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Home , Eastern Himalaya, Kangchenjunga, Namdapha flying squirrel

CRITICAL ECOSYSTEM PARTNERSHIP FUND - EASTERN SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM

July 2007

WWF Program Ashoka Trust for Research in WWF Program PO Box 210 Ecology and the Environment PO Box 7660, Thimphu, Eastern Himalayas Office Baluwatar, Bhutan , Kathmandu, Nepal

CRITICAL ECOSYSTEM PARTNERSHIP FUND - EASTERN HIMALAYAS SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM - AN OVERVIEW

I. Background: The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) is designed to safeguard threatened biodiversity hotspots in developing countries. It is a joint initiative of Conservation International, the Global Environment Facility, the Government of Japan, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the World Bank. Thus CEPF brings together global leaders in a united effort to help conserve the earth’s biologically richest and most threatened places. Together, these biodiversity hotspots harbor half the global diversity of life but have already lost 70 percent of their original habitat. As a global grant making program CEPF enables conservation action and builds capacity of civil society organizations for conservation of critical ecosystems within these “hotspots”.

The Eastern Himalayas region spreading over Bhutan, northeastern India including in , and southern, central, and eastern Nepal is one of the priority areas for CEPF. More than 175 species of and 500 species of birds are known from this region. Despite this, there is a general paucity of floral and faunal information/data as a majority of the information available is on large vertebrates and some birds while detailed information on small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fishes and insects, and other taxa is lacking.

The CEPF Small Grants Program will provide grants to civil society organizations to work towards safeguarding globally threatened species of the Eastern Himalayas. These investments will be primarily made for generating reliable scientific information on key floral and faunal species to improve their . The information generated will be designed to fill critical data/information gaps particularly of lesser studied species which will contribute to updating their status in the global context (IUCN Red Data Book). The Small Grants Program expects to achieve this by enhancing the capacity and participation of a wider group of civil society organizations by involving them in the projects.

II. Objectives: Under the purview of the CEPF Eastern Himalaya Ecosystem profile the Small Grants Program in the Eastern Himalaya will be implemented with 2 main objectives:

1. To understand the status, key threats, and conservation needs of key species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and plants as outlined in the CEPF ecosystem profile through active participation and involvement of civil society groups in the CEPF priority areas. 2. To actively engage civil society groups in conservation of key species and their habitat through partnerships/leverage, research and well informed decision making mechanisms.

2 III. Expected Outcomes: With the implementation of the Small Grants Program the following outcomes are expected:

1. Population of Critically Endangered and Endangered species stabilized through increased conservation efforts of civil society groups in priority sites of the Eastern Himalayas 2. Sustained conservation work for key species and sites through support to civil society groups 3. Status of key floral and faunal species of special concern (endemic, threatened, commercially important, data deficient) improved through better understanding of their ecology and their vulnerability to threats in priority sites 4. Generation of new data/information on population and threat status of understudied species of the region 5. Status of key priority sites improved through management regimes (management plans/strategies, policy, institutions, networks) initiated through the involvement of civil society groups in coordination with the state, technical and other partners.

IV. Geographical Extent: The Small Grants program will focus within the region that covers the eastern Himalayas and . It comprises the lowlands of western Nepal and the montane regions of central and eastern Nepal; the State of , the northern extent of West Bengal in India including Darjeeling District; Bhutan Biological Conservation Complex; and key sites in the northeastern Indian states of , , , , , , and . See annex for a list of priority sites and corridors. (CEPF Ecosystem Profile, Eastern Himalayas Region 2005).

V. Priorities for funding The CEPF Small Grants Program is designed for generating new information on population and threat status of a diversity of understudied, threatened and specialist species requiring specific conservation action. It will support projects that work towards the conservation of priority floral and faunal species that exhibit characteristics of being globally important, endemic, threatened, commercially important and data deficient. Information generated should ideally help sustain conservation work in the Eastern Himalaya region through a better understanding of population and threat status of key species and their ecology.

The Small Grants Program will also invest in ongoing targeted high-impact projects for conservation of Critically Endangered species. Such projects may have the potential for immediate conservation impact as in a species recovery program. Secondly, projects may focus on required research for specific conservation action such as in curbing illegal trade of priority species. Support will also be provided to biological surveys and inventories to fill the information gaps for priority species in selected sites and corridors. Other typical projects could be, for example, on effects of habitat fragmentation on migratory species, distribution and status of indicator species such as amphibians, as well as assessment of possible impacts of climate change.

3 A list of priority species is provided in Annexure 2. species are not included in the list provided here because of lack of information. However re-assessing the conservation status of the region’s plants is a priority. Aspiring grantees should select species for their project from this list by providing a convincing narrative on the need for their conservation. The species outcome list of the ecosystem profile should be referred to for this. All projects should focus on prioritized sites as given in Annexure 1.

VI. Implementation: The CEPF Small Grants Program for the Eastern Himalayas is part of a regional program with a country based implementation approach. This is to suit the different conditions of implementation in the three countries. In Bhutan the program will be implemented by the WWF Bhutan Program Office, in India by Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) and in Nepal by the WWF Nepal Program office. Each country will have expert groups who will review and evaluate the proposals and select those that are most credible to receive the grants.

VII. Application Procedure: Advertisements calling for proposals will be made in leading newspapers of each country of the Eastern Himalayas region. Further information will be available in the website of each country coordination office for grant making- Bhutan: www.wwfbhutan.org.bt, India ATREE www.atree.org Nepal: www.wwfnepal.org and CEPF Eastern Himalaya: www.panda.org/easternhimalayas/cepf

Applications have to be submitted on prescribed format and prescribed number of pages in electronic version in MS Word to the email address provided in the individual country advertisements. Application format can be downloaded from the websites mentioned above according to where the applicant wishes to implement the project.

Submitted proposals will undergo a two stage review - first, by grant coordinators in each country and secondly, by a Technical Review Team comprising of a group of experts. The timetable for submission of proposals and the duration of processing their eligibility will be provided in the advertisement calling for Small Grants proposals in each country. Approval of a proposal will be followed by the signing of an agreement between the applicant and the implementing office in each country.

VIII. Eligibility: All civil society organizations are eligible to receive the CEPF Small Grants support. Civil society organizations are defined by CEPF as individual researchers, community based organizations, non governmental organizations, international non governmental organizations, universities, museums, parastatals and private enterprises,

IX. Amount of grant available The total amount of grant available under the Small Grants for the Eastern Himalayas which includes Bhutan, India and Nepal is US$ 943,000 for 3 years. The upper limit for each project however may not exceed a maximum of US$ 20,000. Typical projects will be in the range of US$5000 to US$10,000. Grants above this range will be awarded on exceptional cases.

4 XII. Contacts:

1. Bhutan Ms. Chophel Dayang National Coordinator, Bhutan WWF Bhutan Program PO Box 210, Motithang Thimphu, Bhutan Tel: ++975-2-323528/3233316 Fax: ++975-2-323518 Email: [email protected] www.wwfbhutan.org.bt

2. India Mr. Suman K. Rai Regional Director Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment Eastern Himalayas Office Darjeeling, India Ph: ++91- 9434045422 Email: [email protected] www.atree.org

3. Nepal Mr. Ang Phuri Sherpa Country Coordinator, Nepal Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund WWF Nepal Program PO Box 7660, Baluwatar, Kathmandu, Nepal Ph: ++977-1-4434820/4410942/4434970 Fax: ++977-1-4438458 Email: [email protected] www.wwfnepal.org

CEPF Eastern Himalayas www.panda.org/easternhimalayas/cepf www.cepf.net

5 Annexure 1: Priority Site and Corridors for CEPF Small Grants

Corridor Priority Sites Within Corridor Countries Landscape Species

Bhutan Bumdelling; Jigme Dorji; Jigme Bhutan , , Biological Singye Wangchuk; Khaling/Neoli; Manas Tiger Clouded Leopard, Takin, Snow Conservation Reserve13; Phipsoo; Royal Leopard, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Complex Manas; Sakteng; Sarbhang - Black Necked Crane Gelephu foothills; Thrumshing La; Toorsa Kaziranga-Karbi East Karbi Anlong & North Karbi Anlong; Northeast Tiger, Asian Elephant, Greater One- Anlong Garampani and Nambor; Intan ki; Maratlongri India horned Rhinoceros, Greater Adjutant, Landscape and Dhansiri; Kaziranga; Lumding. Lesser Adjutant, White-rumped Vulture, Slender-billed Vulture North Bank Barnadi; D'Ering Wildlife Sanctuary; Dibru- Northeast Tiger, Asian Elephant, , Landscape Saikhowa; Eagles Nest and Sessa; India Takin, Greater Adjutant, Jamjing and Sengagan; Mehao; Nameri; Pakke; Lesser Adjutant, Rufous-necked Sonai Hornbill, Rupai White-rumped Vulture, Slender-billed Vulture Kangchenjunga- Khanchendzonga NP; Northeast Snow Leopard, Takin, Singalila- Kanchenjunga CA; Singalila; India, Clouded Leopard Kanchenjunga Barsey; Maenam Nepal Complex Terai Arc Royal Bardia; Royal Chitwan; Royal Sukla Nepal Tiger, Asian Elephant, Greater One- Landscape Phanta; Dang Deukhuri foothills; Parsa; Gainda horned Rhinoceros, White- rumped Tal Vulture, Slender-billed Vulture, Lesser Adjutant Priority sites outside priority corridors* Ada Lake; Pobjika and Khatekha Bhutan valleys CA CA; Koshi Tappu Nepal WR; -Barun NP Balaphakram NP; Buxa; Northeast Cherapunjee cliffs, gorges and India sacred groves (incl. Mawsmai); Dibang Valley; Dzuko; Jatinga; (including Peak NP); Mouling; Namdapha and Kamlang; ; Ripu-Chirang; Rongrengiri; Siju Caves; Siroi; Teesta-Rangit Valley; Tura-Nokrek range (includes NP); Upper Dihing (East) and Kakojan; Upper Renging; Upper Rottung

1 Although Manas Tiger Reserve was included as part of the Manas-Buxa corridor outcome, it is contiguous with the Royal in Bhutan and is considered to be ecologically part of the Bhutan Biological Conservation Complex corridor outcome. The linkages between Royal Manas National Park and Manas Tiger Reserve are stronger than the tenuous links with Buxa and other sites in the Manas-Buxa corridor outcome.

6 Annexure 2: Priority Species for Small Grants Funding Global Threat Status† Distribution by Country/Territory

Scientific Name Common Name Endangered Vulnerable Critical Bhutan Nepal NE India

MAMMALS 12 5 2 11 12 19

1 Ailurus fulgens EN # # #

2 biswasi Namdapha Flying CR #

3 Bubalus bubalis Wild EN # # #

4 Budorcas taxicolor Takin VU # #

5 Bunipithecus hoolock Hoolock Gibbon EN #

6 Caprolagus hispidus Hispid Hare EN # # #

7 Cervus duvaucelii Swamp Deer VU # #

8 Elephas maximus Asian Elephant EN # # #

9 Eupetaurus cinereus Woolly EN #

10 Myotis longipes Kashmir Cave Bat VU # #

11 Myotis sicarius Mandelli's Mouse-eared Bat VU # # #

12 Neofelis nebulosa Clouded Leopard VU # # #

13 Panthera tigris Tiger EN # # #

14 Platanista gangetica Dolphin EN # #

15 Rhinoceros unicornis Greater One-horned Rhinoceros EN # #

16 Sus salvanius Pygmy Hog CR # #

17 Trachypithecus geei Golden Langur EN # #

18 Trachypithecus pileatus Capped Langur EN #

19 Uncia uncia Snow Leopard EN # # #

BIRDS 4 22 2 10 16 28

1 Aceros nipalensis Rufous-necked Hornbill VU # #

2 Apus acuticauda Dark-rumped Swift VU # #

3 Arborophila mandellii Chestnut-breasted Partridge VU # #

4 Ardea insignis White-bellied Heron EN # #

5 Cairina scutulata White-winged Duck EN #

6 Chaetornis striatus Bristled Grass-warbler VU # #

7 Chrysomma altirostre Jerdon's Babbler VU # #

8 Francolinus gularis Swamp Francolin VU # #

9 Gallinago nemoricola Wood Snipe VU # # #

10 Grus nigricollis Black-necked Crane VU # # #

11 Gyps bengalensis White-rumped Vulture CR # # #

12 Gyps tenuirostris Slender-billed Vulture CR # #

7 13 Haliaeetus leucoryphus Pallas's Fish Eagle VU # # #

14 Houbaropsis bengalensis Bengal Florican EN # #

15 Leptoptilos dubius Greater Adjutant EN # #

16 Leptoptilos javanicus Lesser Adjutant VU # #

17 Lophophorus sclateri Sclater's Monal VU #

18 Paradoxornis flavirostris Black-breasted Parrotbill VU #

19 Pelecanus philippensis Spot-billed Pelican VU # #

20 Pellorneum palustre Marsh Babbler VU #

21 Perdicula manipurensis Manipur Bush Quail VU #

22 Ploceus megarhynchus Finn's Weaver VU # #

23 Prinia cinereocapilla Grey-crowned Prinia VU # # #

24 Saxicola insignis White-throated Bushchat VU # #

25 Spelaeornis badeigularis Rusty-throated Wren Babbler VU #

26 Syrmaticus humiae Hume's Pheasant VU #

27 Tragopan blythii Blyth's Tragopan V VU # #

28 Turdoides longirostris Slender-billed Babbler VU # #

REPTILES 7 8 1 0 8 15

1 Aspideretes gangeticus Indian Softshell Turtle VU #

2 Aspideretes hurum Peacock Softshell Turtle VU #

3 Aspideretes nigricans Black Softshell Turtle* #

4 Chitra indica Narrow-headed Softshell Turtle EN #

5 Crocodylus palustris Marsh Crocodile VU #

6 Cuora amboinensis Malayan Box Turtle VU #

7 Gavialis gangeticus Gharial EN # #

8 Geoclemys hamiltonii Black Pond Turtle VU #

9 Hardella thurjii Crowned River Turtle VU # #

10 Indotestudo elongata Elongated Tortoise EN # #

11 Kachuga dhongoka Three-striped Roof Turtle EN # #

12 Kachuga kachuga Red-crowned Roof Turtle CR #

13 Kachuga sylhetensis Assam Roof Turtle EN #

14 Manouria emys Asian Giant Tortoise EN #

15 Melanochelys tricarinata Three-keeled Land Tortoise VU # #

16 Morenia petersi Indian Eyed Turtle VU # #

17 Pyxidea mouhotii Keeled Box Turtle EN #

AMPHIBIANS 6 3 3 1 3 10

1 Bufoides meghalayana Khasi Hills Toad EN #

2 Kalophrynus orangensis Orang Sticky Frog CR #

8 3 Occidozyga borealis Northern Frog VU # #

4 Paa blanfordii Blanford's Spiny Frog VU # #

5 Paa rostandi Dubois' Paa Frog VU #

6 Philautus garo Bush Frog EN #

7 Philautus shillongensis Xmas Bush Frog CR #

8 Polypedates zed Narayanghat Whipping Frog EN #

9 Rana khare Indian Flying Frog CR #

10 Rhacophorus namdaphaensis Namdapha Tree Frog EN #

11 Rhacophorus tuberculatus Tuberculate Tree Frog EN #

12 Theloderma moloch Eerie Tree Frog EN #

Total 29 38 8 22 39 72

Note: * = the black softshell turtle (Aspideretes nigricans) is extinct in the wild.

† = according to the 2002 IUCN Red List

9 Annexure 3: Proposal writing format and guidelines for CEPF Eastern Himalaya Small Grants Program

I. COVER PAGE-(1 page) 1. Proposal Title- 2. Name of Applicant: 3. Organization affiliated to 4. Email Address: 5. Mailing Address: 6. Telephone: 7. Fax: 8. Date of Submission: 9. Amount of Request (not to exceed $20,000): 10. Other Funding Sources Sought and/or Secured: 11. Project Start Date: 12. Project End Date:

II. NARRATIVE SECTION: (12 pages) 13. Executive Summary (or Abstract)—1 page 14. Introduction— 15. Background—1 page (Setting the stage, description of the organization/individual expertise, their past experience and relation with the proposed project, general introduction to the proposed project, how this project was conceptualized, if there is a gap filling role of this project in a larger program) 16. Literature review-3 pages (Analytical review of work done in similar topics/field, what are the critical gaps that this work will fill, if there will be new insights in methodologies, new analysis, results etc. and how ir links to the link to proposed project ) 17. Rationale- ½ page (Describe the importance of this project, why it should be done and what important contribution it will make to conservation in the EH, conservation outcomes) 18. Geographical area: ½ page (Description of the project site) 19. Relationship with the Eastern Himalayas Ecosystem profile and strategic direction 4-1 page (How does the project align with the strategic direction 4 of the Ecosystem profile and the investment priorities. How it will contribute to the conservation outcomes-species and/or, site and corridor) 20. Objectives- 2-3 points (1/2 page) 21. Expected Outputs-3-5 points (1/2 page) 22. Methodology- a. Research design-1 b. Field methods-1 c. Data analysis-1 23. Proposed Activities -1page

MISCELLANEOUS 1. References- 2. Budget- (template provided) 3. Proposed Work plan- (Broken down on a quarterly basis giving accomplishment of activities planned) 4. Annex : CV of the principal investigator, organizational information (booklet, pamphlet, brochure) Note: 1. Times New Roman 2. Font size-12 3. Line spacing 1 and a half 4. Page margins: 1” on all four sides 5. Use spell check

10 Annexure 4: Budget template for CEPF Small grant application

SN Items Rate Amount Remarks Professional services Includes salaries, honorarium, stipends 1 etc Field expenses Includes travel, daily allowances and all other expenses during 2 the field work 3 Capital equipment Field equipment if any Workshops, trainings and meetings 4 Report preparation and publication 5 6 External peer review 7 Communication 8 Stationery 9 Miscellaneous Contribution from other sources if any 10

TOTAL TOTAL PROPOSED TO CEPF

11