Flood in Burma

Slash and burning on plantation is a cause of environmental damages as recent severe floods have evidenced in Burma and the region.

Recent floods in several areas of Burma have related to traditional way of cleaning land for plantation, says Burmese agricultural expert Dr Tun Than.

Rising temperature have caused melting ice and raised water levels of the rivers rooted from Himalaya mountain ranges.

Among them, Burma's two major rivers the Irrawaddy and the Salween were also affected. Scientists have warned that environmental degradation will bring severe drought, famine and floods.

"Slash and burn method in agriculture have destroyed rich soil," said Dr Tun Than, former professor of Burma's prestigious Yezin University of Agriculture.

Several Southeast Asian countries including Burma, Thailand and Laos have experienced severe haze problem, caused by burning on plantation.