Nature lovers are interested in taking recreation at the places where ecosystem is being preserved. As a motto, that goes, “To love the nature and balance the tourism”, ecotourism is a cost-effective one, giving advantages for the locals and refreshment for the visitors. Beautiful and peaceful landscapes can really refresh people, who have to live under the stress of bustling urban life. After observing the recreation sites in Yangon through the program of “A Day In Yangon”, lets study and enjoy the beautiful landscape of “Hlawga Park”.

Hlawga Park is situated in Htauk Kyant, Mingaladon Township, and Yangon Division. It is 22 miles that is 45 minutes drive, away from the hub of Yangon. Surrounded by Hmawbi and Shwepyitha Townships, the park is also easily accessible. It is the only nearest spot to Yangon where you can study forest. Hlawga Park is under the Environmental and wild life preservation Section of Forest Department under the Ministry of Forestry. It is also a catchments area for the Hlawga Lake. Hlawga Park is one of the 15 ecotourism sites in Myanmar.

Hlawga Park project was started in 1981 and it was opened on 30th September 1989. It is opened to the public daily including weekends and gazette holidays, except Mondays. It is 1,540 acres wide. Hlawga Park is divided into two parts – the miniature zoo and the wild life park.

At the entrance of the Miniature Zoo, there is a ticket sale counter. Behind this counter, you will find the Information Centre. As there are food stalls and snack bars opened near the centre, visitors can enjoy delicious food and snack and relax themselves. Now, let’s visit the Miniature Zoo.

Miniature Zoo covers an area of 62 acres. It lies next to the Wild life park. In the Miniature Zoo, you can see such wildlife as sun-bear, Asiatic black bear and leopard. Moreover, you can also observe the aviary where pied hornbill, wooly-necked stork, sport-billed pelican, green peafowl, greater spotted eagle, Himalayan griffon vulture, brahminy kite and pariah kite are being bred.

Furthermore, you can visit the Environment Education Centre (EEC) in the Miniature Zoo. In the Environment Education Centre, you can observe the taxiclermy of dead bodies of reptiles, butterflies, gibbons and photos of the biggest teak plant, the map of protected nature areas, photos of orchids, and the maps of National Garden Sanctuaries.

In the bird museum, you will find rare species of birds which have become almost extinct; these are being preserved and also view the endemic birds in Myanmar. And you can also observe the map which shows flying route of migratory birds. And the significant points of birds are also explained by inscriptions. So, this Miniature Zoo will give visitors a variety of knowledge.

Interview

U Maung Maung Tint

Admin Officer (Hlawga Park)

Q - May I know the difference between Hlawga Park and other parks?

A - Other parks in Myanmar are not fenced. Although this Hlawga Park is 818 acres wide, it is fenced with 8 feet high wire-nettings. In this area, plants are maintained in their natural habitat. And rare species animals in Myanmar are also kept in their natural habitat.

Q - May I know how you are conserving the ecosystem in Hlawga Park?

A - As the plants and trees in our park are fenced, these plants and trees may thrive better than other plants growing outside the park. Likewise, the wild animals in our park may breed as they live in their natural habitat.