Establishment of a 30 year plan for natural reserve in Tanintharyi Division is carried out in a join project with Myanmar Timber Industry, Mottama Gas Transporation Company and Tanintharyi Pipeline Company. The reserve is located between Dawei River to Thai-Myanmar border area which is more than 400 thousands acres. This reserve will include not only the forest area but also the wildlife and birds.
[Source: Weekly Eleven News Journal, 29-3-06]

Three lions and a pair of white rhinoceros arrived from Germany to Yangon as an exhange between Cologne Zoological Gardens and Yangon Zoological Gardens. Two female elephants were sent to Cologne last October.
[Source: Weekly Eleven News Journal, 29-3-06]

Myanmar became a member of Asia-Pacific Group on Money Laundering on March 9th, 2006, becoming the 30th member of the organization. As a member of APG, Myanmar is committed to implementing the international standards for anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT).Myanmar has committed to participating in the APG’s Mutual Evaluation Program and will be required to undergo a Mutual Evaluation to assess Myanmar’s compliance with the international AML/CFT standards.The act for anti-money laundering have been enacted in 2004 and there are cooperation between Austrilan government and Myanmar.
[Source: Weekly Eleven News Journal, 29-3-06]

Yangon Airways have started operating flights to Ayelar Airpot, near Naypyidaw (Pyinmana) on March 21. Yangon-Ayelar-Mandalay roundtrip starts flying once a week on every Tuesday with an ATR-72 aircraft. At present, Air Bagan and Myanma Airway operate flights to Pyinmana.
[Source: The Voice Journal, 27-3-06]

Myanmar is starting to establish a third ICT Park in Pyin Oo Lwin, Mandalay Division. The new ICT Park will be named "Yadanabon Silicon Valley ICT City". It will be the largest IT Zone is Myanmar and intended to produce hardwares and softwares.
[Source: The Voice Journal, 27-3-06]

Chaung Thar Beach, located on the west coast of Ayeyarwaddy Division, has received more than 15 thousand local tourists in 2005. The number of local tourists increased due to the experienced services provided by the hotels and local people and the hotel prices in Chaung Thar are more reasonable than other beaches. In January 2006, 15232 local tourists and 553 foreigners visited Chaung Thar.
[Source : The Voice Journal, 20 Mar 06]

Asia Green Travels & Tours will be extending Myaing Hay Won Elephant Camp to build more bungalows and a small natural museum. At present, there are five bungalows and five more bungalows will be built in time for 2006-2007 tourist season. The elephant camp is located about 75 miles from Yangon and one can observe the aily routines of the elephants, bathing and working with the logs. Their services include elephant trekking, elephant entertainment, elephant dancing and observe birds and butterflies.
[Source: The Voice Journal, 27-3-06]

Nordmann's greenshank, classified as endangered IUCN Red list, are
estimated to be only around the population of 1000 and more than 250
birds are estimated to be found in Myanmar. During a recent expedition to study seabirds in the coastal area of Ayeyarwaddy Division, 23 birds were found and 5 birds were found in Thanlyin Kyauktan area.
[Source: 7Day News Journal, 23 Mar 06]

Most of the hotels and bungalows in Ngapali Beach are overbooked for Water Festival (Thingyan), from April 13th to 17th as many tourists are interested in celebrating Rakhine Thingyan at the beach. Tourists will be able to continue making reservations after April 17th.
{Source: 7Day News Journal, 23 Mar 06]

Myanmar is home to a large number of Asian elephants as their preferred food,bamboon, is abundant in Myanmar's forests. As for now, the elephant population is declining year by year according to a survey.

According to data from Myanma Timber Enterprise (MTE), it is estimated that wild elephants population is under 4000 and domesticated elephants are around 4200. The loss of habitat, poaching for ivory, skins and meat are the main cause of the decline. Mangaged elephant ranges are being established and the first elephant range called Rakhine Yoma Elephant Sanctuary has been established.

Wild elephants can be found in Yakhine Ranges, Bago Ranges, Thanyidaryi Ranges, Shan State and Chin State. Visitors can visit elephants kept in elephant camps such as Pho Kyar Elephant Camp and Alaungtawkatapa Elephant Camp.
[Source: Weekly Eleven News Journal, 22 Mar 06]