Kahilu Wildlife Sanctuary

Kahilu Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area in Myanmar's Kayin State. It was established in 1928 and covers 160.58 km2 (62.00 sq mi).[1] It is mostly flat with elevation ranging from 20 to 260 m (66 to 853 ft). Annual precipitation is about 3,800 mm (150 in).[2]

Kahilu Wildlife Sanctuary
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Map showing the location of Kahilu Wildlife Sanctuary
Map showing the location of Kahilu Wildlife Sanctuary
Kahilu Wildlife Sanctuary
Location in Myanmar
LocationPhapun Township and Paan Township, Kayin State, Myanmar
Nearest citySumprabom
Coordinates17°32′00″N 97°30′00″E
Area160.58 km2 (62.00 sq mi)[1]
Established1928
Governing bodyMinistry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation, Forest Department

History

Kahilu Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1928 for the protection of one of the last Javan rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus) families in the country.[3] As of 2011, it was not managed due to security issues.[2] The Forest Department is the responsible management authority.[4]

Biodiversity

Most of Kahilu Wildlife Sanctuary is covered by mixed deciduous forest, consisting of teak (Tectona grandis) and iron wood (Mesua ferrea) trees. Indian hog deer (Hyelaphus porcinus), lesser mouse-deer (Tragulus kanchil) and serow (Capricornis milneedwardsii) live in this protected area. Bird species include jungle fowl, hornbill, myna, parakeets, doves, partridge, lapwing, drongos, kite and owl.[2]

Threats

Kahilu Wildlife Sanctuary is threatened by shifting cultivation practices, collection of non-timber forest products and hunting of wildlife. It will likely be flooded if a planned dam is constructed near the confluence of Salween and Moei Rivers.[2]

References
  1. World Database on Protected Areas (2019). "Kahilu Wildlife Sanctuary". Protected Planet.
  2. Beffasti, L.; Gallanti, V., eds. (2011). "Kahilu". Myanmar Protected Areas: Context, Current Status and Challenges (PDF). Milano, Yangon: Istituto Oikos, Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Association. pp. 40–41.
  3. Smith, H. C. (1935). "Wild Life Protection in Burma". Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society. 37 (Supplement: The Wild Animals of the Indian Empire and the Problem of their Preservation, Part III): 167–188.
  4. Lazarus, K. M.; Cardinale, P.; Corbett, M.; Lin, N. S.; Noeske, T. K. H. (2017). "Baseline Assessment Report of Terrestrial Biodiversity" (PDF). Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Hydropower Sector in Myanmar. Washington, D.C.: International Finance Corporation.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.