Takin, blue sheep living well in Phonkanrazi Wildlife Sanctuary

In Phonkanrazi Wildlife Sanctuary, located in PutaO, Machanbaw, and Nagmon townships of PutaO District, Kachin State, and covering 1,044 square miles (668,160 acres), Takin and blue sheep, the primary prey of the snow leopard, are found, according to the sanctuary’s administration office.
The Khakaborazi National Park and the US Panthera jointly conducted research on snow leopards in the mountain ranges of Khakaborazi, at an altitude of 10,000-16,000 feet in the northernmost part of Myanmar in 2018 by installing the cameras. Although no images of snow leopards were captured, prey species such as blue sheep, takin, and red foxes were recorded and are still thriving today.
“ There are nine staff in Phonkanrazi Wildlife Sanctuary, stationed at four outposts, carrying out conservation activities. The sanctuary is not only a source of national pride but also an important watershed area and a habitat for rare species. As the snow leopard is endangered, research using camera traps recorded its prey species, such as takin, blue sheep, and red foxes. Loving wildlife and the sanctuary is not enough. We also need to attend training programmes to learn how to conserve and protect them effectively and to share knowledge about certain conservation methods. Especially, Phonkanrazi Wildlife Sanctuary is an important watershed area for the country,” said Daw Nilar Pwint, the sanctuary’s warden.

The sanctuary is home to 36 species of mammals, 370 bird species, 360 insect species, 42 coldwater fish species, 53 tree species, 13 bamboo species, 220 orchid species, six species of rhododendron, and 33 medicinal plant species. Although access is difficult due to the high mountain ranges and snow coverage, conservation efforts are carried out through four main guard posts. However, since funding from the RNH fund ended, patrol-based educational activities and bird surveys have been suspended.
Hponkanrazi Wildlife Sanctuary remains beautiful throughout the year with its montane moist forests, evergreen forests, pine forests, rhododendron forests, and grasslands. It is being protected with the objectives of conserving biodiversity and ecosystems in Myanmar’s eastern Himalayan snow-covered region, safeguarding the watershed area of the Ayeyarwady River and ensuring long-term environmental sustainability, and promoting nature-based tourism to improve the livelihoods of local communities. The sanctuary also plays a key role in supporting the watershed of the Malikha River.
On the steep mountain slopes of Phonkanrazi Sanctuary, fragrant davana flowers grow abundantly and are favoured by blue sheep and takin. Various endangered wildlife species, plant species, and fish species continue to survive and thrive within the sanctuary. — Thitsa/KTZH

gnlm