Water inlet channels must be cleared for all lakes and irrigated areas

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing stressed that seasonal crop cultivation, which may reduce the inflow of water volume into the lakes, must be located at a set distance from the lake under the disciplines and laws.

CHAIRMAN of the State Admin­istration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing underlined that trees must be grown to maintain the lakes and reservoirs and that clearing water inlet channels needed for all lakes and along irrigated areas on his inspection tour of Mingala Lake No 3 (Muntein Lake) near West Phwasaw Village.

Yesterday morning, the Senior Gener­al inspected flooding and repair of ancient lakes for prevention of damage in natural disasters in the Bagan Ancient Cultural Heritage Zone of NyaungU District in Mandalay Region.

At the emerald lake, Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U Tin Oo Lwin and officials reported to the Senior General on conditions of the dredged lakes and dredging underway for the lakes and no need to dredge the lakes among 91 an­cient lakes in the Bagan Ancient Cultural Heritage Zone, dredging of the lakes with the contribution of well-wishers, flow of water into the designated outlet channel in heavy rains of Typhoon Yagi due to neces­sary maintenance of drains, having 10.71 inches of rainfalls on 11 and 12 Septem­ber in the zone without causing flooding due to clearing the gutters and repair of lakes and flow of rainwater into designat­ed drains and lakes, partial damage of 12 religious buildings in heavy rains and no damage in inundation, accomplishment of the guidance given by the Senior General on his tour of the Bagan Ancient Cultural Heritage Zone in May 2024 to green Bagan region and ensure proper flow of water, facts about the emerald lake, maintenance for it in successive eras, lesser storage of water at the emerald lake due to some water leakage and vapouring based on the geophysical survey, and undertaking of necessary maintenance for the lake, and inflow of water to the lake.

In his response, the Senior General stressed the need to systematically main­tain the emerald lake as it is a historic lake. The Senior General called to car­ry out systematic maintenance for the lake’s water leakage. Emphasis must be placed on ensuring proper flow of water, he added.

Deputy Minister for Natural Resourc­es and Environmental Conservation U Min Thu reported on the implementation of Tuyin Hill greening project, arrange­ments to grow trees to be free from an­cient areas for greening Bagan region including Tuyin mountain range, thriving of trees, and growing of manageable tree plantations along both sides of Meikti­la-Kyaukpadaung-NyaungU road in mon­soon 2024 in Meiktila, Kyaukpadaung and NyaungU townships.

After hearing the reports, the Senior General gave guidance on the need to seek the best ways to have dense for­ests in addition to applying conventional tree-growing techniques to ensure the greening of dry regions. He then viewed round the emerald lake area and gave necessary guidance to officials.

On arrival at Zeyawady (Zeyaweri) Lake near East Phwasaw Village, the Senior General heard the report on the construction of the silt tanks on the water inlet channel by officials and gave instruc­tions on systematic maintenance of the water inlet channel and strengthening of the lake.

Officials are implementing plans to ensure the sustainability of the Bagan World Heritage Site, prevent flooding, green the region to attract travellers and maintain ancient lakes with excavation in accordance with the guidance of the Senior General. Moreover, well-wishing people contribute to the maintenance of the ancient lakes as perpetual meritorious deeds. — MNA/TTA