Myanmar Protected Areas: Context, Current Status ... - Istituto Oikos

in the protection of the areas where they are assigned. Other actors seem to have a positive influence
on the effectiveness of conservation policies, for instance religious figures 5 and non-governmental
organizations (NGOs). In particular, the cooperation with international organisations 6 , albeit limited by
the economic sanctions and the complicated bureaucratical procedures that apply to foreign subjects
in Myanmar, has supported research surveys that have resulted in the discovery of new species and the
establishment of new PAs, and has provided funding and training for the management of PAs, including
development actions to encourage grassroots support for conservation. International cooperation is
also contributing to strengthen the civil society of Myanmar by building the capacity of national and
local organizations to plan and manage conservation and development initiatives.
Recent developments and future trends
In 2009 NCEA published the National Sustainable Development Strategy (NSDS) for Myanmar which
has been formulated in collaboration with UNEP through the combination of consultative forums and
multi-stakeholders mechanisms. This represents an important step towards the improved coordination
between relevant stakeholders and the integration of environmental considerations into development.
Nevertheless, as of 2010 the members of the National Council for Sustainable Development, who shall be
in charge of the implementation of NSDS, still have not been selected, thus deferring the promulgation
and enforcement of detailed regulations.
Further restructuring of the environmental policies and concerned institutions is expected in 2011,
following the election of a new government in November 2010.
1.3 Environmental Non-governmental Organizations (ENGOs)
Introduction
Myanmar has a small but growing number of NGOs working in the field of biodiversity
conservation and sustainable development. Not only the number but also the capacity of ENGOs
has increased, with bigger projects in the field and emerging networks of coordination between
them. The recent participation of Myanmar ENGOs in stakeholder consultation mechanisms
at national level is an indicator of the mounting recognition of their role in the development
and implementation of environmental policies, including research work, awareness raising
and environmental education. If existing constraints to their operations are overcome, ENGOs
can contribute to processes of co-management of resources and sustainable development by
coordinating and channeling the opinions, problems and expectations of the most vulnerable groups
living in and around key biodiversity areas of Myanmar.
Figure 4 Trend of Growth of Myanmar ENGOs (Source: MEP project)
No. of ENGOs
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
1990-1994 1995-1999 2000-20004 2005-2009
Year of establishment
Background on Myanmar
Overview
The number of ENGOs operating in Myanmar is very small compared to neighbouring countries due to
the existing restrictions to civil society and the shortage of funding for environmental activities. However,
during project duration (2009-2010) 24 organisations working in environment-related sectors have
been identified, starting from a baseline data of 10 organisations provided by Local Resource Centre of
Yangon in 2009. The information collected is also organised in a directory available to stakeholders.
Most ENGOs were established by a strong charismatic leader. In particular, the bigger ones have been
founded and managed by retired officials of the Forest Department, thus being able to implement
their activities with lesser restrictions by township and district authorities. In addition, high-rank forest
officers received during their career many opportunities of training and study abroad and collaboration
with international agencies. With well-trained executives, direct access to local communities and easier
collaboration with authorities, ENGOs seem to be in the best position to implement conservation
activities in Myanmar and their potential is recognised by international organisations providing funding.
On the other hand, ENGOs mirror to a certain extent some specific features of government departments,
for instance very hierarchical management structure with low numbers of women and young people in
high positions and weak strategic planning. The internal organisation is generally poor and, although
most ENGOs have a management board, one third of them relies only on volunteers.
ENGOs coordination was initially based on personal relations among the executives, sharing common
education or work patterns, but it has lately become more consistent. The project got underway in
March 2010 with the organisation of monthly meetings of the Environmental Working Group within
Myanmar NGO Network, chaired in succession by different ENGOs which can hold discussions among
themselves in Myanmar language. Parallel to this, the bigger ENGOs have also participated since 2009 in
the Environmental Thematic Working Group chaired by UNDP, where government and non-government
actors discuss the most pressing Myanmar environmental issues.
Table 2 Facts about Myanmar ENGOs (Total number of ENGOs reviewed: 24)
Category:
Non-governmental organisation 67%
Community-based organisation 17%
Professional organisation 8%
Association 4%
Consortium of NGOs 4%
Percentage of ENGOs formally registered 50%
Percentage of ENGOs with management board 88%
Volunteers number:
No volunteers 20%
>10 15%
10-50 15%
Over 50 50%
Location of activities:
Ayeyawaddy Region 67%
Yangon Region 54%
Chin State 50%
Shan State 42%
Kachin State 33%
Mon State 21%
Rakhine State 21%
Tanintharyi Region 17%
Mandalay Region 17%
Sagaing Region 13%
Magwe Region 13%
Kayah State 4%
Kayin State 4%
Bago Region 4%
Staff number:
No staff 17%
>10 25%
10-50 29%
Over 50 29%
Sectors of activities:
Forestry and Agroforestry 50%
General Environmental Protection 33%
Education 33%
Water supply 29%
Relief 21%
Energy 13%
Fisheries 8%
Health 4%
Banking and Financial Services 4%
8 9
L. Beffasti