On 26 August 2012, the Myanmar study tour members participated in the Tree Planting Tour conducted by Nature Lovers and Myanmar-Japan Eco Tourism. On the first day, in Yangon, they participated in the culture exchange program between Japanese students and Myanmar students. Sayadaw U Tayzawbartha, the head monk of the monastery, welcomed Japanese students, and prayed for sustainable relationship between Japan and Myanmar. In response, Mr. Tatsuo Fujimura representative of MJET mentioned about their good relationship and the future of Myanmar. And he provided scholarship to the high-achieving students.
On the second day, they moved to Bagan, located in central Myanmar and 400 miles north of the capital Yangon. First, they visited a primary school in Thant Sin Kyae village. MJET and Nature Lovers distributed notebooks and pencils as donations to the students. In East Phwar Saw village, participants observed the trees planted in previous years. After the observation, they received a briefing from U Mya Win, Assistant Director of Dry Zone Greening Department and U Zaw Win, Staff Officer of Forest Department under the Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestry. They explained the green spaces environment, their activities and greenery projects conducted by JICA. (Eri Iijima)
On August 28th and 29th, the students of Myanmar study group planted trees with the villagers of In Dine village. The total number of the trees they planted on the first day was about 600. They aimed to plant 1,000 trees in those two days. After tree planting, a memorial football match was held Team Japan and Team Than Sim Kyat village.
On August 30th, the students of Myanmar study group finally accomplished their mission to plant 1,000 trees in In Dine village. The students attached nameplates that each student’s name is written to the trees. In the evening, the villagers held a farewell party for the students who worked for planting with them. They performed Myanmar traditional dance and also the Japanese students sang songs, danced, and showed magic tricks. The participants said good-bye to the villagers and promised to see them again. (Yuka Narikawa)
