Myanmar Bird and Nature Society
OBC member Aaron ofner has sent us details of the newly formed Myanmar Bird and Nature Society.
We wish the society every success.

History: By the end of 1999 a number of foreign birdwatchers had visited Myanmar using
SST (Supreme Service Team) Tourism Company as their travel agent. With little up-to-date
information on the birds of Myanmar, a lot of guesswork was involved in planning these trips.
Visitors were impressed by the country's natural riches but expressed concerns about the lack of
infrastructure and the need for conservation. SST was encouraged to promote eco-tourism but it
was also clear that, to be successful, more information was needed.
In early 2000, the then SST director U Nyein Chan discussed with the Forest Department (FD)
staff members U Thein Aung, U Myint Shwe and U Thet Zaw Naing the possibilities of founding
an organisation focused on nature research, education and conservation. The name
" Myanmar Bird and Nature Society" was chosen, so that although today the main focus is
ornithology, future projects on other branches of natural history may be planned.
Later in 2000 a constitution was drafted, and U Thet Zaw Naing resigned from the FD to
become the society's first secretary. In June 2001 MNBS applied for government registration,
and this was granted on 21 November 2003. It is the first national NGO concerned with bird and
nature conservation. Still in its infancy, MBNS does not yet have a general membership but
is a rather loose organisation of manily FD and university staff members and some foreign
birdwatchers.

General aims: Increase knowledge of the fauna and flora of Myanmar. For large parts of
the country information is inadequate or totally lacking, and much of the information collected
by visitors is never published. MBNS aims to establish a database of bird sightings to
improve the knowledge of the distribution and status of the birds of Myanmar. The other major
objects are to raise awareness among Burmese people of enviromental issues and to facilitate
conservation efforts inside protected areas and highlight other areas worth protecting-almost
all the 39 existing or proposed protected areas in Myanmar are acutely short of resources and
the threat of destruction is growing steadily.

Project work to date: Poster campaign- with funds from the OBC 1,000 posters were printed
for an enviroment education programme. They showed a cross-section of (mostly they have
appeared in 667 schools countrywide and MBNS members have given 49 talks to schools.
The campaign was well received and will be continued during the next educational year.

Ecology of the White-browed Nuthatch Sitta victoriae-a small grant from the OBC allowed
U Thet Zaw Naing to study the endemic White-browed Nuthatch, an endangered species
restricted to the higher elevations around Mt. Victoria in the Southern Chin Hills.
The results of the study were published in Forktail 19(2003).
Other projects have included a bird survey of the leshe Volcano Tank and surrounding areas,
small surveys of Sarus Crane Grus antigone in the Ayeyarwady delta and a survey of the
Dawei (Tavoy) district in Tanintharyi to the north of the area where Gurney's Pitta Pitta
gurneyi was rediscovered in 2003. A first new letter in Burmese has been published.
Plans for the near furtre: Expansion of membership by publishing an English-Language
newsletter for foregin birdwatchers containing information on recent sightings, upcoming tours
and conservation projects. For Burmese members a newsletter focusing on beginners is planned.
Equipment donation scheme: Good quality basic equipment is almost unavailable in Myanmar
and some fieldwork has been done without either optical equipment or even a field identification
guide. Visitors have donated books and optical equiment that have been invaluable in the
circumstances and MBNS asks OBC members to think of the needs of Burmese fieldguide.
The donation of your used but functional equipment is of great benefit. MBNS is of course
grateful for any financial support. For further information please contact Aaron ofner.
Myanmar Bird and Nature Society, 69 Mayaynigone Zay Street, Sanchaung Township, Yangon 11111,
Myanmar.Email :sst@mptmail.net.mm;marketing@sstmyanmar.com
Aaron Ofner, Europen Representative, Baumgasse 6,8280
Fuerstenfeld,Austria.Email aaron.ofner@gmx.at