In the heart of northwest Myanmar, nestled amidst the breathtaking Patkai Mountains, lie two vital wetlands: Naung-yan and Naung-sai Lakes. These ecosystems support a rich array of biodiversity and are crucial for the livelihoods of local residents. Recognizing the critical importance of these wetlands, local community members who participated in one of our partner’s, Friends of Wildlife (FoW), Biodiversity Hero trainings in 2020 requested support for an ambitious project to protect these wetlands.

Since then, FoW has been working with the Naga Conservation Association (N-Ca), a local organization formerly known as the Naga Biodiversity Conservation Group, in their work protecting Naung-yan and Naung-sai Lakes in northwest Myanmar. This project aims to empower local communities to become stewards of these crucial wetlands.

Both lakes are located in northern Myanmar in the watershed of Hukaung Wildlife Sanctuary. Hukaung Wildlife Sanctuary is primarily set aside for tigers, but is also home to species such as clouded leopard, Asian golden cat, marbled cat, leopard cat, yellow-throated marten, binturong, hog badger, and spotted linsang.

Naung Sai Lake is a one-mile-long natural lake with four villages on its perimeter. Naung Yan Lake is to the north, near the Indian border, and receives many Indian tourists, who refer to the lake as “Mysterious Lake” or “Lake of No Return.” It’s larger than Naung Sai – almost two miles long and over a mile wide. The area is threatened by deforestation, increasing pollution, and illegal hunting, resulting in decreasing populations of birds and fish.

See updates on this project: