Moneyingyi Wetland Sanctuary, Wetland sanctuary in Bago Region, Myanmar
Moneyingyi Wetland Sanctuary is a protected area in Bago Region composed of artificial lakes, grasslands, rice fields, and lotus cultivation zones. The landscape spans roughly 100 square kilometers at low elevations where water, vegetation, and farmland create a layered environment.
The site gained protection status in 1986 as a wildlife reserve and received international recognition as a Ramsar wetland in 2004. This designation marked Myanmar's commitment to safeguarding critical habitats for migratory species.
The name derives from the local term Moneyingyi, reflecting the area's traditional significance for nearby communities. Families around the sanctuary have long depended on fishing, duck-rearing, and harvesting reeds as part of their daily work and livelihoods.
Access to the sanctuary requires traveling by road through rural townships south of Yangon. The best visiting period runs from October to March when water levels are high and bird activity is at its peak.
Tens of thousands of migratory birds arrive each autumn and winter, including the rare Baer's Pochard and Sarus Crane that are seldom seen elsewhere in the region. This seasonal influx transforms the wetland into a vital stopover for birds traveling across East Asia.
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