Chin Hills–Arakan Yoma montane forests

Chin Hills-Arakan Yoma montane forests
Village in Chin State, Myanmar
Ecoregion territory (in purple)
Ecology
Realm	Indomalayan
Biome	tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests
Borders	Irrawaddy moist deciduous forests Mizoram-Manipur-Kachin rain forests, Northeast India-Myanmar pine forests
Geography
Area	29,615 km2 (11,434 sq mi)
Country	Myanmar
States and regions	Chin State Bago Region Magway Region, Rakhine State
Conservation
Conservation status	critical/endangered
Protected	1,763 km² (6%)

The Chin Hills-Arakan Yoma montane forests is a tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forest ecoregion in western Myanmar (Burma). Surrounded at lower elevations by moist tropical forests, this ecoregion is home a diverse range of subtropical and temperate species, including many species characteristic of the Himalayas, as well as many endemic species.

Setting

The ecoregion covers an area of 29,700 square kilometers (11,500 sq mi), encompassing the montane forests of the Arakan Mountains. The Chin Hills, which cover most of Burma's Chin State, and extend south along the ridge of the Arakan Mountains forms the boundary between Rakhine State on the west and Magway Region, Bago Region, and Ayeyarwady Region to the east.

The ecoregion is bounded by the Mizoram-Manipur-Kachin rain forests to the west, north, and northeast, and the Irrawaddy moist deciduous forests to the east. Two enclaves of Northeast India-Myanmar pine forests lie immediately to the north.

The ecoregion includes Nat Ma Taung (Mount Victoria) in southern Chin State, which rises to 3109 meters (10200 feet) above sea level.

Conservation

A 2017 assessment found that 1,763 km², or 6%, of the ecoregion is in protected areas. Another 84% of the ecoregion is forested but outside protected areas.

External links

• "Chin Hills-Arakan Yoma montane forests". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund.