Maung
Sar Ga, Narinjara News, 17 October 2024
Environmental
activists and observers have expressed concern that the poaching and killing of
migratory birds and aquatic animals on Nantha Island, which is part of the Mayu
River Estuary in Arakan State and is designated as Myanmar's second marine
national park and global wetland conservation area, could result in the
extinction of rare bird species.
"Nantha
Island is not yet under AA administration, and the current junta's administration
is ineffective," stated an anonymous social activist from Sittwe.
"Despite navy vessels being stationed near the island, people can not stop
going there to fish, log, and capture or kill migratory birds," the
activist from Sittwe stated.
Nantha
Island is located in Rathedaung Township, in the Mayu River Estuary, about ten
miles northwest of Sittwe Township in the state of Arakan. The water area of
the island is more than 22,000 acres.
The
Arakan Army (AA) has taken control of and occupied all of Rathedaung Township;
however, because junta navy warships are still present on Nantha Island, which
is a portion of Rathedaung Township and is close to Sittwe Town, the AA is
unable to exert control over it.
An
observer from Rathedaung Township observed that illicit operations continue
even with the military junta in charge and navy ships stationed close to Nantha
Island. These include illicit mangrove tree logging, fishing, hunting rare bird
species, hunting and murdering rare turtles, and sand mining.
"There
are people who shoot endangered bird species, harvest protected green sea
turtles, tear down mangrove trees, and engage in unlawful sand mining. The
observer stated, "These operations continue in spite of the adjacent navy
vessels."
Nantha
Island has a diverse ecology that supplies enough food for a variety of
creatures. It is also home to the second-largest Spoon-billed Sandpiper
wintering site in the world, which is severely endangered. It is home to a
number of native and migratory birds, such as the Nordmann Greenshank and Great
Knot, as well as aquatic wildlife such as sea turtles and Irrawaddy dolphins
that come to graze.
To
conserve and safeguard its biodiversity, Nantha Kyun Island was named
"Nantha Island Marine National Park" on February 21, 2022, by the
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
Additionally,
on May 21, 2020, the Ramsar Group recognized Nantha Island as a wetland
conservation area, recognizing that it satisfies six requirements for wetland
classification intended to safeguard wetlands worldwide.
Cyclone
Mocha hit Arakan State on May 14, 2023, leaving Nantha Island severely damaged.
Approximately 80% of the mangroves there were destroyed, along with important
bird grazing areas. Conservation activities are desperately needed in light of
this destruction.
Environmental
activists stress that the ongoing battle for town control, which started in
November 2023, could endanger aquatic resources, migratory birds, and hatchling
turtles even more. The fighting has been intensifying due to artillery shells
fired by junta navy vessels near Nantha Island, which have caused explosions,
vibrations, and toxic fumes; fighter jets, Y-12 aircraft, and helicopters
flying continuously over the island compound the problem.
An
Arakan State environmental activist stated, "If they hear loud
noises—sounds that are unfamiliar and frightening—they may choose to migrate.
Additionally, artillery fire or airstrikes can create vibrations in the water
that affect the spawning of aquatic resources. These vibrations may be too much
for them to bear, causing the migration or death of aquatic species,
potentially leading to extinction."
Even
though Nantha Island is a marine national park, it is noticeably neglected,
which causes deterioration on all sides.