36 young plant researchers from research institutions and universities of Myanmar gathered together in Naypyitaw for the Third Tropical Plant Identification and Forest Management Training from October 16-25.
The course is the third of its kind organized by the Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute (SEABRI) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), in conjunction with Forest Department of Myanmar. Its aim is to improve capacity building of young plant researchers and staff of forest management in Myanmar.
According to Prof. Richard Corlett of Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG), the training course is an excellent example of CAS-FRI collaboration for capacity-building. Plant identification is the basis of forest management, botanical research, and plant conservation. Forest management is the key to sustainable management of biodiversity in Myanmar.
“Southeast Asia is a region united by biology and culture, but divided by history. Because of this, there has been less collaboration between countries in this region than there has been in other parts of the world,” said Prof. Richard Corlett.
He added that SEABRI aims to change this, by combining the knowledge and skills of the CAS institutes that work on biodiversity with those of partners in the region in order to study and conserve biodiversity.
“Over 11,800 plant species have been recorded in Myanmar. More new species and important research outputs are highly expected through CAS-FRI cooperation,” said Mr. Nyi Nyi Kyaw, director of the Department of Forestry of Myanmar.
“With improvement of ability in plant identification and forest management, young researcher of Myanmar will contribute more to conserving precious biological resources of the region”, added Mr. Nyi Nyi Kyaw.
SEABRI is pleased to have excellent plant taxonomists and forest ecologists from China and Myanmar to offer presentations and guide field practices. Prof. Cao Min, Prof. Richard Corlett, Prof. Ma Jinshuang and other plant taxonomists and ecologists are lecturers for the course.
The course consisted of lectures by experts, guided field practices, and presentations by trainees.
Officials from Forest Department of Myanmar Ministry of Forestry and other related researchers were present at the opening ceremony of the training.
Source: Chinese Academy of Sciences