The Lampi Island Marine National Park is a protected area in Myanmar. It covers 79.09 square miles (204.8 square kilometers) and was created in 1996. The park includes Lanbi Island and several smaller islands in the Mergui Archipelago. These islands have coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves, sand dunes, and tropical evergreen forests that reach up to 1,493 feet (455 meters) in height. The park is recognized as an Important Bird Area and is part of the ASEAN Heritage Parks. Key features of the park include tropical rainforests, large coral reef areas that protect many underwater ecosystems, and a wide variety of plant and animal life. Visitors are only allowed to enter during the day.

Geography

Lampi Island Marine National Park is mostly flat, rising sharply from sea level to a height of 270 meters (890 feet). The park has a few beaches and inlets covered with sand. It also contains large caves and many sources of fresh water.

Flora

Lampi Island Marine National Park has mangrove forests that grow along rivers and freshwater sources. Coral reefs in the park provide homes for many types of marine organisms. Lowland forests in the area include Dipterocarpus alatus, epiphytes such as lianas, stands of Casuarina equisetifolia, Dillenia, Calophyllum, wild orchids, and ferns. The park also has 17 endangered tree species, 50 types of mangroves, 6 kinds of seagrass, and 60 different coral species. Seagrass found near the eastern part of the island includes Thalassianthus hemprichi, Cymodocea rotundata, Halodule uninervis, H. pinifolia, and dugong grass (Halophila ovalis).

Fauna

In March 2008, scientists first confirmed that dugongs (Dugong dugon) live on Lampi Island. After this discovery, researchers saw paths dug by dugongs to reach grass areas repeatedly. During a survey in 2013, the shells of leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea), green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata), and Oldham’s leaf turtles (Cyclemys oldhamii) were found on the island. Researchers also observed Pope’s tree pitvipers (Trimeresurus popeiorum), water monitors (Varanus salvator), and Tokay geckos (Gekko gecko). Reticulated pythons (Python reticulatus) are also present on the island.

A camera trapping survey from November 2015 to May 2017 showed the presence of smooth-coated otters (Lutrogale perspicillata), Asian palm civets (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus), small-toothed palm civets (Arctogalidia trivirgata), long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis), northern pig-tailed macaques (M. leonina), dusky langurs (Trachypithecus obscurus), Bengal slow lorises (Nycticebus bengalensis), lesser mouse deer (Tragulus kanchil lampensis), wild boars (Sus scrofa), Sunda pangolins (Manis javanica), northern treeshrews (Tupaia belangeri), red giant flying squirrels (Petaurista petaurista), black giant squirrels (Ratufa bicolour), grey-bellied squirrels (Callosciurus caniceps), Pallas’s squirrels (C. erythraeus), Berdmore’s ground squirrels (Menetes berdmorei), long-tailed giant rats (Leopoldamys sabanus), and red spiny rats (Maxomys surifer).

Birds observed on the island include Nicobar pigeons (Caloenas nicobarica) and Edible-nest swiftlets (Callocalia fuciphaga).

Threats to wildlife

The main dangers to sea turtles in Lampi are habitat damage, fishing equipment, and people taking turtles directly from their homes for food and to sell for money. Fishing is the primary way people earn money in the area, but hunting is also very profitable. People who come from other places often hunt animals like mouse deer, pangolins, wild pigs, and common water monitors to sell to fishing boats or inland markets. Local people usually hunt mainly to feed themselves and meet their basic needs.