Neglect bedevils Arakan State’s Nanthar Island, a 2022 national marine park designee

By DMG 07 Nov 2022

DMG Newsroom
7 November 2022, Rathedaung

Nanthar Island, the site of a marine national park and home to dozens of globally endangered species in Arakan State’s Rathedaung Township, is suffering from understaffing and neglect, with only two staff taking care of the island, which covers more than 20,000 acres.

“We are seriously overstretched. We need many more staff to take care of this marine national park,” said U Yan Naung Soe, chairman of the Rakhine Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Association (RBANCA).

At the same time, the park needs significant funds for conservation, he said.

The marine national park is home to several endangered species of fish and birds, as well as a diverse array of turtle, crab, and prawn species.

More than 100,000 birds make the island their seasonal home during Myanmar’s dry season. There are also many migratory birds that pass through the island for short stays year-round.

Minbya Township resident Ko Than Lin Tun called on all people to refrain from poaching birds, saying the marine national park is important not only for Arakan State, but for all of Myanmar.

“This marine national park is extremely important. The birds at the park tell us about weather conditions; for example, about impending storms,” he said.

The island is not currently accessible to visitors due to junta travel restrictions in the area amid rising military tensions between its troops and the Arakan Army.

DMG was unable to obtain comment from the Arakan State Administration Council, as the state’s military government is known, on when and how visitors could visit the marine national park.

Conservationists said the park, if properly maintained, has the potential to become an ecotourism site, and contribute significantly to the development of Arakan State.

Nanthar Island and Arakan State’s Mayyu Estuary were designated as a Ramsar wetland site on May 22, 2021, coinciding with International Day for Biological Diversity.

Nanthar Island was subsequently designated as a marine national park by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation, in February of this year.

Lampi Island in Bokepyin Township, Tanintharyi Region, was designated as Myanmar’s first marine national park, with Nanthar Island becoming the country’s second.

Lampi Island covers 205 square kilometres and is home to more than 50 endangered marine species, according to conservationists.