Over 160 endangered Dalmatian pelicans take refuge in Indawgyi Lake

In the Mohnyin District of the Kachin State lies the Indawgyi Lake, the biggest in Myanmar and home to regional birds and migratory birds. Over 160 endangered Dalmatian pelicans take refuge here this rainy season.
Officials conducted the survey on water birds at the Indawgyi Lake in October 2016 and made yearly records about migratory birds, and are also taking records of region forest bird species monthly this year.
In August 2022, about 240 birds of eight species of migratory birds, and water birds remain at this site and 1,612 birds of 10 water bird species and 746 birds of 54 forest bird species are also living there. Among endangered species, Dalmatian pelicans, watercocks, Asian Openbill, Ixobrychus Sinensis, Little Ringed Plover, Plover, black-crowned night heron, and River Tern are inhabiting the Indawgyi Lake. Over 32,000 migratory and water birds took refuge in January 2021 and over 26,000 birds this January.
In Ramsar site criteria for the Indawgyi Lake, it supports over 20,000 migratory birds yearly. Among the water birds, one per cent of the globally endangered birds winter there yearly and the world is interested in Indawgyi Lake. It also exposes the achievement of Myanmar’s cooperation works with international countries in wildlife conservation processes.
The Indawgyi Lake museum and pagoda in the lake compound lure the interest of local and foreign travellers and they can enjoy the migratory birds, water birds, regional birds, wildlife and beauty of nature. So, it supports the nature-based tourism industry.
“Wildlife conservation is a moral and philanthropic livelihood. We have to protect their lives and some people are not satisfied with our doings. But we conducted education programmes and so the people become to know how important Indawgyi Lake’s sustainability and their keeps are.
The bird species, fish and wildlife animals are such a proud national duty. The tourism industry earns income from having these species. There are some migratory birds there this rainy season and the Dalmatian pelican migrant there,” said U Maung Win, an official of the Indawgyi Lake Wildlife Sanctuary.
Over 100 square miles wide Indawgyi Lake boasts 94 fish species with 35 commercial fish species and two rare fish species – Microphis Dunckeris and Syngnathidae (pipefish).
The residents and departmental officials are working together in the fight against the destructive elements on the Indagyi Lake ecosystem and biodiversity, nature-based tourism industry and incomes of locals. Moreover, the officials conduct patrols in the lake, regular education programmes, measure the water level, and collect bird data, fish species and fish conserving zone to ensure the sustainability of the lake. — Nyein Thu (MNA)/GNLM