REGIONAL OFFICE FOR AND THE PACIFIC (RAP), BANGKOK FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS October-December 2005

Regional Quarterly Bulletin on Wildlife and National Parks Management

Vol. XXXII : No. 4

Featuring

Vol. XIX : No. 4 Contents

Birds of Coimbatore Urban Area, ...... …………... 1 Study on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Biodiversity of Himachal Pradesh ...... …....… 6 Participatory Wildlife Conservation Initiatives in .… 11 Diversity of in Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary.. 18 Ecology of Purple Moorhen in Azhinhillam Wetlan…....… 23 Breeding of an Indian Giant Squirrel Pup at Arignar Anna Zoological Park...... …. 27 Food, Feeding, Behavior and Preferences of REGIONAL OFFICE Spiny-Tailed in the Thar Desert...... …... 30 FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC

TIGERPAPER is a quarterly news bulletin dedicated to the exchange of information Second Announcement - Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission relating to wildlife and national parks management for the to meet in Dehradun, India...... ……… 1 Asia-Pacific Region. New Assessment Indicates Overall Expansion of Asian But Continued Decline of Natural Forests...... ….... 4 ISSN 1014 - 2789 Interested in Making Forest Management Work for the Poor?...... 6 Address Award-Winning Forestry at Tonle Sap -- ’s “Great Lake”…..…...... ……… 7 TIGERPAPER Jump Starting the Asia-Pacific Forest Invasive FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific Network...... ….. 9 Maliwan Mansion, Phra Atit Road Bangkok, 10200, Three New Websites Put FAO Information at User’s Tel: (662) 697-4000 Fingertips...... 10 Facsimile: (662) 697-4445 Upcoming RAP-Supported Forestry Meetings.....…………. 11 E-mail: [email protected] FAO Advancing Forest Rehabilitation Efforts in Tsunami-Affected Countries...... ….. 12 Editor: Janice Naewboonnien Asia-Pacific Forestry Chips and Clips……………..……. 13 Advisors: M. Kashio and P. Durst New RAP Forestry Publications………………………… 15 FAO Asia-Pacific Forestry Calendar……………….…… 16

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 to necessarily those of FAO. The better serve the needs 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 of FAO concerning the legal or Cover: Purple ( purpurea) constitutional status of any country, Photo: V. Ramakantha, IFS territority or sea area, or the delimitation of frontiers.

Vol. 32: No. 4 Oct-Dec 2005 |

Birds of Coimbatore Urban Area| BIRDS OF COIMBATORE URBAN AREA, INDIA

by V. Ramakantha, Thiru Selvan and R.J. Ranjit Daniels

spread to epidemic proportions. Flycatchers, Introduction drongos and -eaters play an important role by destroying a lot of harmful . In spite of their ll landscapes have a native biodiversity pool, limited energetical role in most , birds are which is a result of local climate and human A a powerful tool in environmental monitoring influences. This pool of biodiversity is often (Jarvinen and Vaisanen, 1979). Thus, even when fragmented and segregated within different afforded the least protection, the birds tend to ecosystems. One such ecosystem, which is return to us a lot more benefits than any other considerably rich in biodiversity, especially in India, group of (Urquhart, 1987). As a part is the urban ecosystem. Avifauna in urban areas of the study carried out for the doctoral degree of is richer than any other taxa and yet, the first author, the first ever checklist was pre- they remain a poorly studied group of organisms. pared for the Coimbatore urban area, following Many large cities of India support over 300 the and nomenclature adopted by Ali species, with Delhi and its surroundings leading and Ripley (2001) in the Handbook of the Birds with 444 species, followed by Mumbai with 350 of India and . species, and with 332 species (Ingalhallikar et al., 2001). In , one of the major urban Study area centers of southwestern India, as many as 330 species of birds have been recorded, of which 220 The Coimbatore urban area, sprawling over 105.6 occur regularly in the urban area (George, 1994). km2 of city corporation limits, was taken as the The community organization of birds often varies boundary of the study. The urban area is located considerably from being dominated by crows and between 11ºN latitude and 77ºE longitude. The kites in the hearts of cities to very diverse altitude of the entire landscape varies from to 467 associations of flycatchers, barbets and babblers m to 500 m above mean sea level. The climate in the less crowded suburbs (Daniels, 1991). here is tropical with an average rainfall of 490 mm, mostly falling from October to December Birds in the urban landscapes perform a regula- during the northeast monsoon. Summers are hot tory function by controlling the population of with maximum temperatures sometimes rising up phytophagus insects, which could otherwise to 38ºC during May- June.

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Checklist of birds of Coimbatore urban area Common Name and Species Family Order Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis Podicipedidae Podicipediformes Spotbilled Pelican*** Pelecanus philippensis Pelicanidae Pelicaniformes Indian shag Phalacrocorax fusicollis Phalocrocoracidae Pelicaniformes Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger Phalocrocoracidae Pelicaniformes Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster Phalocrocoracidae Pelicaniformes Ardea cinerea Ardeidae Ciconiiformes Purple Heron Ardea purpurea Ardeidae Ciconiiformes Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii Ardeidae Ciconiiformes Egret Bubulucus ibis Ardeidae Ciconiiformes Birds of Coimbatore Urban Area |

Great Egret Casmerodius albus Ardeidae Ciconiiformes | Intermediate Egret Mesophoyx intermedia Ardeidae Ciconiiformes

Little Egret Egretta garzetta Ardeidae Ciconiiformes Blackcrowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Ardeidae Ciconiiformes Cinnamon Ixobrychus cinnamomeus Ardeidae Ciconiiformes Painted Mycteria leucocephala Ciconiidae Ciconiiformes Lesser Adjutant¨ Leptoptilos javanicus Ciconiidae Ciconiiformes Blackheaded Ibis¨ Threskiornis melanocephalus Ciconiidae Ciconiiformes Northern Pintail*** Anas acuta Anatidae Common Teal*** Anas crecca Anatidae Anseriformes Spotbilled Duck Anas poecilorhyncha Anatidae Anseriformes Garganey (Blue Winged Anas querquedula Anatidae Anseriformes Teal)*** Northern shoveller*** Anas clypeata Anatidae Anseriformes Blackwinged Kite Elanus caeruleus Accipitridae Falconiformes Black Kite Milvus migrans Accipitridae Falconiformes Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus Accipitridae Falconiformes Shikra Accipiter badius Accipitridae Falconiformes Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina Accipitridae Falconiformes Western Marsh Harrier*** Circus aeruginosus Accipitridae Falconiformes Common Kestrel*** Falco tinnunculus Falconidae Falconiformes Grey Francolin Francolinus pondicerianus Phasinidae Galliformes Common Bustard Quail Turnix suscitator Phasinidae Galliformes Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus Phasinidae Galliformes Whitebreasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus Rallidae Gruiformes Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Rallidae Gruiformes Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio Rallidae Gruiformes Common Coot Fulica atra Rallidae Gruiformes Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirugus Jacanidae Charadriiformes Bronzewinged Jacana Metopidius indicus Jacanidae Charadriiformes Redwattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus Charadriidae Charadriiformes Yellow-wattled Lapwing Vanellus malabaricus Charadriidae Charadriiformes Little Ringed Plover*** Charadrius dubius Charadriidae Charadriiformes Green sandpiper*** Tringa ochropus Scolopacidae Charadriiformes Wood sandpiper*** Tringa glareola Scolopacidae Charadriiformes Common Sandpiper*** Tringa hypoleucos Scolopacidae Charadriiformes Little Stint***¨ Calidris minuta Scolopacidae Charadriiformes Temminck’s Stint***¨ Calidris temminckii Scolopacidae Charadriiformes Greater Painted Snipe Rostratula benghalensis Rostratulidae Charadriiformes Blackwinged Stilt Himantopus himantopus Recurvirostridae Charadriiformes Rock Pigeon Columba livia Columbiformes Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocta Columbidae Columbiformes Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis Columbidae Columbiformes Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis Columbidae Columbiformes (Little Brown Dove) 2

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Roseringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri Psittacidae Psittaciformes Birds of Coimbatore Urban Area| Pied Oxylophus jacobinus Cuculidae Cuculiformes (Pied Crested Cuckoo) Common Hawk-Cuckoo Cuculus varius Cuculidae Cuculiformes Asian Eudynamys scolopacea Cuculidae Cuculiformes Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis Cuculidae Cuculiformes Barn Owl Tyto alba Strigidae Strigiformes Spotted Owlet Athene brama Strigidae Strigiformes Indian asiaticus Caprimulgidae Asian Palm Swift Cypsiurus batasiensis Apodidae Apodiformes Little Swift Apus affinis Apodidae Apodiformes Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis Alcedinidae Coraciiformes Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis Alcedinidae Coraciiformes (Small Blue Kingfisher) Whitethroated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis Alcedinidae Coraciiformes Chestnutheaded Bee-eater Merops leschenaulti Meropidae Coraciiformes Bluetailed Bee-eater*** Merops philippinus Meropidae Coraciiformes Little Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis Meropidae Coraciiformes Indian Roller Coracias benghalens Coraciidae Coraciiformes Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops Upipidae Coraciiformes Coppersmith Barbet Megalaima haemacephala Capitonidae Blackrumped Flameback Dinopium benghalensis Picidae Piciformes Indian Pitta Pitta brachyura Pittidae Passeriformes Singing Lark Mirafra cantillanus Aludidae Passeriformes Oriental Skylark Alauda gulgula Aludidae Passeriformes Dusky Crag Marten Hirundo concolor Hirundinidae Passeriformes Common Swallow*** Hirundo rustica Hirundinidae Passeriformes (Barn Swallow) Redrumped Swallow Hirundo daurica Hirundinidae Passeriformes Wiretailed Swallow Hirundo smithii Hirundinidae Passeriformes Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor Lanidae Passeriformes Baybacked Shrike Lanius vittatus Lanidae Passeriformes Rufousbacked Shrike Lanius schach Lanidae Passeriformes *** Lanius cristatus Lanidae Passeriformes Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus Oriolidae Passeriformes Dicrurus macrocercus Dicruridae Passeriformes Ashy Drongo*** Dicrurus leucophaeus Dicruridae Passeriformes Whitebellied Drongo Dicrurus caerulescens Dicruridae Passeriformes Greater Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus Dicruridae Passeriformes Rosy Pastor (Rosy Starling)*** Sturnus roseus Sturnidae Passeriformes tristis Sturnidae Passeriformes Rufous Tree Pie Dendrocitta vagabunda Corvidae Passeriformes Corvus splendens Corvidae Passeriformes Largebilled Crow Corvus macrorhynchos Corvidae Passeriformes Common Wood-Shrike Tephrodornis pondicerianus Campephagidae Passeriformes Blackheaded Cuckoo-Shrike Coracina melanoptera Campephagidae Passeriformes Redvented Pycnonotus cafer Pycnonotidae Passeriformes Large Grey Babbler malcolmi Muscicapidae Passeriformes Turdoides striatus Muscicapidae Passeriformes Yellowbilled Babbler Turdoides affinis Muscicapidae Passeriformes Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa daurica Muscicapidae Passeriformes Asian Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone paradisi Muscicapidae Passeriformes Blacknaped Monarch Hypothymis azurea Muscicapidae Passeriformes Ashy Prinia Prinia socialis Muscicapidae Passeriformes Jungle Prinia Prinia sylvatica Muscicapidae Passeriformes Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius Muscicapidae Passeriformes

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Great Reed Warbler*** Acrocephalus stentoreus Muscicapidae Passeriformes Blyth’s Reed Warbler*** Acrocephalus dumetorum Muscicapidae Passeriformes Paddyfield Warbler*** Acrocephalus agricola Muscicapidae Passeriformes Booted Warbler*** Hippolais caligata Muscicapidae Passeriformes Orphean Warbler*** Sylvia hortensis Muscicapidae Passeriformes Greenish Warbler*** Phylloscopus trochiloides Muscicapidae Passeriformes Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis Muscicapidae Passeriformes Pied Bushchat Saxicola caprata Muscicapidae Passeriformes Indian Robin Saxicoloides fulicata Muscicapidae Passeriformes Olivebacked Pipit Anthus hodgsoni Passeriformes (Indian Tree Pipit)*** Birds of Coimbatore Urban Area |

Paddyfield Pipit Anthus novaeseelandiae Motacillidae Passeriformes | Forest *** Dendronanthus indicus Motacillidae Passeriformes

Yellow Wagtail*** Motacilla flava Motacillidae Passeriformes Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola Motacillidae Passeriformes (Yellowheaded Wagtail)*** Grey Wagtail*** Motacilla caspica Motacillidae Passeriformes White Wagtail*** Motacilla alba Motacillidae Passeriformes Whitebrowed Wagtail Motacilla maderaspatensis Motacillidae Passeriformes (Large Pied Wagtail) Thickbilled Flowerpecker Dicaeum agile Decaeidae Passeriformes Palebilled (Tickell’s ) Dicaeum erythrorhynchos Decaeidae Passeriformes Flowerpecker Purplerumped Nectarinia zeylonica Nectariniidae Passeriformes Purple Sunbird Nectarinia asiatica Nectariniidae Passeriformes Little Arachnothera longinostris Nectariniidae Passeriformes House Sparrow Passer domesticus Ploceidae Passeriformes Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus Ploceidae Passeriformes Red Avadavat amandava Ploceidae Passeriformes Whiterumped Munia striata Ploceidae Passeriformes Whitethroated Silverbill Lonchura malabarica Ploceidae Passeriformes Scalybreasted Munia Lonchura punctulata Ploceidae Passeriformes (Spotted Munia) Blackheaded Munia Lonchura malacca Ploceidae Passeriformes

*** Winter Visitor ¨ (Thirumurthy’s personal communication)

Results and discussion ders having the next most representatives are Charadriiformes (waders and shorebirds) and The 135 species of birds recorded in Coimbatore Ciconiiformes (, egrets and ) with 12 urban area belong to 93 genera, 42 families and species each. 17 orders. 135 species of avifauna is remarkable for the size of the area and human-induced dis- The order Coraciiformes is represented by 8 spe- turbances. The 135 species also represent a fourth cies and order Falconiformes (birds of prey) by 7 of all the species of birds that occur in all of south- species. The other 12 orders are represented by western India, which was recorded by Daniels a fewer number of species, with the orders (1997). This also constitutes 41% of the species Podicipediformes, Psittaciformes and that Rathinam (2002) recorded from the State of Apodiformes being represented by a single spe- . cies each.

The order Passeriformes (oscines/song birds) sin- Thirty species of birds (22%) found in the gly dominates with 62 species of birds. The or- Coimbatore urban area are winter visitors, whose

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Vol. 32: No. 4 Oct-Dec 2005 | visits begin in late September with many of them Ingalhallikar, S., Purandare, R., Nalavade, S. and Birds of Coimbatore Urban Area| staying on until the end of May. Only 14 species S. Dhole. 2001. Bird Diversity Changes of of the winter visitors are water birds. Winter mi- Pune Urban Area. Journal of Ecological grant land birds visiting the city are dominated by Society 13/14: 59-70. and warblers. George, J. 1994. Annotated Checklist of the The Indian Pitta (Pitta brachyura), Asian Brown Birds of Bangalore . Birdwatcher’s Field Flycatcher (Muscicapa daurica), Asian Para- Club of Bangalore. 92p. dise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradisi), Eur- asian Golden Oriole (Oriolus oriolus) and the Daniels, R.J.R. 1991. Tree planting in urban Pied Crested Cuckoo (Oxylophus jacobinus) centres and its role in conservation of were partial migrants. birds. Myforest 27(4): 317-326.

Considering that Coimbatore is a major industrial Jarvinen, O. and R.A. Vaisanen. 1979. Changes city in with as many as 3,000 indus- in bird populations as criteria of environ- tries and a large population extending over only mental changes. Holarctic Ecology 2:75- about 105.6 km2 , it is indeed fascinating that such 80. a diverse assemblage of birds can eke out a liv- ing in the urban area, despite the concrete build- Gadgil, M. 2001. The Birdlife of Bandipur. ings and disturbances caused by human activi- Ecological Journeys. The Science and ties. Hence, concerted efforts need be taken to Politics of Conservation in India. Perma- conserve the rich avifauna of this urban area. nent Black. Bangalore.

Acknowledgements Urquhart, T. 1987. Save the birds: why bother? New Scientist 2:55-58. The authors would like to thank Dr.Lalit Narayan and Dr.R.Annamalai, IFS, for pro- Daniels, R.J.R. 1997. A Field guide to the Birds viding valuable advice and suggestions. of Southwestern India. Oxford University Thanks are also due to Dr.S.Thirumurthy for Press, New Delhi. 217p. generously sharing his vast knowledge in or- Rathinam, K. 2002. Tamilnadu Paravaigal. nithology. Mayappan Tamilaivagan, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu. 182p. References Author’s addresses:V. Ramakantha, IFS, Prin- Ali, S. and S.D. Ripley. 2001. Handbook of the cipal, State Forest Service College, P.O. Box Birds of India and Pakistan. Volume 1- 1130, R.S. Puram, Coimbatore, 641 002, In- 10. Oxford University Press, New Delhi. dia. Dr. Thiru Selvan, State Forest Service Col- lege, R.S. Puram, Coimbatore 641 002, India. Anon. 2001. Provisional Census Data Book Dr.R.J. Ranjit Daniels, Director, Care Earth, – 2001. Tamil Nadu Economics and Statisti- Srinivasa, 21st Street, Thillai Ganga Nagar, cal Department, Coimbatore. Chennai, 600 061, India.

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STUDY ON MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS BIODIVERSTIY OF HIMACHAL PRADESH HIMALAYAS

by Anil K. Choudhary, Punam, Parveen K. Sharma and Suman Chandel

Introduction India, one of the 12 mega- diversity countries of the world, has a particularly rich heritage of me- imachal Pradesh is a Himalayan province of dicinal plant wealth. More importantly, it has been HIndia. The state of Himachal Pradesh lies be- documented in detail since ancient times in Vedic tween 30° 22' N to 33° 13' N latitude and 75° literature. The importance of medicinal and aro-

Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Biodiversity | matic plants has been recognized throughout the 23'24'’ E to 79° 00' 50'’ E longitude stretching east | about 315 km and a north-south expansion of about world. Vedic literature, particularly the Rig Veda,

310 km covering an area of 55, 673 km2. Himachal carries accounts of a number of plants of medici- Pradesh has a rich repository of medicinal and nal importance. The remarkable ‘Materia aromatic plant wealth (Chauhan, 1999). Although Medica’ the Charka Samhita is an immensely the state represents only about 1.7% of the geo- important treatise on hundreds of plants of me- graphical area of the country, it constitutes about dicinal value, and is still referred to by scientists 7.4% of India’s fauna and 7.3% of itsflora. This and the herbal industry. So is the Susruta shows that the state, although very small in area, Samhita, another treatise dating back to roughly is extremely rich in biodiversity in the country. The the same era (800-1000 BC). The trade in crude state is, therefore, a potential treasure of bio-re- drugs in India has been documented since the dawn sources, which, if properly exploited, can trans- of the first millennium. Indian Systems of Medi- form the face of the present poor state economy cine (ISM), Ayurveda and then the Unani system into a prosperous wealthy state. This is of tre- of medicine are based upon the medicinal proper- mendous contemporary relevance because it can ties of plants and derive their modes of adminis- provide self-employment to millions of farmers tration from extensive research done in olden days through medicinal plant cultivation, as well as em- on these plants. As in all ancient cultures, the old ployment in herb processing and pharmaceutical systems saw a period of decline and then neglect units on one hand, and health security to hill people with the advent of modern science. One major on the other hand. impact of this neglect has been that the old wis- dom has been relegated to tribal cultures and other Materials and methods forest-based communities like Himachal Pradesh who still derive the benefits of this ancient heri- The information about the herbal plant biodiversity tage. Unfortunately, in the process not only has a status of Himachal Pradesh and its utilization, the lot of knowledge been lost, but the exploitation of socio-economic status of hill farmers and the im- this medicinal plant wealth became such that most pact of herbal biodiversity on the rural economy species have been unscientifically harvested, lead- of the state was gathered in 2004 from the state ing to their extinction. Realization of the impor- agricultural department, revenue officials, Vedic tance of scientific cultivation techniques and ex- literature, local inhabitants, farmers and personal ploration of our medicinal wealth is now dawning. visits to potential biodiversity sites of Himachal It gained critical impetus after the Convention Pradesh. on Biological Diversity which emphasized the importance of the bio-resources of biodiversity rich Results and discussion countries, and the need for their conservation. Today, in order to harness this biodiversity for 1. Medicinal and aromatic plant biodiversity national interests and mankind, the medicinal plants status and its conservation sector needs to be developed in a planned man-

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Vol. 32: No. 4 Oct-Dec 2005 | ner keeping all aspects, i.e. economic, genetic, re- been the natural habitat of a large variety of me- Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Biodiversity| search and sustainable development, in mind. dicinal plants, some of which are on the verge of extinction due to unscientific exploitation in the 2. Importance of medicinal and aromatic plants forests to meet the ever-increasing demand for biodiversity medicinal herbs. No systematic efforts have been In Himachal Pradesh and other rural areas, local made to cultivate these bio–drug plants for com- communities have discovered medicinal and aro- mercial purposes, although the state offers diver- matic uses for hundreds of plants found locally in sified agro-climatic conditions ranging from sub- their ecosystem through their experiences and the tropical to temperate to cold deserts. In Himachal ancient Indian Vedic literature. Now, these me- Pradesh, 92% of the total population lives in rural dicinal plants continue to be an important resource areas with a heavy dependence on agriculture, material as therapeutic agents in traditional medi- livestock rearing and natural resources. The ma- cines and pharmaceutical formulations. The use jority of the farmers (83.7%) are marginal and of traditional medicines and other herbal drugs is small, having small and scattered land holdings with increasing not only in developing countries but also an average size ranging from 0.4 to 1.4 ha. Al- in the developed world. Rural people don’t have most 63.8% of the farmers are marginal farmers access to modern medicines in many developing with an average land holding of less than 0.4 ha. countries and traditional medicines, being locally With increasing fragmentation of land holdings, produced, are readily available. However, many poor families are able to meet only 4-5 months of people also use these medicines on account of their food grain requirements in a year and the faith, local myth, tradition and their socio-cultural remaining gap is met through other sources of in- milieu. come like working as daily wage labourers in pri- vate works and the collection of medicinal and The global resurgence of interest in herbal rem- aromatic plants in forest areas. The economy of edies is due partly to a disenchantment with in- HP is primarily an agrarian economy. The agro- dustrialization, which at times poses serious envi- climatic conditions of the state are highly conge- ronmental threats (resulting in a movement of nial for the cultivation of medicinal and aromatic going back to nature), and partly to an undercur- plants besides agriculture and horticulture. Me- rent of dissatisfaction with modern drugs on ac- dicinal and aromatic plants occupy an important count of the side effects observed with many of position in the socio-cultural and spiritual activi- them. The development of stronger tendencies ties of the rural people of Himachal Pradesh. leaning towards ‘naturals’ is also gaining ground. Thus, medicinal plant biodiversity can have great However, increased use of spontaneously grow- impact on the livelihood of the rural population of ing flora is leading to decreased availability and Himachal Pradesh with proper utilization of its even threatening the existence of some species. resources. Thus, in present times, herbal biodiversity is gain- ing attention at the national and international lev- 4. Major medicinal and aromatic plants of els as health care products and for their economic Himachal Pradesh benefits. The most commonly exploited herbs of Himachal Pradesh are Dioscorea deltoidea (rhizomes), 3. Herbal biodiversity and livelihood of hill Angelica glauca (roots), Berberis spp. (root and farmers of Himachal Pradesh bark), Embilica officinalis (fruit), Cinnamomum The biodiversity of Himachal Pradesh has been tamala (leaf), Picrorrhiza kurrooa (root), Viola largely influenced by its unique geographical po- serpens (flowers), Terminalia chebula (fruit), sition. Out of total 45,000 plant species in the Terminalia belerica (fruit), Valeriana jatamansi country, as many as 3,245 species (7.32%) are (roots), Heracleum candicans (root), Artemisia reported in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Of maritima (herb), Ephedra gerardiana (stems), these, about 150 species are recognized for their Podophyllum haxandrum (root), etc. Although medicinal and aromatic value. The number of no specific and systematic inventory is available plant species having confirmed medicinal and aro- on the current status of medicinal and aromatic matic value is about 100. Himachal Pradesh has plants, their quality, quantity and regeneration un-

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dicinal and aromatic plant biodiversity of Himachal der natural conditions, various workers have gen- Pradesh and its utilization in traditional medicines erated a fair amount of information in the past (Table 1). few years.

Among the cultivated medicinal and aromatic plants, Saussurea lappa (Kuth), Bunium persicum (Kala Zira), Cichorium itybus Conclusion (Chicory), Crocus sativus (Kesar) and Humulus lupulus (Hops) are the important ones in the state. Himachal Pradesh is home to a large variety of However, some important medicinal and aromatic medicinal and aromatic plants. Out of total 45,000 plant species in the country, as many as 3,245 spe- plants have become endangered and are under threat of extinction. These include Podophyllum cies are found in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Of these, about 150 species are recognized for hexandrum (Bankakri), Nardostachys grandi-

Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Biodiversity| their medicinal and aromatic value. To harness

| flora (Jatamansi), Gentiana kurroo (Indian Gen- this plant wealth on a sustainable basis, the agro-

tian), Aconitum heterophyllum (Atees), Onosma technologies for the cultivation of MADP’s should bracteatum (Ratanjot), Ephedra gerardiana (Somlata), Swertia chirata (Chirayata), Taxus be developed and transferred to hill farmers to encourage them to take up the cultivation of me- baccata (Talispatra), and Atropa acuminata (In- dian belladonna). dicinal plants, particularly in forests, wastelands and orchards as an additional income-generating activity. In addition, industries must be promoted Besides these medicinal plants, seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) is another unique to produce phyto-chemicals, essential oils, medi- cines, cosmetics, etc. This Himalayan state has medicinal plant having wider commercial impor- tance. It is a nitrogen-fixing plant which grows in great potential as a medicinal and aromatic plants , Britain, Germany, Finland, Romania, producer and manufacturer of herbal products for human health, awhile conserving the MADP France, Central Asia, and Nepal etc. In India, seabuckthorn grows in high altitude areas biodiversity to protect the natural environment of the state. of H.P and J&K, Uttaranchal, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. In HP, seabuckthorn grows along riversides and on sun facing slopes in Lahaul- References Spiti, parts of Chamba, Kinnaur, Kullu, Shimla and Kangra (Choudhary and Jaggi, 2002a). The In- Choudhary, A.K. and R.C. Jaggi. 2002. Role of seabuckthorn in the conservation of frag- dian Himalayas have the second or third richest resources of seabuckthorn (30,000-40,000 ha) in ile ecosystem of temperate Himalayan the world. The fruits and leaves of seabuckthorn region. Tigerpaper, 29(1):3-4. Choudhary, A.K. and R.C. Jaggi. 2002. are very rich sources of Vitamin C and other bioactive substances (Choudhary and Jaggi, Seabuckthorn cultivation – A boon to sus- tain the fragile ecosystem of temperate 2002b). Thus, Himachal Pradesh has a Himalayan geographical regime rich in medicinal and aro- Himalayan region. Farmers’ Forum. 2(6): matic plants biodiversity. 15-16. Chauhan, N.S. 1999. In: Medicinal and aromatic 5. Traditional importance of medicinal and Plants of Himachal Pradesh. Indus Publish- ing Company, New Delhi. pp.: 29-46. aromatic plants biodiversity of Himachal Pradesh There are no specific and systematic inventories Authors’ address: Department of Agroforestry available with general information about the me- dicinal and aromatic plants of Himachal Pradesh, and Environment, Himachal Pradesh Agri- cultural University, Palampur (HP) – 176062 their utility and the plant parts utilized. Hence, an attempt has been made here to present a fair INDIA. amount of information regarding the major me-

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Table 1: Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Biodiversity of Himachal Pradesh Himalayas and its utility in traditional medicine: Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Biodiversity|

Scientific English Family Traditional Importance and Utility Name Name Zingiber Ginger Zingiberaceae Used as spice and condiment, and also used in medicines as carminative and officinale digestive stimulant. Essential oil obtained from rhizomes, is used for flavouring purposes. Emblica Aonla Euphorbiaceae Raw fruits are used medicinally as diuretic and laxative, and in dried form in officinalis diarrhea and dysentery. Emblica fruit is a good source of vitamin C, and is considered to be a good liver tonic. Punica Pomegranate Punicaceae Peel from fruit is used medicinally in treating dysentery and diarrhoea. granatum

Terminalia Arjun Combretaceae Powdered bark is reported to relieve hypertension, and has diuretic and tonic arjuna effect in cirrhosis of liver. Aconitum Atis Ranunculaceae Roots are used medicinally as astringent, tonic and in diarrhoea and cough. heterophyllum Terminalia Bastard Combretaceae Fruits are reported to have antibiotic activity against a wide variety of bellirica myrobalan microorganisms. Fruits are used for dyeing and tanning, and are also used to increase the potency of spirit. Kernels yield an oil that is reported to be used for preparing soaps. Fruit pulp is used in treating dropsy, diarrhoea and leprosy, and half-ripe fruits as purgative. Plantago Baltanga Plantaginaceae Leaves are applied to wounds, sores and inflamed surfaces. Seeds are used as lanceolata purgative. Viola odorata Sweet violet Violaceae Used to treat several diseases under the Ayurvedic and Unani systems. Fresh flowering herb is used in homoeopathy for several skin, eye and ear diseases. Also used as a blood purifier. Flowers are used in perfumery, and are also used medicinally as demulcent and in biliousness and lung troubles. Cannabis Hemp Cannabinaceae Bhang is composed of dried leaves and flowering shoots of male and female sativa plants, both cultivated and wild. Ganja consists of dried unfertilized female inflorescences, and charas is crude resin. Active principal of these narcotics is a resinous exudation from glandular hairs on leaves, stems and inflorescences. Ganja and charas are two forms in which the drug is used for smoking, whereas bhang is taken in the form of a drink. Drug is also used as stomachic, antispasmodic, analgesic and sedative. Stem fibre is used for ropes, twines, canvas, nets and tarpaulins. Seed oil is used in paints, varnishes and soap manufacture. Urtica dioica Stinging Urticaceae Seeds yield an edible oil. Externally used to excite activity in paralyzed limbs, nettle internally for hemorrhages.

Centella Asiatic Hydrocotylaceae Considered useful in diseases of the nervous system and skin. Drug has a weak asiatica pennywort sedative effect used as a cardio-depressant and hyper-tensive action. A decoction of the whole plant is used in the treatment of leprosy. Drug consists of leaves and stems of plant and is used as a tonic and diuretic. Rauvolfia Rauvolfia serpentine Enicostema Indian hyssopifolium gentian Rumex Garden acetosa sorrel

Berberis Indian aristata barberry Coriandrum Coriander sativum Datura Thornapple stramonium Jimson weed Tribulus Land- Apocynaceae Fruits are known to have diuretic and tonic properties. Paste prepared from terrestris caltrops leaves is used for treatment of stones in bladder. Roots possess aperients and tonic properties. Ferula Narthex Gentianaceae Used in medicines for relieving spasms, whooping cough, and in indigestion and zeksiana asafetida cholera. It produces an oleo-gum-resin which is used for flavouring food products. Syzygium Java plum Polygonaceae Alcoholic extract of seeds has been reported to reduce level of blood sugar in cumini diabetic patients. Bark is used in dyeing and tanning. A decoction of bark and seeds is said to be useful in diarrhoea and dysentery. Urginea White squill, Berberidaceae Externally used for removing corns and warts. Used chiefly in chronic bronchitis indica Sea-Onion and asthma. Alcoholic extracts of the bulbs possess anticancer activity against human epidermis carcinoma. Also employed in dropsy, rheumatism and skin troubles.

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Rumex Golden dock Umbelliferae Leaves are cathartic and roots are purgative, used as substitute for rhubarb. acetosa Asclepias False ipecac, Drug consists of dried leaves, flowering tops and seeds which are used in curassavica Blood flower treatment of asthma. Kanaka asava, an Ayurvedic preparation, contains Stramonium as one of the main ingredients, is used as expectorant, and used to treat asthma. Alkaloid atropine, obtained from Stramonium, is used as a stimulant for the central nervous system. Rhus Japanese Anacardiaceae Used for coughs and asthma problems. Galls are astringent and expectorant and succedanea wax tree, also used for tanning. Wood is suitable for agricultural implements. wax is Wild varnish used in manufacture of candles, wax-matches and pencils. Latex from stem is used tree in manufacture of varnish. Bunium Earth nut, Umbelliferae Starchy tubers are eaten as vegetable and seeds are used as spice to treat the persicum Black cara- common cold. way Gentiana Himalayan Gentianaceae Roots are used as tonic, stomachic and for urinary infections. kurroo gentian, Indian gentian root Picrorhiza Katki, Karu Scrophulariaceae Roots are used as stomachic, tonic and to improve appetite and stimulate gastric Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Biodiversity|

kurrooa secretion. | Crocus Saffron Iridaceae On account of its colouring properties, bitter taste and aromatic odour, saffron is

sativus used mostly as a food additive in culinary, bakery and confectionery preparations. Saffron is used chiefly to colour and flavour foods. Allium Garlic Alliaceae Garlic has antibacterial properties and is widely used to treat intestinal disorders sativum and a number of infectious diseases. The bulbs are used to treat coughs and fever and as a condiment and flavoring substance. Garlic powder is extensively used as condiment and also serves as carminative and gastric stimulant in medicinal preparations. Also relieves rheumatism, clears chest and improves lungs. Plant has germicidal properties. Carica Papaya Caricaceae Ripe fruits are eaten. Papain, the proteolytic enzyme contained in the milky latex papaya of immature fruits, is an important ingredient in digestive medicines, and is used as an anthelmintic particularly effective in expulsion of lumbrici. Carpaine, an alkaloid occurring in green parts and in seeds, is reported to have been used as a heart stimulant and as a diuretic. Also considered to be an amoebicide particularly for amoebic dysentery. Allium cepa Onion Alliaceae Bulbs are used in stimulants, expectorants, aphrodisiacs and to treat flatulence and dysentery. Onion is used as spice in food preparations. Mentha Field mint Labiatae Leaves are the source of an essential oil, which is used in preparation of certain arvensis kinds of herbal cigarettes and pharmaceuticals. Also used medicinally as carminative, refrigerant and stimulant. Achyranthes Puth-kunda Amaranthaceae A herb used to treat coughs, and its decoction is given in renal dropsy and for aspera bronchial infection. Datura Datura Solanaceae Its leaves and flowering tops are used to treat asthma. Leaves and seeds show metel similar properties as stramonium. The principal alkaloid of the plant is scopolamin e. Acorus Sweet flag Araceae Its many branched aromatic rhizomes are used medicinally as a carminative calamus stimulant to the central nervous system, also used to relieve flatulence, acts as an expectorant, and to treat diarrhoea and dysentery. Leaves and rhizomes used to flavor drinks and to prepare insecticides. An essential oil, obtained from rhizomes, is used in perfumery and for flavouring liquors and other foodstuffs. Alcoholic extract of plant has sedative and analgesic effects, and causes moderate depression in blood pressure. Asparagus Safed musli Liliaceae Root is used as demulcent and also to treat male impotency, diarrhoea and adscendens dysentery. Foeniculum Fennel Umbelliferae Fruits are used as spice and condiment, also used medicinally as carminative and vulgare stimulant. Leaves are used for treating rheumatism, cramps and gastric disorders. Fennel oil besides being used for various medicinal preparations, is also used as a flavoring agent in culinary preparations, confectionary and liquors. Cinnamomu Indian Lauraceae Leaves are used as a condiment, and for flavoring tea, and also as substitute for m tamala Cassia betel leaves. Leaves are carminative and are used to treat colic and diarrhoea. Ocimum Holy basil, Labiatae The juice or infusion of the leaves is useful against bronchitis, cough, digestive sanctum Sacred basil complaints; applied locally on ringworm and other skin diseases. A decoction of leaves is used to cure common colds. Seeds are recommended for complaints of the urinary system. The oil from leaves can destroy bacteria and insects. Cuminum Cumin Umbelliferae Seeds are used as spice and for flavoring purposes. Fruits are also used cyminum medicinally as stomachic, stimulant, carminative, and are useful in dyspepsia and diarrhoea. Essential oil is used in perfumery and for flavoring beverages. Rumex Garden Polygonaceae Leaves are eaten. Dried and powdered roots are used for diarrhoea and bleeding. hastatus sorrel Silybum Holy thistle, Compositae Boiled roots are eaten as pot-herbs. Flowers are consumed by diabetics. Seeds are marianum Milk thistle reported to be a good source of fatty oils.

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Participatory Wildlife Conservation Initiatives in Nepal| PARTICIPATORY WILDLIFE CONSERVATION INITIATIVES IN NEPAL

by Gandhiv Kafle and Mohan Krishna Balla

Introduction 2004). His Majesty’s Government of Nepal lthough comprising only 0.09% of the global (HMGN) has imposed restrictions on the export Aland area, Nepal possesses a disproportion- of 12 plant species and one forest product. In ad- ately large diversity of flora and fauna at genetic, dition, 27 species, nine bird species, and species and ecosystem levels. Out of the total 118 three reptile species have been given legal pro- ecosystems identified by Dobremez (1970), 80 tection under the National Parks and Wildlife Con- ecosystems are included in the current Protected servation (NPWC) Act, 1973. Fifteen vascular Areas (PAs) of Nepal (HMGN/MFSC, 2002). plant species, 58 mammal species, 40 bird spe- Nepal is home to 861 species of birds (including cies, 13 reptile species, one species and six endangered pheasant species), about 640 spe- two species are listed under various CITES cies of butterflies, 6,500 species of flowering appendices. Sixty species of non-endemic plants plants and 175 mammal species (DNPWC, 2004). are regarded as threatened. Altogether, 27 mam- mal species are listed as threatened by IUCN: Nepal’s rich biodiversity is a reflection of its unique eight as Endangered, ten as Vulnerable, four as geographical position as well as its altitudinal and Indeterminate, and five as Insufficiently Known. climatic variations. The altitude ranges from 57 m Twenty-two bird species, 9 reptile species and 2 (Mukhiyapatti of Dhanusa District) to 8,848 m insect species are listed in IUCN’s Red List (1995). (Mount Everest) above mean sea level (Amatya Nine species of birds are regarded as threatened and Shrestha, 2002). It incorporates Palaearctic in Nepal. Altogether, 342 plant species and 160 and Indo-Malayan biogeographical regions and have been reported as being endemic to major floristic provinces of Asia, creating a unique Nepal (HMGN/MFSC, 2002). and rich diversity of life. Owing to its typical natural landscape and cultural characteristics, Sagarmatha Nepal has had long experience in wildlife conser- (Mt. Everest) National Park and Royal Chitwan vation through different approaches. Its conser- National Park (RCNP) were listed as World Heri- vation policy has evolved from the early empha- tage Sites in 1979 and 1984, respectively. The sis on species preservation and research with strict Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, a wetland of inter- law enforcement practices, to a more concilia- national importance, was declared a Ramsar Site tory and participatory approach (DNPWC, 2004). in 1987. Three other wetlands – the Beeshajari Nepal embarked upon a modern era of wildlife Tal (Lake), Ghodaghodi Tal and Jagadishpur Res- conservation with the enactment of the National ervoir were designated as Ramsar Sites in 2003. Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act in 1973. The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Con- Nepal is signatory to various international conven- servation (DNPWC) presently oversees a net- tions and treaties including CITES, Convention on work of 9 national parks, 3 wildlife reserves, 3 Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Ramsar Con- conservation areas, 1 hunting reserve, and 9 buffer vention, and has the responsibility of conserving zones around national parks and wildlife reserves, and maintaining the country’s major representa- covering a total of 27,685.5 km2, or 18.81% of the tive ecosystems, genetic diversity, unique natural country’s total land area. The management plans and cultural heritages, and giving protection to of RCNP, Royal Bardia National Park (RBNP) valuable and endangered species (DNPWC, and the Buffer Zone Management Plan for

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Sagarmatha National Park have already been to promote Community Forestry (CF) in the BZs approved by HMGN. and to improve the regeneration of forests by the community (DNPWC/MFSC, 1999). It has been realized that conservation cannot be achieved without the people’s participation. So, BZ development is primarily focused on improv- conservation programmes are now being designed ing the socio-economic well being of local com- and implemented in different models ensuring the munities surrounding PAs, while restricting access active participation of local communities in con- to the PA. Conservation programs are designed servation, protection and utilization of biological to meet local needs and reduce the dependency diversity on a sustainable basis. A number of suc- of local people on PA resources by developing an cesses have been recorded over the years in the alternative natural resource base in the BZ protection and management of biological resources (HMGN/MFSC, 2002). Legal provisions allow BZs and their diversity, particularly with protected eco- to be managed under community forest, religious systems and species, community forestry, agro- forest and private forest structures (Sharma, 1999). biodiversity and mountain biodiversity (HMGN/ MFSC, 2002). The participation of communities As of 2004, eight BZs have already been declared in the decision-making process is central to this in different PAs – Royal Chitwan National Park, Participatory Wildlife Conservation Initiatives in Nepal|

success. The participatory conservation approach Royal Bardia National Park, Langtang National | has gained momentum in the conservation of Park, Shey-Phoksundo National Park,

biodiversity of Nepal along with the sustainable Makalubarun National Park, Sagarmatha National use of resources and livelihood improvement of Park, Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve and Royal local communities since the late 1970s. Devolu- Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve. More than 127 tion and decentralization of rights and responsi- VDCs are involved in sustainable use and conser- bilities to local communities for sustainable man- vation of biodiversity in declared BZs. In June agement of natural resources has built and 2005, HMGN declared the buffer zone of Parsa strengthened cordial relations with the communi- Wildlife Reserve covering 278 km2. The new ad- ties. dition makes a total of nine buffer zones covering 3766.5 km2. Participatory wildlife conservation models Landscape Approach to Biodiversity Conser- Buffer zone (BZ) models around protected areas vation (PAs) and the landscape approach to biodiversity The landscape approach to biodiversity conserva- conservation are the major participatory wildlife tion aims for representation of all distinct natural conservation initiatives in Nepal, which are de- communities, maintenance of ecological and evo- scribed below. lutionary processes that create and sustain biodiversity, maintenance of viable populations of Buffer Zone (BZ) Management Model species, ecosystem resilience to large-scale dis- The fourth amendment of the NPWC Act in 1992 turbances and long-term changes and promotion incorporated provisions for Conservation Areas of sustainable livelihoods. (CAs) and Buffer Zones (BZs). Subsequently, the Buffer Zone Management Regulations 1996 and Landscape level conservation is not new to Nepal, Guidelines 1999 were approved to design as many successful lessons have been learnt programmes compatible with national park man- through the experiences in community forestry, agement and to facilitate public participation in the conservation areas and the buffer zone conservation, design and management of BZs. The programme. Declaring BZs around national parks amended NPWC Act makes provisions for 30- and reserves with a view to developing compat- 50% of the parks (or reserves) revenues to be ible land use patterns adjacent to PAs to simulta- retained for community development activities in neously address the growing needs of the people the BZ. The revenue is disbursed through a Buffer and the rapidly decreasing natural cover is an ef- Zone Management Committee (BZMC). The BZ fective initiative in landscape conservation. NBS Management Regulations are the only regulations is committed to making efforts to link PAs with

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Vol. 32: No. 4 Oct-Dec 2005 | wildlife-friendly corridors. Development of livelihoods of the local people. Barandhabar For- Participatory Wildlife Conservation Initiatives in Nepal| biodiversity landscapes through a holistic and in- est Corridor, connecting RCNP with the forests tegrated approach by incorporating all the ingre- of the foothills of the Mahabharat range in the dients of a landscape, namely national parks, re- north, is a successful example of the landscape serves, conservation areas, buffer zones, national approach carried out at the initiation of the King forests, community forests, farmlands and wet- Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation lands, with supportive policy regimes and plans (KMTNC). would pave the way towards achieving landscape level conservation. Biodiversity conservation at the Existing participatory wildlife conservation landscape level is practiced in two models in Nepal. programs The first one is the Minimum Dynamic Area Model, and the second one is Network Model. A number of participatory conservation and de- velopment programs have been implemented by The Minimum Dynamic Area Model is, by and various organizations joining hands with the De- large, the existing conservation practice in Nepal. partment of National Parks and Wildlife Con- This model emphasizes the importance of main- servation (DNPWC) inside, outside and within taining an existing habitat of an appropriate size the BZs of different PAs, which are described and character, which is suitable for the mainte- below. nance of biological diversity, by isolating it from intensive land-use surroundings. The premise of Participatory Conservation Program (PCP) this view is that the area available for nature re- Implemented by DNPWC with the support of serve elements should be large enough to provide the United Nations Development Program well functioning populations or communities. This (UNDP), the PCP has been extended until June approach emphasizes a better protection for the 2006 to complete the targeted works, particu- habitats that still exist in the PAs. This can be larly those relating to sustainability of the pro- accomplished by establishing BZs in and around gram and mainstreaming of target groups and those habitats. Nepal has made significant the poor living in the BZs. The PCP activities progress towards the Minimum Dynamic Area have been launched in the BZs of seven PAs. Model by declaring nine BZs in and around the The PCP has made considerable progress in in- PAs. stitutionalizing the achievements and successes of the Park People Program (PPP) (WWF The second model is the Network Model, which Nepal, 2004). The major activities carried out advocates the overall reduction of land use, pro- by PCP include providing policy and institutional tection of large areas for nature conservation, and support to the Ministry of Forests and Soil Con- creation of a network of corridors and connectiv- servation (MFSC)/DNPWC, strengthening com- ity or other small landscape elements. Terai Arc munity-based organizations such as User Groups Landscape (TAL) jointly implemented by (UGs) and User Committees (UCs), providing DNPWC, DoF, and WWF in collaboration with training for the members of UG/UC, and sup- the local community and other stakeholders, is an port for income generating opportunities. Other example of this model as it is practiced in Nepal. notable achievements were the institutionaliza- It has connected eleven PAs that spread across tion of the savings and credit scheme, the the boundary of Nepal and India to ensure the Biodiversity Conservation Facility through coop- conservation of globally significant biodiversity in eratives, conservation education and awareness the long run. The most important corridors and programs, and support for UGs for self-initiative linkages under the TAL Programme are Khata after social and environmental benefits. PCP also Corridor, Basanta Corridor, Lamahi Bottleneck provided support for the preparation of park and Dovan Bottleneck in the lowland of Nepal. management plans, resource profiles, habitat and The other important activities conducted by the natural resource management and infrastructure TAL Programme in a participatory manner are development (DNPWC, 2004). centered on capacity building, community man- agement of forest resources and improving the

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Terai Arc Landscape Program (TAL) drinking water schemes, and community health In 2002, WWF Nepal began the Terai Arc Land- services are all part of the TAL program’s con- scape (TAL) Program in collaboration with the servation efforts. This was met with the over- MFSC, DNPWC, DoF, and local community- whelming participation and contribution from the based organizations to “conserve the biodiversity, communities: local contribution (cash and kind) ex- forests, soils and watersheds of the Terai and ceeded 40% on average of the investment needed Churia hills in order to ensure the ecological, eco- in fiscal year 2003-2004 (WWF Nepal, 2004). nomic and socio-cultural integrity of the region” (WWF Nepal, 2004). It is based on the landscape HMGN and MFSC approved the Terai Arc Land- approach of biodiversity conservation. The pro- scape (TAL) Strategic Plan (2004-2014) in 2004. gram activities have been implemented in the PAs, The major achievements of the TAL Program their buffer zones and outside the PAs. The goal during the fiscal year included the preparation of of the program is to restore critical biological cor- the TAL Strategic Plan, restoration of biological ridors and eliminate bottlenecks and provide link- corridors in critical areas, and partnership with ages to 11 trans-border PAs in Nepal and India local, regional and international stakeholders for spreading over 49,500 km2 to facilitate wildlife synergy to have the desired impact on biodiversity passage, while addressing the issues of the liveli- conservation. Participatory Wildlife Conservation Initiatives in Nepal|

| hood of the people in the region, especially those

living in the fringe areas (DNPWC, 2004). TAL is The Western Terai Landscape Complex Project

home to flagship species like the Asiatic wild el- was approved by GEF in 2003 and implemented ephant, rhinoceros, and tiger. In Nepal, TAL en- to initiate conservation activities in the western compasses 23,129 km2 of 14 districts, including part of TAL under the leadership of HMGN. A 75% of the remaining forests of lowland Nepal, working arrangement was signed between MFSC, the Churia hills and four PAs. This landscape has HMGN, SNV Nepal and WWF NP for the imple- the second largest population of rhinos and one of mentation of the Western Terai Landscape Build- the highest densities of tiger populations in the ing Program (WTLB) in 2004. A Central Support world. TAL covers three Ramsar sites and two Unit (CSU) for the WTLB Program, jointly imple- World Heritage Sites. TAL was prioritized by mented by MFSC, SNV Nepal and WWF NP, HMGN as a priority program in the 10th Plan was established at the premises of DoF (WWF (2002-2007). Khata biological corridor is one of Nepal, 2004). the crucial corridors in the TAL and provides a vital linkage between Nepal’s RBNP and Northern Mountains Conservation Project Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary of India, espe- (NMCP) cially for the movement of the Royal Bengal tiger The Northern Mountains Conservation Project (Panthera tigris). A monitoring team of rangers (NMCP) is a joint initiative of WWF Nepal and from the DFO at Bardia and the Research Of- DNPWC in Shey Phoksundo National Park ficer from TAL Program confirmed that the Khata (SPNP) and its BZ areas in Dolpa and Mugu dis- corridor was being used by Bengal tigers and Asian tricts. The objective of this integrated conserva- wild elephants in 2003 (WWF Nepal, 2004). tion and development project is to facilitate the local management of natural resources and im- The program is directed to improve the livelihood prove the people’s living conditions, while safe- of local communities to mitigate pressure on natu- guarding this region’s unique natural heritage. ral resources. Major income generating activities NMCP has two components: 1) People and Plant supported by the TAL Program were vegetable Initiative (PPI); and 2) Strengthened Actions for farming, livestock, retail shops and collecting non- Governance and Utilization of Natural Resources timber forest products (NTFP). Since unsustain- (SAGUN). PPI was launched in 1997 and able extraction of fuel wood has caused major SAGUN in 2002. While the main objective of PPI forest degradation, the TAL Program advocates is to address the issues of conservation and sus- alternative energy like biogas and improved cook- tainable use of valuable plant resources, SAGUN ing stoves. Community services like road gravel- is focused on strengthening the capacity of local ling, maintenance of school buildings, irrigation and communities for governance in the sustainable 1414

Vol. 32: No. 4 Oct-Dec 2005 | utilization of natural resources (WWF Nepal, Annapurna Conservation Area Project Participatory Wildlife Conservation Initiatives in Nepal| 2004). (ACAP) The Annapurna CA Project (ACAP) was offi- Sagarmatha Community Agro-Forestry Project cially gazetted in 1992 and the KMTNC was given (SCAFP) the responsibility of managing it for 10 years. The The WWF Nepal Program has initiated SCAFP ACAP has evolved from an experimental Inte- in Sagarmatha National Park (SNP). The SCAFP grated Conservation and Development Project to is a multifaceted community-based conservation the largest PA (7,629 km2) in Nepal. The project project, initiated in July 1996, to address the issue serves as a model throughout the Asia for inte- of deforestation in the Sagarmatha region. grating public participation in biodiversity conser- vation. It is based on a holistic and integrated ap- One of the major achievements of the project is proach, considering local people as partners rather the preparation of the BZ Management Plan for than beneficiaries (HMGN/MFSC, 2002). SNP. The other notable activity was the prepara- tion of operational plans and statutes of four com- New Models of Protection and Management munity forest user groups. Regular project activi- of CAs ties such as nursery management, plantation and NBS 2002 indicates that new models of PA man- forest regeneration were undertaken by local agement have been developed in the highlands CFUGs and Monastery Management Committees and mountains – in the Annapurna CA, through financial grant support. Kanchenjunga CA and Manaslu CA – where the army is not involved. It realized that the reliance Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Project on the army alone for protecting PAs should be (KCAP) reduced given the high cost of mobilizing the army. DNPWC implemented the Kangchenjunga Con- The DNPWC implemented the Makalu-Barun servation Area Project (KCAP) in March 1998 National Park and Conservation Area Project to with the technical and financial support of the demonstrate a new model for conservation. The WWF Nepal Program to conserve the natural project gives strict protection to the biodiversity resources of the region and promote sustainable of the park while developing sustainable use ac- development. A major achievement of the past tivities for the people who reside in the surround- year was HMGN’s decision to hand over man- ing CA. Makalu-Barun NP is the Nepal’s first agement responsibility of the conservation area national park east of Mount Everest NP to be to local communities. This conforms to the managed without the help of the army. The local government’s recent policy of giving management people who manage the resources are the real responsibility of selected protected areas to NGOs guardians. Recently, the rights and responsibili- and local communities. The aim is to share the ties to manage Sagarmatha NP, Shey Phoksundo benefits generated by protected areas with the NP and Sivapuri NP have also been given to local people and to improve their socio-economic KMTNC (HMGN/MFSC, 2002). conditions. At present, the process of formally handing over management responsibility to Tourism for Rural Poverty Alleviation Program KCAMC is underway. The KCA communities (TRPAP) are very enthusiastic and committed toward this TRPAP is implemented under the Ministry of initiative. The first ever community management Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) of a conservation area serves as an excellent with the technical and financial support of UNDP, example of conservation by the local people. SNV and DFID. The goal of TRPAP is to con- These achievements are the result not only of tribute to the poverty alleviation objectives of the community support, but also of strong local part- government. The project aims to accomplish the nerships such as with the District Development task through review and formulation of policy and Community-Taplejung and Decentralized Finance strategic planning for sustainable tourism Development Project (WWF Nepal, 2004). (DNPWC, 2004).

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CARE Nepal: The Buffer Zone Development Wildlife farming, reproduction and research Project policy The BZ Development Project, implemented with The Cabinet approved the “Wildlife farming, re- the support of the European Union and DANIDA, production and research policy” in –execution 2060 is part of a broader integrated conservation and on 28 August, 2003. development program. DNPWC and CARE Nepal jointly implemented the Project in the BZ The protected species that may be permitted for of RBNP with the objective of improving the live- farming include gharial crocodile (Gavialis lihoods of local people of the BZ. The project suc- gangeticus), blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra), cessfully handed over a total of 8,957.75 ha of impeyan pheasant (Lophophorus impejanus), forest to 24 Buffer Zone Community Forest User crimson horned pheasant (Tragopan satyra) and Groups (BZCFUGs), benefiting 7,782 households. cheer pheasant (Catreus wallichi). Other spe- The project successfully completed its project cies included in the list are barking deer, spotted cycle in July 2004. SAGUN has taken over some deer, sambar, rhesus monkey, hog deer, wild boar, of the activities of BZDP in RBNP and SPNP and all other bird species. (DNPWC, 2004). The seed animals for farming can be obtained from Emerging participatory conservation initia- the DNPWC and the permission fee ranges from | Participatory Wildlife Conservation Initiatives in Nepal tives five thousand to forty thousand rupees. Permis-

sion for the farming of protected species could be Following the success of the program’s implemen- obtained from the MFSC, while DNPWC has been tation through the participation of local commu- authorized to issue permission for other species nity members, HMGN has approved new policies of wildlife. regarding wildlife conservation through the par- ticipatory approach. The NPWC Act 1973 was Policy on the management of domesticated el- amended for the fifth time in 2004. The new ephants amendment includes provisions for wildlife farm- HMGN passed a policy for the effective man- ing, reproduction and research; elephant domesti- agement of domesticated elephants in the coun- cation; detailed specifications of the provision of try on 16 September 2003. The policy in-execu- buffer zones and specifications relating to the ex- tion aims to improve the breeding of domesticated change of wildlife species with other countries. elephants by improving the food quality and hy- Following are the new policies recently approved gienic conditions of the Hattisars (camps for do- by the government. mesticated elephants and their handlers) and im- proving the health care system of the elephants. New policy on protected area management It also aims to register all domesticated elephants HMGN has approved a policy in-execution re- and reduce their impact in protected areas. garding the handing over of management respon- sibilities of protected areas to interested INGOs/ Out of the total 184 domestic elephants in Nepal, NGOs or local communities. The objective is to 81 are owned by the government. The govern- ensure maximum participation of local people in ment-owned elephants are used for eco-tourism, sharing benefits from conservation activities, while patrolling for poachers, wildlife monitoring, cap- contributing to biodiversity conservation and en- turing problem animals, evacuating trapped ani- vironmental protection. The decision of HMGN mals and wildlife research. to hand over the management responsibility is in conformity with the Tenth Plan (2002-2007) and Conclusion ensuring local people’s access to natural resources and equitable distribution of benefits. The conservation policy of Nepal has evolved from an early emphasis on species preservation and research with strict law enforcement practices to a more conciliatory and participatory approach. It

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(con’t from p.16) that people’s participation is essential to sustain- Participatory Wildlife Conservation Initiatives in Nepal| able conservation. It is crucial to win the support embarked upon a modern era of wildlife conser- and stewardship of the local people in wildlife con- vation with the enactment of the National Parks servation by implementing conservation programs and Wildlife Conservation Act in 1973. His along with community development activities Majesty’s Government of Nepal has approved aimed at improving their socio-economic condi- three new policies, namely: 1) wildlife farming, tions. reproduction and research policy; 2) policy on management of domesticated elephants; and 3) References the new policy on protected area management. These policies have placed local communities in Amatya, S. M. and K. L. Shrestha. 2002. Nepal the center of the conservation program. Chang- Forestry Handbook. FAO, , Rome. ing policy into practice is a very sensitive task and DNPWC. 2004. Annual Report. His Majesty’s guidelines related to the new policies should be Government of Nepal. prepared soon for effective wildlife management WWF Nepal. 2004. Annual Report. World Wild- practices in collaboration with local communities. life Fund Nepal Program. HMGN/MFSC. 2002. Nepal Biodiversity Strat- A number of community-based participatory pro- egy. His Majesty’s Government of Nepal, grams have been implemented inside, outside and Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation. in the BZs of PAs. The Buffer Zone Manage- NPWC Act. 1973. National Park and Wildlife ment Model and the Landscape Approach to Conservation Act 1973. His Majesty’s Gov- biodiversity conservation are successful ap- ernment of Nepal. proaches in the context of Nepal. Both approaches Sharma, U. R. 1999. Country Paper – Nepal. emphasize people’s participation in program de- In: Oli, K.P. (ed.) Collaborative Manage- sign and implementation. The landscape approach ment of Protected Areas in the Asian Re- to biodiversity conservation aims for representa- gion. IUCN Nepal. tion of all distinct natural communities, mainte- Tenth Plan. 2002. Tenth Five Year Plan (2002- nance of ecological and evolutionary processes 2007). His Majesty’s Government of Nepal. that create and sustain biodiversity, maintenance of viable populations of species, ecosystem resil- ience to large-scale disturbances and long-term Authors’ addresses: Gandhiv Kafle, Institute of changes and promotion of sustainable livelihoods. Forestry, P. O. Box 203, Pokhara, Nepal, The BZ Management approach aims at making Email: [email protected]; Prof. local communities self-reliant in forest products Mohan Krishna Balla, Institute of Forestry, P. by initiating community forests and reducing bi- O. Box. 43, Pokhara, Nepal. otic pressure in the core areas. Experiences show

Table 1: Declared Buffer Zones (BZ) of parks and reserves Protected Areas Year gazetted BZ area (km2) VDCs within BZ Estimated population in BZ Royal Chitwan NP 1996 750 37 242,000 Royal Bardia NP 1996 328 17 69,000 Langtang NP 1998 420 26 NA Shey Phoksundo NP 1998 449 8 9,185 Makalu-Barun NP 1999 830 12 32,000 Sagarmatha NP 2002 275 3 13,000 Koshi Tappu WR 2004 173 13 172,000 Royal Suklaphanta WR 2004 243.5 11 74,000 Parsa WR 2005 298 NA NA Total 3,766.5 127 611,185

1717 Vol. 32: No. 4 Oct-Dec 2005

DIVERSITY OF SPIDERS IN PARAMBIKULAM WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

by C. Sivaperuman, M. Karthikeyan and R. Ravikumar

Introduction ary is a combination of Malabar and Deccan ele- ments and both natural and man-made vegetation piders play an important role in stabilizing or types are met within the area. Champion and Seth Sregulating insect populations; they are one of (1968) broadly classified the natural forest as West the most numerous insectivores and exhibit a wide coast tropical evergreen, West coast semi-ever- variety of lifestyles and foraging strategies green, Southern moist mixed deciduous and South- (Nyffeler et al., 1994; Nyffeler and Benz, 1987; ern dry mixed deciduous forests. Wise, 1993). Spiders possess the characteristics of predators that can contribute to density-inde- Methods | Diversity of Spiders in Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary pendent limitation of prey, including self-damping,

high levels of polyphagy, and life cycles that are The study was carried out in Parambikulam Wild- asynchronous to those of prey species (Riechert life Sanctuary, Kerala between May 2001 to April and Bishop, 1990). The size of the spiders varies 2002 to explore the diversity and abundance of from as big as a small bird (Nephila maculata) the fauna. The data was sampled using a and to as small as mites (Oonopids). Body length quadrate size of 10 x 10 m randomly laid in 3 dif- ranges from 0.7 mm to 9 cm (bird-eating spider). ferent habitats: moist deciduous forests, evergreen Almost all spiders are generalist predators, mainly forests and plantations, with a total of 500 plots in eating insects and secondarily other spiders (Wise, each habitat. A thorough search was made in the 1993); a few have become specialists (Nentwig, plots and spiders were collected by hand picking 1986). Some larger species may even occasion- or trapped directly into the specimen tubes or jars. ally feed on small mice, birds, and . Spiders The collected specimens were preserved in 70% may be sedentary, social and could be cannibalis- alcohol. The spiders were identified with the help tic. Additionally, spiders are an important food of standard key systematic references (Pocock, source for birds, lizards, and other animals. 1900; Subramanyam, 1968, 1969; Tikader, 1980, Only fragmented information is available on the 1982; Tikader and Biswas, 1981; Vijayalakshmi spider fauna of the Parambikulam Wildlife Sanc- and Ahimaz, 1993). Identified spiders were de- tuary. The present study was an attempt to ex- posited in the interpretation center at amine the spider fauna of this Sanctuary. Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary. Quantitative information such as species richness and diver- Study area sity indices were worked out using the software SPDIVERS.BAS in STATECOL (Ludwig and Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in Reynolds, 1988). Palakkad district of Kerala State, India with an area of 274 km2. This sanctuary lies between Results 79º35' and 76º51' E longitude and 10º20' and 10º26' N latitude, at an elevation of 600 m above MSL. A total of fifty-one species of spiders belonging to The temperature varies from 13ºC to 32ºC. The nineteen families and thirty-four genera were ob- area receives the southwest and northeast mon- served in the three different habitats of soons and the average annual rainfall is 2,590 mm. Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary (Table 1). The This sanctuary is contiguous with forests of most prominently represented family was Anamalai, Nelliampathi, Sholayar, Vazhachal and Araneidae (18 genus) followed by Lycocidae (7 Palani hills. The natural vegetation of the sanctu- genus). All the recorded species from the study

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Vol. 32: No. 4 Oct-Dec 2005 | area are distributed throughout the country. Spe- masterpiece of craftsmanship. Though the webs Diversity of Spiders in Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary| cies richness and abundance of spiders were high- mainly serve as trapping nets to “capture prey”, est in evergreen forests, followed by moist de- they also camouflage the spiders from their prey ciduous forests and plantations. and predators. The threads of the webs are noth- ing but solidified secretion from silk glands present Number of spiders recorded in the different inside the abdomen of spider. The silk secretion habitats is a kind of protein, which solidifies as soon as it comes in contact with the air. The secretion of Plantations: A total of 4,482 spiders were recorded the silk gland comes out from the minute micro- in the plantations, which cover an area of 92.30 scopic spigots present on the mound or spinnerets. km2. Argiope pulchella (10%) was the common- The web varies from species to species. Some est in the area, followed by Gasteracantha dalyi webs are primitive and consist of merely a few (8%). strands of silk, while others are beautiful, elabo- Moist Deciduous Forest: From a total of 39.4 km2 rately organized webs. moist deciduous forests, 5,408 taxa of spiders were recorded. Lycosa indagatrix (16%) was the com- Discussion monest in the area followed by Clubiona sp. (6%). Evergreen forest: A total of 6,848 spiders were The results of the present study showed that a recorded from 101.10 km2 of evergreen forests. great variety of spiders exists in the Parambikulam The highest percentage was Hippasa Wildlife Sanctuary. The maximum number of spi- agelenoides (14%), followed by Gasteracantha ders was recorded in evergreen forests (6,848) dalyi (7 %). followed by moist deciduous forests (5,408) and plantations (4,482). Evergreen forests showed Diversity indices of spiders in the three differ- higher values of diversity index (Table 2) mainly ent habitats due to the fact that many of the web weavers prefer thick under growth habitats and grass cov- The highest species diversity index (H’) was ob- ers. A total of 41 species of spiders were re- served in evergreen forests, followed by planta- corded from evergreen forests, followed by 37 tions and moist deciduous forests. Species rich- species from moist deciduous forests and 35 spe- ness indices were observed to be highest in ever- cies from plantations. green forests, followed by moist deciduous for- ests and plantations (Table 1). The occurrence of various species in Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary seems to be For evenness, two measures were calculated correlated with the vegetation and biotic in- based on Shannon Wiener’s and Simpson’s diver- fluence. Nephila maculata, the spider with a large sity indices. The ratio of observed diversity to sized web, was recorded only from evergreen maximum diversity is taken as the measure of forests where large sized trees are luxuriantly evenness (E). The index measures of the even- grown. ness of species abundance is complimentary to the diversity index concept and is a measure of Gasteracantha, represented by five species, is how the individuals are appropriated among the the largest genus and 10 genera have two conge- species. In the present case, highest evenness was neric species; Hippasa has three congeneric spe- observed in plantations. cies. Argiope pulchella was the most abundant and dominant genus in the plantations. There were Spider webs 433 individuals of Argiope pulchella recorded and it also showed greatest value in the dominance Spider webs can be found everywhere in gardens, index (9.66), followed by Gasteracantha dalyi trees and fields and inside the houses. Among (8.14), Cryptophora citricola (7.8), and spiders, Araneids are unique because of their pe- Plexippus payakulii (7.10). The maximum num- culiar habit of constructing an orb web with geo- ber of individuals observed in moist deciduous for- metrical precision and the finished product is a ests were Lycosa indagatrix (856), which re-

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corded the highest dominance index (15.83), fol- the most numerous insectivores and exhibit a wide lowed by Clubiona sp. (6.38) and Lucauge variety of lifestyles and foraging strategies decorata (6.07). Hippasa agelenoides (923 in- (Nyffeler et al., 1994; Wise, 1993). While biologi- dividuals) showed a greater dominance index cal control by spiders has not been clearly dem- (13.55), followed by Gasteracantha dalyi (6.66) onstrated in natural systems, evidence in agro- and Drassodes sp. (6.32). The least represented ecosystems like plantations has been reported in taxa in the three habitats were Clubiona sp. (0.27) several studies (Riechert and Bishop, 1990; Hippasa lycosina (0.18) and Hersilia savigyni Breene et al., 1993), and benefits to primary pro- (0.20). ducers have been measured (Carter and Rypstra, 1995). Spider silk is important to bird species for Among the recorded species, Poecilotheria nest building; 24 of 42 families of birds striata, Psechrus sp., Hersilia savigyni, and nearly all species of hummingbird depend on Thomisus sp., atlanta, Phidippus silk from spiders and caterpillars for nest construc- indicus, Heteropoda phasma, Drassodes sp., tion (Hansel, 1993). Lycosa indagatrix, Gasteracantha dalyi, Gasteracantha hasseltii, Gasteracantha Spiders, like most terrestrial invertebrates, are mammosa, Leucauge decorata, Cryptophora affected by habitat alteration such as deforesta- citricola and Cyclosa mulemeinensis commonly tion, agriculture, grazing, and urbanization. For | Diversity of Spiders in Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary occurred in all three habitats. Two species, example, clear-cutting of forests reduces spider

Crossopriza lyoni and Heteropoda venatoria, abundance and changes the spider community were confirmed only from the plantation. Hippasa composition drastically. The introduction of alien lycosina, Gasteracantha hasseltii and Neoscona species can have serious direct and indirect con- sp. were recorded only from moist deciduous for- sequences for native species. Alien ant species ests. Dictyna sp. and Nephila maculata were are perhaps one of the most invasive exotic spe- observed only in evergreen forests. cies, with many reports of effects on native in- vertebrate species (New, 1995). Pesticide use has Spiders are skillful hunters (Lycocids), jumpers decreased spider populations in agro-ecosystems, (Attids), excellent architects () and affecting the ability of spiders to control pest spe- specialised swimmers (Pesaurids). They are dis- cies (Clausen, 1990). Fertilizers may change spi- tributed extensively in fields, thick forest floors, der community composition and activity as well under stones, logs and on tree trunks. Some of (Kajak, 1978). Chemical contamination of ground- the spiders of family Araneidae are orb web weav- water can have especially deleterious effects on ers namely the genera Nephila, Araneus, cave spiders, and has been cited as a threat to Argiope, Leucauge, Neoxona and several endangered (Hansen, 1993). Gasteracantha. Whereas members of family Therididae (Rhomphae and ) spin ir- Future conservation efforts for spiders and other regular webs. Stegodyphus sarasinorum belongs arachnids will depend on increased cooperation to the family Eresidae of social spiders and con- and communication between arachnologists and structs compact nests with many entrance holes conservation professionals. Little information is and passages, commonly found on the Acacia trees available to the conservation community regard- and shrubs. However, some spiders prepare no ing the status and distribution of spiders, due to such webs or snares to catch their insect prey. the general difficulty in finding reliable or appro- The spiders of the families Lycosidae, priate sources and an unfamiliarity with the taxa. Gnaphosidae, Clubionidae, Salticidae, Similarly, conservationists should make known Oxyopidae and Thomisidae are hunting spiders their information needs to researchers in order to widely distributed in Parambikulam Wildlife sanc- encourage information exchange and promote sci- tuary. entific study.

Spiders possess the characteristics of predators Without appropriate occurrence information, and play an important role in stabilizing or regu- species in need of conservation may be lating insect populations because they are one of overlooked. While most of the states have some 20

Vol. 32: No. 4 Oct-Dec 2005 | type of spider species checklist, many lists are Kajak, A. 1978. The effects of fertilizers on Diversity of Spiders in Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary| either outdated, difficult to obtain, or unreliable. numbers and biomass of spiders in a Additionally, most of the checklists provide vague meadow. Symposium Zoological Society of collection locations, little information on habitat London 42: 125-129. use, and no discussion of abundance. Species are Ludwig, J.A. and J.F. Reynolds 1988. Statistical often known from only one or few localities. Ecology. A premier on methods and com- Protection of rare or threatened ecosystems is puting. A Wiley-Interscience publication. P. arguably the best way to preserve the biodiversity 337. that remains in them. Without the necessary Nentwig, W. 1986. Non-webbuilding spiders: inventories, however, it will be difficult to develop Prey specialists or generalists? management regimes that benefit the most Oecologia 69: 571-576 species. More specifically, spider inventories in New, T. R. 1995. An introduction to inverte- these habitats are necessary for determining spider brate conservation biology. Oxford Uni- management needs. Through continued spider versity Press, New York. inventories in rare and endangered habitats, efforts Nyffeler M. and G. Benz 1987. Spiders in natu- to preserve biodiversity through ecosystem ral pest control: A review. Journal of protection can only be enhanced. Applied Entomology 104: 190-197. Nyffeler, M., W. L. Sterling, and D. A. Dean 1994. Acknowledgements How spiders make a living. Entomologi- cal Society of America 23(6): 1357-1367. The authors gratefully acknowledge Shri. P. Pocock, R.I. 1900. Fauna of British India, Pugazhendi, I.F.S., Deputy Conservator of Arachnida. London. 153-205. Forest and Wildlife Warden, Parambikulam Riechert, S. E. and L. Bishop 1990. Prey con- Wildlife Sanctuary for permitting us to carry trol by an assemblage of generalist out this study. They would also like to thank predators: Spiders in garden test sys- Dr. Gunathilagaraj, Professor, Tamil Nadu Ag- tems. Ecology 71(4): 1441-1450. ricultural University for helping with the iden- Subramanyam, T.V. 1968. An Introduction to tification of spiders. the study of Indian spiders (Part I). Jour- nal Bombay Natural History Society 62(2): References 453-462. Subramanyam, T.V. 1969. An Introduction to Breene, R. G., D. A. Dean, M. Nyffeler, and G. the study of Indian spiders (Part II). Jour- B. Edwards 1993. Biology, ecol- nal Bombay Natural History Society 65(3): ogy, and significance of spiders in Texas 726-743. cotton ecosystems. The Texas Agricultural Tikader, B.K. 1980. Fauna of India. Spiders Vol. Experiment Station Bulletin 1711. I. Araneae (Thomsidae and Lycosidae), Carter, P. E. and A. L. Rypstra 1995. Top-down Zoological Survey of India, Calcutta. effects in soybean agro-ecosystems: Spi- Tikader, B.K. 1982. Fauna of India. Spiders Vol. der density affects herbivore damage. II. Araneae (Araneidae and Oikos 72(3):433-439. Gnaphosidae ), Zoological Survey of India, Champion, H.G. and S.K. Seth 1968. A revised Calcutta. survey of forest types of India. Nasik; Tikader, B.K. and B. Biswas 1981. Spider fauna Government of India Press. pp.404. of Calcutta and its vicinity part I. Records Clausen, I. H. S. 1990. Design of research work of Zoological Survey India. Paper No.30: 1- based on a pilot study dealing with the 149. effect of pesticides on spiders in a sugar- Vijayalakshmi. K. and P. Ahimaz 1993. Spiders: beet field. Acta Zoologica Fennica 190: 69- An Introduction. Cre: A. Madras. pp.112. 74. Wise, D. H. 1993. Spiders in ecological webs. Hansel, M. 1993. Secondhand silk. Natural Cambridge University Press. History 102: 40-46.

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Table 1. Spider species recorded in the Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary

Sl. Number of Individuals Dominance Index Species name No. PLN MDF EVN PLN MDF EVN Theramposidae 1. Poecilotheria rufilata Pocock 28 93 0 0.62 1.72 0 2. Poecilotheria striata Pocock 65 105 64 1.45 1.94 0.93 3. Plesiophrictus sp. 54 0 75 1.20 0 1.10 4. Thrigmopeus sp. 0 222 65 0 4.11 0.95 Psechridae 5. Psechrus sp. 43 34 74 0.96 0.63 1.08 Dictynidae 6. Dictyna sp. 0 0 53 0 0 0.77 Uloboridae 7. Uloborus danolius 74 0 82 1.65 0 1.20 Eresidae 8. Stegodyphus sarasinorum Karsch 0 30 116 0 0.55 1.69 Hersilidae 9. Hersilia savignyi Lucas 18 49 14 0.40 0.91 0.20 Thomisidae 10. Thomisus sp. 34 49 64 0.76 0.91 0.93 11. Pholcidae 12. Crossopriza lyoni (Blackwall) 79 0 0 1.76 0 0 13. Artema atlanta Walck 34 55 77 0.76 1.02 1.12 | Diversity of Spiders in Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary 14. Pholcus phallangeoides 96 0 108 1.24 0 1.58

Salticidae 15. Plexippus payakulii 318 128 0 7.16 2.37 0 16. Phidippus indicus 66 122 176 1.47 2.26 2.57 Heteropodae 17. Heteropoda venatoria (Linneaus) 114 0 0 2.54 0 0 18. Heteropoda phasma Simon 44 235 246 0.98 4.35 3.59 Clubionidae 19. Clubiona sp. 12 345 0 0.27 6.38 0 Gnaphosidae 20. Drassodes sp. 104 105 433 2.32 1.94 6.32 Oxyopidae 21. Oxyopes rufisternis Pocock 136 0 192 3.03 0 2.80 22. Oxyopes sp. 98 0 72 2.16 0 1.05 Ctenidae 23. Ctenus sp. 32 55 0 0.71 1.02 0 Theridiidae 24. Theridion sp. 0 164 96 0 3.03 1.40 25. Rhomphaea vansdaensis 21 39 35 0.47 0.72 0.51 Agelenidae 26. Agelena sp. 214 0 14 4.77 0 0.20 Lycosidae 27. Lycosa quadrifer Gravely 0 28 72 0 0.52 1.05 28. Lycosa indagatrix Walckenaer 200 856 236 4.46 15.83 3.45 29. Hippasa agelenoides (Simon) 213 0 928 4.75 0 13.55 30. Hippasa pisaurina Pocock 155 22 97 3.46 0.41 1.42 31. Hippasa lycosina Pocock 0 10 0 0 0.18 0 32. Pardosa annandalei (Gravely) 122 0 0 2.72 0 0 33. Pardosa lucopalpis Gravely 45 17 0 1.00 0.31 0 Tetranathidae 34. Tetranatha mandibulata Walckenear 0 49 178 0 0.91 2.60 Araneidae 35. Gasteracantha dalyi Pocock 365 314 456 8.14 5.81 6.66 36. Gasteracantha hasseltii C.L. Koch 300 295 418 6.69 5.45 6.10 37. Gasteracantha geminata (Fabricius) 0 93 216 0 1.72 3.15 38. Gasteracantha mammosa C.L. Koch 208 18 53 4.64 0.33 0.77 39. Gasteracantha kuhlii C.L. Koch 0 244 0 0 4.51 0 40. Nephila maculata (Fabricius) 0 0 314 0 0 4.59 41. Leucauge decorata (Blackwall) 72 328 286 1.61 6.07 4.18 42. Leucauge fastigate (Simon) 0 0 412 0 0 6.02 43. Argiope anasuja Thorell 0 234 114 0 4.33 1.66 44. Argiope pulchella Thorell 433 297 0 9.66 5.49 0 45. Cryptophora moluccensis (Doleschall) 0 234 0 0 4.33 0 46. Cryptophora citricola (Stoliczka) 322 234 32 7.18 4.33 0.47 22

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47. Neoscona rumpfi (Thorell) 0 54 331 0 1.00 4.83 Diversity of Spiders in Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary | Ecology Purple Moorhen| 48. Neoscona sp. 0 45 0 0 0.83 0 49. Araneus nympha Simon 241 0 0 538 0 0 50. Araneus sp. 0 75 74 0 1.39 1.08 51. Cyclosa insulana (Costa) 79 22 134 1.76 0.41 1.96 52. Cyclosa mulemeinensis (Thorell) 43 22 104 0.96 0.41 1.52 PLN= Plantation; MDF = Moist Deciduous Forest; EVN = Evergreen Forest

Table 2. Diversity parameters of spiders in the Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary

Richness Evenness Diversity Indices Sl. Indices Indices Habitats No. Shannon Simpson R1 R2 E1 E2 Wiener 1. Plantation 0.05 3.22 4.04 0.52 0.91 0.72 Moist 0.06 3.17 2. Deciduous 4.19 0.50 0.88 0.64 Forest Evergreen 0.05 3.33 3. 4.53 0.50 0.90 0.68 forest

Authors’ addresses: C. Sivaperuman, Division Forest Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation, Kerala Forest Research Institute Peechi, Thrissur, Kerala - 680 653, India, Email: [email protected]; M. Karthikeyan, 58 V.K. Road, Peelamedu, Coimbatore - 641 004, Tamil Nadu, India, Email: [email protected] and R. Ravikumar, 58 V.K. Road, Peelamedu, Coimbatore - 641 004, Tamil Nadu, India.

ECOLOGY OF PURPLE MOORHEN (Porphyrio porphyrio) IN AZHINHILLAM WETLAND

by Manjula Menon

he Purple Moorhen (Porphyrio porphyrio) is July-August. This paper mainly deals with Tis a swamp bird whose purplish color and long monthly variations in the activity pattern and time red legs draw the attention. They have a short, budgeting of Purple Moorhen, and an evaluation heavy red bill, which continues upward as a fron- of the causes of habitat shrinkage that have led tal shield on the forehead. The stumpy tail jerks to the decline in the population of this bird. This up and down as the bird walks. When alarmed, study was conducted during 1999 October to the birds scuttle away to conceal themselves in March 2000. the reeds or bushes. These birds are particularly noisy during the breeding season and the male has Study area a ludicrous courtship display during which he holds water weeds in his bill and bows before the fe- The Azhinhillam wetland is situated on the north- male with loud chuckles. Reeds and grass grow ern border of Malappuram District in Kerala State, in many parts of this area, making it an ideal habi- India, half a kilometer from the southern banks of tat for the Rallidae family, and especially the Purple the Chaliyar River. It was formed over one hun- Moorhen. According to Birds of Kerala (Ali, dred years ago as a result of the removal of the 1969), the breeding season of the Purple Moorhen most suitable soil from the paddy fields for the

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tile and brick factories of Feroke and neighboring maximum numbers of young ones were sighted areas. The area covers about 30 ha, which is fully from October to January and it may be that the aquatic from June to December; the depth varies availability of preferred habitats for nesting from 0.5-2.5 m. patches results in their breeding success. In addi- tion, these patches serve as a cover for the young Azhinhillam receives the southwest monsoons, ones from predators during feeding and other ac- which start in June and continue up to August tivities. and sometimes to October. There is no signifi- cant variation in the temperature of the study area. Though Purple Moorhens were observed through- | Ecology of Purple Moorhen The maximum temperature recorded in March out the study period, they attained optimum num-

was 33ºC and the minimum temperature recorded bers during December-January. During the post- was 25ºC in October. monsoon period (October-December) they spent more time walking after feeding. Methodology Of the total observation time of 743.1 minutes, To study the various activity patterns and time 465 minutes were utilized for feeding, which comes sampling, the focal sampling (Altmann) was to more than 60% of the total activity. This obser- used. The birds were observed separately during vation is in agreement with studies on wigeons by each visit and the duration of activities was mea- Kanel (1980) and Thomas (1982). More time was sured with a stopwatch. The activities were clas- spent on feeding during October and this gradu- sified as feeding, chasing, maintenance, wing ex- ally decreased towards the dry season with slight pansion, walking and feeding while walking, preen- monthly differences. Significantly, during March ing, alertness, bathing, swimming and chasing and the birds spent only 47 minutes feeding. The maxi- behavior. mum duration of time spent chasing was recorded during February. Likewise, alertness is also height- Vegetation study ened during February. Interspecific and intraspe- cific chasing was observed. It has been proposed The vegetation of the study area is mainly com- that the importance of competition, as an agent prised of submerged free-floating plants and the structuring natural communities, should vary with dominant species is Salvinia mullata, which oc- the intensity of environmental variability. (Nudds, cupies 90% of the total area. Other species in- T.D). clude Nymphae stellata, in which water birds like to build their nests. There are many wild varieties The maximum observations of both walking and of paddy including Oryza sativia, and different feeding while walking behavior occurred during species of grass and some herbaceous plants like the post-monsoon season. Similarly, the amount Mimosa paudica, Limnanthinum, Thydrilla, of time spent on bathing and swimming reached a Vallisnaria, Cyperus, Saripus validus, Curex peak during the same period since water avail- sp. and Janus sp. ability was higher due to monsoon rains. It was significant to note that the birds allotted only a Results and discussions few minutes for wing expansion throughout the seasons. Activity pattern and time budgeting of the purple moorhen The Purple Moorhen did not show much signifi- cant difference in its feeding patterns month to The spatial abundance of the Purple Moorhen has month; however, all year round they spent a con- a distinct seasonal pattern in the jheel; their num- siderable amount of time feeding, followed by bers shoot up during the post-monsoon and win- walking after feeding. In Keoladeo National Park, ter months and are lowest during August. Ali and among the Purple Moorhens the maximum time Ripley (1983) observed that the Purple Moorhen is spent for feeding, followed by maintenance is a local migrant and can be seen in good num- (Bhupathy, 1985) and the same patterns were re- bers during the autumn and winter seasons. The 24

Vol. 32: No. 4 Oct-Dec 2005 | ported from Coots (Fulica atra) (Jayaraman, siltation is estimated to be at a high rate due to Ecology of Purple Moorhen| 1985). the construction of a bypass in the vicinity. Large areas of the wetland have been encroached Studies carried out by Page and Whitacre (1975), upon. The construction of a new bypass of NH- Kenward (1978), and Bertram (1980) have put 17, running south to north, has prevented the forward the theory that flocking is an anti-preda- easy flow of water and movement of floating tory tactic among many bird species with increas- vegetation, which adversely affects the move- ing group size. Both interspecific and intraspecific ment of water birds. Vehicular disturbances chasing were observed. On two occasions it was have also affected the distribution pattern of recorded that Purple Moorhens chased Cattle birds and may have a detrimental effect on Egrets. some breeding wetland birds. This in turn has led to a heavy decline in the number of Purple Purple moorhens are extremely vigilant when ac- Moorhens that visit this endangered ecosystem. companied by young ones. Their sense of alert- ness is raised in the presence of Falconiformes Conclusions such as the Pariah Kite and Brahminy Kite to defend the young from predation. Wetlands are dynamic ecosystems and an un- derstanding of the varied community that they Most organisms apportion their time for different support and how they are affected by the con- behavioral activities. The optimal budgeting of time ditions is a pre-requisite to managing them. and energy between foraging versus non-forag- ing activities is evidently profoundly influenced by Complexes of small, seasonal and semi-perma- the circadian and seasonal rhythms of physical nent wetlands must be preserved in order to conditions as well as of predators and prey. avoid drastic declines in the associated avian (Ramchandran, 1996). populations. They are important in maintaining the food web of this biotype. Burning or graz- Declining populations ing or a combination of these two forces will be required to maintain wetlands in the best About 75% of the wetlands are covered by weeds condition for most bird species. There are many like water hyacinth and Salvinia due to the in- instances where these forces have seemed to creasing use of fertilizers in agriculture in the benefit the productivity of prairie wetlands and catchment area of the wetlands. their use by breeding and migrant birds. These benefits arise from the decrease in the extent Many hectares of wetlands have already been of monotypic strands of emergent vegetation reclaimed for rice cultivation and the conversion and the creation of openings that allow greater process continues. Studies by Swanson et al. biological productivity within shallow water (1974) have shown that nutrient availability re- zones. The newly constructed road, vehicular mains high in seasonal and tilled wetlands because disturbances, and water pollution are posing of the regularity with which organic matter is oxi- threats to this ecosystem, which in turn has dized as these wetlands become dry during late fragmented the population of birds into smaller summer. But conversely, when the wetlands are pockets. This clearly depicts the rate of degra- thoroughly tilled and cropped during dry years, tall, dation of the area and the plight of the avifauna strong-stemmed perennial plants are temporarily inhabiting this region. The wetlands still remain eliminated; when hydrophytes succession is re- unprotected and a holistic approach is required sumed during wet years, the early stages favor towards the conservation of this ecosystem. short, weak-stemmed annuals which cannot sup- Appropriate conservation strategies should be port the nests of most bird species. They also implemented to preserve this natural heritage noted that temporary and seasonal wetlands pro- for the generations to come. duce invertebrates earlier in the season than semi- permanent wetlands because of the more rapid warming of the shallow waters. The process of

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References Nudds T.D. 1983. Niche dynamics and orga- nization of waterfowl guilds in variable en- Abbasi. S.A. 1997. Wetlands of India – Ecol- vironments. Ecological Society of America. ogy and Threats. Vol. II and Vol. III Ramachandran, N.K. 1995. Interspecific asso- Ali, S and S.D. Riply. 1983. Handbook of the ciations of Kancanas (Hydrophasianus birds of India and Pakistan. Compact edi- chirurgus and Metopidius indicus) and the tion, Oxford University, New Delhi. role of habitat. J. Bom. Nat. Hist. Soc. Ali, S. 1996. The book of Indian Birds . Bombay Ramchandran, N.K. 1996. Population and dis- Natural History Society. tribution of Bronze-winged (Metopidius | Ecology of Purple Moorhen Baldassarre, G.A. and E.G. Bolen. 1994. Water indicus) and Pheasant-tailed

fowl ecology and management. John Wiley (Hydrophasianus chirurgus) jacanas in & Sons, Inc. New York. Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, Bhupathy, S. 1985. Ecology of Purple Moorhen . J. Bom. Nat. Hist. Soc. 94.307- (Porphyiro porphyiro) from January to 316. March 1985 in Keoladeo National Park, Ramchandran, N.K. 1998. Activity patterns and Bharatpur. M.Sc. dissertation, Bharathidasan time budgets of the pheasant-tailed University, Thiruchirapalli Tamil Nadu. (Hydrophasianus chirurgus) and bronze- Burton, B.A. and J.R.Hudson. 1978. Activity winged (Metopidius indicus) jacanas . J. budget of Lesser Snow Geese wintering Bom. Nat. Hist. Soc. 95:234-245. on the Fraser river estuary, British Co- Sankhala, R. 1990. Gardens of God. The wa- lumbia. Wildfowl 29:11-117. ter bird sanctuary at Bharatpur. Vikas Gopal, B. and K.P. Sharma. 1994. Ramsar sites Publishing House Pvt Ltd, New Delhi. of India – Sambhar Lake, Rajasthan. WWF Sridharan, V. 1989. Comparative ecology of India. resident ducks in Keoladeo National Hayayaman, S. 1985. Wintering ecology of Park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan. Ph.D thesis, Coots fulicatra in Keoladeo National Park, University of Bombay. Bharatpur, Rajasthan. Bharathidasan Uni- Singh, H.T. & R.K. Shyamananda Singh. 1994. versity, Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu. Ramsar sites of India – Loktak Lake, Ladhar, S.S. Ramsar sites of India – Harike Manipur. WWF-India. Lake, Punjab. WWF-India. Trisal, C.L., Robinson, Juan and M.R.D. Marquiss, M. and K. Duncan. 1994. Diurnal ac- Kondanger. 1994. Ramsar sites of India – tivity patterns of Goosander Mergus mer- Wular Lake, Jammu & Kashmir. WWF- ganser on a Scottish river system. Wild- India. fowl 45:209-221. Vijayan, L. 1994. Ramsar sites of India – Murkin, H.R. and Kale. 1986. Relationship be- Sabhar Lake, Rajasthan. WWF-India. tween water fowl and macro invertebrate WWF-India. 1993. Directory of Indian Wet- densities in a northern prairie marsh. J. lands . Wildife Management 50:212-217. Murkin, H.R and B.D.J. Batt. 1987. The inter- action of vertebrates and invertebrates Author’s address: c/o C. Muraleedharan, AE, in peat lands and marshes. Mem. Entomol. E/M, GE (I), R&D (East), C.V. Raman Nagar, Soc. Can. 104:15-30. Bangalore-93, India; E-mail: [email protected] .

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Vol. 32: No. 4 Oct-Dec 2005 |

Breeding of Indian Giant Squirrel Pup| BREEDNG OF AN INDIAN GIANT SQUIRREL (Ratufa indica) PUP AT ARIGNAR ANNA ZOOLOGICAL PARK

by K. Santhilkumar and R. Thirumurugan

Introduction care by the mother during the nursing period at AAZP. reeding of endangered species and sub- Bspecies of animals in captivity is likely to be Materials and methods crucial to the survival of many forms. It must, therefore, be used as a method of preventing A pair of Indian giant squirrels was rescued from extinction, alongside the maintenance of the wild Pollachi, Tamilnadu and brought to Arignar Anna stocks in their natural habitat (Mallison, 1988). Zoological Park on 04-07-2003. They were named Arignar Anna Zoological Park (AAZP), India, ‘Ramu’ and ‘Rama’. After quarantine and nec- taking this into consideration, plays as an important essary prophylactic measures the squirrels were role in the ex-situ conservation and captive shifted to the exhibit area in the zoo, i.e. the small breeding of endangered species of fauna in general mammal house. They were monitored for their and of Western and Eastern Ghats of India in movements and activities including their feeding, particular. The zoo has a record of successfully social interaction and habitat utilization in the new breeding many endangered species. To name a enclosure. few – Royal Bengal tiger, Asiatic lion, Lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur, Wild dog, Striped hyaena, Study area Brow-antlered deer, Barking deer and Gaur have all been bred successfully on many occasions. The small mammal house consists of two exhibit areas with front glass viewing windows and con- The Indian giant squirrel (Ratufa indica) is an crete side walls. There is a partition wall in be- active and agile, arboreal, diurnal mammal inhab- tween and each area has a separate breeding and iting the deciduous, mixed deciduous and moist hiding pen as per the recommendations of the evergreen forests of peninsular India south of Central Zoo Authority, Government of India. The Ganges (Prater, 1971). Due to habitat depletion, enclosures can be accessed from the back through the species is listed under Schedule II, Part II of the service area. The floor of the enclosure is the Wildlife Protection Act of India, 1972 and in covered with red soil to a depth of about 4 feet. Appendix II of CITES. Enclosure enrichments include dead trees, trans- verse branches, logs and plants. A wooden nest Crandall (1964) opined that tree squirrels fail to box was provided in the upper part of the room, breed in captivity due to lack in space for court- near the median wall. Feeding and water troughs ship. Limited breeding biology data for giant squir- are provided in each enclosure. Daily cleaning of rels are recorded from India (Arora, 2002). the enclosures is carried out by the animal keep- Acharjyo & Misra (1973, 1977) reported births ers in the morning hours. Care is taken to assign among Malayan giant squirrels (Ratufa bicolor) the same animal keeper to clean and feed the in Nandankanan Biological Park, Orissa, India. animals so that the animals will accept him as a Paulraj and Naidu (1988) reported the births of regular feature in their environment, even during five litters of Malabar giant squirrel pups at AAZP, the nursing period. India. The present paper puts on record the birth of an Indian giant squirrel pup and the maternal

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Diet born with black hairs in the dorsum and tail, dark chestnut hairs on the neck, sides of the chest and The diet of the Indian Giant Squirrels kept at AAZP around the ears, and pale chestnut hairs in the constitutes the following ingredients: face, posterior and medial sides of the limbs and White Bengal Gram 25 g on the undersides of the body. A little noise would Apple ½ No cause the pup to hide under the Bauhinia leaves. Green Grapes 50 g The mother could be seen in the enclosure only Bread Slices 1 No. during feeding. The male pup was named ‘Raju’. Banana 1 No. Ground nut (without shell) 25 g On the 24th day after birth, the pup’s eyes opened Carrot 25 g and it came out of the basket during 5th week. Cabbage 25 g The mother would lift the pup by the back and

| Breeding of Indian Giant Squirrel Pup Sweetlime ½ No. place him in the basket. During this entire period,

the mother didn’t allow the male near the basket

Guava 1 No. Coconut with shell 75 g or pup. From 8 weeks the pup started to roam Tree leaves 100 g freely in the enclosure and was observed playing Papaya 50 g with his parents. He also started to take the feed provided. After observing the signs of pregnancy, the diet was supplemented with vitamin and mineral prepa- Discussion and conclusion rations such as Dexorange syrup, Liv-52 liquid, Ostocalcium syrup and Vimeral liquid. After par- In their natural habitat, Indian giant squirrels build turition, the green grapes and coconut were in- large globular nests of twigs and leaves among creased by 25 g and 50 g respectively. the slimmer branches of trees to avoid predators. They may build many nests within a small area Observations and results and one among them is used as nursery (Prater, 1971). In this case, the mother used the bamboo During the last week of May 2004, the female basket rather than the wooden nest box for the was seen with an enlarged abdomen and displayed birth and subsequent nursing. slow careful movements. Taking these as signs of pregnancy, the feed was supplemented with The single litter in this case is in agreement with vitamins and minerals and she was kept under a the findings of Acharjyo and Mishra (1977), Paulraj close watch. and Naidu (1988) and Paulraj (1988).

A bamboo basket was put in the enclosure in ad- Acharjyo and Misra (1973) observed the opening dition to the wooden nest box, as the animals never of eyes on the 22nd day in a Malayan giant squir- used the wooden box. The female accepted the rel pup and noted that the mother carried her bamboo basket and was found resting in the ‘drey’ young by grabbing the skin at the back or base of itself in the daytime except during feeding. Bauhinia the hind limbs with her teeth until the pup was 8 (Bauhinia variegata ) and copper pod tree weeks old. Arora (2002) reported the opening of (Peltophorum pterocarpum) leaves and twigs eyes in Indian giant squirrel pups as occurring were hung in the enclosure. The female started between 22 to 26 days. In the wild, the young to collect and store the leaves and twigs in the pups begin to come out from the drey and follow bamboo basket. Anticipating the parturition, the the mother about three months after birth enclosure was closed to visitors to avoid distur- (Ramachandran, 1988). In the present case the bance. pup came out from the drey earlier (i.e. 5th week) and followed his mother from 8 weeks. On 16-06-2004, the female gave birth in the bam- boo basket to a male pup. She was found nursing An effort by a mother to save a pup from the the pup in the evening. We were not able to de- male that resulted in the fatal fall of the pup was termine the gestation period. The blind pup was reported by Acharjyo & Misra (1977). In the

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Vol. 32: No. 4 Oct-Dec 2005 |

Breeding of Indian Giant Squirrel Pup|

Indian Giant Squirrel pup – 5 days old. (Photo: R. Thirumurugan)

animals. And now it has added an Indian giant squir- present case, the father seemed to play no role rel pup to the list. in the rearing of the young, although he was housed in the same enclosure. Acknowledgement

Taking all the necessary precautions and ac- The authors are thankful to the Director, Arignar tive involvement taken during pregnancy dur- Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur, Chennai-48 for ing the pre-, peri-, post-parturition and nursing permitting them to undertake the work. periods paved way for successful birth and rearing. References

As stated by Martin (1975), more and more Arora, B.M. 2002. Reproduction in Wild Mam- zoos are accepting the idea that they have a malia and Conservation. Association of Indian duty to find out as much as possible about the Zoo and Wildlife Veterinarians, Bareilly, Uttar habits of the animals in their care and that par- Pradesh, India. 169-172 pp. ticular emphasis must be placed on successful Acharjyo, L.N. and R. Misra. 1973. A note on the breeding in captivity. In line with this philoso- birth of a Malayan Giant Squirrel (Ratufa phy, AAZP has provided the basic and neces- bicolor) in captivity. J. Bombay Nat. Soc. sary facilities for its inmates, including balanced 71(2):375. feed and a stress-free environment and has Acharjyo, L.N. and R. Misra. 1977. Some notes successfully bred many endangered species of on the Breeding habits and Growth of the

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Malayan Giant Squirrel (Ratufa bicolor) Paulraj, S. and Naidu, S.S. 1988. Breeding in captivity. J. Bombay Nat. Soc. 73(2):381- Malabar Giant Squirrel. Zoosprint. 3(4):4- 382. 5. Crandall, Lee S. 1964. Management of Wild Prater, S.H. 1971. The Book of Indian Animals. in Captivity. The University of Bombay Natural History Society, India. 197- Chicago Press, Chicago and London. 214 pp. 199 pp. Mallinson, J.J.C. 1988. Conservation role of a Ramachandran, K.K. 1988. Ecology and Modern Zoo. Why Zoos? Universities Fed- Behaviour of Malabar Giant Squirrel, eration for Animal Welfare. 8, Hamilton Close, Ratufa indica maxima. KFRI. Research re- South Mimms. Potters Bar, Herts. port. 55:110. Martin, R.D. 1975. General Principles for Breeding Small Mammals in Captivity. In: Authors’ address: Dr.K.Senthilkumar and Breeding Endangered Species in Captiv- Dr.R.Thirumurugan, are respectively Veterinary ity. Academic Press, London. 143-146 pp. Assistant Surgeon and Zoo Veterinarian at the Paulraj, S.S. 1988. Breeding behaviour of the Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur, Malay Giant Squirrel Ratufa bicolour at Chennai-600 048, India. Arignar Anna Zoological Park. Int.Zoo.Yb. 27:279-282.

FOOD, FEEDING, BEHAVIOR AND HABITAT PREFERENCES OF SPINY-TAILED LIZARD (Uromastix | Breeding of Indian Giant Squirrel Pup| Spiny-Tailed Lizard in the Thar Desert

hardwicki Gray 1827) IN THE THAR DESERT OF RAJASTHAN, INDIA

by Sanjay K. Das and Vivek Pandey

Introduction Food and feeding

piny-tailed lizard (Uromastix hardwicki Gray Several studies have been carried out on the food S1827) has been recorded in India from Andhra and feeding habits of this lizard. According to Pradesh, Orissa, , Uttar Pradesh and Anderson (1898), Purves (1915), Smith (1935), Rajasthan (Joseph, 1988; Sharma, 2002). It is com- Krishna (1955), Krishna and Dave (1956), monly found in the Thar desert of Rajasthan. Schmidt and Inger (1957), Cloudsley-Thompson However, despite a ban, there is still an excessive and Chadwick (1964), Minton (1966) and Sharma amount of killing of this lizard by man for its fat, (1977, 2002) this lizard is strictly herbivorous. meat and skin, and the trade for its economic value. Smith (1935) and Mayhew (1968) reported that The tail is considered to be a great delicacy, the the teeth of the young lizards differ from that of meat is said to be excellent and sweet, and the oil the adults and they also feed on insects (Mertens, is extracted for medicinal purposes. These de- 1960; Pope, 1960 and Minton, 1966). But Pradhan mands have placed the lizard on the endangered (1971), Bhanotar et al. (1972a,b, 1973) and list. Habitat destruction on a large scale is another Pradhan et al. (1973) state that the adult lizards threat to this lizard’s survival in the Thar desert.

30

Vol. 32: No. 4 Oct-Dec 2005 | are also insectivorous through their observations Sudasari, Desert National Park in the Baran area. Spiny-Tailed Lizard in the Thar Desert| are based on the feeding of this lizard in captivity. Among all these localities the area surrounding Bikaner-Gajner state highway, Bikener, Talchappar In the present study, the stomach contents of three Wildlife Sanctuary and its surroundings with a 1 samples collected from near Gajner Sanctuary km range, Churu and Baran village and its sur- and Talchappar Wildlife Sanctuary revealed that roundings and Jaisalmer were found to be very its food consisted chiefly grasses and other veg- good habitats for this lizard in Rajasthan Thar. It etable matter with some minute portions of insect was even seen in good numbers during the se- parts (, weevil, nematodes). Field observa- vere drought in 2002 and 2003 and these localities tions confirmed that although insects were present may be important for this species from a conser- in the habitat, the adult lizards preferred to feed vation point of view. on vegetation, preferably the tips of grasses. It seems that this lizard is strictly herbivorous in natu- Conservation measures ral conditions. The insect parts and nematodes in the stomach appear to have been ingested inci- In order to protect this endangered species from dentally along with the vegetation. further exploitation the following conservation measures are recommended: Behavior § Identify the key areas of conservation for this species and protect them from all During the summer months this lizard emerges kinds of human interference that would from its burrow in the early morning (between 8- result in habitat destruction. 9 am) and is active until an hour or two before § Declare the animal as economically valu- sunset. But in winter, it comes out in the late morn- able and create awareness among people ing (between 9.30-10.30 am) and is active only through environmental education, work- during the warm hours of the day. Basking was shops, etc. noted. When emerging from its burrow this lizard § Enact stricter laws to control the capture often raises itself as high as possible on its fore- or exploitation of females of any endan- limbs to look around. It has a strict homing in- gered species and enforce them. stinct and when alarmed will immediately run back § Indigenous knowledge of endangered to its own burrow, even from a considerable dis- animals should be enlisted in all tribal ar- tance. When alarmed the lizard’s tail would often eas. become slightly curved with the tip directed up- § Captive breeding should be introduced on ward. It maintains this posture even when being a commercial scale and value-added chased. products extracted with people’s partici- pation. Profits should be equally shared. Habitat preferences This may also discourage the illegal trade.

In Rajasthan Thar, the Spiny-tailed lizard is found Acknowledgments to occupy slightly clayey and hard soil which may be gravelly and rocky or it may be found in saline The authors would like to thank Dr. J.R.B. depressions with sparse ground vegetation con- Alfred, Director, Zoological Survey of India, sisting of grasses and xerophytic shrubs. Com- Kolkata and Dr. N.S. Rathore, Officer-in- mon grasses in that habitat that the lizard prefers Charge, Desert Regional Station, Zoological are Cynodon dactylon, Desmostachya Survey of India, Jodhpur for permission to bipinnata, Cenchrus biflorus, Cyperus study the material and for laboratory facili- rotundus, Haloxylon salicornicum and Lasiurus ties. Financial assistance was granted by the sindicus. Ministry of Environment and Forests, Govern- ment of India. Thanks also go to Dr. R.C. The authors observed this lizard in the collection Sharma, Deputy Director (Retd), Desert Re- localities mentioned earlier and also in other ar- eas in Rajasthan Thar such as Bikaner, Jaisalmer,

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gional Station, for his guidance and sugges- Krishna, D. 1955. Desert and its animals. tions. Extens. Lecture, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, India. 1-20. References Krishna, D. and K.C. Dave. 1956. Observations on food and feeding habits of Uromastix Anderson, J. 1989. Zoology of . Reptilia hardwickii. Proc. 43rd session, Indian Sci. and Batrachia. Vol.1, Bernard Quatitch, Congress. 4:35. London. Pradhan, S. 1971. A voracious locust preda- Bhanotar, R.K., Bhatnagar, R.K. and Y.N. tor. Entomologists News Letter, New Delhi Srivastava. 1972a. Further observations on 1(1):5. the dietary habits of spiny-tailed lizard Pradhan, S., Singh, K.M., Sangwan, H.S., Singh, Uromastix hardwickii Gray. Entomologists R.N. and R.P. Singh. 1973. Exploration of

| Spiny-Tailed Lizard in the Thar Desert News Letter, New Delhi 2(5):34. vertebrate predators for crop pests-I;

Bhanotar, R.K. and R.K. Bhanotar. 1972b. Food and feeding habits of spiny tailed

Desert locust upsurve vis-a-vis predatory lizard, Uromastix sp. Indian J. Ent. fauna. Entomologists News Letter, New 35(2):148-149. Delhi. 2(8):53. Purves, E.H. 1915. The thorny-tailed lizard. J. Bhanotar, R.K., Bhanotar, R.K., Srivastava, Y.N. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 23:780-785. and Y. Mahto. 1973. Preliminary studies Schmidt, K.P. and R.F. Inger. 1957. Living rep- on locust hopper production predation tiles of the world. Doubleday, New York. by Uromastix hardwickii, Gray. Entomolo- Sharma, R.C. 2002. The fauna of India and the gists News Letter, New Delhi 3(3):19-20. adjacent countries, Reptilia-Sauria. Vol.II. Cloudsley-Thompson, J.L. and M.J. Chadwick. Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata. 1964. Life in deserts. Dudour Editions, Sharma, R.C. and T.G. Vazirani. 1977. Food and Philadelphia. feeding habits of some reptiles of Mayhew, W.W. 1968. Biology of desert am- Rajasthan. Rec. Zool. Sur. India 73:77-93. phibians and reptiles. In: Brown, G.W. Smith, M.A. 1935. The fauna of British India, (Ed.) Desert Biology. Academic Press, New including Ceylon and Burma. Reptilia and York. 196-356. Amphibia-Sauria. Vol.II. Taylor and Minton, S.A. 1966. A contribution to the her- Francis, London. petology of West Pakistan. Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. 132(2):27-184.

The authors are Research Scholars at the Desert Regional Station, Zoological Survey of India, Pali Road, Jhalamand, Jodhpur – 342 005 (Rajasthan); E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected] .

Resting position of Uromastix hardwicki Gray during feeding. (Photo: Sanjay Das)

32 Vol. XIX: No.4 October-December 2005 FORESTFOREST NEWSNEWS

Vol. XIX: No. 4 Oct-Dec 2005

Second Announcement ASIA-PACIFIC FORESTRY COMMISSION TO MEET IN DEHRADUN, INDIA , 17-21 April 2006

Key forestry officials from throughout Asia and Partnership, Asia FLEG, ASEAN, SAARC, the the Pacific are preparing to converge on Dehradun, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Asia India, in April, for what promises to be one of the Forest Network, the Economic and Social region’s most important forestry events of the year. Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), The Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission (APFC) and others have been invited to share their views will convene its 21st session, 17-21 April 2006, in and experiences. South Asia’s fabled “cradle of forestry” under the theme “Towards Sustainable Forest Management.” Numerous pre-session workshops and side events are also being organized in conjunction Delegates from the 30 APFC member countries, with the main APFC meeting. Topping the along with representatives from international schedule will be a one-day workshop on organizations, NGOs, universities and the private Saturday, 15 April, focusing on “Forests and sector, will discuss challenges and opportunities Poverty Reduction.” In line with the recent facing forestry in the region, and map out strategies surge in emphasis on poverty reduction as an and approaches for regional cooperation. Specific overriding objective of natural resource topics for deliberation include progress toward management and development, the workshop sustainable forest management in the region, the will feature practical experiences and “lessons status of forest resources, financing forest learned” from India and other countries of the management and protection, codes of practice and region in reducing poverty through targeted guidelines for planted forests and forest harvesting, forest management approaches. The workshop regional partnerships, forest invasive species, will further explore how poverty reduction forest law enforcement, outlook studies, and more. objectives can be more effectively incorporated into national forest programmes and strategies. An in-session seminar on “payment for environmental services” will explore the prospects On Sunday, 16 April, another one-day workshop for non-traditional mechanisms for funding and will discuss and provide input to the development rewarding sound forest management and of a global “Planted Forests Code.” Given the protection. Experiences from various countries Asia-Pacific region’s dominance in establishing and projects will be highlighted, providing fresh and managing forest plantations, the details of insights into the potential for wider application of the code—which is presently being formulated these newly emerging instruments. under the leadership of FAO—will be of major interest to governments, private industry, NGOs Special consideration will be given during the and others concerned with plantation APFC session to fostering further partnership and development and utilization. The workshop will collaboration among the various regional provide an important opportunity for participants mechanisms and approaches active in Asia and to provide perspectives and influence the the Pacific. Representatives of the Asia Forest formulation of the nascent code.

11 FOREST NEWS Vol. XIX: No. 4 October-December 2005

Other pre-session events will include one-day Sikh community. Many rich traditions of the past workshops on Sunday, 16 April, on the development have been retained, and the local people pride of a strategy for future work of the Asia-Pacific themselves on having a ready smile for all who Forest Invasive Species Network (APFISN), and visit the enchanting city. Dehradun is situated 235 future directions for forest resources assessment kilometers north of New Delhi in the newly formed and monitoring in the region. The latter will Himalayan state of Uttaranchal; the city lies just showcase the facilities, work and accomplishments south of the majestic Himalayan Mountains, and of the Forest Survey of India. A 1½-day workshop west of the sacred Ganges River. organized by the Asia-Pacific Forest Genetic Resources Network (APFORGEN) on Saturday Our Indian hosts are currently planning three and Sunday, 15-16 April, will offer an opportunity separate field excursions to add spice to the APFC to discuss the status of forest genetic resources agenda. Excursion 1 will travel to the Rajaji conservation and management in network National Park for morning viewing of wildlife. The countries, and work to develop an action plan for park is situated along the hills of the Shiwalik range the network. in the Himalayan foothills and offers spectacular scenic views and the opportunity to observe the On Sunday afternoon, 16 April, delegates and unique Shiwalik ecosystem. In the afternoon, the participants will have the opportunity to visit the group will visit Rishikesh, a famous religious center museums, laboratories and facilities of the world- in India. Additional stops will be made to observe renowned Dehradun-based forestry institutes, various forestry practices and demonstrations, including the Forest Research Institute, Forest before returning to Dehradun in the evening. Survey of India and the Wildlife Institute of India. Excursion 2 will start in the morning with a trip to Visitors will have the chance to discuss the work the Rishikesh religious center, followed by a visit of the institutes with leading scientists and officials to the Rajaji National park in the afternoon. This during informal “open house” sessions. group will be able to observe the wildlife in the park in the evening, before returning to Dehradun. Dehradun offers a unique venue for the region’s Excursion 3 will visit Tehri Dam and reach forestry leaders to gather for this premier biennial Dhanaulti by the afternoon. This route offers a forestry forum. The city is one of the oldest in scenic and peaceful drive, with spectacular views India and is an important religious center for the of pine and deodar forests. The group will

Historic Forest Research Institute Campus, Dehradun, India

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continue on to the beautiful Mussoorie hill station especially noted for its implementation of and return to Dehradun by evening. community-focused forest management approaches. In particular, the country is famous The Ministry of Environment and Forests of the for pioneering the concept of Joint Forest Government of India will be the official host of the Management, which is founded on the principles APFC session. Staff of the Ministry, and numerous of collaborative management of forests by individuals in related forestry organizations and government and local people. There are currently institutes, are poised to welcome APFC delegates more than 10 million hectares of forests under and participants to India and are eager to showcase Joint Forest Management in India. APFC the significant achievements of forestry in the participants will have several opportunities to country. India’s forests are incredibly diverse and observe these and other innovative management harbor spectacular wildlife and flora. At the same approaches in April. time, however, the forests are under great pressure to supply the ever-increasing demands of the large For more information on the session, please see human and domestic animal populations. The steps the APFC website at www.apfcweb.org or that India has taken to protect treasured forest contact the APFC Secretary: resources, meet the needs of the citizenry and Patrick B. Durst, Senior Forestry Officer contribute to national development are very FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific impressive and offer many lessons for forest 39 Phra Atit Road, Bangkok 10200, Thailand managers from throughout the region. India is E-mail: [email protected]

ASIA-PACIFIC FORESTRY COMMISSION Provisional Agenda for 21st Session, 17-21 April 2006

Opening ceremony (including keynote address) Adoption of the agenda Election of officers

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Special Session: Towards Sustainable Forest Management Progress towards sustainable forest management (SFM) in the region § Results of Forest Resources Assessment 2005 § APFC and other FAO accomplishments in the region § Countries discussion of major developments in the region Financing sustainable forest management In-session seminar: payment for environmental services From global to local: the role of regional mechanisms in sustainable forest management

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Codes of practice § Report on pre-session workshop on planted forests code § Forest harvesting: country reports on implementation § Wildland fires: information on voluntary guidelines § Do we need a broader code for sustainable forest management standards?

Report of the pre-session workshop on forests and poverty reduction

Information items § Forest law enforcement: report on FAO/ITTO guidelines § Asia-Pacific Forest Invasive Species Network § Asia-Pacific Forest Sector Outlook Study

Regional issues identified by the Commission for the attention of the Committee on Forestry (COFO)

Other business § Report of the second meeting of the APFC Executive Committee § Other items raised by members

Date and place of the next session

Adoption of the report

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NEW FOREST ASSESSMENT INDICATES OVERALL EXPANSION OF ASIAN FORESTS BUT CONTINUED DECLINE OF NATURAL FORESTS

FAO has been coordinating the Global Forest The Asia-Pacific region has reversed a net loss Resources Assessment (FRA) since 1946. FRA of forests of around 1.275 million hectares per 2005 is the most comprehensive assessment to year in 1990-2000 into an annual net gain of date, covering 229 countries and territories. 633,000 hectares in the 2000-2005 period, largely Globally, forests covered just under 4 billion due to increased plantation activity in the region. hectares in 2005, some 30 percent of the world’s Total wood removal from forests in Asia has de- land. Forests in the Asia-Pacific region constitute creased from 450 million cubic meters in 1990 to 734 million hectares, or about 18.6 percent of the 350 cubic meters in 2005. world’s forests and 25.8 percent of total land area in the region. Four Asian countries continued to The total area of plantations and the rate of an- be among the top 10 countries in terms of forest nual increase in the region is the highest in the area viz. China (197 million hectares), Australia world, accounting for 45.6 percent of total forest (164 million hectares), (88 million plantations worldwide. Forest plantations are ex- hectares) and India (68 million hectares). From panding at an annual rate of 1.816 million hect- 2000 to 2005, the overall trend worldwide was of ares in Asia and 74,800 hectares in the Pacific continuing deforestation mainly due to conversion region. They cover 11 percent of the total forest of forests to agricultural land, but the rate of net area in Asia and 2 percent in the Pacific. loss has slowed in recent years because of plantation establishment, forest restoration efforts Within the Asia-Pacific region, forests are man- and natural regeneration of some forests. aged more intensively in Asia than in the Pacific. Forty-seven percent of the forest area in Asia is This positive trend in forest cover should be used for production, while the corresponding fig- treated with caution, however, as the loss or modi- ure in the Pacific region is just 11 percent. Log- fication of ecologically valuable primary forests ging activities are declining in Asia, while they is continuing at a rapid rate. In the FRA survey, are increasing in the Pacific. Woodfuel accounts forest is defined as an area larger than 0.5 hect- for 52 percent of all wood removed from forests ares with trees taller than 5 meters and canopy in Asia and 15 percent in the Pacific. cover of 10 percent or more. Degradation inside forests as a consequence of selective logging and The FRA 2005 report indicates another positive other human interventions is difficult to gauge with trend in the region. The area of protected forests the methods used in this assessment. where conservation is designated as the primary function increased from under 60 million hectares The pattern of forest use and area change is not in 1990 to over 70 million hectares in 2005, high- consistent across the region. Forests are expand- lighting the wider recognition of the positive pro- ing at an increasing rate in China due to large- tective functions of forests. scale afforestation, while Southeast Asia contin- ues to suffer an increasing rate of forest loss. In Key findings of the FRA 2005 report are avail- the Pacific, the rate of forest loss has slowed able on the website: http://www.fao.org/forestry/ slightly over the last 15 years. site/fra/en. For more information, please contact: M. Kashio, Forest Resources Officer, FAO/RAP; E-mail: [email protected].

4 Vol. XIX: No.4 October-December 2005 FORESTFOREST NEWSNEWS

Ten countries with the largest forest area, 2005 (million ha)

Russian Federaton Brazil

Canada USA China Australia

Congo, Demo. Rep. of Indonesia Peru India

Others

Trends of wood removal in Asia, 1990-2005 Changes in plantation area in Asia, 1990-2005 (million m3) (million ha)

500 70 450 60 400 350 50 300 40 250 200 30 150 20 100 10 50 0 0 1990 2000 2005 1990 2000 2005

Forests designated for conservation in Asia, 1990-2005 (million ha)

80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 1990 2000 2005

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INTERESTED IN MAKING FOREST MANAGEMENT WORK FOR THE POOR?

-- CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT AND CALL FOR ABSTRACTS --

Can we discover creative solutions that can directly While the main objective is to review technical, link forests and forest management to poverty economic, institutional and policy aspects of small- reduction? Can forest management and utilization scale and labor-intensive forest management be planned to maximize jobs and income for the practices and wood processing with regard to their rural poor without sacrificing efficiency and impacts on the poor and their potential for reducing profits? Can capital-intensive operations make poverty, the partners also intend to establish a task room – not necessarily everywhere – for small- force that will develop strategies for promoting scale and labor-intensive practices? forest management for poverty reduction. A consortium of partners including FAO, the Expected outcomes include: Development Organisation (SNV), § a commitment by a broad group of the International Tropical Timber Organization stakeholders to support the development (ITTO), the Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission and implementation of practical measures (APFC), the Tropical Forest Trust (TFT), the for the benefit of the poor and sustainable Regional Community Forestry Training Center forest management in the form of a (RECOFTC) and the Department of Forestry in declaration or resolution (consisting of a Viet Nam believe that this is possible, as well as set of principles and recommendations); necessary, if we want forestry to play a role in § a publication on the state-of-the-art poverty reduction and in achieving the Millennium knowledge and recent experiences of Development Goals in Asia and the Pacific. The small-scale forest operations, labor- members of the consortium are organizing an intensive forest management practices “International Conference on Managing and wood processing, and pathways for Forests and Poverty Reduction: Capturing integrating forest management with opportunities in forest harvesting and wood poverty reduction through national forest processing for the benefits of the poor,” to be programme processes; and held 2-6 October 2006 in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet § a commitment to support the task force Nam. established during the conference and The event will bring together diverse stakeholders terms of reference for the task force. and international experts to share experiences related to small-scale forest operations, labor- If you are interested in participating in the intensive forest management practices and wood conference, please contact Patrick Durst processing. There will be opportunities to present ([email protected]) or Arthur Ebregt innovative ideas and listen to case studies, to visit ([email protected]). One-page abstracts and the field, to actively participate in the discussions proposals for presentations or posters are currently and to contribute during working groups. If you welcomed; deadline: 31 March 2006. The first are interested in helping to highlight realistic announcement of the conference is also available management options for forests to benefit the poor, on the website of the Asia-Pacific Forestry the conference will be your opportunity to have a Commission: http://www.apfcweb.org. say.

6 Vol. XIX: No.4 October-December 2005 FORESTFOREST NEWSNEWS

AWARD-WINNING FORESTRY AT TONLE SAP -- CAMBODIA’S “GREAT LAKE”

Covering a quarter of a million hectares, Tonle Working closely with staff from Cambodia’s Sap Lake is usually only about one meter deep Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries for much of the year. But every June the slow (MAFF), FAO conducted studies on the flora and flow of water out of the lake reverses, and its fauna of the Great Lake while reaching out to waters begin to rise as snowmelt from the communities to identify problems and prioritize mountains of Tibet and monsoon rains swell the needs. The FAO/MAFF team also assessed the Mekong River system and push into the lake. Tonle way that natural resources were used and began Sap’s depth increases up to 9 meters and its to draw up plans for strengthening resource surface area expands by a factor of 5 to cover management capacity in the lake communities. 1.25 million hectares. Communities take on a leading role The months of flooding are a catalyst that sparks a huge rise in the number of and aquatic Beyond overfishing, another key issue was the organisms, making the Tonle Sap ecosystem one excessive clearing of the forested land that of the most productive inland fisheries in the world. surrounds the lake. According to Patrick Evans, It provides Cambodia with 200,000 tons of fish Team Leader for the field project, “That forest is each year, which accounts for 60 percent of the essential to productive fisheries on the lake. Every country’s total fish catch. And when the flood year when the lake rises, hundreds of thousands waters recede, the alluvial soil surrounding the lake of hectares of forest are flooded, which provides is perfect for growing rice. nutrients, food and habitat for the fish... Deforestation was affecting the productivity of Eight years ago, the rich resources of Tonle Sap the lake’s fisheries.” Lake were being poorly managed. Fish, and timber from the surrounding forests, were harvested The primary cause of forest loss was land clearing unsustainably. A 100-year-old system of for agriculture, as the floodlands bordering the lake commercial fishing concessions was troubled by are highly fertile. A secondary cause was the high problems of unfair access, corruption and, demand for fuelwood to support an expanding occasionally, violent disputes. brick-making industry.

Overfishing and illegal fishing were also taking In 1997, the project team began to help the villagers their toll on fish stocks and catch amounts, as well organize themselves into local resource as the size of the fish, were declining. management organizations, and by 2000 community-led planned management that FAO project helps government integrated people’s livelihoods with forestry and fishery sustainability concerns was taking place In light of these mounting problems, Cambodian on around 10,000 hectares of land. authorities teamed up with FAO to establish a natural resource management program in one of The improved management, combined with a 1997 the lake’s poorest provinces – Siem Reap. government ban on brick kilns in the region, stemmed excessive timber harvesting and today The project, entitled “Participatory natural much of the cleared flood forest is growing back, resource management in the Tonle Sap region,” says Evans. began operations in early 1995 with financial support from the Government of Belgium.

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A revolution in management under the old colonial-era system for managing fisheries for public access. In 2000, with community-led sustainable resource management taking root in the province, came an The government has incorporated the concept of additional opportunity to change the way the lake community-led development planning and resource was being managed on an even wider scale, thanks management into its development planning to a reform initiative spearheaded by Cambodian programs and national legislation. authorities. Although the original Tonle Sap project supported During a visit by Prime Minister Hun Sen to Siem by FAO has come to an end, its work continues Reap following a series of devastating floods, local under MAFF’s leadership, thanks to a US$10 officials and fisherfolk involved in the FAO project million Asian Development Bank program in spoke of the growing intensity of conflicts between support of sustainable development in the lake the fishing communities and commercial fishers. region. The prime minister supported the creation of a fact-finding commission, which concluded that the FAO remains closely involved and is working people wanted a complete makeover of the way together with MAFF on one component of that the lake’s fisheries were managed. In answer to program, a US$3.8 million project aimed at building widespread calls for reform, in 2001 the the capacity of lake communities to sustainably government released 56 percent of the area manage the natural resources on which they previously controlled by commercial interests depend. (Source: FAO Newsroom)

PATRICK EVANS WINS FAO’S B.R. SEN AWARD FOR 2005

Patrick Evans, a US citizen, has been awarded the prestigious B.R. Sen Award by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The award is given each year to an FAO field officer who has made outstanding contributions to the advancement of the country to which he/she was assigned.

Mr. Evans won the award for his work to promote community-based natural resources management in Cambodia. He served as Team Leader for the field project “Participatory natural resources management in the Tonle Sap Region” from 1985-2004. The project was funded by the government of Belgium and executed by FAO.

Tonle Sap Great Lake is one of the world’s great ecological wonders. When Mr. Evans went to Cambodia in 1997, unsustainable forestry and fisheries practices in the Tonle Sap region were the norm, and the entire ecosystem was in danger of being irreversibly damaged. The project was successful in helping to mobilize over 100 villages to participate in sustainable management practices, as well as in obtaining support from the national government for new, more progressive resource management policies. Innovative environmental awareness and income generation activities were effectively implemented.

8 Vol. XIX: No.4 October-December 2005 FORESTFOREST NEWSNEWS

JUMP-STARTING THE ASIA-PACIFIC FOREST INVASIVE SPECIES NETWORK

The Asia-Pacific Forest Invasive Species Network Providing greater direction for APFISN (APFISN) held a Task Force meeting on 23 September 2005 in Beijing, with the objective of Although national focal points have been accelerating the work of the APFISN. nominated for 24 countries, it is difficult to bring all of them to meetings regularly for network Patrick Durst, Senior Forestry Officer, FAO decision making. The Task Force therefore Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, presented recommended the establishment of a 6-8 member an overview of APFISN activities since the last Executive Committee that would meet at least APFC session in (April 2004). He highlighted once a year (or more frequently as required). The activities in the areas of awareness raising, Executive Committee would provide guidance and capacity building, information exchange and direction to the network and its activities. database development, and stock-taking of national activities. Awareness raising activities included The Task Force also recognized the need for more development of a brochure and fact sheet network coordination support. In this respect, the describing the network, participation in regional Task Force appreciated the contributions of China meetings on invasive species, organization of a and FAO in coordinating network activities, but side meeting at the Committee on Forestry hoped a more consistent and experienced (COFO) session held in March 2005, and approach to network coordination could be development of website pages. Two capacity- established. building workshops were organized in the past year: one on eucalyptus rust, and one on coconut-leaf Invigorating the network . Information was shared through dissemination of the proceedings for the Asia- Enhancing the profile of APFISN. In terms of Pacific Forest Invasive Species Conference, (held enhancing the profile of the network, the following in Kunming, China, 17–23 August 2003), options were discussed: distribution of workshop reports, and email § publishing a fact sheet on the network distribution of information. Development of the which could be distributed with other FAO network database and national stock-taking and APFC promotional materials; exercises continued during the period. § publishing of brochures (already completed, but a reprint with better quality The Task Force generally agreed that the network photographs may be desirable); had been sufficiently active and had made § enhancing the APFC website to feature reasonable progress toward achieving its more information on APFISN activities established goals, but that more could be done to and publications; accelerate network activities. The support § placing notices about the existence and provided by several network countries was activities of APFISN in a wide range of acknowledged, but it was felt that more efforts relevant forestry journals, newsletters, were needed to attract the involvement of other and on related websites; countries in the region. § establishing links with related websites; § publishing a network newsletter;

9 FOREST NEWS Vol. XIX: No. 4 October-December 2005

§ publishing of information sheets on generally agreed that efforts should be made specific species pests and threats; and to access and link existing databases whenever § designing a network logo. possible. At the same time, those countries finding it useful to develop their own databases Capacity building. The Task Force recognized on forest invasive species should be guided to that the capacity building needs of the network ensure the “inter-operability” of such databases; members were varied and substantial. It was this may require agreement on certain “meta recommended, however, that rather than embark data” fields to allow for efficient searching on a comprehensive needs assessment, some initial among databases. capacity-building activities of a general nature should be initiated as early as possible. It was Forthcoming meetings proposed that a workshop on early warning and § Early Warning Systems for Forest response approaches in combating forest invasive Invasive Species (Kerala, India) (see species be convened. Up-coming Meetings on p.9) § A National Focal Points Meeting will Database and information sharing. The Task be convened during the upcoming 21st Force acknowledged that there were a number Session of the Asia-Pacific Forestry of different views on how the network should Commission in Dehradun, India, in April proceed with database development. It was 2006.

THREE NEW WEBSITES PUT FAO INFORMATION AT USER’S FINGERTIPS

A new web-based FAO information service was stop source of technical information on recom- launched in November 2005. “Ask FAO,” lets mended practices and techniques in food pro- users pose questions directly to experts in the duction, rural development, natural resource Organization and also includes a searchable management and other areas. “knowledge base” of answers to frequently asked questions covering issues as varied as how to And last but not least, the website of the Asia- access FAO technical assistance for controlling Pacific Forestry Commission (APFC) has been bird flu – to finding out national rates of defores- completely revamped and is now online. Visit tation. the website for updates about the up-coming 21st APFC session in Dehradun and other APFC Similarly, FAO’s new “Best Practices” website, activities. also launched in November 2005, serves as a one-

Website addresses: AskFAO: http://www.fao.org/askfao FAO’s Best Practices site: http://www.fao.org/bestpractices Revamped APFC website: http://www.apfcweb.org

10 Vol. XIX: No.4 October-December 2005 FORESTFOREST NEWSNEWS

UPCOMING RAP-SUPPORTED FORESTRY MEETINGS

EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS FOR studies from countries that have made an attempt FOREST INVASIVE SPECIES to “re-invent” their forestry sectors and to 21-24 February 2006, Kerala India examine the features and factors that contributed to success or failure. Comparative analysis of The Asia-Pacific Forest Invasive Species Network these case studies can be expected to unearth (APFISN) is organizing a workshop on early commonalities and countries should be able to warning systems for invasive species, to help learn from the experiences of others. control the introduction and spread of potentially harmful species into/within the region. The concept of an early warning system is relatively ESTABLISHING A FOREST POLICY new in the region, as there are few countries with NETWORK FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC such a system in place. The main objectives of 2-3 March 2006, Manila, the workshop are to: § familiarize participants with key early A variety of approaches, tools and processes have warning strategies for forest invasive been used to assist in the strengthening of forest species; policy development in the Asia-Pacific region. The § identify key challenges to implementing Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission (APFC), in early warning systems for forest invasive collaboration with the FAO Regional Office for species and possible solutions to address Asia and the Pacific, has developed a short series these challenges; of targeted studies, addressing national § develop working relationships and experiences in implementing specific policies (e.g. contacts with colleagues from other logging bans, plantation incentives, and re-inventing countries on invasive species; and forestry agencies). These studies provide § develop an action plan to address early information covering theory and practice, warning of invasive species on a regional successes, failures and pitfalls in developing and scale. implementing these policies. The success of this type of collaborative approach to informing policy makers suggests potential for the concept of a RE-INVENTING FORESTRY AGENCIES more formalized Asia-Pacific forest policy IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC network. 28 February-1 March 2006, Manila, Philippines APFC will organize a two-day expert consultation to bring together policy experts, researchers and Forestry institutions in the Asia-Pacific region are practitioners from the region to consider the nature, confronted with rapid change with respect to role and structure of such a policy network. expectations and demands placed on forests by society. Most forestry agencies in the region are struggling to come to terms with new roles and responsibilities, as well as new ways of conducting For more details on these meetings, please business. In many instances, structures, capacities contact: and capabilities are outmoded and ineffective for Patrick B. Durst, Senior Forestry Officer, FAO implementing new responsibilities. Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Maliwan Mansion, Phra Atit Road, Bangkok The Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission (APFC) 10200, Thailand; Fax: (662) 697-4445; E- has commissioned a number of national case mail: [email protected]

1111 FOREST NEWS Vol. XIX: No. 4 October-December 2005

FAO ADVANCING FOREST REHABILITATION EFFORTS IN TSUNAMI-AFFECTED COUNTRIES

The Finnish-funded FAO project “Forestry in protecting coastal areas from natural disasters Programme for Early Rehabilitation in Asian and extreme weather events and the practicality Tsunami Affected Countries” has been of tree planting to provide coastal buffer zones. operational since May 2005 in , Overall, the situation has proven far more complex Indonesia and the to rehabilitate trees than first believed and the necessity for collecting and forests in coastal areas following the and disseminating information, and implementing December 2004 tsunami. Physical damage to more sophisticated approaches has become coastal forests, trees in home gardens, trees on apparent. farms and mangrove forests was considerable in Aceh, where around 75,000 hectares of forest Responding to the challenges, FAO has provided were lost. In Sri Lanka, physical damage was technical inputs in the areas of tree planting and less dramatic although trees and coastal vegetation management, participatory approaches and coastal along hundreds of kilometers of coastline were area management to help improve the damaged as a result of soil salination. Similarly in effectiveness of forest-related rehabilitation. In the Maldives, damage to trees resulted mainly from light of the experience gained in tsunami-affected salination of soil following extensive flooding. areas and elsewhere, it is clear that such inputs are essential if forestry-related interventions are After the tsunami, many agencies involved in to be sustainable. For instance, if forests and trees rehabilitation and reconstruction focussed efforts were not present before the tsunami, there must on mangrove planting – both to provide coastal be changes in the framework conditions before protection and as a means of providing replanting is undertaken. Similarly, forestry employment for villagers whose livelihoods were activities must be integrated into the seasonal affected negatively. Efforts of this nature prevailed schedules and desired land-use patterns to during the first year after the tsunami, but activities enhance prospects for sustainability. The factors are now expanding as more knowledge is gained highlight the need for participatory integrated and the complexity of issues is better understood. approaches, such as those advocated by FAO.

As a direct result of initial efforts, considerable FAO is also steadily building capacity and experience was gained and valuable information strengthening forestry-related institutions in the collected on the nature of the forestry situation affected countries. In Indonesia, FAO has been prior to and following the tsunami. As reports instrumental in facilitating meetings between the came in, the message became clear that coastal main government agencies with responsibility for forests and trees other than mangroves had also forestry in the tsunami-affected areas, and has been significantly affected and were of great also played a major role in increasing the importance – especially those providing direct involvement of local government forestry agencies benefits to local livelihoods. that were previously sidelined. In the Maldives, FAO has encouraged the government to begin Moreover, mangroves had already been removed developing an overall national strategy for forestry, in many areas prior to the tsunami and, on more which has previously played only a minor role in exposed coasts, had not originally been present the country. In Sri Lanka, the project is working at all. Despite initial field reports, questions were through participatory approaches with 14,000 also raised over the effectiveness of mangroves households in rehabilitating home gardens and

12 Vol. XIX: No.4 October-December 2005 FORESTFOREST NEWSNEWS coastal forests and providing support to district, More broadly, the project is working to strengthen provincial and national forestry institutions. capacities and collaboration among all eight Asian tsunami-affected countries – Indonesia, Sri Lanka, FAO is also assisting reconstruction in Indonesia Maldives, , India, , by facilitating the sourcing of wood for rebuilding and Thailand. Related to this, a regional technical houses, other infrastructure and fishing boats. The conference will be organised in mid-2006 on project has carried out assessments of wood “Protective functions of mangroves and other demand and supply for reconstruction and coastal forests.” The program will continue until identified various options for sourcing wood. the end of 2006. Further information can be found Guidelines for timber procurement, technical on the FAO tsunami website (http://www.fao.org/ timber usage and legality standards have been forestry/tsunami). developed, along with a list of wood suppliers. FAO is currently providing technical advice to the For further information, please contact: Government of Indonesia on related policy issues Susan Braatz, Chief Technical Adviser, Forestry and supporting development of a wood supply Programme for Early Rehabilitation in Asian strategy. Tsunami-Affected Countries; E-mail: [email protected]

ASIA-PACIFIC FORESTRY CHIPS AND CLIPS

WILD TIGER SNARES PRIME forest owners’ group, says that most forest tree MINISTER nurseries are growing very small quantities of seedlings in anticipation of almost zero demand Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has for establishing new forest areas. The KFA promised to save the endangered Royal Bengal blames poor government policy for the decline tiger after sighting one in the wild for the first time in planting and the loss of associated jobs in in his life. Prime Minister Singh spotted a tigress planting and silviculture. In the period 1992 to named by locals “Lady of the Lake” during a trip 1998, new planting rates in New Zealand were to Ranthambore game park, where poachers are high, averaging 69,000 hectares per year. Since believed to have killed more than half the park’s 1998, the rate of new planting has declined and 35 tigers, since 2001. “We have a problem at is now well below the average afforestation rate hand and if we do not tackle it, we would be doing of the last 30 years. an irretrievable damage to ourselves”, said Dr. – Source: Kyoto Forestry Association – Singh. – Source: China Daily – PNG PUSHES CARBON ALLOWANCE IDEA FOR RAINFOREST COUNTRIES TREE PLANTING HITS ROCK BOTTOM A Papua New Guinean proposal to combat climate change by paying rainforest countries Planted forest establishment in New Zealand, a to stop chopping down jungles is gaining long-cited plantation leader, has dwindled to international momentum. PNG’s Prime Minister negligible levels in recent years and the trend Michael Somare has been championing the idea appears likely to continue in 2006. A spokesman which has been debated at the UN climate for the Kyoto Forestry Association (KFA), a local conference underway in Montreal. The 1313 FOREST NEWS Vol. XIX: No. 4 October-December 2005

proposal to allocate carbon allowances to farmers to apply new forest management methods developing countries which combat deforestation and to improved production and marketing of forest was welcomed at the conference by Canada and products. The project is scheduled to be carried Britain, along with Brazil, where forest loss is a out on a trial basis at three farms and two forestry huge problem.Somare has been working to put companies, and its activities will be reviewed every together a “Coalition of Rainforest Nations” to six months by GTZ and relevant agencies. advance the proposal for payment of carbon – News Agency – credits for preserving rainforests. – Source: AAP Newsfeed – INDONESIA SEEKSTO REVIVE PAPER CHINA’S BAMBOO AREA INCREASES INDUSTRY AMID PROTEST

According the statistics of the sixth National Forest Indonesian government is trying to lure investors Survey, the area of bamboo forests in China to build three paper mills on the island of Borneo expanded at an annual rate of 120,000 hectares at a cost of $3 billion in order to revive its paper over the last 5 years. Bamboo areas currently total and pulp industry. The plan, however, faces stiff 4.84 million hectares. With this increase, the opposition from environmental groups and forest production value of China’s bamboo sector grew researchers concerned about the industries failure to 5.5 billion yuan, making it one of the four biggest to invest in plantation development and its reliance forest industries in China. Bamboo exports on natural forests for as much as three-quarters amounted to US$600 million in 2004, with growth of its feedstock. of more than 120% over that of 2000. – New York Times – – People’s Daily –

MALAYSIA TO PUT ASIDE 350,000 TWENTY PERCENT OF WORLD’S HECTARES FOR FOREST MANGROVE AREAS LOST OVER THE PLANTATION DEVELOPMENT LAST 25 YEARS

Strong export demand for logs in Malaysia has According to new FRA 2005 data recently prompted the forestry department to commit to released by FAO, around 20 percent of the the establishment of 350,000 hectares of forest world’s mangrove forests have disappeared in plantations over the next 15 years in an effort to the last 25 years due to land use conversion and sustain timber production into the future. Exports unsustainable exploitation. Mangrove areas of timber products contributed RM 19.7 billion cover around 15 million hectares today. The rate (US$5.2 billion) to Malaysia’s economy in 2004. of mangrove deforestation dropped from 185,000 The Malaysian government is also encouraging hectares per year in the 1980s to 105,000 private sector investment in forest plantation hectares during the 2000-2005 period as more projects with the formulation of a National Forest countries are recognizing the value of mangroves Plantations Development Policy. and are making efforts to conserve and better – ITTO Tropical Timber Market Report 10/18 – manage them. Still, the importance of mangroves is underestimated and their rate of loss is GERMANY TO PROVIDE 4.5 MILLION significantly higher than for other forest types. EUROS FOR VIETNAM’S FOREST Mangroves are found in more than 120 countries, DEVELOPMENT but five countries (Indonesia, Australia, Brazil, Nigeria and ) account for nearly half of Under an agreement signed by the German the world’s total mangrove area. Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ) and the – FAO – Vietnamese government, GTZ committed 4.5 million Euros to a project on forest management and marketing of forestry products in Vietnam. During the initial phase, the project will assist

14 Vol. XIX: No.4 October-December 2005 FORESTFOREST NEWSNEWS

ELEPHANT CARE MANUAL FOR MA- FORESTS FOR POVERTY REDUCTION: HOUTS AND CAMP MANAGERS CHANGING ROLE FOR RESEARCH, RAP Publication 2005/10 DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING INSTITUTIONS The number of wild elephants in Thailand has RAP Publication 2005/19 declined steadily over the last three decades, mostly because of relentless habitat destruction, The Asia-Pacific region and experts estimate that at present only has seen a dramatic about 1,500 wild elephants economic transformation remain. Today, better in the last 30 years. management by state However, significant agencies and increased NEW RAP FORESTRY portions of the public awareness are PUBLICATIONS population still live in helping the wild elephant extreme poverty. Many of the population to stabilize. poor are forest dwellers or from Over the past ten years veterinary care communities living for elephants in Thailand has improved close by. These astronomically and is now excellent both in quality forests can be a and availability. The original idea for an elephant solution to their care manual was indigent condition. one of the recommendations In order to readjust the made by Richard focus back to the Lair in his book socio-economic role Gone astray: The of forests, forestry care and institutions have a management of the pivotal role to play: Asian elephant in from formulating appropriate policies to developing domesticity, which management systems that address the rapidly was published in changing demands. 1997.

Likewise, research institutes have to drastically The aim of this revise their work programmes to incorporate these manual is to enable mahouts to better support the new challenges. A number of participatory work of veterinarians, not to do the veterinarians research methodologies have emerged recently. job. The three primary goals are to help mahouts Innovative approaches for development and make quicker diagnoses, to better communicate diffusion of poverty alleviation technologies are symptoms to veterinarians over the phone, and to being pioneered in many parts of the developing improve follow-up care. An underlying goal has world. been to encourage the prevention of diseases and other ailments from occurring by paying more In 2003, a series of workshops were organized attention to food, appropriate work conditions and around the theme of Forests for Poverty adequate hygiene. Reduction – Exploring the Potential. The objective was to share the experiences hitherto gained from It is hoped that this publication will be a useful tool poverty alleviation initiatives by forestry research to improve the care and welfare of the Asian and development agencies in the Asia-Pacific elephant, not only in Thailand, but also in other region. These proceedings, a collection of papers Asian countries. presented during the workshop, could serve to increase the recognition of the role of forestry in poverty reduction.

1515 FOREST NEWS Vol. XIX: No. 4 October-December 2005

FAO ASIA-PACIFIC FORESTRY CALENDAR

16-20 January 2006. Ha Noi, Viet Nam. Second Regional Project Advisory Committee Meeting and Tri-Partite Review Meeting for the Enhancing Sustainable Forest Harvesting in Asia Project (GCP/RAS/192/JPN). Con- tact: P. Durst, Senior Forestry Officer, FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Maliwan Mansion, Phra Atit Road, Bangkok 10200, Thailand; Tel. (662) 697-4139; Fax: (662) 697-4445; E-mail: [email protected]

17-18 January 2006. Bangkok, Thailand. National Workshop on the Elephant Care Manual. Contact: M. Kashio, Regional Forest Resources Officer, FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Maliwan Mansion, Phra Atit Road, Bangkok 10200, Thailand; Tel. (662) 697-4141; Fax: (662) 697-4445; E-mail: [email protected]

21-24 February 2006. Kerala, India. Early Warning Systems for Forest Invasive Species. Organized in collaboration with the USDA Forest Service, the Asia Pacific Association of Forestry Research Institutes (APAFRI) and Kerala Forest Research Institute. Contact: P. Durst, Senior Forestry Officer, FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Maliwan Mansion, Phra Atit Road, Bangkok 10200, Thailand; Tel. (662) 697-4139; Fax: (662) 697-4445; E-mail: [email protected]

28 February - 1 March 2006. Manila, Philippines. “Re-inventing” Forestry Agencies in Asia and the Pacific. Contact: P. Durst, Senior Forestry Officer, FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Maliwan Mansion, Phra Atit Road, Bangkok 10200, Thailand; Tel. (662) 697-4139; Fax: (662) 697-4445; E-mail: [email protected]

2-3 March 2006. Manila, Philippines. Establishing a Forest Policy Network for Asia and the Pacific. Contact: P. Durst, Senior Forestry Officer, FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Maliwan Mansion, Phra Atit Road, Bangkok 10200, Thailand; Tel. (662) 697-4139; Fax: (662) 697-4445; E-mail: [email protected]

17-21 April 2006. Dehradun, India, 21st Session of the Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission. Contact: P. Durst, Senior Forestry Officer, FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Maliwan Mansion, Phra Atit Road, Bangkok 10200, Thailand; Tel. (662) 697-4139; Fax: (662) 697-4445; E-mail: [email protected]

29 May-10 June 2006. Bangkok, Thailand. Forest Policy Short Course. Contact: T. Enters, NFP Facilitator, FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Maliwan Mansion, Phra Atit Road, Bangkok 10200, Thailand; Tel. (662) 697- 4328; Fax: (662) 697-4445; E-mail: [email protected]

5-8 September 2006. Jakarta, Indonesia. Regional Conference on Forest Governance and Decentralization in Asia. Organized in collaboration with the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), the Regional Commu- nity Forestry Training Center (RECOFTC), Swiss Intercooperation and the Governments of Indonesia and the Philippines. Contact: T. Enters, NFP Facilitator, FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Maliwan Mansion, Phra Atit Road, Bangkok 10200, Thailand; Tel. (662) 697-4328; Fax: (662) 697-4445; E-mail: [email protected]

2-6 October 2006. Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam. International Conference on Managing Forests for Poverty Reduction: Capturing Opportunities in Forest Harvesting and Wood Processing for the Benefit of the Poor. Organized in collaboration with the Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV), the International Tropical Tim- ber Organization (ITTO), the Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission (APFC), the Tropical Forest Trust (TTT), the Re- gional Community Forestry Training Center (RECOFTC) and the Department of Forestry in Viet Nam. Contact: P. Durst, Senior Forestry Officer, FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Maliwan Mansion, Phra Atit Road, Bangkok 10200, Thailand; Tel. (662) 697-4139; Fax: (662) 697-4445; 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) § APFC - The unwelcome guests: Proceedings of indicators for sustainable forest management in dry the Asia-Pacific Forest Invasive Species forests in Asia (RAP Publication: 2003/05) Conference (RAP Publication 2005/18) § Giants on our hands: proceedings of the § Helping forests take cover (RAP Publication international workshop on the domesticated Asian 2005/13) elephant (RAP Publication: 2002/30) § Waves of hope – report of the regional § Communities in flames: proceedings of an coordination workshop on rehabilitation of international conference on community involvement tsunami-affected forest ecosystems: strategies in fire management (RAP Publication: 2002/25) and new directions (RAP Publication 2005/07) § Applying reduced impact logging to advance § Forest certification in China: latest developments sustainable forest management (RAP Publication: and future strategies (RAP Publication 2005/08) 2002/14) § Forests and floods – drowning in fiction or § Monograph on benzoin (Balsamic resin from Styrax species) (RAP Publication: 2001/21) thriving on facts? (RAP Publication 2005/03) § Proceedings of the International Conference on § In search of excellence: exemplary forest Timber Plantation Development, 7-9 November 2000, management in Asia and the Pacific (RAP Manila, Philippines Publication 2005/02) § Trash or treasure? Logging and mill residues in Asia- § What does it take? The role of incentives in Pacific (RAP Publication: 2001/16) forest plantation development in Asia and the § Regional training strategy: supporting the Pacific. Executive summary (RAP Publication implementation of the Code of Practice for forest 2004/28) harvesting in Asia-Pacific (RAP Publication: 2001/15) § What does it take? The role of incentives in § Forest out of bounds: impacts and effectiveness of forest plantation development in Asia and the logging bans in natural forests in Asia-Pacific: Pacific (RAP Publication 2004/27) executive summary (RAP Publication: 2001/10) § Forests for poverty reduction: opportunities for § Forest out of bounds: impacts and effectiveness of Clean Development Mechanism, environmental logging bans in natural forests in Asia-Pacific (RAP services and biodiversity (RAP Publication 2004/ Publication: 2001/08) 22) § Asia and the Pacific National Forest Programmes § Report of the 20th Session of the Asia-Pacific Forestry Update 34 (RAP Publication: 2000/22) Commission (APFC), 2004 (RAP Publication: 2004/09) § Regional strategy for implementing the Code of § Forests for poverty reduction: can community Practice for forest harvesting in Asia-Pacific (July 2000) forestry make money? (RAP Publication: 2004/04) § Development of national-level criteria and indicators § State of Forestry in Asia and the Pacific – 2003: for the sustainable management of dry forests of Asia: status, changes and trends (RAP Publication background papers (RAP Publication: 2000/08) 2003/22) § Development of national-level criteria and indicators § Advancing assisted natural regeneration (ANR) for the sustainable management of dry forests of Asia: in Asia and the Pacific (RAP Publication 2003/19) workshop report (RAP Publication: 2000/07) - 2nd edition § Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission: the first fifty years § Bringing back the forests: policies and practices (RAP Publication: 2000/02) for degraded lands and forests (RAP Publication § Decentralization and devolution of forest management 2003/14) out of print in Asia and the Pacific (RAP Publication: 2000/01) § Community forestry – current innovations and § Asia-Pacific Forestry Towards 2010 - report of the experiences (CD-ROM included) Asia-Pacific Forestry Sector Outlook Study § Community-based fire management: case studies § Trees commonly cultivated in Southeast Asia: an from China, The Gambia, Honduras, India, the Lao illustrated field guide - 2nd edition (RAP Publication: People’s Democratic Republic and Turkey (RAP 1999/13) Publication: 2003/08) § Code of Practice for forest harvesting in Asia-Pacific § Practical guidelines for the assessment, monitoring (RAP Publication: 1999/12) and reporting on national level criteria and 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