A dolphin community lodge was opened in early April for local and foreign visitors.
The lodge was opened under the arrangement of the Irrawaddy dolphin conservation and community-based tourism group.
One can take a four-hour drive along Sagaing-Kyaukmyaung Road from Mandalay to the lodge located in Indaung Village, Watlet Township, Shwebo District, Sagaing Region. It can be reached within two hours by ship.
From the dolphin community lodge, visitors can study fishing with the help of Irrawaddy dolphins, traditional handicrafts in villages, Tawragyi Wild Sanctuary and the ancient city of Hanlin.
A community-based tourism project including the showcase of rare Irrawaddy dolphins is being implemented in Indaung and Ywathit villages in Shwebo District after the formation of a committee.
The dolphin community lodge was built under the supervision of WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society) Myanmar and the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism.
The project is aimed at maintaining traditional culture and the nature of rural villages, creating local jog opportunities, conserving the endangered Irrawaddy dolphins, helping achieve greater success in conserving those dolphins and improving income of local residents through skill demonstration of dolphins, and educating local fishermen to have better understanding of the value of endangered species and discouraging them from using battery shock in fishing.
