Development of Nature based Tourism for Economic Opportunities in Myanmar

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Development of Nature based Tourismfor Economic
Opportunities in Myanmar

• Presentation for a Workshop on
• Developing Ecotourism along Biodiversity
  Corridors
• Laos
• October 2-3, 2008

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• Presented by
• U Win Aung
• Chairman
• Woodland Group of Companies

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Characteristics needed for development of
ecotourism

• finely balanced ecological diversity
• rare and endangered flora, fauna and landscapes,
  usually endemic to the region and
• indigenous cultures and communities living in it

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Threats to Nature Ecological System
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Threats to Nature Ecological System
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Why is ecotourism important?
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Why is ecotourism important?
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Why is ecotourism important?

• Promotes an appreciation from the visitors
• Creates awareness among locals living in the area
• Helps preserving and protecting the environment

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How Myanmar can benefit from Nature based
Tourism for Economic Opportunities
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LAMPI MARINE PARK
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MANGROVES IN LAMPI MARINE PARK
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HORNBILLS IN LAMPI MARINE PARK
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PRISTINE ISLANDS
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WHITE SAND BEACHES AND CRYSTAL CLEAR WATER
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COLORFUL MARINE LIVES
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COLORFUL MARINE LIVES
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CORAL REEVES
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COMMUNITIES LIVING IN HARMONY WITH ITS NATURE
Salone People living in Myeik Archipelago
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UNSPOILED FOREST
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BEAUTIFUL NATURE
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COLORFUL TRIBES
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Potential Ecotourism Sites in Myanmar
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NAGA HILL TRIBES IN CHIN REGION
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PADAUNG TRIBES IN EASTERN SHAN REGION
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NATMATAUNG NATIONAL PARK
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KHAKABORAZI NATIONAL PARK
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LAMPI MARINE PARK
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MANGROVES IN LAMPI MARINE PARK
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HORNBILLS IN LAMPI MARINE PARK
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ALAUNGDAW KATHAPA NATIONAL PARK
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POPA MOUNTAIN PARK
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NATIONAL KANDAWGYI GARDENS
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INLE LAKE WETLAND BIRD SANCTUARY
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THE GOLDEN ROCK
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MOEYUNGYI WETLAND BIRD SANCTUARY
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INDAWGYI WET LAND BIRD SANCTUARY
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Facts about Popa Mountain Park Project
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LOCATION OF MT. POPA
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FACTS OF POPA MOUNTAIN PARK
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BACKGROUND

• Popa Reserved Forest was instituted in 1902. It
  now extends over an area of 31,763 acres.
• In 1954-55, forest surrounding the reserve was
  notified as Protected Forests to act as a buffer
  zone.
• The rehabilitation of Mt. Popa was initiated in
  the early 1980s.

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BACKGROUND

• Infrastructure development activities for Popa
  Mountain Park were employed starting from 1982
  under the Nature Conservation and National Parks
  Project implemented jointly by the Ministry of
  Forestry and UNDP.
• The park is of national significance in terms of
  environmental, cultural, social and recreational
  values.

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OBJECTIVES

• To protect and conserve medicinal plants growing
  within and in the vicinity of the park for their
  sustainable utilization
• To preserve existing cultural and religious sites
  and their values

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OBJECTIVES

• To implement educational programs on
  environmental and biodiversity conservation in
  partnership with the stakeholders
• To ensure sustainable source of water supply from
  natural springs to nearby villages
• To promote ecotourism

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FLORA INPOPA MOUNTAIN PARK
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FAUNA IN POPA MOUNTAIN PARK
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FAUNA IN POPA MOUNTAIN PARK
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THE JEWEL OF POPAPopa Mountain Resort
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Successes and Challenges of Popa Mountain Park
Project
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Benefits to the local community

• Job opportunities
• - short term
• - long term
• Job trainings to become skill staff

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Benefits to the local community

• Income generation from local products

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Benefits to the local community

• Distributing clean water to the local community

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Benefits to the local community

• Better education facilities

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Benefits to the local community

• Better education facilities

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Benefits to the local community

• Participation in the local religious affairs and
  culture

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Benefits to the environment

• Greening Popa Mountain leading to coming back of
  natural springs
• Decrease in ignorant poaching and logging
• Increasing number of fauna in the region

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CHALLENGES

• Waste water disposal
• Garbage disposal
• Regretful yet strong social impact on children by
  being exposed to easy income from visitors

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CONCLUSION
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Conclusion

• Our aim
• To be a reliable partner in developing
  sustainable ecotourism
• To be a part of global movement by working hand
  in hand with government, private sector, local
  communities to develop a sound ecotourism
  management

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Conclusion

• promote and create awareness for eco-system of
  our environment
• create vocational training opportunities for the
  communities
• create more job opportunities in all tourism
  related supporting industries
• create formal education opportunities for the
  communities and generations

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• Thank You