Shwe Sett Taw Sanctuary

Location
Located between 20° 12' N and 94° 35' E in Minbu, Setote-taya, Saku and Ngapeh Townships of Magwe Division.

Area
213.4 square miles.

Year of Establishment
Established as Wildlife Sanctuary in 1940 and strengthened with more staff in 1985.

Approach
Yangon to Magwe, 331 miles by car and Magwe to Minbu, 2 miles by river-route and Minbu to Shwesettaw, 30 miles by car.

Type of forest
(a) Than-dahat Forest
(b) Low 'Indaing' (Dry Dipterocarp) Forest
(c) Dry Deciduous Forest

Characteristic
(a)There are Bear, Bentang, serow, leopard, bear, gaur, sambur, barking deer, wild bear, various types of wild cats, wild dogs and various kinds of birds.
(b)It can be visiting the wildlife including the Myanmar ShweThamin and the rare Star tortoise and yellow tortoise.
(c)Observation of many rare Species of residential birds and many Species of butterfly.
(d)Visiting historically famous Shwesettaw Pagoda.
(e)Observing the tribes of Chin.

Wildlife
Bear, Gaur, Sambar, Barking Deer, Eld's deer, Wild boar and various types of wild cats, wild dogs and birds.In accordance with 1998 inventory, the population of thamin is increasing by (1088 ± 269) and the rare Star turtoise (Geochelone platynota) is also present.

Conservation Development and Research Program
(a) Conservation of natural forests.
(b) Conservation and maintenance of the buffer-Zone.
(c) Conservation and protection of wildlife including the Myanmar Shwe Thamin (Golden Deer).
(d) Inventory and research on the natural habitats and ecosystem of shwethamin.
(e) Upgrading of the area to promote eco tourism.
(f)Educational programmes of environment conservation during religious festivals

Opportunities for Study and Recreation
(a)Observation of the habits and habitats of the Myanmar Shwe Thamin.
(b)Observation of the Dry Zone Ecosystem and wildlife.
(c)Pilgrimage and homage to the footprint of Buddha.
(d) Observation of life and habits of the rare reptile Star tortoise.
(e)Observation of the culture of the Chin ethnic nationals.

Accommodation facilities
Accommodation for 20 persons at 2 guest houses.

Note : Visit all the year round but the best time for Brow-antlered Deer watching is in middle of March to the end of April.