MaungSar Ga, Narinjara News, 17 October 2024

Environmentalactivists and observers have expressed concern that the poaching and killing ofmigratory birds and aquatic animals on Nantha Island, which is part of the MayuRiver Estuary in Arakan State and is designated as Myanmar's second marinenational park and global wetland conservation area, could result in theextinction of rare bird species. 

"NanthaIsland is not yet under AA administration, and the current junta's administrationis ineffective," stated an anonymous social activist from Sittwe."Despite navy vessels being stationed near the island, people can not stopgoing there to fish, log, and capture or kill migratory birds," theactivist from Sittwe stated.

NanthaIsland is located in Rathedaung Township, in the Mayu River Estuary, about tenmiles northwest of Sittwe Township in the state of Arakan. The water area ofthe island is more than 22,000 acres.

TheArakan Army (AA) has taken control of and occupied all of Rathedaung Township;however, because junta navy warships are still present on Nantha Island, whichis a portion of Rathedaung Township and is close to Sittwe Town, the AA isunable to exert control over it.

Anobserver from Rathedaung Township observed that illicit operations continueeven with the military junta in charge and navy ships stationed close to NanthaIsland. These include illicit mangrove tree logging, fishing, hunting rare birdspecies, hunting and murdering rare turtles, and sand mining.

"Thereare people who shoot endangered bird species, harvest protected green seaturtles, tear down mangrove trees, and engage in unlawful sand mining. Theobserver stated, "These operations continue in spite of the adjacent navyvessels."

NanthaIsland has a diverse ecology that supplies enough food for a variety ofcreatures. It is also home to the second-largest Spoon-billed Sandpiperwintering site in the world, which is severely endangered. It is home to anumber of native and migratory birds, such as the Nordmann Greenshank and GreatKnot, as well as aquatic wildlife such as sea turtles and Irrawaddy dolphinsthat come to graze.

Toconserve and safeguard its biodiversity, Nantha Kyun Island was named"Nantha Island Marine National Park" on February 21, 2022, by theMinistry of Natural Resources and Environment.

Additionally,on May 21, 2020, the Ramsar Group recognized Nantha Island as a wetlandconservation area, recognizing that it satisfies six requirements for wetlandclassification intended to safeguard wetlands worldwide.

CycloneMocha hit Arakan State on May 14, 2023, leaving Nantha Island severely damaged.Approximately 80% of the mangroves there were destroyed, along with importantbird grazing areas. Conservation activities are desperately needed in light ofthis destruction.

Environmentalactivists stress that the ongoing battle for town control, which started inNovember 2023, could endanger aquatic resources, migratory birds, and hatchlingturtles even more. The fighting has been intensifying due to artillery shellsfired by junta navy vessels near Nantha Island, which have caused explosions,vibrations, and toxic fumes; fighter jets, Y-12 aircraft, and helicoptersflying continuously over the island compound the problem. 

AnArakan State environmental activist stated, "If they hear loudnoises—sounds that are unfamiliar and frightening—they may choose to migrate.Additionally, artillery fire or airstrikes can create vibrations in the waterthat affect the spawning of aquatic resources. These vibrations may be too muchfor them to bear, causing the migration or death of aquatic species,potentially leading to extinction."

Eventhough Nantha Island is a marine national park, it is noticeably neglected,which causes deterioration on all sides.