The highlands of Nyaungshwe and Kalaw Townships are a few miles from Myanmar’s famous Inle Lake, but see little benefit from the rapid tourism development occurring in the valley. These areas suffer from water scarcity and receive little value from their produce and bamboo products. In addition, land scarcity, erosion, deforestation and a shortening monsoon season due to climate change have made life in these villages increasingly difficult. The transformation of Myanmar could be a source of opportunity for these villages, or they could be further marginalized.

The Myanmar Institute for Integrated Development (MIID) and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) are working with upland villages in this region to improve livelihoods, increase water access and better equip communities to address key issues and manage their natural resources. To do this we work with farmers, village leaders, the Myanmar government, traders, and other stakeholders to understand the local people, environment and political economy and to address identified needs with interventions that make sense for the community.

By planning with the community and improving their ability to manage natural resources, this project creates impacts that will sustain and grow after the duration of the project and provides learnings that the Myanmar government and other actors can replicate. Our work includes strengthening community institutions, improving gender equality, constructing water facilities, maximizing value chains and providing trainings that encourage continued use of traditional sustainable practices and teach new skills that increase the ability of the villagers to improve their livelihoods and adapt to changes.

The project is a part of ICIMOD’s Rural Livelihoods and Climate Change Adaptation in the Himalayas (Himalica) Initiative financed by the European Union.

For more information, please check out the project brochure.