World Meteorological Day observed

YANGON, 23 March — A ceremony to commemorate the World Meteorological Day Sponsored by the Ministry of Transport was held at Myanma Information and Communication Technology (MICT) Park this evening, with an address by Prime Minister Lt-Gen Soe Win. Also present were Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe, the ministers, the Yangon Mayor, the deputy ministers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, heads of departments, officials of Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, ambassadors, coordinator of UNDP, resident representatives of UN Agencies, delegates of National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), India, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology and guests.

Next, Prime Minister Lt-Gen Soe Win delivered an address. He said: It gives me great pleasure to deliver the address today in commemoration of the World Meteorological Day, celebrating the Convention that created the World Meteorological Organisation in 1950, of which Myanmar is proud to be one of the earliest signatory states.

As Myanmar is an agricultural country, the people have always lived with changes in the weather and climate, depending on their observations to decide when to plant and when to harvest their crops. Advances in technology, which have brought about more sophisticated weather forecasts, have proved to be a boon for farmers, giving them accurate information and enabling them to plan their planting cycles accordingly.

This is in keeping with the WMO theme for this commemoration weather, climate, water and sustainable development- which recognises the valuable contributions of meteorology, hydrology and related geophysical sciences to the progress of mankind. One important factor in talking about progress of mankind is sustainable development, which can be dependent not only on favourable weather and climatic conditions, but also on having access to predictions that will help prepare for adverse weather conditions.

Myanmar is fortunate in being blessed for the most part with favourable weather and geographical formations which allow not only for the presence of a diverse flora and fauna but also for the cultivation of a wide variety of crops. Another blessing is an abundant fresh water supply for agriculture and irrigation, various uses in the daily lives of people, as well as for industries.

Due to its geographical location in the Bay of Bengal, Myanmar is affected by the Southwest monsoon that brings much needed rain to give a bountiful harvest and water resources to generate electricity. At the same time, there is also the threat of storms bringing extreme amounts of rain which can cause floods especially along the Chindwin and Ayeyawady rivers. Occasional cyclones bring about strong winds and heavy rains which can claim loss of lives and property.

Humans are helpless against the forces of nature and the destruction they can bring about but knowing what might be coming can help them to prepare and take precautions to minimise the damage that can be caused. The Myanmar Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, in collaboration with the WMO as well as other meteorological services worldwide, continuously monitors climatic conditions in order to issue timely warnings and bulletins towards this end.

This past year has seen unprecedented damage caused by nature world wide, culminating in the disastrous Tsunami of 26th December, which struck coastlines around the Indian Ocean, tragically bringing about great loss of lives and property, changing the configuration of the land as well as the seabed and from which affected countries are still struggling to recover. Myanmar is lucky to have escaped with only 61 lives being lost and relatively little property damage. Calls for some sort of protection against such destruction in the future have resulted in arrangements being made to establish a Regional Tsunami Early Warning System. With determination and commitment for financial and technical support from the International Community and Agencies such as the WMO, UNDP, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre, Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre, and ASEAN Subcommittee on Meteorology and Geophysics, it is hoped that in the future, natural disasters on the scale of the 2004 Tsunami will not wreak havoc of such a magnitude.

As you are fully aware, the Government of Myanmar is endeavouring its utmost for the all-round development of the country. The infrastructures necessary in every sector such as agriculture, transport, communication, education, and health are being constructed. The Government has built many miles of roads and well over a hundred bridges across rivers large and small, making transportation smooth and effective. This in turn contributes significantly to the development of the country’s economy.

The people living in the border areas have not been forgotten either. Crop substitution projects have been carried out while schools and hospitals have been built and roads and communications upgraded, helping to raise the standard of living of the local populace. A separate Ministry of the Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs has been established primarily to oversee the implementation of developmental projects in the border areas.

However, there is always the potential that disastrous natural events can wipe out what we have worked so hard to achieve. Neighbouring countries have to cooperate closely with each other establishing modern monitoring facilities to have accurate weather forecasts and warning. We also have to be aware that mankind all over the world has also, by making uncontrolled use of natural resources, contributed towards conditions such as loss of forests and desertification leading to catastrophic floods and climate changes. All of us need to be vigilant in using conservation practices that lead to economic progress without denuding the environment.

I should also like to touch briefly on the conservation programmes being carried out in Myanmar. Due to scientific and systematic management of forests in the country on a sustainable basis for over a century, more than half of the country is still covered with forests and woodlands. Myanmar stands today as one of the most forests covered countries in the Asia Pacific region.

The Myanmar Forest Law promulgated in 1992 covers every aspect of nature conservation ranging from preservation and protection of the environment and biodiversity, expansion of reserved forests and preservation of natural lands. In order to effectively conserve and protect our environment, the National Environment Policy was also laid down eleven years ago. The policy ensures harmony and balance between environment and development, protection and replenishment of rare and endangered indigenous plants and animal species. It also calls for the preservation of pasture lands by integrating environmental considerations into the development process.

At present, 3,741 million acres of forests have been constituted as Reserved Forest and 5.83 million acres designated as Protected Areas. Due to agricultural expansion, shifting cultivation, urbanization and ever increasing domestic fuel consumption, about 37,050 acres of land is deforested. The Forest Department is making sure that the deforested areas are replenished with new trees by embarking on a reforestation programme since 1972. Plantations are being established at an annual rate of 74,130 acres according to this programme.

A five-year Bago Yoma Greening Project is being implemented, starting from 2004, with the aim of rehabilitating and conserving the area. A total of almost 200,000 acres of different types of plantation will be established under this project.

Also for prevention of the environmental degradation of the Dry Zone in the central part of Myanmar, a 30-year integrated plan, covering the period of 2001-2002 to 2030-2031 was formulated. 269,230 acres of plantations have already been established and 1.1 million acres put under systematic protection in accordance with the conditions laid down by the Project.

As a result, the weather conditions of the region have changed to more favourable conditions, thus permitting the local people to expand the cultivation of crops in acreage as well as variety.

I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the private sector and in particular to Creedent Technology and lnforithm Maze, for sponsoring the WMO Day Commemoration this year with the intention of promoting awareness among the public as well as the Government departments.

I am happy to note the holding of contests in article and essay writing as a special event for the new generation. I am sure that in working together, we can work towards our common goal of disaster preparedness, greening of the land to bring about better climatic conditions and making use of modern meteorological and hydrological services in agriculture as well as in the daily lives of the people.

Next, Director-General of Department of Meteorology and Hydrology Dr San Hla Thaw read the message sent by Secretary-General of World Meteorological Organisation. Coordinator of UNDP Mr Charles Petrie aslo spoke.

After the ceremony, Prime Minister Lt-Gen Soe Win and the guests had documentary photos taken together with winners of article and essay contests in commemoration of the World Meteorological Day.

The Prime Minister cordially greeted those present and visited the booth opened in commemoration of the World Meteorological Day at the MICT Park.

Source: "The New Light Of Myanmar", www.myanmar.com/nlm/
 

Prime Minister Lt-Gen Soe Win receives Japanese Foreign Deputy Minister

YANGON, 23 March — Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar Lt-Gen Soe Win received Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan Mr Hitoshi Tanaka and party at Zeyathiri Beikman on Konmyittha at 7.45 am today.

Also present at the call were Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyan Win, Deputy Ministers U Kyaw Thu and U Maung Myint, Director-General of the Government Office U Soe Tint and Director-General of the Protocol Department Thura U Aung Htet. The Japanese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and party were accompanied by Japanese Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Nobutake Odano.

Source: "The New Light Of Myanmar", www.myanmar.com/nlm/
 

Myanmar meet Thai in U-21 soccer final

YANGON, 23 March — The Myanmar youth team stretched its lead at the top of the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy Under-21 Invitational Football Tournament with a 2-0 victory over the Vietnamese youth in the second semifinal match this evening.

Zaw Zaw of Myanmar scored an opening goal for his team at 22nd minute in the first half. At 84th minute in the second half, Myo Min Tun added one more goal. The Myanmar team moved up to the final, and on 25 March evening, it will meet with the Thai team which won over the Laos 3-2 in the first semifinal.

Source: "The New Light Of Myanmar", www.myanmar.com/nlm/

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