In the ongoing efforts to ensure biodiversity sustainability, crucial to the global ecosystem, wildlife conservation initiatives are actively taking place in the Phonkanrazi Wildlife Sanctuary, as reported by the Nature and Wildlife Conservation Division of the Forest Department.

Situated within the ASEAN region, this sanctuary holds significance as a vital glacial area. It is a habitat for diverse wildlife, including glacial animals, indigenous birds, ice fishes, medicinal herbs and tubers, orchids, and wintering birds.

An official from the division stated, “The Phonkanrazi Wildlife Sanctuary is connected to the Phonkanrazi National Park. Black-necked cranes, a rare wintering bird species, used to inhabit this sanctuary for over a month around October before migrating to Hukawng Valley, Indawgyi Lake, Inlay Lake, and Moeyungyi Wetland. The Forest Department is committed to preserving this natural landscape and its biodiversity.”

These migratory birds typically return around March and April before heading towards the North Pole. The sanctuary, known for attracting birdwatchers and alpinists, is covered by pines, deciduous forests, alpine shrubs, and mountainous temperate forests, creating a haven for 370 bird species, 360 varieties of butterflies, and 82 reptiles and amphibians. Notable inhabitants include muntjac, eastern hoolock gibbon, red goral, small Asian mongoose, and jackal.

Visitors to the sanctuary engage in various activities such as sightseeing in the snowy terrain, trekking, rafting, research, and flower observation. Established in 2003, the sanctuary spans the townships of Machanbaw, PutaO, and Nagmon, covering an area of 2,703.9 square kilometres.

— ASH/NT

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