Certification and revitalization of mangrove community forests supports strengthened community forest management and governance in Myanmar.

From March 2023 onwards, RECOFTC’s Community Forestry Certification project has worked with eight communities in Myanmar – three in Tanintharyi and five in Ayeyarwady – to strengthen forest management through the certification and revitalization of mangrove community forests (CFs).  

In Tanintharyi, we supported the formation of new community forest user groups. Through a series of training events on basic CF concepts, institutional strengthening and forest management, we helped identify proposed forest areas, form CF user groups and CF management committees, and develop related CF management plans. Focus group discussions in 12 certified CFs provided insights into land allocation practices and forest use. In parallel, women’s groups in two villages received training and startup support to launch shrimp paste enterprises.

In Ayeyarwady, five CFs established in 2001 were revitalized. We organized 10 community awareness and five village-level training events on community forestry principles, roles and responsibilities, and the importance of management planning.  

Restoring governance capacity in long-established CFs and preparing new groups for formal certification and long-term management responsibilities are helping build a pathway towards longer-term sustainability.