World Wetlands Day 2022 celebrated in Moeyungyi Wetland Wildlife Sanctuary

the World Wetlands Day 2022 was marked at Kyoekya Hall in the Moeyungyi Wetland Wildlife Sanctuary on 2 February with a view to conserving wetlands and biodiversity.
At the ceremony, Bago Region Chief Minister U Myo Swe Win gave a remark that thanks to strategic geography, Bago mountain ranges, rich water sources such as rivers, ponds, creeks and reservoirs, wetlands and freshwater availability, Bago Region has food security and it is home to migratory birds in winter. To ensure the abundant food supply for migratory birds and contribute to the sustainable fishery resource, 650,000 resident fish were added into the ponds in the last rainy season. Furthermore, the relevant authorities have handled the squatting problem of fishermen with the temporary huts.
Additionally, to protect migratory birds from hunting, awareness of migratory birds will be implemented as well. Those who tip-off regarding bird hunts will be awarded, he added.
Afterwards, Deputy Minister U Min Min Oo of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation stated that it is an annual event and the theme of this year’s World Wetlands Day is “Wetlands Action for People and Nature’’. It contributes to protecting the habitat of migratory birds, conserving the ecosystem, maintaining the sustainability of Wetland areas and restoring and conserving the forest to minimize climate change, understanding the interdependence of living organisms and enhancing the livelihoods of the residents.
The most critically endangered species such as sarus crane, the greater spotted eagle, Myanmar Eyed Turtle are found in Moeyungyi Wetlands, along with over 20,000 water birds. This wetland constitutes a part of the northern paintail habitat.
Migratory birds enter Myanmar through two flyways: Central Asian Flyway and East Asia- Australasian Flyway every year. Moeyungyi Lake is one of their destinations in winter. Every year, approximately 32,000 migratory birds from the North Pole flock to the country between October and April.
In a bid to mitigate the challenge of climate change and natural disasters in the present, wetland conservation is a must. Besides, it can bring about the socio-economic development of the residents through effective management of the sanctuary. All the stakeholders need to participate in wetland conservation, he addressed.
Next, an essay contest commemorating World Wetlands Day 2022 was held. The attendees observed the display of posters, documentaries and awarded essays at the event and officials inspected Moeyungyi Wetlands. — MNA