NYAUNG SHWE, Burma, Sep 29 2010 (IPS) - Monsoon rains might have brought welcome relief to the inhabitants of Inle Lake, but concerned Burmese groups – both government and non-governmental organisations alike – are rallying to preserve Burma’s second largest lake from drying up again, as it did from earlier this year due to prolonged drought.
The marks on the wooden base of this religious statue shows the Inle lake's low level in July 2010. Credit: Mon Mon Myat/IPS
The marks on the wooden base of this religious statue shows the Inle lake's low level in July 2010. Credit: Mon Mon Myat/IPS
At 900 metres above sea level, Inle Lake is a national heritage site in the southern part of Shan State in Burma, also known as Myanmar, and home to more than 170,000 people in over 400 villages. The lake is also a major source of hydroelectric power for southern Burma, raising the stakes for this South-east Asian country to keep the lake afloat.
In June to August, the lake’s water level fell to record low levels, drying up the area and curtailing businesses, water transport and residents’ everyday lives. This was of such concern that two workshops about the lake’s rehabilitation were held in July, in Burma’s capital Naypidaw and in Taung Gyi, Shan State, in July. Burmese Prime Minister Gen. Thein Sein also visited Inle Lake on Aug. 9 to survey the situation.
While the rains have eased somewhat the decline in Inle Lake’s water level, residents have been keeping a close watch on it, especially because October marks the time they hold a pagoda festival and a boat race on the lake.
“Water level is now above 1.2 metres and we hope that would be enough water to hold regular boat races in the lake like in previous years,” remarked an Inle resident who used the join the boat race every year.
But academics and government officials warn that the double threat of declining water quality and shrinking water mass could see Inle Lake vanishing in the near future.