About Ecotourism in Myanmar

Myanmar’s richness of a diverse array of species and ecosystems constitute one of the biological reservoirs in Asia. The land area of Myanmar, 261,228 sq. miles extending from latitude 10N to 28N and longitude 92E to 102E from a land corridor linking the Indian, Indo – Chinese and Sundial sub-bio geographical regions. Year round, snow-covered Hkakaborazi mountain (19296 ft) is the unique geophysical landmark in the Hindu – Kush –Himalayan region of Myanmar. Marine and terrestrial ecosystems containing mosaic coral reefs, mangrove forests and rain forests offer a degree of choice for the establishment of ecotourism sites. In these diversified ecosystems, with approximately 7000 plants, 1071 endemic species have been recorded. The presence of 1000 bird species (12% of world’s total), 300 mammals, 360 reptiles indicate the unparalleled richness of the biodiversity compared to any country with a landmass equivalent to Myanmar. Sixty-eight kinds of swallow- tail butterflies, representing 12% of the world total, make it the fifth richest country in the world. With environmentally benign forest development programs, Myanmar could avoid natural calamity by the application of healthy forest conservation measures.

Sustainable ecotourism is to manage the natural areas without impairing the environment of the area concerned and to also sustain the monetary returns and employment. The general concept of ecotourism is to restrict the number of visitors within the carrying capacity of the ecotourism site. Ecotourism management plan has to be developed to strike a balance between the degree of recreational activities and sustainable carrying capacity of the park. The allowable tourism level at such areas will vary with the tolerant sensitivity of the type of forests and its environment. In short, it is imperative to plan and implement ecotourism to conform with the objective, which is to prevent and minimize the irreversible damage to the naturalness of the park. Myanmar tourism development will be undertaken with environmental conscientiousness to avoid negative impact on the natural wilderness area of the parks and the culture of the local community.

Tourism in Myanmar had been established essentially on cultural, historical and religious attractions in the past. Promoting eco-tourism in the country has not been long ago. The Ministry of Forestry initiated in 1995 by declaring to open up 20 nature reserves and wildlife centuries for eco-tourism developments.

LOCATION MAP OF ECOTOURISM SITES IN MYANMAR

1. Hlawga Park
2. Moeyingyi Wetland Wildlife Sanctuary
3. Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary
4. Inlay Lake (wetland) Sanctuary
5. Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary
6. Popa Mountain Park
7. Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park
8. Chattin Wildlife Sanctuary
9. Nat Ma Taung National Park
10. National Botanical Gardens
11. Kakaboraxi National Park
12. Sein-ye Forest Camp
13. Yangon Zoological Garden
14. Indawgyi Lake Wildlife Sanctuary
15. Myaing Hay Wun Elephant Camp
16. Poe Kya Elephant Camp
    
17. Phonganrazi
18. Htamanthie wildlife sanctuary
19. Hukaung valley Wildlife sanctuary
20. Lampi Aquarium & national park