Site Nomination for Peat Site Profiles in Southeast Asia
Category:	Best Management Practices Site (BMP)
Name of Site:	Heho Valley
Country:	Myanmar
GPS Point:	Latitude: 20 deg 41.680' N Longitude: 96 deg. 45.725' E
Location & Access:	Heho Valley is situated in the watershed of Yepai stream which flows into Inle Lake. Inkhaung, the western part (the eastern side of Thikhaung range) of Heho valley is higher than In Mee village in the eastern part where the small streams meet and pass through to Yepai Stream. Generally, Heho Valley is a plain which gradually slope down from west to east. In the past, Heho Valley was a great peatland which supported the regular flow of the Yepai stream, but is now agricultural land.
Total Area:	1625.70 hectare(s)
Background of Site:	The valley is almost flat, and surrounded on almost all sides by limestone ridges. Negya chaung (stream) is the main drainage in Heho Valley and the other four Canals (width 20' x length 2500') discharge into it. Negya Chaung flows West to East at the centre of Heho Valley.
Significant Value of Site:	- Biodiversity - Hydrology - Soil/Carbon - Cultural & Historical Value - Socio-economic Notes: Flora: It seems that most of the lakebed is covered with Najas sp., with some Sagittaria, and some stands of Typha and Colocasia in Heho Kan. Fauna: Avifauna: Waterbirds: Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Grey-headed Lapwing. Total count of 113, 3 species on 9/12/01. Other birds: Black-winged Kite, Common Buzzard, Hen Harrier, Eurasian Kestrel, Red-whiskered Bulbul, Black Drongo. Fish: Channa striata, Cyprinus carpio and a silurid catfish were observed being caught by fishermen in Heho Kan. CULTURAL, HISTORICAL & SPIRITUAL VALUES The Inn Guang Spring has high spiritual value - the spring and the immediate area around the spring are protected and there is a shrine next to the spring. The valley is mostly covered with rice fields, although flowers and vegetables such as beans are also grown.
Designated use (status/legal classification):	- Community Conservation Area/Forest
Major Issues:	Peatland has been covered by agricultural crops, is always wet, even in the dry season by irrigated water. No fires have occurred. Heho Peatland is an old lake bed which may have been similar to the natural vegetation of Inlay lake which grows grasses and herbaceous. It has been transformed into agriculture land after 1950 by the construction or enlarging of drainage canals. The farmers grow vegetables and seasonal crops all year round even in dry season by irrigated water. In this context, Heho Valley peatland was assigned to degradation category class II and cannot be restored to its original state.
Site Jurisdiction & Administration:	State owned land which was granted to 2,877 farmers who live inside and outside of peatland area. (1.25 acres/farmer on average).
Peatland Type:	Lowland
Management activities:	a) Past b) Current No specific management activity c) Potential
Facilities & Activities Available on Site:	Heho Valley has been totally under agriculture. There are one or two trees which were grown by the farmers for shade on their land. The marginal lands or the blank areas were covered by grass and herbaceous plants.
Institution Responsible for the Site:	Name of Organization: Agriculture Department Postal Address: Kalaw Township Shan Shate MYANMAR Phone: NA Fax: NA Website: NA
Nominated by:	Name: FREDA Organization: Forest Resource Environment Development and Conservation Association (FREDA)