Land resources need to be managed and utilized systematically, equitably, and sustainably, and must be managed and utilized in a sustainable manner. At present, effective land management is vital for the nation’s development, and it is necessary to draft and enact a National Land Law that is modern and capable of harmonizing provisions among existing laws.
The National Land Use Policy was approved and promulgated on 28 January 2016. Land resources are not only a fundamental resource for the country’s economic development and livelihoods, but also a resource closely linked to the traditional customs and cultural heritage of ethnic nationalities.
Because political, economic, environmental, and social conflicts are linked to the utilization of land resources, it is necessary to achieve a more comprehensive and better land use system. Therefore, efforts are underway to enact the National Land Law as an umbrella law to effectively implement the National Land Use Policy and reconcile discrepancies among sectoral land management laws.
To implement these objectives, the National Land Use Council is actively taking steps to ensure effective execution. Detailed discussions have focused on restructuring land use committees across Nay Pyi Taw, Regions, and States; compiling land-use data, maps, and official records; systematically establishing working and support committees to draft the National Land Use Plan and designate land-use zones; and integrating initiatives to boost agricultural development, enhance productivity, and strengthen market linkages.
Land use refers to the systematic allocation and utilization of land for national development, socioeconomic, agricultural, forest conservation, and environmental purposes. Types of land use include agricultural land used for farmlands, garden/orchard lands, and cultivation; forest land comprising reserved forests, protected public forests, and environmental conservation areas; and residential and commercial land comprising urban development, residential housing, industrial zones, and commercial-use land.
The National Land Use Policy aims to protect farmers’ rights and target food security and sustainable development. The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation and the Forest Department are systematically managing lists/records and maps according to land category. For urban, residential, and economic development, the Ministry of Construction and municipal departments are taking responsibility and carrying out operations.
Therefore, land resources are vital assets for national development and the stability of the socioeconomic lives of the people. To manage and utilize the nation’s land resources systematically, it is essential to collaborate with a focus on the interests of the State and its citizens – effectively implementing tasks, establishing short- and long-term strategies, tactics, and action plans, and drafting and enacting a National Land Law.
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