Ecotourism Sites in Myanmar

Hukaung Tiger Reserve

Location

Hukaung Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is located in upper Chindwin the north part of the country, near the Green Peafowl Myanmar-India border (some parts of this sanctuary is situated on Naga Hill).

Area

6,459.357sq.km

Forest/Vegetation Type

• Vegetation is dominated by dense lowland evergreen, temperate mountain and subtropical mountain forests.

Wildlife

• In these forests, Indochinese Tiger (at least 20 to 24 individuals), Leopard, Clouded Leopard, Wild Elephant (at least 250 to 300 individuals), Malayan Sun Bear, Himalayan Black Bear, Gaur, Wild Buffalo and various species of mammal may be viewed.
• In this sanctuary not only lowland bird species but also mountain bird species can be observed.
• Only 247 bird species have been recorded, but it is believed that others are yet to be discovered.
• The highlight species in forest would be Green Peafowl, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Golden-throated Barbet, Sultan Tit, Asian Paradise-flycatcher and Black Redstart. Green Peafowl, White-winged Duck, Wood Snipe, Great Thick-knee, Lesser Fish Eagle, White-bellied Heron, Black-necked Stork, Lesser Adjutant and Spot-billed Pelican may be viewed on river banks, in rivers and forests that are near rivers. And also this sanctuary area is call as Elephant City.
• This site has about 200 individuals of domesticated elephant. Many domesticated elephant can be seen in a limited area at one time. There elephants graze in the natural forests.
• In this region, elephants are used for agriculture especially plantation of the paddy and transportation. The paddy fields are ploughed and harrowed by elephants as cattle for plantation.

Opportunities for Study and Recreation

• The observation of the unique traditional plantation with elephants, study of the recalling technique of elephants in their pasture (natural forest), long trips on elephant riding in the natural forest and along the Ledo Road, bird watching and plant or orchid observation on the elephant back can be made.
• In addition, butterfly watching, plant and orchid surveying, visiting the world famous Ledo Road (or Stilwell), adventure trip in the rivers and streams by boat or canoe.
• Observation the traditional culture, custom and system of living of local Naga, Lisu, Kachin ethnic nations and studying the unique fishing activities by Lisu hill tribes can be also made.
• The world famous Ledo (or Stilwell) road is situated in Hukaung Valley Wildlife Sanctuary.
• During the Second World War, the road was built by American (28,000 engineers and 35,000 native laborers) over a period of two years, planned as rout from Assam in India to Kunming in China, was meant to assists Allied forces with track and supplies for their push against the Japanese into Indochina.
• Here you can see the some parts of the old tank cars, American supplies and old oil storage tanks which were used during the Second World War.
• The best time to go is from November to April.