A journey towards environmental restoration: U Myint’s story

U Myint, a 53-year-old resident of Kyun Chaung Lay village in Myanmar, has seen a big change in his community and its environment over the past decade. His village, located 15 miles southeast of Yenanchaung Township in Myanmar's dry zone, is surrounded by 3,000 acres of natural forest that used to be lush and vibrant.

However, the forest faced serious problems due to soil erosion and deforestation caused by unchecked logging for firewood and charcoal. This led to a loss of biodiversity and threatened the livelihoods of the local community, which relies heavily on agriculture and forest resources. Irregular rain patterns and long dry spells, made worse by climate change, made it even harder for farmers like U Myint to sustain their crops and livestock.

"Fifteen years ago, our village started feeling the effects of climate change," U Myint recalls. "Irregular rain and low rainfall posed serious threats to our farming. The once-vibrant forest areas deteriorated due to unsystematic cutting for firewood and charcoal, along with a lack of awareness about environmental regeneration."

In 2010, things began to change. Recognizing the urgent need to combat the deteriorating condition of their forest and the growing threats to their livelihoods, the village authority, along with a dedicated patron group, took action. U Myint says, “We organised the community to advocate for the establishment of a 20-acre Community Forestry (CF) area, aiming to restore and protect their vital forest resources.”

"That same year, Mrs. Tony, a Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) expert from World Vision Global, visited Yenanchaung and introduced us to FMNR techniques," U Myint says with a smile. "Her visit was a turning point for our community. She brought a wealth of knowledge and a passion for sustainable agriculture that immediately resonated with us. Along with other farmers from the village, I eagerly attended the training sessions she conducted, where we learned about FMNR.”

U Myint explained, “We learned how to prune tree branches without damaging the tree stem. This technique, which seemed simple but was very effective, helps trees regenerate naturally. It also helps trees reproduce more efficiently, leading to a denser and healthier forest over time.”

U Myint and his peers carry out annual FMNR pruning activities with 25 men and 15 women from the Community Forestry (CF) group. They work hard each year, using the techniques they have learned to bring the forest back to health. He says, "Our efforts have shown great results. The trees are growing better and the forest is coming back to life. Trees that were once weak are now thriving, with thicker and greener canopies, providing a good home for local wildlife."

The benefits of FMNR went beyond just the trees. By carefully managing the regrowth of the forest, U Myint and villagers could provide food for animals and wood for cooking fuel without clear-cutting. “This supported our immediate needs and ensured the forest could continue to thrive and support future generations,” U Myint adds.

In addition, U Myint remarked that the FMNR activities have not only improved the forest's health but also ensured water for animals. As the forest gets healthier, the better tree cover helps keep the soil moist and supports the local water cycle. This has directly helped the community's livestock, which now have more reliable access to water. This reduces the strain on farmers like U Myint who used to struggle with scarce resources.

He adds, “Our collective effort has not only restored the forest but also increased the community’s awareness of managing natural resources and taking care of the environment. The regular FMNR pruning sessions are educational, allowing our community members to share knowledge and reinforce sustainable forestry principles. This shared understanding and commitment to environmental sustainability have created a sense of pride and responsibility among the villagers.”

As a result, the community is now more active in protecting and managing its natural resources. They have gained a better understanding of their ecosystem and their role in keeping it healthy. U Myint proudly shares, "Our local communities understand the risks associated with climate change and environmental degradation. By restoring our forest and using sustainable practices like regular FMNR pruning and tree plantation activities, we are better prepared to handle the challenges of changing weather and environmental damage.”

In 2015, the village's efforts received a significant boost with the launch of the Improved Economic Livelihoods and Environmental Management (IELEM) project by World Vision. This project focused on various areas, including natural resource management and environmental care. U Myint and other community members participated in environmental management and regeneration sessions, leading to the establishment of a nursery in the village, tree plantations to fill gaps in the natural forest, soil conservation efforts, and the construction and renovation of small gully dams.

U Myint says, "The IELEM project is building and fixing small gully dams to save and manage water. This provides us a steady water supply for farming and other needs during the dry season. Better water management also helps new trees and plants grow, creating a healthy and self-sustaining environment."

In 2017, with support from World Vision’s Yenanchaung Area Programme, the community established the Green Environmental Rural Land (GERL) group through the IELEM project. This group supports multi-sectoral development activities, including child well-being and community support. "This collaboration has empowered us to sustain our environmental management initiatives and ensure the regreening of our communities," U Myint adds.

Reflecting on this journey, U Myint expresses deep gratitude for the support and interventions that have helped the village adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change. He highlights the technical guidance from World Vision and the collaborative efforts of village communities, community-based organisations, and civil society organisations, which have been crucial to their success in environmental restoration and sustainability.

"Through collective actions and the use of locally adapted environmental techniques, our community is creating a greener, more sustainable future for ourselves and future generations," he happily says.

The Yenanchaung Area Programme, initiated in January 2007, currently impacts a population of 26,732, including 2,191 boys and 2,732 girls. This programme implements technical initiatives in health, nutrition, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), child protection, and livelihood resilience. The Resilience and Livelihoods Technical Programme has significantly benefited the community and children in the target area through various models and initiatives, such as the Building Secure Livelihoods (BSL) Model, the Savings for Transformation (S4T) Model, and Local Value Chain Development (LVCD). These efforts have focused on building community capacity, establishing business groups, and providing essential technical support and inputs for agriculture and livestock. Furthermore, these programs are integrated with other technical programme to maximize their impact.

During FY 24, the Yenanchaung Area Programme emphasized Natural Resource and Environmental Management (NREM) activities in the targeted areas. These activities include tree plantation, agro-forestry, gully dam maintenance, Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) pruning, and waste and garbage collection by child groups. Additionally, other environmental cleaning activities are conducted with active participation from communities and child groups. These efforts aim to enhance environmental sustainability and foster community involvement in maintaining and improving natural resources.