5 June 2004
(c) Copyright 2004 Xinhua News Agency
YANGON,
June 5 (Xinhua) --
Myanmar leader General Khin
Nyunt Saturday said that his country is paying
greater attention to environmental issues by having formed the
Environmental Conservation Committee (ECC) to implement its programs
effectively.
Addressing a ceremony here
marking the World Environment Day, Prime Minister General
Khin Nyunt stressed that the government supports all the government
departments, non government organizations and the private sector
for taking an active part in the environmental protection.
Myanmar
adopted
the National Environmental Policy in 1994 to harmonize economic
development and environmental protection.
To implement the policy,
the country's
National Commission for Environmental Affairs formulated
Myanmar Agenda 21 in 1997, outlining programs and activities to promote
environmentally sound and sustainable development in the country.
There
are rich
resources
in Myanmar's seas including many species of fish, sea mammals
and corals.
Mangrove forests can be found
along the Rakhine coast, Ayeyawady delta region and along the Taninthayi
coast.
There are many beautiful
beaches such as Ngapali, Ngwe Hsaung, Chaungtha and Moungmakan, which
are
unspoilt and in pristine condition.
Official newspaper The New
Light of Myanmar
said on Saturday that in order to protect the marine environment,
the government has established sanctuaries and a marine park in
the country
-- Thamihla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary in the Ayeyawady division
to protect marine turtles, Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary to protect
mangroves,
crocodiles and sea birds, and Lampi Island Marine National
Parkto protect coral reefs and other marine life.
The government has
also
issued an
order recently that an area between the Don island and Lampi island
in Myeik Archipelago is established as Shark Protected Zone, where
catching sharks is prohibited, the paper said.
A special task force
has also been formed under the ECC to protect and conserve the coastal
environment, it added.
Note: Which seems to be true,
around a month ago this speacial task force equipped with speed boats
caught
members of the most notorious fishing fleet in S.E.A. Thai trawlers
in Burmes waters near Ranong ( I imagine their surprise, instead of
Navy ships which they could escape by sailing into shallow water, this
time there was no way to use this advantage)
On of the major threats to coral reefs and
marine life in general throughout South East Asia are destructive fishing
methods carried out by careless/greedy and uneducated individuals and/or
corporations.
On top of this list are Fishing fleets and
related Industries.
sincerly the poeple at S.E.A. Charter
