Regional Quarterly Bulletin on Wildlife and National Parks Management

Vol. XLI : No. 4 2014

Featuring

Vol. XXVIII : No. 4 Contents

Human-tiger conflict in Sundarban Tiger Reserve and its mitigation through management strategies in India...... 1 Distribution and status of Pig-tailed macaque in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh...... 10 Current status of wild olive in Bajura District of Nepal...... 15 Vertebrate diversity of Lalpur Sub-District, Natore, Bangladesh...... 21 Annual migration of the gangetic dolphin and the fish Tenualosa: A correlation or coincidence? A report from the Barak River of Assam, India...... 30 Some notes on Rat snake (Ptyas mucosa)...... 32 REGIONAL OFFICE FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC Ten years since Indian Ocean Tsunami: Progress in TIGERPAPER is a quarterly news bulletin mitigating impacts of natural disasters...... 1 dedicated to the exchange of information New software for monitoring forest resources...... 4 relating to wildlife and protected area Sixth World Parks Congress - Parks, People, Planet: management for the Asia-Pacific Region. Inspiring solutions...... 5 Strengthening forest tenure for securing livelihoods and ISSN 1014 - 2789 generating income...... 6 GREEiNSECT...... 8 Address. Forestry and climate change experts meet in Bangkok to pave the road to Paris...... 9 TIGERPAPER EU FLEGT Week: Stakeholders discuss progress and look FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific to the future...... 13 Maliwan Mansion, Phra Atit Road UN REDD Phase II Programme in Vietnam supports Bangkok, 10200, Thailand sustainable forest management in State Forest Companies. 15 Tel: (662) 697-4000 FAO Asia-Pacific Forestry Calendar...... 16 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.fao.org/asiapacific/ rap/nre/links/tiger-paper/en/

Editor: Janice Naewboonnien Advisor: P. Durst

TIGERPAPER is dependent upon your free and voluntary The opinions expressed by the contributions in the form of articles, news items, and announcements in contributing authors are not the field of wildlife and nature conservation in the region. In order to necessarily those of FAO. The better serve the n eeds of our readers please write to us and send in the designations employed and the information you have or let us know if there is any information that you presentation of the material in the need. We appreciate receiving your letters and make all efforts to TIGERPAPER do not imply the respond. expression of any opinion on the part Front cover: Royal Bengal tiger of Sundarban Tiger Reserve (Photo: of FAO concerning the legal or Courtesy of Prasanta Kumar Pandit) constitutional status of any country, Back cover: Fishing in Sundarban Tiger Reserve (Photo: Courtesy of territority or sea area, or the Prasanta Kumar Pandit ) delimitation of frontiers.

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| | Human-tiger conflict in Sundarban Tiger Sundarban in conflict Human-tiger Reserve HUMAN-TIGER CONFLICT IN SUNDARBAN TIGER RESERVE AND ITS MITIGATION THROUGH MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES IN INDIA

by Prasanta Kumar Pandit |

Introduction The areas where wild tigers can still survive are diminishing at an alarming rate, with tiger habitat he tiger was declared a threatened species now 7% of its historical extent (Sanderson et al., Tfacing extinction in 1969 and at that time the 2006). The remaining tiger habitat continues to be approximate number surviving in the world was depleted gradually through conversion of land and 10,000. In 1976, international trade in tigers and their increasing demand of forest-based natural resources body parts was banned with placement of tigers in from the fringe population (Linkie et al., 2003; Appendix – I of the Convention on International O’Brien and Kinnaird, 2007; Dinerstein et al., 2007), Trade in Endangered Species of Flora & Fauna where tiger habitat is still subjected to heavy biotic (CITES). Since then, every tiger range country pressure such as grazing, unsustainable resource (TRC) has banned the hunting of tigers and created use, encroachment and direct killing of tiger and its protected areas (PAs) in tiger habitats, but the tiger prey species, all of which threaten the tiger’s remains endangered on the IUCN Red list of survival (Barlow, 2009). In many tiger reserves, the threatened species. tiger’s future survival faces further difficulties due

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| to human-tiger conflicts manifested in the killing Study area of human beings as well as livestock. Causes of mortality other than natural for tigers may have a Sundarban Tiger Reserve is situated mostly within substantial impact on the long term viability of the 24-Parganas (South) and partly in 24-Parganas tiger population (Kenney et al., 1995). Human- (North) districts (Arbesi block) of West Bengal, tiger conflicts have already led to the extinction India, and is a part of the famous “Sundarbans”. of the Bali ( Panthera tigris balica) and Javan It falls a little south of the Tropic of Cancer and tiger (Panthera tigris sondaica) subspecies in lies between 21° 31’ & 22°31’ North Latitude and 1960s and 1970s respectively (Hoogerwerf, 1970; 88°10’ and 89°51’ East Longitude. Out of the total Seidensticker, 1987a) and threatens many of the forest area of 4,263 km2 of Indian Sundarbans an remaining populations in tiger range countries area of 2,585 km2 has been designated as (Nyhus and Tilson, 2004; Dinerstein et al., 2006). Sundarban Tiger Reserve with effect from 23 December 1973. Within this area, 1,330.12 km2 Tiger attacks are an extreme form of human– was declared as Sundarban National Park in 1984, wildlife conflict which occur for various reasons which was later declared as a World Heritage Site

Human-tiger conflict in Sundarban Tiger Reserve Human-tiger conflict in Sundarban Tiger and have claimed more human lives than attacks by UNESCO in 1985. Outside the National Park, | by any of the other big cats. The most 362.33 km2 was declared as Sajnekhali Wildlife comprehensive study of deaths due to tiger attacks Sanctuary in 1976. In 2001, it was included in the estimates that at least 373,000 people died due to Global Network of Biosphere Reserves. tiger attacks between 1800 and 2009, the majority Sundarban Tiger Reserve is bounded by of these attacks occurring in South Asia. In Bangladesh in the east, South 24 Pargana Forest Southeast Asia, attacks gradually declined after Division in the west, fringe villages in the north peaking in the nineteenth century, but attacks in and the Bay of Bengal in the South (Fig-1). Many South Asia have remained high, particularly in the rivers, khals (streams) and creeks criss-cross the Sundarbans (Nyhus et al., 2010). As tigers in Asia area of Sundarban Tiger Reserve. Out of the total often live in close proximity to a large number of landscape approximately 65% is land mass and humans, tigers have killed more people than any 35% is water bodies. Sundarban Tiger Reserve other cat. Between 1876 and 1912, tigers killed has a necklace of 32 fringe villages at the northern 33,247 people in British India. In Sumatra Island and part of the western sides where the human- between 1978-1997, a total 146 people were killed tiger conflicts take a major toll. by tigers at an average 7.1 human deaths per year (Nyhus and Tilson, 2004). Human-tiger conflicts The management challenges of Sundarban Tiger in Nepal are also a serious conservation problem Reserve include a porous international boundary where 88 people were killed in Chitwan from 1970- with Bangladesh Sundarbans, illegal fishing, 2006 by tigers. It is interesting to note that the collection of crabs, honey and tiger prawn seeds, rate of human killing has increased from 1.2 human poaching of tiger prey species, increase of salinity, deaths per year (1976-1997) to 7.2 human deaths unstable land mass and inaccessibility, etc. (Pandit, per year from 1998-2006 (Gurung et al., 2008) in 2012). Nepal. The Sundarbans may have highest number of human fatalities caused by tiger attacks (Packer Historical trend of human-tiger conflicts et al., 2005). Future conservation efforts to increase the tiger population are expected to The man-eating behavior of Sundarban tigers has increase human-tiger conflicts, as has happened been historically authenticated but for how long is recently in Nepal (Gurung et al., 2008). not known. The information collected (Figure-2) gives an idea of the casualties in the undivided The objectives of the present study were: i) to Sundarbans during the last century (Gupta, 1964). assess the scale of historical trend of tiger and This behavior of the Sundarbans tiger does not human killing by analyzing the data; ii) probable have any intra-specific or intra-generic similarity reasons of human-tiger conflicts; and iii) adoption with any of the Panthera species from anywhere of different management strategies to mitigate in the world. The Sundarbans tigers eat fish, crabs, human-tiger conflicts. water monitor lizards, turtles, and even raid bee

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Fig-2: Number of human and tiger casualties in undivided Sundarban during the period from Tiger Sundarban in conflict Human-tiger Reserve

1881-82 to 1915-16 |

hives for honey. They can swim very fast in the deaths by tiger in high salinity zone is significantly big channels, climb trees, drink salty water, and higher than those in medium and low salinity zones. take their prey in broad daylight (Pandit, 2012). Some other authors have claimed that the Information on human and tiger killings in the physiology of Sundarban tigers is affected by the Sundarbans, however, is very scattered. A total high salinity which causes irritability resulting in of 3,615 human deaths were recorded in human killing by tiger, but there is no scientific Sundarbans: 1,396 in Bangladesh; 1,231 in India; proof of this. and 988 not specified to a particular country between the years 1881 to 2006. On the other b. Vegetation: Chakraborty (1978) identified that hand, a total of 1,259 tiger deaths were recorded habitats of pure Ceriops sp. and Phoenix from 1881 to 2006: 233 tigers in Bangladesh over palludosa are sites of the highest number of 42 years; 6 tiger deaths in India over 6 years; and human casualties by tiger. It could be attributed 1,020 tiger deaths over 33 years for the whole that the dense vegetation of Ceriops sp. and Sundarbans, where country was not specified Phoenix sp. may influence the tiger to explore a (Barlow, 2009). different preying strategy which may allow the tiger to stalk and get closer to the humans. Probable reasons of human-tiger conflicts c. Prey density and biotic interference: Salter The reasons attributed for the man-eating (1984) and Hendricks (1975) opined that the propensity of Sundarban tigers are defined by frequency of humans killed is highest in areas at many authors in different ways as follows: times of the heaviest concentration of people. Deodatus and Ahmed (2002) were of the opinion a. Salinity: Hendricks (1975) first noticed an that lower prey density might trigger higher human increased percentage of human deaths by tigers deaths if the biotic interference is maximum. in high salinity zones. Siddiqi and Chowdhury (1987) also noticed that the number of human Other reasons behind human-tiger conflicts are difficult terrain, hostile environmental conditions,

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tidal fluctuations and when tigers are old, infirm, Types of straying

| injured or missing canine teeth and cannot physically satisfy their needs otherwise. In There are two basic types of straying: temporary Sundarban Tiger Reserve human-tiger conflicts and permanent. Tigers sometimes stray into have occurred both inside and outside the forest villages through a damaged portion of the nylon area. barrier net at night, once or repeatedly for consecutive nights in a particular village or cluster Human-tiger conflicts inside the forest areas of villages, killing smaller livestock ( goat, sheep, calf), consuming it or taking it away to the forest. Conflicts inside the forest areas mainly occur Many times was possible to drive the tiger back to because animals get disturbed and irritated due to the forest by using drums, setting off firecrackers, the intrusion in their habitat by various groups like lighting fires, etc. or sometimes the tiger goes back fishermen, honey and crab collectors, and coupe to the forest on its own. These types of straying makers who generally go deep inside the forests incidents are termed as “Temporary Straying” without any safety measures and fall victim to In “Permanent Straying”, the tiger does not return tigers. The high level of poverty coupled with to the forest despite all efforts, but takes shelter unbalanced socioeconomic conditions without any Human-tiger conflict in Sundarban Tiger Reserve Human-tiger conflict in Sundarban Tiger inside patches of village forest, in small mangrove | alternative livelihood options leads villagers to do forest along the river bank or in paddy fields. Then these jobs even at risk to their lives. It is estimated a trap cage with live bait (e.g., a goat) is used to that in Sundarban Tiger Reserve every day on an trap the tiger. Chemical immobilization is the last average 2,500-3,000 fishermen and crab collectors resort to rescue the animal when all possible remain inside the forest in their small hand-driven measures of driving it out or caging it have failed fishing boats for fishing and crab collection in and the tiger takes refuge in a cattle shed or inside permissible or restricted area, with or without any village hut. permission. Management strategies to reduce HTC Human-tiger conflicts outside the forest areas Several actions have been taken to minimize The entire northern and part of the western human-tiger conflicts inside forests such as boundary of Sundarban Tiger Reserve is stopping coupe operations, closing of issuance of surrounded by 32 villages which are situated in permits for Phoenix palludosa and Nypa small islands of reclaimed forest land, criss-crossed fruticans leaf collection, digging of fresh water by small and big rivers/creeks and in some places ponds and re-excavation annually, introduction of the boundary between forest and agricultural land human face masks and clay models wrapped with is not distinct. Some villages have small patches energizers which are connected to 230 Volt and of mangrove forests and tigers enter these forests 12 Volt battery sources. But none of these methods by losing direction or by crossing small creeks for have conclusively proved to be effective. The easy prey of livestock. But outside the forest tigers present management thus emphasizes reducing the rarely killed human beings as prey. During the last biotic interference inside the forests by 15 years there was only one incident (in November strengthening infrastructures, intensifying patrolling, 2004) in which a tiger killed a girl in Samsernagar establishing new protection camps in strategic village under Basirhat range. People also attack locations, providing water crafts and radio the tigers and assault forestry staff because the transmission sets, basic amenities to staff, joint staff penalize them for theft/illegal activities like patrolling with personnel of the Border Security fishing and collection of honey and crab. In Forces adjoining South 24 Pargana Division, and retaliation villagers attack straying tigers and State Armed Police Forces in border areas, small sometimes kill them, even by poisoning. In 2002, creeks and vulnerable areas. To reduce the villagers of Pakhiralaya village killed a tiger, reaction time in any permanent tiger straying chopped it into pieces, put it in a gunny bag and situation, different lines of protocol are adopted. threw it into the river. After that, for one decade Contact numbers of local police, other concerned no tiger killing by humans was recorded.

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administrative officials, local public representatives, caged and be boarded immediately on a suitable Tiger Sundarban in conflict Human-tiger Reserve Panchayet Pradhan/ members should be displayed boat to move to an open space, preferably in a at the Range/Beat office and other convenient nearby forest, for post-tranquilization care. Radio public places so that messages can be sent timely collaring is not generally done before release as as well as to contact the proper authorities for from past experience it was found that due to mob control and other necessary actions. frequent swimming over saline water of the Sundarbans across rivers and creeks it was not A. Quick response to combat tiger straying effective. Release of the tiger shall be done in a When a tiger strays out into villages and takes suitable habitat of the core area which is far from shelter inside a village forest along the river belt, the trapping site. then the temporary erection of nylon net fencing along three sides except the river side is done. A B. Payment of compensation and raising sufficient number of staff and JFMC members awareness campaign guard the village side with arms, ammunition, Timely payment of compensation on spot for crackers, search lights, etc. so that the tiger cannot human and livestock deaths and treatment of enter the village. To manage any mob and to control injured negates the chance of revenge killing of law and order, the help of the local police force the tiger. Presently, the compensation for a human | should be taken. Bursting crackers, beating drums, death is Rs. 100,000 and that of cattle death is etc. are used to try to drive the tiger towards the Rs. 750/- which requires further consideration. forests. If the tiger does not return to the forest Payment of the actual market price on spot in despite all efforts then trap cages containing live cattle deaths can minimize the antipathy of local bait are set out. This last resort needs approval villagers. Regular meetings with the JFMC and from the Chief Wildlife Warden. In some cases it Panchayet members are held to reduce the is placed inside the forest when tiger repeatedly grievances against the staff as well as tigers. From strays out and returns to the forest on the same time to time, group meetings held in the villages to night by examining exit and entry points through generate public awareness help a lot in getting the nylon net fencing. After placing the trap cages secret information and co-operation from the round-the-clock patrolling by 2-3 boats is done with villagers during tiger straying and rescuing of the all necessary equipments. Trap cages are placed animal. To minimize the vengeful attitude of the during high tide on high land so that cages will not local people, if any, regular awareness campaigns be inundated by tidal water. Tigers are generally are already in practice, which needs further trapped during the night so in the early morning of intensification. the next day tiger should be shifted to a transportation cage. After that tiger should be put C. Erection of nylon net fence on board a boat and kept in a safe place in the Fencing the boundaries of the vulnerable forest nearby mangrove forest for post-caging care. areas by vegetative cover, i.e., Ceriops- Excoecaria combination and mechanical methods When tranquillization is necessary the Tiger by nylon net fencing using Avicennia posts along Rescue Combat Force (TRCF) should be well the forest fringe have been found to be very equipped and accompanied by a Veterinary effective for the last twelve years. Both these Surgeon (VS) and one trained staff for fencings last about three years. Ceriops – tranquilization. Before tranquillization (chemical Excoecaria fencing as well as fencing using capture) and trapping of a tiger, the necessary Avicennia post is not encouraged presently approval of the Chief Wildlife Warden is needed. because it requires a heavy toll of vegetation A partially immobilized tiger should not be chased cutting. Now, nylon net fencing with bamboo posts or disturbed. An excited animal may fight against is mostly practiced which is planned to be further normal dosage rates and if the dosage is increased improvised with RCC post where the soil condition the tiger could die. A mixture of Ketamine and is stable. In addition to that, recent observations Xylazine is used for tranquilization and doses vary reveal that tiger starts negotiating the 8ft high according to the size and approximate age of the fence by jumping over the same. Use of RCC tiger. After tranquilization, the animal may be and bamboo post can also help to erect the fencing

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| at a height of 10 – 12 ft. The normal mesh size the needs of the villagers several community-based remains 4" x 4" to avoid any strangulation of wild activities such as the excavation of irrigation canals animal like deer. Presently 82 km of forest fringes for assured agriculture; sinking deep tube wells to out of a total 94 km have already been fenced provide drinking water; construction of brick paved with bamboo or RCC pillars as support posts. paths and concrete jettys for better Erection of a nylon net fence with RCC pillar (Fig- communication; construction of a community hall 3 is very cost effective initially, but maintenance and flood centre with necessary facilities in which cost is less; moreover, its longevity is much more to take shelter during natural calamities, etc. than bamboo post. Although the nylon net fence should be initiated. Among individual input oriented is effective, sometimes due to poor maintenance activities, the supply of paddy thresher machines, and cutting of the net by fishermen and crab pump machines, sewing and knitting machines, van collectors the tigers can stray out. But it has a rickshaw, and spray machines is important. good psychological effect on the villagers and it wins their support, which in turns produces good More than 200 Self Help Groups (SHG) have been results in tiger and its prey and habitat formed over time, and can remain active by

Human-tiger conflict in Sundarban Tiger Reserve Human-tiger conflict in Sundarban Tiger conservation. receiving training and necessary input according

| to their needs. To sustain the SHGs action must D. Eco-development activities be taken to tie in with other line departments. At present 25 JFMCs have been formed with the Results villagers of 32 nearby villages involving 855 families who are helping to protect 25,000 ha of A total of 353 human beings were killed and 78 mangrove forests. A lot of eco-development works persons were injured by tiger attacks between have already been done to win the people’s 1985-86 to 2012-13 (Pandit, 2012a ). The average confidence in Sundarban Tiger Reserve; however, number of killings and injuries/year was 12.6 and further need-based, priority basis and site-specific 2.8 respectively. The maximum fatalities involved activities are urgently required in a comprehensive fishermen (276), followed by honey collectors (64) manner to strengthen the relationship with the and woodcutters (13). In the case of injuries, again JFMCs. This will provide alternate sources of fishermen accounted for the maximum injuries livelihood, reduce forest-based dependencies and (56), followed by honey collectors (18) and improve unstable socio-economic conditions in the woodcutters (4). The number of human deaths villages. Some such activities might be either as well as injuries was high up to 1993-94 but individual or community-oriented. Necessary after that it gradually went down. Between the training by experts must be imparted for the years 2003-04 to 2012-13 the average number of individual beneficiary-oriented activities. As per deaths was 3.8/year. The highest number (35) of

Fig-3: Left-nylon net fence with bamboo as support post; right-fence with RCC pillar as support post 6

Vol. 41: No. 4 2014 | | human deaths occurred in 1990-91; no killings took the majority of straying tigers generally return to Tiger Sundarban in conflict Human-tiger Reserve place in 2006-07. Due to imposing heavy the forests on their own or by driving them back. restrictions on honey collection, deaths of honey collectors were drastically reduced over the years Discussion and in the last 9 years (2004-05 to 2012-13) there were no deaths by tiger attack. Fishermen are Although the killing of humans by tigers is gradually the most vulnerable to tiger attacks as the fishing lessening, tiger conservation must take into profession continues all through the year (except account the local socio-economic conditions of April, May & June), whereas honey collection is which human-tiger conflicts are a major factor. done during April-May only. In both the Humans being killing by tigers exerts considerable occupations, the chance of tiger encounters is stress on local communities who depend on the great and obviously the threat is optimum for honey forests for their livelihood. Natural resources are collectors as they directly invade the tiger habitat the only potential source of income for many people on foot. As firewood collection had totally stopped living in fringe villages and those killed are normally in the last 20 years there were no deaths or injuries the main income earners of the family. Moreover, due to improved management practices the recorded. It proved that by taking suitable | management strategies tiger attacks inside the number of tigers might increase, which in turn forest have been considerably reduced. might lead to increased human-tiger conflicts in the Sundarban Tiger Reserve and would put A total of 306 tigers straying was recorded additional pressure on the authorities to deal with between 1986-2013 (Fig-4) but the record did not this issue. show any continuous up or downward tendency of straying – rather it was very fluctuating. During Human-tiger conflicts have been a very common that 27 year period, a maximum 26 tigers had phenomenon for a long time. Current levels of strayed out in 2010, with minimum numbers in human and tiger deaths in the Indian Sundarbans 1991, 1993 and 2005; the average number of are comparatively low compared to records from straying/year was 11.3. the last 126 years. Although there are no records available on temporal changes in human use In respect of tiger straying, during the period 2001- patterns, prey levels, and reporting efficiency, most 02 to 2012-13 the maximum caging (7) was done probably a precautionary approach as well as in the year 2002-03 (out of 24 straying tigers) and management efficiency and awareness among 2009-10 (out of 11 cases). But in 2009 it was villages would be assumed for the decrease in the mainly done for research purposes like radio number of human and tiger deaths. collaring and ear tagging. In other years the number of caging and tranquillizations never Reducing the number of human and tiger deaths exceeded 5 and 3 respectively. This indicates that is an important management issue for conservation

Fig-4: Straying of ti gers since 1986 to 2012

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| of tiger in the Sundarbans. But an important factor Reserve, for their constant support, should be the improvement of data collection on encouragement and providing facilities. Thanks deaths of both humans as well as tigers to evaluate are also due to Miss Lipika Roy, Sri Arnab the impact of management interventions. The Sengupta, Nilratan Panda and the staff of Sundarban authorities have tried a wide range of Sundarban Tiger Reserve for providing solutions to reduce tiger attacks on humans and information. livestock (Seidensticker et al., 1974; Chowdhury, 1975; Saha, 1988; Sanyal, 1987a; Rishi, 1993; References Mukherjee, 2003) but none have so far proven successful. A more meaningful and structured Anon. 2008. Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. approach is required to assist with and formalize As amended up to 2006. Ministry of the process of mitigation activity selection. The Environment and Forests, Government of India. wild tiger population throughout the tiger range Barlow, A.C.D. 2009. The Sundarban Tiger countries is dwindling drastically and tigers of adaptation population status, and conflict Sundarban Tiger Reserve are sometime killed by management. Ph.D. Thesis. Minnesota

Human-tiger conflict in Sundarban Tiger Reserve Human-tiger conflict in Sundarban Tiger villagers in retaliation or revenge. So, effective University. | management strategies should aim to reduce both Chakraborty, K. 1978. Ecology of Sundarban human and tiger killing, improve socio-economic tiger with particular reference to range of conditions and trust building through various habitats and adaptability to changes. activities such as raising awareness among Cheetal, Vol–20: 3-15. villagers, emphasize data collection and proper Chowdhury, M.K. 1985. Man-eating behaviour recording and monitoring of tigers movement, of the tigers of Sundarbans, West Bengal. identification of man-eating tigers and if possible Environment and Ecology, 3: 243-248. put radio collars on them to monitor their Chowdhury, S. and P. Malik. 1992. A guide to the movement, establishment of quick response teams chemical restraint of wild animals. Technical with all facilities, and installing mechanical barriers report no-2. Wildlife Institute of India. with proper maintenance. These factors would Data compiled from official British records be helpful to Sunderban Tiger Reserve authorities available at the Digital South Asia Library in reducing human-tiger conflicts to save the top (University of Chicago and the Centre for most predators and their habitat more effectively Research Libraries). by reducing anthropogenic pressures inside the Deodatus, F. and Z.U. Ahmed. 2002. Survey to forests. It would also improve the situation for determine the relative abundance of tiger, the apex predator by reducing unnecessary wild boar and spotted deer in the mortality and population decreases that make it Bangladesh Sundarban Forest, December vulnerable to extinction. But recent management 2001 to March 2002. Sundarban Biodiversity strategies such as the erection of nylon net fencing Conservation Project (SBCP), Technical and proper maintenance of it, formation of JFMCs Report No.17, Khulna, 36pp + 19 pp and establishing good relationships, raising appendices. awareness among fringe villages and timely Dinerstein, E., Loucus, L., Heydlanf, A., payment of compensation and providing medical Wikramanayaka, E., Bryja, G., Forrest, J., facilities to victims are giving good results. Ginsberg, J., Sanderson, E., Seidensticker, J., Heydlanff, A. and S. Klenzendorf. 2007. The Acknowledgements fate of wild tigers. Bio Science, 57: 508- 514. The author is greatly indebted to Sri N C Dinerstein, E., Loucus, L., Heydlanf, A., Bahuguna, Principal Chief Conservator of Wikramanayaka, E., Bryja, G., Forrest, J., Forests, Wildlife & Chief Wildlife Warden, W.B., Ginsberg, J., Klenzendorf, S., Leimgruber, P. Sri P Shukla, Addl. Principal Chief Conservator and T. O’Brien. 2006. Setting priorities for of Forests & Director, Sundarban Biosphere the conservation and recovery of wild Reserve, Sri S Dasgupta, Chief Conservator of tigers: 2005-2005. A user’s guide. World Forests & Field Director, Sundarban Tiger Wide Fund, Wildlife Conservation Society,

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Smithsonian Institute and National Fish and Pandit, P.K. 2012. Sundarbaner Bagh o Tiger Sundarban in conflict Human-tiger Reserve Washington DC. Manuser Sanghat (in Bengali). Ban, vol - 1, Gupta, A.C. 1964. Wildlife of lower Bengal with No-3: 50-54 particular reference to the Sundarbans, Rishi, V. 1993. Tiger proof energised fence in West Bengal Forests. Centenary STR. Conference Proceeding. The International Commemoration Volume, West Bengal Forests, Symposium on the Tiger, New Delhi. Directorate of Forests, Government of West Saha, D., 1988. A Study of Sundarbans Tiger Bengal, Calcutta, 23:233-237. Reserve, West Bengal, India. Environment Gurung, B., Smith, J.L.D., McDougal, C., Karki, and Ecology, 5: 430-434. J.B and A. Barlow. 2008. Factors associated Salter, R.C. 1984. Status and Utilization of with human killing tigers in Chitwan Wildlife, integrated development of the National Park, Nepal. Biological Sundarbans, Bangladesh. FO: TCP/BGD/ Conservation, 141: 3069-3078. 2309(MF), FAO, Rome, 59 PP. Hendricks, H. 1975. The status of the tiger Sanderson., Forrest, J., Loucus, C., Ginsberg, J., Panthera tigris (Linue; 1758) in the Dinerstein, E. Seidensticker, J., Leimgruber,

Sundarbans mangrove forest. Saeugetier P., Songer, M., Heydlaff, A., O’Brien, T., Bryja, | Kundliche Mitteilungen, 23: 161-199. G., Klendendorf S. and E. Wikramanayake. Hoogerwerf, A. 1970. Udjung Kulon: The land 2006. Setting priorities for the of the last Javan Rhinoceros. E.J.Brill conservation and recovery of wild tigers: Kenney, J.S., Smith, J.L. Starfield, A.M. and C.W. 2005-2015. The technical assessment. McDougal. 1995. The long term effects of WLS, WWF, Smithsonian and NFWF, New tiger poaching on population viability. York – Washington, DC. Conservation Biology, I: 1127-1133. Sanyal, P. 1987a. Managing the man-eaters in Linkie, M., Martyr, D.J., Holden, J., Hartana, A.T., the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve of India. Suhardjito, J. and Leader Williams. 2003. In: R.L. Tilson and U.S. Seal (Eds). Tigers of Habitat destruction and poaching threaten the World: The biology, bio politics, the Sumatran tiger in Kerinci Seblat management, and conservation of an National Park, Sumatra. Oryx, 37: 41-48. endangered species. Noyes Publications, Mukherjee, S. 2003. Tiger-human conflicts in Park Ridge, New Jersey, pages 427-434. Sundarban tiger reserve, West Bengal, Seidensticker, J. 1987a. Bearing witness: India. Tigerpaper, 30: 3-6. observation on the extinction of Panthera Nyhus, P.G. and R. Tilson. 2004. Characterizing tigris balica and Panthera tigris sondaica. human-tiger conflicts in Sumatra, In: R.L. Tilson and U.S. Seal (Eds). Tigers of Indonesia: Implications for conservations. the world: the biology, bio politics, Oryx, 38: 68-74. management and conservation of an Nyhus, P.G. and R. Tilson. (Eds.) 2010. Tigers of endangered species. Noyes publications, the world: The science, politics, and Park Ridge, New Jersey, pages 1-8. conservation of Panthera tigris (2nd ed.). Seidensticker, J., Lahiri, R.K., Das, K.C. and A. Burlington, MA: Academic Press. pp. 132–135. Wright. 1976. Problem tiger in the ISBN 978-0-8155-1570-8. Retrieved 30 March Sundarbans. Oryx, 267-273. 2013. Siddiqi, N.A. and J.H. Chowdhury. 1987. Man- O’ Brien, S.J. and M.F. Kinnaird. 2007. Caffeine eating behaviour of tigers of the and Conservation. Science, 300: 587. Sundarbans – twenty eight years’ record Packer, C., Ikanda, D., Kissui, B. and H. Kushnir. analysis. Tigerpaper, 14(3): 26-32. 2005. Lion attacks on humans in Tanzania. Nature, 436: 430-434 The author is Conservator of Forests, Pandit, P.K. 2012. Sundarban Tiger (Panthera Administration, Publicity and Marketing, West tigris tigris) - A new prey species of Bengal, Aranya Bhaban, Block-LA-10A, Estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) Sector-III, Saltlake City, Kolkata-700098, at Sundarban Tiger Reserve, India. West Bengal, India; Email- Tigerpaper, Vol-39, No-1: PP 1-5 [email protected]

99 Vol. 41: No. 4 2014 | DISTRIBUTION AND STATUS OF PIG-TAILED MACAQUE (Macaca leonina) IN COX’S BAZAR, BANGLADESH by M.K. Islam, S.M. Mainuddin, M.S. Ahmed, M.A. Rahman and S.R. Alam

Pig-tailed macaques, male (left) and female (right) at Idghar Reserve Forest Areas of

Distribution and status of Pig-tailed macaque in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh Bazar, Distribution and status of Pig-tailed macaque in Cox’s Ramu, Cox’s Bazar | Introduction existence (Khan, 2008). In Southeast Asia, Pig- tailed macaque (Macaca leonina) is seriously ig-tailed macaque (Macaca leonina) is the threatened and populations are declining due to Plargest macaque among the five macaque habitat loss, human encroachment and poaching species, including the recorded ten non-human (Yanuar, 2009). In Bangladesh, as a result of primate species in Bangladesh. Among them two continuous and rapid loss, alteration and species of macaque viz. Pig-tailed macaque fragmentation of forest habitat (through tree felling, (Macaca leonina) and Long-tailed macaque mono plantation, planting of exotic trees and (Macaca fascicularis) are “critically conversion of forest land into agricultural land and endangered” and distributed in the northeast hill new settlements), the biodiversity is going through forest of Bangladesh (IUCN, 2000). In a a critical period, including that of arboreal non- preliminary survey, Green (1978) could not human primates which are now distributed in small document the Pig-tailed macaque species in habitats with small populations (Faizuddin and Bangladesh. In 1981, Siddiqui was able to report Chowdhury, 1984; Faizuddin, 1985; Rahman,1995; the presence of a small population of the species Mannan, 1998; and Mukul, 2007). in hill forest of Thainkhali, Chittagong. It is only available in the deep, semi deciduous/evergreen So, it is urgent to investigate and determine the forest of Sylhet (northeastern region), Bangladesh population and present distribution of this critically (Gittens and Akonda, 1982). Habitat and endangered species in nature to take up and proper distribution of this rare macaque is uncertain in conservation measures for in situ conditions. Bangladesh (Sarker and Sarker, 1984). It is one of the macaques of Bangladesh habituated to live World distribution and status only in the forest habitat (Hassan, 2010). Rema- Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary, Lawachar National Pig-tailed macaque occurs in eastern Bangladesh, Park (NP) and Satchari NP in the northeastern Cambodia, southern China (southwestern Yunnan), region of Bangladesh support the species’ northeastern India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam,

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Figure 1: Study areas and present occurrence of Macaca leonina shown in the map of Cox’s Cox’s in macaque Pig-tailed of status and Distribution Bazar, Bangladesh Bazar, Bangladesh

FWS

POML IRF

HNP |

TWS

F WS = Fasiakhali WS; IRF = EIdghar Reserve Forest; HNP = Himchari NP; TWS = Teknaf WS and POML = Present Occurrence of Macaca leonina

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| Table 1: Distribution and population status of Pig-tailed macaque, Macaca leonina in Idghar Reserve Forest

Location Group GPS Population structure Total no. coordination individuals Adult Adult Juvenile Young (Male) (Female)

Bengdea, ML-1 21°31'9.36" N & 03 11 07 04 35 92° 8'18.85" E IRF

Baisari, ML-2 21°32'35.48"N 05 23 13 09 50 & 92° 8'56.17"E IRF

IRF = Idghar Reserve Forest, ML= Macaca leonine

Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Area: 1,302.43 ha ), Himchari National Park Tripura), Lao People’s Democratic Republic, (HNP) (Location: Cox’s Bazar, Latitude/ Myanmar (including the Mergui Archipelago), Longitude: 21°21.3022N 92°1.4802E ; Area: 1,729 Distribution and status of Pig-tailed macaque in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh Bazar, Distribution and status of Pig-tailed macaque in Cox’s

| Thailand (from about 8°N and including adjacent ha) and forest areas of naturally enriched Idghar islands), and central and southern Viet Nam. The Reserve Forest (IRF) (Location : Ramu, Cox’s population is very likely to be declining at over Bazar, Area: about 1,500 ha). (Figure 1) 30% over three generations (30-36 years) across its entire distribution range due to several threats Survey including habitat loss, disturbance and poaching, and this decline is predicted to continue at the same A total of 15 visits were made between 2012 and rate or higher in the next three generations. So, 2014 to investigate the distribution and population from 2000, the species’ world status has been status of the species. We used the line transect considered “vulnerable” (Boonratana, 2008). method to estimate the population and density through direct observation in all study areas. The Methods survey was conducted from dawn to dusk. Transects were established along trails in old Study site logged forest, plantation forest and scrub forest on hills, ridges, slopes and valleys. Existing human The hilly forest areas of Bangladesh adjacent to and animal walking paths were preferred and at the border of Myanmar and India are the probable times new trails were made by trimming small habitat of Pig-tailed macaque (Fodden, 1975). The trees. We walked slowly with local field guides study was conducted in the natural forest of Cox’s familiar with the terrain and local wildlife. We Bazar near the bordering areas of Myanmar. Some frequently stopped to listen to the animal sounds forest areas of this region, especially protected and understand their movement. As soon as we and reserved forest areas, were selected to search came across the target species, it was observed for prospective habitats for the species. Therefore, carefully and as far as possible secretly and in the survey included Teknaf Wildlife Sanctuary silence so as not to disturb the wildlife. We counted (WS) (Location: Cox’s Bazar, Latitude/Longitude: the individuals to determine troop size and 20°54.0202N 92°16.5602E, Area: 11,615 ha), population structure. Binoculars were used to Fasiakhali WS (FWS) (Location: Cox’s Bazar, observe the species. The species location was Latitude/Longitude: 21°42.4972N 92°4.8242E determined by using GPS. A digital camera was 12

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used to collect photographs of species on the spot. During the surveys in Teknaf WS, Fashiakhali WS Cox’s in macaque Pig-tailed of status and Distribution Bazar, Bangladesh Moreover, data on habitat, food and feeding and and Himchari NP the species was not found. At threats to the species were also recorded. present, Pig-tailed macaque only occurs in the forest areas of Idghar Reserve Forest, Ramu, Results Cox’s Bazar (Figure 2). It is the first documentation of this species’ presence in Cox’s Bazar Forest Pig-tailed macaque (Macaca leonina) was found Division, Southeast Region of Bangladesh. for the first time at Bengdheba beat forest areas of Joarianala Range and Baishari beat forest areas, Discussion and conclusion Idghar Range of Ramu, Cox’s Bazar. Two fairly large groups of Pig-tailed macaques with 35 and Pig-tailed macaque was formerly not directly 50 individuals were recorded in the mixed documented in the region of Cox’s Bazar of evergreen forest areas of Idghar Reserve Forest. Bangladesh. Therefore, we surveyed the forest The first group of M. leonina was recorded in areas of Cox’s Bazar from the potential possibility March, 2014 from Bengdheba beat forest areas ( of the species and found the Pig-tailed macaque 21°31’9.36" N & 92° 8’18.85" E ) of Joarianala in that region of Bangladesh. At Idghar Reserve Range and the second group was recorded in May forest areas, the semi evergreen forest is enriched 2014 from Baishari beat forest areas with medium to tall old trees of Garjon (21°32’35.48"N & 92° 8’56.17"E) of Idghar Range (Dipterocarpus sp.), Batna (Castanopsis sp.), of Cox’s Bazar north forest division. Distribution Sal (Shorea sp.), Jam (Syzygium sp.), Bot (Ficus and population structure of the two recorded sp.), Dumur (Ficus sp.), Civit (Swintonia sp.),

groups of M. leonina are shown in Table 1. Aam (Magnifera sp.), Kathal (Artocarpus sp.), | Figure 2: Location of Pig-tailed Macaque groups in Baisari and Bengdeba Beat Forest Areas of Idghar Reserve Forest , Cox’s Bazar on Google Earth.

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| Chapalish (Artocarpus sp.), Botta (Artocarpus Faizuddin, M. 1985. Wildlife Sanctuaries of sp.), Goda (Vitex sp.), Gutgutya (Protium sp.), Bangladesh and some recommendations. Assar (Microcos sp.), Bohera (Terminalia sp.), Tigerpaper.12 (1): 8-11. Amloki (Phyllathus sp.) and Bon Amra Feeroz, M.M. 2000. Height and substrate use (Spondias sp.) and is the most recent location of during feeding and foraging by Pig-tailed Pig-tailed macaque in the northeastern region of Macaque (Macaca nemestrina leonina) in Bangladesh. The natural forest habitat of the other Bangladesh. J. Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, study areas had been greatly altered and disturbed. Science 26 (2): 237-244. As a result, the species has disappeared from the Feeroz, M.M. 2009. Macaca leonina. In: Ahmed, areas. The clear felling system, which is A.T.A., Kabir, S.M.H., Ahmed,M., Ahmed, detrimental to wildlife habitation, was practiced in Z.U., Begum, Z.N.T., Hassan, M.A., and Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong and Chittagong Hill Tracts Khondker, M (eds). Enclocypedia of Flora forest areas (Siddiqui, 1981).Pig-tailed macaques and fauna of Bangladesh, Vol. 27. Mammals are mostly arboreal and spend more than 87% of Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, Dhaka. their active time on the middle canopy in the forest Fooden, J. 1975. Taxonomy and evolution of (Feeroz, 2000). Since the species is a habitual user liontail and pigtail macaques (Primates: of forest canopy, clear felling of old tall trees is Cercopithecidae). Fieldiana Zoo/., 67, 1-169. very much responsible for losing the species. Green, K.M. 1978. Primates of Bangladesh: A Forest fragmentation, selective logging, timber preliminary Survey of Population and extraction, habitat loss, encroachment and Habitat. Biol. Conserv. 13: 141-160. poaching are the leading threats to the species Gittins, S. P. & A.W. Akonda. 1982.What (IUCN, 2008; Feeroz, 2009). Survives in Bangladesh? Tigerpaper 9(4): 5-11. Distribution and status of Pig-tailed macaque in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh Bazar, Distribution and status of Pig-tailed macaque in Cox’s

| In Baisari forest areas the species is facing the Hasan, M.K. & M.M. Feeroz. 2010. Distribution threat of illegal tree cutting, clear felling for new and status of Long-tailed Macaque plantations, and habitat fragmentation due to (Macaca fascicularis aurea I. Geoffroy changing the forest into agricultural land and Saint-Hilaire (1830) in Bangladesh. housing. The local people claimed that the non- Journal of Threatened Taxa. (12): 1342-134. human primate species of these forest areas are IUCN Bangladesh. 2000. Red Book of also victims of Mog tribal huntsmen hunting for Threatened Mammals of Bangladesh. The meat, causing their populations to decline sharply. World Conservation Union (IUCN), Dhaka, Therefore, it is urgently needed to announce the Bangladesh : 54. Idghar Reserve Forest areas as a safe zone for Khan, M.H. 2008. Protected Areas of the species and stop all kinds of deforestation and Bangladesh A Guide to Wildlife. Nisorgo disturbance for the species’ survival. Protection Program. Wildlife Management and Nature measures including law enforcement must be Conservation Circle, Bangladesh Forest simultaneously taken to save the species from Department: 65. extinction from these areas. Mannan, M.A., Khan, M.A.R. and M.M. Hassan. 1998. The diminishing wildlife of Barind References Tract, Northern Bangladesh. Tigerpaper 11 (1): 8-13. Boonratana, R., Das, J., Yongcheng, L., Htun, S. Rahman, S. 1995. Wildlife in Bangladesh : A & R.J. Timmins. 2008. Macaca leonina. The diminishing resource. Tigerpaper 22 (3): IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 7-13. Version 2014.2. . Siddiqui, N.A. & M. Faizuddin. 1981. Downloaded on 04 August 2014. Distribution and population status of Faizuddin, M & J.H. Choudhury. 1984. Crab- some mammals in Bangladesh. J. Forest. eating macaque and its future in Science. Vol.10 (1&2). Bangladesh Forest Bangladesh. Bano Biggan Potrika.13 Research Institute, Chittagong: 33-38 (1&2):19-23.

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Sarker, S.U. & N.J. Sarker. 1984. Mammals of Authors’ addresses: M.K.Islam, S.M. Nepal of District Bajura in olive wild of status Current Bangladesh -Their status, distribution Mainuddin, M. A. Rahman and S.R. Alam, and habitat. Tigerpaper 34 (3):8-13. Wildlife section, Bangladesh Forest Research Mukul, S.A. 2007. Biodiversity conservation Institute, Chittagong, Chittagong 273, strategies in Bangladesh: The state of Bangladesh; M. S. Ahmed, IUCN (International Protected Areas. Tigerpaper.11 (1): 28-32 Union for Conservation of Nature), Bangladesh Yanur, A., Chivers, David J., Sugardjito, Jito, Country Office, Banani, Dhaka 1213, Martyr, Deborah J. & Jeremy T. Holden. Bangladesh 2009. The population distribution of Pig- E-mail: [email protected] tailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina) and (corresponding author), Longtailed Macaque (Macaca [email protected], fascicularis) in West Central Sumatra, [email protected], [email protected] Indonesia. Asian Primates J. Vol. 1(2):2- and rabiwild @yahoo.com 11

CURRENT STATUS OF WILD OLIVE (Olea cuspidata Wall. Ex G. | Don) IN BAJURA DISTRICT OF NEPAL by Shambhu Paudel and Shant Raj Jnawali

Introduction

live is a native plant of the Mediterranean confines. First olive trees were carried from Seville Oregion, tropical and central Asia and various to the West Indies and later to the American parts of Africa and has a history almost as long Continent (Renfrew, 1973). By 1560, olive groves as that of western civilization. Its development is were being cultivated in Mexico, then later in Peru, one of civilized man’s first accomplishments. At California, Chile and Argentina, where one of the a site in Spain, carbon-dating on olive seed found plants was brought over during the Conquest the over there proved it to be eight thousand years old Arauco olive tree - lives to this day. In more old. Olea europaea may have been cultivated modern times the olive trees have continued to independently in two places: Crete and Syria. spread outside the mediterranean and today they Archeological evidence suggests that olive are farmed in places far away from its origin such cultivation appeared in the fourth millennium BC as southern Africa, Australia, Japan and China. As in Palestine (Zohary & Spiegel-Roy, 1975). Van Duhamel has said, “The Mediterranean ends Zeist (1980) suggested that olive cultivation where the olive tree no longer grows”, which can gradually diffused from East to West carried by be capped by saying that “There where the sun the Phoenicians, Etruscans, Greeks and Romans, permits, the olive tree takes root and gains ground”. being brought to Greece around 2500 BC. From In Nepal, olive is found naturally in Bajura, Dolpa, Greece, olives spread to other parts of the Rukum, Humla, Bajhang and Mugu Districts Mediterranean area. Olives are also grown (Bartolucci et al., 1999). Olea falls under the commercially in California, Australia and South regime of threatened plants of Nepal and is kept Africa and recently in India, Pakistan, China and under the rare (R) category in IUCN’s Red Data Nepal. Book (Shrestha et al., 1996). This threatened species found in Nepal has not been fully studied With the discovery of America (1492), olive and needs further investigation (BPP, 1995h). An farming spread beyond its Mediterranean

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| eminent threat for wild olive in Nepal is from local Bioclimatic zones (CBS/District profile, 2008). people collecting firewood (Shrestha et al., 1996). The district is pioneer in the high mountain region for olive occurrence and distribution. Karnali and In Nepal, 35 forest types were identified and Olea the watershed/micro-climate areas of the region was recorded under Trans-Himalaya High Alpine at elevations from 762 m-2,600 m asl were Vegetation but not included under any forest considered as study sites. classification (TISC, 2002). Furthermore, TISC Series No.105 illustrates the scattered olives Method and materials among the steppe vegetation of grasses and Artemisia along the floor of the upper Bheri Valley Stakeholder analysis at 1,500-2,000 m asl. But in Medicinal Plants of A stakeholder analysis was made during the field Nepal published by the Department of Plant visit and key stakeholder and institutions working Resource in 2007, the olive distribution range is on olive promotion were documented. listed as occurring from 500-2,600 m asl in the Trans-Himalayan region. Participatory approach A series of participatory tools adopting a historical The Mediterranean effect caused by winter rain timeline, focus group discussions, key informant Current status of wild olive in Bajura District Nepal

| harbors patches of wild olives at high altitudes of survey, field visits, resource mapping, etc. were Bajura district. The existing literature on status, used. The timeline (1989-2009) was helpful to conservation and management practices of olive identify the past situation of the species and trend in Nepal is in a poor state. The distribution patterns of conservation status and management regime of O. cuspidata in official literature namely a at community level and that consequently helped Field Document prepared by FAO, a TISC to identify vulnerable areas for management. Document (Series No 105) and Medicinal Plants Resource mapping on a topographic map, one of of Nepal (DPR, 2007) are inadequate. Incomplete the most significant tools for rapid assessment of baseline information supposes a species with a resource occurrence, was used in the site and it greater degree of threats (NBS, 2002). economically conserves field costs and time. Focus Distribution mapping and quantification of olives group discussions were held with groups of found in Bajura will serve as a touchstone for people, particularly the elderly ones, who knew future conservation. Nepal is in the phase of the use of olive. Key informants were identified developing its federal system by adopting a new either from local study area sites or from centers constitution, so such deliverables can be and Kathmandu. As much information and data incorporated into the mainstream for effective and were generated as possible. practical solutions at the local, regional and national levels. Poverty leads to serious obstacles that slow Field visits and inventory down the environmental solution. Albeit, olives A field visit was made in July 2009 to collate and with an increasing international market can collect the field level data, conduct an inventory contribute significantly to the local economy, and and assess management status and use of the thereby enhance the lives of local poor people. species. Diversity and important value indices The objectives of the study were as follows: were calculated based on field-level data which . A quantitative assessment of wild olive in was generated through rectangular plots. Plots of Bajura district. 25x20 size were used randomly for regeneration, . Preparation of the distribution map and poles and trees respectively as defined by DoF identifying potential site/areas of olive species. (2061). Each plot was accompanied by altitude, latitude, longitude and aspect data for spatial Study area analysis. Both the natural and man-made population sites of the species were visited and The research area, Bajura district, is located at the status of species diversity, distribution, Latitude 29°18’ – 29°59’ N to Longitude 81°9’ – abundance and other ecological attributes were 81°49’ E at an altitude of about 762 to over 7,036 studied. m asl, representing Sub-tropical to Nival (continued on p.17) 16 Vol. 41: No. 4 2014

(continued from p.16) | |

Participatory resource mapping was done before Results and discussion Nepal of District Bajura in olive wild of status Current the field visit to generate and generalize the ecology, socio-economy and olive plant distribution Status of wild olives in Wai Forest sites. Secondary literature was instrumental to tracing the field study. The Olea forest area of Wai is estimated to be 178.14 ha. An estimated number of 300 stems per Diameter at breast height, height of tree and ha are reported as good olive forest. The forest estimation of fruit quantity were measured during condition was observed as dense according to the the field work. The volume of a tree crown was crown cover density. Wai forest is divided into also a useful predictor of tree growth assuming a two blocks. Block I consists of a large number of paraboloid crown shape. The crown volume of a trees (>30cm dbh), whereas Block II consists tree was calculated by using following formula: more of regeneration (<10cm dbh). Similarly, pole and regeneration per ha in Block I and II are 60.3, Paraboloid Cv = 3.14 D2bL /8 (Wood et al., 60, 70 and 660 respectively. Both forests were 1999) found in the southern aspect at about 45°. The Where, status of olive in Block I is moderate; Block II Cv= Crown volume has poor conditions due to over population.

D = Crown diameter | L = Crown Length Based on the inventory results, the number of old trees in Block I was high in comparison to Block GIS mapping II. However, space for young regeneration is high The field visit was equipped with GPS and the in Block II, which keeps a large potential if the data of the visit was plotted in the mapping. The proper management interventions are made. Big data of the secondary literature was also trees with a large crown percentage have reduced calibrated in the mapping and wild and man-made the amount of regeneration in Block I. population clusters were differently presented. Participatory resource mapping was done prior to Status of wild olives in Jagannath Forest the field visit. A topographic map was used to delineate the distribution site of wild olives based The total forest area of Jagannath and Kotila forest on canopy density. Then field verification was is estimated to be 80 ha. The category of forest is carried out to capture an accurate database. taken as dense. The total number of trees, poles and regenerations per ha are 80, 120 and 280 ArcGIS 9.1 software was used to calculate the respectively. The trees on the northern aspect of area and mapping of distribution sites at the GIS this forest bear a large quantity of fruits. From lab of Kathmandu Forestry College. the data of stems per ha and abundance of regeneration the forest can be categorized as Expert consultations being in poor condition. Peer consultations were held with the District Forest Officer of the study district, concerned The low number of trees per ha leave space for departments from the Ministry of Forestry, more regeneration in Jagannath forest. This forest university academicians, and program managers consists of older trees than those in Wai forest, of different INGOs, NGOs, etc. which waits for proportional management of trees to obtain a good quantity of fruits per tree. Literature review Secondary literatures were thoroughly searched Situation analysis of wild olives and scrutinized and the analysis was presented in chronological order. The notes of species Meetings with households and key informants and occurrence from the literatures was documented stakeholders’ analysis were conducted to assess and analyzed in the GIS mapping. the situation of wild olives. Three places were chosen based on availability and the people were asked whether the status of wild olives has been

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| decreasing or increasing over a time span of 20 taken from different locations, then dbh, total years. Most of the local people interviewed during height of the tree, crown height and crown length the field visit said that the status was good enough were measured. Budhi Raj Dhakal and Regmi 20 years ago against the present status. (2065) estimated approximately 5,000 fruits at the ripening stage at 1 kg. The estimated number of Estimation of olive fruit quantity trees, average crown volume and estimated fruit per tree at the ripening stage is shown in Table 1 In order to estimate the weight of olive fruits per below: tree, about 25 sample trees of different sizes were Table 1: Fruit quantification of wild olives Location Estimated Estimated Ave. Av e. Ave. Fruit Estimated Remarks tree per area (Ha) crown cro wn crown per yield (Kg) ha dia. ht. vol. tree (m) (m3) (Kg) Wai/Block1 180 118.47 5.357 7.896 88.98 0.7 14927.22 Jagnnath/kotila 52 80.04 9.105 8.255 268.74 1 4162.08 Other six VDCs have potential to contribute annually 800 Based on

Current status of wild olive in Bajura District Nepal observation/

| Staholder analysis Total 19889.3

Distribution pattern and potential sites populations were found in Kolti, Rugin, Bandhu, Wai, Jagannath, Kotila, Kolti, Sapata, Bandhu, Jukot, Gotri and Sapata beyond the range of 1500m Gotri, Rugin and Jukot VDC of Bajura districts that were considered as potential sites. Potential harbor wild olive (Fig 2). The dense Olea forest sites covered 5,845.798 ha. Most wild olives were was found in Wai, Jagannath and Kotila VDC only found along the Karnali river and along its within the range of 1000-1500m. The sparse tributaries.

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Vol. 41: No. 4 2014 | | Table: 2: Status and trend of wild olives in different locations Nepal of District Bajura in olive wild of status Current

N Name of Altitudinal Status Trend Use Remarks VDC range (m)

1. Wai 1100-1400 Good Increasing Firewood Dense Fodder Forest Oil purpose

2. Kolti 1375-1400 Poor Decreasing Firewood Potential Site

3. Jagannath 1200-1300 Good Increasing Fodder, Oil Dense Forest 4. Kotila 1230-1280 Modera Common but not declining Fodder Dense te Forest

5. Bandhu 1200-2200 Poor Declined (if not conserved) Fodder Potential | Site

6. Rugin 1400-2000 Poor Declined (if not conserved) Fodder Potential Site

7. Jukot 2000-2400 Poor Declined (if not conserved) Fodder Potential Site

8. Sapata 1200-2200 Poor Declined (if not conserved) Fodder Potential Site

9. Gotri 1200-2200 Poor Declined (if not conserved) Fodder Potential Site

Key threats to wild olives Conclusions and recommendations

Major threats to wild olive forests are as follows: . The status of wild olives is found to be . Poor awareness level among the local people moderate in Wai, Block I but poor in Block II about the importance and use of wild olives; in the same VDC. Combined forests found in . Poor database; Jagannath and Kotila seem to be poor based . Army Camp established in the olive forest in on the stocking. Due to sparse stands, the Kolti greatly threatens the olive forest; forest condition in six VDCs (except . Illegal firewood and timber collection; Jagannath, Wai and Kolti) were considered . Overgrazing; to be of poor status but had potential for . Excessive logging of olive for building and plantation and conservation. other infrastructure construction; . Wild olives were distributed within nine VDCs . Poor interest of District Forest Office on of Bajura district ranging from 1,100 m-2,200 conservation and commercialization of wild m, but the major dense areas were Kolti, olives; and Jagannath and Kotila. Karnali and its . Poor co-ordination among the line agencies. tributaries like Kunda Khola, Guma Khola and

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| Godhani Khola harbor major patches of wild government institutions and other concerned olives in the region. stakeholders. . The total estimated annual fruit production . Olive cultivation practices should be promoted from the district is estimated at around 19.88 among local communities to help improve tons. household economy. . Over-grazing, illegal cutting and over- . Organizations such as Care Nepal, FAO, GTZ, exploitation were the major threats of wild etc. were reported to have been involved in olives in the study area. supporting conservation of wild olives, but no . The availability of olive plants has been further actions have been taken. reduced due to the lack of a specific . The present study strongly recommends joint/ management plan by the DFO, uncontrolled collaborative initiatives among all concerned harvesting and other climatic factors. stakeholders to improve the living standard of . There is a lack of technical knowledge among the local people through effective management the communities about the cultivation, and sustainable utilization of the olive fruits sustainable use and commercialization of wild that fetch high prices in local as well as olives. international markets. . Wild olives can be potential source of income Current status of wild olive in Bajura District Nepal generation among the local communities. | Acknowledgements . Poor database on wild olives at local, regional and national level. We are grateful to NTNC for helping to finance . Bajura district harbors only three wild olive the study in Bajura. IDEA WILD, USA, has forest patches. Specific conservation and provided an equipment grant for this research. management strategies need to be developed Heartfelt gratitude goes to Shant Raj Jnawali by the national authority. and co-advisors Him Lal Shrestha and Jay Ram . Appropriate silviculture treatment should be Lamichhane whose encouragements, investigated to enhance the status of olives suggestions and comments made this research trees and its fruits for Wai block II and possible to shape in this form. Deep Jagannath olea forest so that the fruits can be appreciation to Ripu M Kunwar, Bishnu Hari more valuable for the local people and Pandit & Bharat Bhatt for providing invaluable consequently support their livelihoods. guidance and suggestions. All the local people . Plantations in open patches should be of Wai, Jagannath and Kolti generously established. contributed their time and fully cooperated in . The awareness level among local communities, response to enquiries. local government authorities, and other concerned stakeholders was found to be very References poor. Therefore, awareness raising activities should be initiated with high priority. Olive Bartolucci, P. & B.R. Dhakal. 1999. In: conservation education programs, G.K.Shrestha (ed.) Prospects for Olive management training, interaction, production Growing in Nepal. His Majesty’s of promotion and publicity materials are Government Department of Agriculture, Fruit among the important initiatives proposed to Development Division Olive Production address olive conservation issues. Development Project, TCP/NEP/6713 & the . Olea forest should be incorporated in the Food and Agriculture Organization of the national level data base. Even the topographic United Nations, Kathmandu. map of the studied area does not depict the Biodiversity Profile Project (BPP).1995h. olive forests. The incorporation of information Biodiversity Profile of High Mountain/ on wild olives in different local and national High Himal Physiographic Zones. BPP, level data sheets is essential. Publication No.14, Department of National . Effective coordination mechanisms should be Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Kathmandu, developed among the local communities, Nepal.

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Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS). 2065. District Van Zeist, W. 1980. Aperc¸u de la diffusion des VertebrateNatore, sub-distict, Lalpur of diversity Bangladesh profile. District Office, Martadhi, Bajura. ve´ge´taux cultive´s dans la re´gion Department of Forest (DoF). 2061. Community me´diterrane´enne. La mise en place, Forestry Inventory Guidelines. l’e´valuation et la caracte´risation de la Department of Plant Resources (DPR). 2007. flore et des ve´ge´tations circum Medicinal Plants of Nepal (Revised). me´diterrane´ennes, pp. 129–145. Coll. Bulletin of the Department of Plant Fondation L. Emberger, Naturalia Resource No. 28, Kathmandu, Nepal. Monspeliensa. Dhakal, B.R. & Regmi. 2065. In: G.P. Shrestha Wood, Turner & Barack (eds.). 1999. Code of (ed.) Jaitoon Beeruwa Utpathan tatha forest mensuration practice, a guide to Bagaicha esthapana (Nepali version), good tree measurement practice in Promotion of Olive Production and Australia and New Zealand. Australia. Consumption in Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal. World Wildlife Fund-Nepal (WWF/Nepal). 2006. Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation. 2002. WWF-Strategic Plan (2006-2011). Nepal Biodiversity Strategy (NBS). Kathmandu, Nepal. Kathmandu, Nepal. Zohary, D. & P. Spiegel-Roy. 1975. Beginning Renfrew, J.M. 1973. Palaeoethnobotany. The of fruit growing in the Old World. Science, food plants of the Near East and Europe. 187(319–327). 248 p. Columbia University Press, New York.

Shrestha, T.B. & R.M. Joshi. 1996. Rare, Authors’ addresses: Shambhu Paudel, The | Endemic and Endangered Plants of Biodiversity Research and Training Forum Nepal. WWF/Nepal program, Kathmandu, (BRTF), Post Box: 299, Pokhara, Nepal Email: Nepal. [email protected]; Shant Raj Tree Improvement and Silviculture Component Jnawali, National Trust for Nature (TISC). 2002. Forest and vegetation types Conservation, Nepal. of Nepal. TISC Document series No.105, Kathmandu, Nepal.

VERTEBRATE DIVERSITY OF LALPUR SUB-DISTRICT, NATORE, BANGLADESH by Forhad Hossain and Ataur Rahman Khan

Introduction and Indo-China (Khan, 2008). The distributional ranges of many vertebrate animals typical to each iological diversity or ‘Biodiversity’ is a term of these biotic sub-regions overlap in Bangladesh, Bwe use to describe the variety of life on Earth. making the country’s vertebrate animals very rich It refers to the wide variety of ecosystems and and diverse. The species richness of Bangladesh living organisms, animals, plants, their habitat and is well recognized when compared with other their genes (UNEP, 1995). areas. For example, the total number of bird species in Bangladesh is nearly the same as all of Bangladesh has a rich biological heritage as a Europe (Khan, 2008). consequence of its location in the subtropical belt at the confluence of the two major biotic sub- The rich vertebrate diversity of the country, regions of the oriental region: the Indo-Himalayan however, is under tremendous pressure as habitats

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| Figure 1: Map of Lalpur Sub-district, Natore

Vertebrate diversity of Lalpur sub-distict, Natore, Bangladesh diversity of Lalpur sub-distict, Natore, Vertebrate |

are altered or destroyed to meet the resource monsoon. The average annual rainfall varies from demands of the economy. Bangladesh has already 1,100 mm in the extreme west to 5,700 mm in the lost a number of charismatic species, which were northeast of the country (Khan, 2008). icons of the vertebrate diversity of the country. Many icon vertebrate species still survive in the Bangladesh has already lost at least 13 species wild but face the threat of extinction both locally of vertebrates, most of which were large and globally. The loss of natural forests and mammals. It is a great loss since these species wetlands are the primary reasons for the loss of were important both ecologically and economically wild life in the country (Khan, 2008). (IUCN, 2000).

The climate of Bangladesh is tropical monsoon Lalpur Sub-district is situated in the northern with marked seasonal variations. The monsoon region of Bangladesh. The study area is very occurs during July to October, followed by a cool important in relation to the biodiversity of winter during November to February, and a hot Bangladesh. The floral and faunal diversity is very and dry summer during March to June. During high. the hot season, the temperature normally varies between 21°C to 34°C whereas during the cool The aim and objective of the research project is to season it ranges from 11°C to 29°C. About 70- achieve knowledge about the vertebrate diversity of 80% of the annual rainfall occurs during the Lalpur Sub-district, Natore, Bangladesh.

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Physical features of the study area VertebrateNatore, sub-distict, Lalpur of diversity Bangladesh

Table 1: Location, Area and Temperature of Lalpur Sub-district. Location 24011? 00? North latitude to 24018? 33? North latitude and 88058? 50? East longitude to 88097? 50? East longi tude. Area 329 Km2 (81,480 acres) Temperature Comes down to 3-3.50C in winter; rises up to 43-450C in summer.

Source: Upazila (Sub-disrict) Statistics Office, Lalpur, Bangladesh (21.10.13).

Table 2: Water bodies of Lalpur Sub-district. Number 2256 Area 444 hectres Number 59 Ponds Government Area 24.61 hectres Number 2197 Private Area 418.39 hectres Rivers Number 02 | Area 2911 hectres Beels Number 07 Area 308.38 hectres Number of Hatcheries Govt. 00 Private 01 (inactive) Number of Nursery Ponds Govt. 00 Private 05 Demand of Fish 434.12 Metric ton Production of Fish 387.00 Metric ton Source: Upazila (Sub-disrict) Fisheries Office, Lalpur, Bangladesh (21.10.13)

Materials and methods For the identification of amphibians the following authors were consulted: Hussain (1974); IUCN The present study was undertaken from August (2000); Hossain (2004); Dotto, Hossain and 2013 to May 2014. The study was made through Chowdhury (2005); and Khan (2008). personal collections, ocular observation and interviews with fishermen and retailers, tribal For the identification of reptilians the following people and persons belonging to different works were consulted: Hussain (1974); IUCN organizations. (2000); Hossain (2004); Dotto, Hossain and Chowdhury (2005); and Khan (2008). For the identification of fishes the following works were consulted: Shafi and Quddus (1982); For the identification of birds the following authors Rahmann (1989); Bhuiyan, Islam and Hossain were consulted: Hussain (1974); Haque (1976); (1992); IUCN (2000); and Dotto, Hossain and IUCN (2000); Hossain (2004); Dotto, Hossain and Chowdhury (2005). Chowdhury (2005); and Khan (2008).

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| For the identification of mammals the following The species belonging to the different vertebrate works were consulted: Hussain (1974); IUCN groups are given in the following paragraphs. (2000); Hossain (2004); Dotto, Hossain and Chowdhury (2005); and Khan (2008). Fish: There are about 265 fish species in 154 genera under 23 families and 10 orders in Observations and discussion Bangladesh (Khan, 2008). In the course of the present investigation, a total of 75 species of fishes distributed among 50 genera and 10 orders under Table 3: Fish fauna of Lalpur Sub-district. only 1 class, Osteicthyes, were identified. Sl. Order Scientific name English name Local name No. 1 Cypriniformes Labeo rohit a Rohu Rui 2 Labeo calbasu Black rohu Kali baush 3 Catla catla Catol Katol 4 Hypophthalmichthys molitrix Silver carp Silver carp 5 Labeo bata Bata Bata 6 Labeo boga --- Bhangon bata 7 Cirrhinus reba Reba carp Raikhor Vertebrate diversity of Lalpur sub-distict, Natore, Bangladesh diversity of Lalpur sub-distict, Natore, Vertebrate 8 Cirrhinus mrigala Mrika Mrigal | 9 Aristichthys nobillis Bighead carp Big Head 10 Cyprinus carpio var. common carp Belati rui communis 11 Cyprinus carpio Mirror carp Japani rui var.specularis 12 Ctenopharyngodon i dellus Grass carp Grass carp 13 Barbonemus gonionotus Silver Barb Sarpunte, Thai put i 14 Puntius chola Chola barb Chola puti 15 Puntius phutunio Puntio barb Putini puti 16 Puntius ticto Ticto barb Tit puti 17 Puntius guganio Mola puti 18 Puntius sophore Spotfin swamp barb Jat puti 19 Puntius terio One spot barb Chotto puti 20 Puntius gelius Golden barb Puti Gale puti 21 Chela cachius Chep Chela Chela 22 Chela laubuca Barb/Minnows Kash Khaira 23 Aspi doparia morar Morer Piyaly 24 Esomus danricus Flying barb Darka 25 Rasbora daniconius Daniconi Dankini 26 Lepi docephalus guntea Guntea loach Gorpun 27 Amblypharyngodon mola Mola Carplet Mola/ Moya 28 Amblypharyngodon Indian Carplet Mola/ Moya microlepis 29 Danio devario Sind Danio Chebli 30 Danio rerio Darika Ranga darricka 31 Botia dayi --- Bow mach 32 Botia dario --- Ranimach 33 Botia lohachata --- Rani putul

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34 Wallago att u Freshwater shark Boal VertebrateNatore, sub-distict, Lalpur of diversity Bangladesh 35 Ompok bimaculatus Pabda catfish Pabda 36 Sperata aor Longwhiskered Ai r mach catfish 37 Mystus cavasius Gangetic Mystus Sada tengra 38 Mystus tengara --- Bajari - tengra 39 Mystus bleekeri Day’s Mystus Lal tengra 40 Ailia coila --- Banspata 41 Eutrapi ichthys vacha Batchcoa bacho Bancha/Mat or 42 Pangasius pangasius Pangas Pangas 43 Clarias batrachus Walking Catfish Magur 44 Clarias gariepinus African Walking African Catfish magur 45 Heteropneustes fossilis Stinging cat fish Shing, Giol 46 Gagata gagata Gang tengra Huddah tengra 47 Anguliformes Anguilla bengalensis Freshwater eel Baim

48 Symbranchiformes Monopterus cuchia Mud eel Cuchia | 49 Beloniformes Xenentodon cancila Kakila Kaikli 50 Perciformes Anabas testudineus Climbing perch Koi 51 Colisa fasciatus Banded Gourami Khailisha 52 Colisa lalia Dwarf Gourami Lal Khailisha 53 Oriochromis niloticus Nyle cichlid Nilotica 54 Oriochromis mossambicus --- Tilapia 55 Nandus nandus Khairkoti Bheda 56 Chanda nama Chanda Chanda 57 Pseudambassis lala High fin glossy Lal Chanda Perchlet 58 Glosssogobius giuris Tank Goby Baili 59 Macrognathus aculeatus Lesser spiny eel Tara guci 60 Mastacembelus armatus Zig-zag spiny eel Baim 61 Mastacembel us pancalus Barred spiny eel Guchi 62 Rhinomugil corsula --- Khorshol a 63 Cyprinodontiformes Aplocheilus panchax Panchax Panchchiki 64 Channiformes Channa striatus Murrel Shol 65 Channa marulius Great snakehead Gajar 66 Channa punctatus Green snakehead Taki 67 Channa orientalis Walking snakehead Gaddu/ Gairi 68 Tetraodontiformes Tetradon cutcutia Ocellated puffer fish Potka/Tepa 69 Clupeiformes Chitala chitala Feather back Chital 70 Notopterus notopterus Feather back Pholi 71 Setipinna phasa Gangetic hairfin Phasa anchovy 72 Gadusia chapra Indian river shad Chapila 73 Tenualosa i lisha Hilsha shad Ilish 74 Pseudeutropius atherinoides Indian P at as i Katapatashi 75 Siluriformes Rita rita Rita Iti mach

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| Amphibia: There are about 22 amphibian species period, a total of 4 species of amphibians were under 14 genera, 4 families and 1 order present in identified from 4 genera and 1order. Bangladesh (Khan, 2008). During the study area Table 4: Amphibian fauna of Lalpur Sub-district. Sl. Order Scientific name English name Local name No. 1 Anura Bufo melanostictus Common toad Kunobang 2 Rana tigrina Indian bull frog Sona/kolabang 3 Fejervarya limnocharis Cricket Frog Jhijhibang/Nak thokrano bang 4 Polypedatus leucomystax Asi an brown tree Gechobang

Reptilia: There are about 109 species of reptilians of marine turtles are also present. A total of 15 under 15 families present in Bangladesh. In species of reptilians were identified from 14 addition, 12 species of marine snakes and 5 species genera and 2 orders.

Table 5: Reptilian fauna of Lalpur Sub-district. Sl. Order Scientific name English name Local name

Vertebrate diversity of Lalpur sub-distict, Natore, Bangladesh diversity of Lalpur sub-distict, Natore, Vertebrate No.

| 1 Chelonia Lissemys punctata Spotted flapshell turtle Patapori 2 Pangshura tectum Indian roofed turtle Kori 3 Morenia petersi Yellow turtle kaitta 4 Squamat a(S.O Calotes versieolor Common Garden Lizard Girgiti 5 . Lacertilia) Hemidactylus frenatus Common house gecko Tiktiki/ Jeti 6 Hemidactylus garnotii Garnot’s gecko Tiktiki/Jeti 7 Mabuya carinata Keeled Grass skink Anzoni 8 Varanus bengalensis Bengal monitor Guishap 9 Squamat a(S.O Typhlops jerdoni Jerdon’s blind snake Choto . Ophidia) dumukha 10 Amphiesma stolatum Striped keelback Chilu shap 11 Enhydris enhydris Common smooth water Paina snake 12 Gerardia prevostiana Glossy marsh Maitashap 13 Lycodon aulicus Common wolf snake Gharginni shap 14 Natrix piscator water snakes Dhora shap 15 Naja naja Spectacled cobra Gokhra/Kulim

Aves: In Bangladesh, about 650 different spe- 2008). A total of 40 species of birds were identi- cies of birds (migratory birds included) belonging fied that are distributed among 34 genera and 12 to 75 families have so far been recorded (Khan, orders.

Table 6: Avi fauna of Lalpur Sub-district.

Sl. Order Scientific name English name Local name No. 1 Passeriformes Copsychus saularis Oriental magpie Doyel robin 2 Copsychus malabaricus White-rumped Shama shama 3 Acridotheres tristis Common mynah Shalik

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Vol. 41: No. 4 2014 | | 4 Sturnus cont ra Died mynah Gung shalik VertebrateNatore, sub-distict, Lalpur of diversity Bangladesh 5 Pycnonotus atriceps Blackheaded bulbul Kalo matha bulbul 6 Pycnonotus cafer Red-vented bulbuli Bulbuli 7 Orthot omus sutorius Common tailor bird Tuntuni 8 Turdoides straitus Jungle babbler Satbhai 9 Dicaeum cruentatum Scarlet-backed flower Lal fuljhuri pecker 10 Nectarinia asiatica Purple sunbird Neeltuni 11 Nectarinia zeylonica Purple-rumped Moutushi sunbird 12 Passer domesticus House sparrow Charui 13 Ploceus philippinus Baya weaver Babui 14 Corvus macrorhynchos Large-billed crow Darkak 15 Corvus splendens House crow Patikak 16 Dendrocitta vagabunda Rufous treepie Harichancha 17 Dicrurus aeneus Bronzed drongo Dushai 18 Dicrurus macrocerus Black drongo Kalo fingey 19 Oriolus xant hronus Black-hooded oriole Holdey pakhi

20 Terpsiphone paradisi Asian paradise fly Dudhraj | catcher 21 Galliformes Gallus domesticus Fowl Morog 22 Coturnix coturnix Common quai l Varoi 23 Anseriformes Anas poecilorhyncha Spot-billed duck Pati hans 24 Dendrocygna javanica Lesser whistling Raj hans duck 25 Megalaima asiatica Blue-t hroated Neelgola barbet basantabauri 26 Piciformes Dinopium benghalense Golden backed Kaththokra wood pecker 27 Upupiformes Upupa epops Common hoopoe Hudhud 28 Coraciiformes Coracias benghalensi s Indian roller Nilkantha

29 Halcyon smyrnensis White throated king Sadabuk fisher Machranga 30 Halcyon capensis Stork-billed Dhosa kingfisher machranga 31 Cuculiformes Eudynamys scolopacea Indian koel Kokil 32 Psittaciformes Psitt acul a krameri Rose-ringed Ti ya Parakeet 33 Strigiformes Tyto alba Barn owl Laxmi pencha 34 Athene brama Spotted owlet Khuruley pencha 35 Bubo bengalensis Great horned owl Hutom pencha 36 Columbiformes Columba livia Pigeon Kabutor 37 Sterptopelia chinensis Spotted dove Tila ghughu 38 Gruiformes Amourornis phoenicurus White breasted Dahuk water hen 39 Ciconiiformes Phalacrocorax niger Little cormorant Pankouri 40 Egretta garzetta Little egret Sada bok

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| Mammalia: Bangladesh supports 121 mammalian included among 18 genera and 7 orders have been species ranging from House mouse to Dolphin recorded from the study area. (Khan, 2008). A total of 21 species of mammals

Table 7: Mammalian fauna of Lalpur Sub-district. Sl. Order Scientific name English name Local name No. 1 Lagomorpha Lepus nigricolli Indian hare Khargosh 2 Rodentia Funambulus palmarum Indian palm squirell Kathbirali 3 Rattus rattus Common house rat Indur 4 Rattus norvegicus Brown rat Demsa indur 5 Bandicota indica Greater bandicoot-rat Dhari indur 6 Vandeleuria oleracea Asiatic long-tailed Gecho indur climbing mouse 7 Carnivora Felis chaus Jungle Cat Bon biral/ Gara 8 Herpestes auropunctotus Small Indian mongoose Benji 9 Canis aureus Golden jackal Shial 10 Canis familiaris Dog Kukur/Kutta

Vertebrate diversity of Lalpur sub-distict, Natore, Bangladesh diversity of Lalpur sub-distict, Natore, Vertebrate 11 Felis domesticus Cat Biral | 12 Chiroptera Cynopterus sphinx Greater short-nosed Kala badur fruit bat 13 Pteropus giganteus Indian fl ying fox Baro badur 14 Pipistrellus coromandra Bat Chamchika 15 Perissodactyla Equus cabalus Domestic horse Ghora 16 Artiodactyla Sus scrofa Pig Shukor 17 Capra hircus Black Bengal Goat Chhagol 18 Ovis aries Sheep Bhera 19 Bos indicus Cow Goru 20 Bubalus bubalis Buffalo Mohis 21 Insectivora Surcus muinus House shrew Chika

Discussion Recommendations

In the present work the authors have recorded a Vertebrate diversity is a resource for every country. total of 155 species of vertebrate animals, including We should have proper knowledge about the 75 species of fishes, 4 species of amphibians, 15 habits, habitats, behaviour and reproduction of the species of reptiles, 40 species of birds and 21 vertebrate animals to conserve them properly. species of mammals. It needs further observation to get a complete knowledge on the vertebrate The following preventive measures are suggested biodiversity of the Lalpur Sub-district. to protect the faunal decay of the area:

The environmental degradation and shrinkage of . Create awareness among the people. the habitat were the main causes of endangering . Stop the interference with the habitats of the as well as extinction of the species (Haque, 1998). animals. Man is increasingly disrupting and destroying the . Harmful nets and traps should not be used in biotic components which are necessary for harvesting of fish. existence (Odum, 1971). Man is a heterotroph and . De-watering from the beels (lakes) should be phagatroph and the best near the end of the stopped. complete food chains.

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. To increase the status of beel (lake) water very much to be solicited to save the biodiversity VertebrateNatore, sub-distict, Lalpur of diversity Bangladesh fisheries there is a need to develop fish habitats of the area as is done elsewhere in the world. by excavating beds for brood fish stocking. . For culturable species, care should be taken Acknowledgements to solve breeding problems. . Irrigation from the ground and surface water The authors are grateful to the many people should be reduced. who assisted in the collection of data. They . Cause the least disturbance to the natural are most thankful to the Chairman, Department habitats of fish and other aquatic resources. of Zoology, University of Rajshahi, for . Tree plantation programmes should be providing the required laboratory facilities. undertaken surrounding the beels (lakes), ponds and canal areas. References . Fisheries rules and regulations should be updated and strictly followed. Bhuiyan, A.S., Islam, M.N and T. Hossain. 1992. . Fine-filter methods should be followed to A checklist of the fishes of Rajshahi. conserve most endangered species and also Rajshahi Univ. Stud. 20:287-306. the most crucial areas of the beel (lake). Haque, A.K.M.F. 1976. Birds of Rajshahi . Public and private participation should be University Campus. Bangladesh J. Zool.4 ensured in the integrated and sustainable (2): 125-127.

natural resources management. Dotto, S.K., Hossain, M.A. and A.N. Chowdhury. | . Stop the killing of the wild vertebrate animals. 2005. Animal Diversity (in Bengali). Mollik . Prohibit the entry of predatory animals and Brothers, 42 BanglaBazar,Dhaka.766 pp. hunters. Haque, M.A. 1998. An observation on the fish . Stop the capture and export of animals. fry of the river Padma near Rajshahi. . Set up a committee on vertebrate diversity and M.Phil Thesis, I. B. Sc. Rajshahi Univ. 215+5 survey. pp. . Reintroduce the rare/endangered animals in Hossain, M.A. 2004. Biodiversity conservation the forest. and the Zoologists. 14th Biennial National . Make new laws for protection of the wild Conference, Zool. Soc. Bangladesh, Dhaka. vertebrate animals of Bangladesh. 26-27 February, 2004. . Conserve the wild vertebrate animals by Husain, K.Z. 1974. An introduction to the dividing the forest into many parts. wildlife of Bangladesh. F. Ahmad Publishing . Make management of water bodies more Co., Dhaka. 88 pp. efficient and extend the fishery sanctuary. IUCN Bangladesh. 2000. Red List of Threatened Amphibians and Reptiles of Conclusion Bangladesh. IUCN The World Conservation Union, 12:95 pp. Conservation of animals is part of the complex IUCN Bangladesh. 2000. Red List of relationship among people, resources, environment Threatened Birds of Bangladesh. IUCN and development. The present research is not The World Conservation Union, 12:116 pp. obviously exclusive and is not sufficient to give a IUCN Bangladesh. 2000. Red List of clear knowledge about the vertebrates of Lalpur Threatened Fishes of Bangladesh. IUCN Sub-district. Continuous long term projects are The World Conservation Union, 12:116 pp. needed to give a good knowledge on the vertebrate IUCN Bangladesh. 2000. Red List of biodiversity of the study area, as in other parts. Threatened Mammals of Bangladesh. The worldwide changing environment has been IUCN The World Conservation Union, 12:71 producing detrimental effects on both the biotic pp. and abiotic components of the environment. This Khan, M.A.R. 1982. Wildlife of Bangladesh (A has a direct impact on biodiversity. Concerted checklist). The University of Dhaka. 80 pp. efforts both by the public and private sectors are Khan, M.M.H. 2008. Protected Areas of Bangladesh – A Guide to Wildlife.

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| Nishorgo Program, Bangladesh Forest UNEP. 1995. Global Biodiversity Assessment. Department, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Annex 6, Glossary. ISBN 0-521-56481-6, Odum, E.P. 1971. Fundamentals of Ecology (3rd used as source by “Biodiversity”, Glossary of edn). Saunders College Publishing, terms related to the CBD, Belgian Clearing- Philadelphia, USA. 574pp. House Mechanism. Retrieved 2006-04-26. Rahman, A.K.A. 1989. Freshwater fishes of (www. Google. com). Downloaded on 14th Bangladesh. Zool. Soc. Bangladesh.15:1- January, 2014. 364 Shafi, M. and M.A. Quddus. 1982. Bangladesher Author’s address: Department of Zoology, Matshya Sampad (Fisheries Resources University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi-6205, of Bangladesh) (in Bengali). Bangla BANGLADESH Academy. Dhaka. 444 pp.

ANNUAL MIGRATION OF THE GANGETIC DOLPHIN AND THE FISH TENUALOSA (HILSA) ILISHA: CORRELATION OR COINCIDENCE? A REPORT FROM THE BARAK RIVER OF ASSAM, INDIA by Muhamamed Khairujjaman Mazumder

Introduction Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), thereby enjoying maximum legal protection in India. he Gangetic dolphin, Platanista gangetica Tgangetica Roxburgh 1801, is an obligate The Barak river is the second largest river of north- freshwater cetacean inhabiting the major river east India, and has several tributaries and two systems of India, Nepal and Bangladesh, the most distributaries: the Surma and Kushiyara, which important being the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Megna altogether comprise the Barak River system, which (GBM) and Kalni-Kushiyara river systems is a part of the GBM. Choudhury (1997) reported (Anderson,1879; Sinha and Kannan, 2014). It is the occurrence of the dolphin in this river system,

Annual migration of the Gangetic dolphin and the fish Tenualos (Hilsa) ilisha: Correlation or coincidence? (Hilsa) ilisha: Correlation Annual migration of the Gangetic dolphin and the fish Tenualos the top predator of these rivers and feeds on while a recent distribution map can be found in | different fishes and invertebrates. The global Choudhury (2013). Some important studies on the population of the animal in the 2000s was barely dolphins of the Barak river include Singha et al. 3,526 (Sinha and Kannan, 2014). The decline in (2010; 2013), Mazumder et al. (2014). However, the population has been attributed to habitat no article deals with the annual dolphin migration, destruction due to the construction of dams and which is a quite essential parameter in formulating barrages, pollution, siltation, prey fish depletion, conservation action plans and their accidental kills in fishing gears and deliberate implementation. The present article highlights the poaching (Sinha and Kannan, 2014; Mazumder et findings of the author on the seasonal migration al., 2014; Singha et al., 2010; 2013). In 1996, of the dolphin in the Barak river system. IUCN revised the status of the animal from vulnerable to endangered. The Government of Methodology Assam declared the animal as the ‘State Aquatic Animal’ in 1999, while the Government of India The findings presented here include both primary declared it as the ‘National Aquatic Animal’ in and secondary sources. A literature search on the 2010. The animal is included in Schedule I of the dolphins of the Barak river as well as the other Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and habitats was done, while interviews with local Appendix I of the Convention on International fishermen, people living on the riverside and some

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elderly people was conducted. Further information Conclusion Tenualos fish the and dolphin Gangetic the of migration Annual Correlation ilisha: (Hilsa) coincidence? or morning hours when the dolphins are easily sighted. The present article highlights that migration of the fish Tenualosa (Hilsa) ilisha is a key determinant Results and discussion in the seasonal migration of the Gangetic dolphin. The dolphin follows the fish in the early monsoon The study revealed that more dolphins visit the to move upstream. However, it is probable that Barak river as well as its tributaries in years when the dolphins don’t follow T. ilisha while migrating. more Tenualosa (Hilsa) ilisha visit the river. T. Nevertheless, it may be stated with certainty that ilisha is an anadromous fish that visits these rivers the seasonal migratory preference of both these from the Bay of Bengal to spawn during the early species is quite similar: both migrate upstream in monsoon showers (March-May). It has been the early monsoon and retreat in the post- observed that the dolphins follow this prey fish monsoon. However, the fish returns to the sea and migrate upstream in the Barak river as well and the dolphin retreats to the main river channel, as its tributaries. Moreover, during high floods, the or at most, the brackish waters. Thus, the present migrations of T. ilisha as well as dolphins have article reveals a trend in the seasonal migration of been reported to be greater, thereby indicating a the dolphin in the Barak river system, which has correlation between the two. The dolphin retreats implications in the conservation of the species as downstream in the post-monsoon (September) well as the fish. season, and the dry season between October and March is spent in the main channel of the Barak Acknowledgements river or downstream (in Kalni-Kusiyara, Surma, Megna and Padma rivers of Bangladesh). In The author acknowledges Mr. Abdur Rahim recent years, the migration of T. ilisha has Mazumder, Mr. Z.M. Badruzzaman Mazumder, tremendously declined due to over-fishing in the Mr. Gias Uddin Barbhuiya, Mr. Badruzzaman rivers of Bangladesh, as the species has a very Barbhuiya, Mr. Saifur Rahman Laskar, Mr. high market value in India and Bangladesh Shamil Emonar Rahman Laskar, Mr. Ahmed (Mazumder et al., 2014). A similar decline in the Razaul Karim Choudhury, Mr. Taher Ahmed, migration of the dolphins has also been observed Mr. Biprojit Das, Mr. Joynal Uddin, Mr. Ahad (Mazumder et al., 2014; Singha et al., 2013). It Hussain Mazumder and Mr. Hussain Ahmed seems that the range of T. ilisha has shrunk from for providing valuable information. the upstream region of the Barak river, and likewise the dolphin’s, which has been extirpated References from the upstream parts of the Barak river (Mazumder et al., 2014; Singha et al., 2013). Choudhury, A. 1997. Checklist of the Mammals | of Assam. 2nd ed. Gibbon Books (Assam, Moreover, the downstream retreat of the dolphins India) with ASTE Council (Guwahati, Assam, is the least observed. This may be due to two India). factors. First, the dolphins may be poached in the Choudhury, A. 2013. The Mammals of North upstream areas that are mostly inhabited by tribal East India. 1st ed. Gibbon Books (Guwahati, people who consume the meat as well as oil of Assam) and the Rhino Foundation for Nature this species (Choudhury 2013; Mazumder et al., in North East India (Guwahati, Assam). 2014). Second, while moving upstream against the Mazumder, MK, Boro, F, Barbhuiya, B and U. monsoon’s speedy river current, the overall speed Singha. 2014. A Study of the winter of the dolphins will be lesser. Again, as this congregation sites of the Gangetic River migration is more energy consuming, the dolphins Dolphin in southern Assam, India, with need to surface more, thereby making them an reference to conservation. Global Ecol easy sight. On the contrary, in the post-monsoon, Conserv 2: 359-366. when dolphins move downstream along the water Singha, T.P., Dutta, B.K. and S.P. Biswas. 2013. current, they can move with more speed. The status of the Ganges River Dolphin Platanista gangetica gangetica in the river

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| Barak, Assam, India. J Bombay Nat Hist India. AMBIO [DOI 10.1007/s13280-014- Soc 110(2): 129-134. 0534-7]. Anderson, J. 1879. Anatomical and Zoological Singha, T.P., Dutta, B.K. and S.P. Biswas. 2010. Researches: Comprising an Account of Endangered River Dolphin Platanista Zoological Results of the Two gangetica gangetica Roxburgh 1801 and Expeditions to Western Yunnan in 1868 their threatened habitat in the River and 1875; and a Monograph of the Two Barak. Assam Univ. J. Sci. Technol. 6(I) Cetacean Genera, Platanista and Orcella 75-81. [sic]. Bernard Quaritch, London. Sinha, R.K. and K. Kannan. 2014. Ganges River Author’s address: Centre for Environmental Dolphin: An Overview of Biology, Studies, Uday Group Of Institutions, Ecology, and Conservation Status in Hailakandi, Assam, India. PIN: 788155; e- mail: [email protected]

Some notes on Rat snake (Ptyas mucosa)

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SOMES NOTES ON RAT SNAKE (Ptyas mucosa) by Raza H. Tehsin

Rat Snake (Ptyas mucosa) preying on a piglet and entered the large drain from our lane which (Sus scrofa domesticus) opens in the nullah with its prey and disappeared from our sight. n our residential compound at Panchwati, IUdaipur in Rajasthan, there were seven resident I think this is the first recorded instance of a rat snakes. Four of them were caught and identified snake preying on a piglet. as rat snakes (Ptyas mucosa). We marked them for identification and released them again. One of Rat Snake (Ptyas mucosa) scratching with the rat snakes measured 10 feet 7 inches. bamboo leaf

On 11 September 2014 at about 0900 hours the n 1 Sep 2014 at 1100 hours one of the rat excess water of Lake Pichola was released. The Osnakes marked by us was sitting coiled up nullah which carries this excess water flows beneath a bamboo clump in our residential adjoining the boundary of our garden. Several city compound. It was holding a dry leaf of bamboo pigs (Sus scrofa dosmeticus) feeding inside the from the middle in its mouth. Sometimes it would nullah were washed away with the released water turn left and scratch its side with the leaf by moving and swam with the current, trying in vain to get its head up and down and then it would turn left out. Two small piglets came along with the water and scratch the other side. near our boundary, their snouts out of the water. The largest snake we had measured came I observed it for 10 minutes by my watch. And swimming against the current and caught hold of then it slithered away. one of the piglets’ head. It carried away the piglet

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Vol. 28: No. 4 2014

TEN YEARS SINCE THE INDIAN OCEAN TSUNAMI: PROGRESS IN MITIGATING IMPACTS OF NATURAL DISASTERS

Prepared by Simmathiri Appanah, Climate Change and Bioenergy Office (Acting)

As 2014 was coming to a close, many countries in To explore what the countries in the region have Asia marked the tenth anniversary of the Indian done to reduce their exposure to disasters, FAO Ocean tsunami that hit their coastal areas, resulting and the ASEAN Coordination Centre for in unprecedented loss of life and property. Merely Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster marking the occasion, solemn as it was, may not do Management (AHA Centre) jointly organized a enough justice for those who passed away. In the workshop on the occasion of the tenth aftermath of the tsunami, a call was made for anniversary of the tsunami – Increasing the countries to build their resilience to disasters. The resilience of agricultural livelihoods to natural lessons from the tsunami stressed that devastation disasters and extreme climate events 10 years could have been reduced in many countries with after the Indian Ocean Tsunami, held 24-25 prior investment in disaster risk reduction (including November 2014. The overall objective was to early warning systems) and capacity development. provide a platform for ASEAN countries to review achievements in disaster risk reduction in Considering tsunamis are rare, the Tsunami terms of sustainable agriculture, food security and Evaluation Coalition suggested that a more generic nutrition, and to discuss work that still requires disaster risk reduction would be the better approach. attention so as to increase resilience of livelihoods This resulted in the Hygo Framework for Action to disasters. The term disasters have been 2005-2015 “Building the resilience of nations and broadened to include impacts of climate change, communities to disasters”, which was adopted by and sustainable agriculture includes crops, 168 governments. It provides global guidance on livestock, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture, that disaster risk reduction for all sectors, and calls for are required for food security. Attention is given the capacities of countries and communities to be equally to conserving land, water, plant and animal developed in the following five areas: a) ensure that genetic resources, biodiversity and ecosystems, disaster risk reduction is a national and local priority and for enhancing resilience to climate change with a strong institutional basis for implementation; and natural disasters. b) identify, assess and monitor disaster risks and enhance early warning; c) use knowledge, innovation In the introduction at the workshop entitled and education to build a culture of safety and “Increasing resilience of livelihoods to threats and resilience at all levels; d) reduce underlying risk crises in the ASEAN Region,” it was pointed out factors; and e) strengthen disaster preparedness for that natural disasters are increasing worldwide, effective response at all levels. affecting people’s livelihoods and threatening food

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security and nutrition. Floods and earthquakes and fisheries sectors. They discussed practical feature prominently, and the impacts have resulted recommendations on how to further strengthen and both in loss of thousands of lives, and billions of move ahead the DRR/M agenda and actions, dollars worth of property as well as food crops. including links and collaboration mechanisms with Agriculture and other natural resources sectors are the wider national and regional DRRM systems. amongst the most affected sectors. The Asian region They reported on: a) governing risks and crises; b) is by far the most disaster-prone region in the world; preparing and responding to crises; c) watching to from 2000-2009, 70 percent of the world’s natural safeguard; and d) applying risk and vulnerability disaster events occurred in the Asia-Pacific region, measures. Each aspect is reviewed on the basis of and damage and losses in the agriculture sector in what is in place, what are the gaps and challenges, Asia in the last decade amounted to around $34 and recommended actions. billion. In the case of the forestry sector, the participants It was also pointed out that there is a need for a pointed out that the governance structures are in conceptual change in the way we respond to place, but leadership and capacity are lacking at disasters. From a previous focus on response, there the provincial levels. Other positive areas that have is a shift towards giving equal importance to multi- been developed include vulnerability assessments, hazard risk reduction pro-actively preventing and early warning systems, and management policies mitigating impacts of shocks. Resilience to threats and guidelines for forest protection. However, the and crises is now embedded into FAO’s wider countries are still held back from lack of development agenda for food and nutrition security. mechanisms and manpower to manage and FAO’s support to countries includes a plan of action monitor the entire forest estates, and early warning for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in Agriculture, systems are not linked to meteorological Compendium of Good Practice Options for DRR, information for effective and speedy action. etc. Positive developments can also be reported for vulnerability/risk measures, with activities that Several ASEAN countries (Cambodia, Lao PDR, include work on reforestation (including REDD+ Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand) projects), access/tenure rights, and forestry given presented their status of preparations for Disaster focus as a sector to support rural livelihoods. Risk Reduction/Mitigation (DRR/M) to natural Improvements are further needed with capacity disasters. These presentations covered the types of of actors, coordination among sectors, and natural hazards, losses and impacts of the losses (all ensuring the communities are part of the DRR/M hazards) for the main agricultural sectors (agriculture, plans. Research is further needed with anticipated forestry, fisheries and aquaculture) over the past 10 new risks. years. The countries also provided information on the key policies and legislation, development of early Several conclusions and recommendations came warning systems, and their preparedness, prevention out of the workshop. The conclusions covered and mitigation measures being developed. While the following: highlighting some of the good practices, the main . Natural disasters have significant impacts challenges were also pointed out. Overall, countries on the agriculture, forestry and fishery have not fully integrated the work and findings of all sectors in ASEAN countries. The Asia- the sectors, and there still remains a lack of Pacific region is among the most affected coordination. Technology is being adopted, but at a by natural hazards worldwide. slow pace. . Both major disaster events and the The participants also reported on the preparations regularly occurring small scale hazards that have been developed in the agriculture, forestry and disasters, which may not raise 2 Vol. 28: No. 4 2014 FOREST NEWS

international recognition, contribute o The dissemination, scaling up and equally to the losses in the agriculture, widespread use of effective tools forestry and fisheries sectors. and sector specific technologies for DRR, including improved . The increasing frequency of extreme access to the technologies by weather and climate events are posing a those most at risk and vulnerable, severe threat to people’s livelihoods. and . Good progress has been achieved in the o Proper understanding of ASEAN region over the past decade in priorities and needs of various designing/updating disaster risk reduction stakeholders particularly at local and management policies, strategies and levels. planning, and in establishing early warning systems. The workshop’s recommendations can be summarized as following: . Agriculture, fisheries and forestry need . Prioritize and actively work on regional to be in a position to produce more food and national policy processes related to for the growing world population. DRR/M of the key critical sectors. Sustainable policies and comprehensive planning to reduce the economic, social . Give priority to promoting pro-active risk and ecological impacts of disasters, as reduction strategies in the ASEAN well as adoption of sustainable measures region. and technologies for risk-sensitive . Promote capacity development for DRR/ production, and risk-sensitive sustainable M along with clear financial land, water, marine ecosystems and commitments. coastal zone planning and management are needed. . Address risk exposure and vulnerabilities of farmers, fishers and forest-dependent . Some of the essential requirements communities beyond natural hazards, identified to enhance and speed up the such as environmental and ecosystem mainstreaming of DRR for resilience degradation. include: . Promote and capacitate at local levels . Enhanced and cross sectoral planning known and new risk reduction frameworks for DRR, including the fine- technologies and practices to those most tuning of sector-specific DRR/M related at risk. policies, . Develop better synergy between DRR/ o Awareness raising and M and climate change adaptation (CCA) knowledge sharing, in terms of policies, investment plans, and o Cross sectoral collaboration and development programmes in the ASEAN coordination for implementation region. of DRR/M, . Implement efficient risk transfer o Strengthening of multidisciplinary mechanisms (e.g., insurance) to assist the partnerships and actors, farming communities. including public-private partnerships, . Strengthen/conduct vulnerability and risk assessments in agriculture sector to

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prioritize areas where DRRM support is . Clearly define, communicate and most needed. understand the organizational structure, accountability, roles and responsibilities, . Ensure that disaggregated agriculture, and lines of authority at all levels of forestry and fisheries data relevant for government in order to facilitate rapid and DRR are systematically collected in effective decision making. integrated databases, and made available at regional/national levels. As a follow-up, a proposal was made to report the findings of the workshop, including the . Support the elaboration of recommendations at the 3rd World Conference communication and awareness raising on Disaster Risk Reduction, Sendai City, Japan, strategies to promote DRR including in March 2015. agriculture, fisheries and forestry.

NEW SOFTWARE FOR MONITORING FOREST RESOURCES

Norway and FAO have signed a $4.5 million based” supercomputer instead. All downloading partnership agreement to improve the capacity and processing takes place elsewhere, in locations of developing countries to monitor and report on where connections are good and large amounts their forest resources and changes in forest area. of computing power is available. The project will facilitate countries’ access to earth observation data sources, including satellite “One of the important components here is the imagery, and develop an easy-to-use platform for creation of a user-friendly and efficient, cloud- processing and interpreting this data. based computing interface”, explains Tiina Vähänen, Deputy Director of FAO’s Forest “The new platform offers countries a set of Assessment, Management and Conservation efficient tools for monitoring changes in their forest Division. “The use of this interface will allow quick area and carbon stocks, and for developing access to remote sensing data as well as to high- sustainable forest management regimes”, said performance computing facilities, even in countries Eduardo Rojas-Briales, Assistant Director- with limited access to internet.” General of FAO’s Forestry Department. Vähänen also stressed that many users in Efficient tools for everyone developing countries had limited resources to buy licenses of proprietary software. “They often Gaining access to satellite imagery can be difficult simply do not have access to the tools they need. for users with poor internet connections, posing Open source software which was developed a serious challenge for natural resource managers under the FAO’s Open Foris Initiative and used in developing countries. Additionally, old, in this project is available for everyone without outdated computers process large-scale data very license costs and allows the end user to modify slowly. FAO’s new software aims to overcome the program to suit their purposes”, she added. these problems by avoiding the need to download images locally and by using a scalable, “cloud- From FAO News Release 13 April 2015 4 Vol. 28: No. 4 2014 FOREST NEWS

SIXTH WORLD PARKS CONGRESS - PARKS, PEOPLE, PLANET: INSPIRING SOLUTIONS

The Sixth World Parks Congress was convened . ensuring sustainability of harvesting levels and 12-19 November 2014, in Sydney. The event techniques by promoting more effective was attended by more than 5,000 participants resources monitoring, clarifying tenure and from governments and public agencies, access rights to protected areas resources, international organizations, the private sector, recognizing traditional and indigenous academic and research institutions, non- knowledge related to resource utilization, and governmental organizations, and community and establishing appropriate regulations governing indigenous organizations. IUCN leads the the harvest and utilization of protected area organizing of the Congress once each decade to resources and implementing effective take stock of the state of protected areas, enforcement of such regulations; appraise progress and setbacks, and define the agenda for protected areas for the next decade. . organizing and capacitating collectors, farmers and local managers; The objectives of the Congress were to: . find better and fairer ways to conserve natural . increasing the value of protected area and cultural diversity, involving governments, resources through value-added processing; businesses and citizens in establishing and managing parks; . enhancing market access and strengthening marketing positions through certification . inspire people around the world and across (including organic certification and geographic generations to reconnect with nature; and identification labels, where appropriate) and better organization and capacity development . demonstrate nature’s solutions to our planet’s for local collectors, farmers and small challenges such as climate change, health, protected area dependent businesses; and food, and water security. . protecting against “elite capture” and Participants were urged to address the following managing potential conflicts among local broad areas of concern related to protected areas: people. reaching conservation goals; responding to climate change; improving health and well-being; The main outcome document of the World Parks supporting human life; reconciling development Congress was the “Promise of Sydney.” The challenges; enhancing diversity and quality of document seeks to demonstrate that protected governance; respecting indigenous and traditional areas constitute valuable investments in the knowledge and culture; and inspiring a new planet’s biodiversity resources, and to accelerate generation to support conservation. implementation of innovative approaches to FAO was a co-organizer of the Stream on ensure that this investment is successful. The “Supporting human life.” The session concluded document seeks to engage and leverage all sectors that protected areas indeed do serve as important of society to demonstrate the value of protected sources of food and income for local people and areas to humanity, transform policies and spur that there were many opportunities to enhance action. these benefits through the following:

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STRENGTHENING FOREST TENURE FOR SECURING LIVELIHOODS AND GENERATING INCOME

Most of the countries in Asia and the Pacific are TCP will be built on previous and existing work struggling to address issues related to forest tenure. of FAO related to this topic including various Inadequate regulatory frameworks and lack of awareness raising programmes conducted in the institutional capacity are the major issues in the past, training on tenure and governance based forestry sector in Asia, including in Cambodia, on the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Nepal and Vietnam. These are the three pilot Governance of Tenure (VGGT), training on countries for this Technical Cooperation conflict management, etc. Programme (TCP) of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). To kick start the implementation of the TCP a regional inception workshop was held 11-12 Improving livelihoods of forest-dependent February in Kathmandu, Nepal, co-hosted by communities is important in the context of poverty the Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation reduction efforts, enhancing food security and (MOFSC). sustainable management of forest resources. In order to achieve improved livelihoods for those Objectives people, one of the main barriers is the lack of clear, strong, and secure tenure. The policy and The regional inception workshop brought legal framework to ensure access to forest together stakeholders from relevant sectors such resources and land is often inadequate and/or as land and environment, to discuss and exchange poorly implemented. Recognizing this challenge information and share experiences on the FAO, together with the governments of pilot following topics: countries in collaboration with CSOs, . Status, trends, challenges and future development partners, research and capacity outlook of forest tenure in Asia in building institutions, and other relevant actors is particular and how they relate to implementing this TCP to help formulate future livelihoods of forest dependent actions to address the issues associated with communities; tenure policies and institutional capacity at the . Programmes to enhance the livelihoods national level. of forest-dependent communities; and . Future actions that need to be designed The main purpose of the TCP is to strengthen and implemented to strengthen forest regulatory and policy frameworks on forest tenure tenure so as to improve the livelihoods as well as the institutional capacity in the pilot of those communities. countries to address tenure issues. The ultimate beneficiaries are forest-dependent communities Key discussion and themes discussed whose livelihoods and income depend on their access and use of forest resources. In the long In addition to the formal opening ceremony, the run those communities are expected to have more workshop consisted of four technical sessions: secure and stronger forest tenure rights as a key 1. Country presentions from Cambodia, prerequisite for ensuring the contribution of forests Nepal, Indonesia and Vietnam to their livelihoods and income. Activities of this

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2. International experiences (international/ opportunities for them to generate income from regional trends and global reasearch of forest-based activities and at the same time CIFOR) promoting gender equity and equality. Policy 3. Lessons learned from selected environment and capacity building were programmes (FECOFUN, NTFP-EP, considered to be important elements in the whole IUCN and the Multi-stakeholder reform process. Forestry Programme Nepal) 4. Identification of key activities of the TCP. As part of the TCP implementation, four major outputs will be advanced through specific Country presentations provided specific acivities at country level in each pilot country: information and lessons learned in each country . Status, progress and gaps in forest tenure regarding, e.g., current status, trends and progress policies in pilot countries are assessed on forest tenure policies and regulation, issues based on principles and guidelines and challenges related to forest tenure policies, provided by the VGGT. relation between tenure policies and livelihoods/ . Action plan to strengthen forest tenure income of local communities, current policy gaps policies in pilot countries are developed, and areas for improvement/endorsement. promoted, and implemented using VGGT as guidelines The international and regional context of tenure . Capacity development needs to reform was also discussed where progress, trends strengthen forest tenure in pilot countries and key achievements in different regions (Asia, are assessed based on principles and Africa and Latin America) to date were described. guidelines provided by the VGGT Voluntary Guidelines (VGGT) were cited as . Targeted capacity development providing an important framework in the reform programmes to strengthen forest tenure process that can be used by countries in in pilot countries are conducted improving the governance of tenure. Selected initiatives on how to advance tenure reform were Recommendations/next steps shared, e.g., a recent Constitutional Court Ruling (Indonesia), Communal Land Titling (Lao PDR), In pilot countries the following are proposed as Indigenous Land Right Act (Philippines), immediate activities in the next months: Collective Forests (China), and leasehold and . Hold a national multi-stakeholder community forest (Nepal). Global research by inception workshop to further refine the CIFOR that focuses on Indonesia, Uganda, Peru, action plan for the implementation of the Nepal, DRC and Equador was shared with the TCP. objective to understand how tenure reforms . Conduct a policy review to assess the emerge, the impacts of tenure reform, and current status of forest tenure, identify constraints and lessons learned. gaps and develop an action plan to address those gaps. The VGGT Furthermore, specific programmes related to framework should be used to inform the tenure and livelihoods from FECOFUN, NTFP- process of policy review. EP, IUCN and the Multi-stakeholder Forestry . Conduct an institutional capacity building Programme Nepal were shared and discussed. needs assessment. The VGGT What became clear was that those programmes framework should be used to inform the have common objectives such as the importance process of CBNA. of clarifying tenure rights, helping forest- dependent communities to have more secure access to forest resources, providing better 7 FOREST NEWS Vol. 28: No. 4 2014

GREEiNSECT

A study tour for 26 participants was organized The study tour was highly appreciated by the and supported under the Danish-funded participants, giving them valuable insights into the “GREEiNSECT: Insects for Green Economy” thriving edible insect sector in Thailand. project to observe activities in Thailand related Considering that Thailand is highly advanced in to edible insects. Participants came from this sector relative to other countries, participants Australia, Belgium, Cambodia, Canada, gained valuable exposure and inspiration with Denmark, Ethiopia, Italy, Kenya, Mexico, respect to the potential for development of the Netherlands, Thailand, Togo, Uganda, and the sector in their own countries. U.S.A. Some observations with respect to recent The overall aim of the GREEiNSECT project is developments in edible insects in Thailand include to investigate the potential of edible insects as a the following: tool for developing a new, sustainable component . While insect farming has become a major of the food and feed sector in Kenya, and to business for thousands of Thai farmers, there contribute to a transition toward a greener is still a brisk demand for insects collected from economy. The GREEiNSECT project is funded the wild, including large volumes that are by €1.2 million from the Danish International imported by Thailand from neighboring Development Agency (Danida) and includes 10 countries. public and private sector partners from 6 . Insect farming in Thailand is concentrated on countries, including Khon Kaen University, only a small number of insect species; many Thailand. FAO collaborates informally with the popular insect species still cannot be farmed GREEiNSECT project to provide data, effectively due to complex breeding and information and communications and technology management requirements and high costs. support. . The insect farming sector appears to be consolidating in Thailand, with more large Recognizing the leadership of Thailand in the area farms emerging and better organization of of edible insects, the GREEiNSECT project smaller farmers through informal associations. organized the study tour to Thailand during 23- . Insect farms (both small- and large-scale) are 27 February 2015. The study tour included far better managed now than in past years, general sessions in Bangkok on Thailand’s with greater attention to hygiene, good development and FAO’s activities in the Asia- management practices, and improved Pacific region related to edible insects (the latter efficiency. presented by the reporting officer during a visit . Progressive farmers are well-versed in the by the group to the FAO Regional Office for Asia risks of diseases and in-breeding, and are and the Pacific), and field visits in Khon Kaen, taking adequate precautions against these which focused on cricket farms, cricket problems, including alternating the cricket processing and marketing, silkworm production, species farmed between Acheta domesticus business incubation, product development and and Gryllus bimaculatus and regularly diversification, the OTOP (One Tambon – One injecting new breeding stock into their Product) approach to local product development operations. and marketing, and youth education related to . More efficient insect farms are soon likely to edible insects (“Edible Insect Club” of Khon Kaen force less-efficient operations from the sector. University). While the continuing strong demand for insects

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currently allows less-efficient farmers to practices, higher end markets and export continue operating for the time being, this is buyers will undoubtedly demand more anticipated to change in the coming years. stringent practices in the future. . The major cost of insect farming operations . Entrepreneurs are rapidly emerging on the remains the cost of feed; while various efforts scene, mainly focusing on high-end markets are being made to reduce feed costs, this is and processed insect products (cricket likely to remain an obstacle to further reducing powder, packaged insect snacks, etc.); some overall costs. entrepreneurs are backed with significant . The farm gate price of farmed edible insects investment in the millions of dollars. is exhibiting a decline (from Baht 100-150/kg . While the export sector is still opaque, a few years ago to Baht 75-110/kg today), particularly due to the lack of regulatory clarity perhaps reflecting early indications that supply in the European Union, several entrepreneurs may now be catching up with market demand. are finding creative ways to exploit ambiguity . Anecdotal evidence indicates that Thailand is in the regulations and insects probably importing far more edible insects than previously recognized, including large Recommendations: volumes of silkworm pupae from China. . FAO should support, to the extent possible, . In a reversal of trade patterns, Thailand is now additional work related to food safety exporting farmed crickets to Lao PDR as a standards and good practice standards/ result of lower production costs (mainly feed) protocols for both farmed and collected edible in Thailand. insects. . Improvements in the initial processing and . Additional work in documenting the trade of transport of insects are still required to edible insects is required, particularly in enhance food safety and hygiene; while local support of CODEX initiatives related to edible markets appear to be content with the current insects.

FORESTRY AND CLIMATE CHANGE EXPERTS MEET IN BANGKOK TO PAVE THE ROAD TO PARIS

Prepared by Simmathiri Appanah, Climate Change and Bioenergy Officer (Acting), FAO-RAP

While the ‘road to Paris’ may evoke some The background to the Bangkok Meeting is the excitement, in reality a meeting of foresters and 20th Conference of Parties (COP20) of the climate change experts in Bangkok raised tough United Nations Climate Change Conference and unyielding questions on the role of forests in 2014 that was held in Lima, Peru, 1-12 December climate change and how to ensure the needs of 2014. Lima was expected to be an important the developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region stepping stone to the 2015 agreement at the are reflected adequately in the anticipated climate COP21 in Paris. Since 2010, FAO and change agreement to be articulated in Paris RECOFTC have jointly organized annual expert towards the end of 2015. consultations on forests and climate change to 9 FOREST NEWS Vol. 28: No. 4 2014

assess the potential implications of the outcomes implementation of REDD+. Many developed of the UNFCCC COPs for the Asia-Pacific countries and civil society organizations were region. The post-COP20 or post-Lima in favour of additional guidance and most consultation was organized in Bangkok, Thailand, developing countries were in favour of no 24-25 February 2015, with added support from further guidance at this stage. No consensus the ASEAN Regional Knowledge Network on was reached on this point. Regarding the Forests and Climate Change (ARKN-FCC). matter of financing, the central issue for Over 23 negotiators and experts from 19 countries in Asia and the Pacific remains countries in the Asia-Pacific region met to: a) access to funds for activities under the discuss and reflect upon key issues raised during REDD+ readiness phase. COP20 in Lima of interest to forest and climate . Q3: What implications will the Intended change stakeholders; and b) discuss and debate Nationally Determined Contributions on some of the key issues expected to be taken (INDCs) have for the forest sector and up at COP21 in Paris, so stakeholders can begin REDD+? to strategize on how the region’s priorities, views INDCs will be a key part of the new legal and concerns can be reflected in the 2015 instrument that will underpin any agreement agreement. made at COP21 in Paris. The pledges will also be used by the UNFCCC to calculate Following the opening remarks by the heads of the potential impact of the combined actions the organizing agencies, an overview of the of all Parties under a new agreement, thus outcomes from COP20 and the anticipated indicating the scale of global ambition to agreement for post-2020 was given. This formed address climate change. Forest sector the basis for subsequent panel discussions on a stakeholders, including national governments, number of issues, as following: forest-dependent communities, the forest . Q1: Was the COP20 in Lima a success? industry, consumers of forest products and Countries have agreed to publicly commit to forestry professionals, are generally in favour taking specific actions to achieve the central of including forest-related actions within objective of the United Nations Framework national INDCs. Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), . Q4: How will REDD+ figure in the namely stabilizing greenhouse gas (GHG) considerations of broader land-use issues? concentrations in the atmosphere at a level Although the Warsaw Framework for that would prevent dangerous interference REDD+ (WFR) already indicates that the with the climate system. These pledges are new global agreement will include a dedicated known as Intended Nationally Determined REDD+ component, some Parties are keen Contributions (INDCs). COP20 also to see REDD+ as a multi-sector, landscape- produced the “Lima Call for Climate Action,” level set of diversified actions for climate which reinforced the principle of “common change mitigation and adaptation. The forest but differentiated” responsibilities and sector differs from one country to another. respective capabilities. The complexity of binding such diverse . Q2: What happened in Lima that was countries to globally standardized relevant to forestry? methodologies may discourage many For many negotiators, the progress made at technicians and policymakers from COP19, specifically the development of the implementing such a scheme. Any global- Warsaw Framework for REDD+ was level guidance on such a mechanism would considered sufficient until COP21, with the need to be at a very general level because exceptions of safeguards and financing in the

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national implementation would be tailored to countries’ NFMS. Dozens of bilateral specific national circumstances. agreements on cooperation in the fields of . Q5: What challenges remain in financing environment and forestry already exist. of forest-based climate change . Q8: Do developing countries need mechanism? additional guidance on safeguards? Issues relating to finance are now mainly Many developed countries and civil society centered on the dispersal of funds under the organizations were in favour of additional Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the guidance and most developing countries were deliberations of the Standing Committee on in favour of no further guidance at this stage. Finance (SCF). The GCF gets its mandate No consensus was reached on this point. from the UNFCCC and must function within Discussions will start again at the next meeting the bounds set by the COP decisions. of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Funding pledges from Parties to the GCF are Technological Advice (SBSTA) in June. from public finance. But solely relying on . Q9: Are Non-Carbon Benefits (NCBs) still public funding is considered inadequate and relevant in the UNFCCC discussion on thus the GCF is expected to be supplemented REDD+? by private finance in the future. NCBs should be defined in the national . Q6: What progress will be made on Forest context before identifying whether and how Reference (Emission) Levels in the region they can be incentivized through REDD+ or over the coming year? other climate change-related initiatives. NCBs In Asia and the Pacific, Nepal is setting sub- may be understood as a logical extension to national FRELs/FRLs as part of its proposal the concept of REDD+ safeguards. The to the Carbon Fund under the Forest Carbon benefits inherent in NCBs go beyond just Partnership Facility (FCPF). Indonesia has protecting against negative impacts and also drafted a sub-national FREL for the through the active generation of additional Carbon Fund and a national FREL that is benefits. Regardless of whether NCBs are ready for submission to the UNFCCC, plus linked with safeguards, the recognition and several additional sub-national FREL/FRLs description of the range of potential benefits through other initiatives. Malaysia is the first of REDD+ initiatives may make engagement country in the region to submit its FREL/FRL in REDD+ more compelling for forest-based to the UNFCCC and is the first country in communities. the world to base their submission on . Q10: What potential is there for Joint sustainable management of forests (SMF). Mitigation and Adaptation (JMA) Several more countries in the region, programs in the forest sector to be including Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Nepal reflected in a Post-2020 Agreement? and Vietnam are likely to make submissions Some effort was made in Lima to raise the before the end of the year. profile and importance of climate change . Q7: How can regional and international adaptation in the negotiations, at least to the knowledge exchange help in the same level of priority of mitigation. However, development of National Forest the support for a Joint Mitigation and Monitoring Systems (NFMS) for REDD+? Adaptation mechanism, or lack thereof, There is a high level of human and institutional appeared to be region-specific to Asia and resources in the Asia-Pacific region that can the Pacific. Separate provisions for REDD+ facilitate quick and relatively low-cost (with safeguards) and for the inclusion of the capacity development across the region to forest sector in National Adaptation Plans of help set up and strengthen Asia-Pacific Action (NAPAs) may be a more practical

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strategy than a JMA for many Parties and is quite new, with no past experiences to fall back observers of the negotiations. upon, country governments are encouraged to: . Q11: Can we expect a credible agreement . Undertake intensive capacity building of its in Paris? If not, what will this mean for legislative, judicial and executive arms in the progress to date on REDD+? relevant aspects of the role of forests in climate There is already enough basic guidance change mitigation and adaptation; available regarding methodologies for . Reorient and retrain the implementing safeguards, results-based payments, departments and research organizations to reference emission levels, and measurement, equip them to meet the new challenges; and reporting and verification. Overall the current . Enhance coordination among research and situation bodes well for REDD+ and for all implementing organizations to address the forest-based interventions under a new administrative, financial and legal bottlenecks climate agreement. As long as local that limit implementation of climate change- communities’ needs and concerns are related activities. effectively met and safeguarded, and the trade-offs between mitigation and adaptation The experts also made observations on the successfully navigated, this consensus is likely potential for multilateral and bilateral public and to last until Paris. private institutions in Asia-Pacific with cross- country responsibilities to collaborate on climate The panellists and the participants provided change issues. considerable inputs to the above questions. Admittedly, there wasn’t uniform agreement in The Meeting encouraged intra-regional all cases; interpretations of many of the cooperation by holding of appropriate forums, approaches still remain unclear, and these debates sharing of best practices and lessons learnt among are likely to flow into the COP21 discussions in the countries, and coordinating joint efforts to Paris. Nonetheless, the general advice is for access funds. country governments to identify domestic institutions and experts who can help articulate The Meeting also made specific recommendations their views and needs at the global summit. A on emerging technical issues relating to forestry summary of the responses to the key questions and climate change which are anticipated to will be published soon – it is expected to be receive considerable attention in the Paris summit designed so as to be simple and accessible to all and the agreement beyond 2020. They include: stakeholders in the region, especially those not the role of forests in INDCs, climate financing, directly involved in the COP negotiations. national forest inventory and monitoring systems, forest reference emission levels, safeguards, non- The panel discussions set the stage for group carbon benefits, etc. The Meeting recommended discussions on “What kind of strategies and the organizing agencies to provide additional approaches should the countries in Asia-Pacific support to strengthen the capacities of national employ as part of the process to support agencies in the region so they are better equipped equitable and inclusive green growth in the forestry to both negotiate in international summits as well sector in the context of climate change?” as implement aspects of the agreements in their Recognizing that the challenge of climate change countries.

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EU FLEGT WEEK: STAKEHOLDERS DISCUSS PROGRESS AND LOOK TO THE FUTURE

By Coline Seyller, Bruno Cammaert, Robert Simpson (EU FAO FLEGT Programme)

Some 300 stakeholders – from European Union though FLEGT licenses have yet to be issued – a representatives to governments, civil society, requirement to export legal timber into the private sector, NGOs and experts – gathered at European Union – progress was witnessed in the annual FLEGT week in Brussels last month most VPA countries. to discuss progress on key topics such as forest governance, private sector engagement, drivers The Action Plan mobilized several financial and of deforestation and tracking timber legality. technical resources to complement those from Participants contributed to setting new targets for timber-producing countries. Robert Simpson, the coming years, including the creation of 1 synergies between FLEGT and other initiatives, Manager of the EU FAO FLEGT Programme , and encouraging the private sector to participate remarked that these collective actions supported in the legal and sustainable timber trade. a variety of initiatives by stakeholders from national governments, NGOs and the private “What was just an EU initiative without partner sector, and were working together to address countries is now a global alliance” said Andy forest governance in a holistic way. Roby, Forest Advisor, at the opening session. Participants came from more than 50 countries – But challenges remain and FLEGT alone cannot including 30 southern countries and 15 Voluntary address them all. Drawing on lessons from the Partnership Agreement (VPA) countries; 20 past 12 years, stakeholders identified a set of percent of the participants were from the private priorities for the coming years: sector. . Better integration of the private sector. Private sector and in particular Small and Reflecting on the past 12 years, most participants Medium Enterprises (SMEs) should be at the agreed that there have been some successes, center of any initiative aiming at improving although implementation has been slower than forest management and governance. Roberto expected. Six countries have formally signed a Ridolfi (European Commission) highlighted VPA with the European Union, nine other countries are negotiating VPAs, and a few others the importance of establishing a strengthened such as Cambodia and Myanmar are preparing coalition of actors committed to eliminating negotiations. VPAs have helped countries address illegal timber trade. Specific funding governance issues, increase participation and instruments are needed to support the efforts transparency and start legislative reforms. Even of the private sector: reducing capital and production costs (conflict, corruption, capital) and increasing timber prices were identified as some of the solutions. 1 http://www.fao.org/forestry/eu-flegt/

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. Focus on the forest conversion issue. As The FLEGT (Forest Law Enforcement, one audience member noted, most illegal Governance and Trade) Action Plan logging currently comes from conversion of was agreed in 2003 by the Eu rop ean

forests to agriculture. The FLEGT Action Union to address the presence of Plan instruments can be used to help address illegal timber in global markets and stop it from entering the Eu rop ean illegal conversion timber by framing land-use market. The Action Plan consists of policies in green growth strategies at the support for timber‐producing national level, linking FLEGT and REDD+ countries, efforts to develop policies, encouraging public-private multilateral collaboration to combat partnerships and broadening the scope of the trade in illegally harvested timber, VPAs. development of Voluntary Partnership Agreements, public procurement policy, private sector initiatives, . Increased synergies. Synergies can be measures to avoid investment in created at various levels. For instance, using activities which encourage illegal practical experience of certification standards logging and conflict timber. Since its such as the Forest Stewardship Council implementation, partner organiz‐ (FSC) in implementing traceability schemes ations, NGOs and experts brought could be useful for VPA countries. FLEGT their support to the Action Plan and contributed to strengthen partner‐ and REDD+ interactions should also be ships with timber‐exporting countries. considered as they both seek to address challenges of land conversion, stakeholder So urce: EU FLEGT Action Plan, engagement and governance. But synergies http://www.euflegt.efi.int/document s/10180/23398/FLEGT+Action+Plan/3 also mean greater cooperation with other c0cfca1‐1503‐458a‐9d05‐ institutions and countries on the demand-side. 1717bf226e23 Closer cooperation among EU, Australia, China, Japan, USA and other consumer markets is needed to reduce trade in illegal timber more effectively at the global level. FLEGT Week. But “realizing an ambition takes . Better integration of domestic markets. time and sustained commitment,” said Bernard The domestic timber markets in tropical Crabbé (EC) at the beginning of the Week. Now countries are often bigger than export timber that challenges and solutions have been identified, markets, so a narrow focus of FLEGT on it is hoped that the FLEGT Action Plan will only the export market would risk being continue to enhance progress towards more ineffective. Continued attention to domestic sustainably managed forests, by improving market reforms, in particular support to governance and legal frameworks, meeting the smallholders and producers, is needed. needs of small scale operators and addressing the impacts of other land use sectors on forests. Reinforcing the link with the climate change agenda, streamlining processes and keeping For further information, please contact Bruno systems simple yet solid and strengthening Cammaert (FAO Regional Office for Asia and implementation of EU Timber Regulation were the Pacific): [email protected] also among the recommendations. Sources Is FLEGT worth the effort? Reflecting on 12 - EFI Reports on FLEGT Week, http:// years of implementation, 6 VPAs signed and 9 www.flegtweek.org/ underway, the answer was “yes” at last month’ s

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- EU FAO FLEGT Programme, http:// Action Plan, available at http:// www.fao.org/forestry/eu-flegt/ www.euflegt.efi.int/documents/10180/23398/ FLEGT+Action+Plan/3c0cfca1-1503-458a- - Commission of the European Communities 9d05-1717bf226e23 (last accessed April 2015) (2003), Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) - Proposal For An EU

UN-REDD PHASE II PROGRAMME IN VIETNAM SUPPORTS SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT IN STATE FOREST COMPANIES

By Quentin Renard, Kenichi Shono and Ben Vickers, FAO-RAP

In Vietnam, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural their efforts and commitments to implement SFM Development has recently published a circular REDD+ demonstration activities. Forest guiding the development of Sustainable Forest certification could also serve to demonstrate how Management (SFM) plans (Circular 38/2014/ REDD+ safeguards are being addressed and TT-BNNPTNT). The circular states that State respected at the national and sub-national levels Forest Companies (SFCs) must have an and to help trigger disbursement of results-based approved SFM plan and must comply with payments under a national REDD+ strategy. international standards of forest certification (e.g., the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or the The UN-REDD Programme recently launched Programme for Endorsement of Forest its SFM support to SFCs with the organization Certification (PEFC)) to be allowed to harvest of an “Awareness Workshop on Forest in natural forests. Certification” 4-7 March 2015, in Hue, Vietnam. The workshop was organized to provide general The UN-REDD Phase II Programme in Vietnam information on forest certification and to explain is aimed at supporting pilot provinces to specific requirements and processes to achieve implement Provincial REDD+ Action Plans certification. The workshop programme included (PRAP). Among several REDD+ activities a number of training modules (e.g., Vietnam’s new defined in existing PRAPs, SFM has been policies on natural forest management, forest retained as an appropriate measure to reduce certification schemes and their potential cost, greenhouse gas emissions due to forest audits process, etc.) mixed with group discussions degradation, and to increase forest carbon stocks and a field visit to a certified forest plantation through better management practices in State where lessons learned on challenges and benefits Forest Companies. In the REDD+ framework, of forest certification were exchanged. SFCs could use forest certification to demonstrate

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The workshop was attended by approximately forest certification. Following those studies and 50 participants, including representatives of depending on the results of the gap analysis, SFCs, civil society organizations and donor- specific action plans to fulfil the gaps and comply funded projects, as well as technical advisors with international standards of forest certification from the UN-REDD Programme in Vietnam and will be tailored for each selected SFC. resource persons from FSC and FAO regional offices. There was very active participation and Reaching forest certification requires long-term SFCs representatives expressed keen interest to commitment, as well as financial and human receive support from the UN-REDD Programme resources. Based on the activities suggested in to progress towards sustainable forest the action plans, SFCs will assess what they can management and ultimately achieve forest implement and where external support is needed. certification. It was consequently decided to Under an agreed monitoring framework between further support eligible SFCs in organizing SFCs and provincial authorities, the UN-REDD feasibility studies to assess SFCs capacities and Programme will provide technical support to needs to comply with international standards of implement specific activities.

FAO ASIA-PACIFIC FORESTRY CALENDAR

11-16 May 2015. Strengthening Global Teak Resources and Markets for Sustainable Development. Guayaquil, Ecuador. Contact: http://www.worldteakconference.com

12-15 May 2015. Asia-Pacific Forestry Communications Network Workshop. Bangkok, Thailand. Contact: Patrick Durst, FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, 39 Phra Atit Road, Bangkok 10200, Thailand; E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

1-3 July 2015. Regional Forum on Climate Change. Bangkok, Thailand. Contact: Simmathiri Appanah, FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, 39 Phra Atit Road, Bangkok 10200, Thailand; E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

7-11 September 2015. XIV World Forestry Congress. Durban, South Africa. Contact: Shigeto Ikeda, FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, 39 Phra Atit Road, Bangkok 10200, Thailand; E-mail: [email protected]

FOREST NEWS is issued by the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific as part of TIGERPAPER. This issue of FOREST NEWS was compiled by Patrick B. Durst, Senior Forestry Officer, FAO/RAP.

16 FORESTRY PUBLICATIONS: FAO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC (RAP)

. East Asian forests and forestry to 2020 (RAP . Developing an Asia-Pacific strategy for forest Publication 2010/15) invasive species: The coconut beetle problem – . Forests beneath the grass: Proceedings of the bridging agriculture and forestry (RAP Publication regional workshop on advancing the application of 2007/02 assisted natural regeneration for effective low-cost . The role of coastal forests in the mitigation of forest restoration (RAP Publication 2010/11) tsunami impacts (RAP Publication 2007/01) . Forest policies, legislation and institutions in Asia . Taking stock: Assessing progress in developing and and the Pacific: Trends and emerging needs for implementing codes of practice for forest 2020 (RAP Publication 2010/10) harvesting in ASEAN member countries (RAP . Report of the Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission Publication 2006/10) Twenty-third session (RAP Publication 2010/09) . Asia-Pacific forests and forestry to 2020. Asia- . Helping forests take cover (RAP Publication 2005/ Pacific Forestry Sector Outlook Study II (RAP 13) Publication 2010/06) . Elephant care manual for mahouts and camp . Forest law enforcement and governance: Progress managers (RAP Publication 2005/10) in Asia and the Pacific (RAP Publication 2010/ . Forest certification in China: latest developments 05) and future strategies (RAP Publication 2005/08) . Forest insects as food: humans bite back. . Forests and floods – drowning in fiction or thriving Proceedings of a workshop on Asia-Pacific on facts? (RAP Publication 2005/03) resosurces and their potential for development . In search of excellence: exemplary forest (RAP Publication 2010/02) management in Asia and the Pacific (RAP . Strategies and financial mechanisms for Publication 2005/02) sustainable use and conservation of forests: . What does it take? The role of incentives in forest experiences from Latin America and Asia (RAP plantation development in Asia and the Pacific Publication 2009/21) (RAP Publication 2004/27) . Asia-Pacific Forestry Week: Forestry in a . Advancing assisted natural regeneration (ANR) in changing world (RAP Publication 2009/04) Asia and the Pacific (RAP Publication 2003/19) - . The future of forests: Proceedings of an 2nd edition international conference on the outlook for Asia- . Practical guidelines for the assessment, Pacific forests to 2020 (RAP Publication 2009/ monitoring and reporting on national level criteria 03) and indicators for sustainable forest management . Re-inventing forestry agencies. Experiences of in dry forests in Asia (RAP Publication: 2003/05) institutional restructuring in Asia and the Pacific . Applying reduced impact logging to advance (RAP Publication 2008/05) sustainable forest management (RAP Publication: . Forest faces. Hopes and regrets in Philippine 2002/14) forestry (RAP Publication 2008/04 . Trash or treasure? Logging and mill residues in . Reaching consensus. Multi-stakeholder Asia-Pacific (RAP Publication: 2001/16) processes in forestry: experiences from the Asia- . Regional training strategy: supporting the Pacific region (RAP Publication 2007/31) implementation of the Code of Practice for forest . Trees and shrubs of Maldives: An illustrated field harvesting in Asia-Pacific (RAP Publication: 2001/ guide (RAP Publication 2007/12) 15) . A cut for the poor: Proceedings of the . Forest out of bounds: impacts and effectiveness International Conference on Managing Forests for of logging bans in natural forests in Asia-Pacific: Poverty Reduction Capturing Opportunities in executive summary (RAP Publication: 2001/10) Forest Harvesting and Wood Processing for the . Trees commonly cultivated in Southeast Asia: an Benefit of the Poor (RAP Publication 2007/09) illustrated field guide - 2nd edition (RAP . Trees and shrubs of the Maldives (RAP Publication: 1999/13) Publication 2007/12) For copies please write to: Senior Forestry Officer for Asia and the Pacific, FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, 39 Phra Atit Road, Bangkok 10200, Thailand. Or visit the FAO website for an electronic version: http://www.fao.or.th/publications/publications.htm