2 September
The Zalon Taung elephant camp was opened yesterday at Bamauk Township in Katha District of Sagaing Region.
It is the 22nd camp opened by the Myanma Timber Enterprise, under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation, and the fourth camp to be established in Sagaing Region.
The opening of the elephant camp is aimed at attracting tourists and locals visitors, and creating jobs for local residents.
Pilgrims visiting the Zalon Taung pagoda will also be able to visit the scenic camp, which has been designed as an eco-tourist spot, said officials.
Ministers with the Sagaing Region government, officials from concerned departments, and the regional tourism committee formally inaugurated the camp by cutting a ribbon and giving remarks.
Before the launch of the Zalon Taung camp, there were three elephant camps in Sagaing Region — Natpauk camp in Indaw Township, Pyarswe in Mawlaik, and Bodhi Tahtaung in Monywa.
As per data from the Myanma Timber Enterprise, there are around 5,000 domesticated elephants and about 1,500 wild elephants in Myanmar. They are under threat as they are increasingly being poached for ivory and skin.
The opening of the elephant camp can help encourage the conservation of elephants and increase the revenue of the regional government, said officials.—Ko Htein (Translated by Ei Myat Mon)
