Inlay Lake (wetland) Sanctuary

Location
Located between 20° 10′ N and 97° 02′ E in Naung Shwe, Pinlaung and Peh Kon Townships of Southern Shan State. Elevation over 2900 feet.

Area
642.32 square miles.

Year of Establishment
Established in 1985.

Access

  • Yangon to Nyaung Shwe, 430 miles by car.
  • Yangon to Heho, 335 miles by air way and Heho to Nyaung Shwe, 14 miles by car.
  • Yangon via Thazi to Shwe Nyaung, 320 miles by train and Shwe Nyaung to Nyaung Shwe, 10 miles by car.

Objectives

  • To conserve and protect natual vegetation, wetland birds and fresh water fishes in Inlay sanctuary.
  • To conserve geological features and scenic beauty of mountain areas.
  • To conserved Inlay watershed and maintain water resource for Law-Pi-Ta hydroelectric power plant.
  • To conserve and educate the local people in traditional floating agriculture practised by “In” lake-dwellers.
  • To upgrade the Sanctuary so as to promote ecotourism.

Forest / Vegetative Types
Oryza granulate, Dalbergia spinosa, Hypericum prunizolium, Coladium spp., Desmodium oblongum, Enhydra zluctuans, Panicum sarmentosum grow on the natural floating islets. Salix tetrasperma, Ficus spp. Crataexa nurvala, Mitragyna parvizolia, Salmalia malabarica syn., Bombax malabaricum are found in shallow water or on the shores.

Wildlife

  • 37 species of birds
  • 27 species of wetland birds
  • 14 species of migratory birds
  • 40 species of freshwater fishes, otter and turtle

Conservation, Development and Research Programmes

  • Protection of land and wetland birds and conservation of their natural habitat and refuge.
  • Construction of bird watch-towers.
  • Cooperation with Inlay watershed conservation programme.
  • Implementation of environment conservation and research.

Opportunities for Study and Recreation

  • Observation of world renowned wetland ecosystem 2950 feet above sea level.
  • Observation and enjoyment of scenic beauty of the Shan plateau.
  • Observation and reseatch on various types of birds.
  • Observation and of endemic fish species such as Ngapweh (Chaudhuria caudata) and Ngaku-Shinpa (Silurus bumanensis).
  • Observation of traditional agriculture practised by lake dwellers.