World Wetlands Day: Commemorative ceremony at Moeyungyi Lake

Myanmar observed the 2024 World Wetlands Day at the Moeyungyi Wetland Wildlife Sanctuary on Friday morning, with the theme “Wetlands and Human Wellbeing”.

Aiming to maintain the ecosystem, biodiversity and to improve the socio-economic wellbeing of the local residents who are residing in wetland regions, the commemorative celebrations have been held annually. During the ceremony, awards were presented to the winners of easy competition marking 2024 World Wetlands Day.

The wetlands are important features that provide necessary food, water and other beneficial services for mankind and cover the 40% of world plant and animal species. There are 2,503 sites across the world which are designated as wetlands of international importance.

In Myanmar, 99 wetland areas have been recorded as a national level. Among them, Moeyungyi Lake, Mainmahla Island, Gulf of Mottama, Inle Lake, Nantha Island and Mayyu Estuaries were already designated as World Ramsa sites. Moeyungyi Lake is home to endangered animal species including cranes, eagle and marsh tortoise.

It is also a primary habitat of over 20,000 of water birds and about 30,000 of migratory birds that enter Myanmar through two flyways: Central Asian Flyway and East Asia- Australasian Flyway every year.