MNREC designates Washaung (extension) protected public forest

 

November 22

 

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation announced that 3,892 acres in Waingmaw Township of Myitkyina District in Kachin State have been designated as “Washaung (extension) protected public forest” as of 6 November 2025, under Notification 96/2025 by exercising the authority conferred under Subsection (e) of Section (6) of the Forest Law promulgated in 2018.

 

The ministry designates protected public forests and forest reserves to ensure the sustainability of the ecosystem of mountain areas, the administrative sector, the abundance of biodiversity, conserve water resources and prevent the inadequate use of wood, poles, felspar and firewood by locals.

 

The Washaung (extension) protected public forest areas will conserve various kinds of wood such as yellow Chamcha, golden mahogany, cherry, Dracontomelon, green Chiretta, Gmelina arborea, Malabar neem, Chukrasia tabularis, Wood-oil, Anthocephalus cadamba Miq, herbal plants such as bay leaf, Tinospora Cordifolia Miers, Glycosmis pentaphylla, Swiss Cheese Plant, Rhynchanthus, bird species such as gibbon, civet, sambar, Indian hog deer, parrot, eagle, hawk, great hornbill and other rare species, python, Malayopython reticulatus and pangolins. Moreover, it can conserve the natural forest areas in the Inchon Mountain area and the water outlet. It will also enable to establishment of community-owned forests that help conserve water resources, resulting in increased forest coverage with favourable climatic conditions.

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation