Myanmar possesses abundant forests, rivers, streams, lakes, biodiversity, and natural resources. Its diverse ecosystems, forests, biodiversity, and natural wealth provide a strong foundation for the country’s food production capacity, the development of green economic activities, environmental sustainability, and climate balance.
Forests continuously provide essential ecosystem services such as climate regulation, food security, disaster risk prevention, and the conservation of water and soil resources. They also supply forest products and various environmental services. Since forests are central to natural ecosystems, they must be systematically cultivated, maintained, and managed to ensure long-term sustainability.
Myanmar is the second largest in terms of forest cover among ASEAN member states. Myanmar’s forest cover was 42.19 per cent of the country’s total land area, and in 2025 it was recorded at 42.15 per cent. In order to leave behind a stable and healthy ecological environment for present and future generations, it is necessary to set a target of increasing forest cover to 50 per cent of the country’s total land area and to make concerted efforts towards achieving this goal.
According to the 2026 Climate Risk Index of certain international climate monitoring organizations, Myanmar is among the 10 countries most affected by climate change. Climate change will lead to increasingly severe and intense secondary natural disasters. The central dry zone of Myanmar has been identified as one of the areas with some of the highest temperatures in the world, reaching 44.9° Celsius in 2026. Similarly, 12 major cities in the dry zone have been recorded with temperatures of 41° Celsius and above.
In particular, it is forecast that by the end of this year, a very strong Super El Niño may develop, and it is further predicted that 2026 and 2027 could become among the hottest years in recorded global history. Among the various approaches to addressing the climate change and environmental challenges facing the world, tree planting and forest conservation are considered the simplest, easiest, most cost-effective, and universally achievable measures. At the same time, they are environmentally friendly and among the most beneficial actions that can be undertaken.
Efforts should be made to promote environmental conservation and nature-based economic development models such as the Bioeconomy, Green Economy, and Circular Economy. As forests help regulate the climate and preserve a wide range of natural resources, they serve as a fundamental pillar for economic development. In order to increase forest cover across the country, forest conservation activities should be jointly carried out as a national responsibility.
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