451
Several species of large mammals occur in the
delta, but their populations are small and scattered, with the possible exceptions of sambar
( Cervus unicolor ), hog deer ( C . porcinu s) and
wild boar ( Sus scrofa ), which have been reported
from all reserved forests (RF). Asian elephants
( Elephas maximus ) are said to occur in
Kadonkani, Meinmahla and Pyindaye Reserved
Forests, but the total population in 1982 was only
about 15 individuals. Other species reported to be
present include leopard, tiger, wild dog and otters
( Panthera pardus , P . tigris , Cuon alpinus and
Lutra sp., respectively) (Salter 1982).
In addition to above, the sea turtles nest on the
beaches along the seaward edges of Kyagan
Kwinbauk RF, Pyinzalu Kyun, Pyinalan RF and
Kadonkani RF. They are also said to nest on the
offshore islands of Kaingthaung, Kadoniay and
Gayedgyi Kyun. However, 5 species are known
to occur, namely, Chelonia mydas , Caretta
caretta , Lepidochelys olivacea , Eretmochelys
imbricata and Dermochelys coriacea . Of these,
C . mydas is one of the commonest species. It is
believed that the turtle populations have declined
markedly and that two species, namely,
Eretmochelys imbricata and Dermochelys coriacea , are now endangered, while the other three
species may be considered as seriously threatened (Blower 1983; Salter 1982).
The river terrapin ( Batagur baska ), which formerly nested in the delta in large numbers, is now
reduced to a few numbers only on some of the
offshore islands and sand banks. The massive
exploitation of both adults and their eggs has
resulted in the near extermination of the species
in Myanmar (Salter 1983).
21.7.1.8 Canals
There is no extensive system of irrigation or
water transport canals except Twante Canal, constructed during the colonial period. This canal is
much benefi cial to the delta region for transport.
21.7.1.9 Heritage Sites and Nature
Reserves
Meinmahla Kyun Reservation is a national heritage site as well as a natural habitat to diverse sea
life. The Irrawaddy dolphin is not a true river
dolphin native to the delta region, but it was
named after the river, and these sea dolphins are
known to enter the rivers of Southeast Asia.
21.7.1.10 Land Use
With a total population of about 3.5 million people and a population density of 100 per km
2 , the
Irrawaddy Delta is one of the most densely populated parts in the country. Virtually all land not
designated as reserved forest has been converted
to intensive agriculture. The predominant form of
cultivation is single rice cropping during the wet
monsoon, and this accounts for two-thirds of the
total area under cultivation. The rice yield is
about 2,000–2,500 kg/ha.
Numerous towns and villages are scattered
throughout the delta and particularly along the
larger rivers. In addition, temporary camps are
established by forest workers and fi shermen. All
major rivers and streams are used by the local
commercial fi sheries, which operate mainly from
small boats and fi xed fi shing frames. Prawns are
a major product of the area. Every important sea
turtle nesting beach is commercially exploited
for eggs by local cooperatives. All these beaches
fall within RFs and are leased out by the Forest
Department on a year-to-year basis. Throughout
the delta, transportation is easiest by water; virtually every householder owns a boat. The
Irrawaddy itself is a very important artery for
trade throughout a large part of Myanmar.
Disturbances and Threats
The Irrawaddy is one of the most heavily silted
rivers in the world, not only because of deforestation and serious erosion in the watershed but also
because of a long history of intensive agriculture
along the river banks. Virtually, all land outside
the RFs have already been converted into agricultural land, and the mangrove forests within the
RFs are now disappearing at a rapid rate. Large
parts of the Kyagan Kwinbauk, Kakayen and
Pyinland RFs have already been deforested and
converted into agricultural land. A comparison
between the situation in 1977 and the situation in
1986 indicates that if the present rate of destruction is maintained, all the mangrove forests may
disappear in the near future. Further, the population
21.7 Wetlands of Myanmar
Several species of large mammals occur in the
delta, but their populations are small and scattered, with the possible exceptions of sambar
( Cervus unicolor ), hog deer ( C . porcinu s) and
wild boar ( Sus scrofa ), which have been reported
from all reserved forests (RF). Asian elephants
( Elephas maximus ) are said to occur in
Kadonkani, Meinmahla and Pyindaye Reserved
Forests, but the total population in 1982 was only
about 15 individuals. Other species reported to be
present include leopard, tiger, wild dog and otters
( Panthera pardus , P . tigris , Cuon alpinus and
Lutra sp., respectively) (Salter 1982).
In addition to above, the sea turtles nest on the
beaches along the seaward edges of Kyagan
Kwinbauk RF, Pyinzalu Kyun, Pyinalan RF and
Kadonkani RF. They are also said to nest on the
offshore islands of Kaingthaung, Kadoniay and
Gayedgyi Kyun. However, 5 species are known
to occur, namely, Chelonia mydas , Caretta
caretta , Lepidochelys olivacea , Eretmochelys
imbricata and Dermochelys coriacea . Of these,
C . mydas is one of the commonest species. It is
believed that the turtle populations have declined
markedly and that two species, namely,
Eretmochelys imbricata and Dermochelys coriacea , are now endangered, while the other three
species may be considered as seriously threatened (Blower 1983; Salter 1982).
The river terrapin ( Batagur baska ), which formerly nested in the delta in large numbers, is now
reduced to a few numbers only on some of the
offshore islands and sand banks. The massive
exploitation of both adults and their eggs has
resulted in the near extermination of the species
in Myanmar (Salter 1983).
21.7.1.8 Canals
There is no extensive system of irrigation or
water transport canals except Twante Canal, constructed during the colonial period. This canal is
much benefi cial to the delta region for transport.
21.7.1.9 Heritage Sites and Nature
Reserves
Meinmahla Kyun Reservation is a national heritage site as well as a natural habitat to diverse sea
life. The Irrawaddy dolphin is not a true river
dolphin native to the delta region, but it was
named after the river, and these sea dolphins are
known to enter the rivers of Southeast Asia.
21.7.1.10 Land Use
With a total population of about 3.5 million people and a population density of 100 per km
2 , the
Irrawaddy Delta is one of the most densely populated parts in the country. Virtually all land not
designated as reserved forest has been converted
to intensive agriculture. The predominant form of
cultivation is single rice cropping during the wet
monsoon, and this accounts for two-thirds of the
total area under cultivation. The rice yield is
about 2,000–2,500 kg/ha.
Numerous towns and villages are scattered
throughout the delta and particularly along the
larger rivers. In addition, temporary camps are
established by forest workers and fi shermen. All
major rivers and streams are used by the local
commercial fi sheries, which operate mainly from
small boats and fi xed fi shing frames. Prawns are
a major product of the area. Every important sea
turtle nesting beach is commercially exploited
for eggs by local cooperatives. All these beaches
fall within RFs and are leased out by the Forest
Department on a year-to-year basis. Throughout
the delta, transportation is easiest by water; virtually every householder owns a boat. The
Irrawaddy itself is a very important artery for
trade throughout a large part of Myanmar.
Disturbances and Threats
The Irrawaddy is one of the most heavily silted
rivers in the world, not only because of deforestation and serious erosion in the watershed but also
because of a long history of intensive agriculture
along the river banks. Virtually, all land outside
the RFs have already been converted into agricultural land, and the mangrove forests within the
RFs are now disappearing at a rapid rate. Large
parts of the Kyagan Kwinbauk, Kakayen and
Pyinland RFs have already been deforested and
converted into agricultural land. A comparison
between the situation in 1977 and the situation in
1986 indicates that if the present rate of destruction is maintained, all the mangrove forests may
disappear in the near future. Further, the population
21.7 Wetlands of Myanmar