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4. Impacts of forest degradation
4.1 Impact on livelihoods
The degradation of natural resources is considered a major threat to rural livelihoods, sustainable agriculture and development in general. The most vulnerable group affected by deforestation and forest degradation is the landless rural
poor, who depend on forests such as for hunting and gathering for their livelihoods. The other rural groups, such as farmers, small merchants, livestock owners and artisans who are better-off, are also affected either directly or indirectly
with the deterioration of the environment such as soil and water quality, less productive farmlands.
The impacts of forest degradation are much more severe in the Central dry zone, delta and mountainous areas as people from these areas have fewer opportunities for alternative livelihoods with industries, services, government employment
and trade. A significant indicator of environmental degradation, particularly in the Central dry zone, is mass migration. As the environment becomes highly degraded and lands become unproductive, people from these areas migrate to other
parts of the country or overseas.
4.2 Impact on the environment
Due to the effects of forest degradation and deforestation, the capacity of natural ecosystems to contribute to environmental quality has decreased and a number of plant and animal species have disappeared. Land degradation as a consequence
of forest depletion, particularly soil erosion in upland agricultural areas and the country’s dry zones has become a serious problem. More than 30 percent of the country’s total cultivated land is estimated to be vulnerable to severe soil erosion,
and this is increasing at an alarming rate. Human interventions aggravate these conditions, including excessive forest harvesting, monocropping and shifting cultivation.
Soil erosion in the upland regions is primarily due to clearing of vegetative cover and farming on steep lands 10° or above. The government recognizes that immediate actions are needed to safeguard the stability and productivity of
upland farms through extension support for soil conservation methods including vegetation restoration and provision of related technologies to farmers. However, if the decline in funding for forest conservation and rehabilitation measures is
not reversed, the problem of land degradation and increasing trend of vulnerable farmland will continue.
Deforestation and degradation when unchecked over time could lead to local climate change and desertification, particularly in areas where the original natural environment is harsh e.g. low rainfall, high temperature and poor soil fertility such as
the Central dry zone of Myanmar.
4.3 Impact on biodiversity
Various forest types of Myanmar are inhabited by a vast array of plants and wildlife species. Conservation of these biological resources has been incorporated in the broader scope of nature and wildlife conservation which is regarded as one of the
national priorities. Protection of soil, water, wildlife, biodiversity and the entire environment is identified as an important imperative in the 1995 Myanmar Forest Policy. Consequently, various wild plants and animals are protected and conserved
through establishment of PAS and the Protection of Wildlife and Wild Plants and Conservation of Natural Areas Law, 1994. The total extent of PAS was approaching 6 percent of the country’s total land area in 2012 and is still under expansion.
However, the Indo-Myanmar ‘hotspot’ is highly threatened; it is likely to lose most plants and vertebrates as a result of continued forest cover loss Brooks et al. 2002. Throughout the hotspot, a combination of economic development and
human population growth is placing increasing pressure on natural habitats and species populations.
4.4 Impact of forest managementgovernance
Following the loss of extensive areas of its natural forests and the impact of much more severely degraded land, the government recognized the failure of custodial forestry in the 1990s and this led to a search for alternative approaches. The
state has realized the importance of people-based development to ensure sustainable forest resources for environmental, economic and social purposes. The Forest Policy 1997 provides the basic directions for public awareness raising and
people’s participation, and the Community Forestry Instructions 1995 provide the basis for local community participation in forest management.
In addition, in 2011, the state was apparently trying to reduce reliability on forest resources for development, including reducing logging and log exports, arranging alternative household energy for rural communities and creating non-forest-
based alternative job opportunities for local communities. The last decade has seen increased commitment by the state to community-oriented forest management.
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