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The document highlights the rapid degradation of wetlands in Myanmar, noting a 25% loss in the Upper Chindwin River basin between 2000 and 2020. It critiques existing government-led initiatives for being tokenistic and limited primarily to Ramsar sites, leaving smaller wetlands vulnerable. Based on a project in the Hkamti region, the authors demonstrate that community leadership—through village working committees and alternative livelihood planning—enhances resource management and monitoring. The brief recommends establishing a community-led management framework, diversifying funding, and integrating wetland conservation across sectoral policies like agriculture and tourism.

The document outlines a Wetland Rapid Assessment (RVA) methodology designed for the Upper Chindwin River Basin. It provides a structured approach to collecting basic site data, mapping vegetation, and assessing ecosystem services using the RAWES toolkit. The manual includes criteria for identifying wetlands of international importance based on Ramsar standards and a detailed framework for evaluating threats, such as pollution, invasive species, and climate change. It also specifies protocols for surveying wildlife, specifically mammals and birds, to inform Conservation Action Plans (CAPs).