MoNREC designates ‘Kyun Natha Marine National Park’

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation announced that 781 acres of land and 22,219 acres of water area in Gwa township, Thandwe District, Rakhine State, have been designated as ‘Kyun Nantha Marine National Park’, as of 12 June 2024, under Notification 50/2024 by exercising the authority conferred under Sub-section (a) of Section 9 of the Conservation of Biodiversity and Protected Areas Law promulgated in May 2018.
Kyun Nantha is an island with unusual geological features and a Rakhine coastal region located about 24 nautical miles from Kyeintali town of Gwa township. The marine species under the protection of IUCN, such as green sea turtles, olive ridleys, bigheaded turtles, leatherback sea turtles, loggerhead turtles, whales, whale sharks, dugongs, sharks, rays, Egretta sacra inhabit there, and there are also submarine mud volcanoes and coral reefs. Therefore, the ministry recognizes the marine national park to conserve the aquatic species and unusual geological features.
Additionally, it will conserve the submarine mud volcanoes, coral reefs, endangered marine species, and coastal ecosystems. It will also ensure the systematic administrative system for locals’ traditional fishing areas from 10 villages and protect those areas under the law. — MoNREC/KTZH