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Caucasus Ecoregion Newsletter Iin Brief Caucasus Ecoregion Newsletter News from the Caucasus ? Issue 2, November 2009 Published by WWF Caucasus Programme Office www.panda.org/caucasus InI Brief Restoration of Forests in Southern Caucasus On October 15, 2009 the Within the framework of the programme ”Mitigating Impacts of Climate Change through Government of Armenia Restoration of Forest Landscapes in Southern Caucasus” financed by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU), activities are made two decisions on implemented under the coordination and establishment of the Arevik supervision of the WWF CauPO in Southern National Park and the Caucasus countries together with the following Zangezur Sanctuary as well as partners: approved the charters of these Pas. WWF has been working Armenia: State Forest Enterprise (Ministry of towards their establishment Agriculture), NGO “Armenian Tree Project” since 2002 and has passed a long Azerbaijan: State Forest Department (Ministry and thorny path to this success of Ecology and Natural Resources) in close collaboration with the Georgia: Ministry of Environmental Protection Ministry of Nature Protection of and Natural Resources, Armenia, Syunik Regional administration, local Planting trees in the Kharagauli Forest © WWF CauPO environmental NGOs, donors, and communities (read more in Apart from establishing of more than 1,000 ha of forests, the evaluation of standard methods the newsletter). and the introduction of improved measures and activities aimed at capacity building in the nursery sector in particular will be the main focus of the project. A two day workshop followed by a short field trip was held in Tbilisi in July, bringing together about 30 participants representing all three countries. The main idea was to share first CEPF Final Assessment experience and align activities with regard to the workshop wrapped up five project philosophy. years' investment initiative in the Caucasus hotspot. The event Presentations were made about current forest took place in September, 2009 in restoration activities in three countries, followed Tbilisi and brought together the by an introduction of the main goals and most successful grantees for objectives of the project and the country summing up the results of CEPF elements. Demonstration of advanced planting investments (read more in the techniques and equipment was held out and it newsletter) was agreed by the participants that such innovative approaches should definitely be used wherever possible. Work on the field © WWF CauPO Establishment of two new protected areas - Arevik National Park and Zangezur Sanctuary in Armenia On October 15, 2009 the Government of Armenia made decisions on establishment of the Arevik National Park and the Zangezur Sanctuary as well as approved the charters of these PAs. WWF has been working towards their establishment since 2002 and has passed a long and thorny path to this success in close collaboration with the Ministry of Nature Protection of Armenia, Syunik Regional administration, local environmental NGOs, donors, and communities. Establishment of the two protected areas (with more than 50,000 ha which is around 1,5 % of the territory of Armenia) has been in line with an Ecoregional Conservation Plan for the Caucasus as well as approved by Strategy on Developing Specially Protected Areas and National Action Plan of the Republic of Armenia. Arevik National Park with an area of 34,401.8 ha, including Boghakar Sanctuary is covered by broad leaf Zangezur Sanctuary © WWF Armenia / A. Malkhasyan forest, Juniper open woodlands, subalpine and alpine meadows, semidesert, and mountain steppes. It is a shelter to more than 1500 species of vascular plants including 24 registered in the RDBA and 19 endemics; about 245 species of vertebrate animals including 49 registered in the RDBA and 12 – IUCN Red Data List. Particularly, it is home to Caucasian leopard, Bezoar goat, brown bear, lynx, and wild cat. Zangezur Sanctuary covering the area of 17,368 ha is important conservation area of endemic, rare and threatened flora and fauna species (Caucasian leopard, Bezoar goat, Armenian mouflon, Caspian snowcock, Caucasian black grouse, Armenian viper and others). It is also important thanks to its four high mountain lakes (Ghazan Lich, Tsak Qari Lich, Gogi Lich, Kapuyt Lich) serving as fresh water reservoirs. Particularly, the protected area is a main habitat for Armenian mouflon. In accordance with the last survey of this species there are only 200-250 Armenian mouflons left in Armenia. WWF Armenia Director, Dr. Karen Manvelyan, welcoming the long-awaited governmental decision, attaches a great importance to establishment of the PAs as “in addition to its conservation importance and impetus for further development of Armenian PAs network it will create some job opportunities for local communities as well as alternative livelihood through eco-tourism development and sustainable use of natural resources in the area. The decision will foster the creation of PAs network and potential for establishing future transboundary protected areas Arevik National Park © WWF Armenia / A. Malkhasyan with Iran.” “WWF Armenia will continue its efforts in lobbying the Government of Armenia in expanding the network of protected areas and establishing new conservation priority corridors as well as involving new investments for better management of the newly established national park and sanctuary,” Director Karen Manvelyan added. Opening of Chakvistavi visitors center and nature trail in Mtirala National Park Slightly less than two years have passed after inauguration of Mtirala National Park back in June 2007. The Park, covering 15,806 hectares, protects unique ecosystems of forests and wildlife in the eastern part of the Black Sea Basin in Georgia's Lesser Caucasus mountain range. These ecosystems are a rich storehouse of biodiversity. Numerous important species include lynx and brown bear, as well as golden eagle and black vulture. WWF is actively assisting Georgian government in promoting ecotourism opportunities around protected areas that will benefit local communities. “We support an array of well-designed projects that include local economic development and participation, which definitely invests in wise and sustainable use of limited natural resources. Mtirala National Park is a good example of such approach.” says Giorgi Sanadiradze, Director of WWF Caucasus Programme Office. The establishing of Mtirala national park, as well as creation of infrastructure and working out of the park's marketing strategy were financed through active Official opening ceremony of Chakvistavi Visitor support of Norwegian Government. Center on 11 June, 2009 © WWF CauPO Presently the Park's infrastructure is developing rapidly, enabling full readiness to welcome visitors. In June 2009 another significant occasion has taken place – the opening of visitor center and first nature trails. The ceremony was opened by the Head of Ajara Autonomous Republic Mr. Levan Varshalomidze, followed by speech of the Minister of Environment Protection and Nature Resources of Georgia Mr. George Khachidze. Head of Conservation in WWF Norway Mr. Dag Tore Seierstad and two guests representing Norwegian Government - Mr. Jon Romberg, Ambassador of Norway to Azerbaijan and Georgia, and Mr. Jon Opem, expert of the Ministry of External Affairs of Norway - underlined importance of protected areas in conservation of wildlife and welcomed fruitful cooperation between two countries in nature protection. We strongly believe that Mtirala National Park will become one of the leading environmental attractions of Georgia and an outstanding example for those existing and future protected territories. Guests of national park “test-walking” new nature trail © WWF CauPO CEPF Footprints Across the Caucasus Hotspot: 5 years' investment finalized CEPF Final Assessment workshop wrapped up five years' investment initiative in the Caucasus hotspot. The event took place in September, 2009 in Tbilisi and brought together the most successful grantees for summing up the results of CEPF investments. CEPF commenced its work in the Caucasus in August 2003. The WWF Caucasus Programme Office (WWF Caucasus PO) led the development of a CEPF Ecosystem Profile for the Caucasus Hotspot. The process was science-based, using conservation outcomes to define the targets for CEPF investment. The CEPF Investment was officially launched in May 2004 and a total of $8.5 million was committed over five years for biodiversity conservation in the Caucasus Hotspot. This investment was coordinated and managed through the mutual efforts of CEPF and the WWF Caucasus PO. During the investment period, CEPF awarded 42 grants to civil society organizations. CEPF funding succeeded in reaching civil society organizations from grassroots to the international level. This significantly increased local organizations' capacity to contribute to conservation, creating a strong foundation for future conservation initiatives in the region. Around 90 organizations were involved in the implementation of the CEPF Regional Programme CEPF Final Assessment Workshop Participants with over 75 local NGOs and scientific institutions © WWF Armenia / A. Khoyestsyan receiving CEPF grants. WWF Caucasus Programme Office WWF Armenia Branch WWF Azerbaijan Branch 11 Aleksidze St. 96 Sarmen St. 101/103 Magomayev St. Tbilisi 0193 Georgia Yerevan 0019 Armenia Baku 1004 Azerbaijan Tel: (+ 995 32) 330 155/54 Tel/Fax: (+ 374 10) 524 712; 546 156 Tel: (+ 994
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