Northern Forest Complex Project in Myanmar
 Myanmar is one of the most heavily forested countries remaining in the Asia-Pacific region, with most of the wild habitat occurring in the northern Kachin and Sagaing states (north of 24° latitude). This northern region is an area of exceptional biological and cultural diversity that comprises watersheds forming the two major rivers of the country - the Irrawaddy and Chindwin. Until the 1990's, travel into this region was difficult and dangerous because of insurgency and civil strife. By 1996, peace treaties between the central government in Yangon and the insurgent groups in northern Myanmar brought a new era of peace to the region.
Between 1994 and 2004, WCS accomplished an enormous amount of scientific research,  exploration, and conservation in northern Myanmar. At least 16 papers and articles, and one book have been produced from the exploratory surveys and research there. Two of the country's largest protected areas, Hkakabo Razi National Park and Hukaung Valley Tiger Reserve, have been designated through our efforts, along with two additional sites, Hponkhan Razi National Park and Sumphabum Wildlife Sanctuary, that connect and expand this entire protected complex. All protected area staff in these areas are being trained and equipped with WCS assistance. During WCS surveys, a new mammal species to science and the smallest and most primitive deer in the world, the leaf deer, was discovered in northern Myanmar, and three other mammal species, the black barking deer, the blue sheep, and the stone marten were added to the country's biodiversity list. The cultural diversity of northern Myanmar was also brought to light by the rediscovery of the Taron pygmies, a group that had not been contacted by the outside world in nearly 40 years.
 The Northern Forest Complex has recently expanded with the addition of a fifth protected area, the well-known “triangle area” between Hkakabo Razi and Hponkhan Razi national parks. This project is now taking a broader and more comprehensive approach to conservation in the northern region - one that operates on the landscape scale and extends into the human-dominated habitats outside protected areas.
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