Political transition and emergent forest-conservation issues in Myanmar.

Political and economic transitions have had substantial impacts on forest conservation. Where transitions are underway or anticipated, historical precedent and methods for systematically assessing future trends should be used to anticipate likely threats to forest conservation and design appropriate and prescient policy measures to counteract them. Myanmar is transitioning from an authoritarian, centralized state with a highly regulated economy to a more decentralized and economically liberal democracy and is working to end a long-running civil war. With these transitions in mind, we used a horizon-scanning approach to assess the 40 emerging issues most affecting Myanmar's forests, including internal conflict, land-tenure insecurity, large-scale agricultural development, demise of state timber enterprises, shortfalls in government revenue and capacity, and opening of new deforestation frontiers with new roads, mines, and hydroelectric dams. Averting these threats will require, for example, overhauling governance models, building capacity, improving infrastructure- and energy-project planning, and reforming land-tenure and environmental-protection laws. Although challenges to conservation in Myanmar are daunting, the political transition offers an opportunity for conservationists and researchers to help shape a future that enhances Myanmar's social, economic, and environmental potential while learning and applying lessons from other countries. Our approach and results are relevant to other countries undergoing similar transitions

Political transition and emergent forest-conservation issues in Myanmar.

Political and economic transitions have had substantial impacts on forest conservation. Where transitions are underway or anticipated, historical precedent and methods for systematically assessing future trends should be used to anticipate likely threats to forest conservation and design appropriate and prescient policy measures to counteract them. Myanmar is transitioning from an authoritarian, centralized state with a highly regulated economy to a more decentralized and economically liberal democracy and is working to end a long-running civil war. With these transitions in mind, we used a horizon-scanning approach to assess the 40 emerging issues most affecting Myanmar's forests, including internal conflict, land-tenure insecurity, large-scale agricultural development, demise of state timber enterprises, shortfalls in government revenue and capacity, and opening of new deforestation frontiers with new roads, mines, and hydroelectric dams. Averting these threats will require, for example, overhauling governance models, building capacity, improving infrastructure- and energy-project planning, and reforming land-tenure and environmental-protection laws. Although challenges to conservation in Myanmar are daunting, the political transition offers an opportunity for conservationists and researchers to help shape a future that enhances Myanmar's social, economic, and environmental potential while learning and applying lessons from other countries. Our approach and results are relevant to other countries undergoing similar transitions

Co-occurrence of Point Mutations in the Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel of Pyrethroid-Resistant Aedes aegypti Populations in Myanmar

Background:Single amino acid substitutions in the voltage-gated sodium channel associated with pyrethroid resistance constitute one of the main causative factors of knockdown resistance in insects. The kdr gene has been observed in several mosquito species; however, point mutations in the para gene of Aedes aegypti populations in Myanmar have not been fully characterized. The aim of the present study was to determine the types and frequencies of mutations in the para gene of Aedes aegypti collected from used tires in Yangon City, Myanmar.Methodology/Principal Findings:We determined high pyrethroid resistance in Aedes aegypti larvae at all collection sites in Yangon City, by using a simplified knockdown bioassay. We showed that V1016G and S989P mutations were widely distributed, with high frequencies (84.4% and 78.8%, respectively). By contrast, we were unable to detect I1011M (or I1011V) or L1014F mutations. F1534C mutations were also widely distributed, but with a lower frequency than the V1016G mutation (21.2%). High percentage of co-occurrence of the homozygous V1016G/S989P mutations was detected (65.7%). Additionally, co-occurrence of homozygous V1016G/F1534C mutations (2.9%) and homozygous V1016G/F1534C/S989P mutations (0.98%) were detected in the present study.Conclusions/Significance:Pyrethroid insecticides were first used for malaria control in 1992, and have since been constantly used in Myanmar. This intensive use may explain the strong selection pressure toward Aedes aegypti, because this mosquito is generally a domestic and endophagic species with a preference for indoor breeding. Extensive use of DDT for malaria control before the use of this chemical was banned may also explain the development of pyrethroid resistance in Aedes aegypti

Prevalence and seroprevalence of Plasmodium infection in Myanmar reveals highly heterogeneous transmission and a large hidden reservoir of infection.

Malaria incidence in Myanmar has significantly reduced over recent years, however, completeness and timeliness of incidence data remain a challenge. The first ever nationwide malaria infection and seroprevalence survey was conducted in Myanmar in 2015 to better understand malaria epidemiology and highlight gaps in Annual Parasite Index (API) data. The survey was a cross-sectional two-stage stratified cluster-randomised household survey conducted from July-October 2015. Blood samples were collected from household members for ultra-sensitive PCR and serology testing for P. falciparum and P. vivax. Data was gathered on demography and a priori risk factors of participants. Data was analysed nationally and within each of four domains defined by API data. Prevalence and seroprevalence of malaria were 0.74% and 16.01% nationwide, respectively. Prevalent infection was primarily asymptomatic P. vivax, while P. falciparum was predominant in serology. There was large heterogeneity between villages and by domain. At the township level, API showed moderate correlation with P. falciparum seroprevalence. Risk factors for infection included socioeconomic status, domain, and household ownership of nets. Three K13 P. falciparum mutants were found in highly prevalent villages. There results highlight high heterogeneity of both P. falciparum and P. vivax transmission between villages, accentuated by a large hidden reservoir of asymptomatic P. vivax infection not captured by incidence data, and representing challenges for malaria elimination. Village-level surveillance and stratification to guide interventions to suit local context and targeting of transmission foci with evidence of drug resistance would aid elimination efforts

미얀마의 열대 활엽수림과 인공림에서의 탄소 고정량

Thesis(doctors) --서울대학교 대학원 :산림과학부(산림환경학전공), 2009.8.Docto

Forecasting Forest Areas in Myanmar Based on Socioeconomic Factors

National circumstances should be considered in establishing and adjusting forest reference emission levels (FRELs/FRLs) under the United Nations Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (UN-REDD+ Programme). Myanmar, one of the world’s least developed countries may face accelerating deforestation under an open and democratic political system that desires rapid economic development. This research analyzes the impacts of population growth and economic development on forest areas in Myanmar by using panel data analysis, an econometrics approach based on panel data of forest areas, population, and gross domestic product (GDP) by states and regions in 2005, 2010, and 2015. This research revealed that per capita GDP and population density gave statistically significant negative impacts on forest areas. Using the regression model obtained above, medium population growth projections, and three GDP development scenarios, annual forest areas from 2016 to 2020 were forecast. The forecasting results showed possible higher deforestation under higher economic development. Finally, this research showed the necessity of adjusting the current average deforestation for RELs in the REDD+ scheme in Myanmar and the direction in which the adjustment should go

Polycrystalline Phase Formation of Magnesium Ferrite, MgFe2O4 Investigated by X-Ray Diffraction and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopic Methods

Magnesium ferrite spinel, MgFe2O4 was prepared by conventional solid state reaction method at 1100C for 22 h in vacuum chamber. Structural and vibrational characteristics of the sample were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic methods. Crystal structure, lattice parameters and crystallite size of the sample were examined. Vibrational characteristics and mode assignments of the sample were analyzed to investigate the polycrystalline phase formation of the sample

Problem of Golden Apple Snail Pomacea canaliculata (Lamarck) (Gastropoda: Ampullariidae) in Selected Rice Growing Areas of Myanmar

A survey of 142 farmers was conducted in the seven townships of major rice growing areas of Myanmar to observe the pest status and damages, integrated management practices and farmers’ perception of GASs. The farm-ers were stratified by the level of GAS damage i.e. low, medium and high damage. The majority of interviewed farmers grow the rice by transplanting method (78% of respondents), followed by direct seeding method (14% of respondents) and only 8% of farmers used both methods. The farmers identified that GAS was the key pest on their rice (77%) followed by rice yellow stem borer (3%), rodent (1.7%), BPH (1.7%) and caseworm (0.8%). GASs were firstly aware in Shan State since early 1990s and were introduced as a food item, biological control agent for aquatic weeds. To control the GASs, most of the farmers (89%) used hand picking of snails and egg masses, molluscicides application (39%) followed by the biological (duck herding 32%) and cultural (replanting 32%) measures. Some farmers (17% of respondents) managed the irrigation water into their fields and some farmers (6%) are reluctant to grow rice in their fields as they are afraid of GAS infestation. GAS is clearly the most important problem of rice farmers in the surveyed areas of Myanmar. Farmers from Ayeyarwaddy Delta might suffer more seriously the GASs damages than those of Kayin and Mon States because the farmers from Ayeyarwaddy grow the paddy year round and so many streams and waterways make easy the spread of GASs rapidly and create the breeding grounds for GASs

Spatial Structure of Socio-economic Functions: A Case Study of Ywatharyar Village, Minbu Township

Many geographical studies emphasize on the structural development of sett1ement area by means of land use with particular attention given to the urban areas. However, we would like to argue that socio-economic conditions of peoples living in the settlement area will revealed in terms of symbols. The structural development of a settlement area could be depicted by means of analyzing these socio-economic symbols. In this paper, spatial socio-economic structure of Ywatharyar Village located in Minbu Township is analyzed as a sample. Base map is created by using GPS. Socio-economic data are collected by field survey. Then, locational pattern of each socio-economic function in the village is found out by using distribution method, mean center, standard deviational ellipse, and Kernel probability analysis. Results show two points: (1) all economic functions are located near the canter of setl1emmt area along the major road. In addition, grocery shops are located at the newly extended portion of the settlement while services and manufacturing are still remain in the old village center; (2) different kinds of social function have varied location characteristics. Some like monastery, pagoda and underground water supply system are located at the periphery of settlement Dhamayon needs dispersed location in the village. On the other hand, electricity supply and telecommunications system are concentrated in the old village center, Education facilities and hospital are located in the periphery of village where it has good accessibility and large space

Taxonomic studies of Glochidion (Phyllanthaceae) from the Indo-China Peninsula (I): G. shanense, a new species from Myanmar

Volume: 96Start Page: 57End Page: 6