The Rakhine Coast is home to several world-famous species: the Dugong, sea turtles, Irrawaddy Dolphin, Whale Shark, Gaur Buffalos, Asian Elephants, Himalayan and Malayan Bears. The RCA works to protect these and others by both educating locals on their value and relevant wildlife protection legislation; coordinating with authorities and communities to stop illegal wildlife trading; and most importantly helping improve livelihoods so that no one in our communities must resort to catching these incredible species.
Dugongs
Forty years ago, Dugongs could be found everywhere along the length of the Rakhine Coast; but year by year their populations decreased as they were hunted for their meat to the point of endangerment. While dugong hunting in the area has since ended, the small population still remains at risk due to degradation of their seagrass habitat and accidental collisions with fishing boats.
Irrawaddy Dolphin
The Irrawaddy Dolphin is also now considered a threatened species. While they aren’t hunted for human consumption, some local fisherman have used their meat for shark bait. Unlike fish flesh, dolphin flesh oozes for a long period after death making it easier to lure sharks. Happily for both dolphin and shark populations, in 2014, the Department of Fisheries declared sharks a protected species.
Sea Turtle Biodiversity Hotspot
Sea turtles can live to over one-hundred, but before they can reach that sage age, they must contend with many threats from egg poachers to hunters to habitat disturbance. Only one sea turtle, out of one hundred laid eggs, will survive to maturity.
The five species of sea turtles that exist in the Bay of Bengal nest all along the Rakhine Coast, but in greater concentration near the village of Kyauk Khoung Kwin, which provides them with a safe site of nine miles of largely undisturbed coastline, little fishing activity, and a supportive community dedicated to their survival.
In 2011 as part of the CLEARR Project, members of the Kyauk Khoung Kwin Village Conservation Committee came together to create a “Biodiversity Hotspot Conservation Committee.” The committee educates others in the community, particularly those who gather eggs, about the need to protect the sea turtle as well as about new laws. During nesting season they organize nightly patrols. Eggs found are relocated to safer places, and once hatched after the 52 day gestation period, the baby turtles are escorted by the community to the sea. It’s a bitter sweet goodbye. Turtle trading has decreased by approximately 90% since the beginning of the group’s efforts.
As sea turtles migrate up to 3,000 miles in a lifetime, world-wide cooperation between conservation groups is necessary. The Biodiversity Hotspot Conservation Committee is a member of the international Turtle Survival Alliance.
The Kyauk Khoung Kwin Biodiversity Hotspot Conservation Committee is now looking for funds to establish a nursery.