Indawgyi Lake

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Indawgyi Lake
Location	Kachin State
Basin countries	Burma
Max. length	15 mi (24 km)
Max. width	8 mi (13 km)

Indawgyi Lake is the largest inland lake in Southeast Asia. It is located in Mohnyin Township in the Kachin State of Burma. The lake measures 8 miles east to west, and 15 miles north to south. There are over 20 villages around the lake. The predominant ethnic groups living in the surroundings of the lake are the Shan and the Kachin, who mainly practice agriculture.

Indawgyi Lake is within the confines of Indawgyi Lake Wildlife Sanctuary, which was established in 1999 by the Ministry of Ecotourism. The sanctuary, which encompasses 300 square miles, contains a variety of animal species, including rare mammals and birds.

One of Burma's important bird areas, 10 globally threatened species can be found. Of these species, Greylag Geese, Oriental Darter and Purple Swamphen are prominent during the month of January. A tour of the lake by motor canoe allows one to view a large array of wetland species. It appears that the lake and surrounding wetlands provide an important winter feeding habitat. Many local fisher folk ply its waters and surrounding village waste threaten water quality. However annual monsoon rains serve to flush and refresh its waters.