Plan is under way to designate 54 thick forests as forest conservation areas in Sagaing Region, said Than Soe, Director of Sagaing Region Forest Department.

“Since the incumbent government taking office, a total of 16 forest reserves have been designated as the forest conservation areas.

Sagaing Region has a total forest coverage area of 47.04 per cent. The forest area under the management of forest administration is 39.82 per cent, he added.

Sagaing Region Forest Department is working to turn forests into reserved forests and protected public forests. Katha, Kalay, Mawlike and Khamti districts have thick forests.