Hukaung Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
Hukaung Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area in northern Myanmar, covering. It was established in 2004 and extended to its present size in 2010.
It was initially gazetted in 2004 with an area of in Tanaing Township and extended to Kamaing, Nayun and Kamti Townships. In elevation, it ranges from in the Hukawng Valley located in Kachin State and Sagaing Region. It harbours evergreen and mixed deciduous forests.
Wildlife recorded during camera trapping surveys between 2001 and 2011 comprised tiger, leopard, clouded leopard, Asian golden cat, marbled cat, leopard cat. yellow-throated marten, binturong, large Indian civet, large-spotted civet, small Indian civet, masked palm civet, Asian palm civet, hog badger and spotted linsang.
More than 200,000 acres of land in Hukawng Valley are being used for gold mining, causing environmental damage. The Wildlife Conservation Society was criticized for its role in the protected area, particularly for blaming indigenous peoples for environmental damage, though this was found to be untrue since WCS was found to support small infrastructure projects and donate rice and supplies to villagers in efforts to work with them.
