Of the Southeast Asian nations, Myanmar is known as a country rich in aboveground and underground resources and water resources. Because of a host of problems and causes, forest resources and dwindling in most of the global countries. However, forests still cover about half the nation. Various species of trees thrive in the forests of Myanmar, and diverse forest ecosystems do exist in forests lying in many parts of the country, thanks to climatic conditions, topographical diversity and the sea that is facing the nation in the west and south.

In the mixed and deciduous forests there grow the valuable teak, pyingado, padauk, thitya, ingyin, and tamalan trees. As Myanmar is systematically exploiting various species of hardwoods its timber industry is earning millions of kyats and dollars every year. In Myanmar, Bago Yoma mountain range is one of the places covered with various species of trees. Running about 300 miles from north to south, the mountain range ends at a place 30 miles north of Yangon city. Evergreen forests, deciduous and mixed forests are thriving densely on the Yoma, which is formed with mountains, which are not so high, gentle slopes, numerous mountain streams and fertile soil. Another bonanza is the monsoon winds providing an abundant supply of rainwater annually for the Yoma. As teak, which grows on the Bago Yoma, is of the highest quality, it is called? Home of Teak. In addition to trees, bamboo also grows in a large number of groves on the Yoma. Because of its ecosystem and biodiversity, the Yoma forests are rich in flora and fauna.

Because of the growing global population, the demand for food, shelter and household items is rising, and at the same time, the forest areas in many countries of the world are dwindling because of the increasing human needs. Although there is no significant decrease in the forest areas in Myanmar at present, the population growth, the enlargement of grazing grounds, the slash-and-burn cultivation practice and the felling of trees for various human needs will affect more or less, the areas covered by trees in the long run. It has become a dire need to regenerate the depleted areas to make the whole Yoma lush and green again. The Ministry of Forestry has drawn the Bago Yoma Greening Project, and will implement it for five years during the period from 2004-2005 to 2008-2009.
During the five years, priority areas will be fixed as follows, depending on the location of reserve forests, protected public forests and forested areas, to conduct forest conservation task:
- conservation and protection of natural forests;
- growing of valuable tree species in natural forests;
- natural regeneration;
- establishment of forest plantations and conservation of the existing plantations;
- establishment of community-owned forest plantations and model forest villages;
- extended education activities for public participation;
- implementation of the lumber-substitute fuel project;
- designation of natural teak reserves;
- forest research activities;
Thriving forests in Bago Yoma brings rain to the region, and prevents soil erosion due to wind or water. They also serve as the shield against strong winds and prevent floods in the towns and cultivated field in the plains during the monsoon. In the summer, they protect the crops against the dry winds, and help balance the temperature. Because of the trees, springs continue to flow in summer, and they provide water for creeks. Trees can absorb carbon dioxide, the main culprit of the greenhouse effect today's men are suffering from. As the project will render protection for and conserve flora and fauna, it will help implement the United Nations Environment Programme.