Survey

Survey in Jungle

Survey in Popa

THE first ever orchid survey at Mt Popa National Park has so far found 65 orchid species, including three that may be native to Myanmar, an orchid expert said.

“The survey has been conducted since November last year by Myanmar Floriculturists’ Association and Forestry Department under the Ministry of Forestry,” Dr Saw Lwin, a surveyor from the association, said.

“We have done three site surveys – in November 2009, January and April – at Mt Popa National Park. We have identified 65 species so far, of which three are still unidentified. We are trying to define them with the help of Singapore Botanical Gardens. These three may be endemic to Myanmar,” Dr Saw Lwin said.

The survey is being conducted from November 2009 to November 2010, and is funded by the Htoo Foundation, a part of Htoo Trading, a company owned by business tycoon U Tay Za.

“We have done three herbarium sheets for orchids with flowers. Flowers are kept in bottles with alcohol. The trees without flowers will be identified when they flower,” Dr Saw Lwin said. “From this survey, we hope to find about 80 orchid species,” he added.

“After the survey, we will publish a book, Orchids of Mt Popa, listing the species name, local name, its local uses, and the GPS location of the species,” he said.

It is hoped the book will promote ecotourism in the Mt Popa National Park region and assist orchid tours.
In Myanmar, 841 species of orchids have been recorded and Dr Saw Lwin believes that Myanmar may have about 1500 species.

“Russia and Thailand have recorded 600 and 1200 species respectively. Myanmar has a varied climate, from snow-capped mountains in the north to arid lands and coastal areas. Its weather and topography are diverse, and that usually means rich biodiversity,” Dr Saw Lwin said.

“There are regions like Kayah State that we have not touched yet. They may also have orchid species,” Dr Saw Lwin said.