ASEAN Protected Areas

Lampi Marine National Park

ASEAN Heritage Park, Myanmar

Location

The park was established in 1996 with an area of 20,484 ha in Boatpyin Township of Taninthari Division. The park consists of a section of the Mergui Archipelago including the large island of Lampi, various other islands and the seas around them.

Habitats

The park is comprised of seas, coral reefs, beaches, mangroves and lowland tropical evergreen forests. There are freshwater streams with many kinds of fish. The area of Lampi island is quite big (about the same size as Singapore), so such an area of uninhabited lowland rainforest is very rare and precious.

Wildlife

The wildlife and fauna are plentiful here. Many kinds of bird can be seen including various types of kingfisher, hornbill, Pacific reef egret, white-bellied sea and heron. Mammals include mouse deer, barking deer, wild boar, crab-eating macaque, otter and plumbeous dolphin Sotalia plumbea. Lampi is even home to a small herd of wild elephant and there are stories of tigers on Lampi.

Wild orchids and ferns can be seen in abundance growing on the mangrove trees. The river is quite clear and fish life is plentiful. Estuarine crocodile have been seen here. There are also a lot of monitor lizards, python and mangrove snake here. Hawksbill turtle and logger-headed turtle have been recorded.

Many different types of beautiful butterflies can be seen everywhere.

The mangroves of Lampi Island are alive with a myriad of crabs, mudskiffers, weaver ants and mollusks. At high tide, archer fish swims away the Rhizophora roots shooty squirts of water to knock flies and ants off. At night, the mangrove flicker to the light of fireflies.

Other interests

Diving in coral reefs and viewing Salon (Sea Gypsy) ethnic culture at village of Pu Nala.

Lampi is an island of outstanding natural beauty and has been designated as a National Park by the government. There are endless white sandy beaches along its coast, some of which stretch for 2 km or more.

At the northern end of Lampi, the superbly protected anchorage of Salet Galet offers jungle walks, great fishing, snorkelling and kayaking and the chance for an encounter with the Moken Sea Gypsies. These nomads live in family groups complete with dogs and cats aboard their tiny wooden boats.

Visiting

Day trips are offered to Lampi National Park. First stop is the Sea Gypsy village on Pu Nala. In the afternoon explore the coastline of Pu Nala paddling to Lampi Island then the mangrove rivers on the west side of Lampi Island.

The Mergui Archipelago has an annual rainfall of 750 mm per year.

Conservation Programmes

The government’s management programme includes protecting the area’s wildlife and habitats, developing ecotourism facilities and assisting the Sea Gypsies to adapt to a more sedentary lifestyle.

Threats

This was formerly a refuge for pirates, but for now the islands offer amazing peace. The dangers will come when more and more visitors arrive and cause damage from anchorage, littering and pollution.

The coral reefs are still in good condition but would be vulnerable to destructive fishing methods.