Myanmar is the largest country in mainland Southeast Asia with a long coastline and large marine territory. Its climate provides suitable conditions for mangroves to grow. According to the related reports, Myanmar has the third largest mangrove forests in the ASEAN-China region. As of 2020, it had 402,890 hectares of mangrove forests, accounting for 9.32% of the total mangrove forest area in the ASEAN-China region.
Mangrove forests are found in all coastal states/regions of Myanmar and the Tanintharyi mangrove forests are mostly still in good condition and consist of critically endangered species. These mangroves provide goods and services covering forest products, breeding and spawning ground for fisheries, buffers for storm surges, and aesthetic views.
MFA has conducted mangrove projects in Tanintharyi region since 2016. After three stages of projects to engage local communities, start mangrove plantation, establish community-based mangrove conservation area and conduct monitoring and patrolling, the fourth project was developed to prepare the management of Community Forestry (CF) for 14 villages in Kanti, Pyin Bu Nge and Pyin Bu Gyi islands and attain CF certification through Protected Public Forest (PPF) forming process.
Besides, MFA also helped local communities to establish mangrove nurseries with over 10,000 seedlings nurtured in the area. The survival rate is 75% and those seedlings will be planted in the gaps during the monsoon season.
