Eco-Tourism

          Myanmar's diverse forests and green landscapes which host a large variety of wildlife species, 7000 plans, 200 mammals, 360 reptiles and 1000 bird species, provide an ideal setting for name-oriented and eco-tourism.

          Ecotourism is defined as travelling to relatively undisturbed or uncontaminated natural areas with the specific objectives of studying , admiring and enjoying the scenery and its wild plants and animals as well as any existing cultural manifestation ( both past and present ) found in these areas. This kind of tourism ranging from a causal walk through undisturbed forest to exploration and study of unique natural features in remote areas has rapidly evolved from a pastime for a select few to an activity pursued by many wildlife refuges are drawing growing tourist interest for their educational, recreational and aesthetic values, Nature tourism can provide and economic justification for conservation of areas that might not otherwise receive protection.

Wildlife National Parks and Sanctuaries






          As Myanmar is endowed with natural resources such as land, water, forest, mountain ranges, birds and animals, Ministry of Forest is coordinating with related organizations for development and effective implement of natural based ecotourism sector which is very famous at the international level. Fifteen Natural based ecotourism sites undertaken by Ministry of Forest are as follows:-






(1) A laung-daw ka-tha-pa National Park


          Situated 95 km to the northwest of Monywa is this renowned place of interest called Alaungdaw Kathapa. A journey to this involves some 27 km of a tough trekking and elephant ride besides the trips by road and water. It is recommended especially for those keen on adventurous walks in a jungle. Kathapa is in fact the name of an Arhat whose remains, it is believed, are kept in this place. However, what you can see three is but the representation of the reclining Arhat.



(2) Mount Poppa National Park

Mt-Popa National Park


          It is extinct volcano over 1,500 meters in height. Lying smack in the center of the Dry Belt, Popa mountain Park covered with recently grown forests is like an oasis in the desert-like Central Myanmar. Accessible conveniently by road. Remarkably, there are many semi-tame monkeys in Popa mountain Park that – though far from being dangerous – sometimes snatch food from the hands of visitors and run away.



(3) Nat-ma Taung National Park

(4) Moyingyi Wetlands Wildlife Sanctuary

          Every visitor will enjoy the beauty of their forms and coloring, the vivacity of the movements, the buoyancy of their flight and the sweetness of their songs. Its strong point is that it can be indulged in with pleasure and profit not only by the man who studies birds scientifically, but also by one possessing no specialised knowledge.

Moyingyi Wetlands Wildlife Sanctuary


          The two hour journey to Moeyingyi begins from yangon up the Yangon up the Yangon-Mandalay highway to 69 mile post. From there turning right and making half a mile you will arrrive at the gate of Moeyingyi Wildife Sanctuary welcoming you. The best season to visit Moeyingyi Wildlife Sanctuary for bird watching if from October to March every year when birds migrate. Waterbird census count every year.

          Full aesthetic appeal of its quite watery place. Conserved biodiversity of the sanctuary provides solace and feel happiness to the visitors. Moeyingyi Wildlife Sanctuary-Bird Watching is extending its warmth welcome to all enthusiast visitors, researches, professionals and tourists.

(5) Pyin-Oo-Lwin Botanical Garden


(6) Main-ma-hla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary

(7) Yangon Zoological Garden


(8) Hlaw-ga Wildlife Park

Hlaw-ga Wildlife Park


          Hlawga Wildlife Park lies just 45 minutes drive from Yangon. It is inhabited by more than 70 species of herbivorous animals and 90 species of birds. Easily accessible, Hlawga Wildlife Park is an ideal place of interest for bird-watchers!

(9) Law-ka-nan-dar Park


(10) Inn-daw-gyi Wetland Sanctuary

Inn-daw gyi Wetland Sanctuary


          Indawgyi Lake another enchanting place, which is 333 sq. km wide is the largest lake in Myanmar and the third largest lake in the world, It is 64km: by car from Hopin railway station. The famous shwe-myit-zu Pagoda Festival at Indawgyi lake starts from Feb: 15 to18 every year.

(11) Sein Yay Forest Resort (Bago Yoma)


          It is located 20 miles from Oak Twin City in Bago Division. The camp is built in 1995. Now adays, 26 campers could be hosted there. The recommended tour program will be the 2 nights/3 days tour.

          Sein Yay forest camp is the place to experience life in one of Myanmar's rain forest. The natural ecosystem of forests on Bago Yoma remains undisturbed due to the fact that teak and other hard woods from those forest have been extracted systematically for over a century. The most fabulous thing about the area, apart from the breathtaking views, are the elephants that work in timber operations.

          The nearby villages are inhabited by the Kayin indigenous tribe people, and their way of life is still primitive. A trip to Sein Yay cannot only be fun and exciting but also very educational as one can observe Myanmar's forestry, the primitive way of life of the Kayin indigenous tribe people, the daily life of the working elephants and their Oozies (trainers), the relationship between them, how they are trained to carry out such differcult tasks..etc.


          It is the center of the fascinating area "Bago Yoma", which means Bago mountain ranges. It is the home of the best teak, and the topography of Bago Yoma is a place of genuine beauty. You can explore the scenic beauty of Bago Yoma by taking a walking tour in Sein Yay village.

(13) Lampi Island (Myeik Archipelago)

          Lampi is situated between latitudes 10º 41' N to 10º 51' N and longitudes 98º 4' E to 98º 18'. The length of the island is about 50 km and the average width about 11 km: with the land surface area around 205 km2. The distance of Lampi by sea from Myeik is 145 km and from Kawthaung, about 95 km. Lumpi Marine Park has great potential for both marine and land based eco-torism.


(14) Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary

Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary


          This sanctuary is located in Minbu forest division, on the western edge of the Myanmar dry zone, between Mann and Mone streams. Accessible by road and is about two hours drive from Minbu. It covers a total area of about 553 km2. Many species of animals including Elf's deer, gaur, banteng, serow, sandbur, hog, deer, wild boar, leopard, bear, wild dogs, various kinds of birds, and some species of primates are reported to inhabit in the sanctuary.

(15) Inlay lake Bird Sanctuary


(16) Lawkananda Sanctuary Park


(17) Khyat-thin Wildlife Park (Shwe Bo)

          Since 1994, the Forest Department has implement the following project with the assistance of UNDP.

Community Multipurpose Fuelwood Woodlots Project at the Central Myanmar.

Watershed Management for Three Critical Areas Project at the Kindar Dam, In-lay lake and Hpu-gyi lake; and

Community Development of Ayeyawady Mangroves.

          These projects were continuously implemented during 1997 and 1998, by contrubuting at the Human Resources Development Programme of UNDP.

          Central Forestry Development Training Centre Project has been implement during 1990 and July 1997 by conducting training at Hmawbi Township with the assistance of Japanese Government. Nowadays, the Forestry Department is conducting training with their own programme and expenses.

          Myanmar became a member country of ICIMD (International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development) in 1990 and a member country of ITTO (International Tropical Timber Organization) in 1993. Forestry Department is cooperating with these organizations for the development of forestry sector.

          Teak- net centre for Asia-Pacific Region has been carried out since 1995 to exchange the information especially related to teak.