YANGON, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar ranked third among ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries for its heritage parks, the state-run media Myanma Alinn reported on Wednesday.
According to the ASEAN Center for Biodiversity (ACB), the ASEAN Heritage Parks program lists 55 heritage parks across the 10 ASEAN member states.
Myanmar accounts for eight of these heritage parks, the report said.
ASEAN Heritage Parks are defined as "protected areas of high conservation importance, preserving in total a complete spectrum of representative ecosystems of the ASEAN region," the ACB said.
These areas are established to generate greater awareness, pride, appreciation, enjoyment and conservation of ASEAN's rich natural heritage, through a regional network of representative protected areas, and to generate greater collaboration among ASEAN member countries in preserving their shared natural heritage, the ACB said.
Myanmar collaborates with other ASEAN countries, NGOs, and local organizations to preserve its natural environment, the report said.
Efforts are being made to conserve national parks, marine parks, protected reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, unique geological sites, and community-protected natural areas, according to the report.
Developing national parks not only promotes tourism and local employment but also generates revenue for the country, the report said. ■
