A conference on natural resources and environmental conservation was held at Park Royal Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning with the objective of extracting natural resources of the Union within the legal framework.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Speaker of Pyidaungsu Hluttaw and Pyithu Hluttaw U Tun Aung (a) U Tun Tun Hein said the conference is to promote the role of Mineral, Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation Committee of the Hluttaws, ensure greater awareness of lawful implementation of the ministries, assess the effectiveness of the adopted laws, systematize the natural resources production process of the nation and enhance national growth and environmental conservation.

The Deputy Speaker pointed out the importance of natural resources for the energy sector and national development and of extracting and utilizing them in protecting the environment. As the environmental deterioration is usually followed by severer natural disasters, the world nations are prioritizing environmental conservation. Although the extraction of natural resources can bring national development, it has ill side effects, especially for the environment. So, environmental assessment should come first before the start on extraction process, he noted.

So, discussions should focus on the legal point of view, the role of the respective parliamentary bodies and ministries, challenges of the mining and gems laws and suggestions through active participation, he pointed out.

Chairman of Pyithu Hluttaw Resources and Environmental Conservation Committee U Soe Thura Tun, Chairman of Amyotha Hluttaw Resources and Environmental Conservation Committee U Kyaw Thiha and Director General of Mining Department U Khin Latt Gyi took part in the sector-wise discussions

Director U Win Naing Tun of Myanmar Environment Institute led the talks on the assessment of the Mining Law, and U Nay Htet Lin, a member of Pyithu Hluttaw Resources and Environmental Conservation Committee, DG U Khin Latt Gyi, Deputy Director General Dr. Hsan Oo of Environmental Conservation Department and Director U Zaw Naing Oo of Myanmar Environment Institute joined in the discussions.

Country Manager U Maw Tun Aung of Natural Resources Governance Institute acted the lead speaker of the talks on challenges in implementing the Myanmar Gems Law. U Tun Tun Oo, a member of Amyotha Hluttaw Resources and Environmental Conservation Committee, Acting Managing Director U Min Thu of Myanmar Gems Enterprise, Vice Chair U Kyaw Thura of Myanmar Gems Entrepreneurs Association and U Kyaw Sein, a legal expert also took part in the talks.

U Kyaw Sein and Chair of Myanmar Environmental Assessment Association U Aung Nanda held discussions from the legal point of view. MPs of upper and lower houses and region and state chambers, departmental personnel, civil society organizations, entrepreneurs and experts on gems and minerals, officials of WFD and UKaid and invited guests also attended the conference.

MNA
(Translated by TMT )
Photo -MNA
Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar