MYA/National Forest Inventory and National Forest Monitoring Information Systems for Myanmar

Description What is done in the programme or project and why, what results are pursued, who benefits from the activities and who are involved in the implementation.

Myanmar falls within the category of Least developed countries (LDC), but it is endowed with rich natural resources and biodiversity, with about 43 % of its land area covered by forests. However, Myanmar’s forests are being depleted at alarming rates. Between 2010 and 2015 Myanmar lost approximately 10 % of its forest cover and had the third-highest rate of deforestation in the world. The forestry sector has traditionally played a critical role in the development and economic transformation of the country, but over the years extractive operations have become more intensive, and forest resources have been utilised unsustainably. The forest sector faces increasingly diverse information needs regarding land use and forest resources. Information needs range from forest area and growing stock to key aspects of sustainable forest management, such as the role of forests in the conservation of biodiversity and the provision of other ecosystem services. Socio-economic aspects, including the contribution to livelihoods and poverty reduction, governance and broader land use issues have also become important for facilitating sector planning. In addition, information on forest resources is required to fulfill many international commitments that the Government of Myanmar has agreed to. The establishment of a National Forest Monitoring and Information System is essential for informed decision-making, and to communicate and demonstrate delivery of public services based on up-to-date evidence. The objective of the project is to support the Government of Myanmar in the design, development, planning and implementation of a National Forest Inventory and National Forest Monitoring Information Systems (NFI/NFMIS) for Myanmar, production of Land Use Land Cover Map (LULC) and development of a forest information system (FIS). In addition, the project will train people at relevant levels to implement and use the NFMIS effectively. Finland's contribution in 2017-2021 to the project is 8,000 000 Euros. The total budget of the project is approximately 9,500 000 Euros.