Ecotourism
Ecotourism is defined as nature/adventure/culture
oriented travel. The
term“Ecotourism”
has been widely used to described a form of
tourism in natural areas that is based on the knowledge
about and
towards the ecological system of the area.
What is“Ecotourism”?
Ecotourism encourages responsible use of
natural and cultural resources in a non-consumptive
way.In short,it is an experiment in balancing usage with
the protection of local resources.
Ecotourism is a responsible way to travel that contributes
to the
conservation of natural areas and the well being
of the area’s residents
and wild life.
What is unique about the area is its natural beauty
and amenities it has
to offer our visitors,with many of its natural ambience
being undisturbed
and preserved.We have been blessed with a variety
of ecosystems
within our country. From wetlands, inlands,backbays,
swamps,and
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beaches
our natural entities offer a variety of nature-based tourism
opportunities.
Examples of type of nature-based
activities participate in nature-based vacation are Visiting
Parks,Hiking,Explored a
Preserve Area,Wildlife Viewing (non-birds), Environmental
Education, Bird Watching, Hiking, Fishing, Snorkeling or Scuba
Diving,Explored a Major Protected Swamp, Marsh,
Mountain or Rock Climbing, Canoeing or Kayaking, Ranching,
Swimming,
Boating, Beaches, Visiting Ocean, Camping, Sightseeing,
Walking. Myanmar, over 50% of its total land area
covered with forests. |
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Wildlife
National Parks and Sanctuaries
(1)Alaungdaw Kathapha National
Park (MAE-E-A)
Situated
95 km to the northwest of Monywa is this renowed
place of
interest called Alaungdaw Kathapa.
Located in Monywa and Kalay
Township of Sagaing Division.
Its area is 1608 sq.kms. Established as a
wildlife sanctuary in 1941, January
and opened as a nation park in
1989. You can go 981 miles by
car from Yangon to Kathapa, 400 miles
by flight from yangon to Mandalay,then
148 miles from Mandalay to
Kathapa. Type of the forests
are Moist Upper Mixed Deciduous Forests,
Lower Mixed Deciduous Forests,
Indaing Forests, Pine Forests. Wildlife:
Elephant, tiger, leopard, gaur,
banteng, sambur, barking deer, jungle
goat, mountain goat, bear, wild
bear, jungle cat and many kinds of birds |
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inhabit Alaungdaw Kathapa.
A journey to this involves some
27 km of a tough trecking and elephant ride besides the trips
by road and water. It is
recommended especially for those
keen on adventurous walks in the jungle. Kathapa is in fact
the name of an Arhat whose
remains, it is believed, are
kept in this place. However, what you can see there is but the
representation of the reclining
Arhat.
- Studying several types of natural
forests
- Observation on wild animals,
(60) Spp: of residential birds and (50) Spp: of butterfly
- Visiting historically famous
Alaungdaw Kathapa Shrine and Cave.
- Enjoying natural scenic beauty
and out camping
- Studying elephant habitat
- Enjoying elephant riding |
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(2)Shwesettaw
Wildlife Sanctuary
( MAE - E- SST)
This Sanctuary is located in Minbu
forest division, on the western edge of
the Myanmar dry zone, between Mann and Mone streams. Located
in
Minbu, Setote-taya, Saku and Ngapeh Townships of Magwe Division.
You
can go by car about 330 miles from Yangon to Minbu and is about
26 miles,
two hours drive from Minbu to Shwesettaw. It covers a total
area of about
553 sq.kms. It was esterblishment as Wildlife Sanctuary in 1940
and
strengthened with more staffs in 1985.
There are 3 kinds of forest such as: Than-dahat Forest, Low
‘Indaing’(Dry
Dipterocarp) Forest, Dry Deciduous Forest. There are Bear, bentang,
serow, leopard, bear, gaur, sambur, barking deer, Eld’deer,
wild bear,
various types of wild cats, wild dogs, some species of primates
and
various kinds of birds live in this area. In accordance with
1998 inventory, |
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the population of Thamin is increasing and the rare star tortoise(geochelone
platynota) is also present. |
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(3)
Inle Lake sanctuary (MAE-E-IL-001)
Located in Naung Shwe, Pinlaung and Peh Kon Townships of Southern
Shan State. Its area is 1665
sq.kms and established in 1985. You can
go by car,by train,by air from
Yangon to Inle.
You can study Otyza granulate,
Dalbergia spinosa, Hypericm
prunizolium, Coladium spp..,
Desmodium oblongum, Enhydra zluctuans,
Panicum sarmentosum grow on the
natural floating islets. Salix
tetrasperma, Ficus spp. Crataexa
nuvala, Mitragyna parvizolla, Salmalia
malabarica syn.., Bombax malabaricum
are found in shllow water on
the shores. There is a residence
of 37 species of birds, 27 species of
westland birds, 14 species of
migratory birds, 40 species of
freshwater fishes, otter and
turtle. |
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Observation on worid-wide famous wetland ecosystem of Inle.
Enjoying scenic beauty of Shan plateau Observation and
studying on traditional style
of leg-rowers Observation on floating agriculture practiced
by local dwellers. Observation
migratory birds, 65 Spp: of butterfly.
Visiting historical Hpaung-Daw-Oo Pagoda and Buddhist culture. |
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(4)Moeyingyi
Wetlands Wildlife Sanctuary ( MAE-E-MYG)
Located in Bago, Daiko and Waw
Township of Bago Division, 112
km from Yangon along the Yangon-Bago-Pyinpongyi
Highway. Its
area is 104 sq.kms large and
established in 1988. You can see
more than 20 species of aquatic
and herb (Emergency
macrophytes) including Kaing
grass and water are present in the
sactuary and Notsaba (Oxyza officinalis)
grow particular in
shallow area of the sactuary.Especially
Kaing grassland are the
most suitable breeding ground
for water birds.
- Studying wetland ecosystem.
- Studying and observation and studying on 42 Spp: of
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residential
birds, (34) Spp: of migratory birds by motor boat and observing
birds from bird-watching tower.
- Observation on (26) Spp: of butterfly.
- Observation of breeding and inhabiting and
inhabiting site of water birds
- Easily accessible from Yangon City at (62)
miles distance. |
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(5)Seinyay Forest
Camp ( MAE-E-SY)
Located in Oaktwin Township of Bago Division with the area of
40
hectares. It is established in 1994, November and you can reach
there by
car from Yangon to Oaktwin, 268 km and Oaktwin to Seinyay Camp,
32 km
along Bago Yoma Crossing. It is about one and half hour drive
to
SeinyayVillage from Taungoo.It is home of the best teak, and
tocography
of Bago Yoma (Bago mountain ranges) is a place of genuine beauty.
Working elephants can be seen in the forest. It is a home of
Asia Elephant,
tiger, leopard, sun bear, wild bear, gaur, sambur, banteng or
wild cow,
sneeze and resident birds. |
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(6)
Hlawga National Park (MAE-E-HG)
Located in Htaukkyant Model Village,
Mingladon Township of Yangon
Division with 216 hectares, comprising
wildlife park ( 327 hectares), a
mini-zoo ( 25 hectares) and a
buffer zone 264 hectares). It is
established on 30th September
1982 and opened at September, 1989.
Hlawga Wildlife Park lies besides
the Yangon-Pyay Road, 22 miles
away from North of Yangon, just
45 minutes drive from Yangon.
It is inhabited by more than
70 species of herbivorous animals and 90
species of birds. There are Thamin,
barking deer, hog deer, sambar
deer, Rhesus monkey, pythons,
mythyn, all have in the fenced wildlife |
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park. In the mini-zoo being displayed more freely in large in
spacious cages, aviaries and moated enclosures, built with
modern zoo concept.
- Attractive residential and
migratory bird species. |
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(7)Popa
Mountain Park (MAE-E-PM)
Located in Kyaukpadaung Township
of Madalay Division and 50 km Southeast of
bagan, only one hour drive from
Bagan,. It is 129 sq.kms and it is established in
1983 and opened as park in 1989.
It is a extinct volcano over 1,500 metres in hight
lying smack in the centre of
the Dry Belt, Popa Mountain Park covered with
recently-grown forests is like
an oasis in the desert-like Central Myanmar.
You can go 412 miles by car from
Yangon to Kyaukpadaung, from
Kyaukpadaung to Popa. |
You can also go by flight from Yangon to Naung Oo, 37 miles
by car from Naung Oo to Popa. Accessible conveniently by
road. You can see monkeys, barking
deer, wild pig, jungle cat, wild dog and about 140 avifauna
species inhabit in the Popa
area.There are many monkeys around
Popa.
The dusky leaf monkey is a scarce
animal and about 150 monkeys live in the Popa Mountain Park.About
40 medicinal plants
and some climbers are growing
in the Popa Mountain Park. These plants and climbers are being
explored through field
research works. |
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(8)Lampi Island Marine National
Park (Myeik archipelago)
(MAE-E- LP)
Situated in Kawthaung, Taninsari
Division. Lampi is situated between
Latitutes 10 degree 41 min North
to 10 degree 51 min North and
Longitudes 98 degree 04 min East
to 98 degree 18 min East. The length
of the island is about 11 km;
with the land surface area around 205
sq.km.The distance to Lampi by
sea from Myeik is 145 km and from
Kawthaung about 95 km. Lampi
Marine Park has great potential for both
marine and land-based ecotourism. |
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- Observing traditional culture of Salon trible
- Observing tropical rain forest
ecosystem
- Swimming, yachting and surfing
snorkling and scuba diving in the sea
- Observing mammals birds and
reptile species in tropical rain forest
- Camping in tropical rain forest
and walking hiking along the jungle travel and recreation at
view points
- Observing under water view
points fish species and coral reefs |
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(9) Myaing Hay Wun Elephant Camp.
(MAE-E-MHW)
It is located in Taikkyi Township
of Yangon Division and larges area of 4 hectares. It
is established in 1986. You can
go about 60 miles from Yangon to Falone,Taikkyi
Township and 12.5 miles from Falone
to Kontheemyaung. You can see Elephant,
Wild Bear, Gaur, Sambur, Banteng,
Barking Deer, Hare Wild Cat, Green Peafowl,
Ruddy sheld duck, butterflies,
Moths, Snakes, Monitar lizard, Ground lizard, Grass
lizard and Chameleon. |
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- Studying on Fishes and aquatic biology
- Recreation and fishing
- Visiting Pyinkadoe plantation.
- Wild elephants capturing techniques
and training.
- Enjoying elephant riding |
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(10)
Chutthin Wildlife Park (MAE-E-C)
Located in Kanbula and Kawlin
Township of Sagaing Division, larges 268
sq.kms. It was esterblished in
1941. You can go 502 miles by train
fromYangon to Mandalay to Chutthin,
(or) 657 miles by car from Yangon to
Mandalay to Shwebo to Chutthin.
There are 5 kinds of forest such
as: low Indaing Forests, High Indaing
Forests, Flooded Indaing Forests,
Upper Mixed Deciduous Forests and
Grass Savanna Matric Forests.
It hosted Macaca species,barking deer,wild
dog, leopard,cat species, bat
and Guano species and 158 birds and
approximately 1539 numbers of
Thamin reside in the park.
You can see Cervus eldi Thamin
( Myanmar Golden Deer ) in this area. |
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(11) Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary
(MAE-E-MMH)
Located in Bokalay Township of
Ayeyawaddy Division. Its area is 137 sq.kms and
established in 1994. You can
go 87 miles by waterway which lasts about 8 hours
from Yangon to Bokalay. You can
also go 84 miles by car which lasts about
5 hours from Yangon to Bokalay.
You can only go 12 miles by waterways which
lasts about 3 hours from Bokalay
to Meinmahla Kyun.
There is of Otter,sambar,hog
deer,wild bear,crab-eating kra,wild dog,turtles and
tortoised,estuarine crocodiles,
fish, prawn, crab and 34 species are known to |
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occur in the area. |
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(12)
Nattma Hill National Park (MAE-MIE-NMH)
Located in Kanpetlet, Mindut
and Matupi Township of Chin
State. It has 723 sq.kms and
established in 1997.You can go
320 miles by flight from Yangon
to Bagan-Naung Oo,103
miles by car from Bagan-Naung
Oo to Chauk-Seikphu-Saw-
Kanpetlet.
You can also go 409 miles by
car from Yangon to Magwe-
Chauk,85 miles from Chauk-Seikphu
to Saw-Kanpetlet.
There are 4 kinds of forest such
as: Hill Evergreen Forests,
moist Upper Mixed decidous Forests,
Pine Forests (above
2700 m) and Hill Savannah. You
can study mammals such
as tiger, bear,wild bear, leopard,
gaur, serow, gibbon,
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etc.and 159 bird species, reptiles and butterfly.
- Experiencing hiking on the
high mountain and attractive scenes
- Observing rare wild mammals
(i.e guar, serow and gorals)
- Attractive (202) residential
birds species including endemic species. One of the endemic
species that is called white-
browed Nuthatch is Strictly
confined to Mt-Victoria (Nattma-Hill)
- Orchid tour on peculiar and
attractive species of Chin Hills.
- Traditional and cultural of
Chin Ethnic groups. |
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(13)
Indawgyi Lake Wildlife Sanctuary (MAE-E-IL-002)
Located in Moenyin Township of
Kachin State with area of 776 sq.kms and
established in 1999, March 4.
It has an annual year round raining season with an
average 1440mm rainfall. In summer,average
temperature is 27.9 C and in the cold
season 17.2 C. You can go 700
miles by car or by train from Yangon to Moenyin,
21 miles by car from Moenyin
to Hopin, 27 miles by car from Hopin to Lonetone
Village(Indawgyi). You can also
go by flight from Yangon to Myitkyina, 80 miles by |
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car or train from Myitkyina to Hopin, 27 miles by car from Hopin
to Lonetone Village(Indawgyi).
There are leopard, golden cat,
the Malaya sun bear, gaur, banteng or wild cow, serow,sport-billed
pelican, goral,vulture,
other water birds, 120 species
of forest birds, Muanmar peacock and soft-shell turtle in this
sanctuary.
- Studying residential and migratory
waterfowls, rare species of fishes, aquatic biology, butterflies
and insects.
- Opportunities to visit the
largest inland lake of South-East Asia and its attractive habitats. |
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(14)
Khakaborazi National Park (MAE-MIE-KKB)
Located in Naungmaung Township,
Putao District of Kachin State. Its area is 3816
sq.kms and esterblished in 1996,
November 30. You can go by air or train or car
fom Yangon or Mandalay to Myitkyina,then
218 miles with 4 wheel drive wagon
through Sonparabon to Putao.It
lasts about 2 days. But,you have difficulties in
Rainy Season.You can also go
by Air on Sunday,Monday,Wednesday,Friday from
Myitkyina to Putao,and lasts
about 25 mins.
There lies Evergreen forests,
Hill Pine Forest and Moist Upper Mixed Decidous |
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Forests.In addition to rare species such as Takin, musk Deer,
Blue Sheep, Black Barking Deer, Phet Gyi (Muntiaus
putaoensis) mammal species and
insects such as butterflies are present.
- Hiking Snow – Capped
mountains at the highest peak.
- Visiting the starting point
of the Ayeyarwady and observing its natural environment.
- Observation on evergreen and
riverine forests and wildlife existing, (180) Spp: of the birds
and (369) Spp: butterfly.
- Studying endemic leaf deer
Observing rare mammals, medicinal plants, orchids and attractive
butterflies. |
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(15)
National Kandawgyi Garden (MAE-E-NKG)
It is located in Pyin Oo Lwin,
Mandalay Division.It larges 13792 hectares
and established in 1915 and opened
at 1999, July 7. You can go with
Airway from Yangon to Mandalay,and
by car about 42 miles from
Mandalay to Pyin Oo Lwin. You
can study about 344 species of forest
trees, 42 species of Orchid and
25 species of Rose.There are inland
indigenous birds(resident forest
birds), reptiles, small mammal species
and insects are present. |
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(16)
Zoological Garden (MAE-E-Z)
It is 27.7 hectares large and
established in 1906.It lies at Minglartaungnyunt
Township of Yangon. It is located
in centre of Yangon. You can go easily by bus
or by taxi. It is situated in
close proximity of the Great Shwedagon Pagoda, Royal
Lake, Aqarium, Karaweik Hall
and Yangon Railway Station.
There are about 300 tree species,totaling
over 15,000 trees,are planted and 59
species of mammals, 60 species
of birds and 18 species of reptiles, amounting to
over 1300 species are kept in
additional, elephant, rhinoceros, tapir, hippotamus,
camel, tiger, lion, deer, various
species of monkeys, snake, tortoise, crocodile and
various species of birds, a pair
of tucks of the white elephant which died in 1219 |
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during the region of King Thibaw, skeleton of a whale 21.6 meters
in length and a statue of Stegosaurus are exhibited. You
can also see Dancing Trained
Clever Elephants, Snakes and Monkeys Show at every Saturday
and Sunday from Month of
November to May. |
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(17)Pho Kyar Elephant
Camp ( Bago Division ) (MAE-E-PK)
Pho Kyar Elephant Camp is situated by the side of Thaing Creek
in Taungoo, Bago Division near Thagara which is just 205 miles
away from Yangon. It was set up as the base camp of Taungoo
timber Extraction region for doing timber business & for
elephant
keepers 20 years ago.
- Studying elephant habitat
- Enjoying elephant riding
- Studying working elephants in timber extraction and traditional
culture of mahouts
- Observing how to trainers handle and take care of elephants
- Observing elephant catchings |
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(18)
Hookaung Velly Santuary (MAE-E-HV)
It is located in Kachin State.
It is the largest Asian tiger Natural Wildlife area.The
Ledo Main Road which was used
in 2nd world war, which connected from
China to India, passed through
this area.This area is well known for Asian
tigers largest Natural Wildlife
Sanctuary.
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(19)
Hponkanrazi Wildlife Sanctuary (MAE-A-M/E-HKR)
It is located at Putao Township,
Kachin State and situated at north-west of
Putao. Near this area, there
is Hponkan Velley situated near the India-Myanmar
Border.
- Hiking, Walking and recreation
in the natural forest environment.
- Studying the tradition, culture
and life style of indigenous hill tribes
- Recreation at snow-capped mountain.
- Studying mammals and bird species
which can be found in high |
(20)
Htamanthi Santuary
It is located at Homalin Township,
Sagaing Division. You can go about (520) miles from Yangon to
Monywa. Then, about
(57) miles from Homaline to Htamanthi
by boat. - Studying the traditional culture and life style of
Naga tribe.
- Studying the Natural buties
of residential stream and rivers, etc…..
- Studying and observation of
(180) birds species including rare species of white-winged wood-duck
and Masked Finfoot.
- Observing (30) mammal species
including Myanmar Roofed turtle.
- Observing species of various
fishes and marine.
- Swimming, rowing, and recreation
" Take nothing,
but photographs, leave nothing, but footprints" |
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