| Inle Lake | |
|---|---|
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  Inle Lake | |
| Location | Shan State |
| Coordinates | 20°33′N96°55′E / 20.550°N 96.917°E /20.550; 96.917 |
| Type | Polymictic lake |
| Primary outflows | Nam Pilu |
| Basin countries | Myanmar |
| Surface area | 44.9 sq mi (116 km2) |
| Average depth | 5 ft (1.5 m) (dry season) |
| Max. depth | 12 ft (3.7 m) (dry season; +5 ft in monsoon season) |
| Surface elevation | 2,900 ft (880 m) |
| Official name | Inlay Lake Ramsar Site |
| Designated | 5 December 1974 |
| Reference no. | 2356[1] |
Inle Lake (Burmese:အင်းလေးကန်,MLCTS:ang: le: kan,[ʔɪ́ɰ̃lékàɰ̃]) is afreshwaterlake located in theNyaungshwe Township ofShan State, part ofShan Hills inMyanmar (Burma). It is the second largest lake in Myanmar, with an estimated surface area of 44.9 square miles (116 km2), and one of the highest at an elevation of 2,900 feet (880 m). During thedry season, the average water depth is 7 feet (2.1 m), with the deepest point being 12 feet (3.7 m). During therainy season, this can increase by 5 feet (1.5 m).
The watershed area for the lake lies to a large extent to the north and west of the lake. The lake drains through the Nam Pilu or Balu Chaung on its southern end. There is also a hot spring on its northwestern shore.
Large sections of the lake are covered byfloating plants. Its clear and slightly alkaline waters (pH 7.8–8) are home to a diverse fauna and many species found nowhere else in the world (endemics).[2] There are more than 35 native species of fish, including 17 endemics. Some of these, notably theSawbwa barb,red dwarf rasbora,emerald dwarf rasbora,Lake Inle danio,Inle loach and theInle snakehead, are of minor commercial importance for theaquarium trade. Several fish that are not native have beenintroduced.[2][3] Additionally, the lake is home to about 45 species offreshwater snails, 30 of them endemic,[2] along with a small endemicfreshwater crab,Inlethelphusa acanthica.[4] It hosts approximately 20,000 migratorygulls in November to January.[5]
In June 2015, it became Myanmar's first designated place ofWorld Network of Biosphere Reserves.[6] It was one of 20 places added at theUnesco's 27thMan and the Biosphere (MAB) International Coordinating Council (ICC) meeting.[7] Since 2018 it has been designated as a protectedRamsar site.[1] Today the lake's environment is under serious pressure due to pollution,siltation,eutrophication,overfishing and introduced species, including the highly invasivewater hyacinth. The endemic predatory fishSystomus compressiformis might already be extinct.[2]
The people of Inle Lake (seeIntha), live in four cities bordering the lake, in numerous small villages along the lake's shores, and on the lake itself. The entire lake area is inNyaung Shwe township. The population consists predominantly ofIntha, with a mix of otherShan,Taungyo,Pa-O (Taungthu),Danu,Kayah, Danaw andBamar ethnicities. Most are devoutBuddhists and live in simple houses of wood and wovenbamboo on stilts; they are largelyself-sufficient farmers.
Transportation on the lake is traditionally by small boats, or by somewhat larger boats fitted with single cylinder inboard diesel engines. Local fishermen are known for practicing a distinctive rowing style which involves standing at the stern on one leg and wrapping the other leg around the oar. This unique style evolved out of necessity as the lake is covered by reeds and floating plants, making it difficult to see above them while sitting. Standing provides the rower with a view beyond the reeds. However, the leg rowing style is only practiced by the men. Women row in the customary style, using the oar with their hands, sitting cross legged at the stern.
Fish caught from the lake have been a staple of the local diet. The Inle carp (Cyprinus intha, callednga hpein locally) has historically been the most abundant but today is seriously threatened.[2][8] A popular local dish ishtamin gyin - 'fermented' rice kneaded with fish and/or potato - served withhnapyan gyaw (lit. 'twice-friedShan tofu'). In addition tofishing, locals growvegetables andfruit in large gardens that float on the surface of the lake. The floating garden beds are formed by extensive manual labor. The farmers gather up lake-bottom weeds from the deeper parts of the lake, bring them back in boats and make them into floating beds in their garden areas, anchored by bamboo poles. These gardens rise and fall with changes in the water level, and so are resistant to flooding. The constant availability of nutrient-laden water results in these gardens being incredibly fertile. Rice cultivation and consumption is also significant facet of the local diet and agricultural tradition.
Inle Lake is suffering from the environmental effects of increased population and rapid growth in both agriculture and tourism. During the 65-year period from 1935 to 2000, the net open water area of Inle Lake decreased from 69.10 square kilometres (26.68 sq mi) to 46.69 square kilometres (18.03 sq mi), a loss of 32.4%, with development of floating garden agriculture, which occurs largely on the west side of the lake (a practice introduced in the 1960s).[9]
Lumber removal and unsustainable cultivation practices (slash and burn farming techniques) on the hills surrounding the lake are causing ever-increasing amounts ofsilt and nutrients to run off into the rivers that feed the lake, especially along its western and northern watershed areas. This silt fills up the lake; the nutrients encourage the growth of weeds andalgae. More important however is the development of floating garden agriculture, largely along the western side of the lake. This practice encroaches into the diminishing area of the lake, since over time, the floating beds become solid ground. About 93% – nearly 21 square kilometres (8.1 sq mi) – of the recent loss in open water area of the lake, largely along its western side, is thought to be due to this agricultural practice. Direct environmental impacts associated with these combined agricultural activities within thewetlands and surrounding hills of the lake includesedimentation,eutrophication, andpollution.[9]
Thewater hyacinth, a plant not native to the lake, also poses a major problem. It grows rapidly, filling up the smaller streams and large expanses of the lake, robbing native plants and animals of nutrients and sunlight. At one time, all boats coming into Nyaung Shwe were required to bring in a specified amount of water hyacinth. Over the past twenty years, large-scale use ofdredges and pumps has been employed with some success in controlling the growth of this plant. On a smaller scale, public awareness education and small-scale control have also been successful.
Another cause for concern is the planned introduction of non-native fish species, such as theGrass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) intended to improve fishery.
Sanitation in the villages around the lake is an ongoing concern for public health authorities, due to untreatedsewage (with 72% of households using open pits, not latrines) and waste water flowing into the lake.[10] To ensure fresh and clean water, some villages now have enclosed wells and public access to the well water. Some studies of the lake's surface water quality indicates that the water is not safe for consumption.[10] Water from Inle Lake hasdissolved oxygen ranges lower than those necessary for fisheries and aquatic life, while nitrite, nitrate and phosphate ranges are unusually high.[10]
Noise pollution is also a noticeable issue. The noise from the cheaper poorly muffleddiesel engines driving the stern drive propellers is significant, and can be a distraction to the otherwise tranquil lake.
The summer of 2010 registered very high temperatures causing the water level of the lake to drop so low, the lowest in nearly 50 years, that drinking water had to be fetched from elsewhere and the floating market was in danger of disappearing.[11] One other serious consequence was that thehydroelectric plant at Lawpita, where the former capitalYangon received its power supply from, could not operate at its full capacity.[12]
In 2015, the United Nations added Inle lake to its World Network Biosphere Reserves. There are a total of 651 sites in 120 countries on this network, but Inle Lake is the first biosphere reserve to be added for Myanmar.[13]
Inle Lake is a major tourist attraction, and this has led to some development of tourist infrastructure. Many small and large privately owned hotels and tour operations have arisen during the past few years. Local shops are flooded with consumer items, both local and foreign. The nearest airport isHeho Airport which is 35 kilometres (22 mi) away. There are flights from bothYangon andMandalay. Yangon is 660 kilometres (410 mi) away by road and Mandalay is 330 kilometres (210 mi).
A number of festivals occur from August to October on Inle Lake and in the surrounding areas. The ceremonialHpaung Daw U Festival, which lasts for a total of 18 days, is closely followed by theThadingyut Festival of lights. Inthas and Shan turn out in their best clothes in great numbers to celebrate theBuddhist Lent. Traditional boat racing, with dozens of leg-rowers in traditional Shan dress compete on teams with a team on each boat. These boat races are locally one of the most anticipated affairs during theHpaung Daw U Festival.[14]
One of the tourist attractions in the village on the lake itself is the traditional silversmithing, which has fed into the local tourist economy. The silver is brought in from the mines that line the hills surrounding the lake and is boated into the village. Almost all the houses in the village on the lake itself sit on stilts and are made of woven bamboo. Tourists can satisfy their need for trinkets and memorable tokens by observing the silver being smithed and purchase items on-site. If silversmithing doesn't interest a visitor there are also local silk workshops that operate on the lake in a very similar manner as the silversmiths.[15] Handmade goods for local use and trading are another source of commerce. Typical products include tools, carvings and other ornamental objects, textiles, andcheroots. A local market serves most common shopping needs and is held daily but the location of the event rotates through five different sites around the lake area, thus each of them hosting an itinerant market every fifth day.[16] When held on the lake itself, trading is conducted from small boats. This 'floating-market' event tends to emphasize tourist trade much more than the other four.
The Inle lake area is renowned for itsweaving industry. The Shan-bags, used daily by manyBurmese as a tote-bag, are produced in large quantities here.Silk-weaving is another very important industry, producing high-quality hand-wovensilk fabrics of distinctive design called Inlelongyi. A unique traditional fabric calledlotus silk, made from thelotus plant fibers, is produced only at Inle Lake and inCambodia and was used for weaving special robes forBuddha calledkya thingan (lotus robe).[17]
While hot air balloon flights are more popular inBagan, they are also provided over Inle Lake with Balloons Over Bagan.[18] There is also a winery near the lake, called Red Mountain Estate.[19][20]
Media related toInle Lake at Wikimedia Commons
Inle Lake travel guide from Wikivoyage| International | |
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| National | |
| Other | |
