Public submissions called for climate change draft report

THE Department of Meteorology and Hydrology is inviting public submissions on the first draft of a UN-backed climate change adaptation report, a spokesperson said earlier this month.

The department began will accept submissions on the Preparation for National Adaptation Programs of Action (NAPA) on climate change until March 12, said project coordinator U Aung Win.

The draft report presents priority projects to address the need for adapting to the adverse effects of climate change in terms of agriculture, forestry, biodiversity, coastal zone, energy, transport, industry, public health and water resources.

The proposed projects include reforestation, improved weather forecasting equipment and a reassessment of the country’s dams and reservoirs.

“The public review and suggestions on the draft will support the main theme of the project, which is to present the projects that need to be prioritised [for Myanmar] to adapt to climate change. This is the reason why we have invited the public to participate in reviewing the draft,” he said.

The department, which is under the Ministry of Transport, is steering the implementation of the project as the project executive agency, while United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) is also involved on behalf of the Global Environment Facility.

The NAPA project was launched in March 2011 and the final draft is expected to be finished by the end of April, with input from the public, government ministries and non-government organisations.

“It also considered rural public assessments on climate change, variability, impacts and adaptation … collected in Nyaungshwe [in Shan State], Kyaukpadaung [in Mandalay Region] and Bogale [in Ayeyarwady Region] in July and August 2011, and national strategies on climate change,” he said.

The NAPA experts group has proposed eight priority adaptation measures: integrating climate resilience into agricultural production for food security in rural areas; developing forest in environmentally fragile areas; establishing a marine protected area near an island group in Myeik Archipelago; integrating coastal zone management; establishing a weather radar system for detecting and minimising impacts of natural disasters; constructing disaster-resilient health facilities in Rakhine State and Ayeyarwady Region; reevaluating existing dams and reservoir; and establishing solar-powered water purification systems for fresh drinking water and water pumping for irrigation.

Copies of the draft report and public review forms are available at the NAPA office, in the Lower Myanmar Department of Meteorology and Hydrology office at No 50, Kabar Aye Pagoda Road, Mayangone township, Yangon.

Those who send back review forms are eligible for a lucky draw, with eight prizes ranging from K300,000 to K50,000.