THE northernmost part of Myanmar is rich in natural beauty with its snow-capped mountain ranges, while the southernmost part of the country features long coastlines and numerous islands, showcasing both terrestrial and marine splendour. In the southern region lies the Taninthayi Nature Reserve, which remains lush and verdant, home to a diverse range of species, ecosystems, and habitats. This area, where forests meet the sea, supports the survival and development of a wide variety of botanical, zoological and marine life, further highlighting the natural beauty of Myanmar.
The government sets objectives to
establish natural land areas to ensure the sustainability of biodiversity and
ecosystems. The Taninthayi Nature Reserve was established on 30 March 2005 to
conserve the tropical evergreen forest ecosystems and biodiversity in the
northern and eastern parts of the Taninthayi Region, which serve as shelters
for Asian elephants. It is also the first conservation area in the Taninthayi
Region.
The eastern part of the Taninthayi
Nature Reserve, which borders Thailand, is a hilly and mountainous area. The
mountain ranges run from north to south. The slopes gradually descend from west
to east, with elevations ranging from 15 meters to 1,400 metres. Within the
reserve area, there are 32 watersheds. The rivers and streams in the northern,
western, and southern parts of the reserve flow into the Dawei River, while
those in the eastern part flow into the Taninthayi River.
In the Taninthayi Nature Reserve,
there are different types of forests such as evergreen forest, mangrove, and
hill forest. The area is mostly covered by closed forest (46.67 per cent) and
open forest (29.76 per cent). A total of 384 plant species, 90 orchid species,
30 bamboo species, 17 cane species, and other rare herbal plants have been
recorded in the reserve. Many wild animals, plant species, and endangered
animal species can survive in the area, while the reserve is proudly known as
an important habitat and sanctuary for Asian elephants.
The reserve boasts the endangered
Indonesian tiger species and Asian elephants. A total of 244 bird species have
been recorded in the area, including three species that are endangered and 10
near-threatened species. Moreover, the reserve also boasts 30 amphibian species
and 36 reptile species, and Asian elephants.
There are two main species of
elephants in the world — the Asian elephant and the African elephant. In Myanmar,
a population of Asian elephants ranging from at least 45 to over 64 has been
recorded in the Taninthayi Nature Reserve located in the southern part of the
country. A 2011 survey revealed that approximately 90 per cent of the reserve
area was home to this number of elephants. However, to date, there is no
documented data confirming whether the population has increased or declined. In
2000, scientists reclassified African elephants into two distinct species: the
larger African bush elephant (or savanna elephant) and the smaller African
forest elephant.
African
Elephant
The African elephant is the largest
living land mammal, weighing 8,000 kilogrammes and standing 10 to 13 feet tall
at their shoulders. There are over 150,000 muscles in the trunk alone. Both
male and female African elephants have curved ivory tusks that grow throughout
their lives. Their tusks are used to fight, dig, and strip bark off trees.
Large, thin ears radiate heat to help the elephant stay cool in the intense
heat. African elephants can hold up to eight litres of water in their trunks
and use their trunks as a snorkel when swimming.
Asian
Elephant
The Asian Elephants are found mostly
in India, and also in Myanmar, Bangladesh, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia,
Vietnam and Laos. The Asian Elephants reach heights of around 10 feet. The
Average life expectancy of a Myanmar elephant is approxi m a t e l y 60 years,
and the pregnant period is between 18- 22 months. An elephant gives birth about
six times in its lifetime, usually having one baby each time. Male elephants
have tusks, while female elephants do not. Female elephants have a rounded
forehead and smaller ears. In Myanmar, elephants are used for logging and in
the tourism industry, and the people have protected elephants since the time of
ancient kings up to the present day.
Habits
of elephants
Elephants live between 60 to 100
years. Male elephants become fully grown between the ages of 30 and 40. A
newborn elephant weighs over 260 pounds. An elephant can grow up to 10 feet
tall and can weigh up to 6 tonnes (11,000 pounds), and their size and shape
vary depending on the region they live in. The elephant’s skin is 0.98 inches
thick. Its wrinkled skin can hold 10 times more water than the skin of other
animals. An elephant eats about 150 kilogrammes (around 330 pounds) of food
each day. About half of the food it eats is not fully digested and passes out
of its body. At the age of two, elephants begin to grow tusks. These tusks help
them eat and defend themselves from enemies. However, because of their tusks
and thick skin, elephants are often hunted and killed. Elephants usually live
in groups of 5 to 20, but some may live alone as solitary males. Male elephants
can become aggressive during mating season, and during this time, they may act
violently for about two weeks. Elephants search for food during both day and
night, and they only sleep for about three hours a day. Even though their
eyesight is weak, they have a strong sense of smell and hearing. They also have
a memory as good as that of a five-year-old child.
From 2006 to 2016, researchers
counted elephants over two years. They studied a large grassland area of
540,000 square kilometres across 18 African countries. They found that
one-third of the elephants, about 144,000, had been killed. They also estimated
that the remaining 430,000 elephants in Africa could be killed within the next
10 years. This prediction, made for the years 2016 to 2026, is now proving to
be true as the number of wild elephants continues to decrease.
Asian elephants are also facing
hunting and killing every year. In countries like India, Myanmar, and other
ASEAN nations, people are working together to protect wild Asian elephants from
extinction. In Myanmar, elephants live in regions such as Ayeyawady, Bago,
Sagaing, Kachin State, and the Shan Yoma area. To reduce poaching, the Forest
Department and NGOs are working together. These efforts help protect not only
elephants but also other wild animals and various species.
In 1879, during the Konboung era, the
Elephant Preservation Law was enacted and amended in 1883. Elephants are
classified as fully protected animals under the Protection of Wildlife and
Conservation of Natural Areas Law, enacted in 1994. According to surveys, there
were over 10,000 wild elephants in Myanmar in 1941, before the country gained
independence. Between 2001 and 2003, a field survey was conducted in
cooperation with the Smithsonian Institution (SI), and the estimated number of
wild elephants was around 5,000. By 2018, records showed that only about 2,000
wild elephants remained. To protect wild elephants, Myanmar began setting up
protected areas starting in 1927. In 2014, six elephant conservation areas were
designated, covering a total area of 9,205.51 square miles. From 2010 to 2014,
there were 72 criminal cases recorded in Myanmar related to the illegal killing
of wild elephants. Among these, 26 cases were due to the demand for tusks,
skin, and meat, showing that many elephants were hunted for these body parts.
After India, Myanmar is the country
with the second-largest population of elephants. Wild elephants live across the
country, from the northern to the southern regions. In the Taninthayi Nature
Reserve, Asian elephants continue to survive and thrive through the collaboration
of Myanmar and Thailand.
In Myanmar, 22 elephant camps have
been established. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental
Conservation has set this goal to involve the public in conservation efforts
and raise awareness about the importance of elephants in maintaining healthy
ecosystems.
In countries where natural forests
thrive, the ability to protect elephants reflects the health of their
ecosystems. Protecting wildlife, safe forests, and wetland areas is often
recognized as a sign of a healthy environment. In Myanmar, many safe forests
and wetlands continue to develop well, creating many opportunities for wild
elephants to live and survive. The presence of wild elephants in a natural
reserve shows that a forest ecosystem is rich and healthy. Among large mammals,
elephants are the strongest and have a wider range of habitats than tigers.
They tend to live long-term in a well-protected natural reserve with abundant
food. Neighbouring countries earn foreign income from elephant-related tourism.
In Myanmar, elephant conservation supports 22 tourism projects. To help
elephant populations grow, it is especially important to stop poaching, and all
citizens need to be aware of and follow conservation efforts.
Some of the wild elephants from Bago
Yoma enter Okkan and Thonze townships near Yangon, and the departmental
officials, NGOs and residents cooperate to reduce human-elephant conflicts.
Conservation of wild elephants in Taninthayi Nature Reserve protects the beauty
of the reserve, whereas deforestation and impact on wild elephants affect the
natural environment.
The forests in 32 watershed areas in
Taninthayi Nature Reserve are home to Asian elephants, and the Taninthayi
Nature Reserve, covered with mangrove, evergreen forest, and hill forests, is a
haven for Asian elephants, promoting the dignity of the country.
Translated by KTZH
#TheGlobalNewLightOfMyanmar
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