Indawgyi Myanmar 18/46: Trapping Cobra Snakehead Fish in Indawgyi Lake, Myanmar

Indawgyi Myanmar 18/46: Trapping Cobra Snakehead Fish in Indawgyi Lake, Myanmar

If you have been following my journey, mr.hotsia, through this website, you might be familiar with stories about boating and exploring nature in the remote corners of Myanmar. But this time, I want to take everyone to experience another dimension of Indawgyi Lake, one of the largest freshwater lakes in Southeast Asia, located inKachin Statein northern Myanmar. This place is not just an ordinary eco-tourism site but also an area where many local villages still live traditionally and strongly conserve the environment.

When I arrived at Indawgyi Lake, the first thing I felt was a peaceful atmosphere, as if time had stopped. The lake's clear green water reflected the vast blue sky as far as the eye could see. Around the lake, there are more than 20 villages of Red Tai and Kachin people, most of whom still maintain a simple agricultural and traditional fishing lifestyle.

Experience Trapping Cobra Snakehead Fish

I had the opportunity to travel with villagers from a small lakeside village to learn the method of trapping the cobra snakehead fish, locally called “cobra snakehead.” This freshwater fish is rare and important to the Indawgyi Lake ecosystem. The trapping method is traditional, requiring great skill and patience.

At dawn, I paddled a small wooden boat along the lake shore with experienced villagers. What impressed me was their meticulousness in choosing trap locations and setting the gear, unlike anything I had seen before. It is knowledge passed down through generations, practiced without harming the surrounding nature, helping to maintain the lake's ecological balance.

Indawgyi Lake and Biodiversity

Indawgyi Lake is about 13 kilometers wide and over 24 kilometers long, with an elevation of approximately 166 meters above sea level. The surrounding area is rich in wildlife and diverse plant species. In 1999, the Myanmar government designated the lake as a wildlife sanctuary covering over 780 square kilometers. It is home to rare mammals and birds such as Greylag geese and the rare Ai Nguo bird. During my visit, I had the chance to see beautiful purple swamphen birds.

Staying and traveling in lakeside villages also allowed me to experience the Red Tai people's lifestyle, who still firmly preserve their traditions. Some villages still use the Red Tai language for communication and hold interesting seasonal festivals. If interested, I recommend reading more in the articleIndawgyithat I previously wrote.

Travel and Challenges

Reaching Indawgyi Lake is not easy because it is located in an area not widely open for tourism. Most travel requires four-wheel-drive vehicles and local boats. I recommend preparing food, drinking water, and clothing suitable for the weather and varied travel conditions.

I rented a motorcycle from the town of Myitkyina inKachin Statewhich is the starting point of the Irrawaddy River to ride up to Indawgyi Lake. Riding a motorcycle here requires wearing a helmet and caution on dusty and rough roads. However, the scenery along the way is full of villages and beautiful nature, making the journey feel not difficult at all.

Taste Local Lakeside Food

After tiring from trapping fish and boating on the lake, I did not miss tasting the local food of the Red Tai and Kachin people here. Most dishes focus on fresh ingredients from the lake and forest, such as grilled fish with herbs, snakehead fish curry, and hot sticky rice served with spicy local vegetables. There are no fancy restaurants here, but the flavors made me feel genuine warmth and naturalness.

If you are interested in local food, I recommend reading more in the articleRed Tai Food at Indawgyi Lake, Kachin Statethat I have recorded, which helps to better visualize the atmosphere and interesting local cooking techniques.

Recommended Video

For those who want to see live footage of trapping cobra snakehead fish, I, mr.hotsia, recommend the video I filmed on this trip. You can watch it at the link below.

• Indawgyi Myanmar 18/46: Trapping Cobra Snakehead Fish in Indawgyi Lake, Myanmar

Summary

Indawgyi Lake in Kachin State, Myanmar, is one of the destinations I, mr.hotsia, recommend for nature lovers and those wanting to learn about indigenous tribal lifestyles firsthand. This place is not just an ordinary lake but a conservation area that perfectly preserves nature and culture. Trapping cobra snakehead fish is one activity that shows the close relationship between people and nature. It is an experience I am confident will leave a lasting impression on many.