OVER 17,000 MIGRATORY WATERBIRDS SPEND WINTER AT MYANMAR’S LARGEST FRESHWATER LAKE

YANGON, Jan 20 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- More than 17,000 migratory waterbirds of 29 species are spending the winter at Indawgyi Lake, Myanmar's largest freshwater lake in Kachin state, an official said on Tuesday, reported Xinhua.

U Maung Win, warden of the Indawgyi Lake Wildlife Sanctuary, said the figures come from the Asian Waterbirds Census conducted on January 10 this year in collaboration with Fauna and Flora International, local ecotourism organisation Inn Chit Thu, and local bird enthusiasts.

According to the survey, a total of 24,177 waterbirds from 46 species were recorded at the lake, including 17,275 migratory waterbirds from 29 species and 6,902 resident birds from 17 species, he said.

U Maung Win added that this winter saw an increase of 1,060 migratory waterbirds and one additional species compared with last year.

Migratory waterbirds typically arrive at Indawgyi Lake in October and depart in May. To mark their arrival and departure, local authorities organise awareness activities to highlight the importance of protecting these species, he noted.

Myanmar lies along two major global bird migration routes — the East Asian–Australasian Flyway and the Central Asian Flyway. Indawgyi Lake Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the East Asian–Australasian Flyway.

The arrival of these waterbirds brings benefits to the region. By feeding on insects that damage crops, the birds help improve agricultural yields. Their seasonal presence also supports local livelihoods through eco-tourism and related economic activities, he added.

In June 2017, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation designated Indawgyi Lake as a Man and the Biosphere Reserve. 

-- BERNAMA-XINHUA