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resources, legislative, social and has declined considerably. If this process ARMENIA economic sides of environmental activity, continues, production of the popular protection of flora and fauna, combating shitalpati prayer mat will decrease and Armenia Tree Project deforestation and desertification, climate ultimately be lost forever, making The Armenia Tree Project (ATP) is a change, forest policy, restoration of forest thousands of people jobless. Therefore, non-profit organization that was founded areas, programmes for international all possible measures should be taken for in 1994 with the vision of safeguarding environmental education and exchange of the conservation and extension of Armenia’s future by protecting its experience. (Source: INFO CENN, CENN patipata cultivation through agroforestry environment. Funded by contributions 73, 28 October 2004.) programmes in those areas. Land scarcity from Diasporan Armenians, ATP has as a result of population pressure is the planted and restored more than half a major threat to patipata cultivation; it can million trees in Armenia, while providing BANGLADESH be planted as an agroforestry component jobs for hundreds of people. Plans for along with other crops in the same land the next decade include expanding Patipata: a potential species for use system, which has already proved to community reforestation programmes in agroforestry in low-lying areas of be successful. partnership with villagers and other Bangladesh Once the patipata plantation is organizations, which will also provide Patipata or mastak (Schumananthus established, it can be harvested for a long social and economic development dichotoma syn. Clinogyne dichotoma) period, as with rattan and bamboo. The opportunities. belongs to the family Merentacy. It is a Bangladesh Forest Research Institute has The forests, which recently covered shrubby plant and generally grows by the developed a propagation technique for only 10 percent of Armenia, now cover edge of canals, ponds, roadsides and patipata, which is economic and has a even less, threatening rare and other water bodies. In Bangladesh, it is high success rate. The government sector endangered flowering plants that rely on generally grown in low-lying marshy areas should come forward to assist interested the rapidly disappearing forest habitats. of greater Sylhet, Mymensingh, Barisal, farmers through technical support and Noakhali, Chittagong and Pabna districts. financial assistance to help the patipata- For more information, please contact: It is sporadically planted along roadsides based cottage industries flourish. If Armenia Tree Project, 65 Main Street, and around ponds, primarily for checking managed properly, it will not only attract Watertown, MA 02472, USA. soil erosion countrywide. Formerly, fallow foreign currency but also create Tel.: +1 617 926 8733; and unproductive paddy fields were used employment opportunities for thousands e-mail: [email protected]; for the large-scale cultivation of patipata. It of unemployed villagers of Bangladesh. www.armeniatree.org is one of the most important raw materials (Contributed by: A.Z.M. Manzoor Rashid for cottage industries, thus prospectively and Zihan Sabah, Bangladesh.) lucrative traditional novelty items were AZERBAIJAN introduced in those areas in view of the For more information, please contact: availability and sustained supply of the A.Z.M. Manzoor Rashid, Memorandum of Understanding between raw material. A number of cultivators Assistant Professor, Department Azerbaijan Government and WWF adopted it as their part-time profession of Forestry, Shahjalal Science & A Memorandum of Understanding has and earned substantial incomes for their Technology University, been signed between the Minister of livelihood. Besides shitalpati prayer mats, Sylhet 33114, Bangladesh. Ecology and Natural Resources etc., various novelty items produced from E-mail: [email protected] Protection of Azerbaijan and the World patipata are very popular with the people Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Europe of Bangladesh and are also in great and Middle East Programme. The key demand abroad. Patipata products, if objectives are to elaborate mutual properly managed, attract a good foreign initiatives in environment protection and market, especially in the Near East, and natural resources sustainable use in thus can earn valuable foreign currency. Azerbaijan and development of A valuation study revealed that the cane cooperation between the ministry and harvested from 100 ha of land, worth international environmental 65 lakh taka (US$108 300), can produce organizations. products such as shitalpati worth 1 crore The Memorandum of Understanding 80 lakh taka (approximately US$300 000). addresses: biodiversity conservation, However, more and more fallow land is establishing and expansion of protected now being converted for agricultural territories, sustainable use of natural production and thus patipata production

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Rubber cultivation and latex production the twentieth century should have been Latex (raw rubber), a Spanish word 6.07 million tonnes. In Bangladesh, BOTSWANA meaning milk, is a biological product owing to its increasing population and from rubber trees. About 2 200 unique rubber consumption, production should items have been prepared from rubber be enhanced in existing plantations and and latex. Owing to its importance, the more areas need to be brought under cultivation of rubber plants has spread rubber cultivation. from its native Brazil to the Indian Natural rubber is cheaper, more subcontinent and many other parts of the durable and more easily obtained than world. synthetic rubber. Natural rubber may be Latex from Hevea species is a obtained from the latex of widely hydrosol that contains rubber; it different plant species but some of the contributes 22 to 48 percent solid rubber genus Hevea (family Euphorbiaceae) are excluding watery substances. Rubber particularly known for their quantity and tree products have an important role in quality of latex. The most popular natural Botswana communities rehabilitate arid society and rubber plants are no less rubber-producing plant by far is the rangeland, save livelihoods important than other forest crops. Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg., a native Standing atop a sand dune, Klaas In addition to its latex, its wood and of Brazil but cultivated widely in many Matthuis can see more dunes almost seeds, etc. are used for various countries and contributing about 99 surrounding Struizendam, his village in purposes. A study on the physical percent of natural rubber. It is primarily a Botswana on the border with South properties of rubber wood showed that tropical perennial tree but has Africa. They are bare of vegetation the timber is suitable for making furniture acclimatized in many environmental except for the one he is standing on, and is categorized as B-grade timber, i.e. variations. which has large clumps of grass, trees next to teak. In Bangladesh, rubber cultivation was and shrubs – the dune has been The branch wood, about 40 percent of introduced during the 1960s. In the stabilized by a new community resource the total rubber wood, could be used as National Fourth Five Year Plan, the management committee by fencing out fuelwood in the domestic sector and in government proposed to raise rubber goats and cattle and planting various rubber manufacture. Stem wood may be plantations to 37 000 ha from the indigenous species. utilized in various industrial uses. present 20 000 ha of land. Bangladesh People in most remote villages in Rubber seeds contain oil, which is has targeted planting about 40 000 ha of Botswana, as elsewhere in the arid about 12 to 16 percent of the total seed land for rubber within 2010. The zones of Africa, depend heavily on weight under commercial conditions. Bangladesh Forest Industries natural resources for their livelihoods, Rubber seed oil is mainly used for Development Corporation is maintaining as there are few alternatives other than manufacturing inferior-quality washing about 1.50, 0.35 and 2.50 million mature, government welfare. But poverty often soaps. A small quantity is used in the overmature and immature plants, pushes them to overexploit resources to paint, varnish and leather tanning respectively. The organization’s goal is to meet immediate needs. industries. achieve around 5 500 tonnes of rubber Mr Matthius, vice-chair of the resource Seed cakes are produced in India, per year. National production is currently committee, dreams of seeing the sand where rubber plantations are also prolific 3 000 tonnes, with a national target of dunes stabilized so they no longer honey producers. 7 000 tonnes by 2010, which will meet threaten to engulf houses. Through a Even the rubber factory effluent, a 40 percent of national demand. Present regional project to restore indigenous highly polluting substance, may be used findings show that carefully selected vegetation implemented by the United as liquid fertilizer in rubber plantations fertilizer doses can considerably Nations Development Programme after 60 days of pounding for microbial increase latex yield but very little (UNDP) and the United Nations alteration. systematic investigation has been made Environment Programme (UNEP), with Malaysia tops the list in natural rubber in the country. support from other partners, he and his production and the United States in neighbours are beginning to turn that synthetic rubber, with an estimated world For more information, please contact: dream into reality. production in 1981 of 3.085 million Dr A.T.M. Emdad Hossain, Senior One of the committee’s first priorities tonnes of natural rubber and 8.06 million Research Officer (Soil), Bangladesh was to help the community to draw up tonnes of synthetic rubber. However, Forest Research Institute, PO Box 273, an action plan to reverse environmental emphasis is being given to increasing Chittagong, Bangladesh. losses and improve livelihoods. The natural rubber production since the Fax: +880 31 681566; project covers steps to conserve the estimated demand for natural rubber in e-mail: [email protected] whole spectrum of local resources,

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including wildlife and products such as the state that come from forestry products competitive international market, offering fuelwood; grass for grazing and being freely transported to other regions, great business opportunities for national thatching; medicinal plants such as without contributing to Acre’s manufacturers. Mixing cupuaçu, devil’s claw (sengaparile – development. The new law will permit guarana, copaíba and buriti, cosmetic Harpagophytum procumbens), sold to better control and inspection of NWFPs companies have conquered clients in European markets, particularly Germany, through sustainable management of the Europe, Asia and the United States by to make medication for controlling high forest. (Source: O Rio Branco, 13 August offering genuine Brazilian products and blood pressure; a caterpillar known as 2004 [in Amazon News, 19 August 2004].) opening doors for export growth in this phane, a local delicacy sold widely in the sector. region; and the morula tree (Sclerocarya More than 2 million hectares declared During the last Cosmoprof, a birrea), whose nuts are used for oil and protected in Brazilian Amazon worldwide cosmetic trade fair, sweets, fruit for jam and beverages. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Amazonian products drew a lot of Thirteen other villages hard-hit by Silva created two new environmental international attention. At present, environmental degradation have recently reserves in the Amazon region on 5 percent of Farmaervas’ production is completed similar plans. In addition, 9 November 2004. The reserves are to exported, with a projected increase to villages in two areas in Kenya and two be classified as “extractavist” reserves, 15 percent during the next two years; sites in northern Mali are following a meaning that the local population will be their Green and Amazonia lines use para similar strategy. allowed to remain in the area to tap nut, pequi, copaíba, andiroba, jaborandi All the local plans benefit from rubber, pick fruits and nuts and extract and other typical Brazilian plants. Surya indigenous knowledge and traditional regenerating goods from the forest. The Henna presented its line of hair dyes land management systems. A key new reserves will protect more than produced from Brazilian fruits and herbs element is for community members to 2 million hectares in the Amazon state of from India; international sales represent take the lead role in conserving Pará. 20 percent of their total sales with plans biological diversity and improving The announcement came on the heels to double its exports this year. (Source: income-earning opportunities. of the release, at the October meeting of O Estado de S. Paulo, 22 April 2004 [in The Global Environment Facility is the Latin American and Caribbean Amazon News, 29 April 2004].) providing US$8.7 million for the five-year Forestry Commission, of FAO projections pilot initiative through UNDP and UNEP, that the region will see less natural forest and another US$3.5 million comes from cover but more protected areas and the German Technical Cooperation forest plantations by 2020. (Source: (GTZ), the University of Oslo, and the Linkages Update, 13 November 2004.) governments of Botswana, Kenya and [Please see Outlook studies on page 71 Mali. (Source: UNDP Newsfront, 2 June for more information.] 2004.) Amazonia hype It is tapicoquinha here, boi-bumba there BRAZIL and priprioca over there. The Amazonian Women to export handicrafts influence and the crafts of its indigenous Women with low incomes from the Law to regulate the exploitation of people are everywhere and have begun Pantanal neighbourhood, some of the NWFPs in Acre state to win over trend-setters. Brazilian most needy in Porto Velho, are exporting Non-timber forestry products from areas fashion promotes the national identity hammocks, baskets and other pieces smaller than 500 ha will now have line: necklaces created with guarana, made from prime materials from the regulations for product exploitation and coco and açaí seeds can cost up to forest to France, Belgium and the United commercialization. Acre’s Institute of the $R 490 in New York City. In addition, States. The first cargo sent in March was Environment (IMAC) and the Brazilian Brazilian cosmetics companies are valued at $R 30 000. Through the Institute for the Environment (IBAMA) producing soaps made from copaiba and Salesian Socio-education Centre, signed an interinstitutional agreement that andiroba. (Source: Jornal do Brasil, 6 connected with the Union for Micro and will require that native seeds, fruits, June 2004 [in Amazon News, 11 June Small business (SIMPI), women learn to leaves, roots and skins that are destined 2004].) make straw baskets and cotton for medicinal, ornamental, aromatic or hammocks that are now exported to industrial uses may not be transported to Amazonia’s cosmetics conquer the world Europe. They earn US$35 for every other regions in their natural form. Shampoos, conditioners, hair dyes and hammock exported. (Source: O Estado IBAMA reported that the concern is to cosmetics made from Amazonian fruits de S. Paulo, 12 August 2004 [in Amazon avoid natural resources and dividends for and plants have begun to occupy the News, 19 August 2004].)

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The Centre for Indigenous Environmental rate dropped to 62 percent of the world’s CANADA Resources average. (Source: Xinhuanet, 19 July The Centre for Indigenous Environmental 2004 [in Community Forestry E-News, Québec devrait protéger davantage Resources (CIER) is a First Nation- 2004.07].) la forêt boréale directed environmental non-profit Un sondage sur la conservation de la organization, based in Winnipeg, Work begins on major collection of forêt boréale québécoise, menée par Manitoba, Canada. It was created by a Chinese biodiversity l’Initiative boréale canadienne, révèle que small group of First Nation leaders, who China began building a repository to trois Québécois sur quatre souhaitent que felt it was critical for First Nations, and house samples of its biodiversity this Québec protège davantage la forêt other aboriginal people, to have access week. It hopes that the centre will boréale. to a technical environmental organization. become one of the largest collections of L’organisme vient de publier les There are approximately 418 million its kind in Asia and a world-class résultats d’une vaste étude menée entre hectares of forested land in Canada. research centre. le 26 août et le 1er septembre auprès de These forested areas are home to Based at the Kunming Institute of 626 personnes. approximately 80 percent of aboriginal Botany in China’s southwestern Yunnan Les Québécois ne sont pas peoples in Canada. CIER believes that province, the collection will include impressionnés par les objectifs de sustainable forestry development is a samples of 19 000 species. Most of conservation des décideurs. Les résultats viable venture for long-term economic these will be collected from Yunnan du sondage suggèrent que le development and employment for some province – which is home to more than gouvernement devra faire beaucoup plus. First Nations. Their staff have experience half of China’s biodiversity – and from À l’heure actuelle, Québec protège and expertise in many fields, including the neighbouring Tibet Autonomous environ 3 pour cent de la forêt contre non-timber forest products and Region. It will eventually include nearly l’exploitation commerciale de la ecotourism. 200 000 samples in seed and DNA ressource. Mais le gouvernement banks, a collection of living plants, and souhaite augmenter cette proportion à For more information, please contact: specimens of animals and micro- 8 pour cent d’ici quelques années. Centre for Indigenous Environmental organisms. It is expected that it will take D’après le sondage de l’Initiative Resources Inc., 3rd Floor, 245 between ten and 15 years to collect all boréale canadienne, 98 pour cent des McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba the specimens. répondants trouvent que c’est insuffisant. R3B0S6, Canada. The project is being jointly developed La majorité d’entre eux, soit 65 pour cent, Fax: +1 204 956 1895; and managed by the Chinese Academy estiment que Québec devrait protéger e-mail: [email protected]; of Sciences and Yunnan’s provincial entre 40 et 80 pour cent de la forêt. www.cier.ca government at a cost of 148 million Le sondage nous apprend aussi que yuan (US$18 million). According to the les citoyens font peu confiance à Hydro- academy’s Web site, the repository will Québec, aux sociétés forestières et au CHINA oversee foreign research on China’s gouvernement pour assurer l’avenir de la genetic resources. In recent years, forêt. Ce sont plutôt les organismes de China to restore forest coverage to Chinese media reports have repeatedly conservation et les Premières Nations qui 19 percent by 2010 accused foreign researchers of ont l’aval du public. The Chinese Government has set an biopiracy – gaining benefit from a Autre bémol à signaler: en 2003, 30 ambitious goal in its forestry restoration country’s biological resources without pour cent des répondants à un sondage work, saying that it will improve its fair compensation. (Source: SciDev.Net, similaire avouaient avoir beaucoup current forest coverage rate of 16.55 3 December 2004.) entendu parler de la forêt boréale. Cette percent to more than 19 percent in the année, cette proportion est descendue à coming six years. Other goals include 24 pour cent, alors qu’un répondant sur restoring national forest coverage up to COLOMBIA cinq n’a tout simplement pas entendu 23 percent by 2020 and to 26 percent by parler de la forêt boréale. (Source: Radio- 2050. Much of China’s natural forests Colombia debt swap yields US$10 million Canada.ca, 19 octobre 2004.) have been destroyed to make way for for tropical forest conservation economic development. Over the past Colombia unveiled a debt-for-nature half century, China consumed 8.6 billion swap with the United States that will cubic metres of forestry resources, allow it to invest at least US$10 million producing more than 5 billion cubic over the next 12 years to protect nearly metres of timbers for construction. In the 4.5 million hectares of its tropical forests. process, the country’s forest coverage Under the agreement, the United States

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Department of the Treasury will contribute Improvements in Congolese forest laws US$7 million to the deal, while CÔTE D’IVOIRE could be an opportunity to ensure that Conservation International’s Global local forest communities’ rights are Conservation Fund, Nature Conservancy properly protected. However, there is a and the World Wide Fund for Nature will real danger that it will only be the logging contribute an additional US$1.4 million. companies that are the winners. The funds will go towards cancelling “Pygmy” peoples urged World Bank part of Colombia’s debt to the United President James Wolfensohn to halt States. In exchange, Colombia will invest plans that could unleash a wave of at least US$10 million to protect tropical destruction on the rain forests of the forests in key areas of the Andes, the Democratic Republic of the Congo where Caribbean coast and the llanos (plains) they live. They put their case directly to along the Orinoco River. Colombia is one Knowledge of our ancestors Mr Wolfensohn during a video conference of the five most biologically diverse In the close and humid forest of the Taï organized by the Rainforest Foundation countries on the planet, harbouring one of National Park there are a large number of UK, which is challenging Bank plans for a every ten species of plants and animals in trees, shrubs, lianas and herbaceous massive increase in industrial logging in the world. plants to which medicinal qualities are the country. The Bank is pushing through Under the agreement, Colombia will ascribed. However, the knowledge of new laws and a “re-zoning” of the commit half the funds to financing local these qualities is fragmentary because Congolese forests – the second largest in environmental organizations that are traditional African medical knowledge is the world – that could see up to 60 million working in selected areas. The other half passed on by word of mouth from hectares (an area the size of France) will go towards the Fondo Patrimonial, or generation to generation within the family handed out to logging companies. Heritage Trust, which the government circle. This constitutes a real cultural “You must not forget that the lives of expects to use as leverage for additional heritage. Often, the healers save their indigenous peoples depend on the loans of up to US$40 million that will knowledge jealously to ensure their own forest,” Adolphine Muley of the Congolese guarantee the long-term financial authority and to benefit from the use of the Union of Indigenous Women (UEFA) told sustainability of Colombia’s existing plants. Some of them have a high the World Bank President. According to protected areas. reputation, but refuse to spread their the Bank’s own estimates, as many as 35 Funds from the debt swap will be knowledge and disappear without having million of the 50 million Congolese people focused in three areas key for tropical ensured that their secrets are passed on. depend on the forests for their very forest conservation. In the tropical Andes, Thanks to observations and survival. funds will go towards 1.7 million hectares ethnobotanical studies, knowledge of the Responding to these pleas, James that are home to some of the nation’s last medicinal plants has improved and some Wolfensohn pledged the Bank to further remaining stands of oak. In the llanos of achievements of the traditional medicine discussion with Congolese people and the Orinoco River basin, the funds will go can be saved. non-governmental organizations about towards the 1.4 million hectare Tuparro But the forest is also a reservoir of the future of the country’s rain forests. National Park and its buffer zone. A plants that can ensure our future. There is, (Source: Community Forest Resource UNESCO Natural Biosphere Reserve for example, a wild coffee plant growing in Center, 15 July 2004.) since 1979, the park is also home to the Taï forest that could become very dozens of unique species. Along the important if the coffee plantations were to Condemnation of rain forest logging Caribbean coast, conservation efforts will be affected by a serious disease. (Source: British Member of Parliament Bob focus on 1.3 million hectares, including Paroles de Forêts (Forest Wisdom) Blizzard yesterday said in a Westminster the world’s highest coastal mountain newsletter, No. 2, June 2004.) Hall debate that “there was no chance at range, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. all” that a World Bank-backed plan to Debt-for-nature swaps were “develop” the rain forests of the established under the Tropical Forest DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC Democratic Republic of the Congo would Conservation Act (TFCA) of 1998 to allow OF THE CONGO bring any benefits to impoverished local nations to reduce their foreign debt people. Instead, the planned expansion of burden in exchange for making local- Stop the carve up of Congolese forests the timber industry would, the MP said, currency investments in conservation New laws and “re-zoning” of the damage the livelihoods of some of the work. In the past, Bangladesh, Belize, El Democratic Republic of the Congo’s poorest people on earth, including those Salvador, Panama, Peru and Thailand forests being developed during 2004 of local “Pygmies”. have benefited from the TFCA. (Source: threaten millions of hectares of rain forest The parliamentary debate followed a CEPF E-News, June 2004.) and the rights of the people living in them. visit to Congolese rain forests by

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members of the All-Party Parliamentary responsibility to ensure that United estates and regulating the harvesting of Group on Great Lakes and Genocide Kingdom taxpayers’ money will not be timber. (Source: Ghanaian Chronicle Prevention. The group also announced spent on destroying Congolese rain [Accra], 7 April 2004.) the publication of a new report, To forests and wrecking local peoples’ elections and beyond, which details the livelihoods. (Source: Press Release, The group’s visit to the Democratic Republic Rainforest Foundation, 14 December of the Congo and sets out their 2004.) People living beside rain forests in recommendations on the future of the Ghana receive more protein from country’s vast rain forests. The report forest products than from crops or calls for the continuation of a moratorium livestock. (Source: Peoples and on the issuing of any new logging Forests, FAO.) concessions in Congolese forests.

Ghana’s forest resources under threat To elections and beyond is available The country’s loss of more than 75 online (www.appggreatlakes.org). The percent of its original high forest cover report also recommends that the GHANA and other valuable structures and World Bank, in conjunction with the resources through wildfires has been Ministry of Environment and local civil Forest watchers call for more blamed on human activities and climatic society organizations, send monitors transparency and accountability hazards. The remaining 25 percent of the into the forest to ensure that local The Ghana Forest Watch, a coalition of forest resources still faces enormous people are consulted and concerned civil society organizations, threat owing to rapid population growth, acknowledged as residents. It also says more transparency and general disregard of environmental calls for international donors, the accountability are absolutely necessary conservation, improper disposal of United Kingdom Department for to curb the massive destruction of industrial and domestic waste, illegal and International Development especially, Ghanaian forest. uncontrolled logging and the annual ritual to fund a comprehensive study in The spokesperson of the coalition, of wild and bush fires. (Source: Ghanaian order to provide an estimation of the Albert Katako, described the state of the Chronicle [Accra], 17 June 2004.) value of the forest, based not only on Ghanaian forest as alarming, saying in the commercial worth of its timber, but the last century the rate shrank from 8.2 also on the value of forest products million to 1.8 million hectares in the whole INDIA such as animal products, vegetable country. According to him, 80 percent of foods, building materials, medicinal the forest had been destroyed. Only 20 Greener pastures for forest tribals plants and fuelwood, as well as percent, including wildlife reserves and The recent announcement of the state ecological functions and services such protected areas, are healthy. government allotting all minor forest as watershed maintenance and The timber industry, he said, is produce – such as herbs, lichens, honey, biodiversity protection. currently felling trees at four times the tubers, tamarind fruits, etc. – free of cost sustainable rate. He cautioned that if for the tribals has provided livelihoods for nothing is done now to curb the wanton the people and prevented them from felling of trees “Ghana’s forest will degrading the forests the way they had Responding to the debate, the disappear completely in five to ten years.” been doing for generations. Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Mr Katako, who is the coordinator of By coopting villagers in the task of for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs CARE International’s Forest Resources forest and environmental protection, the said that he would draw the attention of and Livelihoods programme, said that 70 forest department has helped to expand the World Bank to the concerns raised percent of Ghana’s rural population, the their horizons. (Source: News Today by the Members of Parliament. The poorest segment of the society, depend [Chennai, India], 12 October 2004 [in Director of the Rainforest Foundation UK on forest for their livelihoods. Community Forestry E-News 2004.10].) welcomed the United Kingdom The Forest Watchers urged the Government’s commitment to raising Forestry Commission to perform its role Non-wood forest product collection, concerns with the World Bank about the as an organization that conserves and utilization and value: evidence from a future of the Congolese rain forests and develops the forest and wildlife resources protected area in India said that, as a major shareholder in the in Ghana, including creating, protecting Non-wood forest products (NWFPs) are Bank, the government has a and managing the permanent forest particularly important as a source of

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livelihoods for indigenous and other local deciduous zone to Rs 1 801 in the Ireland as being worth €195 million. people living in and around protected evergreen zone with a mean of Rs 1 159 Market information suggests that there areas. A recent study by C.S. Shylajan per hectare per year. (Source: Abstract of are opportunities for the development of examines the nature and extent of a paper by I.K. Murthy, P.R. Bhat and foliage as a subsector of the forestry NWFP collection in a protected area in N.H. Ravindranath.) industry; however, a strategy must be India. The collection trend of some major developed to realize these opportunities. NWFPs was examined over a period of For more information, please contact: In this strategy, technical research, market time. Owing to the high demand for I.K. Murthy, Centre for Ecological research and enterprise need to be some NWFPs from Ayurvedic Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, developed in a coordinated way. companies, selected products (especially Bangalore 560 012, India. Forest tourism. Irish forests provide medicinal plants) have increasingly been Fax: +91 80 360 1428; opportunities to engage in a range of extracted by the forest dwellers. e-mail: [email protected] outdoor pursuits and the overall picture is The paper also discusses the present that forestry plays a very important role in institutional mechanism for managing Government preparing model legislation tourism and particularly recreation in NWFPs in the study site and observes on non-timber forest products Ireland. that proper institutions are needed for Model legislation was being prepared for Alternative health care. In the last ten regulating the unsustainable and adoption by states conferring rights in years there has been an enormous destructive extraction of highly respect of non-timber forest products for increase in the popularity of alternative demanded NWFPs from the protected weaker sections working in the forests. health care. A wide range of herbs can be area. An analysis of overall dependence The legislation will safeguard the legal grown under a forest canopy including on protected areas shows that two major rights of tribal communities over mineral some that are top selling in world markets. indigenous communities (Kattunaikan and water resources and protect their Some of these are successfully grown in and Paniyan) with differing expertise in livelihoods. other countries but their cultivation under collection depend heavily on forest The Draft National Environment Policy Irish conditions has yet to be established. products for their livelihood needs. has been formulated by the Union A number of Ireland’s native trees Annual household income generated Environment and Forests Ministry and is including ash, birch, cherry, elder and yew from NWFP collection for these two intended to be a guide to environment have long traditions of use in alternative communities is estimated at Rs 9 542 protection throughout the country, while medicines, according to the report. (US$208.88) and Rs 1 936 (US$42.39), at the same time taking care of the Oils and oleoresins. Essential oils are respectively. livelihoods of the poor. aromatic oily liquids obtained from plant An Action Plan was being developed material such as flowers, buds, seeds, For more information, please contact: to increase the country’s forest and tree twigs, leaves, bark, woods, fruits and C.S. Shylajan, Post Doctoral Research cover from about 23 percent of the land roots. They are used in the food industry Fellow, Center for Development and area to 33 percent by 2012. (Source: as flavouring, in the perfume industry for Environment Policy, Indian Institute of Team India, 4 November 2004 [in fragrances and in the pharmaceutical Management Calcutta, PO Joka, D.H. Community Forestry E-News 2004.11].) industry for their functional properties. Road, Kolkata 700 104, India. The report concludes that there is little or Fax: +91 33 2467 8062; no potential for import substitution in this e-mail: [email protected] IRELAND sector as the main imported oils into Europe are orange, lemon and lime, Quantification and financial valuation of Non-wood forest products in Ireland which are sourced from warmer fruit- non-timber forest product flows In Ireland, limited markets already exist for growing countries. A study was undertaken in the Uttara a variety of non-wood forest products Kannada district, one of the Western such as game, fruit, fungi and foliage; Ghats (a biological hot spot), Karnataka, however, these are at the earliest stages to evaluate the flow of non-timber forest of development. The National Council for products (NTFPs). A wide diversity of Forest Research and Development NTFPs was collected in the different (COFORD) recently launched a new forest zones of the district. The diversity, publication, Markets for non-wood forest however, varies with availability and local products. The publication examines the knowledge systems. Significant quantities potential markets for the main categories of NTFPs are gathered in all the four of non-wood forest products. zones and the financial value realized per Forest foliage. The report defines the hectare ranged from Rs 634 in the dry foliage market in the United Kingdom and

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Edible forest products. Forests kind contributions from Jordan’s Royal generate a number of wild edible Society for the Conservation of Nature products. The report concludes that data and other local organizations. on wild foods are hard to find, however it The project includes preparation of by- goes on to state that those that are laws and a land use plan and setting up harvested from the forest include berries, a management team to run the reserve. nuts, mushrooms and maple syrup. (Source: UNDP Newsfront, 13 April These foods are harvested in developed 2004, [email protected]) and developing countries. The need for ongoing market intelligence regarding trends in wild food products is highlighted. KENYA This report is the first comprehensive examination of the area of NWFPs in an JORDAN Kenya Association of Forest Users (KAFU) Irish context. Recently, the area of KAFU was established as an umbrella NWFPs has been receiving extra attention Jordan conserves forest and helps organization that could bring together all in the media and in his report, A review communities’ livelihoods stakeholders working towards sustainable and appraisal of Ireland’s forestry Jordan is creating a nature reserve in agriculture, land and forest use to address development strategy, author Bacon one of the largest natural forests issues related to quality, pricing and highlights the non-timber value of forestry. remaining in the kingdom to conserve marketing on a continuous basis. habitat for endangered species and The mission of KAFU is to provide a For more information, please contact: generate jobs in tourism and enterprises forum for sustainable production, John Fennessy, Research Programme making wood products without damaging utilization, certification and marketing of Manager, Tree Improvement and Non- biological diversity. forest and tree products in Kenya through wood Forest Products, COFORD, Arena The Dibeen forest north of the capital capacity building, information and House, Arena Road, Sandyford, Dublin Amman, one of the best examples of experience sharing, and policy advocacy. 18, Ireland. pine-oak woods in the region, is home to One of KAFU’s priority areas is to unlock Fax: +353 (0)1 2130611; at least 17 endangered species, trade opportunities for non-timber forest e-mail: [email protected]; including grey wolves, imperial eagles products, conservation and organic www.coford.ie and other migratory birds, Persian products by putting in place a Kenyan squirrels and wild orchids. movement for certification and marketing of Deforestation is an acute problem, non-timber forest products, conservation JAPAN and Jordan has less than 1 percent of its and organic products. original trees, making conservation a Mountain forests imperilled by increase in priority. For more information, please contact: deer population Eight square kilometres will come Esther Mugure, National Coordinator, Mountain forests across Japan are being under protection, part of a broader effort KAFU, Kenya Association of Forest endangered by an increased number of to create a unique regional forest park Users, PO Box 44597, 00100 Nairobi deer feeding on grass and trees. Huge covering 200 km2 in three local GPO, Kenya. trees are dying in the Tanzawa mountain municipalities: Jerash, Al Meirad and E-mail: [email protected] or area, a famous hiking spot, after deer Burma. The reserve is near the ancient [email protected]; gnawed off their bark. In many areas of Roman city of Jerash, a popular tourist www.fanworld.org/kafu/kafu.htm the forest, there are now sweeping vistas destination, which can help draw visitors unbroken by any trees. Bamboo and other to enjoy its natural beauty. It will have a bottom grasses covering the land were headquarters, visitor centre, camping MADAGASCAR also devoured. area, trail system and parking facilities. Global warming and animal protection Local communities will learn to use the Projects to boost food security, conserve are considered the main causes of the forest’s resources in ways that conserve environment increase in the deer population. Damage the environment, curtailing excessive Madagascar is to benefit from two caused by deer could lead to secondary timber cutting, grazing, hunting and funding initiatives that aim to boost food damage such as soil erosion, and some trapping of wildlife and gathering of wild security and harness the ecotourism local governments are considering lifting herbs. potential of the island. the ban on hunting to control the number The Global Environment Facility is The World Bank has announced that it of deer. (Source: CFRC Weekly providing US$1 million for the four-year had approved an International Summary, 23 September 2004.) project and UNDP US$100 000, with in- Development Association (IDA) grant of

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US$40 million, as well as a US$9 million control the use of resources for the sake The increasing economic value of Global Environment Facility (GEF) grant, of future generations, and is visualized argan forest products may encourage of to support the implementation of by a special symbol created by natural people to preserve the forest and Madagascar’s National Environment materials such as rattan. strengthen local development. The use of Action Plan. The IDA is the Bank’s The forest provides the Penans with all the leaves in cosmetics is an additional financing arm for the poorest countries, their needs for survival – food, shelter and economic benefit of the argan tree. Its while the GEF is a mechanism for medicine – but it is threatened by logging impact has been calculated in a study on providing grant and concessional funding activities. The village studied by Ikeda has the global context of the argan region, the to meet the incremental costs of already lost nearly half of its communal implementation of an experimental site to initiatives for achieving global forest area and a road now crosses their follow up the reaction of argan trees after environmental targets. land. The Penans have demanded that harvesting the leaves, and an analysis of The World Bank said in a statement the government protect the forest, which different ways of obtaining a supply of that its grant “constitutes the single they claim belongs to them as communal argan leaves. largest concessional financing package property and not to the concessionaires. The experiment consists in the for the environment provided by the Bank Timber products are a major source of measurement of the length of the current in its 60-year history”, and habitat Sarawak’s income and, according to the year’s twigs as a good marker of the trees’ protection and biodiversity conservation International Tropical Timber Organization, growth. These are easy to recognize since were expected to contribute directly to Japan imported 40 percent of its timber they have a red colour because of the non- poverty reduction and economic growth in products from the state in 2002. (Source: lignified wood and simple leaves, whereas Madagascar. Daily Yomiuri, 1 May 2004 [in Community older twigs have grouped leaves. The Apart from expanding Madagascar’s Forestry E-News, May 2004].) bloom on those twigs is also measured: protected areas network, the programme 32 twigs were measured per tree. The will establish conservation sites in natural experimental site was implemented on forests, and transfer forest management 1.2 ha of argan forest. On one third of the responsibilities to communities. “These trees 700 to 800 g of fresh leaves per tree will be complemented by measures were harvested, on another third 350 to aimed at reducing existing pressures on 450 g and on the remainder there was no natural forests, including reforestation harvesting. The harvesting and and the scaling-up of the usage of measurement experiment are to be efficient wood-fuel technologies,” the repeated each year for at least four years. Bank said, adding that “biodiversity Three methods for regulating the conservation efforts are essential in supply of leaves have been studied: unleashing the significantly high revenue- • Harvesting leaves directly from the generating potential of the ecotourism trees. This creates two sensitive sector in Madagascar.” (Source: UN MOROCCO points: the difficulty of controlling the Integrated Regional Information Networks, quantity cut off per tree and of 13 May 2004.) Environmental impact of the cosmetic obtaining an official permit as there is valorization of the leaves of Argania no clear provision in the legislation. spinosa (L.) Skeels • Collecting leaves that are turning MALAYSIA Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels is an yellow and falling off naturally during endemic tree from southwestern the summer. The difficulty is the great Nomadic Malaysian tribe tells of life Morocco, covering about 830 000 ha in a variation in the behaviour of argan in the forest semi-arid region. The forests are mainly trees, which does not ensure a Aina Ikeda (not her real name) launched state-owned with a large right of use for regular supply. her oral history collection project in local people. It is a multipurpose tree, its • Finally, the best way of collecting the Sarawak near the border of Kalimantan, main product being a high-value oil leaves with the lowest environmental which is known as the place of origin of produced from seeds. The low density of impact: according to legislation and the Penans, said to be the last nomadic the stands allows agriculture, mostly local practice, leaves should be taken people on earth. Only about 400 of the cereals, on the forest ground. Human from the branches which have been 10 000 Penans still follow their traditional pressure on the ecosystem is lopped during silvicultural operations. nomadic lifestyle. Penan guardianship of consequently high. A Biosphere Reserve In conclusion, the value of argan the forest and its natural resources is of argan forest was created in 1998 to leaves in the cosmetic industry could reflected in the custom of “molong” that preserve the forest as a unique finance the silvicultural operations and requires an individual or community to ecosystem against desertification. would thus have a positive environmental

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impact. In this way, the argan oil and Tourism, together with non- conservancy in Namibia in recognition of cooperatives involved in the project could governmental organizations and the the need to protect wildlife and other provide the supply of leaves in a private sector, have had substantial natural resources on their land. (Source: sustainable way. success in the 31 registered Zimbabwe Standard [Harare], 21 March conservancies in the country. 2004.) For more information, please contact: Eighty percent of the income derived Florence Henry, Laboratoires through wildlife tourism is ploughed back Harvesting and processing of indigenous sérobiologiques, Division of Cognis into the community. Sustainable fruits shows promise France, 3 rue de Seichamps, 54425 development means development that An FAO project is helping to improve the Pulnoy, France. meets current needs, without use of wild fruit-trees to supplement diets Fax: +33 3 83211215; compromising the ability for the future and incomes in rural communities. e-mail: [email protected] generations to meet their own needs. In The Caprivi region comprises 500 km the light of this, conservancies having of grass and forests, irrigated by the trophy hunting, community campsites and Okavango and Zambezi rivers whose NAMIBIA mid-market lodges have become a viable seasonal flooding forces people to industry in the country. evacuate their homes and lands each World Bank grant for community-based The decade has been fruitful for year. The northeastern communities ecosystem project community-based tourism ventures, where cultivate sorghum, millet and maize on The World Bank this week approved a revenue of up to US$5 million was the fertile ground, but the nearby bush US$7.1 million Global Environment generated, employing close to 100 000 and forests have always been an Facility (GEF) grant to Namibia for Namibians. Trophy hunting also generates important source of nutritious wild fruits. scaling up community-based ecosystem an income of $N 160 million (about US$64 In the regions of Caprivi and Kavango, management to the benefit of rural million) annually. Under the 2001 Forest about 66 wild fruit-tree species have been people. The grant is a part of a total Act, provision has also been made to identified that contribute to the daily diets US$32.43 million intended for the proclaim the first 15 community forests and income of the local communities, project, with contributions from the before the end of this year. (Source: New mostly during the rainy season when the Namibian Government, the French GEF, Era [Windhoek], 27 October 2004.) crops are not ready for harvest. USAID and the German Development “The Kavango and Caprivians have Bank (KfW) making up the balance. beyond a doubt accumulated sound The five-year initiative to improve rural traditional knowledge and understanding livelihoods, promote sustainable on the utilization of their indigenous fruit- environmental management, biodiversity tree species,” recognizes Syaka Sadio, an conservation and sustainable land use FAO forestry expert, who initiated and will run as part of Namibia’s Community supported a two-year community-based Conservancy programme. project to assist the Namibian Government The project encompasses the in enhancing the contribution of indigenous development of community-based tourism fruit-trees to food security. facilities, including joint ventures with the The project, “Domestication, post- private sector, trophy hunting, game meat harvest handling and marketing of production, the commercialization of selected indigenous fruit tree species”, indigenous plants and craft production. Torra Conservancy wins UNDP award implemented from 2002 to 2004 by the (Source: UN Integrated Regional Namibia’s Torra Conservancy has made Namibian Government with technical Information Networks, 3 June 2004.) history by becoming the first southern support from the Forest Conservation African rural community to win the Service of FAO’s Forestry Department, Conservancies a major success prestigious US$30 000 UNDP Equator aimed to provide local communities and Community-based conservancies such as Prize. The Equator Prize, which was first national institutions with improved those in Uukwaluudhi in Kaokoland, the introduced in August 2002, honours technologies for wild fruit-tree Nyae-Nyae, Salambala and Torabaai are outstanding community projects that domestication and processing for just a few which have successfully effectively reduce poverty through sustainable livelihoods. managed to create what the Permanent conservation and sustainable use of the According to Mr Sadio, project Secretary in the Ministry of Environment biodiversity-rich equatorial belt. Torra activities included transfer of technology and Tourism, Dr Malan Lindique, termed Conservancy comprises the Damaraland and capacity building through the “community based-entrepreneurism”. He Community, who were one of the first exchange of knowledge and training for indicated that the Ministry of Environment communities to form a community professional staff and communities in the

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population status of this species is very NEPAL poor. Calamus latifolius is found on hill Ecogeographical distribution of rattan slopes of evergreen forest in the mid-hills. Many species of rattan are believed to It grows well on moist sandy loam soils, be native to Nepal; however, nine and performs well in shade. The condition species have been reported in Nepal, of this species is very poor; only four to five of which have been taxonomically five clustered clumps were recorded. identified and validated with the help of a Calamus leptospadix is found in rattan scientist. swampy areas near permanent water Rattan is mainly distributed in tropical sources in the moist deciduous Shorea to subtropical climates and even in robusta forest. The population is in a temperate climates: Tarai (plains) and the degraded condition. Only about ten mid-hills (mountains). Evergreen, semi- clustered clumps were recorded during a selection and domestication of fruit-tree evergreen and tropical deciduous forest field visit. species and in the harvesting, storage, is the most suitable habitat for rattan. Calamus tenuis is common in the lower processing and marketing of fruit Rattan is found both in forested areas hill valleys especially near permanent products. “Further attempts should be and in pure form. In the Tarai, rattan is water sources, dams and seasonal made, however, to improve genetically found where there is abundant rainfall swampy areas. It is mostly associated and propagate the three selected fruit- and a warm climate: it prefers a perennial with the species of riverain tropical forest trees – marula (Sclerocarya birrea), source of water and well-drained soil. such as Bombax ceiba, Syzygium cumini, eembe or bird plum (Berchemia discolor) Thick-sized rattans (Calamus inermis and Albizia spp., Acacia catechu and and monkey orange (Strychnos Calamus leptospadix) are associated with Dalbergia sissoo. cocculoides) – most preferred by local evergreen tree species, at roughly 800 to Calamus acanthospathus prefers communities for their fruit quality and 1 850 m altitude where there is difficult slightly moist areas. Associated species other desirable characteristics.” terrain forming a basin and a generally are those of evergreen forest, mainly Through training, the project enhanced southeast-facing aspect. In Dhorbarahi, Syzygium cumini, Trewia nudiflora, the skills of local women in harvesting and Tanahu district, Calamus inermis also Terminalia alata and Bombax spp. Only processing the fruit. “We used to only eat thrives on rocky terrain where there is no single clustered clumps of this cane were them fresh and throw the seeds away,” visible soil for the roots. Sunlight is the recorded during a field visit. According to recalls Dorothee Manyemo-Maluta, a most important factor for rattan growth, local people, they harvest before women’s group leader in Kasheshe, near although fairly shaded places produce flowering and fruiting when the cane is Katima, Caprivi region. “Now, with the satisfactory growth for some species of ready for rope making or sticks. training here and a study tour I made last rattan. It has been observed that rattan Habitat destruction is the major threat year in Malawi, where I learnt from other always prefers clean running water: no to the biodiversity of Nepal. Perennial women, I can make juice, jam, jelly or rattan has been observed growing in water springs, waterholes, ponds and drinks from marula,” she says. Dorothee stagnant water. Rattans are distributed in swampy lands with well-drained places sells pots of eembe jam to her neighbours more than 28 districts of Nepal, mainly in are a suitable habitat for rattan. During for $N 10 (US$4) each. the eastern, central and western regions, the last two decades, more than 10 000 However, it will take some time before with varying population status. ha of rattan habitats have been converted women’s groups become independent of The rattan species reported and into agricultural and resettlement areas in the Directorate of Forestry and rent their identified in Nepal are: Calamus tenuis, rattan forests with high potential in Nepal. own location for fruit processing and Calamus leptospadix, Calamus Similarly, overexploitation and premature marketing activities. John Sitwala, Senior acanthospathus, Calamus latifolius, collection of rattan is another threat. Forestry Officer at the Katima Regional Calamus erectus, Calamus khasiyanus, Biological characteristics and external Office of the Namibian Directorate of Calamus inermis, Calamus gracillis and influences are other factors: Calamus Forestry, appealed to all local Plectocomia himalayansis. leptospadix and Calamus latifolius are stakeholders to invest in indigenous fruit- The rattan species that have been tree species for the benefit of local identified and validated in Nepal are: communities, domestic trade and Calamus inermis is mostly found in the environment protection through the mid-hills of well-drained areas associated preservation of the plant biodiversity. with evergreen tree species on southern (Source: FAO Newsroom, www.fao.org/ aspects and slightly steep-sloping land at newsroom/en/field/2004/47587/index.html) an altitude of around 800 m. The

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generally found on the stream side of the the forest,” relates Eliseo Vargas, a will enhance ODESEN’s ecotourism mid-hills. Their geographical distribution member of the Organización para el programme, will permit the Naso to inhibits the possibility of seed dispersion Desarrollo Ecoturístico Naso (ODESEN, generate income from the forest and will elsewhere. Inside the managed forest or the Organization for the Sustainable contribute to the conservation of natural biological diversity has improved Development of Naso Ecotourism), forest and Naso culture. (Source: CEPF E- considerably. (Contributed by: Chhote Lal established in 1995 to develop News, April 2004.) Chowdhary, NTFP Research Officer, community-based ecotourism to generate Conservation of Medicinal and Aromatic income and improve the lives of the Naso Plants for Sustainable Livelihood in Nepal people. “We have always used the forest PHILIPPINES [CMAPSL]/ Canadian Center for to satisfy our needs, but until recently we International Studies and Cooperation didn’t notice that we were harming it,” Common tropical plants yield [CECI], Kathmandu, PO Box 2959, Vargas says. “As a result of the new natural dyes Nepal; e-mail: [email protected]) environmental education we have Common plants could help cut the received, we now realize that to continue Philippines’ reliance on imported to live here, we need to find alternative synthetic dyes and reduce the pollution PANAMA lifestyles that do not endanger the forest.” they cause, according to researchers The Wekso Ecolodge will offer there. Expanding opportunities for ecotourists an opportunity to experience The scientists, from the Philippine the Naso people the vast biodiversity and cultural diversity Textile Research Institute (PTRI), have With assistance from the Critical of inland rain forest while also contributing identified 26 plant species – including Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) as to its conservation. mangrove trees, a type of onion, and part of its strategic approach to connect The partnership aspect of the project guava and cashew nut trees – that could critical areas through economic incentives extends beyond the ecotourists, the Naso be used to produce high-quality natural in southern Mesoamerica, the indigenous people, ODESEN and CEPF. It includes dyes. PTRI, an institute of the Philippine Naso (Teribe) people are developing, the Autoridad Nacional del Ambiente (the Department of Science and Technology, managing and marketing their Wekso Panamanian National Authority of the has also developed techniques for Ecolodge. The lodge is located on the Environment) and another Naso non- efficiently extracting the dyes. border of La Amistad Biosphere Reserve governmental organization, the The species are widely distributed in near Bocas del Toro, Panama, a priority Asociación de Médicos Tradicionales the Philippines and in other tropical focus area for CEPF in the Mesoamerica Naso (the Association of Traditional Naso countries in Africa, Asia and Latin biodiversity hot spot. La Amistad has one Healers). The association, known as America and can be easily cultivated in of the highest rates of unique species in ASOMETRAN, was established to humid regions. all of Central America and greater conserve and revitalize the centuries-old The textile industry discharges toxic biodiversity than most other areas of knowledge and practice of shamanism waste into water systems and, according equal size anywhere in the world. and medicinal plants use. to the Philippines Department of The Naso live in small communities During its eight-year existence, Environment and Natural Resources, is along the Teribe River next to La Amistad ASOMETRAN has established medicinal one of the main sources of environmental International Park and the Palo Seco plant gardens in three Naso communities; pollution. This is due in part to the use of Forest Reserve. These two protected participated in a series of educational synthetic dyes, which are more abundant, areas, together with the soon-to-be- exchanges with traditional healers from cheaper and easier to apply than natural declared Comarca Naso (or Naso other communities and indigenous dyes. The Philippines has been importing indigenous reservation), form part of the groups; and established a small most of its dyeing, tanning and other larger Biosphere Reserve. herbarium of dried plants – activities colouring materials because of the For hundreds of years, the Naso have helped with support from Conservation absence of local manufacturers of either enjoyed the riches of the forest – hunting, International and the International synthetic or natural dyestuffs, PTRI fishing, cutting trees and extracting plants. Cooperative Biodiversity Group. reported. With a population of approximately 3 500 Its members are also seeking to further To address this problem, PTRI has and a unique form of government – the their work in collaboration with the Wekso been collaborating with other agencies to only nation in the Western Hemisphere Ecolodge. They hope to improve and develop technologies for extracting and ruled by a king – they have, until recently, amplify their gardens and open them up applying natural dyes. “The government been able to sustain themselves well. to visitors. In addition, they plan to should continue its efforts to revive the However, in the mid-1990s, they began produce a book on medicinal plants and natural dyeing technology, not only in to see their world changing in ways they Naso culture and establish a 10 ha order to cut down the country’s reliance did not like. “We live here because we like medicinal plant forest. These activities on synthetic dye imports but also to

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explore benefits that can be derived from chance to participate in small business or Non-wood forest products indigenous sources,” PTRI said. natural resource management – in Kamchatka region The Philippine Textile Research Institute indigenous people and women. It is the Kamchatka’s forests are located mainly is compiling a book containing information intention of all involved that, over time, in the valleys and basins of spawning about the plants and their applications. local community groups will take over rivers and streams and play an important (Source: SciDev.Net Weekly Update, production and marketing activities. Four role in conservation. Forests cover 42 25–31 October 2004.) family and cooperative NTFP-based percent of the Kamchatka region. The businesses have already been started by main tree species are larch (Kamchatka native communities on Kamchatka with and Cayander’s), Ayan fir, birch (white RUSSIAN FEDERATION the assistance of the project. Started from and stone), aspen, sweet poplar, scratch, these businesses are now chosenia (a member of the willow Russian far east: NTFP small marketing their products – so far these family), Sakhalin willow, elfin cedar and business development project are herbal teas, dried wild berries and alder. The forest cover has remained Over the past three years the IUCN-CIS birch bark souvenirs within the Russian relatively stable throughout the region, Forest Conservation Programme has Federation and abroad. and generally fulfils its function in the been involved with a community About 400 people are involved as ecosystem; however, it cannot be economic development project focused experts, trainees and participants of other allowed to decrease. on the Kamchatka Peninsula and project activities. We hope that the Forests are a multipurpose resource Sakhalin Island. (This project is one project will make a contribution to the and are also a source of non-wood forest component of the larger project Building development and implementation of the resources, e.g. nuts, fruits, berries and Partnerships for Forest Conservation global approaches to sustainable other food and medicinal plants. Twenty- and Management in Russia, funded by community development and poverty one shrub species, such as blueberry, the Canadian International Development alleviation. (Contributed by: Nikolay lingonberry, honeysuckle, rose, mountain Agency (CIDA) and managed by Shmatkov, Russian Federation and Tim ash, cloudberry, cranberry and currant, IUCN–World Conservation Union.) Brigham, Canada.) are economically important. About 70 The activities in the Russian far east percent of the harvested berries consist are aimed at assisting remote For more information, please contact: of lingonberries, honeysuckle and communities of the region to develop Nikolay Shmatkov, NTFP Component blueberries. (Source: Kommersant, 8 their non-timber forest product resources Coordinator, IUCN-CIDA Project, December 2004.) sustainably. Since the early 1990s, IUCN–World Conservation Union, Office communities on the Kamchatka for Russia and CIS, 17 Marshal Vasilevski Peninsula (and elsewhere in the country) St, 123 182 Moscow, Russian Federation. SOUTH AFRICA have experienced an economic decline, Fax: +7 95 4905818; made worse by the withdrawal of federal e-mail: [email protected]; New law to protect South Africa’s support to outlying regions and traditional www.iucn.ru or www.iucn-cida.ru; biodiversity resource use such as reindeer herding. or President Thabo Mbeki has signed into In our project, NTFPs are viewed as one Tim Brigham, NTFP Small Business law South Africa’s new Biodiversity Act, part of a local sustainable livelihood Development Consultant, 3878 which is hailed by some as the most strategy (including tourism, cultural Cowichan Lake Road, Duncan, BC V9L significant environmental legislation activities, hunting and herding). We 6K1, Canada. adopted in ten years of democratic provide business and legal issues training, Fax: +1 250 7483582; government. Because of its incredibly rich consultation on small business and e-mail: [email protected] biological diversity, South Africa is ranked community-based enterprise the third most biologically important nation development, and support for in the world, after Brazil and Indonesia. sustainability and monitoring programmes. The new act now gives the highest It is the hope of project participants that possible political protection to this the successful development of these biodiversity. Among other things, it requires opportunities will decrease the pressure to full environmental impact assessments move forward with potentially damaging before the introduction of any genetically resource exploitation activities, such as modified organisms (GMOs). gold mining and oil extraction within or The act also makes provision for close to the World Heritage Sites. communities to share the profits of any The project is focusing on groups of exploitation of natural materials involving people who have not normally had the their indigenous knowledge. An example

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is the case of the San/Bushmen country. A large industry is based on more than R 12.3 million (US$1.8 million) communities who will benefit from a products derived from marula fruit, have been put into the project, which seeks commercial slimming product derived including beauty products and a famous to set up small businesses and develop the from the hoodia cactus plant, which they brand of marula liqueur. It is also a vital technologies needed to produce have known for centuries, chewing its source of income and subsistence to indigenous foods in significant quantities. leaves as an appetite suppressant. many rural people. The Tsonga people The project was initiated in the most “The act regulates for the first time also celebrate the Feast of the First Fruits needy parts of the country and CSIR what we call ‘bioprospecting’,” explained by pouring an offering of fresh marula consulted extensively in rural Environmental Affairs and Tourism juice over the graves of deceased chiefs. communities to collect indigenous director-general Chippy Olver. “For Trees are mainly threatened by recipes. (Source: SciDev.Net Weekly companies to be able to bioprospect, they commercial harvesters, while some Update, 28 June–4 July 2004.) will now have to go through a regulatory ecologically important forest trees are system which gives protection to also under pressure from coastal indigenous communities.” (Source: Cape development. (Source: BuaNews UGANDA Argus [Cape Town], 3 June 2004.) [Pretoria], 14 September 2004.) Forests net Sh 66 billion from New list of protected trees non-wood forest products A new national list of protected tree Ugandans selling non-timber forest species will contribute towards the products earn more than Sh 60 billion protection of biodiversity and annually, according to the National ecosystems. The Department of Water Forestry Authority (NFA). NFA stated that Affairs and Forestry says in a statement the forestry industry employs about one that the protection of biodiversity and million Ugandans: 100 000 are ecosystems has become a high priority permanent employees while the rest are following South Africa’s ratification of the in the informal sector. According to NFA, Convention on the Protection of Building markets for traditional foods “Sh 66 billion goes to people in the Biological Diversity. Samp, African ground nuts, mealies, informal forestry sector such as In terms of the declaration, tree species sorghum potele, isithwalaphishi, herbalists in Katwe,” but illegal listed as protected may not be cut, ditlhakwana, mutuku and inkobe are harvesting and selling of timber had disturbed or damaged and their products some of the indigenous foodstuffs made it impossible to value forest transported or sold without a licence. featured in a cookery book that has been resources in the country. (Source: New Listing certain species as protected is compiled in South Africa as part of the Vision [Kampala], 18 May 2004.) not primarily aimed at preventing the use Department of Science and Technology’s of a tree species, but to ensure Indigenous Food Poverty Alleviation sustainable use through licensing control project. Among the recipes are morogo Forests that covered half of the measures, explained the department. (an indigenous green leafy vegetable), country in 1901 now cover only South Africa is home to more than semphemphe (wild melon pudding) and 24 percent. (Source: New Vision 1 700 indigenous species of trees and masonja (a dish featuring mopani worms [Kampala], 5 July 2004.) shrubs, some of which are currently and ground peanuts). threatened on account of their rarity as The project, which is being undertaken well as the pressure of commercial and by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Moringa export orders increase subsistence use. Research (CSIR), aims to find ways of The United Kingdom and Namibia are The department said that detailed marketing indigenous foods. The cookery two countries that are buying moringa guidelines had already been developed for book, an unintended output of the project, herb products from Uganda. Namibia the handling of licence applications to cut brings together about 80 recipes from rural has signed a contract with the Moringa Camel thorn trees (Acacia erioloba) areas of five of South Africa’s nine Development Association (MODA) to following extensive research and provinces – Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, supply six tonnes of Moringa seeds and consultation with a variety of stakeholders. North West, Limpopo and Eastern Cape. leaf powder for the next four years. Other protected species under threat Many recipes are generations old, and form Another firm from the United Kingdom include the rare pepperbark tree part of the traditional knowledge of these has made a similar order. MODA has (Warburgia salutaris), which is widely communities. about 20 000 moringa farmers with a used for medicinal purposes and the The aim of the project is to find ways of total of 200 million moringa trees. marula tree (Sclerocarya birrea), which is using indigenous knowledge to help Currently, Uganda exports about 8 to one of the most highly valued trees in the communities generate income. Since 2000, 10 tonnes of moringa products, mainly to

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the United States, Kenya and the United from wine, tugo can be used for making Republic of Tanzania. In the local market, salt, honey and nutritious porridge, UNITED STATES one kilogram of moringa costs Sh 10 000, especially for children. Other uses include OF AMERICA while in the world market a kilogram sells making baskets, bags, other handicrafts for US$15 to $20. (Source: The Monitor from its foliage, and as fuelwood. Research into non-timber forest products [Kampala], 17 May 2004.) The project has more than 200 types Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) in the and uses of local plants. Some of the United States are harvested for German farmers to buy moringa traditional plants are effective medicine commercial and non-commercial purposes German cattle keepers have expressed a for different diseases. It has also started and include thousands of wild or semi-wild willingness to import moringa powder “manufacturing” Vaseline, in 50 and species or parts of species used for worth billions of shillings from Uganda. 100 g packs sold at Sh 600 and medicines, foods, decorations, fragrances, “This is a big relief to our moringa Sh 1 000, respectively. containers, dyes, fuel, shelter, art, farmers, especially those in the Rwenzori The project has three components: food ceremonial purposes and so on. Despite region, where hundreds of families are processing to fight malnutrition, medicinal the known and substantial economic value engaged in moringa growing and had no plants for community health, and art and of a few individual NTFPs, and the market for the crop,” Maate Kajumba, the crafts to raise household incomes. It is unknown but likely high economic value of Rwenzori Vanilla Growers Co-operative aimed at sustainable utilization and NTFPs in aggregate, historically managers Society chairman, said recently. management of natural resources, have not included them as important Kajumba said the German cattle including fruit crops and medicinal plants, factors in forest management. Not only do farmers were willing to buy any quantity of as well as rational exploitation of the fruit NTFPs comprise a significant part of the moringa powder depending on quality. He crops to ensure proper ecological balance biological diversity of forest ecosystems declined to reveal the price per kilogram at and soil conservation. but, given the lack of formal NTFP which the German farmers would buy the “What we now need is funding, security research, the many people who harvest moringa and when they expressed and the market. We have enough raw NTFPs part or full time have the most interest. “They will buy plenty of it. They materials and many members are willing knowledge about them. Consequently, said they will make cakes for their cows to join hands in the project,” said Obong. efforts to conserve biodiversity are unlikely from the moringa powder. It is up to us to (Source: New Vision [Kampala], 22 June to succeed unless knowledge about NTFPs, ensure that the quality of our produce is of 2004.) and the effects on them of various forest the required standard,” he said. (Source: management activities such as timber New Vision [Kampala], 17 July 2004.) Sustainable management of non-wood removal, grazing, prescribed burning and forest products NTFP harvesting practices, becomes an Fruits to help fight poverty The proceedings of the May 2003 “National integral part of forest management. Northern Uganda is endowed with various Stakeholders’ Workshop to review the A recent research project attempted to herbs and nutritious fruit-trees which can sustainable management of non-wood address these issues through achieving help in fighting poverty and improve forest products in Uganda focusing on two objectives: to advance understanding nutrition. But because of insecurity, bamboo and rattan” have been published. of the role and impact of NTFP ignorance and inadequate funds, the management in forest ecosystem biodiversity is not being tapped. For more information, please contact: sustainability and biodiversity; and to One of the vitamin-rich fruit-trees is the David Walugembe, Conference support the ability of United States forest Borassus palm (tugo), which grows in the Coordinator, PO Box 2675, managers to assess NTFP sustainability. wild. Its trunk is split and used as poles for Kampala, Uganda. The project developed five interrelated roofing houses and its leaves are used for E-mail: [email protected] components to meet these objectives: making mats. The fruits are rich in food • An online species database expanded values and money can be earned from it,” from 857 to 1 343 entries. The said George Obong, coordinator of the database serves as an initial tool for Northern Foods Project. The community- identifying NTFP species that based non-governmental organization is currently or formerly existed in their piloting processing tugo wine from the fruit. region and that can potentially be The project now has more than 60 incorporated into planning for members, most of whom are rural-based biodiversity conservation, forest women from the pilot subcounties of restoration, cultural use patterns and Adekokwok (Lira) and Aboke in Apac sustainable economic development. district. Each member must have at least • An online bibliographic database one tugo tree in his or her garden. Apart expanded from 1 468 to over 2 600

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entries. The database aids in Pennsylvania – mostly to Asian markets – Research Fund and NTFP Action Learning identifying NTFP references of books, according to State Department of Fund, this aims to increase the body of journals and grey literature. A large Conservation and Natural Resources NTFP knowledge in Viet Nam. The portion of the entries are annotated. estimates. At an average price of US$300 programme is also expected to stir up The academic publications included in per dry pound, ginseng has generated at enthusiasm for and strengthen capacity in the database are drawn more heavily least US$11 million for Pennsylvanians NTFP research for future forestry from the international NTFP arena, over the past decade. (Source: National professionals – present university students. which is where the majority of NTFP Network of Forest Practioners’ Non- (Source: Vietnam NTFP Network research has been done thus far. timber Forest Product News, Digest Issue E-bulletin, issue No. 2.) • A national survey of Forest Service 3, 31 August 2004.) Ranger District employees and state forest managers for the purpose of VIETNAM NON-TIMBER FOREST examining NTFP management in VIET NAM PRODUCTS NETWORK relation to biodiversity. • Ethnographic fieldwork throughout the NTFP education Established in 2003, the Vietnam NTFP lower 48 United States. The fieldwork A Memorandum of Agreement was signed Network is a non-profit, volunteer included formal and informal on 17 March 2004 between the Non- organization under the Forest Service interviews and participant observation timber Forest Products Subsector Support Institute of Viet Nam. The network aims with hundreds of NTFP harvesters and Project in Viet Nam and the Forestry to provide comprehensive NTFP-related other stakeholders including land University of Viet Nam to formalize and information to its members and to managers, scientists, Native promote further fruitful cooperation in the raise awareness of the role that NTFPs Americans, commercial businesses, field of NTFP education and research. play in biodiversity conservation and and environmental groups. Non-timber forest products are national economic development. • A series of four all-day multistakeholder increasingly recognized in Viet Nam as a The network produces a quarterly workshops and a three-day retreat of significant source of income for some NTFP e-bulletin, as well as a biannual the seven member project team held to farmers who live near forests and newsletter. discuss the possibilities for inventory especially for poor, landless people. and monitoring programmes involving Conservation of NTFPs can play an For more information, please contact: NTFP harvesters. important role in maintaining the biodiversity Vietnam Non-Timber Forest Products (Source: Jones, E.T., McLain, R.J. & riches of Vietnamese forests. This is the Network, 8 Chuong Duong Do, Lynch, K. 2004. The relationship between project’s first attempt to mainstream NTFPs Ha Noi, Viet Nam. non-timber forest product management in forestry education in Viet Nam. Fax: +84 4 9320996; and biodiversity in the United States. Under this agreement, the two partners e-mail: [email protected]; Portland, OR, Institute for Culture and will cooperate on a voluntary and equal www.ntfp.org.vn Ecology [www.ifcae.org/projects/ncssf1/].) basis. Fields of cooperation identified in this agreement are NTFP curriculum Harvesting wild ginseng development, graduate and post-graduate Study on development potential and Wild ginseng, which has been harvested training, NTFP research, organization of planning for ten major Vietnamese and exported from the United States to technical seminars and workshops, NTFP NTFP species Asia for more than 200 years because of publications, documents and materials, The Forest Inventory and Planning its purported health benefits, has grown information exchange and a student Institute has been conducting a long-term scarce in many states. It fetches as much research programme. study to survey and assess potentials, as as US$350 a pound (US$160/kg), and a The focus area is NTFP curriculum well as propose a development plan, for recent study at Shenandoah National Park development, and will involve all ten major Vietnamese NTFP species, (Virginia) suggested that the number of departments of the Forestry University of including cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia ginseng plants might have dropped as Viet Nam. This is in line with the intention of Bl.), pine resin, anise (Illicium verum Hook. much as 75 percent over the past 30 years. the Ministry for Agriculture and Rural f.), cardamon (Amomum aromaticum (Source: Washington Post, 1 June 2004.) Development of Viet Nam to develop Roxb.), bastard cardamon (Amomum NTFPs in a sustainable and economic way. villosum), rattan, essential oil species, agar Ginseng gives surprising boost to state’s Another major field of cooperation is the wood, codonopsis and cajuput. agricultural economy Student NTFP Research Programme. The The next phase of study will focus on In recent years, between 1 700 and 4 200 programme’s grants are available to updating the available data and collecting pounds (770 and 1 905 kg) of dry ginseng forestry students throughout the country. missing information on the socio-economic root have been exported annually from Together with the project’s existing NTFP situation, national and international NTFP

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market demands and indigenous but, as the country’s human population has indicates that of the 270 known mammal knowledge, as well as the natural potential grown, these animals and plants are species in Zimbabwe, 11 are threatened and the current situation, of these ten literally losing ground. Alongside threats with extinction; of the 4 440 higher plant major species. (Source: Vietnam NTFP from habitat degradation and land species known in the country, 141 were Network E-bulletin, issue No. 2.) conversion, wild species are heavily on the verge of extinction. exploited to supply both domestic and The large-scale dependence by international trade demands, despite laws Zimbabweans on forest resources for prohibiting or severely curtailing the fuel, construction timber, etc., has harvesting of “rare and precious species” become unsustainable with rampant and banning the export of wild forest deforestation and woodland degradation. mammals. It has been said that poverty is the In Southeast Asia, Viet Nam plays a role greatest enemy of the environment. as source, consumer and re-exporter of a Evidence of this abounds in the vast range of wild animals and plants, and communal areas where poor families are is a wildlife trade hot spot of global trying to make ends meet by exploiting Cinnamomum cassia significance. (Source: TRAFFIC Press the country’s natural plant resources. Viet Nam endorses national action plan to Release, 7 October 2004.) The baobab tree, whose bark is used control wildlife trade extensively in mat-making, is now on the As global attention focuses on boosting brink of extinction. The overexploitation of high-level political will to combat the ZAMBIA the giant tree for commercial purposes wildlife trade “crisis” in Southeast Asia, has rendered the baobab incapable of the Government of Viet Nam has Jam from indigenous fruits effectively regenerating its bark. endorsed a comprehensive National CODIBA, a new firm engaged in For hundreds of years southern African Action Plan to address the country’s agroprocessing, has started producing communities have stripped the tree bark wildlife trade management priorities. The jams and drinks using indigenous fruits on to extract pulp which is used to treat National Action Plan to Strengthen the the Copperbelt. The formation of the fever, diarrhoea, malaria and as a vitamin Control of Trade in Wild Fauna and Flora company would also create employment C supplement. in Viet Nam to 2010 was approved by the in the province. The company would be But such extraction posed very little Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dzung using traditional fruits – masuku and threat to the tree since damage was last Tuesday, immediately prior to the impundu – to produce jams and juices. minimal and so infrequent that the tree opening of the 13th Meeting to the The use of the traditional fruits would add had a good chance of regenerating. Conference of the Parties to CITES in variety to the market while increasing the Data compiled from many Bangkok, Thailand [October 2004]. usage of indigenous resources that have organizations indicate that the baobab, The National Action Plan is built upon been going to waste. The company was an unmistakable feature of the landscape field research and rigorous consultations already producing jam from water melons in most drought-prone parts of southern with Vietnamese agencies and and intungulu, on a small-scale basis, for Africa, has been and still is a source of stakeholders, and analysis from the local market. livelihood for many communities. international conservation experts. The plan The agro-processing firm was trying to The baobab is a multipurpose tree. Its focuses on six thematic priorities: increased raise K 60 million as an initial capital leaves and fruit are good as relish government capacity, appropriate economic injection to start large-scale production. substitutes. The fruit is used as a incentives, harmonized legislative controls, CODIBA would work with the Zambia fermenting agent in traditional brews and targeted public awareness, scientific Bureau of Standards to ensure the makes a refreshing traditional drink when research and international cooperation. products were of high quality. Full-scale dissolved in milk. The seeds, which yield Among the key research findings were production is expected to start in the next an edible substitute for vegetable oil, can that poverty was in fact not the primary two months. (Source: The Times of also be eaten raw or roasted or ground to factor fuelling the illegal trade and that Zambia [Ndola], 20 September 2004.) produce a coffee-like beverage. Pulped local consumption of wildlife will continue seeds are also known to cure gastric, to grow as economic conditions improve. kidney and joint ailments. In fact, 73 percent of decision-makers and ZIMBABWE But all this treasure is at risk as government field personnel surveyed said economic survival continues to dictate that Viet Nam’s domestic trade in wild Animal, plant life dwindling the future of these vulnerable and meat required urgent attention. Information compiled between 1990 and sometimes unique species. (Source: The Viet Nam is well known for its 2002 and posted on the World Resource Herald [Harare], 21 June 2004.) biodiversity and range of endemic species Institute’s EarthTrends Web site

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