Community Forest group leaders checking water source conservation forest in Naung Taung village, Loilen Township of AD programme area.
Commemorating the 10th anniversary of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Alternative Development: taking stock and looking forward
In the heart of Southeast Asia lies Myanmar's Shan State, a region known for its breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant communities. For generations, the local villagers have thrived amidst dense forests, lush farmlands, and a strong sense of tradition.
However, an alarming threat has cast a shadow over this idyllic setting: deforestation driven by the recent resurgence of opium cultivation.
Opium cultivation in Myanmar's Shan State had been significant decreasing over the past decade, offering hope for the region's ecosystem and the local Shan communities.
However, as estimated by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s (UNODC) Myanmar Opium Survey 2022, poppy cultivation has increased by 33 per cent in comparison to the previous season.
The allure of opium profits has led to the clearing of vast tracts of forested land, causing deforestation, and disrupting the livelihood of local communities. Cutting down trees for fuel has also aggravated the problem.
This trend has had a profound impact not only on the region's ecosystem, but also on the local Shan communities. The dense forests here have always been a source of sustenance, providing food, shelter, and livelihoods to the villagers.
"Every day, we witness the devastating impact of deforestation caused by opium cultivation, says Nang May, a community forest user group member in Shan State. “The loss of biodiversity puts at risk the unique plants and animals that make our forests so special.”
But, Nang may clarifies, deforestation is not only harming nature.
“It's not just about them; it's about us too. With water resources depleted, clean water becomes scarce. Our agricultural fertility suffers from soil erosion, and the risk of landslides and flooding increases when the monsoon season arrives.
“This is the harsh reality we face," says Nang May grimly.
With the assistance of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), villagers began forming community forest user groups with the shared aim of protecting their precious natural resources.
To deter would-be opium cultivators, villagers installed boundaries around the forest to ensure that these areas remained untouched. With the guidance and technical assistance provided by the UNODC, the community developed and implemented a sustainable forest management plan.
Yet opium cultivation was not the only contributor to deforestation in Shan State. Many communities rely on wood for fuel.
To help reduce this demand, UNODC also provided technical support and materials to produce and use efficient and sustainable stoves, which reduced fuelwood consumption by 30 to 40 per cent.
“Now, all households in the village are using efficient stoves for cooking,” remarked one local villager. “Efficient stoves help us prevent deforestation and mitigate climate change It is also beneficial to our health because it produces less smoke, which is good for our lungs.”
Under another component of the programme, UNODC supported over 900 farmers to establish coffee farms covering more than 1,000 hectares. An additional 462 farmers, meanwhile, were given support to farm over 372 hectares of tea.
The positive effects of these initiatives were far-reaching, extending beyond the protection of water sources and the conservation of natural forests. Agroforestry became a way of life, as the villagers discovered the benefits of growing crops and fruits like coffee, tea, and avocados alongside their traditional practices. This not only provided a licit income but also acted as a shield against soil erosion in their agricultural lands.
"Community forest activities have enabled us to prevent the extension of opium poppy cultivation in community forest areas around our village. The agroforestry system helps us create licit income and protect soil erosion in agriculture land. Protecting natural forests and planting additional trees in watershed areas has resulted in better water sources for all seasons," says Moe Ohn, a member of community forest user groups.
