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18-9-2015

Current Status of REDD+ and FLEG in

Myanmar

Dr. Thaung Naing Oo

Director – Forest Research Institute

Forest Department

Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestry

H.Q. FD

Scope of presentation

1Organizational Structure of

MOECAF

2 Policy and Legislations

REDD+ and FLEGT Preparation

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3

4

The Way Forward4

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Organizational Structure of

MOECAF

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Institutional Structure

Union Minister

Deputy Minister ( Forest)

Deputy Minister (Environment)

Forest Department

Dry ZoneGreening

Dept.

MyanmaTimber

Enterprise

Environmental Conservation

Dept.

Survey Dept

Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestry

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POLICY AND LEGISLATIONS

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FOREST POLICY (1995):

POLICY IMPERATIVES

PROTECTION of soil, water, wildlife, biodiversity and environment;

SUSTAINABILITY of forest resources to ensure perpetual supply of both

tangible and intangible benefits

BASIC NEEDS of the people for fuel, shelter, food and recreation;

EFFICIENCY to harness, in the socio-environmentally friendly manner,

the full economic potential of the forest resources;

PARTICIPATION of the people in the conservation and utilization of the

forests;

PUBLIC AWARENESS about the vital role of the forests in the well being

and socio-economic development of the nation.

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Policy and Legislation

- Forest Law 1992

- (Myanmar Forest Act1902 was replaced with new

Forest Law 1992)

- Forest Rules 1995

- Protection of Wildlife & Wild Plants & Conservation of

Natural Areas Law 1994

- Protection of Wildlife & Wild Plants & Conservation of

Natural Areas Rules 2002

- Environmental Conservation Law 2012 and Rules

2014

- MTE Extraction Manual 1948

- State Timber Board Act 1950

- Standing orders for Extraction Staff of MTE 1970

- Logging Rules 1936

- National Code of Forest Harvesting Practices 2000

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Instructions

- Departmental Instructions

- Community Forestry Instructions 1995

- Standing Orders for Subordinates

- Procedures (Records/ Forms)

- Criteria & Indicators for SFM 2007

- 30-year National Forest Master Plan (2002-2031)

- 10-year District Management Plans

- 5-year action plan

- Annual work plan

- National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan (NBSAP)

- Mangrove Action Plan

- Inlay Lake Watershed Conservation Action Plan

Sectoral Plans

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Forest Resources and Forest

Cover Status

Legal classification Area (km2) % of land

area

Reserved forest (RF) 121,843 18.1

Protected public forest

(PPF)

40,950 6.4

Total RF+PPF 162,793 24.5

Protected area system

(PAS)

35,107 6.7

Policy target

RF+PPF – 30% of total country's area

PAS – 10% of total country’s area10

Forest Cover of Myanmar Derived from 2005-2007 Landsat Images (FRA 2010)

Forest Cover Status of Myanmar (FRA 2010)

Area (sq km)

% of total country

area

Closed forest 13,445 19.9

Open forest 18,329 27.1

Total forest 31,773 47.0

Other Wooded land 20,113 29.7

Others 13,869 20.5

Water body 1,903 2.8

Total 67,658 100

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Forest Cover Status of Myanmar (FRA 2015 Draft)

FRA 2015 Source Data

Area % of total

country

area(sq km)

Closed forest 15,306 22.6

Open forest 15,167 22.4

Total forest 30,473 45.0

Other Wooded land 14,524 21.5

Others 20,759 30.7

Water body 1,903 2.8

Total 67,658 100

Projected Data for FRA 2015

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Sustainable Forest Management

Elements of SFM

1) Extent of forest resources

2) Forest biological diversity

3) Forest health and vitality

4) Productive functions of forest

resources

5) Protective functions of forest

resources

6) Socio-economic functions of forest

resources

7) Legal, policy and institutional

framework

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- The principle forest management applied in managing the natural forests in

Myanmar since 1856.

- Exploitation-cum-cultural System.

- Felling cycle of 30 years.

- Felling is regulated by area and exploitable size of trees (DBH≥63 cm).

- Girdling of teak, selection felling of other hardwood

- Removal of inferior trees interfering with the growth of teak and other

valuable species.

- Thinning of congested teak stands

- Enumeration of future yield trees down to fixed sizes

- Leaving high quality teak tree as seed tree (mother tree)

- Monitoring forest for Fixing of AAC for teak and hardwood

Myanmar Selection System - MSS

Species Annual allowable cuts (AAC)

No. of trees Volume (m3)

Teak 124,213 409,062

Other

hardwood

1,795,424 3,236,071

Forest Management System

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Assessment of AAC

Selection of Exploitable trees

Teak GirdlingHardwood Selective

Felling Marking

Logging

Enumeration of Trees left

Assessment of AAC

Teak: 30 years

Hardwoods: variable

Myanmar Selection System - MSS

Criteria and Indicators (C&I) for SFM

There are 63 districts (Forest Management Unit-FMU) across the country.

7 Criteria and 73 Indicators were identified for Forest Management Unit

(FMU) level.

7 Criteria and 78 Indicators were identified for National level.

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Forest Management Unit (FMU) is District

Level.

63 Districts (63 FMU) across the country.

Each FMU includes 6 categories:

Production Working Circle (PWC),

Planted Forests Working Circle (PFWC),

Local Supply / Community Forestry

Working Circle (LS/CFWC)

Watershed Forests Working Circle

(FWC) and

Non-wood Forest Products Working

Circle (NFPWC)

Protected areas working circle

National Forest Management Plan (2002-

2031)

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Compartment in Reserved Forest

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Status of REDD+ readiness

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Emerging Vision

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To contribute to green development by

protecting global environmental resources

(forest carbon stocks, but also biodiversity),

helping to reverse land degradation, helping to

improve the livelihoods of the rural poor and

aiding adaptation to climate change

July 2012

Scoping mission

December 2012

National WS –formed 3 TWG:Drivers and Strategies; Stakeholders and Safeguards; and MRV/FREL

May 2013

Initial National Consultation WS

June 2013

Four Regional Consultation WS (Bago Reg, Shan State, AyeyarwadyReg, SagaingReg)

August 2013

Submission to MOECAF,

Adoption and preparing proposal for financial support

Objectives:

Develop Myanmar’s REDD+ Readiness Roadmap through a multi-stakeholder participation process Raise awareness about REDD+

REDD+ Readiness Roadmap: Development Process

TIMELINE

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Three REDD+ Phases

Readiness

Phase

- Capacity building

-Design of nationally-appropriate

REDD+ activities

Pilot Phase

national or

sub-nat.

demonstration

activities

Implementati

on Phase

Positive

incentives for

verified

performance

Choice of REDD+

strategies will

depend on

specific drivers

of deforestation

and forest

degradation

Demonstration

activities have to

be “results-

based” – they

have to result in

positive outcomes

The mitigation

performance of REDD+

has to be measured and

reported by the country,

and verified by the

UNFCCC

Structure of the Roadmap

Section 1: Management of REDD+ Readiness

Section 2: Stakeholder Consultation and

Participation

Section 3: Development and Selection of

REDD+ Strategies

Section 4: Implementation Framework and

Safeguards

Section 5: Developing a National Forest

Reference Emission Level (REL) and

Reference Level (RL)Section 6: Developing a National Forest

Monitoring System

The Roadmap sets out how Myanmar will implement its REDD+ Readiness activities

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Completed

assessment of

several international

frameworks in relation

to national

circumstances of

Myanmar

Initial analyses

(e.g.,

stakeholders,

drivers)

undertaken

MRV team has

prepared initial

design

Historical data

digitized and

historical land use

maps under

preparation

REDD+ Stakeholder Network

REDD+

Taskforce Office (FD)

REDD+ Task Force

MOECAF, MOAI, MOHA

MERN

Proposed National REDD+ Taskforce

Existing TWGs

1. Drivers and strategy

2. Stakeholder & safeguards

3. MRV

New TWGs

1. Incentive allocation system

2. REDD+ Implementation

3. Legal

Other networks,

Government members,

based on existing Taskforce

TWGTWG TWG TWG TWG

TWG

National Environmental Conservation Committee

26TWG s are composed of representatives from

line Ministries, CSOs, NGOs and IPs

Targeted Support of the UN-REDD Programme the following

activities are being implemented:

• Governance

• Stakeholder engagement

• National REDD+ Strategy Development

• Social and Environmental Safeguards

• National Forest Monitoring System

• Forest Reference Emission Levels (RELs/RLs)

Implementation of REDD+ Readiness Roadmap

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57.97%51.54%49.25%46.96%

45.04%

05,000

10,00015,00020,00025,00030,00035,00040,00045,000

1990 2000 2005 2010 2015

Are

a (

000 h

a)

Year

Closedforest

Open forest

Forest Cover Changes in Myanmar

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Driver Impact Underlying causes

Over- exploitation of

forest timber (legal-

illegal)

1 More accurate and conservative AAC, lack coordination

between FD and Myanmar Timber Enterprise harvesting,

political interference, transparency and accountability,

security, market demand for timber

Over- harvesting of

wood biomass as a

source of energy

2 High demand for wood energy for domestic use and

industrial use, lack of alternatives to fuel wood/charcoal

Unstable or pioneering

shifting cultivation (not

permanent conversion

of forest into

agricultural land)

3 Loss of traditional land due to investments (hydropower,

agriculture), growing population, lack of land tenure over

shifting cultivation areas and alternatives to this land use

Forest fires 4 Natural fires, shifting cultivation, hunting and pasture

management, lack of forest tenure rights, droughts

Myanmar REDD+ Roadmap: Forestry Sector Drivers:

Forest Degradation

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Driver Impact Underlying causes

Expansion of

Agriculture

(Subsistence and

Commercial)

1 Low agricultural yields, population increase, land claims

throughutilization or cropping, weak forest land tenure,

promotion of industrial plantations (palm oil, rubber, pulp

wood etc.) by decision makers who value short-term

profits over valuation of environmental services,

ambitious production targets for the agricultural sector.

Mining 2 High global and regional demand, lack of strong EIA and

mitigation plans, weak coordination of mining sector with

Forestry sector (laws, approval process)

Hydropower

development

3 High national and regional demand for electricity,lack of

strong EIA and mitigation plans, weak coordination with

energy sector

Infrastructure (road,

pipeline, special

economic zones,

power lines)

4 Lack ofEIA regulations for public infrastructure and lack

of implementation and monitoring of mitigation plans,

lack of coordination among relevant ministries

Myanmar REDD+ Roadmap: Drivers outside Forestry

Sector: Deforestation

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Myanmar REDD+ Roadmap: Future trends cont.:

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Land Use Policy Formulation

Process

National Land Use Policy

Objectives

To benefit to the people and country, harmonize

land use systems, balance between development

and conservation;

To protect the land use right of the citizens and

To improve land administration system; Links to Land Administration Reform Efforts:

Essential Steps

Developing a National Land Use Policy

Drafting a National Land Law

Landuse Management Plans

One Map Myanmar

Land Use Policy Formulation Process

Land Use Allocation and Scrutinizing

Committee (LUASC) was formed with the

Presidential order.

LUASC is chaired by the Union Minister for

MOECAF and consists of 25 members.

Members are representatives from

concerned Government Ministries and

agencies to formulate Land Use Policy;

Series of working group meetings and

stakeholder consultation meetings were

held to draw Land Use Policy (Draft).

Fifth draft of the Land Use Policy has been

developed with the participation of multiple

stakeholders.34

Central Committee for National Land Resource Management

The Central Committee for National Land Resource Management was

organized in October 2014.

The Vice-President is leading the Committee, and the Ministry of

Environmental Conservation and Forestry (MOECAF) is taking the

responsibilities for the Focal Ministry.

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Central Committee

for National Land Resource Management

Working Committee for Reviewing Land Use

Policy

Working Committee for Developing Land

Resource Law

Working Committee for Coordinating and

Implementing Land Resource Projects and

Plans

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Public Consultation Workshops held on Nay Pyi Taw Council,

Regions and State on November 2014

Finalizing the National Land Use Policy in accordance with the

results of National Workshop, recommendations of Government

Organizations and Hluttaw’s Committee, and public feedbacks

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EU FLEG VPA Process

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In line with the international initiatives the Timber

Certification Committee of Myanmar (TCCM) was

established in 1998 in order to support SFM and get

access of myanmar timber to the international market.

TCCM is a non-profit, non-political and impartial

organization.

To cover all aspects of timber certification process, TCCM

was changed to Myanmar Forest Certification Committee

(MFCC) in 2012.

Implementation of Timber Certification and Legality Assurance System in Myanmar

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Implementation of Timber Certification and Legality Assurance

System in Myanmar

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National Governing Body- NGB

MFCC is the NGB of forest/timber certification in Myanmar.

MFCC was established by the decree of MOECAF with the

approval of the government.

MFCC is constituted with the representatives from environmental

NGOs, research and academic institutions, private enterprises,

government departments and individuals .

Certification Body - CB

Forest management and COC certifications under MFCC shall

be carried out by impartial, competent third parties (CBs).

Implementation of Timber Certification and Legality Assurance

System in Myanmar

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Preparation of EU FLEGT – VPA Process

- According to EU FLEGT Action Plan, Myanmar is now moving forward

to involve Voluntary Partnership Agreements –VPA’s Partner Country

to export Myanmar’s timber to EU market since Forest Law,

Enforcement, Governance and Trade Workshop held in July 2013,

Myanmar.

- On behalf of Myanmar, MOECAF informed to EU to initiate the VPA

process starting from “Request for a dialogue on a FLEGT VPA

approach” which is a preparation phase in country consensus

building.

- In accordance with the bilateral trade agreements between the EU

and Myanmar, MOECAF is now implementing the information

dissemination about VPA to multi-stakeholders for consensus building.

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Preparation of EU FLEGT – VPA Process

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Myanmar formally proposed to enter into the EU FLEGT VPA process in November 2013

EU acknowledge to participate in the process in March, 2014

the teleconference between EC and FD was made in July 2014 to move forward the process

EC and EFI Expert Mission to FD, MOECAF in Oct 2014

Inception workshop on EU-Myanmar FLEGT VPA Preparation Phase was held in January 2015

Follow up activities of the Inception workshop

(a) 1st meeting of ITF was held at FD on 6 July

( 3 members increased from each SH Group, ToRs for ITF, Draft work plan for preparation phase, Group E.mail , MSG, M SH Consultation Workshop for discussion on WP and its finalization)

(b) ITF formed with 24 members in which 8 members from each stakeholder group are included, by MOECAF

(c) 2nd Meeting (11 Sept @MFCC Office, Yangon)

(ToRs of ITF (Final Draft) will be agreed to proceed for approval, Discuss on draft work plan for preparation phase and follow up activities to be done , Conflict sensitivity analysis by Mr Tim Dawson and Dr Marlene Buchy, Secretariat office, Awareness raising and capacity building , Report of 1st Visit of Dr ML - 24 July to 8 Aug)

Status of Supports for FLEGT VPA process at

Present for Government Sector

(a) FLEGT advisor Dr Marlene Buchy was dispatched for short term ( July – Dec 2015) supported by EU FAO FLEGT Programme in order to help government prepares negotiations and to promote dialogue between the government and the stakeholders.

(b) A FLEGT facilitator with neutral position also will be assigned for the short term supported by EU EFI to help all stakeholders to create and maintain an open dialogue and reach consensus as needed in FLEGT VPA preparation and negotiations

(c ) ToRs of FLEGT Support for long term by DFID was approved by MOECAF and the necessary procedures have been taking by DFID for starting support. (two year)

(a) Raising awareness of stakeholders about the FLEGT

process

(b) Identification of stakeholders and ways of involvement

(c) Structuring the process

(d) Establishment of a multi-stakeholder group to work on

FLEGT VPA related issues

(e) Setup a FLEGT secretariat

(f) Baseline studies

Such as: demand/supply, drivers of deforestation, forest

resource assessment, socio-economic

assessment, feasibility of FLEGT VPA

Key activities and work plan (draft)

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Combating illegal logging

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- Forest Department of Myanmar is seriously paying attention to

combat illegal wildlife trade as well as illegal timber trade that leads

to the deforestation, forest degradation and loss of royalties.

- Combating towards those trades is the collaborative action between

Forest Department, Myanmar Police Force and local administration.

- The suspects involved in those illegal timber trades were taken

actions against the laws, particularly with Forest Law (1992).

- Cooperation of neighboring countries is invited to combat illegal

logging so as to promote legal timber trade.

Combating Illegal Logging

No Year Cu .Ton

1 2005-06 51616.75

2 2006-07 53814.36

3 2007-08 40672.56

4 2008-09 37584.87

5 2009-00 54015.06

6 2010-11 30725.35

7 2011-12 18325.13

8 2012-13 31571.63

9 2013-14 22587.84

10 2014-15 33884.78

Total 386619.09

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Seizing illegal logs/timber

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Map showing tracks of Illegal logs transportation to Myanmar-

China Border Area

logging yard……………………..

All Season Tracks…………………

Open Season Tracks…………….

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- Extending Permanent Forest Estate (Reserved Forest+ Public

Protected Forests) up to 30% of total country areas while

Protected Areas up to 10 %.

- Strengthening SFM and forest governance

- Developing Timber Legality and Assurance System (Timber

Certification)

- Implementation of REDD+ Readiness Roadmap

- Adoption of land use policy and a land law

- Promoting payment for ecosystem services (PES) and green

economy green growth (GEGG) in forestry sector

- Decentralization in forest management through promoting CF,

JFM, long lease, Private PT) including Corporatization of MTE

The Way Forward to Achieve SFM

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THANK YOU VERY

MUCH!