Hugaung Valley, Kachin State

NATIONAL parks and wildlife sanctuaries in Myanmar are playing a major role in the development of the ecotourism industry the country, say environmentalists, wildlife conservationists, nature lovers and sources in the tourism sector.

Myanmar has long been promoted as a tourist destination for those interested in cultural, historical and religious attractions. But in the mid-1990s government decided to expand its focus by opening 15 new wildlife parks and sanctuaries to draw the increasing number of travellers interested in ecotourism.

The importance of safeguarding Myanmar’s rich biodiversity has long been recognised, with the first protected natural area established in 1918. By 2004 there were 40 parks and sanctuaries in the country’s protected system, more than half established after 1988.

The initial purpose of establishing parks and sanctuaries was to protect the country’s natural resources from human exploitation.

By coincidence, they were also ‘readymade’ destinations for ecotourism when the industry emerged in the early 1990s. Since then natural areas have been set aside with both conservation and tourist visitation in mind.

Areas throughout Myanmar have been designated for protection, from snow-capped mountains in Kachin State, to low-lying wetland areas, to islands rich in marine life.

According to figures from the World Conservation Union (IUCN), Myanmar harbours about 7000 species of plants, 310 of birds, 300 of mammals, 262 of reptiles, 80 of amphibians and 281 of fish.

Deep forest along the Ledo Road, Kachin State	Myanmar wilderness areas harbour red pandas and other exotic species.

According to tourism agencies and forestry officials, wildlife parks and sanctuaries constitute the most frequently visited ecotourism sites in the country.

U Khin Maung Zaw, the director of the Nature and Wildlife Conservation Division of the Forestry Department (under the Ministry of Forestry), the managing authority of most of the country’s ecotourism sites, said visitors prefer national parks and sanctuaries because they are good places to observe and learn about ecology and biodiversity.

“It is worth taking the time to visit the parks. At Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park in central Myanmar, for example, you can see many different types of forestland,” he said.

Ecotourism companies say there are many reasons they prefer taking clients to parks and sanctuaries rather than other places, one of which is that it is easier to manage tours with the help of government authorities.

U Khin Maung Zaw said not all protected parks and sanctuaries are open to ecotourism. Sites are selected only after they are surveyed to determine whether their flora and fauna is abundant and diverse enough to offer a colourful experience to visitors.

People in both the government and private sectors believe that designating the country’s rich ecology areas as protected parks and sanctuaries benefits both conservation and ecotourism.

Daw San San Aye, the managing director of the Yangon-based Atsam Travels and Tours Co., Ltd., said that protecting the areas ensures more security for tourists.

She also said that it can prevent the illegal trade of the endangered species.

“Protecting natural areas, especially near border areas, is a good idea because it can prevent illegal trade in wild flora and fauna,” said Daw San San Aye , whose agency specialises in arranging tours to Kachin State.

U Khin Maung Zaw said that by establishing more protected areas, the Forestry Department can focus on specific areas, and protect and conserve them more effectively.

“We can’t protect all the natural resources because, as you know, the areas are large and widespread,” he said.

However, ecotourism sources said more effort to protect natural areas was needed for the long-term interests of the industry.

U Khin Maung Zaw said more cooperation was needed from other government departments, the public sector and local communities.

He said it was impossible for the Nature and Wildlife Conservation Division alone to protect the parks.

“More cooperation is necessary because we have to handle very big areas with few people,” he said.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has taken a step in the right direction by forming a special police force to patrol the Hugaung Tiger Reserve in Kachin State, a move that was highly appreciated by the division.

“I hope there will be more such cooperation in other parks,” U Khin Maung Zaw said.

The Ministry of Forestry not only is responsible for protecting and maintaining parks and sanctuaries, but has also made promoting ecotourism one of its priorities, with the minister himself acting as the chairman of a special committee formed for that purpose.

U Khin Maung Zaw said the department has recently been working to upgrade the standard of accommodation at each of its ecotourism sites.

“In some parks we are renovating department-owned buildings, while some parks already have hotels,” he said.

But he said better management of parks was more important than luxurious accommodation for attracting ecotourism.

“I think most visitors don’t care whether there is a five-star hotel. They want to see nature and are willing to endure trips without any luxuries, even stay in temporary camps,” he said.

Ecotourism organisers agreed that the natural approach is best.

“Let the visitors see only what is natural,” Daw San San Aye said.

However, she said improving transportation to parks – such as upgrading roads – was necessary to allow visitors to enjoy their trips without wasting time and money.

Nearly everyone involved in ecotourism in Myanmar agreed that it must be promoted in a sustainable manner, with conservation and environmental concerns playing an important role every step of the way. Because ecotourism is still a relatively small industry in Myanmar, it has not yet done any harm to the environment.

Data on representative ecotourism sites in Myanmar (Information from the Nature and Wildlife Division of the Forestry Department last updated in July 2004) Nat Ma Taung National Park Location Kan-pet-let, Mindut and Matupi townships in Chin State Year of Establishment 1994 Access Yangon to Bagan-Nyaung U (by plane); Bagan-Nyaung U to Chauk (18 miles by car); Chauk via Seikpyu to Hsaw (68 miles by car); Hsaw to Kan-pet-let (12 miles by car) or Hsaw to Mindut (42 miles by car) Opportunities for Study and Recreation - Hiking Nama, the third-highest mountain in Myanmar (10,018 feet) - Observing 282 bird species, including the rare Blyth’s tragopan - Observing the traditional and cultural heritage of Chin people and their lifestyles - Studying hill evergreen forests, moist upper mixed deciduous forests, pine forests (above 9000 feet) and hill savannahs Accommodation Guesthouse (five-person capacity) with water and electricity Contact Phone 063-23940 Note: No entrance fee. Hponkanrazi Wildlife Sanctuary Location Near Putao in Kachin State Year of Establishment 2001 Access Yangon to Putao (by flight) Opportunities for Study and Recreation - Hiking and climbing snow-capped mountains - Observing protected species, such as barking deer, red goral, gibbons and mongoose - Observing about 200 bird species - Exploring for new plant and animal species - Studying the traditional culture, customs and lifestyles of Rawang, Lisu and Myanmar-Tibet ethnic nationals Contact phone 01-580288

U Ohn, the general secretary of the Forest Resource Environment Development and Conservation Association (FREDA), a domestic environmental organisation, said sustainable ecotourism can definitely benefit conservation efforts.

FREDA is the only environmental organisation that has arranged trips for ecotourists to its conservation sites.

So far, however, the Nature and Wildlife Conservation Division has not yet raised money from ecotourism to use for its conservation efforts. In order to promote ecotourism, the department is offering services at low prices. Most parks have free entry and accommodation is as low as K1500 a night.

U Khin Maung Zaw said that in the future, the department plans to use ecotourism as a means to generate income that will be used to maintain parks and protect the flora and fauna they harbour.

Although ecotourism’s broad appeal means it has a bright future in Myanmar, most of those who have made trips to the country’s parks are academics – such as zoologists, botanists, anthropologists, conservationists and wildlife experts – from all parts of the world, according to the Forestry Department and some tour agencies.

U Khin Maung Zaw and U Ohn said they preferred academic ecotourists because they know not to harm the environment and they gather knowledge that can help with future conservation efforts.

S’ Nyein Lwin, the managing director of the Myanmar Himalaya Trekking and Culture Co., Ltd., which is one of the few tour operators in the country specialising in ecotourism, said that common eco-tourists should also be welcomed.

He said most of his customers are Europeans who love trekking and care about the environment.

“They always set a good example for local people on how to conserve nature. They love the natural beauty of Myanmar,” he said.