THE Department of Forestry plans to conduct a survey this month of bird and mammal species in the Tanintharyi Nature Reserve in southernmost Myanmar, an official from the department said.

“Our aim is to make a record of the biodiversity of the reserve,” said the official. “We will identify regionally endangered species with help from international consultants and take necessary conservation measures.”

He said the survey team would include local consultants and technical advisors, as well as conservationists from the US-based Wildlife Conservation Society.

A survey of flora at the reserve by the department earlier this year recorded 257 plant species, including five critically endangered and five endangered tree species.

The 1700-square-kilometre (650-square-mile) reserve, which encompasses the Heinze-Kaleinaung and Luwaing forest reserves in Tanintharyi Division’s Dawei district, is being managed according to a 30-year plan that started on December 1, 2005.

“We are drawing up a long-term management plan for the reserve in consultation with local and international conservationists,” the department official said.

He said the reserve was situated within the Dawei River watershed, with 70 percent of the area covered by tropical evergreen forests.

“So it is very important to conserve this area,” he said, adding that the major threats to the region included wildfires, slash-and-burn cultivation, wildlife trading and illegal logging.

“Our efforts to reduce human impacts on the forest include organising educational talks for locals, patrolling and raising awareness of the importance of conserving nature by holding tree-planting ceremonies, putting up signs and handing out pamphlets,” he said.

The Tanintharyi Nature Reserve is funded by Moattama Gas Transportation Company Limited and the Tanintharyi Pipeline Company.