Biosphere reserve

Biosphere reserve

= Nadi Nain =

Unlike its sister Inle of southern Shan State, Indawgyi in the northern part of Myanmar has no lake dwellers, but on its banks are roundabout 20 villages lining the natural water body one of the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia. The villages are populated mostly by Shan people and Kachin people whose main occupation is agriculture. 

Lying in the central part of 780-km2 (300-sq mile) Indawgyi Wildlife Sanctuary, the lake in Mohnyin Township,Kachin State, harbors a large number of animal and bird species and some of them are included in the global list of rare, threatened, endangered or near-extinct fauna.

Ten endangered bird species can be found in the lake area which is included in the nation’s key bird habitats. Of them species like Greylag Geese, Oriental Darter and Purple Swamphen are prominent during the month of January.

The lake is also circled by low lying mountains whose surface is still covered with relatively undisturbed tropical forests, where endangered primates such as Eastern Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolockleuconedys) as well as Phayre Langur (Trachypithecusphayrei) and Shortridge Langur (Trachypithecus shortridgei) can be found. The lake with its many tributaries and annually inundated wetlands is important as breeding, roosting and wintering sites for numerous birds as well as habitat for endemic and threatened water turtles and fish. A tour of the lake by motorized boat offers a magnificent view of a large array of wetland species.

The lake measuring 13 kilometres (8.1 miles) in horizontal width from east to west, and 24 kilometres (15 mi) in vertical length from north to south has a surface area of area of 260 square kilometers (100 square miles).

Shwemyintzu-Pagoda situated in the middle of the lake is one of the most renowned attractions at the region. The most spectacular view is in the early evenings when the stupa cast its reflection in the setting sunlight. The annual pagoda festival held in March attracts more than 100,000 people from the surrounding areas.

There are plans to nominate the lake and its surrounding areas into a biosphere reserve involving rural, land use and development programs. 

Generally, a biosphere reserve is an area proposed by its residents, ratified by a national committee, and designated by UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere (MAB) program, which demonstrates innovative approaches to living and working in harmony with nature. One of the primary objectives of MAB is to achieve a sustainable balance between the goals of conserving biological diversity, promoting economic development, and maintaining associated cultural values.

Unlike the natural forest reserves, biosphere reserves conduct socioeconomic development undertakings in harmony with the task of maintaining and protecting the wildlife and nature to stay untouched. So the project is suitable for the Indawgyi Wildlife Sanctuary and the lake itself as they are a haven for a roundabout number of 24 rare animal species, 350 forest bird species, 99 aquatic bird species, 37 species of mammals, and over 80 fish species.

Biosphere reserves have three interrelated zones that aim to fulfi l three complementary and mutually reinforcing functions.

The core area comprises a strictly protected ecosystem that contributes to the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic variation.

The buffer zone surrounds or adjoins the core areas, and is used for activities compatible with sound ecological practices that can reinforce scientifi cresearch, monitoring, training and education.

The transition area is the part of the reserve where the greatest activity is allowed, fostering economic and human development that is socioculturally and ecologically sustainable.

By establishing a biosphere reserve, the project will provide a basis for sustainable rural development and resource management that allows full participation of the local community.

It will also ensure longterm protection of ecosystems to preserve habitats for flora and fauna while taking into account of the needs of local communities.

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