Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary – World Natural Heritage in Thailand

Thung Yai – Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand is two contiguous conservation areas: Thung Yai Naresuan Conservation Area, established in 1972, and Huai Kha Khaeng Conservation Area, established in 1974, belonging to the province. within Kanchanaburi, Tak and Uthai Thani provinces in western Thailand, next to the border with Myanmar.

Stretching along the Shan – Thai range (which is a large mountainous area extending from Yunnan to Myanmar and Thailand), the conservation area has mountain ranges running parallel from north to south with a height of more than 1500m, peaks of mountains. The highest is Thung Yai reaching 1,830m, interspersed with valleys with an altitude of 400m -250m.

English name: Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries
Location: Kanchanaburi, Tak and Uthai Thani . Provinces
Accreditation year: 1991
Criteria: (vii)(ix)(x)
Acreage: 622,200 hectares

Both protected areas are located in two important river systems Thung Khwae Yai and Huai Khakhaeng with an area of about 622,200 ha, making it the largest protected area in Southeast Asia and one of the most protected forest areas in Thailand. relatively intact.

In addition to a tropical forest ecosystem similar to many other areas in Southeast Asia, there is also a relatively dry tropical forest ecosystem.

It is home to diverse flora and fauna and exceptional natural beauty, with valleys, mountain peaks interspersed with low terrain, dotted with waterfalls, streams, colors of flowers and leaves. .

There are 120 species of mammals, 400 species of birds, 96 species of reptiles, 43 species of amphibians and 113 species of freshwater fish, including many endemic species and about 28 threatened species. It is permanently inhabited by one-third of all known mammal species in Southeast Asia.

To ensure conservation, the villages of indigenous peoples in the Heritage area had to be relocated.