A new wildlife sanctuary in Mon and Kayin (Karen) States will aim to cover some 110,580 acres of land, according to the Ye Township Forestry Department.

The Say Taung Wildlife Sanctuary is due to be established on around 50,000 acres of land in Ye Chaung Forest Reserve in Mon State and connected land in Kayin State.

According to the Ye Township Forestry Department, the area is home to wildlife such as wild boars, cheetahs and even tigers, along with unique bird species and flora.

Staff officer of Ye Township Forestry Department U Soe Win said the site will be in line with the Protection of Wildlife and Conservation of Natural Areas Law.

“We plan to cooperate with the KNU (Karen National Union) to carry this out. The wildlife in this area will now have a better ecosystem,” U Soe Win said.

He said the interests of local residents will also be taken into account and that they should benefit from protecting the area due to “less flooding and landslides”.

U Aung Khine from Yan Myo Aung Ward in Ye Township said the site could become a tourist attraction in the future.