SAC Chairman Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing attends the meeting on damage caused by natural disaster in NyaungU District
NAY PYI TAW May 16
A meeting on damage caused by a natural disaster in NyaungU District took place at the Bagan cultural museum in Bagan ancient cultural region of NyaungU District this morning, with an address by Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
The meeting was also attended by SAC Joint Secretary Lt- Gen Ye Win Oo, Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U Ko Ko, Union Minister for Commerce U Aung Naing Oo, Mandalay Region Chief Minister U Myo Aung, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Admiral Moe Aung, Commander-in-Chief (Air) General Tun Aung, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, Commander of Central Command Maj-Gen Ko Ko Oo, and departmental officials.
First, Region Chief Minister U Myo Aung reported on annual rainfalls in NyaungU District, inflow of water to dams, stockpiling of relief items for relief measure in natural disasters, loss and damage in natural disaster, damage at some parts of ancient pagodas in heavy rain, pumping out of water from the precinct of pagodas, clearing of trees, fall of the tower on Mount Popa, and preparations to draw a master plan for Bagan region with proper flow of water.
Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U Ko Ko explained damage of ancient pagodas in natural disaster, pumping out of water from the inundated pagodas and maintenance for damaged parts of the ancient pagodas.
A departmental official reported to the Senior General on inflow of water to the emerald lake in Bagan ancient cultural region, undertakings to ensure proper flow of water in the region not to cause inundation again, and a plan to seek consultation from experts not to inundate ancient pagodas.
In his response, the Senior General said he arrived there to view loss and damage caused by storm Mocha and to fulfill the requirements. It was known that storm Mocha would pass Myanmar from the west to the northeastward. In this regard, Bagan region was included in the route of storm. Bagan region suffered heavy rains due to storm. If the storm which happened in South China Sea combines with storm Mocha, it would be the most extremely severe storm, according to the remarks of the experts. Actually, as the storm in South China Sea degraded, Myanmar could fortunately avoid terrible loss and damage.
Natural disasters comprise dangers of climatic conditions and earthquakes. In happening of natural disasters, it is necessary to manage occurrence of the least loss ad damage with proper preparations and systematic repairing of damage. As Bagan ancient cultural region is not substitutable ancient cultural heritage for the nation, it is necessary to maintain it without any loss and damage.
The Senior General recounted that he had urged all to grow trees in the Bagan ancient cultural region in the past.
As the land areas were not adjusted, inundation happened.
Hence, it is necessary to adjust the land levels with systematic construction of water outlet channels. Ancient pagodas are vulnerable. So, officials need to systematically carry out the tasks without harming ancient pagodas. Likewise, it is necessary to systematically compile check lists on repairing works not to cause inundations harming the walls and terraces.
At a time when water is pumped out from the precincts, pumping out process must be systematically calculated not to cause damage to other sites.
The Senior General underscored that it needs to conduct a survey on soils in Bagan region. It is necessary not to cause loss and damage in Bagan cultural region. Older trees which may harm the region must be cut off and new trees must be planted in Bagan region. In so doing, as undertakings must be done without environmental impacts, departmental officials need to coordinate the work process.
The Senior General stressed the need to grow flowery plants suitable for the region as beautification of Bagan ancient cultural region. Shade trees which will bring lush and green to the region must be grown so as to beautify the environment.
Officials of relevant development department need to manage driving of cars on the roads without dust.
Main roads must be paved with asphalt concrete for ensuring smooth transport.
Likewise, other lanes and streets must be improved for smoothness.
With regard to the tourism industry, arrangements must be made for systematic travelling. Officials need to manage loss of ancient objects due to tourism services, safety of materials and prevention of damage at ancient cultural heritages.
Officials need to supervise systematic moves of shops. Current products must be Bagan made ones. So, it needs to implement the one region one product scheme. As international tourists assess image of Myanmar by viewing shops of the country, everything must be done systematically.
In food supply sector, the Senior General noted that it is necessary to attract local and foreign travellers with domestic foods.
As Bagan region produces Ponyaygyi, it can initiate production of foodstuff made of Ponyaygyi. If Bagan ancient cultural region can attract foreign travellers, the region will have greater progress.