Ayeyawady forests in grave danger, survey shows
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Forested areas along the upper part of the Ayeyawady River in Mandalay Region are in grave danger from a combination of threats, ranging from deforestation, contamination of wastewater, and residues from gold mines, according to a survey.
The survey was conducted by Sein Yaung So, a Mandalay-based environmentalist group. In a span of four months, researchers searched 17 places along the upriver.
“We asked the locals about their experiences over the situation and found that the upper area – from Htigyaing and Katha up to Myitsone region – suffered dearly from deforestation,” said Maung Maung Oo, the secretary of the group.
Survey covered Maykha River, Bhamo, and the Mogaung Stream (upriver regions); Motarlay, Innywa, Htigyaing, Madaya, Mingun, Shankalay Island, Taungthaman Lake, Yaemyatgyi Lake, Pakkoku, two places in Yenangyaung, Bagan, Pyay (middle portion); and Maubin (downriver region in the Ayeyawady Delta).
“Climate disorder follows deforestation. The currents also got more violent without trees which serve as barriers against tidal waves. These consequences could harm the livelihood of the locals,” the secretary said.
The locals could also suffer from landslides, soil erosion, and abnormality of water channels. Some river passages have already dried out.
The survey result will be released to the public, experts and relevant authorities, in a bid to call for greater conservation efforts.
