Mandalay regional officials from Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation confirmed they will protect two lakes in Mandalay, Sont Ye Lake in Kyaukse township and Paleik Lake in Tada-U, as important wetland areas. They are just two of at least 10 wetland areas in the central part of the country in need of urgent protection. The other endangered wetland areas include Pyu Lake, Manaw Lake, and Taungthaman Lake.
Both lakes suffer from excessive settlement and farming, extraction of lotuses, littering, and lack of environmental conservation knowledge among residents. All these factors cause severe degradation of the both lakes and damage the fragile habitat for many migratory birds.
Mandalay is an important stopover point for migratory birds that travel to Myanmar from northern parts of Europe and Asia during winter months. Wetlands also play an important role in the ecosystem replenishing underground waters, preventing intrusion of underground salt water, protecting soil from erosion. Wetland areas retain important nutrients to support vegetation and cultivation of agricultural products.
Plans are on pipe to develop new protected wetland areas into important tourist destination providing recreational facilities and great bird-watching opportunities.
Myanmar to Designate New Wetland Protected Areas
News in Asia
Two fresh water lakes in Mandalay, Myanmar, will be designated as protected wetland areas in order to preserve their unique biodiversity and regulate development of the shores of the lakes.