Into the green: Myanmar for an eco-friendly escape

Travel can expand our minds, promote intercultural understanding and provide a lifetime of memories. Unfortunately, travel can also cause damaging effects on the environment. Besides, as places around the world begin to disappear forever due to environmental changes, ecotourism & being eco-friendly traveler are becoming more important than ever. Being an eco-friendly traveler doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot of money or make a lot of difficult changes. It just means you are mindful of the environmental impact you might have when visiting a country or destination. Otherwise if you’re smart about it you can definitely minimize your carbon footprint by investing your wanderlust in eco-friendly destinations.

            Kick-start your eco-friendly escape with these dynamic destinations in Myanmar ; an absolutely wonderful paradise for ecotourism with the total land area of 261,228 sq. miles (677,000 sq. km).

1. National Kandawgyi Gardens

            The National Kandawgyi Garden : locates in Pyin Oo Lwin city, Mandalay region is an amazing lovingly maintained spot ,extending  for  over 177 hectares of land and features over 514 species of flowers, trees and shrubs, should not to be missed for the eco-friendly escape. The Botanical Garden was first founded in year 1915 by one British botanist, Mr. Roger who began collecting local plants and trees and cultivating them on 30 acres of land at the present site. The most appealing aspect of the Garden is the way flowers and overhanging branches frame views of Kandawgyi Lake’s wooden bridges and a  small gilded pagoda. Besides a lot of flowers and trees, The Nan Myint Tower where you can climb the stairs and enjoy the views from the top. Other interesting places to visit in National Kandawgyi Gardens are Orchid Garden, Children Playground, ,Souvenir Center, Cascadean Garden, Rainbow Fountain, Swamp Walkway, Rock Garden, Bamboo Garden, Croton Garden, Pine Forest, Timber Walkways, Rain Forest, Walk-in Aviary and Takin Compound.

2. Inle Lake Sanctuary

This wonderful bio-rich 642.32 square mile Sanctuary is situated in Naung Shwe, Pinlaung and Peh Kon Townships of Southern Shan State and was founded in 1985.It is a shallow natural lake resting in a broad valley between two limestone ridges covered by forested hills. Inle lake is famous for its traditional floating agriculture and is also a major source of hydropower for Myanmar. Other specific assets include: the famous floating gardens; a rotating 5 days market; the Indien Pagoda Complex and Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda; local villages.

3.      Wetland Wildlife Sanctuary

Spread over 40 square miles, Wetland Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in Waw Township, 70 miles from Yangon along the Yangon-Bago-Pyinoogyi Highway. This sanctuary was established in 1986 with the objectives of conserving resident and migratory waterbirds and their habitats, conducting scientific research on resident and migratory water birds in cooperation with international scientific organizations, and organizing extension programmes to educate the public on the importance of wetland ecosystem and public participation in wetland conservation activities. The ecosystem and wetlands in this area flourish with lush greenery and multiple animal species, allowing tourists to immerse themselves in a unique adventure in nature.

4.    Khakaborazi National Park

Khakaborazi National Park is like an untouched beauty  in Naungmung Township of Kachin State. It covers an area of 1,472 square miles. This park is to conserve natural forests and wildlife in the northern part of Myanmar, to establish and maintain a national park of high quality and up to the standard of modern environmental conservation policies, to promote the present status to an ecotourism industry of high standard on Kakaborazi, the highest mountain in Myanmar with 29,698 feet in height and other significantly beautiful scenery, conserve watersheds in the area where the Ayeyarwady River originates, and carry out development activities for Himalayan Mountain Region in cooperation with the international organizations. You can find rare species of plants and animals such as Takin,Musk Deer, Blue Sheep, Black Barking Deer. Experience trekking on hills and snow-capped mountains while enjoying the panoramic view of the sanctuary’s landscape.

5.    Nat Ma Taung National Park

Nat Ma Taung National Park is in Kanpet-let, Mindut and Matupi Townships of Chin State. It was established in 1994 and covers an area of 279 square miles. The objectives are to conserve the watershed areas of Lemro river, Myitha river, Saw Chaung, Maw Chaung, Salin Chuang, Che Chaung, Yow Chaung, Mon Chaung and the animals in it,to conserve Mountain Ecosystem and prohibit illicit hunting, to preserve 5 species of rare birds which can be found only in Myanmar, other native and migratory birds their habitats.Plenty of activities are available in this national park. Relax and enjoy a laid-back observation of the park’s mountainous environment, hike the hills and also experience an informational orchid tour that features Myanmar’s rare orchid species found in the forests. This park was also appointed as a ASEAN Heritage Park. Ecotravellers can educate local people to shift from practicing shifting cultivation to cultivating perennial plants and trees. Water rafting and rapid-shooting can also attract eco tourists.

6.    Indawgyi Lake Wildlife Sanctuary

Indawgyi Lake Wildlife Sanctuary is within Mohnyin Township of Kachin State. It is 299.32 square miles and was established in 1999. The sanctuary determines to conserve the largest inland lake in Southeast Asia and to protect it’s the dwelling birds. With the presence of sport-billed pelican, vulture, other water birds, 120 species of forest birds Myanmar peacock, the Sanctuary will be Shangri-La for eco-friendly bird-watchers. The vast ecosystem allows tourists to hike the hills rowing canoes, riding motor boats, cyclin and watch other animals such as Leopard, golden cat, the malaya sun bear, gaur, banteng or wild cow and serow, in their natural habitats. The interaction between the locals and tourists provides tourists with great insights into the area.

7.  Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary,

         Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary, Ayeyarwady Region

This wildlife sanctuary is abode to the mangroves ecological system where efforts to conserve the forest is implemented by conducting occasional reproductions of mangrove trees with 52.79 square miles. Eyewitness how crocodiles and other aquatic species move around their natural habitats here.

            There you have it!Be an eco-friendly traveller by wandering these ecotourism sites in Myanmar to be a part of making the better–green  world !

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