Myanmar retains 42% of forest coverage according to the junta

NAY PYI TAW — Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing has claimed progress in national tree-planting efforts despite ongoing deforestation, using a state-backed monsoon tree-growing ceremony to promote his government’s green agenda.

At the event held Monday in Nay Pyi Taw’s Yanaungmyin Forest Reserve, the Senior General planted a Gangaw tree and delivered a speech praising what he called “systematic conservation” efforts under the State Administration Council (SAC). He said more than 90 million saplings have been distributed since 2021 and set an ambitious goal of reaching 50% national forest coverage.

However, official figures he cited showed a different story. Forest cover stood at 42.92% in 2015, dropped to 42.19% in 2020, and slipped again to 42.15% in 2025 — reflecting continued decline under the military’s rule.

Min Aung Hlaing said efforts to reverse the trend include reforestation, mangrove protection, firewood plantations in dry zones, and tree planting in storm-hit and culturally sensitive areas such as Bagan. For this year’s monsoon, the government plans to distribute over 20 million saplings.

The ceremony was attended by senior SAC members, government officials, students, and military officers, who together planted 3,000 trees across 15 species.

The General also visited the damaged Uttarathiri Dam later in the day, where he instructed officials to prioritise long-term structural reinforcement over quick fixes.

Critics, however, argue that military-led conservation campaigns mask a record of widespread environmental degradation, including logging, mining, and land grabs in conflict zones.

Analysts note that while the junta promotes green development in official speeches, its forest management claims remain difficult to verify independently due to restricted access and lack of transparent data.

Despite the ceremonial planting, environmental groups remain sceptical of the regime’s commitment to sustainability as the country faces deforestation pressures tied to conflict, economic collapse, and mismanagement since the 2021 coup.

-2025-06-17