Forest Department to conduct random patrols at Nanthar-Mayyu Ramsar site in Arakan State

By DMG 14 Oct 2021

DMG Newsroom
14 October 2021, Sittwe 

Arakan State’s Forest Department says it will conduct random patrols at a Ramsar site that includes the watershed conservation areas of Nanthar Island and the mouth of the Mayyu River between Sittwe and Rathedaung townships, in an effort to prevent illegal hunting and other environmentally destructive encroachment. 

U Zaw Zaw Aung, assistant director of the Arakan State Forest Department, told DMG that the patrols would be carried out in collaboration with local authorities as well as Myanmar military personnel. 

“Forest officials patrol as far as they can go. There are plans to conduct separate patrols with the authorities. If hunters and occupants knew in advance that we would be patrolling, no one would be there,” he explained. 

U Zaw Zaw Aung also called on the public to work together for the long-term sustainability of these wetlands. 

A resident of Cheinkhali village, who did not want to be named, said people were often seen digging turtle eggs and capturing birds on Nanthar Island. 

“When I go fishing, I often see turtle hunters, bird hunters and clam catchers on the beaches of Nanthar Island. I’ve heard some people are living on the island,” added the villager, who asked for anonymity to speak candidly. 

The wetlands of Nanthar Island and the Mayyu Estuary were designated as a Ramsar site on May 22, 2020. 

There are about eight villages in the vicinity of Nanthar Island, with local residents typically earning a living by farming and fishing. 

Nanthar Island and the Mayyu Estuary cover an area of 3,608 hectares (8,916 acres) and are important breeding grounds for biodiversity. 

The Nanthar-Mayyu area was Myanmar’s sixth Ramsar site designation when it was announced in May 2020. Its five predecessors are Moeyungyi, Indawgyi Lake, Inle Lake, Meinmahla Island and the Gulf of Mottama.