Project/activity information

This 3-year project will carry out forest inventory work and timber properties research in order to promote the utilization and trade of Myanmar's lesser-used species. The forest inventory work will provide information on volume and distribution of Myanmar's non-teak tropical hardwood species from the project area made up of 50,000 ha of tropical forest (mixed deciduous forest) situated in the East Bago Yoma region. The selection of promising LUS will be followed by the results of the inventory. The research will focus on testing of wood properties and end-uses on selected LUS and a survey of major domestic markets. Sample end-use products will be demonstrated to convince the public on the utility of LUS for domestic purposes as well as for the promotion of the private sector investment in small-scale wood industries, which will provide employement opportunities for the rural dwellers. The project will also prepare market promotion materials such as handbooks, pamphlets and video tapes to improve the utilization and trade of LUS. A seminar/workshop will be organized to discuss and disseminate the project results.