Eco-Tourism
|
Popa Mountain Park
|
| |
Location |
|
| |
- Located
between 20° 53' N and 95° 15' E in Kyaukpadaung Township of Mandalay
Division.
|
| |
Area
|
|
| |
|
| |
Year of
Establishment |
| |
- Established in 1983 and opened as park in 1989.
|
| |
Access |
| |
- (a) Yangon
via Pyay and Kyaukpadaung to Popa, 412 miles by car.
- (b) Yangon
via Meikhtila and Kyaukpadaung to Popa, 400 miles by car.
- (c) Yangon
via Nyaung-U, 320 miles by air and 37 miles by car.
|
| |
Objectives |
| |
- (a) To
preserve the forest area of popa Mountain and to conserve the unique dry
zone ecosystem and biodiversity with various plants and wildlife
species.
- (b) To
conserve the watersheds of near by reservoirs and dams including
Kyetmauktaung Dam.
- (c) To
ensure continuous flow of water supply to Kyaukpadaung and nearby
villages from natural springs.
- (d) To
conserve medicinal plants and climbers.
- (e) To
preserve unique geological features and to conserve cultural and
religious heritages.
- (f) To
promote ecotourism.
-
|
| |
Forest
/ Vegetative Types |
| |
- (a)
Than-Dahat Forests
- (b) Low
Indaing Forests
- (c) Upper
Mixed Deciduous Forests
- (d) Hill
Evergreen Forests
- (e) Pine
Forests
- (f) Hill
Grassland
|
| |
Wildlife |
| |
- Monkey,
barking deer, wild pig, jungle cat, wild dog and about 140 avifauna
species inhabit the Popa area. The dusky leaf monkey is a scare animal
and about 150 minkeys live in the Popa Mountain Park.
|
| |
Medicinal
Plants and Climbers |
| |
- In
accordance with the collected data, about 40 medicinal plants and some
climbers are growing in the Popa Mountain Park. These plants and
climbers are being explored through field research works.
|
| |
Conservation, Development and Research
Programmes |
| |
- (a)
Conservation of natural forest
- (b)
Enrichment planting with indigenous tree species.
- (c)
Establishment of Popa Mountain Resorts, construction of mountain
circuits and maintainance of golf course to facilitate recreation and
promote ecotourism.
- (d)
Conducting of research works on the conservation of flora and
fauna.
- (e)
Establishment of watershed Plantations.
- (f)
Conservation and planting of medicinal plants and climbers.
- (g)
Promoting, public awarness of environmental conservation.
- (h)
Conducting of Socio-ecimomic surveys in nearby villages.
- (i)
Implementation of buffer zone management.
|
| |
Opportunities for Study and Recreation |
| |
- (a)
Observing dry zone ecosystem, avifauna species and other wild
animals.
- (b)
Enjoyment of the natural beauty of Popa, Oasis of the Dry Zone.
- (c)
Studying the naturally regenerated of sandalwood species.
- (d)
Studying geological features and minerals from and extinct volcano which
erupted 25,000 years ago.
- (e)
Studying the natural forests by trekking on foot or on horseback along
the forest paths.
- (f)
Observing the medicinal plants and climbers and conducting field
research works.
- (g)
Enjoyment of natural beauty by car, horse or on foot and playing
golf.
- (h)
Lodging with meals at the Popa Mountain Resorts of the Forest
Department.
- (i)
Studying at the environmental education centre.
- (j)
Accommodation for about 16 persons at the Popa Guest House and about 6
persons at the ''Yenge'' Guest House.
|
