Can you all guess what might be the largest lake of South East Asia? It is the “Indawgyi Lake” in the Northern part of the Union of Myanmar. Shall we first study the satellite picture of this Inland water mass. The lake stretches for about (14) miles from North to South and (7) miles from East to West, with its deepest part about (60) feet.

It lies between (25˚: 6") to (25˚: 10") North latitude, and (96˚: 6") to (96˚: 15") East longitude, covering about (98) square miles. The watershed (or) the crown of complex chain of mountain system is continuous with the Eastern Himalaya and Tibetan plateau.

The physical features of its surroundings are characterized by high mountains, ravines, water courses, basins, and intricate network of deep valleys ---- etc. Because of this varied topography and climatic condition, various ecosystems with rich and unique biodiversity exist in this region.

This area can the reached in about ½ day’s drive by car from Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State. On the way, you will pass through a reserved teak forest yielding foreign exchange for the country.

In view of the importance of the Myanmar Forestry Sector in enhancing national socio-economic development, and ensuring ecological balance and environmental stability, the Myanmar Forest Policy has been formulated in a holistic and balanced manner, within the overall context of the environment and sustainable development taking full cognizance of the forestry principles, adopted at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in 1992. This policy defines:--- Protection; Sustainability; Basic Needs; Efficiency; Participation; and Public Awareness as Imperatives.

This is the first view of the Indawgyi Lake, from an elevation of (1610) feet above sea-level. According to the investigation conducted in 1929, the lake is considered to be formed by tectonic action, and was once on extension of the Bay of Bengal during the Early Tertiaries (or) over (40 to 60) million years ago, and included in the central basin of Myanmar’s Geological setting.

The Indawgyi Lake is located in Mohnyin Township, in the south west part of Kachin State. It is not only the largest lake in South East Asia, but also the one and only TECTONIC Lake in Myanmar. According to the global scale wet-land type, Indawgyi belongs to “Fen-lake” type, with heavy peat accumulation containing moss and micro- fossils.

Let us now observe the lake fauna :--- for instance, this specie of fish known as “Doryichthys dunckeri” is actually on oceanic fauna, closely related to the sea-horse family. However, as the lake had been separated from the Bay of Bengal for millions of years, this and species like ---“ Indostomus paradoxes” and ȁulostomidae” of the oceanic fauna have been transformed by evolution, and physiologically adapted to fresh water.

Now a little information on the peculiar flora found in the Indawgyi lake. This thorny lotus also called “ Euaryales ferox” (or) Fox nut Gorgon is indigenous only to the Kachin State. It’s a wonder how a near endemic specie from Kashmir has found its way to Indawgyi in Myanmar.

Coming to the wing species of the lake, a large variety of migratory birds can be found from October to April forming the most important dimension of Biodiversity. As you see this big flock is made up of -

- “ Greylag Goose” from Mongolia.

- “2” little Cormorants from East Asia with the local Egret, and

- “Common Pochards” from Mongolia and West past of Central Asia. More information on this interesting lake to follow in Part-II.