Wildlife specialists have logged more than 90 species of fish in the waters of Indawgyi and a number of these are unique to the lake. Indawgyi also supports several genres of turtle including ones on the list of endangered creatures.
The lake attracts diverse bird species, 160 at the last count, and is a stopover on migratory cycles for some species. Wildlife found on dry land in the lakeside areas includes gaurs, Asiatic black bears and gibbons.
Ethnic Kachin and Shan people live within the boundaries of the newly designated biosphere reserve. Most of them fish and grow rice for a living. The UNESCO statement noted that the rice farmers did not at present use any pesticides and this was a major factor as to why the water in Indawgyi Lake was still clean.
Shwe Myitzu Pagoda is the best known landmark at the lake and is actually built on a small island. 12GO ASIA’s travel gurus say Indawgyi is 400kms north of Mandalay and around 150kms from Myitkyina. 12GO ASIA offers ticketing services for Myanmar National Airlines flights between the two cities.
Myanmar Indawgyi Lake gains UNESCO biosphere status
News in Asia
Myanmar’s Indawgyi Lake was recently added to the prestigious UNESCO listings of biosphere reserves. Confirming the new designation, a UNESCO statement said the Kachin State lake was almost unpolluted and home to a diverse species of marine life.