Meinmahla Kyun(Island) Wildlife Sanctuary

Location Meinmahla kyun (island) wildlife sanctuary is located in Bogalay township of Ayeyawaddy division. It covers an area of 52.79 square miles, and was established in 1986. Access Yangon to Bogalay (87miles) by river, and Bogalay to Meinmahla Kyun is another 12 miles by small boat. Objectives To protect and conserve degraded mangrove ecosystem from overexploitation by human. To preserve remnant mangrove forests, consisting of 29 different tree species, as seed production areas for plantations. To conserve and manage the are as breeding grounds, particularly, for fish and prawn. To implement conservation programmes for endangered estuarine crocodiles o increase their population and to conduct research activities on the species. To establish a bird sanctuary for protection of resident and migratory water birds and shore birds and their habitats. To upgrade and promote as and ecotourism with attraction on mangrove conservation activities, research activities on estuarine crocodiles and bird watching. To establish area creatively as an environmental education centre for local people. mainmahla island01mainmahla island02mainmahla island03 Forest / vegetation types Mangrove species such as Kanazo, Madama, Thame, Thayaw, Kambala, Thinbaung, etc. are present. Wildlife Otter, sambar, hog deer, wild boar, crab-eating kra, wild dog, turtles and tortoises, estuarine crocodiles, fish, prawn, crab and 34 bird species are known to occur in the area and Ayeyawaddy Dolphin is said to occur occasionally in the area. mainmahla island04 mainmahla island05 mainmahla island06 Conservation, development and research programmes Conservation of mangrove ecosystem. Implementation of conservation activities including reintroduction of estuarine crocodile and related research activities. Conservation of mangrove forests with natural regeneration practices. Re-introduction of estuarine crocodiles, after nursing the young brood in the research centre, to increase their population. Implementation of environmental education activities. Construction of wooden tracks in forests. mainmahla island07 mainmahla island08 mainmahla island09 Opportunities for study and recreation Study on mangrove ecosystem. Study and research on mangrove conservation with the practice of natural regeneration method. Bird watching. Study on behavior of wildlife including reptiles, mammals and aquatic animals. Study on the egg-layinf of marine turtle at Kadonlay nesting beach: 10 miles away from the sanctuary, during November to January. Conducting of socio-economic survey on local people at seaside. Accommodation for 6 persons at Bogalay, 5 persons at Meinmahla kyun and 5 persons at a guard post in the sanctuary.