Dr Nyi Nyi Kyaw, manager of the National Teak Project set up by the department under the Ministry of Forestry, said there were two methods of genetic conservation: in situ (in the original location) and ex situ (off site). "The ex situ method includes collecting the seeds and branches of good teak trees and replanting them elsewhere," he said.Dr Nyi Nyi Kyaw, who is also assistant director of the Forest Research Institute at Yezin in Mandalay Division, said the old in situ method involved simply leaving trees of good genetic quality standing for reproductive purposes even though they had grown big enough to be logged."Trees of excellent genetic quality in the forests need to be conserved with the aid of advanced technologies for their long-term existence," he said. The project to produce teak of good genetic quality was set up by the department with financial support from the Japan-based International Tropical Timber Organization.The three-year Ex-situ and In-situ Conservation of Teak to Support Sustainable Forest Management Project was started in April 2006 and includes establishing teak plantations in six districts - Thayawady and Pyay in Bago Division, Pyinmana in Mandalay Division, Gangaw in Magwe Division, Shwebo in Sagaing Division arid Hinthada in Ayeyarwady Division.

The project also calls for the establishment of a total 150 acres of Seed Production Area (SPA) spread among those six districts.

Dr Nyi Nyi Kyaw said SPAs were aimed at saving the seeds of trees with superior genetic quality and rapid growth rates after clearing those of inferior quality that grow inside the site. "SPAs are for producing quality seeds, while normal plantations are for logging at the right time," he said.The Yangon-based Forest Resource Environment Development and Conservation Association has also joined the Forest Department in the project.Association general secretary U Ohn told The Myanmar Times that trees that have bulbous growths or that are suffering from diseases are cleared to ensure that good trees can survive."Some teak trees are not of good genetic quality," U Ohn said. "Thesrare slim and have poor quality. The project means saving the quality of our teak." Other aspects of the project include establishing two hedge gardens in Pyinmana in Mandalay Division and Minhia in Bago Division, where high-quality teak trees are produced by grafting healthy tree shoots (an actively growing young twig or stem) onto the stock of another tree.Locals are organized to take part in the project through technical trainings, workshops and excursion tours. "We support the locals financially," said U Ohn. "We have their schools repaired and donate required books and documents, water and medicine." Dr Nyi Nyi Kyaw said the project has been successful so far."When the project ends, there will be many plantations established using seeds and young plants of good genetic quality and good growth rates," he said. Dr Nyi Nyi Kyaw said the Forest Department would completely take charge of genetic conservation after the end of the project.