Educative campaigns are being conducted in Yangon Region against handicrafts made from parts of wildlife, many of them protected, and legal action will be taken against continued sale of those wildlife crafts under the extant law, said Khin Thidar Tun, staff officer of Ahlon Township Forestry Department.

The protection of biodiversity and conservation areas law was enacted in May this year. Currently, educative campaigns are being conducted against sale of wildlife cuisines at restaurants and sale of ivories at souvenir shops in order to educate the general public more about the law.

"As Yangon is far away from the forests, handicrafts made of pieces of wildlife are smuggled into the region without permission. We will take action. We care carrying out educative campaigns repeatedly for extensive public knowledge. We will take action in accord with the existing law," said Khin Thidar Tun.

According to surveys, wildlife handicrafts could be found at Bogyoke Market and shops along the stairways of the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, she added.

In September, the Yangon Region government imposed a ban on handicrafts made of wildlife with the aim of making Yangon a city free from smuggling of wildlife products.  

Under the protection of biodiversity and conservation areas law, elephants, tigers and mammals are regarded as protected wildlife. Possession or smuggling of wildlife or pieces of wildlife will face a maximum of 10 years' imprisonment and fine.