Thein Sein urged to take action on environment
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Top environmentalist sends president a message asking that prompt moves be carried out to stop further harm
A well-known environmentalist from Myanmar has sent President Thein Sein a message calling for prompt action to stop harming the already deteriorating environment.
The letter sent by environmentalist Win Myo Thu was read out during a public forum on peaceful nation-building and the role of civil society to which Thein Sein gave a speech on Sunday.
At the forum that took place at the Diamond Jubilee Hall of Yangon University, the president also expressed his views on safeguarding and maintaining the environment.
The message suggests three points – to stop further destruction to the deteriorating environment, to point out that 0.1 per cent of state budget for environmental conservation and maintenance is totally impossible, and to promise that the government and the people work together to protect land, water and forest resources from being further destroyed by adopting basic principles.
The message also suggests that a positive relationship be established between government departments and civil society organisations. The dialogue should be understood as cooperation between the National Planning Commission and the CSOs to help address environmental issues.
Giving his views on those suggestions, President Thein Sein said: “I have recently said that those destroying the natural environment are called destroyers of their own country.”
He said the suggestions are the things that need to be done and added that the government takes inputs from the local community seriously.
Myint Zaw, who read out the message, said the president's remarks against environmental destruction was encouraging.
