Image courtesy of Myanmar Ministry of Hotels and Tourism
The environmental success stories of the Greater Mekong Sub-Region boil down to the surviving natural reserves – the forests and wetlands that provide safe harbor to the region’s endangered species, holding the line against human encroachment. These ecological “hidden gems” are all worthy of a visit, the next time you’re in the area.
In Myanmar, Moeyungyi Wetland Wildlife Sanctuary is a hidden highlight of Bago Township, a testament to its global ecological importance as home to a dazzling variety of birds.
Over an area some 256 million hectares in size, visitors will find about 128 recorded species of birds, including about 70 migratory species. From October to March, the sanctuary hosts over 20,000 migratory waterbirds, including the Sarus crane, Baer’s pochard and the greater spotted eagle.
Moeyungyi was originally constructed as a water storage reservoir in 1878, but has transformed over the decades into a biodiversity hotspot with high conservation value (it was recognized as Myanmar’s first RAMSAR Site in 2004). Beyond bird watching, Moeyungyi offers a unique window into the lives of the local populace, who grow rice and raise aquatic livestock in the sanctuary’s waters.
Elephants in Mondulkiri, Cambodia
Image courtesy of Chiara Abbate (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 DEED)In Cambodia, the Sre Pok Wildlife Sanctuary in Mondulkiri Province covers about 370,000 hectares of forest. This is the perfect environment for Cambodia’s large mammals, including Asian elephants, clouded leopards, banteng wild cattle, and the endangered Eld’s deer.
Wildlife numbers in Sre Pok are slowly bouncing back – at-risk species like vultures and Asian elephants have seen increasing numbers, even in the face of the threat of deforestation. Sustainable livelihoods have found a foothold in Sre Pok as well; wild honey harvesting by Bunong communities in Sre Pok show how harvesting non-timber forest products like fruit, honey and mushrooms can be a win-win situation for the environment and local people.
Beyond Sre Pok, Mondulkiri Province also hosts several ethical elephant encounters, making use of the province’s waterfalls, serene rivers, and verdant jungles to allow their elephants to live their best life. These include the Mondulkiri Project and the Elephant Valley Project.
Long An kayaking expedition, Viet Nam
Image courtesy of the Viet Nam National Authority of Tourism
In Viet Nam, Long An Province’s Lang Sen Wetlands Reserve is a wonderful habitat for rare plants and animals. This 5,000-hectare Mekong Delta wetland has a varied assortment of environments – including mangrove forests, swamps, rice paddies, and inundated grasslands. Over 120 bird species call this environment home, including endangered species like the oriental darter and the painted stork.
The Lang Sen Wetland Reserve is a remnant of a once-vast natural wetland known as the Plain of Reeds. Human encroachment has seriously degraded the local wetland environment, leading to the decline of several native species. Recognition as a RAMSAR site in 2015, along with new nongovernment initiatives to preserve and enhance the local environment, may yet ward off the threat to this pristine ecosystem.
