Preserving Biodiversity: Popa Mountain National GEO Park

The Popa Mountain National GEO Park was opened at the Popa National Park in KyaukPadaung Township, NyaungU District, Mandalay Region on Wednesday morning.

The Popa Mountain National GEO Park is comprised of 15 geographical areas where the biodiversity, ecosystem and the outstanding geographical heritage are preserved under the supervision of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation for the sustainable existence of the natural resources.

The GEO Parks are national level destinations where the outstanding geological heritage, biodiversity, tradition and culture, customs, local products and natural environment are preserved to support sustainable development through conservation, education, research and community engagement.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation is implementing to designate 10% of the country’s area as environmental conservation areas. As of now, a total of 59 environmental conservation areas are already designated which cover 6.42% of the total area of the country.

In Mandalay Region, several environmental conservation areas can be found including Popa National Park, Shwe U Daung Wildlife Sanctuary, Phyin Oo Lwin Bird Sanctuary, Lawkananda Wildlife Sanctuary and Minsontaung Wildlife Sanctuary. Also in 2024, Pyu Lake and Paleik Lake are also designated as East Asian-Australasian Flyway Network Site.