Shrimp Farming, Mangrove Forests and Livelihood of Local People in Arakan State

Report Summary

Title of Report: : Shrimp Farming, Mangrove Forests and Livelihood of Local People in Arakan State

Arakan state is the main area of industrial shrimp farming in Burma. In the past decade, the mangrove forests in the coastal areas in Arakan(Rakhine) state have been decreasing. This decrease has been due to shrimp farming, firewood production and land reclamation.

in the entire state, dense mangrove forests are being destroyed due to the inefficiency of the government forestry department. Mangrove forests are in danger of extinction. The destruction of mangrove forests also has an impact on biodiversity. Wildlife is living without protection in the coastal region. Nobody protects them with conservation, resulting in extinction.

During early 2005 several businessmen, farmers and people connected to industrial shrimp farming were interviewed.

A shrimp farmer from Ranegree village said, "We want to maintain, and prevent our natural resources but they have been invaded, this situation has changed over time. Because we are no officers of the government and we have no power."

In conclusion to these interviews and research it became apparent that:

Current implementation of the shrimp farming policy causes a very wide gap between the rural people and the shrimp farming business.

Rural people need to protect their natural resources with traditional knowledge.

Rural people have no authority to conserve the mangrove forests.

SPDC are not protecting the mangrove forests.

By Khaing Win Shwe