Myanmar to encourage eco-tourism in Banmauk forest reserve

Zalon Mountain

Myanmar is planning to upgrade a mountain in the area of forest reserve in Banmauk, northwestern Sagaing region, as an eco-tourism site to attract more international visitors, as per local media reports.

The upgrading of Zalon Mountain situating 19.2 km northwest of Banmauk is part of the efforts of the Forest Department to boost the country’s smokeless industry by extending the new tourist destination with proper services, said a tourism department official.

Zalon Mountain

Zalon Mountain is situated 927 meters above sea level and the surrounding mountains are over 600 to 900 meters high. There is a the granite mountain looking like an elephant, which attracts thousands of visitors every year.

Furthermore, the Zalon Mountain Pagoda is one of the famous Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Banmauk, enhancing tourist arrivals year by year.

According to official figures, 200,000 to 300,000 holiday makers visited the Zalon Mountain in the last peak tourism season.

Myanmar is striving to promote eco-tourism, cultural tourism and community-based tourism in resource-rich areas such as historical landscapes, rivers, lakes, beaches, islands and forests.

As per statistics tourist arrivals in the country hit 1.72 million in the first half of this year.