Ecotourism, Bird Watching and Birding Sites of Myanmar
Myanmar is unique in the world in its biodiversity. It offers outstanding nature, wildlife and bird-viewing opportunities. It is the second largest country in South East Asia, 676,577 sq km and lies on the boundaries of continental South East Asia, Indian Subcontinent and Tibetan plateu. This location marks a rich biodiversity with varied ecosystem, including lowland and montance forests and and various wetland habitats including coastal and riverine wetlands.
Himalayan species are found in the mountains in the north and west, and tropical Malayan species inhabit the south. In fact new species of animals are still being discovered in Myanmar. A recent example is the Naung Mung Scimitar Babbler Jabouilleia naungmungensis a species of Babbler that was discovered during February of 2004. It is also widely believed by ornithologists that, if the critically endangered Pink-headed Duck still survive, it could be found in Myanmar. And, also Gurney's Pitta was rediscovered in 2003, after a gap of almost 90 years.
Myanmar has 1,099 bird species, four of which are endemic to Myanmar; 114 species are globally threatened and near-threatened. About 300 species of Mammal, 92 species of bats of which some species inhabit in natural cave, which include the world's smallest mammal (Craseonycteris thonglongyi), 32 species of turtles, 6 of which are endemic, 5 species of crocodile, over 1,169 butterfly species and over 11,000 species of flora, are in Myanmar.
Places where these and many other species may be seen include the special wildlife lover and birdwatchers' paradise of :
IN SINO-HIMALAYAN (EASTERN HIMALAYAS) MOUNTAIN FORESTS REGION
1. Natmataung (Mt. Victoria) National Park
2. Hkakaborazi National Park
3. Hponkanrazi Wildlife Sanctuary
4. Putao (Fort Hertz) Region
5. Hukaung Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
IN INDO-BURMESE FORESTS AND MYANMAR PLAINS REGIONS
1. Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park
2. Elephant City and Asian Elephant
3. Hukaung Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
4. Moeyungyi Wetland Bird Sanctuary
5. Indawgyi Wetland Wildlife Sanctuary
6. Inle Wetland Bird Sanctuary
7. Hlawga Wildlife Park
8. Popa Mountain Park
9. Chatthin Wildlife Sanctuary
10. Myaing Hay Wun Elephant Camp
11. Pho Kyar Elephant Camp
12. Minsontaung Wildlife Sanctuary
13. Mandalay Region
14. Pyin Oo Lwin (May Myo) Region and National Kandawgyi (Botanical) Garden
15. Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary
16. Myitkyina Region
17. Pyay (Prome) Region
18. Tamanthi Wildlife Sanctuary
IN MYANMAR PLAINS REGION
1. Ayeyarwaddy (Irrawady) River at Myitkyinar Section
2. Moeyungyi Wetland Bird Sanctuary
3. Bagan Region
4. Ayeyarwaddy (Irrawady) River at Bagan Section
5. Let Khoke Khone
IN BAY OF BENGAL COAST REGION
1. Let Khoke Khone
2. Meinmahla Kyun (Island) Wildlife Sanctuary
IN INDO-BURMESE FORESTS REGION
1. Kalaw Region
2. Rakhine (Arakan) Yoma Elephant Range
3. Kyaikhtiyo Wildlife Sanctuary
4. Tanintharyi (Tenasserim) Region
IN SUNDALAND FORESTS REGION
1. Kyaikhtiyo Wildlife Sanctuary
2. Tanintharyi (Tenasserim) Region
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