Myanmar has been working for the conservation of natural Inlay Lake in Shan state for its sustainability in the wake of reduction of the lake area due to climate change to ensure socio-economic development of regional people and generation of electricity in the country.

Inlay Lake [File photo]

Inlay lake is a natural heritage of Myanmar or a landmark of Shan state, which is favorite spot for both local holiday makers and foreign tourists.

Measures are being taken for greening the Inlay lake and its 30- kilometer environs and conservation of environment and biodiversity through reforestation with perennial trees, prevention of silting up, improvement of the natural ecology and greening of the lake.

Inlay Lake, the second largest lake in Myanmar after the Indawgyi Lake in northernmost Kachin state, has been shrinked to 62 square kilometers from 259 square kilometers due to record heat over the past few years.

In summer of 2010, the day temperatures in central Myanmar significantly reached a record high in over four decades, peaking at between 43 and 47 degree Celsius in such regions as Minbu, Magway, Mandalay, Monywa, Nyaung Oo, Chauk and Mingyan as well as in Yangon and Bago which are 5 to 8 degree Celsius above April average temperature.

The Forest Resources and Environmental Development Association of Myanmar started implementation of a three-year environmental conservation project in the famous tourist site of Inlay Lake.

The project was introduced to keep the Inlay lake environmentally clean as fishes died-off due to water pollution caused by fertilizer, insecticide and rubbish which causes impact on the region's tourism industry.

The project, which costs about 100,000 U.S. dollars, is being carried out with the cooperation of local travel and tour agencies.

Inlay region is well known for its outstanding natural beauty as some villages sitting on floating islands. Colorful hill tribes inhabit in surrounding fertile valleys and forested mountaintops and their hand-woven silks are a specialty of the region.

The Inlay lake with water flowing properly helps local people develop their socio-economic status, experts said.

It is stressed that Lawpyita hydropower plant, which depends on the Inlay lake and Bilu creek for water inflow is the key to accelerating socio-economic development of the country.

Inlay lake was recognized as ASEAN cultural heritage as the lake has claimed a role as ancient natural heritage in Myanmar.

Sustainablitity, proper drainage, conservation of its ecosystem and water shed areas, reforestation and survivability of biodiversity of the lake are being realized in systematic manner, the forestry authorities said.

Meanwhile, Myanmar has been drafting a proposal to seek fund for the maintenance of Inlay lake

The draft proposal to the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for granting a project worth of 5.35 million U.S. dollars is being made by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and domestic environment- conservation-related organizations.

GEF has earmarked 15.34 million U.S. dollars for use in environmental conservation in Myanmar for four years focusing on reduction of cases of environmental changes, maintenance of biodiversity and problems dealing with the usage of land.

Meanwhile, local donors also offered 66 million Kyats (about 69, 000 U.S. dollars) for maintaining the lake's natural environment.

The high climate temperature, use of chemical substances ( pesticide) and forest depletion have constituted a factor that dried up the Inlay lake significantly.

To deal with the matter, an Inlay lake maintenance committee was formed by UNDP, FAO, FREDA, SVS (Social Vision Servion) and some local non-governmental organization in August.

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