Overview
Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary (Thai: ศูนย์อนุรักษ์สัตว์ป่าอumphang) is a protected area in western Thailand, situated in Tak Province near the border with Myanmar. It is classified as a wildlife sanctuary under the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Act of Thailand.
Geography
- Location: Northwestern Tak Province, spanning the districts of Umphang, Mae Sot, Mae Ramat and parts of Kayin State, Myanmar.
- Area: Approximately 3,237 km² (≈ 793,000 acres), making it one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries in Thailand.
- Topography: Mountainous terrain of the Tenasserim Hills, with elevations ranging from about 300 m to over 1,700 m above sea level.
- Hydrology: The sanctuary contains the sources of several tributaries of the Mae Klong River, including the Thi Lo Su Waterfall (the highest waterfall in Thailand, with a drop of about 200 m).
History and Legal Status
- Establishment: Declared a wildlife sanctuary on 7 November 1979 by the Royal Gazette (Royal Decree No. 28/RC).
- Management: Administered by Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP). The sanctuary is designated IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area).
Ecological Characteristics
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Ecosystems | Tropical evergreen forest, montane forest, riverine habitats, and grassland patches. |
| Flora | Over 2,300 plant species recorded, including dipterocarps, magnolias, and numerous orchids. |
| Fauna | Notable mammals: Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), Indochinese tiger (Panthera tigris corbetti), clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), gaur (Bos gaurus), and white‑spotted bamboo rat (Chiromyscus chiropus). Birds include great hornbill (Buceros bicornis) and wreathed hornbill (Rhyticeros undulatus). Reptiles and amphibians are diverse, with several endemic species. |
| Conservation Significance | Serves as a critical wildlife corridor linking Thai protected areas with Myanmar’s Tanintharyi forest complex, facilitating transboundary movement of large mammals. |
Threats and Conservation Challenges
- Poaching: Illegal hunting for meat, ivory, and wildlife parts.
- Habitat Degradation: Encroachment for agriculture, illegal logging, and road development, particularly the construction of the Mae Sot–Umphang road (completed in 2014) which increased human access.
- Human–Wildlife Conflict: Crop raiding by elephants and livestock predation.
Management Measures
- Patrols: Regular anti‑poaching patrols conducted by DNP personnel and local community volunteers.
- Community Engagement: Collaboration with nearby villages for sustainable livelihood projects, such as ecotourism and forest product monitoring.
- Research: Ongoing biodiversity monitoring programs conducted by Thai universities and international NGOs (e.g., WWF‑Thailand).
Visitor Access
- Access Points: The sanctuary is reachable via the Umphang–Mae Sot (Highway 108) road, which terminates near the sanctuary’s northern boundary.
- Permits: Entry requires a permit from the DNP’s Tak provincial office; guided tours are mandatory in most zones.
- Key Attractions: Thi Lo Su Waterfall, Mae Klong River canyon, and trekking routes to remote forest areas.
References
- Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), Thailand. “Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary – Protected Area Details.” Official Gazette, 1979.
- IUCN Protected Areas Programme. “Protected Area Profile for Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary.” 2023.
- WWF‑Thailand. “Transboundary Conservation in the Tenasserim Range.” 2022.
All information presented is based on publicly available governmental and reputable conservation sources.
