 · Anti-poaching assistance to AK Park forest guards: equipment and training. · Agricultural assistance to local villages in the AK Park buffer zone (training in alternatives to slash and burn farming techniques and providing seeds for fruit trees). · Environmental/wildlife education, during the annual pilgrimage, and during the rest of the year in local makeshift primary schools. Local monks assist, using materials developed for Shen Than Yay. More than 10 monks, 25 forest guards, 3 school teachers, 5 agricultural experts, and 15 village leaders are now working together to conserve the wildlife and trees of AK Park, as well as the livelihood of the villagers living around it. The many pilgrims who journey from throughout Myanmar to AK Park every year are being educated about tigers, the importance of wildlife conservation from Buddhism perspective and are also able to see it being practiced. This experience is unique for many Myanmar citizens. Tigers were the flagship species of the Shen Tan Yay program until it was discovered that they had become extinct in AK park. |
