Union of Myanmar became as member of EAAFP since 27th July 2014. After that, Moeyungyi Wildlife Sanctuary, Indawgyi Wildlife Sanctuary and Gulf of Mottama were designated as Flyway Network Siites respectively. In 2018, two new sites (Nanthar Island and Mayyu Estuaries and Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary) are designated as Flyway Network Sites.
Photo: Nanthar Island ©BANCA
Nanthar Island is located on the coast of Rakhine (formerly Arakan) State in western Myanmar, not far from the state capital, Sittwe city, and the international border with Bangladesh. Rakhine is bounded to the north by Chin State, and to the east by Magway, Bago and Ayeyarwady divisions. Nanthar Island (c. 3608 ha) consists of a mosaic of mangrove forests, low-lying sand banks and intertidal mudflats at the mouth of Mayu, Lemyo and Kalendan River. There are five villages close to Nanthar and the local fishing communities often fishing the inshore waters surrounding the island. The Critically Endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper Calidris pymaeus has been recorded annually on Nanthar since 2008, with counts of 23-36 individuals (c. 10 % of the global population, based on a global population estimate of 242-378 individuals, circa. Zöckler et al.2016). Other globally threatened migratory species includes the Nordmann’s Greenshank Tringa guttifer (Endangered) (max. 5 individuals), and up to 150 Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris (Endangered) in small congregations.
EAAFP 10th MOP was held in Hainan China, Myanmar government delegation received the site notification certificates in official event. After that, with the financial supports of EAAFP, Forest Department, Nature and Wildlife Conservation Division, Biodiversity And Nature Conservation Association (BANCA -BirdLife Myanmar) and local partner Rakhine Biodiversity And Nature Conservation (RBANCA) are jointly organized the site designation ceremony at Agnu Maw village, near the Nanthar Island in Rakhine State on 5th January 2019.
Photo: Site visits at Nanthar Island ©BANCA
Photo: Opening remark by Forest Department ©BANCA
State parliament members, Forest Department and Fishery Department, General Administrative Department, Villages Head, Local Conservation Group members and community are attended. This is the first Flyway Network Site in Rakhnie State and also pioneer site in coastal area. Nanthar Island and Mayyu Estuaries is not only importance for water birds but also importance for sea turtle nesting area. This site is close to Sittwe and need to promote as ecotourism site in near future.
Information signboard at Nanthar Island ©BANCA
Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in Bogalay Township, Phar Pon District, Ayeyarwaddy Region. It is established by 1994 and declared ASEAN Heritage Park at 2003, Ramsar Site at 2017. It is extended 13669 ha, and Ramsar and Flyway Site Network is 51121 ha. It is including Kadon Kalay Kyun, Kayak Gyi Kyun and Nga Man Thaung Kyun. It consists Mangrove Forest, Swamp, Sand Beach and Grassland. The Critically Endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper (Calidris pymaeus) 1-3populations has been recorded annually on Meinmahla Kyun, Nga Man Thaung since 2016. Other globally threatened migratory species includes the Normann’s Greenshank (Tringa guttifer) (Endangered) (max. 53 individuals), and up to 100 as Black-headed Ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus), Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata), Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa), Bar-tailed Gotwit (Limosa lapponica). A total of 52 waterbirds species has been recorded at the site to date, the main habitat types are mudflats, sandy beached (onsandbankss and spits) and mangrove forests and Grassland.
A ceremony for celebration Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary as new EAAFP Flyway Network Site was held on 15th January 2019 at Bogalay Township. A total of 200 participants attended includes Union parliament member, General Administrative Department, Forest Department, Land Use Department, Fishery Department, Agriculture Department, Local Conservation Groups, villages head, media, NGOs and community.
U Min Thaine giving opening remark (Union Parliament)
Audiences listening to presentation by by Park Warden
Stakeholder Group photo
Signboards at the Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary
Myanmar government representative, Mrs. Thin Thin Yu receiving the EAAFP Flyway Network Site Certificate during the EAAFP MOP 10 © Eugene Cheah/EAAFP
Article prepared by Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation Forest Department Nature and Wildlife Conservation Division of Myanmar and Biodiversity And Nature Conservation Association (BANCA -BirdLife Myanmar).
Learn more about EAAFP Flyway Network Site: https://www.eaaflyway.net/about-us/the-flyway/flyway-site-network/
