Indawgyi, the biggest lake in South East Asia, is regarded somewhat Holy (or) Sacred by the local inhabitants of Kachin State. To add to the serenity of the lake, a pagoda named: “Shwe Myintzu” had been built by Venerable Reverend “U Thaw Bitha”.

The first stake of the foundation was driven in February (1869) and the gradual build-up followed. Facing out wards at the ‘4’ cardinal points- North, South, East, West are ‘4’ Buddhas who attained enlightenment before Lord Gauttama.

Besides richness in flora and fauna, Indawgyi has age-old cultural ethnic groups that provide another kind of richness that is, “Cultural Diversity”.

These ethnic minorities (or) ecosystem people have developed cultural traditions and expressions, indigenous knowledge, and values that support sustainable lake resource management, which are distilled from centuries of interaction with the lake.

They also developed skills, how to manage such resources to maintain Biodiversity. For-instance, like fishing being prohibited within ‘1’ square mile around the pagoda.
While tracing back the emergence of the pagoda, the unique relationship between the devoted Shan ethnic groups (or) “stake holders” of Kachin State who have been living there for centuries, and the existence of the lake and pagoda can be envisaged.
Richness of Indawgyi’s Biodiversity and unique lake ecosystem, make a great contribution to Humanity.

Another reciprocal feature is that Indawgyi lake can provide enough quality food, water and economic security to the people of the region, together with conservation of traditional agro ecosystem and livestock, wealth, sustainability of the production system and environmental conservation.

In many ways, these ecosystem people behave as an integral part of the lake eco- system. Understanding the indigenous knowledge of mountain people in relation to lake Biodiversity, resource management is one of the key issues in the development of Indawgyi region, and the serve as “ Synbiotic Relationship”.

Another special event which takes place during the time of the yearly Pagoda festival in March, the low water season, is – the emergence of ‘2’ lime bars forming paths betweens the Pagoda and the shore-line. It may be mentioned that although this strange phenomena lies in the for North of Myanmar, yet it seems to attract tourists from far – off places (interview)

Proceeding north, our yearly visitors like:- “Little Cormorants” or “Din Gyi”

- in Myanmar, coming from Southern areas between Indonesia and Australia;

- “Lesser-Whistling Ducks”or “Sit salee” from Central Asia can be seen.

- “Cotton Pygmy goose” or “Kalarcut Bear” also from Central Asia.

- “Northern Pintail” or “Bear Yit” from North Asia and

- this white mantel of “Local Egrets” or “Byaing” will also capture your attention.

More information on the winged species will follow in Part-3 ,4,5 and 6.