Mt. Popa National Park

Location
Located Between 20 53' N and 95 15'Ein Kyaunk Pa Daung township of Mandalay division.

Area
49.63 square miles

Year of Establishment
Established in 1983 and opened as park in 1989.

Approach
      Yangon via Pyay and Kyaunk Pa Daung to Popa 412 miles by car.
      Yangon via Meik Hti La and Kyauk Pa Daung to Popa 400 miles by car.
      Yangon via Nyaung U 320 miles by air and 37 miles by car.

Forest / Vegetative Types
(a) Than-Dahat Forests
(b) Low Indaing Forests
(c) Upper Mixed Deciduous Forests
(d) Hill Evergreen Forests
(e) Pine Forests
(f) Hill Grassland

 Wildlife
Monkey, Barking Deer ,Wild Pigs, Jungle Cat, Wild Dogs and about 140 avifauna species inhabit the Popa area. The dusky leaf Monkey is a scare animal and about 150 monkeys lives in the Popa Mountain park.

Birds species
Situated in central Dry zone of Myanmar, where many of medicinal plants are grown. There are about 176 forest birds species inhabit in Popa Mountain Park.

Objectives  & Characteristic
(a) To preserve the forest area of Popa Mountain and to conserve the unique dry zone ecosystem and biodiversity with various plants and wildlife species.
(b) To conserve the watersheds of near by reservoirs and dams including Kyetmauktaung Dam.
(c) To ensure continuous flow of water supply to Kyaukpadaung and nearby villages from natural springs.
(d) To conserve medicinal plants and climbers.
(e) To preserve unique geological features and to conserve cultural and religious heritages.
(f) To promote ecotourism.
    One can enjoy birds watching, trekking and achieve refreshment. Horse riding enthusiastic, long or short rides are available within the Popa Mountain Park vicinities.

Medicinal Plants
      In accordance with the collected data, about 40 medicinal plants and some climbers are being explored through fields research works.

 Conservation, Development and Research Programmes
(a) Conservation of natural forest
(b) Enrichment planting with indigenous tree species.
(c) Establishment of Popa Mountain Resorts, construction of mountain circuits and maintainance of golf course to facilitate recreation and promote ecotourism.
(d) Conducting of research works on the conservation of flora and fauna.
(e) Establishment of watershed Plantations.
(f) Conservation and planting of medicinal plants and climbers.
(g) Promoting, public awareness of environmental conservation.
(h) Conducting of Socio-economic surveys in nearby villages.
(i) Implementation of buffer zone management.

Opportunities for Study and Recreation
(a) Observing dry zone ecosystem, avifauna species and other wild animals.
(b) Enjoyment of the natural beauty of Popa, Oasis of the Dry Zone.
(c) Studying the naturally regenerated of sandalwood species.
(d) Studying geological features and minerals from an extinct volcano which erupted 25,000 years ago.
(e) Studying the natural forests by trekking on foot or on horseback along the forest paths.
(f) Observing the medicinal plants and climbers and conducting field research works.
(g) Enjoyment of natural beauty by car, horse or on foot and playing golf.
(h) Lodging with meals at the Popa Mountain Resorts of the Forest Department.
(i) Studying at the environmental education centre.

Note : visit all the year round.