Ecotourism Sites in Myanmar

Nat Ma Taung National Park

Location

Located between 21'24' N and 93'55' E in Kanpet-let, Mindut and Matupi Townships of Chin State.

Area

279 square miles.

Year of Establishment

Established in 1994.

Access

• Yangon to Bagan-Nyaung Oo, 320 miles by flight, Bagan-Nyaung Oo to Chauk, 18 miles by car, Chauk via Seikpyu to Hsaw, 68 miles by car and Hsaw to Kan-pet-let, 12 miles by car or Hsaw to Mindut, 42 miles by car.

Objectives

• To conserve the watershed areas of Lemro river, Myitha river, Saw Chaung, Maw Chaung, Salin Chaung, Che Chaung, Yow Chaung, Mon Chaung, etc.
• To conserve the scenic beauty of natural forests.
• To conserve Mountain Ecosystem and prohibit illicit hunting.
• To preserve 5 species of rare birds which can be found only in Myanmar, other native and migratory birds their habitats.
• To preserve rare species of Myanmar Orchids.
• To educate local people to shift from practising shifting cultivation to cultivating perennial plants and trees.
• To promote and upgrade the park as an ecotourism attraction.
• To attract tourists with water rafting and rapid-shooting during the rainy season while the river flow is rapid.

Forest/vegetative Types

• Hill Evergreen Forests
• Moist Upper Mixed Deciduous Forests
• Pine Forests (above 9000 feet)
• Hill Savannah

Wildlife

• Mammals such as tiger, bear, wild boar, leopard, guar, serow, gibbon, etc. and 159 bird species, reptiles and butterfly are present.
• Conservation, Development and Research Programmes
• Education and prohibiting of shifting cultivation in the protected areas.

Inventory of forest flora.

• Study and research on bird species and their natural habitats.
• Establishment of modern Forest Village with the assistance of rule people to initiate a permanent Taungya planning system with perennial plants.
• Conducting a field survey and inventory to promote and uograde the park for ecotourism industry.

Opportunities for Study and Recreation

• Recreation and viewing of the natural mountain scenery.
• Visiting the third highest Mountain in Myanmar which is (10018) feet high, and hiking a distance of 15 miles from the old Kan-pet-let city, or driving 10 miles by car from Kan-pet-let city and hiking another 5 miles to the mountain.
• Observation of 159 bird species including 5 indigenous species and also Blyth's Tragopan, a very rare species.
• Participation in organized Orchid Tours where the most attractive Myanmar Orchids exist.
• Observing the traditional and cultural heritage of Chin people and their living systems.
• Observing the natural forest and trees, especially Rhododendron arboreum.

Accommodation facilities

• Accommodation for 5 persons at the guest house.