Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo opens Zoological Garden (Nay Pyi Taw) Six sanctuaries and national gardens in Myanmar have been recognized as ASEAN heritage gardens

NAY PYI TAW, 26 March-Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo addressed the opening of Zoological Garden (Nay Pyi Taw) and pressed the button to open the archway of the zoo this morning.
The Zoological Garden (Nay Pyi Taw) is built near Yezin Dam, east of Yangon-Mandalay Highway under the arrangement of the Ministry of Forestry.
Also present were member of the SPDC Lt-Gen Maung Bo, Adjutant-General Maj-Gen Thura Myint Aung, Commander of Nay Pyi Taw Command Maj-Gen Wai Lwin, the ministers, the Chief Justice, the Auditor-General, the deputy ministers, members of the Civil Service Selection and Training Board, senior military officers, the directors-general of the SPDC Office, Government Office and Pyithu Hluttaw Office, departmental heads, Dean of Diplomatic Corps Cambodian Ambassador to the Union of Myanmar Mr Hul Phany and the Ambassadors, Charges d'Affaires ai, officials of the UN agencies, military attachés, correspondents of foreign news agencies in Myanmar, members of social organizations, personnel of departments and enterprises under the Ministry of Forestry and local people.
First, the Secretary-1 cordially greeted the ambassadors and military attaches.
Next, the artistes sang a song composed by Bogale Tint Aung as a gesture of honouring the opening of the zoo to the accompaniment of the Pianist Maung Hla Aye band.
The Secretary-1 in his speech said that Myanmar conserves its expressive geographical features and natural resources. So, it stands as a nation that is rich in bio-diversity.
Living creatures and inanimate world, and human beings and animals have relied on each other since the ancient world. Like in other countries, in Myanmar, animals have been tamed and used for years in farming, ploughing and transporting goods.
Today, world countries can enjoy beauties of trees and flowers based on the geographical features concerned. Similarly, Myanmar is taking measures to upgrade the zoological gardens into all-round recreation ones.
The government, being convinced that the people can constantly serve national interests and their own only when they are healthy with a peaceful mind, the government since its assumption of State duties have placed emphasis on community welfare service. As part of the drive, it established more gardens and parks throughout the nation for public rest and recreation.
Of the ecotourism services, PyinOoLwin National Gardens was upgraded to an international level facility, and so were Mt. Popa National Garden, Lawka Nanda Sanctuary, Alaungdaw Kassapa National Garden and Yangon Kandawgyi and Zoological Gardens.
Animal shows for public study came into existence in Rome period. Then, Europe planned to establish zoological gardens. London zoological association was set up in 1928.
After 1950, there emerged many zoological gardens around the world for the public recreation, information and science and research. Thanks to cooperation between zoological gardens, zoological gardens are making progress. With technological advancements, animal shows are presented for economic purpose in many zoological gardens.
Now, the world sees about 1200 zoological gardens, half of which are in Asia. Myanmar can be proud for Yangon Zoological Gardens that has stood for more than 100 years.
The government is working hard for equitable development of all parts of the country at unprecedented level with the aim of paving way to a discipline-flourishing democratic nation.
The government is promulgating laws and rules for sustainable progress of natural resources. It has established 42 natural conservation zones such as sanctuaries and national gardens. In addition, it is building more zoological gardens. In this regard, it has designated Hugaung valley in northern part of Myanmar as a tiger sanctuary region for increasing the population of tigers under the threat of extinction.
It is encouraging to note that six sanctuaries and national gardens in Myanmar have been recognized as ASEAN heritage gardens thanks to attractive geographical features, existence of rare species of animals, and rare eco system.
In compliance with the guidance of the Head of State on establishment of an international level zoological garden in Nay Pyi Taw like in the capitals of other countries, the zoological garden (Nay Pyi Taw) began to be constructed on 18 September 2007. It is heartening to note that the international level zoological garden came into existence in seven months due to supervision of the Ministry of Forestry.Being located near Yangon-Mandalay Highway, Zoological Garden (Nay Pyi Taw) is easily accessible from various regions. It keeps 423 animals of 81 species including white tigers, kangaroos and penguins. In the garden are natural beauties, so it is a good place for local and foreign travelers for recreation and study.
Now, the government and the people are working hard for all-round development of the nation. And intellectuals and intelligentsia, businessmen, entrepreneurs, service personnel and workers are doing their bit in their work places for raising the development momentum. Therefore, it is required to ensure peace and spiritual convenience of the people. And increasing population means that is needed to set up many more recreation centres.
With this concept, the government has built many zoological gardens, parks and playgrounds for rest and recreation of the people, spending huge funds. In conclusion, he called on the people to maintain the facilities for their durability.
Minister for Forestry Brig-Gen Thein Aung explained construction of the Zoological Garden (Nay Pyi Taw). He said that the Ministry of Forestry set the plans to uplift the characteristics Nay Pyi Taw by setting up an international class zoological garden, to enable the people and service personnel in Nay Pyi Taw to relax at the zoo and to enable interested persons from home and abroad to visit the zoo, and the ministry commenced construction of the Zoological Garden (Nay Pyi Taw) on 18 September 2007 in accord with the guidance of the Head of State on establishment of a good socio-environmental symbol for new generations.
In the 612 acres of the zoo, a total of 423 animals in 81 species - 39 species of mammal, 30 kinds of bird, 12 species of reptile including rare animals such as penguin, white tiger and Kangaroo - are being shown at 27 booths. The minister said that efforts will be made for durability of the Zoological Garden (Nay Pyi Taw) in addition to systematic maintenance of the zoological gardens of the ministry.
Deputy Director-General Mr Wisid Wichasilpa of Zoological Park Organization handed over documents related to a pair of penguins to Director-General U Soe Win Hlaing of Forest Department.
Commander Maj-Gen Wai Lwin, Ministers Maj-Gen Htay Oo, Col Thein Nyunt and Brig-Gen Thein Aung formally opened the zoo.
The Secretary-1 unveiled the archway of the zoo.
Students of Nay Pyi Taw BEHS No 1 and Yezin BEHS entertained the Secretary-1 and party with songs and dances.
The Secretary-1 and party sprinkled scented water on the plaque of the Zoological Garden.
At the elephant camp, the Secretary-1 and party enjoyed demonstration of elephants and presented the flower basket to the elephant group. Next, they fed elephants.
Afterwards, the Secretary-1 and party visited the booths of deer, hyena, mythun and monkey, white tiger, reptile and penguin at the zoo by buggy.
The sound atmospheres of the respective animals are created at the Zoological Garden (Nay Pyi Taw).
The zoo will be kept open as from 1 April from 8 am to 6 pm daily. The skills demonstration of animals will be staged on every Saturday and Sunday. Holiday-makers and the people may visit the natural ponds, forests, educative booths, modern playgrounds, modern restaurants and souvenir shops. They may ride elephant and enjoy lights illuminated at the zoo.
After the opening ceremony, about 200,000 people visited the zoo.
In the afternoon and evening, the bands entertained the visitors with songs. The Zoological Garden (Nay Pyi Taw) and its one-mile radius area was packed with the people from various regions of the nation.