Myanmar press calls on public to cope with urbanization challenge

Myanmar press on Sunday called on the public to deal with urbanization problems through implementing related rules and regulations on environment protection.

To cope with challenges posed by growing urbanization, city residents had to adhere to their civic duties, while satellite towns were needed, said an article published by the state-run English newspaper New Light of Myanmar.

The paper appealed to the city residents to conform to the rules and regulations in force and adhere to their civic duties, noting that the country's cities such as Yangon and Mandalay have witnessed massive migration since the 1900's.

Myanmar's population has reached over 53 million and is reckoned to attain 61 million by 2010. Urban and rural dwellers remain at 25 percent and 75 percent respectively at present.

The two major cities of Yangon and Mandalay have all witnessed increase of city population, which presently stood at 6 million and 800,000 respectively.

Meanwhile, the government has projected to further expand the area of Yangon, which has doubled in the past nine years.

Though a dozen of other major cities still have small population and no immediate urbanization worries, the national environmental policy adopted in 1994 included measures to harmonize economic development and environmental protection in cities.

To commemorate the World Environment Day falling on Monday, the country¡¯s National Commission for Environmental Affairs will organize a series activities around the country to raise public awareness of the issue.

Source: Xinhua