Chin State is situated in the North-West of Myanmar and is veiled with mountain ranges and forests. The area of the State is 13,907 sq miles and there has about 600,000 acres of forests. Pine trees, eucalyptus and Rhododendron trees grow with distinctive fragrance in the land at an altitude of 3000 ft and the valuable orchid plants thrive as parasitic plants on these trees. The weather is cool as the temperature is low and it rains a lot. In the months of April and May, the weather is moderate. The capital city of Chin State is Hakha and the main economy is hill-side cultivation.

In the past, Chin State lagged behind in development as it was difficult to travel from one place to another due to the poor geographical condition and transportation difficulties.

At present, the government is providing assistance in all sectors such as to promote economy and social standard of the local people with sufficient food and shelter.

Lt. Col Ohn Myint Oo
Secretary
Chin State Peace and Development Council

Hakha-Falam-Kalay road, Hakha-Gantgaw-Monywa road, Hakha-Matupi road, Matupi-Mintat-Pakhokku road which are the 4 main roads of Chin State have been upgraded so that they can be used in all seasons. Now, we can witness evidently unprecedented progress in Chin State as the government has fulfilled the requirements of the State.

In communication sector, 3 auto exchanges, one Satellite communication Station, 7 IP STAR Satellite Communication Stations and 5 micro wave links have been built there. So, local residents can now communicate easily not only in the nation but also with abroad.

In health sector, there were only one hospital with 100-bed and above, eight hospitals with 100-bed and under in the past and now, two hospitals with 100-bed and above and two hospitals with 100-bed and under have been extended. Similarly, 3 rural health care centers have been built. In Chin State, the health care services for the local people are now carrying out by appointing 71 doctors and 600 medical staff.

As regard to the breeding sector, I would like to present to you the breeding of mythuns in Chin State. The Government has loaned 110 million kyats in 2003 and 50 million kyats in 2006 for mythun breeders in order to carry out mythun breeding extensively. Now, over 45,000 of mythuns have been bred in the whole State. The breeding of mythuns has been undertaken on an extensive scale with the aim of sending their meat abroad.

Falam District comprises five Townships and two sub townships. Tea plantations are extensively being carried out in Falam District, where the target is to grow 10,000 acres of tea. At present, in our country, physic nut plants are used as fuel substitute for machines. So, the Government is emphasizing on growing physic nut plants throughout the country. That’s why, 3 million acres of physic nut plants will be grown in Falam District within three years. This year, the target is to grow 47,000 acres of physic nut plants.

Chairman

Falam District Peace and Development Council

Interview

In Falam District, we are now carrying out mythuns breeding in two parts. They are conventional breeding and breeding with the government’s assistance. Breeding done the government’s loans was started in August, 2003, by loaning (45) million kyats to (118) farmers. This year, we’ll continue to loan (24) million kyats to (49) farmers. In Falam District, (2500) farmers are now breeding over 15,000 mythuns.

In communication sector, there are (632) miles of roads in Falam District, and we are implementing the upgrading of Varh Bridge which is the most important bridge in our region. In the past, it was a suspension bridge, and later it became a bailey-type bridge. Now we are upgrading it to a bridge paved with reinforced concrete and iron frames. Before, it was (13) ft wide, and it will become (30) ft wide after completion. While the bridge could bear only (20) tons in the past, after completion it will be able to withstand (60) tons of load making the flow of commodities and transportation much smoother in Falam District.

Due to the assistance of government and the harmonious efforts of local Chin nationals for the improvement of Chin State, it is without doubt that Chin State will be able to enjoy the fruitful results of development like other States and Divisions in the near future.