Lenya KBA (16313)
Myanmar, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: B1
Year of last assessment: 2020
National site name: Lenya KBA
Central coordinates: Latitude: 11.2218, Longitude: 99.1763
System: terrestrial, subterranean
Elevation (m): 65 to 230
Area of KBA (km2): 1847.92483
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Lenya KBA is a large site designated as a National Park. Phayartan karst is nested within Lenya KBA. The karst KBA is a large limestone hill containing many caves. A total of 6 caves with significant karst biodiversity have been recorded. The hill is surrounded by mixed deciduous and evergreen forest with a large areas of bamboo. There is a sizeable stream that runs in front of the hill. The trail that is used to gain access to this site is well used by locals (a few families live inside the forest) and hunters (travelling by motorbike). There is no longer a monk or villagers living permanently in the vicinity of this hill, since they moved away some years ago. The area is rich in wildlife including tigers (EN) and Gurney's Pitta (EN). In caves of the site the largest colony of Diadem leaf-nosed bat was found, as well as a troglophilic miliede Trachyjulus bifidus, described in 2018. Three snail species were found in the surface habitats of the site, and the Discartemon tonywhitteni in Phara cave is the northernmost record of the genus. It also supports rare bat species and a total of 19 species of bats, which alone should suffice for conservation action.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs. Lenya KBA is a site recognised for the critically endangered Straw-headed bulbul (Pycnonotus zeylanicus) but in need of re-assessment for this species. The Phayartan karst site within Lenya KBA supports three limestone inhabiting snail species, Discartemon tonywhitteni, Sarika concavata and Sarika lopa, and a troglophilic milipede, Trachyjulus bifidus, all recorded only from this site.
Delineation rationale: Although KBA site borders remain the same, we have delineated this specific karst unit its ecological borders, following the topography of undisturbed karst, for better conservation and management.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Caves & Subterranean Habitats (non-aquatic) | 33 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 33 | |
| Forest | 33 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Trend Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |