IUCN says 30 mangrove species in Myanmar 'endangered'

Than Htike Oo, Myanmar Times 24-30 May 10;

ALMOST one-third of Myanmar’s native mangrove species are threatened with extinction, international and local experts have warned.

A team of experts has proposed that 30 of the 94 mangrove species that can be found along the country’s 3000-kilometre coastline should be included on the updated International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, due for release next month.

Mangroves are a new addition to the Red List and the recommendations were made based on the first ever global assessment on the conservation status of mangroves, which found that one in six mangrove species worldwide is in danger of extinction due to coastal development and other factors, including climate change, logging and agriculture.

The study was undertaken by Global Marine Species Assessment Unit (GMSA), which is part of the Biodiversity Assessment Unit, a joint initiative of IUCN and Conservation International, together with the world’s leading mangrove experts.

The local mangrove species are among 70 worldwide that the Global Marine Species Assessment (GMSA) Unit has proposed be put on the Red List. GMSA is a part of the Biodiversity Assessment Unit, a joint initiative of IUCN and Conservation International, and is made up of some of the world’s leading mangrove experts.

Two of the species – Sonneratia frifithii and Bruguirea hainessii – are in urgent need of protection and accordingly are listed as Critically Endangered, meaning they are the most at risk of extinction, according to an IUCN press release.

Protection of other varieties included on the list – such as Nan Byu (Bruguiera Cylindrica), Kaya Nwe (Acanthus Volubilis), Pin Le Sha (Aegialitis Rotundifolia), Kanazo Ywet Thay (Heritiera Littorea), Hta Wai Mine (Lumnizera Littorea), Lamu (Sonneratia Caseolaris) and Pinle-on (Xylocarpus Granatum) and Kyana (Xylocarpus Moluccensis) – should be “emphasised”, said Dr Maung Maung Than, a technical advisor for local NGO the Mangrove and Environmental Rehabilitation Network.

He said the proposal reflected the newfound recognition of the value of mangroves.

“After the damage caused to the Ayeyarwady delta region by Cyclone Nargis, local people and the Forestry Department (under the Ministry of Forestry) became more aware of the importance of mangrove species and how to conserve them,” Dr Maung Maung Than said.

Cyclone survivors “witnessed a lot of people surviving where mangrove forests are intact”, said U Win Sein Naing, chairman of the Mangrove Service Network.

“Mangrove forests are very important for the welfare of the coastal region. We can see large and overcrowded towns along the coastal region that are prone to natural disasters. Mangroves form wind breaks to protect those people from cyclones and also absorb more carbon dioxide than other plants and help to protect against climate change.

“But in the Ayeyarwady delta, mangrove forests have declined because of human settlements, log and timber extraction for firewood and charcoal and agriculture land extension.”

Both experts believe more intensive work is needed to protect mangrove forests.

“According to the Post-Nargis Joint Assessment, 38,000 hectares of mangrove forests were destroyed by Cyclone Nargis. We can only replant the forests at about 2000 hectares a year,” U Win Sein Naing said.

“Compared to the number destroyed, our conservation measures are not satisfactory, though local and government authorities have shown more interest in conservation,” he added.

Starting from 2008, the Forestry Department leased land to the private sector to grow mangroves in order to rehabilitate mangrove forests in the delta. But Dr Maung Maung Than said it was difficult to gauge whether the program was being implemented successfully.

“The department leases land to plant mangrove forests for 30 years. The leaseholder can sell forest products from these forests such as timber or firewood freely,” Dr Maung Maung Than said.

According to community forestry laws, forest products from the land can be sold within the township tax free.

“People who lease land should really grow mangroves. It is not proper if they lease the land for another purpose,” he said.
He said that protecting the remaining forests from further destruction is as important as replanting mangroves.
“Replanting trees costs money. People can protect the remaining trees and cooperate with organisations in mangrove conservation.”