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

KYAIKHTIYOE
Site ID 15
Locality Mon State, Kyaikhto Township
Coordinates N17° 28’, E97° 05’
Size (km²) 156
Altitude (m. asl) 50 -1,090
Myanmar category Wildlife Sanctuary
IUCN category IV
Site Governance Nature and Wildlife Conservation Division
Boundaries Demarcated
Year gazetted 2001
Protection level Partial
Main purposes Conservation
Habitat
Evergreen Forest (Typical), Mixed Deciduous Forest
(Moist Upper)
Key resources Leopard, Serow, Red Goral, Tiger
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 was proposed as Wildlife Sanctuary in 1998 and
gazetted in 2001 in order to conserve the flora and fauna
of the surroundings of Kyaikhtiyoe Pagoda which is a
National Heritage monument. The Kyaikhtiyoe Pagoda
is built on a spectacular geological rock formation and
has become a site of worship. The rock is a massive stone
close to the top of the mountain and on the brink of a
cliff. Now the rock has been covered by the golden leaves
left by the Buddhist pilgrims and it is called the Golden
Rock Pagoda.
NATURAL RESOURCES
The wildlife sanctuary was established to protect globally
threatened species (Leopard, Serow, Goral).
Leopard is still spotted in the wildlife sanctuary while
there is no other recent available information on the
presence of other species in the Sanctuary.
MANAGEMENT
An annual operation plan is present. According to Park
staff, more patrolling and inspecting is needed.
STAFF / RESOURCES
Some staff is present (1 Park Warden, at least 2 rangers
and 2 more foresters), but it is not sufficient: more
administrative and field staff are needed. Only the Park
Warden has received specific environmental training by
Forest Department and local NGOs. The IT skills are low
and digital equipment is required. One Park Office and 4
Ranger Posts are present.
TOURISM
The Kyaikhtiyoe Pagoda on the Golden Rock (Golden Rock
Pagoda) is considered one of the most famous tourist
spots of Myanmar and is visited every year by thousands
of pilgrims and tourists, especially during pagoda festival.
Many facilities are present for tourists (hotels, restaurants
and transport, etc.). A 15-km-long road crosses was built
inside the sanctuary to take the pilgrims to the pagoda
with trucks. Private vehicles are not allowed.
Myanmar Protected Areas
46 47
THREATS
• Hunting & Collecting Terrestrial Animals
• Logging & Wood Harvesting
• Fire & Fire Suppression
The main dangers to the area are the illegal logging of
bamboo and poles for housing and working tools, and the
poaching of the protected populations of Barking Deer
and Wild Boar for subsistence by local hunters. Forest fires
during the dry season are becoming a serious threat.
RESEARCH
Yangon university studied orchids and ferns (2005) and
bamboo rats (2008). A bird survey was implemented by
local NGO Myanmar Birds and Nature Society (2008) and
an herpetology survey by CAS (2008).
LAND USE AND HUMAN ACTIVITIES
INSIDE
• Recreation
The site is highly used for the tourist activities
and facilities.
OUTSIDE
• Agricultural production (Temporary and Permanent
cropping)
• Forestry (Forest Plantation)
Apart from tourism, there are many agricultural activities,
for subsistence (with crops like rice, peanuts, pepper and
durian) and commercial rubber forest plantations