‘I Love Myanmar’, a non-profit Christian charitable organization will begin planting a large number of cherry and teak saplings this year in Chin state, Burma.

Mrs. Levi Sap Nei Thang, the head of the group stated that 20,000 cherry plants and 100 acres of teak will be planted in the state to help combat deforestation. The forestation programme will help bring back the balance in the environment and attract tourists to the state.

“Our people are used to cooking with wood, after felling trees in the jungle everywhere in the state. Our environment is being destroyed that is why we need to plant trees in the bare areas,” said Mrs Levi.

Wood and charcoal are still popular for cooking because the government cannot afford to supply cooking gas to all the people.

The cherry plantation will start from Taingen village areas and along the motor road sides and the teak is to be planted from 9 miles point near Kalemyo, Sagaing division, Khaikam and some places of Teddim Township. The group has started to identify the plantation areas, said Mrs Levi.

It is hoped that the cherry will flower in four years and it will attract tourists from inside and outside Burma. And the group plans eagle-wood plantation from next year. ‘I Love Myanmar’ had planted around 20,000 cherry trees in Teddim Township last year.

‘I Love Myanmar’, led by Mrs. Levi Sap Nei Thang has been supporting Chin people suffering severe food crisis after the famine, locally called Mautam, a once-in-50-year occurrence when bamboo flowers, bears fruits and dies. Rats feed on the flowers and fruits, which is followed by a rapid multiplication of rodents, which destroy crops, fields and creates food storages.

The group has helped with Kyat 70, 00000 to rebuild houses, schools and give food in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis in Irrawaddy delta since 2008.