Migratory birds, many threatened, arriving to winter in Arakan State

By DMG 08 Dec 2021

DMG Newsroom
8 December 2021, Sittwe

More than 30 species of migratory birds have arrived in Arakan State this winter, according to an environmental conservation group in the state.

An average of about 50 species of migratory birds arrive in the state annually between November and January, with more than 30 species found as of early December this year, said environmental conservationist U Yan Naung Soe.

“Globally rare birds such as the spoon-billed sandpiper and Tringa nebularia [common greenshank] have arrived now. Kentish plovers are mostly found now,” he said.

Spoon-billed sandpipers, white-naped cranes, Indian skimmers and other migratory birds are threatened by poaching in Arakan State.

Conservationists say the government and governmental departments, as well as residents, need to work together to conserve at-risk bird species, with poaching seen as a problem that requires both human and financial resources to tackle.

U Pyae Phyo Aung, executive director of the Nature Conservation Society-Myanmar, said more than 50 species of regional and migratory birds are on the “red list” for endangered species and need protection urgently due to poaching, loss of habitat, water pollution and other environmental changes.

“Residents are weak in working together for the conservation of birds. Governmental departments are also weak in educating the public about the conservation of birds. So, the effort to conserve the birds, to prevent them from becoming extinct, is not effective. We have challenges,” he said.

Nanthar Island, located between Rathedaung and Sittwe townships, is a popular habitat for migratory birds and more than 60 species are known to winter there.