In November 2018 Global Conservation mission began deployment of Global Park Defense in Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park (AKNP), the jewel of central Myanmar - elephants, pristine forests, trekking trails into eight ecosystems, beautiful rivers, and sacred Buddhist site.
Protecting over 150,000 hectacres of deep jungle and rainforest with only 12 rangers is challenging. The Buffer Zone of Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park has lost over 80% of its intact forests, which is now highly fragmented.
Having a 2,000 foot cliff surrounding 60% of the park has helped it survive decades of heavy logging across most of the country. Over 200,000 religious pilgrims come each year to worhip the sacred cave with remains of Lord Alaungdaw Kathapa under a stunning large golden buddah, recovered each year in gold from the local population, and pilgrims from afar.
Despite having almost no global tourism, and close proximity to Myanmar's second largest city, Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park is the jewel of central Myanmar - elephants, pristine forests, trekking trails into eight ecosystems, beautiful rivers, and a great ranger team.
For the past 20 years, AKNP has been on its own with the same ranger team of 14 leading its protection. No truck, no motorcyle and thirty year old radios. WCS Myanmar began SMART Training and Community Guardians with the support of the ASEAN Center for Biodiversity.
Illegal poaching of Rosewood, or "Bloodwood", and other hardwoods, inside the National Park and adjacent 'protected areas' is having a Double Negative Impact.
Hundreds of Rosewood Poachers operate daily in remote areas of the park killing wildlife for food. Right off the national highway logging camps cut and remove the Rosewood sold for Chinese furniture ('good luck'). In addition, the forests are used for bushmeat and hunting for profits by local and regional groups, decimating wildlife habitats - "Empty Forest Syndrome".
The Myanmar Department of Foresty has strong management structure and AKNP is under full control of the Myanmar government. By assisting with a multi-year Global Park Defense program, we can help ensure the highest protection, even with few rangers available. Over time, we expect greater investment by the Myanmar government into forest and wildlife protection, especially in UNESCO World Heritage.
Threats to Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park
Wildlife Poaching and Hunting
Illegal Logging
Illegal Land Clearing
Illegal Agriculture
Illegal Orchid Harvesting
Impacts from Annual Pilgrimage
Lack of Enforcement
Global Conservation kicked-off a 2 week training conducted by Freeland Foundation in Park and Wildlife Protection.
Deploying Global Park Defense
In November, 2017, Global Conservation had our first mission to meet park and government officials at AKNP to discuss opportunities to work together to help achieve ‘No Cut, No Kill’ protection for Myanmar’s oldest and largest national park, and assist in UNESCO World Heritage nomination.
Now we have a full fledged Global Park Defense program and signed MOU with the Government of Myanmar, Ministry of Natural Resources.
Deeper into AKNP, which extends for hundreds of miles, there remains a strong core of wildlife populations - includng Elephants, Gibbons and other Primates, Pangolins, Hedgehogs, Treeshrews, and hundreds of other species.
Global Conservation's first investment in Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park was the purchase of eight (8) all-terrain motorcycles. AKNP has no truck or motorcycle for park rangers needing to protect over 350,000 hectacres. A fleet of park elephants provide transport for patrols, each led by a dedicated elephant whisperer.
Global Park Defense - Beginning a 5 Year Program
To help ensure strong Park and Wildlife Protection in the coming years, AKNP will need at least 30-00 rangers with the vehicles, communications and Global Park Defense systems to patrol and protect the 350,000 acres national park in Sagaing Region, which is today the region experiencing the highest level of illegal logging in Myanmar.
New permanent ranger stations are needed in the North and North East of the Park in High Threat areas working closely with local communities. As well, we must target patrolling based on 24/7 monitoring and community involvement to identify illegals entering and working in the park.
Global Conservation is assisting deployment of Global Park Defense including park and wildlife protection systems, technology, equipment and training including:
Cellular Trailcam Surveillance Networks
SMART Ranger Patrols
Community Involvement
Command and Control Center
Park-wide Communications
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