As clarified by the major activities mentioned forest resources of Myanmar are being managed towards sustainable development within the context of security of resource base, production, conservation of biodiversity, replenishment of renewable resources, and social and cultural dimension. Under-utilized or Lesser-used timber species are to be evaluated and introduced to both domestic and world markets. With regard to the promotion of lesser-used species utilization and markets, efforts are being undertaken in many ways, i.e. through research and development, activity programme and internationally funded project.
So far, only teak and few hardwood species are harvested at commercial level and many of the non-teak hardwoods are virtually untapped from the point of commercialization. Even large tracts of bamboo resources are still poorly tapped for commercialization. Forestry sector is now providing enough room for the expansion of private sector and international entrepreneurship to fully utilize these under-tapped forest resources.
The most significant achievement of Myanmar towards sustainable development is that Myanmar has completed a report on the estimates of resources needed and costs incurred for the implementation of International Tropical Timber Organization Criteria and Indicators. To achieve the sustainable development, Myanmar has initially identified 5 criteria, 27 indicators and 100 activities at the national level, and 6 criteria, 23 indicators and 66 activities at the district (Forest Management Unit) level.
The estimated costs that would be incurred to implement the activities to achieve sustainable forest management by the year 2000 are US$ 713,420,030 at the national level and US$ 81,874,320 at the Forest Management Unit Level. Thus it is estimated that a total of US$ 795,294,350 would be incurred to achieve the SFM by the year 2000. The ultimate goal of Myanmar forest management is to attain SFM and starting from 2,000 to produce timber and other forest products from sustainable managed sources within the framework of UNCED Forest Principles and ITTO Guidelines and Criteria and Indicators.