Review of Efforts to Combat Desertification and Arrest and Reverse Land Degradation in Myanmar - Combating Desertification in Asia, Africa and the Middle East - page 275

wood fuel substitutes. The activities for the development of wood fuel substitutes
include distribution of fuel efficient stoves, promotion of fuel briquette production
and utilization of agriculture residues.

6.1 Problem Soils

In Myanmar, problem soils occupy an area of about 0.96 Mha representing about
7.8 % of total cultivable land stock of 12.31 Mha (Tha Tun Oo 1989 ). Again, out
of the problem soils area, about 18.7 % (0.66 million ha) is occupied by the saline
and alkaline soils, most of which are currently under utilization (Table 14.1 ). The
remaining problem soils area of about 0.3 Mha are occupied by acid sulfate soils,
degraded soils, peat soils and swampy soils. Among them saline soils and alkaline
soils are the most predominant problem soils of the country. Farmers in the problem
soil areas grow rice varieties which are moderately tolerant and soil salinity or adjust
the sowing time when the crop can stand the salinity level, or wash out the soil with
rains or irrigation water. Farmers are aware that gypsum can improve the situation.
The research wing of Myanmar Agriculture Service continues working on the
problem to ameliorate the soil at low cost by using crop residue, and other measures.
In the delta region this problem is somehow managed by constructing polders
with the assistance of Lower Burma Paddy Land Development Project to protect
saltwater intrusion into the field and by washing out the salt from the affected
soil with rainwater. The problem in dry zone is expected to gradually improve
as its greening program proceeds. Furthermore, pump irrigation projects are also
very helpful in preventing salinity problems. The government is also attempting to
improve water infiltration in the catchment area by planting trees. Water quality
also depends on using level of use of agro-chemicals. But at present Myanmar is not
suffering serious effects or water quality since agro-chemical utilization is quite low
in comparison with other countries.

6.2 Deforestation and Land Clearing

Many forms of watershed degradation are evident as some form of direct damage
to the soil. In the case of soil erosion and deposition, for example, the effects
of degradation are manifested in the loss or transfer of soil, which has direct
consequences in reducing the productivity of the site. In the case of soil degradation,
the effects are manifested in a deterioration in the in situ properties of the soil, again
with direct consequences in terms of reduced productivity. In the case of ecosystem
alteration, however, the immediate consequence is a reduction in the quality and
integrity of the entire ecosystem which the land unit under threat supports. The
effects will be manifested in a loss of vegetative biomass, a reduction in vegetation
productivity and species diversity, and an impairment of habitat for native flora