Brief report on Workshop on Sustainable Peatland Management held
at Tungapuni Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw on 30 January, 2014

1.  The opening ceremony was attended by Dy Minister Dr Daw Thet Thet Zin, Dy Minister U Aye Myint Maung from MOECAF, Director-General of Planning and Statistics Dept, Dy. D.G of ECD, Dy DG of FD, Dy D.G of Agriculture Dept. Directors and Dy Directors of Dept. concerned, Mr. Faizal Parish, Director of GEC and FREDA staff.
2.  The Workshop was attended by (16) staff from FD, (15) staff from AD, (9) staff of Environment Conservation Department, (1) staff of GEC,(1) staff from Yezin Agriculture University, (1) staff from the University of Forestry, (1) staff from Forest Research Institute, (1) staff from Dry Zone Greening Department, (1) staff from Land Record Department,(5) representatives from NGOs and (10) staff of FREDA
3.  The Workshop was conducted according to the agenda attached herewith and 6 papers were presented by GEC, ECD, Yezin Agriculture University, Forest Research Institute and FREDA.
4. All participants agreed that the information relating to peatland are very useful and recommended to distribute those information to the public via media and awareness campaign.
5. Since the implementation of Sustainable Peatland Management in Myanmar is left behind the other ASEAN Members States (AMS) implementation should be more accelerated in future program.
6. Understanding the importance of Peatland in the aspect of environments conservation, and in community livelihoods, the participants recommended that Myanmar is actively involved in the Proposed ASEAN Peatland Programme (2014-2020).
7.   Since the peatland areas are agricultural land, Wetland and Wildlife game sanctuaries, it should be implemented with an integrated approach under the focal point of ECD.
8. More pilot researches are still needed to know about the peatsoil and peatland in depth as it is a new subject for both departmental staff and community.
9. Public awareness and promotion of appropriate good management approaches should be launched as soon as possible before there is further degradation of the peatlands due to inappropriate management.
10. Pilot sites for practical management demonstration should be identified such as Inle lake and associated peatlands.
11.  Project implementation design should be thoroughly discussed among the departments and stakeholders to implement effectively and smoothly in future program.
12. To facilitate coordination and planning a technical working group should be established with representatives from relevant departments with related technical expertise.
13.  To improve management of peatlands at the field level, relevant government agencies especially forestry, agriculture and wildlife departments should undertake implementation actions.
    
14.  To support the development and implementation of activities and to facilitate community engagement there should be active involvement of NGOs.