Myanmar Protected Areas: Context, Current Status ... - Istituto Oikos

INLAY LAKE
Site ID 11
Locality
Coordinates N20°13, E96°56’
Size (km²) 642
Altitude (m. asl) 830 -1,270
Myanmar category Wildlife Sanctuary
IUCN category IV
Shan State (Nyaung Shwe, Pinlaung and Peh Kon
Townships)
Site Governance Nature and Wildlife Conservation Division
Boundaries Demarcated
Year gazetted 1985
Protection level Partial (Fishing and Agriculture allowed)
Main purposes
Habitat Wetland, Hill Forest
Conservation, Natural resources maintenance,
Cultural heritage, Recreation/Ecotourism
Key resources Wetland Ecosystem; Migratory birds
Legend of topographic maps
Head Quarters
Ranger Post
Towns
Protected Areas
State/Region Boundaries
Roads
Water areas
Rivers
Elevation
5.800 m. asl
0 m. asl
Legend of satellite maps
Water Depth Vegetation Density
Deep
Shallow
High
Low
SITE DESCRIPTION
The site is located on the Shan plateau of East Myanmar, in
the Thanlwin river basin. The natural lake is fairly shallow
and is located in a broad valley between two limestone
ridges rising up to 1,200 m asl and covered by hill forest. The
wetland sanctuary has been established to protect migratory
birds and their habitats. It is famous for its traditional floating
agriculture and it is also a major source of hydropower for
Myanmar.
NATURAL RESOURCES
The key resource of the site is a large population of many
migratory and resident birds (according to the Park staff, 175
species have been recorded), besides native aquatic plants
and freshwater fishes.
MANAGEMENT
Annual operation plan
Buffer zone proposed
Management actions in place:
• Patrolling
• Census of aquatic species and resident and migratory bird
species
• Plantations outside the PA
• Environmental education activities with schools
• Community forestry outside
Myanmar Protected Areas
Management problems:
• Budget constraints
Actions required:
• Zone management
• Equipment maintenance
STAFF / RESOURCES
The human resources (13 staff) are barely sufficient to manage
the site. More foresters are needed to carry out conservation
activities on the surrounding slopes. Many infrastructures
are present, such as office, ranger posts and a bird watching
centre, and equipment is provided. Staff has a different level
of training in environmental issues and computer literacy is
higher than elsewhere.
Access to the site is easy due to the presence of motor roads
around the lake and boat transportation inside.
TOURISM
Inlay Lake is one of Myanmar ecotourism sites and ASEAN
heritage site. It is visited every year by a large number of local
and foreign visitors. Cultural highlights are the traditional
Intha leg-rowing, fishing techniques, floating cultivations,
traditional weaving and tobacco production, as well as
important pagodas. Many accommodation and lodging
facilities are provided around the lake as well as trekking
opportunities in the surrounding hills. Community-based
tourism options are available.
38 39
THREATS
The site is in a state of environmental emergency. Poor
agricultural practices based on the inappropriate use of
chemical fertilizers and pesticides are polluting the water.
The growing tourism industry is an increasing threat to
water quality due to the growing facilities that have been
built inside and outside the protected area without due
respect to environmental issues. Zoning recommendations
are not respected by local fishermen that are increasingly
abandoning traditional practices. Soil erosion in the
surrounding slopes, which have been largely converted to
agriculture, is the main cause of a severe sedimentation in
the water body. All this is resulting in the alarming lowering
of the water level and of its quality.
Poaching, the collection of firewood and housepoles,
gathering orchids, traditional gold mining are localized
threats considered to be of limited impact.
LAND USE AND HUMAN ACTIVITIES
• Agricultural production
• Fisheries production
• Recreation
Floating plantations (tomato, flowers) and fishing represent
the main income-generation strategy for the local
communities. Tourism is a boost for the local economy.
RESEARCH
Yangon University in collaboration with BANCA studied
the sedimentation of the site and the use of pesticides.
Taunggyi University studied the plankton.