YANGON: As the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is observed around the globe on Wednesday (June 17), communities across Myanmar's central Dry Zone turned to one of humanity's oldest environmental solutions: planting trees.
The annual observance serves as a global call to restore degraded land and protect vulnerable ecosystems. In Myanmar, the message resonates strongly in the central Dry Zone, which spans parts of the Mandalay, Magway and Sagaing regions and is among Southeast Asia's most climate-vulnerable areas.
Years of extreme heat, prolonged drought and deforestation have left the region increasingly fragile. Local residents said temperatures continue to rise as tree cover declines. In response, communities, government agencies and volunteers are working together to restore the landscape.
To mark the occasion, the Dry Zone Greening Department under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation of Myanmar organized a tree-planting campaign in Yenangyaung township in Magway region on Wednesday.
"We planted 1,000 trees in Yenangyaung township today," U Myint Soe, a director of the Dry Zone Greening Department in Magway region, told Xinhua on Wednesday.
About 1,000 people, including Magway region chief minister U Tin Ko Ko, took part in the event. Awards were also presented to 15 students who won an essay competition held to commemorate the day.
As part of the observance, the Environmental Conservation Department, Forest Department and Dry Zone Greening Department under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation presented six papers on environmental issues and conservation efforts.
U Myint Soe said Myanmar, as a member of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), is implementing initiatives under the convention, including environmental awareness activities and projects aimed at improving socioeconomic conditions.
According to the department, more than 600,000 acres of tree plantations were established across the Dry Zone between 2021 and 2025.
Among those contributing to greening efforts is 36-year-old volunteer Ko Dingar from Magway region, who has been planting trees along roadsides in Magway, Yenangyaung and Chauk townships since 2017.
"We planted trees today," he said, adding that his team is also constructing ponds to retain rainwater during the rainy season to support environmental restoration.
According to Ko Dingar, small ponds help retain rainwater and support biodiversity in arid areas.
His volunteer group has been operating in Magway, Yenangyaung and Chauk townships, among the hottest areas in Myanmar. However, ensuring the survival of newly planted trees remains a major challenge.
"Among the biggest difficulties are forest fires and how to make sure the trees we plant survive," he said.
Beyond tree planting, he stressed the importance of preventing trees from being cut down for charcoal production.
"As temperatures rise year by year, planting trees is important, but preventing tree logging is equally important," he said.
Supported by donors at home and abroad, the group continues its environmental work across the region, Ko Dingar said.
On the occasion of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, Ko Dingar encouraged broader public participation.
"I would like to encourage every person to plant at least one tree and help it grow. If each person plants one tree, millions of trees could grow," he said.
The greatest challenge in the central Dry Zone is not planting trees, but ensuring they survive and mature, he added. - Xinhua
