| Author | Salai Cung Lian Thawng |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.NR-07-02 |
| Subject(s) | Forest dynamics--Myanmar--Kachin State
|
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the
degree of Master of Science
in Natural Resources Management, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. NR-07-02 |
| Abstract | The study investigates the forest condition changes, the spatial patterns of forest dynamics, the causes of forest condition changes and the influences of those changes on local livelihoods. The study was conducted in Manwin area, Kachin State, Northern Myanmar. The area had experienced armed conflict for about 3 decades until 1994 ceasefire agreement of the government and Kachin Independence Army (KIA). Landsat satellite imagery of 19$9, 2000, and 2003 was used to create single date classifications and a land cover change image depicting the sequence of changes in forest cover between 1989-2000-2003. The results show the rate of forest degradation (transition from close forest to open forest) rose dramatically from 7.2% in 1989-2000 period to 19.9% 2000-2003 period. Forest fragmentation was also more pronounced in the second period. It is observed that forest dynamics occurring in areas located close to road, near the village, at lower elevations and on more gradual slopes. The most important proximate factor of forest decline in the study area was illegal commercial timber logging. Forest resource extraction for domestic use and expansion of agriculture and human settlement were other important proximate factors. The increased Chinese wood demand of after logging ban in China, the needs of ceasefire armed group and instable political situation, and lack of proper forest governance are the important underlying driving forces of forest decline. The results based on semi-structured interviews of 52 households show that during the last 10 years: (1) the availability of timber and bamboo has significantly decreased, availability of fuelwood and fodder moderately decreased and (2) the land productivity of swidden fields decreased significantly mainly due to shorter fallow periods. Informal discussions with local people and key informants reveal that illegal logging has replaced gold mining and jade mining as the major source of income for local people. Households without male labor do not get direct income from logging. The poorest households, which rely mainly on swidden agriculture, are negatively affected by the changing situation as logging business affect their land selection for swidden fields. The villagers believed that forest condition had decline but they did not get equitable returns from forest exploitation. The research results imply that the government and ceasefire armed groups need to make agreement on forest resource use and management in post conflict areas. Forest inventory should be done to fix annual allowable cut (AAC) from the forest and minimum exploitable girth for the species before giving concession either by New Democratic Army, Kachin (NDA (K)) or KIA. The government, particularly forest department, should give technical assistance necessary to ensure proper forest utilization. Forest utilization in the area should also take into account the livelihoods of local people and certain percentage of revenue generated from resource extraction should be reinvested in area development and income generation activities for local people |
| Year | 2007 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. NR-07-02 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Natural Resources Management (NRM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Schmidt-Vogt, Dietrich; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Webb, Edward L.;Shrestha, Rajendra P.; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Katolischer Akademischer Austauschdienst (KA.AD),
Germany;Asian Institute of Technology Fellowship; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2007 |