Partnership Development

FREDA has been engaged in a wide range of activities like socio-economic surveys for rural development, planning and demonstration for community participation in reforestation and forest conservation especially in areas dominated by slash-and-burn agriculture, promotion of sustainable forest management, introduction of appropriate methodology for improved land use systems for rural community development, implementation of integrated watershed management activities for natural disaster preparedness and climate change adaption, restoration of degraded mangrove ecosystem in the delta of Myanmar, wildlife conservation with special focus on tiger, leopard and elephant, introduction of bio-gas production technology for village electrification, wildlife products trade survey, and support to scholars in environmental science at M.Sc. and Ph.D levels in partnership with donors and universities concerned.

The projects and programmes are primarily implemented with the co-operation of the international NGOs overseas and in-country based and UN agencies. FREDA has been actively engaged in some activities with the collaboration of the Japan Overseas Forestry Consultants Association (JOFCA), Japan Wildlife Research Centre (JWRC), Nagao Natural Environmental Foundation (NEF) of Japan, Action for Mangrove Reforestation (ACTMANG) of Japan, David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF) of UK, Gesellschaft zur Forderung konkreter Entwicklung-sprojekte e.V (GFE) of Germany, Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe (DKH) of Germany, UNDP, the Embassy of Japan in Myanmar and the Embassies of USA, UK and Germany in Myanmar.

Participation in Sustainable Forest Management

In order to conserve the natural forests effectively within the context of economic, social and environmental dimensions, FREDA has cooperated with the forestry authorities in the formulation of a set of national Criteria and Indicators (C&I) for Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) in Myanmar. It has also contributed in the development of national initiatives to promote field assessment activities essential in the process of forest management certification.

As a gesture of cooperation, FREDA has participated in all forms of meetings, seminars and workshops related to the implementation of SFM. It has presented some technical papers in the area of sustainable forest management and timber certification as follows:

• National criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management (SFM)
• A brief review on timber certification and labelling for SFM
• Some salient points for timber certification process
• Review of Myanmar forest management system in the context of FSC principles and   criteria
• Field Assessment Handbook for monitoring SFM at the forest management unit level
• Analytical evaluation of the C& I Project activities in relation to forestry in Myanmar

Natural Environment Conservation
Mangrove Reforestation

This project is to establish community plantations with mangrove species in some parts of Pyindaye reserved forest, Ayeyarwady delta where natural mangrove forests were depleted due to encroachment by some farmers for rice cultivation.

Since the farmers have to abandon their rice fields after some years due to extrusion of salt water and acid sulphate from below, the only approach to address the issue is to restore the mangrove forests by the community under the Community Forestry Instructions (CFI) of the forestry authorities.

Extension activities for increased awareness, technology transfer and material support were undertaken by FREDA with the co-operation of ACTMANG of Japan and the participation of local community under the Mangrove Reforestation Project in Bogalay Township of Ayeyarwady Division.

The project has been on-going since 1999. Under phase I and II of the Project, it has reforested a total of 1,000 ha (2,515 ac) with fast-growing mangrove species like Kambala (Sonneratia apetala), Thamegyi (Avicennia officinalis), Thame-byu (Avicennia marina), Ceriops, Rhizophra, Heritiera, Xylocarpus, Luminitza and Excoecaria species. Millions of mangrove seedlings have been produced by FREDA and planted by the community. Forestry authorities have already issued community forestry certificates to the Users' Groups for the right to manage and utilize by the communities themselves. It is hoped that the project area would serve as a model and inject stimulus to grow more and more mangrove trees by the community.

Wildlife Protection

Sensing the need to strengthen protection measures for sustainable conservation of wildlife and rare flora in the Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park (AKNP) which covers about 160,000ha of dense forests, a collaborative programme entitled “Shin Than Yay” (Surviving Together) was launched jointly by DSWF, FREDA and Forest Department (FD) of Myanmar in 1997.   

The method of approach comprises regular effective patrolling by special teams of wildlife rangers under the direct supervision of the Park Warden, FD and monitoring by the senior members of FREDA. With all kinds of generous support by DSWF including moral support as well as assistance in the form of incentive pay, food ration, uniform, patrolling gear, medical supplies and essential equipment to the rangers, it has resulted in sustained anti-poaching activities and monitoring of the wildlife conservation status in the Park.

On the other hand, the problem of habitat loss is also alleviated through effective community outreach programmes. Introduction of appropriate agro-forestry technology, like growing of high-value tree species and fruit trees mixed with agricultural crop, has been promoted for income generation by the rural communities dwelling in the buffer zone of the Park.       
     
The programme has been a success as evidenced from the trap-camera photos of diverse wildlife in the Park and reduction of poaching. The sustainability of the programme is needed to curb encroachments, poaching and undesirable wildlife products trade.  

FREDA, in partnership with JWRC, has also set up a Visitors’ Centre at Shwesettaw wildlife sanctuary in central Myanmar. It comprises a well furnished guest house and a village level training hall. It aims to welcome scientists and students interested in the dry zone ecosystem and habitat of Eld’s deer (Cervus eldithamin) which is rare and endemic to Myanmar.