The Current Status And Future Prospects Of Forest Certification In Myanmar

Myanmar had been practicing Sustainable Forest Management since1856. Although Myanmar had a long history in Forest Management, Myanmar does not have internationally recognized certification standard, such as FSC or PEFC. To get Forest Certification is the goal of our Sustainable Forest Management. Nowadays Myanmar faces preparation for potential negotiations with the European Union, ASEAN’s agreement and international organizations in the field of sustainable forest management. The main purpose of this study is that to explore about Forest Certification in Myanmar. In this thesis the researcher tries to analyze the level of Myanmar Forest Certification progress, to identify the key elements for the development and implementation of timber legality in Myanmar by using qualitative research methodology.Myanmar has started Timber Certification process in1988and achieved to some extent. However, it needs to go a long way especially to comply with the standards (C&I) for the forest management certification. The analysis will also deal with the real situation of forest certification in Myanmar and also try to base on the COCs of timber legality tracking system, market functionality, status of C&I, policy and remedial measure.It is concluded and argued in this thesis it evident that Myanmar is in a pioneer stage of forest certification and moved the topic on the national level. According to the management systems an adaptation of biodiversity conservation practices, RIL, Code of Forest Harvesting, Community Forest Instructions and Timber Legality Assurance System are some major achievements.