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Welcoming Paleik Lake (EAAF154) and Pyu Lake (EAAF155) as new Flyway Network Sites of Myanmar
Paleik Lake © Thiri Dae We Aung/BANCA Pyu Lake © Thiri Sandar Zaw On the 16th of November 2023, the East Asian-Australasian Partnership (EAAFP) welcomed the addition of two new Flyway Network Sites (FNS) of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar namely, Paleik Lake (EAAF154) and Pyu Lake (EAAF155), marking the seventh and eighth FNS in the country. Flock of Greylag Goose recorded in December 2016 at Paleik Lake FNS © Thiri Dae We Aung/BANCA Recognised as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) and a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA), Paleik Lake (EAAF154) provides food and shelter to globally threatened migratory waterbirds such as Critically Endangered Baer’s Pochard (Aythya baeri), Vulnerable Common Pochard (Aythya ferina), and other more abundant species including Greylag Goose (Anser anser), Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus), and Black-headed Ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus), as well as a breeding ground for other waterbird species. Paleik Lake is also known to provide a variety of livelihood benefits to local communities primarily through agriculture and aquaculture by supplying water for the cultivation of rice and vegetables and as a habitat for economically important fishes and aquatic plants. Additionally, Paleik Lake plays a vital role in mitigating and adapting to climate change, specifically in preventing droughts and floods during extreme weather events. Diving duck species observed at the northeast part of Pyu Lake FNS in January 2019 © Thiri Dae We Aung Home to a diverse population of aquatic flora and fauna, Pyu Lake (EAAF155) annually supports up to 40 waterbird species including the Critically Endangered Baer’s Pochard (Aythya baeri) and the Vulnerable Common Pochard (Aythya ferina). Pyu Lake is characterised by its surrounding agricultural land with abundant crops that support the livelihoods of local communities. In addition, the presence of economically significant aquatic plants and fish in the lake greatly contributes to the preservation of traditional fishing practices among the local villagers. With no prior conservation frameworks in place or national/local legal recognition as a critical habitat for migratory waterbirds and other species, Pyu Lake’s designation as an FNS is a crucial step in ensuring that further biodiversity loss is minimised, and appropriate conservation measures are implemented. Myanmar’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation established the Mandalay Region Wetlands Conservation Committee which enables the conduct of annual wintering survey and Asian Waterbird Census in both Paleik Lake and Pyu Lake, the implementation of education awareness activities focusing on migratory waterbird species, among others. Since 2016, the Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Association (BANCA) performs the annual waterbird monitoring in both sites. Moreover, the Paleik Bird Lover Association and Shwe Kan Tharyar Nature Conservation Association are local conservation groups established to conserve the biodiversity of Paleik Lake and Pyu Lake, respectively. With the valuable support of national and local conservation groups, the designation of Paleik Lake and Pyu Lake offers a ray of hope for enhanced governance and management of wetland ecosystems in Myanmar. As part of their conservation measures, management plans for Paleik Lake and Pyu Lake are intended to be developed. Both FNS are also recommended for designation as Ramsar sites by the Ramsar Administrative Authority of the Forest Department of Myanmar. The expansion of the Flyway Site Network exemplifies the unwavering commitment of the EAAFP and its Partners in conserving and restoring important habitats for migratory waterbirds both for nature and people. It is a truly remarkable partnership driven by our shared goals and appreciation to safeguard the connectivity of wetland habitats along the flyway, thereby providing safe havens for migratory waterbirds.
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Welcoming Gochang Getbol from the Republic of Korea as Flyway Network Site, EAAF 153
On 28th August 2022, the East Asian-Australasian Partnership welcomed a new addition to…
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8th Wetland Link International – Asia Conference (Part 2) held in the Philippines
Group photo of 8th Wetland Link International – Asia Conference Part 2 © Ramsar Regional Center – East…
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Announcement of EAAFP Partners Workshop leading up to MOP 11
In preparation of and to increase dialogue with and between Partners in the months leading up to MOP11, which will be held in Brisbane Australia, from 12th – 17th March 2023, the Secretariat is organizing a series of webinars endorsed by the EAAFP Management Committee with the following schedule and program. The webinar series will give Partners the opportunity to be briefed on important ongoing activities of the Secretariat and follow-up on Decisions made at MOP10. The EAAFP Secretariat is inviting all Partners to mark these dates and participate in the webinars. Title: EAAFP Partners Workshop lead up to MOP 11 Date/Time: 1 – 5 August 2022; 15:00 – 17:30 KST Organizers: EAAFP Secretariat and Management Committee Participants: EAAFP Partners, EAAFP Working Groups and Task Forces, Flyway Network Site Managers Language: English Meeting Platform: Zoom Register: https://cutt.ly/dJJgCmV *We invite everyone to join as many sessions as possible EAAFP Provisional Programme Day Programme Presenter/Moderator Day 1 Opening Remarks Robb Kaler, MC Chair Briefing on MOP11 Doug Watkins, Secretariat Chief Executive/Nick Davidson, TsC Chair Activities of the Management Committee Robb Kaler, MC Chair Report on the Secretariat’s workplan and budget Doug Watkins, Secretariat Chief Executive Day 2 Presentation on the Partner New Reporting Template for MOP11 Doug Watkins, Secretariat Chief Executive Interactive Session 1: How to increase the effectiveness of Working Group/Task Forces for EAAFP, following up on the Discussion Paper presented at MoP10 (link). (TBC) Day 3 MOP10 DD08: EAAFP Guidelines for National and Site Partnerships (link) Jennifer George, Consultant MOP10 DD 09: EAAFP Guidelines for the Sister Site Program (link) Day 4 Presentation on the revised CEPA Action Plan 2023 – 2028 Casey Burns, CEPA Working Group Chair Update on the ADB Regional Flyway Initiative Duncan Lang, Asian Development Bank /Doug Watkins, Secretariat Chief Executive /Ding Li, BirdLife International Day 5 Conservation Status Review of Migratory Waterbird Populations for the EAAFP [MOP10 DD 12] / Q&A Taej Mundkur, Consultant to Wetlands International Interactive Session 2: How to expand, strengthen and engage the Flyway Site Network, including adopting a more simplified and focused nomination form (SIS) Nick Davidson, TsC Chair/Qing Zeng, Science Officer Closing Remarks Robb Kaler, MC Chair For inquiries, please email to [email protected].
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Welcome Sarobetsu Wetland in Japan as new Flyway Network Site
On 25th October 2021, the EAAFP and its Partners welcomed Sarobetsu Wetland in Japan as the new Flyway Network Site (EAAF 151). This also marks the 34th Flyway Network…
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2021 World Wetlands Day: Restore our wetlands in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway
World Wetlands Day, celebrated every year on 2 February, to raise global awareness of the importance of…
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Work and achievements of EAAFP Secretariat in collaboration with the Partners in 2020
The year 2020 is an unprecedented time for everyone due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Yet, the EAAFP Partners and Secretariat adapted to the situation and overcome the challenge to…
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2017 Khurkh Bird Ringing Station report
The Khurkh Bird Ringing Station report for 2017 is now available. Khurkh-Khuiten Valley is an important site for migratory birds and a part of the
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Celebrating Australia’s Migratory Waterbirds and their habitats
Department of the Environment and Energy Australian Government Showcasing Australia’s Flyway Site Network The
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Who will rid me of this turbulent pest?
Spike Millington Chief Executive of EAAFP Apple Snail eggs near a Wood Sandpiper © EAAFP/Eugene…
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