In 1994, a community in Kyawhgulay village, Danu Self Administered Zone, Ywangan Township, Shan State, Myanmar established a village conservation forest (CF). The applied for registration in 2003-2004 and was granted a certificate for 130 acres of land in 2005. They applied for certification for the second time and was granted a total of 1300 acres of land.
The farmers manage the forest where they obtain clean water and food including yams, vegetables, and mushrooms. It is also a source of medicinal herbs ornamental plants such as orchids, and bamboo.
The community also provides a space in the forest for landless people so they can farm for their livelihood and earn income for their families. In return, these people give back 10% of their income for use of the conservation forest group.
The management of the forest has been handed over from generation to generation.
As the CF group became members of the Agriculture and Farmer Federation of Myanmar (AFFM), they were provided inputs by AFFM. AFFM is a member of AFA in Myanmar.
This year, the community plans to plant coffee to open up more opportunities for the people.
Watch the video to know more about this conservation forest from Mr. Kyaw Win Naing, President of Basic Trade Union in Kyawhgulay village.
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