Above Myanmar’s central plains, Mount Popa’s volcanic slopes hold stories of eruptions, ancient forests and religious devotion. Now, the country’s first national geopark is at the centre of renewed efforts to connect geological conservation with education and local livelihoods, as officials pursue eventual UNESCO recognition.
A National Landmark Builds Momentum
Mount Popa National Geopark was designated on December 6, 2023, through Notification 152/2023 issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation. The original designation covered 15 geosites across 52,317.85 acres in Kyaukpadaung Township, Mandalay Region. It brought geological features, biodiversity and cultural heritage together under Myanmar’s conservation framework.
The initiative remains a developing programme. In January 2026, the Geopark Working Committee discussed expanding the original sites and preparing a UNESCO proposal. An August meeting revisited technical coordination and potential additional geopark areas. Myanmar does not yet have a UNESCO Global Geopark; national designation and international recognition are separate milestones.
Reading the Landscape, Discovering Its Stories
Mount Popa rises to 1,518 metres above sea level. According to the Smithsonian Institution’s Global Volcanism Program, its slopes contain overlapping lava flows and volcanic deposits, while a large crater records the collapse of part of the mountain. Geological evidence places its latest known eruption approximately 8,000 years ago.
Nearby Taung Kalat, a steep volcanic plug crowned by a monastery, brings religious heritage into this geological setting. Its familiar silhouette offers a starting point for explaining how volcanic processes shaped a landscape that later became a place of pilgrimage.
The wider area also preserves petrified wood. Writing in December 2023, Myanmar geoscience specialist Than Htun described fossil forests around Thanbo villages, including a fossil tree exceeding 22 metres in length.
“Geodiversity and geoconservation deserve more attention in Myanmar,” he wrote, highlighting threats from human activity and development. His account shows how the geopark could serve as an outdoor classroom linking rocks, fossils and environmental stewardship.
Creating Opportunities Rooted in Local Life
The potential benefits extend beyond sightseeing. Geological interpretation, research visits and locally operated services could create opportunities for residents, provided communities participate in planning and share the returns.
“If a nation has a geopark, it can bring benefits such as environmental conservation, research, tourism, and job opportunities,” geological survey official U Zaw Win Lwin said in September 2024, according to Myanmar’s Ministry of Information.
Agriculture already connects residents to Popa’s landscape. Than Htun documented banana, mango and papaya cultivation, alongside toddy-palm products and medicinal plants. These existing livelihoods offer a foundation for locally developed visitor experiences, although claims of established geopark cooperatives or certified organic export programmes require further evidence.
Building a Wider Conservation Vision
Areas identified for possible future geoparks include Inle Lake, Indawgyi Lake and Pindaya. These remain prospective sites rather than a confirmed network of designated national geoparks.
Myanmar’s existing national parks provide a broader conservation context. Nat Ma Taung National Park, established in 1994, covers 72,300 hectares in Chin State and protects important watersheds and mountain habitats. Its status is distinct from Mount Popa’s geopark designation.
Mount Popa’s next chapter will depend on practical conservation, credible research and meaningful community participation. Its geological heritage offers a strong foundation; protecting that heritage while improving local opportunities is the work ahead.
