The Inle Lake watershed has a total area of 2,166 square miles, of which 506 square miles was declared as a Reserved and Protected Public Forest and established as a watershed forest management area. The forest resources of Inle Lake watershed have been gradually depleted due to overexploitation of natural resources, population increase, climate change and rapid tourism development – resulting in the deterioration of the natural environment as well as the ecosystem of the lake. Hence, there is the urgent need to protect and conserve the ecosystem of Inle Lake.

The project has the following objectives:

1) identify the causes of deterioration of the natural environment and determine the best ways of conserving it;

2) conserve the ecosystem of Inle Lake and its watershed area;

3) preserve the natural heritage and ethnic cultural heritage of Myanmar;

4) ensure adequate water source for the Balu River Hydroelectric Power Plant which is a major hydroelectric power source of the country;

5) enhance awareness of communities and ensure their participation in conservation activities for the sustainability of Inle Lake; and

6) contribute to minimizing the environmental deterioration due to global warming and climate change.

The project will involve activities such as sustaining watershed ecosystem services, tree planting, soil and water conservation, wildlife conservation, and research activities.