In late May, a natural causeway, affectionately known as Nat-Lan (referring to its origin as a route built by the deities), resurfaced and now connects to the floating Indawgyi Pagoda situated on the serene waters of Indawgyi Lake, according to locals.
Starting from the last week of May, there has been a noticeable increase in daytime temperatures around Indawgyi. Additionally, the water levels in the lake have significantly decreased, indicating a drying up of the once abundant waters, locals said.
"Nat-Lan, as the locals fondly call it, is the name given to the causeway that occasionally emerges above the water's surface, defying the crashing waves of the lake. This year, characterized by reduced rainfall and scorching temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, even the lowest average daytime temperature in summer reached approximately 38 degrees. As a result, a substantial volume of water within the lake has evaporated, leading to the prolonged reappearance of Nat-Lan. Typically, Nat-Lan briefly remains afloat before submerging beneath the water once again.”, an Indawgyi resident explained.
The drying of Indawgyi Lake can be attributed to both adverse weather conditions and the impact of gold mining activities in the tributaries that feed into the lake. The blockage of water channels resulting from these activities has hindered the free flow of water into the lake, exacerbating its dryness, observers warned.
"The relentless pursuit of gold and the unchecked logging practices have inflicted severe harm upon our environment. In the western region of Indawgyi, the rampant gold mining and unrestricted logging have resulted in extensive destruction. Utilizing heavy machinery and backhoes, those seeking gold have left a lasting impact on the environment. Despite the locals' desire to halt these activities, fear of armed individuals keeps them silent. The gold miners effortlessly circumvent regulations through under-the-table payments, exercising unrestrained control”, a Shan-Ni ethnic from Indawgyi said.
According to local elders, Nat-Lan is said to typically emerge on the water during the month of March each year. The occurrence of Nat-Lan is closely tied to the annual Pagoda Festival, which is traditionally celebrated during this period.
According to local elders, Nat-Lan was traditionally known to manifest on the water's surface periodically, often after several years, with a notable occurrence during months characterized by higher temperatures, such as March. It is during this time that the Indawgyi Pagoda festival takes place.
However, since May 2020, the duration of Nat-Lan's floating period has extended, while the time between its appearances has noticeably shortened. According to the residents of Indawgyi, in the past, Nat-Lan would only manifest once every few decades, whereas now it is observed once every three or four years. The locals attribute this change to environmental degradation and deficiencies in management practices, which have contributed to the altered pattern of Nat-Lan's presence.
In 2016, the Indawgyi region was recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a Biosphere Reserve. However, following the military coup in 2021, the intensity of gold mining activities around Indawgyi Lake has significantly increased, leading to exacerbated environmental degradation in the area.
Gold mining and logging activities in the area have been escalating rapidly without effective regulation or oversight, leading to a lack of control over their expansion and impact on the environment, locals told The Voice of Shan-Ni.
