Summary

Inle Lake is a priority for conservation action due to its high biodiversity (especially in water plants diversity) and fish endemism. It is high altitude natural fault-line lake, having high endemism, high cultural and historical values and high aesthetic value. Moreover the lake has been identified as a potential RAMSAR site as well as an Important Bird Area (IBA). The worldwide threatened species found here are White-backed Vulture(CR), Greater Spotted Eagle(VU), Baer’s Pochard and Sarus Crane (both VU), and nearly threatened Pallid Harrier and Ferruginous Pochard. In order to protect the rich biodiversity and endemism, the Inle Wetland Wildlife Sanctuary (IWWS) comprising 635 km² was established in 1985. In open water, submerged plants grow luxuriantly and some fishes and diving birds feed in this area. The marginal zone of the lake comprises of floating islands with some vegetation. These areas are important breeding grounds for fishes and nesting and breeding habitats for birds and amphibians. This area has been identified as a 'refuge zone' by the Warden of IWWS in 1990. 

Besides the environmental importance the site has a very high cultural and scenic values and therefore is one of the main tourist attractions in Myanmar. Tourism is very important to the local economy and will likely increase substantially in the future. The Intha are very active farmers on the shores of the lake and the surrounding hills/mountains and they are particularly skilled in floating island agriculture (`hydroponics`). As a consequence most of the lake shore has been converted into paddy fields, sugarcane plantations, villages and hotels. 

Inle Lake provides several ecosystem services on which the local people depend directly or indirectly. Some of these ecosystem services are more obvious such as the Lawpita Hydro-power Station connected to the South of the lake, which generates electricity for a large part of the country. The tourism potential of this lake and the rich Intha Culture surrounding it provide a large source of income. The floating agriculture on the lake and the fishes provide the villages with food and export opportunities of the tomatoes grown under the ideal lake conditions. Less obvious ecosystem services are the ground water recharge function of the lake as a permanent water body in an area, which undergoes a prolonged dry season. Through the very high biomass of water plants in and around the lake plants play an important role in absorbing nutrients flowing in and by trapping sediment and maintaining the water clarity and quantity of the lake.

In short, the survival and livelihoods of 'Inthar' (the people living in and around the lake) is to a great extent dependent on the healthy condition of the Mother Inle Lake Ecosystem. At the moment this relation between local people and ecosystem is out of balance as a consequence of several human activities. Most of these problems are related to the lack of clear zoning and land use systems. Due to clearance of the forests on the hills for agricultural purposes and paddies on the shores, erosion is increasing leading to increasing sedimentation in the lake. Chemical pesticides and fertilizers used for agriculture uphill end up in the affluents of Inle Lake, creating high concentrations of nutrients, nitrates and other chemical, which has a double impact through pollution and eutropication. The water quality deteriorates and the increased algal blooming leads to lower oxygen levels, which then has an impact on the fish populations. Birds were seen to move their breeding sites outside the Sanctuary. This cascade of effects will be irreversible if not dealt with in the near future. Additional problems that need to be addressed are hunting and overfishing.

To summarize, the wetland ecosystem is deteriorating and as a consequence the survival of the people relying on this lake is being challenged. It is firmly believed that zoning with proper land uses hand in hand with overall sustainable resource use and community based nature conservation can resolve the existing issues, support the objectives of IWWS and at the same time improve the socio-economic situation of the people.    

Key Activities

As mentioned previously this demonstration project is mainly based on a zoning plan, which will cover an area of about 60km², five village tracts including 31 villages. This zone will include the whole marginal zone of the lake, part of open water and part of lakeshore. However in order to address the current ecological degradation and ensure future improvements of the ecosystem, eco-restoration as well as agro-farming activities by the communities make up two key subcomponents. These activities will be carried out in 2 villages (In-u and Sithar) in order to test feasibility, set an example for other villages and start implementation of the newly developed zoning plan.

BANCA using its past experiences would help the Warden of IWWS (NWCD) so that this project comes into reality ( At the moment, BANCA is in close collaboration with BIrdLife International conducting a project on conservation program along with community development in the buffer zone of Natmataung National Park).

(1)  Developing a Zoning Plan

The proposed Zoning area will be about 60 km² and will cover the 5 Village Tracts (including Khaungdaing, Taungbogyi, Taungchae, Nanthe, Mong Hsawk), including 31 villages. The Zoning Plan will include different zones allowing different degrees of activities.

Proposed Activities