Burma’s Last Eden | Adam Oswell

The Indo-Burma Hotspot is the most threatened biodiverity hotspot in the world. Karen State, Myanmar lies within this hotspot and retains some of the best biodiversity remaining is Asia. Insatiable demand for wildlife and pressure from illegal logging continues to increase as black markets in Asia expand. Myanmar and Thailand are major regional hubs that facilitate both the extraction and trade of endangered wildlife to supply these markets. Central to the successful long-term preservation of biodiversity in Karen State is the establishment and effective protection and management of national and globally recognized protected areas.

SALWEEN RIVER. NORTHERN KAREN STATE, MYANMAR 2016: The Salween river is the longest free-flowing river in Asia. Stretching over 2800 km from its source high in the Himalayan mountains, it runs through some of Asia's last remaining pristine biodiversity to its mouth in the Andaman sea. It supports incredible biodiversity comparable with the Mekong and is home to about 7 million people. It is now being threatened with hydropower dam construction projects in Myanmar despite the massive environmental costs and cheaper alternatives.
KAREN STATE, MYANMAR 2016: An Asian elephant crosses a service road in Thanintharyi District southern Myanmar. Myanmar is home to some of the last viable populations of wild Asian elephants where between 4000-5000 individuals still inhabit its dense forests. Karen State is part of the Dawna Tennaserim Landscape, one of Asia's largest remaining contiguos habitats for elephants and other large mammals. Poaching for ivory, meat and the skin trade presents a major threat to elephant populations in Myanmar. Poaching to capture elephant calves is also common. The mother and other members of the herd are often killed as calves are captured and smuggled to Thailand for work in the tourist industry.
KAREN STATE, MYANMAR 2013: Instructors from the African Field Ranger Training College train Karen Forestry Department wildlife protection units in tactical patrol and enforcement operations. KFD wildlife protection units are highly trained teams that patrol and enforce local and national conservation laws in Karen State protected areas. They represent the front line of wildlife conservation and protection efforts but face rapidly expanding threats as Myanmar emerges from 50 years of civil war.
KAREN STATE, MYANMAR 2013: Instructors from the African Field Ranger Training College train Karen Forestry Department wildlife protection units in tactical patrol and enforcement operations. KFD wildlife protection units are highly trained teams that patrol and enforce local and national conservation laws in Karen State protected areas. They represent the front line of wildlife conservation and protection efforts but face rapidly expanding threats as Myanmar emerges from 50 years of civil war.
SALWEEN RIVER. NORTHERN KAREN STATE, MYANMAR 2016: A tributary enters the Salween river in Karen State, northern Myanmar. The Salween river is the longest free-flowing river in Asia. Stretching over 2800 km from its source high in the Himalayan mountains, it runs through some of Asia's last remaining pristine biodiversity to its mouth in the Andaman sea. It supports incredible biodiversity comparable with the Mekong and is home to about 7 million people. It is now being threatened with hydropower dam construction projects in Myanmar despite the massive environmental costs and cheaper alternatives.
KAREN STATE, MYANMAR 2013: Instructors from the South African Field Ranger College conduct weapons training for Karen Forestry Department (KFD) wildlife protection units as part of a program to enable effective tactical patrol and enforcement operations. KFD wildlife protection units are highly trained teams that patrol and enforce local and national conservation laws. Karen State has some of the last remaining high value biodiversity in Asia and is under constant pressure from poaching and illegal logging.
MUTRAW DISTRICT, KAREN STATE, MYANMAR 2016: Karen Forestry Department (KFD) staff prepare camera traps for wildlife surveys in Karen protected areas. Karen State has some of the last remaining high value biodiversity in Asia and is under constant pressure from poaching and illegal logging.
SALWEEN RIVER. NORTHERN KAREN STATE, MYANMAR 2016: The Salween river is the longest free-flowing river in Asia. Stretching over 2800 km from its source high in the Himalayan mountains, it runs through some of Asia's last remaining pristine biodiversity to its mouth in the Andaman sea. It supports incredible biodiversity comparable with the Mekong and is home to about 7 million people. It is now being threatened with hydropower dam construction projects in Myanmar despite the massive environmental costs and cheaper alternatives.
SALWEEN RIVER. NORTHERN KAREN STATE, MYANMAR 2016: Pristine forests line the Salween river, Asia's longest free-flowing river. Stretching over 2800 km from its source high in the Himalayan mountains, it runs through some of Asia's last remaining pristine biodiversity to its mouth in the Andaman sea. It supports incredible biodiversity comparable with the Mekong and is home to about 7 million people. It is now being threatened with hydropower dam construction projects in Myanmar despite the massive environmental costs and cheaper alternatives.
MUTRAW DISTRICT, KAREN STATE, MYANMAR 2017: Karen Forestry Department (KFD) Wildlife Protection Units operate as part of a program to enable effective tactical patrol and enforcement in Karen protected areas.
MUTRAW DISTRICT, KAREN STATE, MYANMAR 2016: Karen Forestry Department (KFD) staff set camera traps for wildlife surveys in Karen protected areas. Karen State has some of the last remaining high value biodiversity in Asia and is under constant pressure from poaching and illegal logging.
SALWEEN RIVER. DRY SEASON, NORTHERN KAREN STATE, MYANMAR 2016: The Salween river is the longest free-flowing river in Asia. Stretching over 2800 km from its source high in the Himalayan mountains, it runs through some of Asia's last remaining pristine biodiversity to its mouth in the Andaman sea. It supports incredible biodiversity comparable with the Mekong and is home to about 7 million people. It is now being threatened with hydropower dam construction projects in Myanmar despite the massive environmental costs and cheaper alternatives.
KAREN STATE, MYANMAR 2013: Instructors from the South African Field Ranger College conduct weapons training for Karen Forestry Department (KFD) wildlife protection units as part of a program to enable effective tactical patrol and enforcement operations. KFD wildlife protection units are highly trained teams that patrol and enforce local and national conservation laws in Karen State protected areas.
MUTRAW DISTRICT, KAREN STATE, MYANMAR 2016: Karen State has some of the last remaining high value biodiversity in Asia and is under constant pressure from poaching and illegal logging.
MUTRAW DISTRICT, KAREN STATE, MYANMAR 2017: Karen Forestry Department (KFD) Wildlife Protection Units operate as part of a program to enable effective tactical patrol and enforcement in Karen protected areas. Karen State has some of the last remaining high value biodiversity in Asia and is under constant pressure from poaching and illegal logging.
KAREN STATE, MYANMAR 2016: A Karen girl carries Dipterocarps tuberculatus, Roxb leaves commonly used as roofing materials for traditional Karen buildings.
KAREN STARE, MYANMAR 2016: A Karen girl attends class at a local village school where the Karen Education Department (KED) is providing education in refugee camps along the Thai-Burma border and in conflict areas inside Karen State, Burma.
Karen Wildlife Protection Unit rangers prepare their weapons and check maps before going on an extended patrol in northern Karen State Burma. These special units are being developed to counter increasing threats and insatiable demand for wildlife as black markets in Asia continue to expand.
A young Karen Wildlife Protection Unit ranger in a remote field station in northern Karen State Burma. These special units are being developed to counter increasing threats and insatiable demand for wildlife as black markets in Asia continue to expand.
Chinese trader proudly displaying his tiger tooth amulet in Burma's Special Region 4.
SALWEEN RIVER. NORTHERN KAREN STATE, MYANMAR 2016: A Karen Forestry Department ranger team patrols the Salween river, the longest free-flowing river in Asia. Stretching over 2800 km from its source high in the Himalayan mountains, it runs through some of Asia's last remaining pristine biodiversity to its mouth in the Andaman sea. It supports incredible biodiversity comparable with the Mekong and is home to about 7 million people. It is now being threatened with hydropower dam construction projects in Myanmar despite the massive environmental costs and cheaper alternatives. It is also a major smuggling route for wildlife trade and illegal logging.
DOOPLAYA DISTRICT, KAREN STATE, MYANMAR 2018: Karen Forestry Department (KFD) Wildlife Protection Units operate as part of a program to enable effective patrols and enforcement of Karen protected areas. Karen State in Myanmar has some of the last remaining high value biodiversity in Asia but is under constant pressure from poaching and illegal logging. Here rangers receive tactical patrol training from African anti-poaching specialists.

After decades of military rule, economic sanctions and international isolation, a quasi-civilian government is now seeking to integrate this former ‘pariah’ nation into Southeast Asia and the greater global community. In the context of a more legitimate neo-liberal regime, the previous government of Thein Sein initiated a series of reforms to attract foreign investment and stimulate economic growth. Perhaps predictably, the response was considerable and Myanmar, now touted as Asia’s “last economic frontier,” has become a focus of growing international corporate interest.

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