Myanmar starts destroying poppy plantations in Shan State
Published on Sunday, 08 September 2013 23:29
Locals and authorities are destroying poppy cultivations in Taunggyi District, Shan State (Photo/EMG)
Myanmar has launched a special project aimed wiping out all poppy plantations in Shan State in five months, according to police.
Police Colonel Win Tun of Shan State Police Force told The Daily Eleven on Sep 7 that the project started in the first week of this month in the state.
He also said that the project will end in February next year. He said a total of 295 acres of illicit poppy plantations across the Shan have been destroyed in the first week.
"Most of the plantations in the state will be destroyed in five months. Authorities are also working together to provide assistance to local people who had previously cultivated poppy to replace with replacement crops. Now awareness programs are being carried in the state out to inform the people not to plant the poppy anymore," he explained.
Authorities found out that there are more than 6000 acres of poppy plantations across the Shan and some remote areas are difficult to reach due to security reasons, he added.
Four townships of Shan are now clear of more than 290 acres of poppy plantations, he concluded.
Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2013/09/09/myanmar-starts-destroying-poppy-plantations-in-shan-state/
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