Indawgyi, largest lake in Myanmar, c.100 sq mi (250 sq km), in Kachin State, 65 mi (105 km) WSW of Myitkyina. Indawgyi has a maximum length of 15 mi (24 km) and maximum width of 8 mi (13 km). The lake is surrounded by thickly wooded hills and is part of the Indawgyi Wildlife Sanctuary; it is an important stopover for migratory birds. The Shwemyitzu Pagoda, located within the lake, is draws some 80,000 pilgrims to its annual festival. In recent years the lake has been threatened by silt and mercury pollution from mining, illegal logging, and overfishing and illegal fishing.
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2024, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
See more Encyclopedia articles on: Southeast Asia Physical Geography
