Chin State residents urged to cooperate for development

February 8, 2018

Vice President U Henry Van Thio has urged local authorities in Chin State to give priority to effective prevention of poaching and conservation of natural environment before the development of ecotourism.

He made the remark during his visit to Khonuamthung (Nat Ma Mountain) National Park in Chin State yesterday.

He also urged authorities and locals to cooperate in the conservation of wildlife and flora and fauna, as the park contains many of the world’s endangered species, including birds and orchids, and to educate the local people about environmental conservation.

Afterwards, the Vice President arrived in Khonuamthung (Nat Ma Mountain) National Park where Director General of Natural Resources and Environment Department Dr. Nyi Nyi Kyaw gave a presentation. State Chief Minister U Salai Lian Luai and Deputy Minister U Kyaw Lin provided additional explanations.

Vice President U Henry Van Thio and party went on to Mindat Township Aye Sakhan Village, where they were greeted by traditional dances of the local people.

Next, the Vice President arrived at the construction site of Chichaung Bridge situated between 50.4 km and 50.6 km on the Kanpetlet-Mindat Road, where Bridge Department Chief Engineer U Zaw Win Myint explained matters relating to the bridge.

Vice President U Henry Van Thio met with residents of the Kanpetlet Township in Chin State on Wednesday in the meeting hall of Win Unity Hotel in Kanpetlet Township and inspected road improvement works and other infrastructural projects.

The Vice President has been in Chin State since Monday and will soon conclude his visit.

Yesterday’s meeting was attended by Chin State Chief Minister U Salai Lian Luai, Chin State Hluttaw Speaker U Zo Bwe, Deputy Ministers Maj-Gen Than Htut and U Kyaw Lin, state ministers, Hluttaw representatives, Permanent Secretaries, Directors General and local residents.

At the meeting the Vice President said his visit was being conducted to observe the status of roads linking Chin State north and south and overall Chin State development. It was also made to listen to matters raised by the local people.

“Now is the time when concerted efforts are made from all sides and all means for the development of the country. It can be seen that the government is implementing regional development works practically by constructing main roads, road networks, airports, universities, colleges, upgrading hospitals and towns, supporting agriculture and livestock breeding sectors. The Kaladan River project is being implemented and constructed in Chin State. Due to this project products from India’s northeast region and Chin State can be exported via Sittway port while bilateral trade between India and Myanmar can be easily conducted. Both long and short-term programmes should be set up in advance to utilize this project for the best of the country and people. Economically beneficial agriculture and livestock breeding programmes are to be set up to replace the slash-and-burn hillside farms” he said.

“The Paletwa Bridge is scheduled to open in 2018-2019. The Laymyo River Project is also underway and it will become the second biggest hydro-electric project in the country. This project will greatly support the development of the country and its people and will be dependable for development of Chin State too. Local people need to understand the efforts made by the government and participate together in it. Only then can the fruits of development will be rapidly achieved”, said the Vice President.

The Deputy Minister for Construction U Kyaw Lin then reported on the status of constructing road networks and conducting regional development works. State Minister Salai Isaac Khin, Hluttaw representatives, local people and elders then explained about requirements for regional development, to which Chin State Chief Minister U Salai Lian Luai provided additional input.

The Vice President said regional development works should be implemented quickly and systematically according to the wishes of the people, and locals are urged to take part in establishing eco-tourism travel businesses.

The Vice President then went on to inspect a community-based travel business in Saunglaung Village, where State Minister Salai Isaac Khin and Permanent Secretary U Yi Mon and officials provided explanations. The Vice President commented on the need for providing electric power swiftly to villages where travel businesses will be set up and provided cash support to traditional dance troupe members.

Community-based travel businesses in Saunglaung Village are being established with the Forever Top Travel and Tour Company. Foreign visitors are starting to use the village-based travel businesses that were started in January 2017.

The Vice President and party also visited the elephant foot yam tuber and crops drying and value-adding work in Kanpetlet Town, Ward (2) where the Myanmar Fruit, Flower and Vegetable Producer and Exporter Association Secretary Daw Sandar Myo explained about development matters relating to the agricultural economy and small and medium enterprises (SMEs). State minister Salai Isaac Khin and officials also provided additional explanations.

The Vice President commented on expanding the planting of fruits as it is an agricultural work that has a high possibility of success, especially in the international market.

“Producing value-added products through agriculture can replace the slash-and-burn hillside farms. The fruit drying factory project need to be implemented and all need to strive towards the establishment of such works and SMEs. The products of Chin State are chemical free, and should use this as strength in striving toward penetrating international markets”, said the Vice President. With regards to coffee, the Vice President said that internationally, if a grade of coffee is above 80, it is considered as special grade and coffees from Pyin Oo Lwin, Ywangan and Thandaung areas are from 84 to 86 while coffee from Chin State is at 96 and thus among the world’s top grade.

From there, Vice President U Henry Van Thio and party reached Pyay Village, where they were again greeted by traditional dances performed by the local people. They then continued on to Mindat town and thence to Bagan.

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar