Htamathi Wildlife Sanctuary was recognized as a wildlife sanctuary in May 1974, and the administrative office was established in Homalin Township on 1 September 1994 to operate wildlife conservation activities. It was recognized as an ASEAN heritage park on 8 October 2019.
THE world’s rare endangered species Bengal tiger and two bear species are conserved in 53,456 acres wide Htamathi Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Khamti and Homalin townships in Khamti District, Sagaing Region.
The Forest Department installed 50 camera traps in the Nanyanyin area and Nanpheelin area in October 2016 by cooperating with the warden office of Htamathi Wildlife Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Security (WCS) to collect the Bengal tiger population. According to the 2023 camera records, there are about 20 Bengal tigers and two bear species in the sanctuary. The Bengal tiger is found in the Htamathi Wildlife Sanctuary and Sumatran tigers are seen in the Taninthayi Region. The population and food chain are collected with the help of WCS.
“Last year, we installed 24 camera traps in 12 places. This year, we installed 24 cameras. We did it in December, and we will take them off in the second week of February. Htamathi Wildlife Sanctuary boasts Bengal tiger, bear, mammals and birds, so, we protect the whole area. If we have strong public participation, it can ensure the sustainability of the sanctuary,” said U Win Hlaing, warden of the sanctuary.
Htamathi Wildlife Sanctuary has two bear species, the Sun bear and the Himalayan bear, bearing V and U shape on the chest. The survey was conducted for the first time in December 2016 and the second time in December 2017. The study on tiger and bear populations was suspended in late 2019-2020.
Six out of the world’s eight species of bears are endangered with extinction, according to IUCN. The bear species are residing in Asia, Europe, North America and South America. The Himalayan bear species residing in Asia and the Sun bear residing in Peninsular Malaysia and Eastern India are found in the Htamathi Wildlife Sanctuary.
According to fossil evidence found in China, tigers have existed for approximately two million years, and three tiger species are considered extinct. Although the tigers from 100 years are found in Asia, they face extinction due to 70 per cent of habitat loss. Therefore, the Bengal tigers are protected at the Htamathi Wildlife Sanctuary in Myanmar. — Thitsa (MNA)/KTZH
