452
of estuarine crocodile ( Crocodylus porosus ), sea
turtles and river terrapin ( Batagur baska ) have
been drastically reduced by commercial exploitation and are now seriously threatened. The
crocodile population continues to be exploited
by the People’s Pearl and Fisheries Corporation,
which removed an average of 465 hatchlings per
year during the period 1978–1983 for rearing at
a crocodile farm in Rangoon. Other threats to the
remaining crocodiles include habitat destruction, collection of eggs for food, hunting of
adults and juveniles and entanglement in fi shing
nets. The number of sea turtle eggs collected
annually in the Irrawaddy Delta declined from
1,500,000 in 1911 to an average of 400,000 during the period 1978/1979 to 1981/1982. This
decline in egg harvests has been refl ected in a
decline in population of adult turtles and the
abandonment of some former nesting beaches.
Mature turtles are taken by fi shermen and caught
by trawlers in their nets throughout the delta, and
hawksbill turtles ( Eretmochelys imbricate ) are
hunted for their ‘tortoise shell’. At the turn of the
century, approx. 70,000 eggs of the river terrapin
( Batagur baska ) were collected annually in the
delta. Although the species is now on the verge
of extinction in the delta, the adult terrapins and
their eggs are continued to be eaten wherever
they are found.
21.7.1.11 Conservation Measures
Proposed
Three areas in the outer delta have been proposed
for designation as wildlife sanctuaries, namely,
Meinmahla Kyun, Kadonlay Kyun and the
Letkokkon islands. Salter (1982) had proposed
that in order to provide a further measure of protection to mangrove fauna and fl ora, Pyinalan,
Kadonkani and Pyindaye RFs continue to be
managed for sustained production of fuelwood.
Also, further encroachment for agriculture be
prevented. He also recommended that crocodiles
of breeding size and all species of sea turtle be
completely protected under new wildlife legislation. A review of the present system of turtle egg
collection may be undertaken and measures be
instituted to ensure that this valuable resource is
managed on a sustained basis. In addition, Blower
(1983) had recommended that full protection
may be given to the endangered river terrapin
( Batagur baska ) and its eggs. Also, the possibility of establishing a hatchery on Kadonlay Kyun
or elsewhere may be considered.
21.7.1.12 Preliminary Conservation
Measures Taken
Almost the entire southern third of the delta is
included within the RFs. Most of these were
established during the late 1800s and early 1900s.
They have been managed primarily for fuelwood
and, less commonly, for charcoal production.
Other areas are unprotected.
21.7.1.13 Present Status
The southern delta was surveyed in November
and December 1982 (Salter 1982) and in 1983
(FAO 1983c). The Forest Department had been
carrying out a forest inventory of the mangrove
resources in the delta, to provide data for the
development of a management plan. No serious
ornithological surveys have been done so far for
almost 50 years.
21.7.2 Rihdil
Rihdil is a lake located in Myanmar just about
3 km from the Indian border and is associated
with Mizo folklore. Hence, it has been dealt
with in detail under wetlands in Mizoram in
Chap. 20 .
21.8 Wetlands of Thailand
Thailand is a monsoon-fed country and there are
a large number of wetlands spread across the
length and breadth of the nation, an account of
which is briefl y given below.
Don Hoi Lot (Plate 21.7 ) is a sandbar, lying
between 13° 22′ N and 100° 2′ E, off the coast of
Samut Songkhram Province at the northwestern
tip of the Bay of Bengal. The sediments of the
Mae Klong River, together with sediments from
the sea, form a system of mudfl ats, which is settled by the razor clam shell ( Solen regularis ).
21 Wetlands of Other Regions in Asia
of estuarine crocodile ( Crocodylus porosus ), sea
turtles and river terrapin ( Batagur baska ) have
been drastically reduced by commercial exploitation and are now seriously threatened. The
crocodile population continues to be exploited
by the People’s Pearl and Fisheries Corporation,
which removed an average of 465 hatchlings per
year during the period 1978–1983 for rearing at
a crocodile farm in Rangoon. Other threats to the
remaining crocodiles include habitat destruction, collection of eggs for food, hunting of
adults and juveniles and entanglement in fi shing
nets. The number of sea turtle eggs collected
annually in the Irrawaddy Delta declined from
1,500,000 in 1911 to an average of 400,000 during the period 1978/1979 to 1981/1982. This
decline in egg harvests has been refl ected in a
decline in population of adult turtles and the
abandonment of some former nesting beaches.
Mature turtles are taken by fi shermen and caught
by trawlers in their nets throughout the delta, and
hawksbill turtles ( Eretmochelys imbricate ) are
hunted for their ‘tortoise shell’. At the turn of the
century, approx. 70,000 eggs of the river terrapin
( Batagur baska ) were collected annually in the
delta. Although the species is now on the verge
of extinction in the delta, the adult terrapins and
their eggs are continued to be eaten wherever
they are found.
21.7.1.11 Conservation Measures
Proposed
Three areas in the outer delta have been proposed
for designation as wildlife sanctuaries, namely,
Meinmahla Kyun, Kadonlay Kyun and the
Letkokkon islands. Salter (1982) had proposed
that in order to provide a further measure of protection to mangrove fauna and fl ora, Pyinalan,
Kadonkani and Pyindaye RFs continue to be
managed for sustained production of fuelwood.
Also, further encroachment for agriculture be
prevented. He also recommended that crocodiles
of breeding size and all species of sea turtle be
completely protected under new wildlife legislation. A review of the present system of turtle egg
collection may be undertaken and measures be
instituted to ensure that this valuable resource is
managed on a sustained basis. In addition, Blower
(1983) had recommended that full protection
may be given to the endangered river terrapin
( Batagur baska ) and its eggs. Also, the possibility of establishing a hatchery on Kadonlay Kyun
or elsewhere may be considered.
21.7.1.12 Preliminary Conservation
Measures Taken
Almost the entire southern third of the delta is
included within the RFs. Most of these were
established during the late 1800s and early 1900s.
They have been managed primarily for fuelwood
and, less commonly, for charcoal production.
Other areas are unprotected.
21.7.1.13 Present Status
The southern delta was surveyed in November
and December 1982 (Salter 1982) and in 1983
(FAO 1983c). The Forest Department had been
carrying out a forest inventory of the mangrove
resources in the delta, to provide data for the
development of a management plan. No serious
ornithological surveys have been done so far for
almost 50 years.
21.7.2 Rihdil
Rihdil is a lake located in Myanmar just about
3 km from the Indian border and is associated
with Mizo folklore. Hence, it has been dealt
with in detail under wetlands in Mizoram in
Chap. 20 .
21.8 Wetlands of Thailand
Thailand is a monsoon-fed country and there are
a large number of wetlands spread across the
length and breadth of the nation, an account of
which is briefl y given below.
Don Hoi Lot (Plate 21.7 ) is a sandbar, lying
between 13° 22′ N and 100° 2′ E, off the coast of
Samut Songkhram Province at the northwestern
tip of the Bay of Bengal. The sediments of the
Mae Klong River, together with sediments from
the sea, form a system of mudfl ats, which is settled by the razor clam shell ( Solen regularis ).
21 Wetlands of Other Regions in Asia