Myanmar, often referred to as the jewel of Asia, is a country thick with religion and tradition. It is beautified with lakes, shrouded in mist, ancient temples, crawling with crimson robed monks, and cultures largely unspoiled by the modern world. Formerly know as Burma, Myanmar is located in southeast Asia on the bay of Bengal, and shares boarders with Bangladesh, India, China, Laos and Thailand. For a half a century Myanmar has largely been isolated from the outside world due to an oppressive, and harsh military-ruled government. But in 2010 a new civilian- run government was established and change in Myanmar has been rapid for better or worse.
Nestled in to the heart of Myanmar’s Shan Plateau, lies Inle lake. The beautiful highland lake is one of the four most popular attractions in Myanmar and there are many different tribes that make up the people of the Lake known as the Intha. They live in four cities bordering the freshwater lake, in numerous villages along the lake’s shores, and on the lake itself.
For centuries the Intha have been fishermen. Their unusual leg rowing technique is synonymous with Myanmar and different fishing styles have been passed down from generation to generation. The most iconic and wildly recognized style is called myaw htoung and is carried out with a conical-framed net.
The conical fisherman scans the water from his carved teak boat for any signs of movement or bubbles coming out of the reeds.
When movement is detected, he thrusts his net into the lake’s shallow bottom then releases the ring that holds the net taut within its frame. The billowing mesh drops and then a long, multi-pronged spear is used to entangle the fish into the net. Carp is the most abundant fish caught in the lake and they are a staple of the local diet.
Families have always relied heavily on the fishing industry. Gliding through the narrow canals lined with simple houses of wood and woven bamboo on stilts, it is easy to see how daily life coincides with fishing. Their lives revolve completely and totally around the lake.
Between fishing and farming, the people of Inle Lake have largely been self-sufficient. Father’s teach their sons to fish, mothers and daughters sell the fish at the market and everyone helps with the floating gardens. However, these people are suffering from the environmental effects of increased population and rapid growth in both agriculture and tourism.
On the once peaceful lake is very difficult to find any actual conical fisherman practicing their craft anymore as boats filled with tourists slice up and down the lake from dawn until dusk. Silence is crucial for this style of fishing and now almost impossible to find.
In addition, small towns bordering the lake are now booming with hotel construction projects and tourist agencies. Plus, the hills surrounding the lake, once thickly forested, are spotted with farm plots where the land has been cleared for firewood and agricultural use. This has resulted in severe sedimentation and the water levels are dangerously low.
Recently the United Nation’s cultural agency named Inle Lake as Myanmar’s first biosphere reserve in hopes to help safeguard the natural ecosystem. There are also some new initiatives in place working to stop farmers from using pesticides and local schools are educating children on topics such as climate change and carbon footprint. Even though the message on conservation is spreading most locals worry that it is too late to reverse all of the damage that has been done.
Inle Lake’s special fishing culture stands in danger of fragmentation. The occupational shifts, invariably sparked by dreams of higher incomes and better lives as well as the environmental changes, are accelerating. A conical fisherman now has to spend 10-12 hours fishing for the same amount of fish he use to catch in a half a day’s work. To try and replenish the dwindling stock of carp and to preserve their fishing tradition, the fishermen have even set up no-fish zones with little benefit since pollution, rather than overfishing, is the main problem.
The slow, methodical, physically exhausting process has been made much more difficult due to the harsh effects this environment has sustained.
Since 2010, Myanmar has opened up greatly to the outside world and the country has encouraged tourism. Inle Lake is a source of great pride for all the people of Myanmar and the Intha are by nature caretakers of their resources. Unfortunately, they are now trying to solve problems that could have been prevented had there been mechanisms in place ten years ago.
This unique leg rowing technique and this specific type of fishing is seen nowhere else in the world. As tourism and progress comes too fast and too big into this fragile ecosystem the future of the conical fishermen is extremely uncertain and the Intha are desperately trying to cling to their culture. It is crucial that they find a way to find a way to embrace the modern world that is now firmly rooted in their waters while still preserving their century old traditions for future generations.