lonely-planet-myanmar-burma-11-edition

PlantsAs in the rest of tropical Asia, most indigenous vegetation in Myanmar isassociated with two basic types of tropical forest: monsoon forest (witha distinctive dry season of three months or more) and rainforest (whererain falls more than nine months per year). It’s said there are over 1000plant species endemic to the country.Monsoon forests are marked by deciduous tree varieties, which shedtheir leaves during the dry season. Rainforests, by contrast, are typicallyevergreen. The area stretching from Yangon to Myitkyina contains mainlymonsoon forests, while peninsular Myanmar to the south of Mawlamyineis predominantly a rainforest zone. There is much overlappingof the two – some forest zones support a mix of monsoon forest andrainforest vegetation.In the mountainous Himalayan region, Myanmar’s flora is characterisedby subtropical broadleaf evergreen forest up to 6500ft; temperatesemi-deciduous broadleaf rainforest from 6500ft to 9800ft; and, abovethis, evergreen coniferous, subalpine snow forest and alpine scrub.Along the Rakhaing and Tanintharyi (Tenasserim) coasts, tidal forestsoccur in river estuaries, lagoons, tidal creeks and along low islands.Such woodlands are characterised by mangroves and other coastal treesthat grow in mud and are resistant to seawater. Beach and dune forests,which grow along these same coasts above the high-tide line, consist ofpalms, hibiscus, casuarinas and other tree varieties that can withstandhigh winds and occasional storm-sent waves.The country’s most famous flora includes an incredible array of fruittrees, over 25,000 flowering species, a variety of tropical hardwoods, andbamboo. Cane and rattan are also plentiful.Myanmar holds 75% of the world’s reserves of Tectona grandis, betterknown as teak (kyun n in Burmese). This dense, long-wearing, highlyprized hardwood remains one of Myanmar’s most important exports, despitesanctions being placed on its import to the US and the EuropeanUnion.Alan Rabinowitz’sBeyond the LastVillage: A Journeyof Discovery inAsia’s ForbiddenWilderness(2001) details theauthor’s attemptsto set up wildlifereserves inMyanmar’snorthern areas.325ENVIRONMENT & WILDLIFE FLORA & FAUNATOP PARKS & RESERVESPARKHkakabo Razi National Park(p266)Indawgyi Wetland WildlifeSanctuary (p241)Inle Wetland Bird Sanctuary(p 186 )SIZE (SQMILES) FEATURES1472 highest mountain in Myanmar;forests; rare speciessuch as takin, musk andblack barking deer, andblue sheep299Southeast Asia’s largestlake, 120 species of birds642 floating agriculture, birdlife,otters, turtlesBEST TIMETO VISITOct-Apr yesJan-AprnoYear-round noMoeyungyi Wetlands (p 85 ) 40 125 species of birds Nov-Apr noMt Victoria (Nat Ma Taung)National Park (p 287 )279 second-highest mountainin Myanmar, rare birds andorchidsPopa Mountain Park (p 127 ) 50 extinct volcano, unique dryzoneecosystem, monkeysNov-Mar yesNov-Mar noPERMITNEEDED?