Continuing Part 4, our team reached “Chaung-Wa”, about 2-hours from Indawgyi lake. We noticed that the water was muddy, compared to Indawgyi water. We also learned that the primary activities of the indigenous people around Indawgyi Lake are:- wet and dry rice cultivation and fishing.

The surrounding watershed is home to ‘3’ Shan ethnic groups namely: “Taing Lain”, “Taing Lyan”, and “Taing Kham Ti”. “Taing Lyan” is predominant in population, and they have established literature and culture.

These ecosystem people have a long history of preserving Biodiversity. They also have a reputation as skilled elephant mahouts and are experts in wild elephant sizing and domesticating. Please notice that the saddle is made out of a fibrous bark from a tree, belonging to the mango family “Anacardiacea”. It is known as “Na bear bin” in Myanmar. These saddles bring comfort to the elephants and its indigenous technology to make them had been handed down through generations.

Each of the agricultural village situated around the lake forms part of an ecosystem in this “Gene-Rich” region. Here, rice cultivation is important not only for their food security, but also as a primary activity in their way of life. Thus, 80% of the inhabitants are local farmers.

The favourable ecological environment in this region, also encourages the high productivity of ‘5’ pitted cashews, Botanically termed as “Dracontomelon megefera” (or) “Ngar bauk thee” in Myanmar.

This indigenous plant also belongs to the mango family- “Anarcadiacea”. Since the seeds (or) kernels of this near endemic plant yields a good amount of edible oil, it forms a good source for their consumption.

However, another oil yielding crop like mustard (or) “See Mon Nyin” is also being grown widely in Kachin state, which has achieved self sufficiency in rice, and is exporting surplus to other divisions.

From “Chaung-Wa” village, we moved further north the same day, along the meandering stream, bordered by luscious plantations on both sides. But just when we were all enjoying the wonderful scenery and zig-zag run, the stream became too narrow and shallow forcing us to back-trek to “Chaung-Wa”. It was disappointing not to have reached “Kamaing” further upstream as it was no longer accessible.
Before we left “Chaung Wa” we could got a closer look at the “Large Cormorant”, known as “Din Gyi” in Myanmar, coming from eastern and southern part of Asia. Its beak is naturally curved and sharp, to enable it to catch fish easily.
And, what we saw on our return are:- “Pied Harrier” (or) “Suun”;
-Vented Myna” (or) “Taw Zayet”;
Swamphens” (or) Mare Nyo” a migratory specie;
flock of “Egrets” (or) “Byaing”;
Marsh Harrier” (or) “Daung Suun” from West Asia and
Winged Jacana” (or) “Kyar-Bet-Nin Nghet” also a migratory bird gliding gracefully.
More of the flying specimen will be seen in Part-5.