Research programme has been continued by the Forest Department, Wildlife Conservation Society’s Myanmar Program and Turtle Survival Alliance in Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary, observing natural characters of star tortoises and their health.

Situated in Minbu Township, Magway Region, a total of 150 star tortoises (Geochelone Platynota), a critically endangered species, are naturally living in the sanctuary, according to a report of the Myawady Daily issued on Sunday. All of the total numbers, small radio transmitters have been installed on the back of 42 turtle’s upper shell to provide information for follow-up healthcare to those land-dwelling reptiles in the sanctuary. Altogether 50 tortoises have been placed in each 2.5-acre wide plot. Recording, mapping and calculation have been conducted by research team thrice a month.

The rare species is native to the dry and deciduous forests in the country. It can be found in Mandalay, Sagaing and Magway regions. This kind of tortoise normally eats grass, weeds, leaves, flowers and other fibrous plants as well as earthworms and snails. The tortoises normally lay eggs up to four times a year.

There are three protected areas for star tortoises in the country: Lawkananda Wildlife Sanctuary in Bagan; Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary in Minbu Township and Minsontaung Wildlife Sanctuary in Natogyi Township.

Source:Global New Light Of Myanmar
Photo: Supplied

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Mandalay has a tropical wet and dry climate. The Mandalay streets are laid out in a grid system, and are numbered east to west (up to 49th) and North to South (over 50th).Among the various types of traditional food on offer in Mandalay, are the famous Mont T, Htoe Mote and La Phat. Highlights of the city, it’s seven structures include Mya Nan San Kyaw Shwe Nan Daw (Golden Palace), Moat, Pitakas Taik, Thu Damar Congregation Hall, Atu Mashi Monastery, Ku Tho Taw Pagoda and Thein Taw Gyi.

Mya Nan San Kyaw Shwe Nan Daw (Golden Palace)

It is one of the seven royal buildings in Mandalay which was built by King Mindon. It was the first palace where King Mindon lived when he transferred from Amarapura Nay Pyi Taw to Mandalay Yadanabon Nay Pyi Taw. It was bombed during World War II and was rebuilt.

Moat

During the time of the ancient kings, a moat was built outside of the city walls to prevent the enemies from entering the city. There are three types of moat; moat with water, mud and plain ground (in which iron sticks and piles of wooden pieces are embedded). At the city walls, there is an entrance which was guarded by soldiers. The Mandalay moat is 225 feet wide and 11 feet deep. The water in the moat comes from Yay Ni Myaung @ Yadana Nadi Creek.

Pitakas Taik

(Repository of the Buddhist scriptures)
It was located at the foot of Mandalay Hill. It was a library which stored all the sermons of Buddha. But during World War II it was bombed and everything was destroyed.

Thu Damar Congregation Halls

They are located near the foot of Mandalay Hill. King Mindon donated these halls on May 22 in 1859. The halls are gilded and have many Pabu arts. In Yadanarpon era, monks’ examinations were held in these rest houses. There were 33 Thu Damar congregation halls, but there are only 18 left.

Atu Mashi Monastery

At this monastery there are many examples of the Pantaut arts (the art of making floral designs out of stucco). There are 146 pillars in the monastery. Yaw Ahtwin Wun U Pho Hlaing supervised the construction of the monastery. In 1890, it sadly burnt down, but was rebuilt between 1995 and 1997. Tampawaddy U Win Maung supervised the reconstruction.

Ku Tho Taw Pagoda

The pagoda is located at the South East of Mandalay Hill and was built in 1862 through donations from King Mindon. It contains the world’s largest book. In the grounds are 729 kyauksagu or stone inscription caves each containing a marble slab inscribed with a page of text from the Tipitaka, the entire Pali Canon of Therevada Buddhism.

Thein Taw Gyi

(Buddhist Ordination Hall)
The hall was situated at the foot of Mandalay Hill, near the entrance of Kyauk Taw Gyi. It was a wooden building and decorated with Pantaut arts. It was destroyed in World War II.

Thank you for reading!

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The Charity Group of the Hotel by the Red Canal, Mandalay painted the campus of the Kuthodaw Pagoda, known as World’s Largest Book Heritage site on 11.11.2016.They announced at the Hotel social media page that anyone who wishes to join them in helping preserve one of the most important monuments in Mandalay.

The stupa itself, connected to the outside entry by means of a long corridor, is set in the middle of a thirteen acre field of 729 pitaka pagodas or shrines (Dama Cetis). Each shrine contains a marble slab, inscribed on both sides with the Pali script text of a portion the Tipitaka (Pali spelling, or Tripitaka, in Sanskrit), Theravada Buddhism’s sacred texts. Taken together, they contain the entire text of the Tipitaka and thus form “the world’s largest book.”

The slabs were carved from white Sagyin Hill marble found just a few miles north of Mandalay. The work of carving began in October 1860 and was carried out in a special hall within King Mindon’s Royal Palace. Each slab is 5 ft ((1.5 m) by 3.5 ft (1.1 m) wide and 5-6 in. (12.7 – 15 cm) thick. The Buddhist scholar/carvers completed their task in May 1869. If spread out horizontally, the slabs would cover a third of an acre (.1 ha); stacked vertically, the ‘pages’ would rise 340 ft (103 m).

The charity group of Hotel by the Red Canal would like to preserve the Heritage and Historical attraction places in Mandalay and they would like to sustain of Myanmar Culture.

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Geographically, Mandalay lies at the center of Myanmar. Visiting Myanmar on business or just for pleasure, Mandalay and its surroundings are the most interesting sites. King Mindon may have selected Mandalay as his capital for it’s flat and vast land for beautiful surroundings.There are many beautiful scenarios and cultural edifices around Mandalay. By staying Mandalay, we can visit to many tranquil and quiet places.Mandalay is also located as the central city for commerce and tours. It is reasonable to think that the kind had chosen this place for his capital of this fact.

Thudhamma Zayats at the footage of Mandalay Hill are the most notable Zayats.When King Mindon first laid foundation for building Mandalay Yadanabon, the Royal City, The Thudhamma Zayats are included together with Royal city, Moat, Kuthodaw (known as world biggest book and UNESCO Heritage Site), the Congregation Hall, the Incomparable Monastery( Ah-Tu-Mashi) and Pitakataik (Library). This shows how much Myanmar People care about well-being of their guests.Zayat for visitors are available in almost all the villages of Myanmar. Any Visitors are welcome to stay in any monastery if they prefer.

There’s a Myanamar saying that goes,”People only like to pay visit to sweet homes”. Myanmar people take pride when they are called on by visitors. They are proud of being sweet home which people like to visit.Mandalay has market for various kinds of crops, timber, metals and gems from every party of Upper Myanmar, Mandalay also serves as main tracking place for border trade with China, India and Thailand.Many people come to Mandalay for recreation, for improving their knowledge and for seeking connections with new markets.

As the time changes, the hotels, motels and inns develops to keep up with the modern times. As Myanmar People like to give accommodation for visitors, anyone will receive cordial hospitality from his host whichever hotel or guesthouse he stay in. Along with the development in business, the hotels and guesthouses came to have various standards. A traveler can choose whatever he likes but the hospitality will be the same, in spite of difference in rent and standard. Because of Mandalay’s friendliness, the visitors will feel more at home.

Always proud of born in Mandalay!

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