Myanmar’s Wetlands Under Inspection for Ramsar Inclusion

[SeaVisionBurma]

Myanmar is conducting surveys of its wetland sites to gauge potential for listing them as areas of international importance under the Ramsar convention, the environmental minister said on February 2.

From the Myanmar Times by Aye Sapay Phyu

Myanmar’s environment minister arrives for a press conference to announce energized efforts to protect Myanmar’s wetlands. Photo: Zarni Phyo

Only the Moeyingyi Wetland Wildlife Sanctuary in Bago Region has so far been listed as a Ramsar site but a number of others are likely to be put forward for inclusion once the surveys are completed, Minister for Environmental Conservation and Forestry U Win Tun said during a ceremony at Moeyingyi to mark World Wetlands Day.

"The ministry in cooperation with local and international non-government organisations has been conducting site-specific surveys on potential Ramsar sites, including Indawgyi Wildlife Sanctuary, Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary and the Gulf of Mottama, which is an important habitat for the endangered spoon-billed sandpiper," he said on February 2.

The minister also launched an information centre at Moeyingyi that was established with the support of the Norwegian government.

Moeyingyi covers almost 104 square kilometers (40 square miles) and was designated as a Ramsar site in 2004. Adopted in 1971, the Ramsar Convention commits member countries to maintaining important wetland areas.

Read the full article here: http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/9453-myanmar-s-wetlands-under-inspection-for-ramsar-inclusion.html