Tigers, Big Predators of Myanmar

Myanmar Tiger on Trap Camera by Wildlife Conversation Society - WCS

Tiger is an animal with full of mystical background stories in Myanmar since for hundreds years ago. Like werewolves in America and Europe, weretigers in Mynmar is one of the most thrilling characters among folklore of Burmese and various ethnic groups. Furthermore it is a part of religious value for animistic beliefs both tribal people and urban communities. Until now, it is remained as one of the major themes in traditionally told bedtime tales.

From the far northern snow-capped mountains to down south Mergui Archipelagos, Myanmar is a shelter for a wide range of biodiversity and wildlife. Various parts of the country itself is a home for mix of species from north Asia, south Asia and southeast Asia. In fact, Myanmar is the largest country by geographical area in mainland Southeast Asia or Indochina Peninsular.

In general, tigers habitat in Myanmar is the Indochinese Tiger (Panthera tigris corbetti) and also known as Corbett's Tiger which are even found in China, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Records show a number of Bengal tigers also found in Myanmar. They habitat in the deep jungle especially in mountainous or hilly regions. In fact they are very similar to Bengal tigers but practically darker and smaller in appearance. However it is said to be more intelligent and hazardous in the desperate situations. Now all those tigers in estimated population between 1200 to 1800 are only several hundred left in wild and nature due to various reasons such as decreasing of primary prey species which are medium and large size animals (ie. deer, wild pigs, serows etc.), poaching and inbreeding. Furthermore, traditional hunting as basis need for ornaments or costumes by some tribal ethnic groups might be another strong reasons. The illicit demand from China for traditional medicine would be another major reason for the unrelenting poaching pressure on tigers. The traders and brokers for tigers remains are always roaming in tiger habitat areas.

"Myanmar (Burma): Chinese pharmacy, Mandalay, 11. XII . 1987 ; special offer: tiger (Panthera tigris), Asian black bear (Ursus thibetanus), civet cat (Viverra zibetha), Bengal and domestic cat (Felis bengalensis, Felis libycus forma catus), etc."

"The Wildlife Conservation Society and the Panthera Foundation announced plans to establish a 5,000 mile-long "genetic corridor" from Bhutan to Burma that would allow tiger populations to roam freely across landscapes. The corridor, first announced at the United Nations on January 30th, would span eight countries and represent the largest block of tiger habitat left on earth."
Source: Science Citizen / WCS

As an ambitious project, "World Largest Tiger Reserve" has been created in Myanmar. It was in year 2001, the total area of more than triples size of the 2500- square-miles (6500 -square-kilometer) Hukaung Vally Wildlife Sanctuary was established. In fact, Myanmar had been identified since 1995 as a high priority tiger conservation area as WCS Myanmar assume Myanmar has large areas of potential habitat existed for tigers. Followed by this statement, WCS approached with National Tiger Action Plan to Forest Department in 1998 when preliminary surveys and training programs began.

Tours are now possible to arrange for off-the-beaten-trek Htmanti Wildlife Sanctuary in Sagain Division, the Hukaung Vally Wildlife Sanctuary in Kachin State and the Htaung Pru Reserved Forest and Pe Chaung catchment in Taninthary Division consider where global hotspots for Myanmar tigers and biodiversity.


Ref:
- Wikipedia
- WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society)
- Science Citizen
- National Geographic
- Aung Kyaw Tha - Myanma Alin
- Research Institute and Natural History Museum - Senckenberg (Germany)

Photos:
- WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society)
- Research Institute and Natural History Museum - Senckenberg (Germany)
- Ledo Road

World Shame

It is nothing about tourism nor Asia and it is far away from my current position. However I was so shock once I received a forwarded mail from my working colleague with her signature. Then I straightaway forwarded to Travel Myanmar Google Group which I moderate and as well as to all my friends. "World Shame", I did not even change the subject line of the mail and now post on my owned blog with sadness in away with paranoid to all those cruel people.

It is about killing pilot whales on the beach on the Island of Faroese, Denmark. The people there have been practiced Whaling since AD 1584. There are around 950 Long-finned Pilot Whales are killed each and every year in summer time. They surround the whales with boats and drive them to the beach. Those wild people consider this horrible and cruel slaughtering to the innocent and highly intelligent whales as their important part of culture and history. Is it culture?

The people from Faroese treat the hunt as their festive occasion. Children are often given a day off school. According to Faroese legislation it is also permitted to hunt certain species of small cetaceans other than pilot whales. These include: Bottlenose dolphin; Atlantic white-beaked dolphin; Atlantic white-sided dolphin; and Harbour porpoise (There are also specific regulations for the hunting of harbour porpoise. Harbour porpoises are killed with shotguns).

Please see below forwarded mail with photos :-(

This is horrible and sad, but nevertheless needs to be addressed.

Denmark is a big shame The sea is stained in red and in the mean while its not because of the climate effects of nature. It's because of the cruelty that the human beings (civilised human) kill hundreds of the famous and intelligent Calderon dolphins. This happens every year in Feroe iland in Denmark. In this slaughter the main participants are young teens. WHY? To show that they are adults and mature.... BULLLLsh In this big celebration, nothing is missing for the fun. Everyone is participating in one way or the other, killing or looking at the cruelty "supporting like a spectator" Is it necessary to mention that the dolphin calderon, like all the other species of dolphins, it's near instinction and they get near men to play and interact. In a way of PURE friendship They don't die instantly; they are cut 1, 2 or 3 times with thick hocks. And at that time the dolphins produce a grim extremely compatible with the cry of a new born child. But he suffers and there's no compassion till this sweet being slowly dies in its own blood Its enough! We will send this mail until this email arrives in any association defending the animals, we won't only read. That would make us accomplices, viewers. Take care of the world, it is your home! Sign Against this cruelty:

***Please copy and paste this post to your friends and acquaintances to participate Sign Against this cruelty. Click here to sign petition.

Ref:
- Forwarded mail
- Wikipedia

Photos:
- Forwarded mail

Sarawak - on the Island of Borneo

Sarawak exists on Borneo, the third largest in the world after Greenland and New Guinea. Malaysian belongs two states on Borneo are separated in Sarawak with a size of 123520 square kilometer and Sabah with 75230 square kilometer. The sultanate Brunei wedged in between these two Malaysian states and the southern two third of Borneo is belong to Indonesia and called Kalimantan.

Sarawak is well famous for its richness in plants and animal species, in a way Borneo is a center of biodiversity in tropical Asia. There are 10 national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in Sarawak and which are home to quite a number of endangered animal species such as Proposcis Monkeys, Orang Utans, Sumatran Rhinoceros, Clouded Leopard, Asian Elephants et cetera.


Archaeological encounters at Santubong Peninsula serve that the Chinese came to trade during Tang, Yuan and Sung dynasties from 618 AD to 1368 AD. And it was under the control of the Sultan of Brunei once in the past, at some point, there is no written records of the "middle age". In fact, Sarawak's history is like an exciting story from a novel played by enthralling characters of various performers. It was full of mysterious and alluring time while James Brooke landed his first step to the inside of Sarawak from the Sarawak River. He become first White Raja in Sarawak.

"My intention is first to visit Sarawak - a river whence they get antimony ore, as yet unknown and unmarked on teh charts. At Sarawak, I hope to get hold of the Rajah of Borneo proper and go up to the capital with him and, if possible, make an excursion up the river. I feel confident something is to be done"
James Brooke (29 April 1803 – 11 June 1868)

The Chronicles of the Brooke ruled in an era by three generations of an English family whose first foray into Sarawak. James Brooke arrived in Kuching in 1839 to deliver a letter to the governor of Sarawak, Raja Muda Hashim. Sarawak was ruled by Brunei Sultanate at the time he arrived. The Brunei Sultanate and rebellion from the Malays and Bidayuh who had been forced into hard labor by the Governor. Rajah Muda Hashim was not able to control teh uprising and requested to James Brooke to compromise and bring a peaceful settlement with the natives. Brooke succeeded the operations and become White Raja of Sarawak in 1842 as a reward. Not before expanding his territory, in 1842 Rajah Brooke died.

His nephew Charles Brook took over him. Charles Brooke was well organized and capable person who set a proper system of government and extension of Sarawak Border. From 1941 - 1945, during the Japanese occupation, Charles and his family fled to Australia. No difference like other places during Japanese occupation, all economic and administrative structures are collapsed and the people of Sarawak were suffered. Before the return of Sir Charles Vyner Brooke, Sarawak was already took over by Austrilian Military Administration. Sarawak's colonization by British on 1 July 1946 and hundreds of government officers resigned from government service. In 1949, the second British Governor was assasinated by Rosli Dhobi. Despite Malaysia independent on 31 August 1957 (Merdeka Day), Sarawak did not achieve full independence until 16 September 1963 due to opposition from Indonesia and Philippines.


The People
There are 28 ethnic groups inhabitant in Sarawak with their own distinct language, culture and lifestyle. Urban ares are populated by Malay, Chinese, Melanaus and small percentage of Ibans and Bidayuh who are relocated from their village for various reasons such as work or education. There are only a small community of Indians living in Sarawak. It is a harmony amongst the population of over 2 million in 28 indigenous ethnic groups who speak 45 different languages. Furthermore Sarawak is a place of the cluster of various traditions, pratices and religions.

"But who is the civilised Malay or, as he is also termed, the Deurero-Malay or Coastal Malay, of Malaya, Sumatra, Java, Bali, Lombok, Borneo, Celebes, Ternate, Timor, Sumba, and other islands? This broad-headed individual with more or less Mongoloid features, olive skin, lank black hair and thin beard is the Proto-Malay plus many foreign strains derived from inter-marrage with Chinese from teh Chou period onwards, with Indians from Bengal and the Deccan, with Arabs and Siamese." Sir Richard Winstedt, The Malays: A Cultural History

The Malays
Twenty one percentage of the population in Sarawak, Malays are traditionally fishing, wood carving, silver and brass crafting as well as traditional Malay textile weaving. They are in fact originally migrated from Sumatra and they speak different dialect from the Malays of Peninsular Malaysia. Mostly they live traditionally along the coast.

The Chinese
They came to Sarawak as traders in early 6th century, Chinese now the 29 % of the population of Sarawak and practically built up strong community in social and business fields since 19th century then. Sarawakian Chinese are comprising Hokkien, Foochow, Hakka, Cantonese, Teochew and Henghua. They maintain their tradition and celebrate almost all of major cultural and religious activities.


The Iban
They are the largest portion of the total population which is 30 % of entire Sarawak, Iban are reputed as "headhunters of Borneo". Ibans dwell in their renowned longhouses and famous for their weaving, silver crafting, wood carvings and beads. The Ibans traditionally settle in the river valleys of Batang Ai, the Skrang River, Saribas, and the Rajang River by building up their longhouses. These longhouses may have somewhere between six to nearly a hundred units! Longhouses generally located in newly opened areas are typically made of bamboo and tree bark, but more established and prosperous longhouses can be made of precious and long-lasting hardwoods from the nearby forest. They practice their own democracy in a communal group. They keep the elderly as important rote to make major decisions. The headman who is elected by the people of the entire community of each longhouse. Nowadays, Ibans are well known for their hospitality and friendliness.

The Orang Ulu
The Orang Ulu means upriver people and it had used to mention numerous tribes who live in upriver of inside Sarawak. In fact these groups make up approximately 5.5% of Sarawak's total population. Those tribal groups include also major Kenyah and Kyan tribes as well as the minority groups of Kajang, Kejaman, Punan, Ukit and Penang. The word Orang Ulu nowadays more widely called also to down-river tribes of Lun Bawang, Lun Deyeh, Murut and Berwan as well as the hill tribal Kelabits.

***Note: I sincerely tried to write about Sarawak at a glance and I doubt my post would be covered all about Sarawak.

Ref:-
- Wikipedia
- Sarawak by Robert Hoebel
- Sarawak Tourism Board
- Masama
- Wan (Kuching)

Photos:-
- Courtesy of Sarawak Tourism Board
- Sir Francis Grant from file Wikipedia

Proud to be a Myanmar

The Nearest Forest to Kuala Lumpur

I visited to my friend's house last one month ago and saw from his house a green forest along a hill in Kapong area. Then I straightaway asked him if possible to climb up the small hill and trek across the forest so the sake of my stupid hobby :). He answered me it is very convenient to do so as it has been developed as a forest reserve since long time ago. In fact, Forest Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) is the nearest forest to Kuala Lumpur.

Last 80 years ago, the place was vegetable gardens and shrubby forest where abandoned tin mine wastes. In 1926 and since then, foresters and scientists started develop the forest in nature by British government's support. Nowadays, it is an ideal place to research for forest ecology in forest science park. Aside of these forestry and scientific knowledge center, the park fosters as leisure picnic place and jungle trekking. There is a diversity of animal lives, and believed to be existed wild boars and small species of foxes (I saw the wild boar trails somewhere in the forest).

I leaved my house about half pass eight in the morning and took a KTM to Kapong Sentral then hired a taxi to FRIM. The taxi driver dropped me at the gate of FRIM. Walking the to information center from the gate took about twenty minutes. A number of people for the jogging and biking on the way into the park. The information center is located in the building D6. I went in the center but they gave fliers and leaflets but no information provided personally. I bought a ticket for canopy walk.


I bought takeaway lunch for myself and started to trek up to the hill which is about 70 minutes as I was on my way to trek and spot the birds along the trail. I spotted White-Rumped Shama which is the major highlight of FRIM (later I was told by a nature staff from FRIM) on the way to canopy walk. Incidentally, in the middle of the trek, I met a man with two Japanese tourists (I am not quiet sure where are they from) and asked me "are you a birdwatcher???" apparently I am a guy with a binocular and looking to the up trees :) then I replied him happily "yes I am". We introduced each other and agreed to meet him down there in the base camp next 2 hours.


I continued up trekking until most likely the peak of the hill (1000 feet) and viewed the panoramic view of Kuala Lumpur from the canopy walkway. My picnic lunch was had near the waterfall and subsequently I trekked back the same way to the base camp. I met Mohd Zain near the information center together with his young son. He led us in the selah walk for half an hour with technical explanation about the FRIM and the nature of the plants as well as the resident animals. I must say he is very knowledgeable and nature lover. Furthermore, he is a good birdwatcher and bird guide for FRIM. We spotted together a few species before I left the park. He sent me until the entrance gate with his motor after our conversation about birds and nature in general.

Afterward, I ringed my friend to fetch me to his home in the early evening. He hosted me a bottle of Chivas Regal with varieties of foods. Finally, his family sent the happy and drunk amateur birdwatcher to his home in the very late evening :P

Private Bird List of FRIM

- Common Flame Back Woodpecker
- Black-Browed Barbet
- House Swift
- Asian Palm Swift (not confirmed)
- Green Imperial Pigeon
- White-Rumped Shama
- Peaceful Dove (I always wrongly mention as Spotted Dove)
- Large-Billed Crow
- Common Iora
- Black-Naped Oriole
- Oriental Magpie Robin
- Crested Myna
- Red-Whiskered Bulbul (not confirmed)


Ref:
- FRIM official website
- Wiki encyclopedia
- Birds of South-East Asia by Craig Robson
- Mohd Zain - FRIM

Photo:
- xiaoloongzi
- Markus Seibel
- botany hawaii

Naga, the Warriors of the Hills

The Naga Warriors at their New Year Festival

The People

The legendary people, Nagas have being dwelt since hundreds years in Myanmar geographically the northwestern hilly region and along the India border. In fact, they live in both Myanmar and the Nagaland of India sides. According to the statistical records, there are more than 150,000 Nagas in Myanmar a composition of 49 more major tribal groups and many sub-tribes in estimation. The well known tribal groups are made up of more than twenty different peoples, amongst which are the Angamis, the Aos, the Konyaks, the Semas and others. Since recent years, many Nagas have moved to Chindwin River Vally (Patkoi and Seramayri Mountain Ranges) around the Sagaing Division and Chin State.

In fact, the term originally "Naga" is disputed as the Nagas did not describe themselves for many years. Some anthropologists said it derives from Sanskrit meaning "naked people" or "mountain men". Apparently the name was given by the people of the plains and later by the British colonials.

The Culture

Like many hundred years ago, there are not many changes in their daily lifestyles and community as practically sharing in hunting, agricultural and animal husbandry lifestyles although each and every tribe has developed in individual costumes, weaving, headgear, bodies and facial tattoos and many other individualized ornaments and weapons. Their tradition, beliefs and customary are strongly related to the other tribal people of Borneo (Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei and Kalimantan - Indonesia) and Philippines.

It is difficult to give a very specific view of Naga culture, as there are differences and similarities between the groups belonging to it, as well as aspects shared with other cultures in nearby regions. The researcher Von Fürer-Haimendorf wrote, "In a world of rapidly improving communications and the resulting leveling of local differences, there is no room for archaic, isolated societies. Their once vigorous and widely varying cultures must gradually disappear before the impact of one of the great modern civilizations" in his research in the beginning of 1960s. Although there were being increased the trading with the plains, missionaries, colonialists and the impact of new technologies, the Naga still retain a lot of their traditional characteristic features. Until now, some of them are genuine in cultural aspect.

Nagas are derived from Tibeto-Burman and many of their languages are belong to Tibeto-Burman languages. Their music and dances are spectacular especially their martial and war dances. All dances are together with the songs and war yelling by the dances themselves. Their instruments are various kind of drums, bamboo flutes, bamboo mouth organs and cup violins.



Headhunting Practice

In the past of their exiting history including, their Headhunting practice especially among enemies make the Naga people legendary in a way however notorious i.e good example is an existence of such people in Myanmar-China border, Wa (Wa were still practicing headhunting until 1970s however unlike Nagas).
"The people around the world know that the forefathers of the present Naga people were head hunters. Head hunting meant that man killed his enemy, cut off his victim’s head, and carried home the head as a victor’s trophy."

Nagas keep the skulls in a skull house and each of Naga man has to contribute for the collection. These kind of spiritual houses are easily can be found in most of Naga villages. There is nothing more glorious for an adult Naga than victory in battle by bringing home the head of his victim. Nowadays they abandon the tradition due to the missionaries and supports of central government however it is believed to have been known some Nagas of the isolated Myanmar still practicing headhunting.

The Festival

Annually, in January, many different kinds of Naga tribes come together to celebrate Kaing Bi (Naga New Year) after harvesting their crops as welcoming for the next season. In this festival, traditionally to make discussion among them sharing their experiences of previous years and the ways to overcome the difficulties. Ancient times, the festival was held different groups and villages by villages but nowadays the central committee of Naga Tribal Culture choose one celebration site each other and to be held on January 15 (i.e Layshee and Laha alternately which are major Naga towns in Sagaing Division). Another reason of the festival is reunion of friends and relatives. Formerly it was a private celebration; it is now open to the public.


It could widely be said that Nagas are brave, straight forward, hardworking, honest and with a high standard of integrity. Every of an adult male Naga is practically a warrior. The Nagas have very strong sense of self respect. However they are also well noticed for their striking characteristic of hospitality and cheerfulness.


Ref:-
- Wiki Encyclopedia
- the Encyclopedia Britannica
- Myanmar Explore
- Webindi
- Absolutestronomy
- Unescocat
- Everyculture
- Ancient Naga Headhunters by T.Penzu
- Personal notes

Photos:-
- Credit goes to AFP
- Flickr
- Webindi
- Moe Aung

A Trip to Belum Rainforest

Belum Rainforest

Orang Asli the Indigenous People

A home of Tamir and Jahai the indigenous Negritos of Malaysia also known as Orang Asli, the Belum Rainforest is believed to be existed since 130 million years ago. Temengor Lake (an artificial dam built in 1975) after flooded the valley where Orang Asli were roaming and dwelling around this ancient tropical rainforest. The flood made 80 islands turned from hills of the valley. In fact the area was occupied by CPM (Communist Party of Malaya) during the dam project. Over 400 Orang Asli villages were airlifted but not proper rescue could be made for resident animals due to the threats of attacks by CPMs. There are about 5600 Orang Asli live around that area.

Orang Asli

Temanggor Lake

The lake is the largest man made dam in Peninsular Malaysia which is located approximately 35 kilometers to the northeast of Gerik of the Perak State and covering an area of 15200 hectares. The lake is an important source of fresh water fish in a way, an abundant place for fishermen around Malaysia. Its beauty of tranquility and richness of flowers and faunas attract the foreign tourists and even locals especially to the nature lovers. It is also common to see scores of hornbills landing by the banks of the lake. Among them are the Plain-pouched Hornbills, a spescies rarely spotted in other parts of Malaysia. And Wreathed, Oriental Pied and Helmeted are also can be found in this area.

Temanggor Lake

Driving through North-South Expressway from Kuala Lumpur about 0830hrs, our first stop was Kuala Sepatang a typical small town. We visited to a small floating Chinese fishermen village where the sea fish farms locate and refresh at floating chalet for a few minutes. After having a very good seafood lunch, we continued visit to Mangrove forest and Charcoal factory (an eco friendly business). We arrived Belum Rainforest in the early evening about 1730hrs. Good Dinner and Good Night.

Private Jetty of the Belum Rainforest Resort

Day-02: After breakfast at the resort, the excursion started by boat for half and hour to explore Rafflesia, the world largest flower in the one of the islands of Temanggor Lake (actually the another species of Rafflesia from Borneo are bigger than the species found in Belum Rainforest). Unfortunately we found only buds :( and apparently we had not much time to discover it in the other places in fact it is believed to be abundant of Rafflesia in this jungle.

Raffelsia Bud

Another forty minutes boat ride to Batu Puteh (White Rock Island) where huge beehives were found. It seemed black holes on the wall of the island in the high but I could see clearly with my binocular :) these are about 1 to 3 meters in length and 1 to 2 meters in wide which are really huge. I have never seen these kind of big beehives on the rock wall. Our boatman was trying to explain about a plant (a sort of palm tree) stick on the rock wall and saying that it is endemic and very important for the ecosystem of this jungle (however he does not speak proper English so we just showed him nodding our heads like we understand everything). Then after another half an hour boat ride, we arrived a place called Gaja Sela where the elephants come to have their necessary salt-lick in fact they made holes as the use their long tusks to eat the salty ground. There are many elephant dungs which makes a very strong smell of its animals. On the way to that area we followed a trail of wild boars (perhaps there would be a family) just passed by about an hour ago before we arrived there.

The gateway to elephant salt-licks

The boatman showed us the treks of Sun Bear on a big tree where small holes (like holes of old nail) while they climb up the tree by using their claws. In fact the jungle is home for many hundreds of Sun Bears. The boatman said he just saw a Sun Bear swimming in the Temanggor Lake last a couple of days ago. Furthermore Malayan Tiger and Malayan Tapir are believed to be habitat in this wide and deep rainforest jungle with hundreds of population. However it is easier to see a tiger rather a tapir as they are very shy in nature. They are can be found from lower part (down south of Myanmar) through Thailand and the northern part of Malaysia. If we have much time and roaming around the norther part of Belum Rainforest, we may see these shy animals. However, in order to make this kind of discovery trip would need a prior permission from tourism official and wildlife departments in 2 weeks advance.

Wild Durin eaten by Malayan Tiger

We continued boat ride to Sg Katir where a beautiful waterfall and camping site located. We had picnic lunch there after crossing a few suspension bridges.


On they way back to the resort, visit to Kg Chueh "the Orang Asli Settlement" with a bag of apples from the resort. Then we went back to resort to conclude Bulem Rainforest expedition.

Ref:-
- Wiki Encyclopedia
- Perak Tourism
- Virtual Malaysia
- Journeys Malaysia

Photos:-
- Courtesy of Belum Rainforest Resort
- Daniela Barattino