HOUSE OF THE WEEK
Unfinished project in South Okkalapa tsp
THIS two-storey house in South Okkalapa township represents unfinished business. more
Media roundup
(Volume 26, No. 512)
Deforestation survey in Ayeyarwady division
A SURVEY of deforestation will be undertaken in Ayeyarwady Division, Weekly Eleven reported on February 24, quoting an official from local non-government organisation Myanmar Climate Change Watch.
It will be the group’s second research survey in Ayeyarwady Division. The first, in 2009, studied the effects of climate change on the delta, said Dr Htun Lwin, a retired director general of the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology. The report did not say whether Dr Htun Lwin was connected in any way with Myanmar Climate Change Watch.
“Extension of new paddy fields is a major factor that is contributing to the deforestation in the region,” Dr Htun Lwin said.
He said shrimp farms were also a large contributor to deforestation in Ayeyarwady Division.
The region’s inhabitants also rely heavily on wood for fuel, he said.
Bogale is the most notorious region when it comes to deforestation as the area is home to a commercial-scale charcoal production industry, an environmental expert said.
Internet café business down, losing money
THE slow internet connection has caused many internet cafés in Yangon to lose money in recent weeks, 7-Day News reported on February 25. Lately it has been almost impossible to use online phone calling services such as Pfingo, and customer numbers are significantly down because of frustration with both connection speeds and electricity supply.
“The numbers of customers is declining as the Pfingo service is not available these days. Bad connection and fluctuating electricity supply are also major factors causing business to be down,” said the owner of an internet café in South Okkalapa township.
“I think the number of internet users in my café has decreased about 80 percent,” said the owner of an internet café in Kyauktada township.
The difficulties are not limited to Yangon. Internet cafés in other states and divisions are facing similar problems – a decline in internet users due to a slow connection and fluctuating electricity.
The hourly charge for internet access is K400 to K500, the report said.
In Yangon, there are an estimated 2000 internet cafés and public access centres registered with Myanma Teleport.
