickly become agricultural as people take advantage of the space to plant crops. The agricultural expansion will continue as the population increases and Burma produces more crops for export.

• Population Growth

  The population of Burma has been growing at an increasing rate since 2005, creating a need for expansion and development. Burma's growing population requires more resources to sustain it, often at the expense of forests and other natural resources. 
  
  With much of the population growth happening in rural areas, food demands lead to more intense agriculture and expansion into forested land.
  
  Many rural Burmese depend on the forest for firewood, charcoal, and farm materials. As the population increases, these demands will become unsustainable and lead to a severe loss of forest cover, especially around population centers.
  
  Critical habitat for other rare species is also being lost. The entire global population of the Gurney’s pitta, a diminutive but colorful bird that depends on mature forest understory, is found only in the lowland forests of Kawthaung, Tanintharyi’s southernmost district, where more than one-tenth of the primary forest has been razed, ostensibly for oil palm.
  
  Beyond threatening the extinction of wildlife that has been around for decades, deforestation in Myanmar also threatens the advancement of science in studying biodiversity. New species have recently been discovered in the Tanintharyi region. 
  
  In 2015 and 2016, researchers discovered two species of geckos, genus Cyrtodactylus, known for their bent toes. In 2019, another group of researchers discovered an Asian rock gecko called Cnemaspis tanintharyi. Some scientists are worried that continued deforestation in the Tanintharyi region could mean the extinction of undiscovered and recently discovered species, in addition to well-known species.
  
  While the period of peace and economic liberalization was accompanied by rapid development in Myanmar, the resurgence of conflict following the ousting of the civilian government in February 2021 has cast uncertainty across the country.
  
   Experts are warning of new bouts of deforestation facilitated by weakened governance systems, reduced surveillance, and a lack of accountability.