Hope of Booming Business: Livelihoods of locals in Mt. Popa area

Locals in Popa mountain area engage their livelihoods depending on the locally produce products.

Since the area possesses good fertile soil, various kinds of trees, flowers and fruits are thriving in the surrounding area of Mt. Popa.

Being a destination for tourist attraction, the business of local people depends on the arrival of visitors. The business has been halted during the COVID-19 global pandemic since there are not much visitors. But locals said there are gradually increase of visitors during the holiday periods. 

Myint Myint Aye, Fruit Shop, Popa Market said "I came from TawZarChaung Village to sell fruits here at the market. There are various kinds of locally produce fruits we are selling here. The business is good during the public holidays like Christmas or Tazaungdaing."

Mt. Popa is situated in Kyaukpadaung Township of NyaungU District in Mandalay Region. It is an extinct volcano, situated at over 4,900 ft above the sea level, and it can be said as an oasis of the central Myanmar. Visitors to Mt. Popa can buy various saplings of locally grown trees and flowers as a return home gift.

ThanThan Nyunt, Saplings Shop, Popa Market said “We sell various kinds of saplings including GantGaw, Toddy Palm, Thanakha and many others. All these species are from around Popa area. Altogether, around 20 kinds of saplings are put on sale here.”

Many pilgrims use to visit Mt. Popa during the festive periods, and enjoy the beautiful natural landscapes. Since the tourism is expected to thrive again along with the decline of COVID-19 diseases, locals have high hope of booming their businesses again.