469
make mats with some of the weeds during
summer. Destruction of mangroves and
deforestation are matters of concern for the
coastal region. Hilsa ( Tenualosa ) ilisha , one
of the major commercial fi sh species in
Myanmar (earlier Burma), is abundant in the
delta. There are also resident and migratory
birds in the delta. Several species of large
mammals occur in the delta. In addition to
above, the sea turtles nest on the beaches.
The river terrapin ( Batagur baska ), which
formerly nested in the delta in large numbers, is now reduced to a few numbers only.
Further, Meinmahla Kyun Reservation is a
national heritage site as well as a natural
habitat to diverse sea life. 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. Three areas in
the outer delta have been proposed for designation as wildlife sanctuaries.
9. In Thailand , Don Hoi Lot is a sandbar, situated off the coast of Samut Songkhram
Province at the northwestern tip of the Bay
of Bangkok. 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 ).
Also 18 birds and 42 invertebrate species are
recorded at the mudfl ats and the adjoining
coastal mangrove forests. The site has been
designated as a Ramsar site (number 1099)
since 5 July 2001.
10. In Lao PDR , the Upper Mekong is an area
undergoing rapid changes. The IUCN Water
and Nature Initiative (WANI) has been trying to implement various projects. In addition to the lowlands and ricefi elds, there are
a wide variety of wetland types. While
poverty rates are high, agricultural productivity is still very low. Rates of health, nutrition and education are poor, and State
support services are limited.
11. The Chinese wetlands are important lentic
systems in the world. The total area of the
wetlands in China rank fi rst in Asia. China
has a wetland area of c 625,000 km
2
. Out of
this, c 250,000 km
2 is natural, which comprises c 2.5 % of the country. Further, the
Khanka Lake is a transboundary freshwater
body located at an altitude range of 68–70 m
MSL on the border between Heilongjiang
Province in NE China and Primorsky Krai in
Russia. In addition, the Xixi National
Wetland Park is the fi rst and only national
wetland park in China.
12. In Taiwan , the Sihcao Wetlands are a protected ecological environment in the Tainan
County. The protected area consists of mangrove swamps, salt marshes, drainage
ditches, etc. The Sihcao Wetland and the
Zengwun Estuary Wetland were listed as
Ramsar sites on 10 December 2007.
13. In Hong Kong , the Hong Kong Wetland Park
is a conservation, education and tourism
facility. In 1998, a project named International
Wetland Park and Visitor Centre Feasibility
Study was initiated for enhancing wetland.
Further, the Mai Po Marshes are part of Deep
Bay wetland, a Ramsar site since 1995. Nam
Sang Wai is a wetland, which is a home for
many birds, like seagulls and northern pintails ( Anas acuta ).
14. In the Philippines , Agusan Marsh ( Agusan
Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary ) was declared as a
protected area by the former President Fidel
V. Ramos.
15. In Vietnam , works on wetlands are done,
generally, with emphasis on three different
representative categories of wetlands,
namely, (a) estuarine wetlands in Nam Dinh
in northern Vietnam, (b) the lagoon system
in central Vietnam ( Quang Nam ) and (c)
marine and estuarine wetlands in Kien Giang
and Phu Quoc in the Mekong Delta.
16. In Malaysia , the Bera Lake ( Tasik Bera in
Malaya) is a natural freshwater lentic body
situated in southwest Pahang in Malaysia.
This Ramsar wetland supports a rich diversity of animal and plant life. Further, the
Putrajaya Wetlands support many waterbirds like the little egret and the little green
heron.
21.18 Wetlands of Japan
make mats with some of the weeds during
summer. Destruction of mangroves and
deforestation are matters of concern for the
coastal region. Hilsa ( Tenualosa ) ilisha , one
of the major commercial fi sh species in
Myanmar (earlier Burma), is abundant in the
delta. There are also resident and migratory
birds in the delta. Several species of large
mammals occur in the delta. In addition to
above, the sea turtles nest on the beaches.
The river terrapin ( Batagur baska ), which
formerly nested in the delta in large numbers, is now reduced to a few numbers only.
Further, Meinmahla Kyun Reservation is a
national heritage site as well as a natural
habitat to diverse sea life. 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. Three areas in
the outer delta have been proposed for designation as wildlife sanctuaries.
9. In Thailand , Don Hoi Lot is a sandbar, situated off the coast of Samut Songkhram
Province at the northwestern tip of the Bay
of Bangkok. 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 ).
Also 18 birds and 42 invertebrate species are
recorded at the mudfl ats and the adjoining
coastal mangrove forests. The site has been
designated as a Ramsar site (number 1099)
since 5 July 2001.
10. In Lao PDR , the Upper Mekong is an area
undergoing rapid changes. The IUCN Water
and Nature Initiative (WANI) has been trying to implement various projects. In addition to the lowlands and ricefi elds, there are
a wide variety of wetland types. While
poverty rates are high, agricultural productivity is still very low. Rates of health, nutrition and education are poor, and State
support services are limited.
11. The Chinese wetlands are important lentic
systems in the world. The total area of the
wetlands in China rank fi rst in Asia. China
has a wetland area of c 625,000 km
2
. Out of
this, c 250,000 km
2 is natural, which comprises c 2.5 % of the country. Further, the
Khanka Lake is a transboundary freshwater
body located at an altitude range of 68–70 m
MSL on the border between Heilongjiang
Province in NE China and Primorsky Krai in
Russia. In addition, the Xixi National
Wetland Park is the fi rst and only national
wetland park in China.
12. In Taiwan , the Sihcao Wetlands are a protected ecological environment in the Tainan
County. The protected area consists of mangrove swamps, salt marshes, drainage
ditches, etc. The Sihcao Wetland and the
Zengwun Estuary Wetland were listed as
Ramsar sites on 10 December 2007.
13. In Hong Kong , the Hong Kong Wetland Park
is a conservation, education and tourism
facility. In 1998, a project named International
Wetland Park and Visitor Centre Feasibility
Study was initiated for enhancing wetland.
Further, the Mai Po Marshes are part of Deep
Bay wetland, a Ramsar site since 1995. Nam
Sang Wai is a wetland, which is a home for
many birds, like seagulls and northern pintails ( Anas acuta ).
14. In the Philippines , Agusan Marsh ( Agusan
Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary ) was declared as a
protected area by the former President Fidel
V. Ramos.
15. In Vietnam , works on wetlands are done,
generally, with emphasis on three different
representative categories of wetlands,
namely, (a) estuarine wetlands in Nam Dinh
in northern Vietnam, (b) the lagoon system
in central Vietnam ( Quang Nam ) and (c)
marine and estuarine wetlands in Kien Giang
and Phu Quoc in the Mekong Delta.
16. In Malaysia , the Bera Lake ( Tasik Bera in
Malaya) is a natural freshwater lentic body
situated in southwest Pahang in Malaysia.
This Ramsar wetland supports a rich diversity of animal and plant life. Further, the
Putrajaya Wetlands support many waterbirds like the little egret and the little green
heron.
21.18 Wetlands of Japan