Contents

TIGERPAPER

Tail Carriage in Pig-tailed Macaques...... 1 Role of Seabuckthorn in the Conservation of Fragile Ecosystems of the Temperate Himalayan Region...... 3 Essentials of Protected Area Management in the Philippines...... 4 Executive Summary – Threatened of Asia...... 8 Conservation of Wildlife and Its Habitats in Soan Valley...... 12 Status of Tigers in Dibrusaikhowa Biosphere Reserve...... 17 Namdapha Tiger Reserve – Planning for Sustainable Development as a Biosphere Reserve...... 22 Ecological Prudence of the Lepchas of Sikkim...... 28 in Kanjli ...... 30

FOREST NEWS

APFC is Mongolia Bound!...... 1 Bringing Back the Forests: Policies and Practices for Degraded Lands and Forests...... 3 In Search of Excellence in Forest Management...... 5 Sustainable Forest Management: From Theory to Practice...... 6 New Coordinator for RIL Activities...... 7 Toward Effective Watershed and Management...... 8 Not All Trees Grow in Forests...... 9 Vietnamese Foresters Assess Philippine Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) Practices...... 11 Criteria and Indicators for Model Forests...... 12 Understanding Forest Management Certification and Local Auditing Systems in Indochina...... 13 Asia-Pacific Forestry Chips and Clips...... 15 New RAP Forestry Publications...... 17 FAO Asia-Pacific Forestry Calendar...... 18

TAIL CARRIAGE IN PIG-TAILED MACAQUES (Macaca nemestrina)

by Anwaruddin Choudhury

Introduction (extent of occurrence more than 150,000 km2). The subspecies found in was earlier Tail carriage in non-human primates makes an designated as M. nemestrina blythii (Pocock, interesting study. Even sub-specific variations 1939), but Fooden (1975) considers it to be are often recognized on the basis of tail carriage, synonymous with leonina and the author has at least as one of the keys to identification. In followed the same practice (Choudhury, 1997). the case of the pig-tailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina Linn.), the tail carriage is significant In this brief report, the description of tail as is evident from its popular English name. carriage as observed in the wild in , India, Fooden (1975) gave a detailed account of the is contradictory to the existing theory suggested tail carriage of three subspecies of Macaca by Fooden (1975). This is important because the nemestrina. In fact, tail carriage is an important tail carriage is also an important key to sub- key to identification of all three races of the pig- specific identification of M. nemestrina. tailed macaque. M. nemestrina leonina carries its tail arched forward over its back, with the tip The survey of pig-tailed macaques was carried of the tail directed upward and forward, while out throughout northeastern India between 1986 M. nemestrina nemestrina carries its tail arched and 1999. However, detailed observations on rearward, with the tip of the tail directed tail carriage could only be made in the following downward. M. nemestrina pelops carries its tail areas of Assam: Innerline Reserved Forest (RF) almost like the nominate race. Groves (2001) of Cachar district (24°30' N, 92°50' E), has even suggested full species treatment to Garampani and Nambor Sanctuaries (26°25' N, leonina and the tail carriage was one of its 93°50' E) of Karbi Anlong district, Bherjan RF diagnostic features. (27°32' N, 95°23' E), Podumoni RF (27°32' N, 95°19' E) and Borajan RF (27°25' N, 95°22' E) (recently declared a protected area named Bherjan-Borajan-Podumoni Sanctuary) in Tinsukia district. The habitat in all the localities was of tropical wet evergreen and semi- evergreen rain forests, on flat plains as well as hills.

Results and discussion

Fooden (1975) attempted to investigate the anatomical basis for such differences in tail carriage in M. n. leonina and M. n. nemestrina. His materials included embalmed cadavers of 3 adult male M. n. leonina, caudal vertebrae of 3 wild-caught adults (also M. n. leonina) and In India, the pig-tailed macaque is confined to caudal vertebrae of 2 captive sub-adults of M. n. the forests of northeastern India, only south of nemestrina. He observed that the intervertebral the Brahmaputra river (Choudhury, 1988, 1989, joints Ca 4-5, Ca 5-6 and Ca 6-7 in M. n. 1996, 1997). Although not common in its entire leonina are hyperextended to form the anteriorly range in India, it is still widely distributed directed tail flexure, while in contrast, in the

Tigerpaper Vol.29:No.1 Jan.-Mar.2002 1 case of M. n. nemestrina these joints are their backs. Had there been such an anatomical ventriflexed to form the proximal part of the basis, they would have always carried their tails downward directed rail flexure, and the arched forward. Thus, perhaps there is no intervertebral joints Ca 7-8 and Ca 8-9 are also orientation of caudal vertebrae. flexed to complete the arch. Acknowledgment However, the recent field studies in Assam seem I thank collectively the many civil and forest to completely reverse Fooden’s (1975) officials and NGOs of northeastern India and a anatomical basis identification. Between 1987 large number of villagers, relatives and friends and 1996, the author observed a few hundred for their assistance. Nur Hussain, Havildar K. wild individuals in the forests of northeastern Das, Dilip, Babul, Chakravary and Hakeem India, especially in Assam. Detailed accompanied me in the field and my thanks to observations of tail carriage could be made of 90 them. I also acknowledge the partial financial individuals. Because of the dense vegetation and assistance from the Assam Science, Technology extreme shyness of the species, details could not and Environment Council in 1990-1994 and the be recorded in many of the cases. Extensive American Society of Primatology in 1994 (for photographs were taken which clearly showed Tinsukia). the tail carriage. References The field observations and photographs show that the tail carriage of these macaques is more Choudhury, A.U. 1988. Priority ratings for similar to M. n. nemestrina and M. n. pelops conservation of Indian primates. Oryx than to M. n. leonina as observed by Fooden 22:89-94. (1975). From long hours of field observation, Choudhury, A.U. 1989. Primates of Assam: their often from dawn to dusk, the author found that distribution, habitat and status. Ph.D. thesis, the males often carry their tails arched forward Gauhati University. 300pp+maps. over their backs, but do not keep it like that all the time. One example of this is when the male Choudhury, A.U. 1996. Survey of primates in some is excited or two males are making threatening parts of eastern and central Assam. Final gestures at each other. This may be dominant report to ASTEC (Assam Science Technology & behavior by an alpha male as has been observed Environment Council), Guwahati. in the rhesus macaque (M. mulatta), where adult males, usually alpha and lone ones, carry their Choudhury, A.U. 1997. Checklist of the mammals nd tails straight and upwards with a curl at the tip, of Assam. Revised 2 Ed. Gibbon Books & which is very distinctive and completely ASTEC, Guwahati. different from other members of the species. In Fooden, J. 1975. and evolution of the case of captive pig-tailed macaques, which liontail and pigtail macaques (Primates: are usually kept in small cages and flocked by Cercopithecidae). Fieldiana: Zoology, 67:1- visitors, they show a greater tendency to carry 169. their tails arched forward, obviously excited due to disturbance and stress. When these macaques Groves, C. 2001. Primate taxonomy. Smithsonian are leisurely strolling, they carry their tails like Institution Press, Washington & London. M. n. nemestrina and M. n. pelops. Pocock, R.I. 1939. The fauna of British India: The present study shows that the anatomical Mammalia, Primates and Carnivora. Taylor & basis for identification as suggested by Fooden Francis, London. (1975) needs a fresh review, as there seems to be Author’s address: The Rhino Foundation for Nature little or no difference in tail carriage among the in N.E. India, c/o The Assam Co. Ltd., G. Bardaloi three races of M. nemestrina, except for the fact Path, Bamunimaidam, Guwahati - 781 021; E-mail: that the subspecies leonina, especially the adult [email protected] males, often carry their tails arched forward over

2 Tigerpaper Vol.29:No.1 Jan.-Mar.2002 ROLE OF SEABUCKTHORN IN THE CONSERVATION OF FRAGILE ECOSYSTEMS OF THE TEMPERATE HIMALAYAN REGION

by Anil K. Choudhary and R.C. Jaggi

Introduction particles and stones even on steep slopes (Saklani, 2001). Its extensive root system Seabuckthorn (Hippophae spp.) is a thorny protects the soil against erosion by high velocity temperate bush that grows in temperate climates winds, which are a common feature of cold and is indigenous to the regions of Lahaul and deserts. Thus, the plant is considered to be an Spiti, Kinnaur and some parts of Chamba in effective soil binder in the erosion-prone soils of , Kumaon and Gharwal Hills cold and barren mountains. of Uttrancha., the Laddakh area of Jammu & Kashmir and some parts of Sikkim (Dwivedi, Medicinal and Nutritional Value of 2001). It grows widely and abundantly in the Seabuckthorn temperate climates of Europe and Asia (Singh, 2000). In Asia, it is commercially grown in Seabuckthorn has many reputed nutritional and , Russia, Nepal and Pakistan. It is regarded medical properties. Its fruit and other plant parts as a ‘magic plant’ because of its high nutritional are used in making herbal remedies against value, medicinal properties, and its ability to malnutrition, skin diseases, lung problems, replenish and conserve the soil in the fragile ulcers, gastro-intestinal problems, and colds. It ecosystem of the temperate Himalayas. It is is reported that it can also be used against cancer indigenous to the temperate Himalayan region, to counteract the effects of free radicals. It has but it is paradoxical that few people know about been prescribed for patients with coronary its existence and tremendous medicinal value. It disorders since it is believed to reduce is time for research institutions, government cholesterol levels drastically. It is rich in agencies, and the pharmaceutical and cosmetic Vitamin A, B, and K and is the richest source of industries to understand the global trends and Vitamin C. It is also a potential source of benefits of evolving advanced technologies for proteins, organic acids, carotenoids and utilizing seabuckthorn and bring about a new flavonoids, etc. The fruit is the main repository revolution in the Asian economy. of these compounds but the whole plant is a rich source of nutrients. It is also extremely rich in This paper attempts to highlight the importance minerals like iron, cobalt and molybdenum of seabuckthorn and its use in the sustainability (Dwivedi, 2001).Thus, seabuckthorn has great of the fragile ecosystems of the temperate medicinal properties and is presently used in regions of Asia in general, and the temperate about 200 industrial products like medicines, Himalayas in particular. cosmetics, and health food products.

Characteristics of Seabuckthorn Seabuckthorn as fuel and fodder

Seabuckthorn is a thorny bush that grows in The harsh, cold climate of the temperate region temperate climates. It grows selectively in the keeps the mountains devoid of vegetation snow-covered mountains of the Himalayas and throughout the year, with no available fuel for can withstand very low temperatures down to man or fodder for . In such conditions, minus 40°C. It can flourish even in rocky, seabuckthorn has emerged as a ‘magic plant’. In sandy, or marshy soils. Its well developed root the cold and barren lands of the temperate region systems goes down 3 meters vertically and 10 it is used to make fences, as fuel, fodder and meters horizontally, producing 30-40 sister fruit besides its medicinal uses. Sheep, goats, plants of several generations, which hold soil yaks and other animals of these areas feed on the

Tigerpaper Vol.29:No.1 Jan.-Mar.2002 3 ESSENTIALS OF PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES

The National Integrated Protected Areas The Future of Humankind. It requires only a Programme is publishing a series called basic knowledge of science and is read with its “Essentials of Protected Area Management in companion, the NIPAP Ecological Glossary for the Philippines”. All manuals are available free Protected Area Managers. through their office. Below is a synopsis of available volumes: The aim of the guide is to bring all those who are interested in protecting the Philippines BIODIVERSITY, CONSERVATION AND environment – laymen and scientists alike - to a THE COMMUNITY comprehensive understanding of the dynamic Essentials of Protected Area Management in the mechanics of ecosystems and especially to an Philippines (2001); Volume 1, by Struan appreciation of that fact that in today’s world all Simpson and Sahlee Bugna ecosystems are unavoidably human ecosystems. ISBN: 971-8986-23-5 ECOLOGICAL GLOSSARY FOR Biodiversity, Conservation and the Community PROTECTED AREA MANAGERS are essentially the three strands running through Essentials of Protected Area Management in the concept of “environment.” Biodiversity the Philippines (2000); Volume 3 by Nick J. represents genetic variability in a wide variety Ashton-Jones of plants and animals. Conservation is ISBN: 971-8986-26-X managing biodiversity and natural resources sustainably. Communities who depend on these The glossary has been designed as a companion resources for their livelihood, health and to the NIPAP Guide to Understanding the prosperity must be the ones who insist that Environment and is especially aimed at national environment policies are efficiently and protected area stakeholders who are seeking to effectively put into practice. The harmonious extend their knowledge of ecosystems. As such, inter-relationship of these three concepts in the glossary defines a wide range of terms protected area management will most likely commonly found in ecological texts so that it define the successful protection of Philippine also stands alone being useful to anyone who is ecology. reading about ecological and environmental issues in the Philippines. This volume discusses Philippine biodiversity, reasons for biodiversity loss, as well as a The eighty-six definitions have arisen from a description of the measures instigated to ensure wide range of ecological experiences in the biodiversity conservation. It is a guide aimed at Philippines and elsewhere in South East Asia. a wide audience, including students, researchers, They are expected to generate lively debate grassroots organizations, protected area among members of the Philippines ecological personnel, policy-makers and funding agencies, community. and provides an insight on protected area management in the Philippines. HANDBOOK FOR PROTECTED AREA RANGERS AND FIELD OFFICERS A GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING THE Essentials of Protected Area Management in ENVIRONMENT the Philippines (2000) Essentials of Protected Area Management in Volume 6, by Struan Simpson and Sahlee the Philippines (2000) ; Volume 2 by Nick J. Bugna Ashton-Jones ISBN: 971-8986-31-6 ISBN: 971-8986-25-1 Protected area management in the Philippines is This is a simple guide to understanding how the oftentimes a complex and perilous task, human environment works, taking the reader, in particularly for Rangers, who spend most of simple steps, from What is the Environment to their time patrolling and monitoring. Their

4 Tigerpaper Vol.29:No.1 Jan.-Mar.2002 duties depend upon the nature of the area, but This manual covers a selection of topics dealing stem mainly from ensuring territorial integrity, with the major aspects of establishing a implementing the NIPAS Act and other related protected area library service. It is meant to policies, and maintaining good relations with serve as reference for those entering the local residents and visitors. The primary concern profession of librarianship and as the basis for of this manual is to provide Rangers with reflection for more experienced librarians. information that will enhance their performance Library school students may also use it as a in the field. Topics include health, First Aid and preview of what they may expect to do in their hygiene, preparation and planning for safe field future endeavors. operations, monitoring biodiversity, fire prevention and control, and pollution prevention HANDBOOK ON THE ESTABLISH- and control. MENT AND MANAGEMENT OF INTEGRATED PROTECTED AREA SUB- MANUAL ON PARTICIPATORY 3- FUNDS DIMENSIONAL MODELING FOR Essentials of Protected Area Management in NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT the Philippines (2000); Volume 10. by Imelda Essentials of Protected Area Management in Bacudo, Julia Aglionby, Giacomo Rambaldi, the Philippines (2000); Volume 7 by Giacomo Ma. Purissima Matsuura and Teresita Rambaldi and Jasmine Callosa Blastique ISBN: 971-8986-21-9 ISBN: 971-8986-32-4

The manual is intended to assist Participatory Produced as a joint-effort by PAWB and Learning and Action practitioners, non- NIPAP, this handbook builds on the experience governmental and other civil organizations, gained over a period of three years in society or scientific institutions and others who establishing and managing Integrated Protected would find “community-based 3-D modeling” a Area Sub-Funds (IPAF) in eight protected areas. powerful tool enabling local stakeholders to It deals with procedural matters on the express their views and assert their rights. establishment and management of the IPAF within the legal framework and provides The manual’s content and format are designed valuable insights into the various aspects of for practitioners who would like to plan and resource valuation, answers questions from the facilitate the preparation of 3-D models through field and supplies guidelines for budget a community-based process and for those preparation according to government wanting to bring the potentials of Geographic prescriptions. The handbook is designed for all Information Systems (GIS) to the grassroots those involved in protected area management level. The P3-DM process and its output (the particularly for members of the Protected Area scaled relief model) are the foundations upon Management Boards, Protected Area which participatory GIS can release its full Superintendents and Government Officials who potential. would like to establish functional trust funds in the framework of the NIPAS law. GUIDE TO ESTABLISHING A PROTECTED AREA LIBRARY PRIMER ON CRIMINAL PROCEDURES Essentials of Protected Area Management in FOR VIOLATIONS IN PROTECTED the Philippines (2000); Volume 8 by AREAS Emmanuel Maceda Essentials of Protected Area Management in ISBN: 971-8986-36-7 the Philippines (2000), Volume 11 by Ted T. Bonpin and Asis G. Perez A functional library at the protected area level ISBN: 971-8986-29-4 covering the disciplines of environmental planning and protected area management is This primer provides practical answers to basic important despite the limited literature on the and frequently asked questions regarding the subject. Also, most information is concentrated enforcement of Philippine environmental and on how to organize libraries within universities natural resources laws within protected areas. It and schools describes the step-by-step process, from . apprehension to the filing of the case to the

Tigerpaper Vol.29:No.1 Jan.-Mar.2002 5 promulgation of judgment and the various training; it also explains relevant provisions of remedies. laws and regulations as well as techniques on things that are being actually done. This primer intends to enrich the knowledge and skills of field officers and community-based PRIMER ON ADMINISTRATIVE paralegals in protected areas regarding the law PROCEDURES FOR VIOLATIONS IN enforcement aspect of their conservation work. PROTECTED AREAS Essentials of Protected Area Management in PARALEGAL TRAINING MANUAL FOR the Philippines (2000), Volume 13 by Ted T. PROTECTED AREAS Bonpin and Asis G. Perez Associates Essentials of Protected Area Management in ISBN: 971-8986-28-6 the Philippines (2000); Volume 12, by Ted T. Bonpin, Rodolfo Fernando N. Quicho, The primer discusses the important provisions of Armand H. Mejia, Maria Generosa T. various administrative orders of the Philippine’s Mislang, Manuel E. Narvadez Jr., and Ava Department of Environment and Natural Sharon P. Batay-an Resources. It answers basic and frequently asked ISBN: 971-8986-37-5 questions about the administrative procedure for violations in protected areas (PAs). It describes With the scarcity of law enforcers and lawyers in detail the Philippine legal process from in most protected areas of the Philippines, it is apprehension, seizure, confiscation to the crucial that park rangers and community disposition of items subject to illegal activities in members be equipped with basic knowledge PAs. It also includes possible loopholes that about the legal system, particularly on offenders might take advantage of, so that park environment and natural resources laws. rangers and community-based law enforcers will be warned of possible pitfalls that might derail This manual was designed to help community- their efforts. based paralegals train new community-based law enforcers in protecting the biodiversity of The primer expects to enrich the knowledge and protected areas. It also suggests methods of skills of field officers and community-based imparting information and skills to paralegals, paralegals in PAs. It also expects that the users but the user or trainer must have training skills enrich this work by giving suggestions and particularly on popular education techniques. asking more practical questions arising from their experiences in law enforcement. The manual contains nine modules or topics which have been grouped under three parts: (1) For more information on how to obtain these Paralegal Philosophy and Metalegal Strategies, publications, please write to: which is considered inseparable from the whole paralegal training, discusses why paralegals Giacomo Rambaldi (Mr.) should be directly and actively involved in Information, Communication Technology protection work and presents arguments from Specialist which one can view the legal system and the ASEAN Regional Centre for Biodiversity delivery of legal services from a developmental Conservation (ARCBC) perspective; (2) Legal Information and Quezon City Annex Knowledge, explains provisions of specific P.O. Box 1614 QC CPO, 1156 QUEZON CITY, environmental and natural resources statutes that Philippines are relevant to law enforcers in protected areas, Tel: (+63.2) 926.91.63; 925.84.06 or 925.84.07 and (3) Law Enforcement and Prosecution Fax: (+63.2) 925.84.08 which enables paralegals to actually enforce the Email: [email protected] laws they learned in the second part of the Internet: www.arcbc.org.ph

6 Tigerpaper Vol.29:No.1 Jan.-Mar.2002 tender new flesh of this plant. The double- unaware of the existence and utility of this humped camel, an endangered species found in ‘wonder plant’. the high altitude cold deserts survives on seabuckthorn. There is an opportunity for late starters like India and other countries of Asia to collaborate Conservation value with foreign universities, institutes and other agencies to evolve advanced technologies on Seabuckthorn improves the soil health and seabuckthorn with regional cooperation. nutrient status of the soils as it adds organic Recently, Himachal Pradesh Agricultural carbon and fixes 180 kg of nitrogen per ha per University, Palampur (India) initiated an action year, which is equal to soybean. It grows widely plan on the promotion of seabuckthorn as an on the riversides, on slopes and on farmlands in alternate economic crop of cold deserts by cold deserts. It improves the growth of other organizing a workshop on seabuckthorn at plants and grasses growing below its canopy. Keylong (H.P.) in collaboration with the Seabuckthorn also has the ability to absorb University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan harmful solar radiation (Dwivedi, 2001). (India); the Institute for Himalayan Bio-resource Technology, Palumpur; the Field Research In India, it is estimated that over 40,000 ha are Laboratory of Defense Research and under seabuckthorn in Himachal Pradesh, Development Organization (DRDO) of India; Uttranchal, Sikkim and the Laddakh area of and other development agencies, industries, Jammu and Kashmir. Large scale afforestation NGOs and progressive farmers. H.P. of seabuckthorn has been started in Pakistan’s Agricultural University, Palampur also Baltistan area of cold deserts, which is adjacent organized an international workshop on to Laddakh. seabuckthorn in New Delhi.

There is a lot of scope for seabuckthorn Regional cooperation is a must for the cultivation in Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan and development of appropriate technologies on other countries in the Asia region endowed with seabuckthorn and its industrial utilization, as a temperate climate. In China, seabuckthorn has well as for environmental conservation and a been planted to control soil erosion in more than sustainable community-based seabuckthorn 0.6 million ha of temperate wastelands through industry in Asia. aerial seeding and by manual means by the forest department and other developmental References agencies (Saklani, 2001). Dwivedi, D. 2001. Seabuckthorn - as a vitamin International support and regional rich brew. Agriculture Today, Feb. 2001, cooperation pp.7. Saklani, S. 2001. Seabuckthorn - a new revolution. Seabuckthorn is of immense value in conserving Himachal Reporter, Feb. 2001, pp.1. soil and the environment and a remarkable preserver of the fragile temperate ecosystem. In Singh, V. 2000. Proceedings of the Workshop on addition, it has an important role in medicinal Seabuckthorn, organized by Himachal preparations and is a potential source of proteins Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur and other organic compounds. China, Russia (India), 25 Sept. 2000, Keylong, H.P., India. and Pakistan have diverted ample energy to tap the manifold potential of seabuckthorn in terms Authors’ address: Anil K. Choudhary, Senior of commercial cultivation and industrial Research Fellow, Department of Agronomy; R.C. exploitation. China has benefited tremendously Jaggi, Senior Soil Scientist, Department of Soil Science, Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, by organizing three international workshops on Palampur - 176 062, India. seabuckthorn. However, most people are

Tigerpaper Vol.29:No.1 Jan.-Mar.2002 7 BIRDLIFE INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – “THREATENED BIRDS OF ASIA”

Every day news reports focus on the political Deficient) species, there is inadequate crises and conflicts that affect the world’s information to make a direct, or indirect, hotspots. But we tend to see and hear less about assessment of their probability of extinction, but the unfolding global environmental crisis, these too may be at risk. All told, 664 species, or reflected in the rising number of threatened bird 25%, of Asian birds are of conservation concern species facing a real risk of extinction. Today, at the global level. hundreds of threatened birds are being dragged into the extinction vortex. And the bad news is Some species are on the verge of extinction that the same forces that caused many of the Of the 41 species that are classified as Critical, extinctions of the past 200 years – such as at least eight could already be extinct. A Critical deforestation and habitat fragmentation – are species for which conservation action is still virulent today. essential if extinction is to be prevented is Gurney’s Pitta (Pitta gurneyi), which has a BirdLife International’s new book, Threatened known population of just 26 birds confined to Birds of Asia: The BirdLife International Red one locality, Khao Nor Chuchi, in peninsular Data Book (ISBN 0 946888 44 2), is the most , where forest degradation continues to authoritative and comprehensive assessment be a serious threat. ever published on the subject. It was compiled by over 160 regional experts from 23 Asian The overall trend is an increase in the countries, and acknowledges contributions from number of species that are threatened. another 1,000 people. Taking into account newly identified species, two rediscovered species and changes in status, The assessment sets out key data, identifies all the new assessment shows there are 323 globally threatened bird species in Asia, threatened species out of a total of 2,700 bird explains how and why they are threatened, maps species in Asia in 2001, compared with the almost all their localities and lists the actions previous totals of 340 in 1994, 287 in 1988, and needed to help save them from extinction. It sets 51 in 1981. All 323 threatened species are at risk out the revised total for Asia’s threatened bird of extinction from human activities, particularly species, 100% of which are at risk of extinction habitat loss or degradation resulting from from human activities, principally those leading unsustainable and often illegal logging, and land to the loss and degradation of natural habitats. or wetland clearance for agriculture or exotic The assessment also sets out potential solutions, timber plantations. including practical actions required to save species from extinction. Threatened Birds of Asia includes the first comprehensive analysis of the threatened status One in eight of all bird species in Asia is of Asia’s bird species. There are, therefore, a globally threatened number of differences from previous preliminary A total of 323 bird species – a shocking 12% of analyses as a result of the improved Asia’s birds – are globally threatened with documentation and interpretation of existing extinction. Most worryingly, 41 are Critical, data, as well as new information. Since 1994, meaning they have only an estimated 50% over 50 species have been assessed as threatened chance of surviving over the next 10 years or for the first time in the new book. Half of these three generations. A further 65 are Endangered have been elevated from Near Threatened status, and 217 are Vulnerable. An additional 317 with 12 moved from Least Concern and 12 (Near Threatened) species are close to evaluated for the first time ever – either newly qualifying as globally threatened. For 23 (Data described species or newly elevated to specific

8 Tigerpaper Vol.29:No.1 Jan.-Mar.2002 rank such as Indian Vulture (Gyps indicus) and great majority (88%) of threatened species the Slender-billed Vulture (G. tenuirostris). occurring in them, meaning that it is unlikely Conversely, this more detailed assessment has that these species can survive without adjacent resulted in nearly 70 species being downlisted natural or semi-natural habitats for feeding from threatened status. The majority of these and/or breeding. species (75%) are retained on the Near Threatened list. Tropical lowland moist forests important for 70% of threatened forest species Threatened birds indicate a more general Threatened Asian forest species occur in many deterioration of biodiversity different forest types, including tropical montane The loss of Asia’s threatened birds from many moist, tropical dry, and temperate sites is a measure of the more general forests. However, the majority of threatened deterioration of most of the avian and other forest bird species occur in the tropics (>90%) diversity in the region. and in moist forest types (>80%). The single most important forest type is tropical lowland All countries and territories in Asia are moist forest with some 70% of threatened forest important for threatened species species (compared to some 40% globally) has the most threatened species (115) including, for example, Gurney’s Pitta. both in the region and in the world. It is followed by China (78), India (73) and the The continuing loss and degradation of lowland Philippines (69). In terms of all species of forests in the Sundaic region of Indonesia and conservation concern (i.e. those classified as Malaysia, in particular, has resulted in some Critical, Endangered, Vulnerable, Conservation notable changes: 37 bird species are now Dependent, Near Threatened or Data Deficient), classified as threatened (compared to 26 in Indonesia again has a very high total of 320 1994) and, alarmingly, 82 as Near Threatened species, followed by Malaysia (143) and (compared to just 19 in 1994). Thailand (137). For Critical and Endangered species only, Indonesia has the most (44 are crucial for the survival of 20% species), followed by the Philippines (25) and of threatened species India (18). For nationally Critical and Wetlands are also important for biodiversity in Endangered endemic species, Indonesia again the Asian region, with some 20% of threatened has the most (32 species), followed by the bird species found in such habitats (compared to Philippines (21) and Vietnam (5). Although the 10% globally), including and pools, rivers majority of Critical and endangered species are and swamps and , coastal lagoons and endemic to single territories, 35 species (>30%) estuaries. Many large waterbirds, whether occur in two or more territories and therefore the solitary or flocking by nature, are edging very political responsibility for their survival is close to extinction through the disturbance or shared. conversion of their habitats, as well as through intense hunting pressure in many areas. Forests are the major habitats for 75% of threatened species Habitat loss or degradation affects nearly Forests are by far the most important of all the 100% of threatened species habitats for threatened bird species in the Asian Habitat loss or degradation is the major cause of region, holding the greatest proportion (some endangerment in birds in the Asian region, 80% occurs in total, 75% where the habitat is affecting nearly all bird species classified as essential for their survival). Grasslands, savanna Critical, Endangered or Vulnerable. This is the and shrublands are second (nearly 30%), but for biggest threat overall to forest birds, especially nearly half of these species these habitats are given that the vast majority (>80%) are only of minor importance. Although artificial intolerant of more than medium levels of habitats (such as plantations, arable land, degradation and are therefore highly dependent artificial wetlands, etc.) apparently feature quite on near-intact habitat for their continued highly, they are also of minor importance for the survival.

Tigerpaper Vol.29:No.1 Jan.-Mar.2002 9 Forest exploitation is the commonest cause of and high levels of disturbance. habitat loss and degradation The preliminary analysis indicates that of the 15 Exploitation affects 50% of threatened commonest causes of habitat loss, six are species and the bird trade is expected to agricultural, four relate to extraction (mostly increase logging for timber) and three to infrastructure Exploitation for human use is the second most development (e.g. dam construction), while two common threat impacting >50% of all (relating to deforestation and wetland loss) are threatened species. Of these latter, some 70% are of unknown cause. Overall, logging impacts currently taken for food, and some 30% for the most threatened species (affecting nearly 50% of cagebird trade, e.g. the (Leucospar all), followed by arable farming (affecting rothschildi). >30%), shifting agriculture (>25%) and clear felling (>25%). An issue that has been of Invasive species affect 10% of threatened increasing concern is the conversion of natural species but the problem may be worse forest to commercial plantations (e.g. rubber, oil Invasive species are noted to affect some 10% of palm, tea, coffee, etc.) which are of little to no threatened bird species in the region, the importance to the conservation of species majority on small islands. diversity. Many of these threats are interconnected, with selective logging often Other threats include disease, longline fishing leading to the conversion of these lands to and climate change plantations or other agricultural practices. Disease is believed to be a factor in the Critical status of three species of vultures which are Fragmentation and isolation is especially suffering extremely rapid population declines, concerning particularly across the Indian sub-continent. Some 30% of threatened species in the region Longline fisheries are a key threat for two are judged to have small, severely fragmented albatross species in the north Pacific , ranges of <20,000 km2. Some of these are birds where seabirds are killed when they take baited with naturally confined ranges (e.g. on islands hooks and drown. Climate change resulting in or mountains) are now facing increased habitat change could become an increasingly extinction risks owing to most individuals being important issue in the region, such as found in small, relatively isolated sub- progressively drier conditions resulting in the populations which may go extinct with a decline of forest around the Qinghi-Tibetan reduced probability of recolonization. Other Plateau. species were once historically widespread, but today are confined to tiny forest patches or Conservation measures have been identified wetland sites. The loss of 99.8% of the primary for every species forest in Singapore over the past 150 years has For every threatened species, a range of led to the loss of a substantial fraction of the conservation measures has been proposed. The native biota, including 28% of the resident preliminary analysis shows that some of these avifauna. relate to species-based actions, such as those addressing specific threats from hunting Agricultural intensification may herald a (relating to 10% of all threatened species), trade more widespread decline (10%), invasive species (5%) and disturbance Many threats and their causes are (3%), and intensive species management interconnected. For example, in the case of the through recovery management (3%), re- Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigripes) key introduction (2%) and ex situ action (1%). Some threats include habitat loss, modification and relate to habitat and site-based actions, such as fragmentation as a result of widespread the establishment of new protected areas and the agricultural development and land-use change, management of new and existing protected areas particularly conversion of large areas to (a key target for nearly 80% of all threatened intensive crop cultivation, irrigation schemes, species) or the extension of existing ones (20%). increased pesticide usage and livestock-grazing, And some relate to more general cross-cutting

10 Tigerpaper Vol.29:No.1 Jan.-Mar.2002 conservation actions such as increased satellite-tracking and field surveys which have awareness and advocacy (40%) or legislation added considerably to knowledge of the (20%). For some species, especially those that migratory movements and identified some cross national boundaries, Species Action (or important breeding and passage sites. recovery or management) Plans are an important instrument for coordinated species conservation. Birds are valued for economic, cultural, ethical and spiritual reasons Some species are already being saved from Birds are a vital part of Asia’s natural heritage. extinction They inspire every culture, every religion and The following two are examples of species every ethnic group in some way, through their which are benefitting from targeted conservation beauty, their sounds and their close links with action and whose status has improved from people. They help to define cultures and Critical to Endangered since 1994: identities in the face of globalization of societies. Over the centuries, birds have inspired Crested Ibis (Nipponia nippon), now a localized artists and bird images are frequently used to breeder in central China, had a population of 66 adorn everyday objects. Conserving birds also in 1998 and is slowly increasing owing to a clearly has great economic benefits. range of conservation measures including Birdwatching is an increasingly popular interest protection of nest sites and maintenance of rice- in the region, and with this there are increasing fields as feeding sites. The estimated population business opportunities for the recreation and at the end of 2000 was 120 birds. tourism industries, particularly in rural areas.

Black-faced Spoonbill (Platalea minor), is For more information about Threatened Birds estimated to number 700 birds, breeds on islets of Asia, visit the BirdLife International website off the west coast of Korea and China, and has at www.birdlife.net. major wintering wetland sites in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Vietnam. An action plan and Reprinted with the permission of BirdLife workshops involving all major range countries International. has resulted in coordinated actions, including

Tigerpaper Vol.29:No.1 Jan.-Mar.2002 11 CONSERVATION OF WILDLIFE AND ITS HABITAT IN SOAN VALLEY

by Zulfiqar Ahmed

Soan Valley carbonates and bi-carbonates. In certain places, the salt content in the water makes it The southern edge of the Potohar Plateau is undrinkable. demarcated by the famous Salt Range of Pakistan. The Salt Range extends from Environmental disorders in the valley Mianwali in the west, to Jhelum in the east. The western end of the salt range forms a semi-loop, Large-scale deforestation in the adjoining Salt creating a valley called the Soan Valley. The Range has devastated the environment of the average elevation of the valley is 2,000 feet valley. The slopes once covered by lush green above mean sea level. The mountains forests are now barren. Along with the global surrounding the valley are covered with warming effect, the alarming rate of subtropical forests. The highest peak in the deforestation in the area has led to a steadily western Salt Range is Mount Sakesar, which progressive rise in the temperature. According to rises 5,200 feet above mean sea level (Ref: Atlas meteorological reports, this rise has been of Pakistan). The valley has three lakes, which between 3-4°C during the last two decades. If play a vital role in the climate and ecology of one scrutinizes the temperature data, it is easy to the region. These lakes are the staging areas of ascertain that the temperature rise in the valley winter migrating flocks of some of the has been directly proportional to the rate of endangered species of waterfowl and other deforestation. birds. Forest destruction is also one of the major Soan Valley has an intriguing culture, factors responsible for fewer rains, as the environment, climate and ecology. It is number of trees are inadequate to generate the moderately populated, with approximately 60% amount of moisture in the atmosphere required of the population engaged in farming, and most to trigger rains. Less rain is responsible for the of the land is under cultivation. Soan is famous ever dropping water table and the shrinking for its off-season vegetables, and fruits like lakes. As a cyclic reaction, the reduction in cauliflower, oranges, etc., which are sold by the water in turn contributes to less rains, farmers at exorbitant prices that bring a and temperature rises. handsome inflow of cash into the valley. Another harmful effect of deforestation is the The Soan Valley is accessible from four roads: large-scale erosion of slopes that results in 1) via Jaabah Village, situated at Talaghang- landslides, which are a common occurrence in Khushab Road; 2) via Soddi Village, direct from the Salt Range. Khushab;3) via Quaidabad through Sakesar; and 4) via Ban Hafiz Gee Village through Causes of deforestation Sakesar. Routes 3 and 4 are restricted for the general public. The mountains of the western end of the Salt Range are covered with sub-tropical evergreen Although the valley has abundant subsoil water, forests, sub-tropical semi-evergreen forests and the water table is rapidly decreasing due to tropical thorn forests. The major trees frequent droughts. The tube well water of the constituting the forests are Kao (Olea valley is not fit for human consumption, as it ferruginea) and Kikar (Acacia modesta). There contains a high percentage of nitrates, are many factors which contribute to the large-

12 Tigerpaper Vol.29:No.1 Jan.-Mar.2002 scale deforestation in the Salt Range, some of of the culture of Soan, all the heavy-duty tasks which are discussed below. are carried out by the women. The reason wood is cut and collected before dawn is so that the Forest fires women will confront minimum resistance from the forest guards deployed on duty. The primary cause of forest destruction is the frequent forest fires. In the summer of 1994 Most of the villages are located at a height of there were 27 incidents of forest fires in just 45 2,500 feet above sea level, where the slightly days. In an official capacity, the author has lower atmospheric pressure increases the investigated a number of such fires, which cooking time and the chill factor in winters, revealed that most of them were deliberately boosting the requirement for fuelwood. Recently ignited by the local herdsmen. This was done World Wildlife Fund - Pakistan provided fuel- prior to the season, as then the burnt efficient stoves to the locals, which will reduce area produced more fodder for the cattle and the need for fuelwood. sheep of the local people after the rains. Normally such fires are self-extinguished after Cutting of Kao branches to make walking a day or two. However, there were two incidents sticks where the forest fire spread over large areas and enormous efforts were needed to extinguish it. Kao branches are quite in demand in the local Kao tree contains an oily substance which is markets. Each Kao stick having a diameter of 1- highly inflammable. Hence, the Kao tree burns 2 inches and a length of 4-5 feet may fetch up to like a torch and is reduced to ashes in a matter of Rs 100. These branches are treated and finished minutes. In this respect, the Kao tree is unlike into fancy walking sticks which are sold in the other trees found at the same altitude in that the markets of big cities. Walking sticks of Kao fire only destroys the dead cells forming the wood are very durable and naturally termite- bark of those trees, and the living cells remain proof. Such branch cutting jobs are carried out unscathed. by the local men, as they can expertly identify the right sized branches for making the walking Recommendations sticks. Kao trees stripped of branches are a i) Educate the local population about the common sight in the Salt Range. hazards and the detrimental effects of fire on the ecology and environment. Wetlands of Soan ii) Identify alternative methods for locals to increase fodder for their livestock. There are three wetlands in the Soan Valley, iii) Point out sites where the fire could be namely Ucchali, Khabbaki and Jahlar. It is a beneficial for the forest. misconception to include Nammal and Kalar iv) Educate the local population on methods of Kahar as part of the Soan Complex since those fighting forest fires and controlled fires. two wetlands are well outside the range of Soan Valley. Nammel is 25 miles northwest of the Wood cutting for fuel valley and Kalar Kahar is about 30 miles east of the valley. Both of the wetlands form parts of Wood cutting for fuel is a dilemma of entirely different climatic and environmental developing countries. Poverty stricken people zones. are dependent on the forest for their livelihood and fuel requirements. Each day tons of wood Khabbaki Wetland are collected from the forests of the Salt Range. Daily, before dawn, groups of women emerge Located a couple of miles east from the center of from the villages of the Soan Valley to cut and the Soan Valley, the is rectangular in shape, collect firewood from the forests. They form with a maximum depth of approximately 10 long queues before entering the forest area. meters. The water is brackish and muddy, and After collecting the wood in huge bundles, by supports a number of species of aquatic first light they are ready to return home. As part vegetation. The wetland attracts many species of

Tigerpaper Vol.29:No.1 Jan.-Mar.2002 13 wintering birds. Amongst them the most Efforts in the conservation of Greater noteworthy is the White-headed duck. In fact, flamingoes (Phoenicopterus ruber) because of the presence of this duck, the lake has gained the attention of a number of In October/November 1994, a flock of 147 international wildlife conservation conventions Greater flamingoes landed at Ucchali Lake. It and was listed as a Ramsar site in 1976. During was a rare opportunity for the author to study the last few years, the number of waterfowl the behavior of the bird in the wild. After a visiting the lake has significantly decreased, as couple of days, observations revealed that the the fragile biodiversity of the wetland and the number of birds was decreasing and stray dogs surrounding areas has been seriously disturbed were seen eating the corpse of a dead bird on the due to the following factors: shores of Uccahali. The author immediately took a) hunting; the following protective measures: b) increased human population along the lake; a) Convinced the local influential people to c) water pollution by soap (used for washing keep strict control over hunting in their clothes, etc.); respective villages. d) introduction of fish species by the Fisheries b) Provided twelve bore cartridges to the locals Department; of Ucchali village to carry out the shooting e) pedestrian and vehicular movement on the of stray dogs. (Within days the stray dogs road adjacent to the lake; and were effectively controlled.) f) climatic changes. c) Instructed PAF guards deployed at a check post close to the lake to discourage Ucchali pedestrians from using the road adjacent to the lake and from disturbing the birds by This is an oval-shaped wetland located at the throwing stones, etc. Soon the birds found foot of Mount Sakesar, in the extreme west of that the corner of the lake closest to the the valley. The surface area of Ucchali, being a check post was the safest point, and spent shallow water lake, is subjected to rapid most of their time there. variation depending upon the territorial rain. The water is extensively salty, which makes the By adopting these simple measures, 100% survival of fish and other underwater organisms conservation results were achieved and not a impossible. However, a greater percentage of single bird was lost before they flew off after Organic ‘C’ compounds makes it ideal for high three weeks. micro-organisms activity. The Ucchali water is also quite rich in chemicals like Albite, Calcite, From this personal experience, the author can Chlorite, Illitite, Quartz, Kaolinte and Geothite confirm that community response is very (Ref: Water Quality Research Journal of positive and villagers can be easily convinced to Canada). take effective part in conservation projects.

Ucchali salt water is an ideal wetland White-headed duck (Oxyura leucocephala) for migrating Greater flamingoes. Each year, 100-150 birds make a brief stop-over of Amongst the many species of water fowl approximately 3-4 weeks to rebuild their visiting the wetlands of the Soan Valley, the strength to continue their long journey. White-headed duck is the rarest and most endangered. The world population of this bird is Jahlar Wetland estimated to be between 9-15 thousand, and their status category in IUCN’S Red Data List Jhalar is the smallest wetland, and in fact is is VUA2e (BirdLife International). It is listed by more like a large pond. The activity of migrating the Bonn Convention, CITES, CMS and EC birds is not very significant. Only the disturbed Regulations. The breeding distribution is water fowls from the nearby larger lakes restricted to the adjoining regions of the sometimes decide to land at Jhalar for a brief Mediterranean. At the start of winter, the White- time. heads migrate to Iran, Pakistan and

14 Tigerpaper Vol.29:No.1 Jan.-Mar.2002 Turkmenistan. Mediterranean. This particular weather phenomena is caused by a high-pressure area In spite of enormous efforts put in by a number over the Mediterranean sea due to Orography. In of international conservation organizations, the October, such pressure changes over the number of White-headed ducks in the wild is Mediterranean Sea cause cloudiness and a lot of rapidly decreasing. The following are the two rain (Ref: Weather Around the World by major contributing factors: Tannehill). This is the time when the White- a) Hybridization with Ruddy duck. Ruddy duck heads take off for their long eastward journey. (Oxyura jamaicensis) is originally from The birds fly well ahead of the weather (western America and was introduced in Europe at disturbance). The flight of White-heads is the Sir Peter Scott Wild Life Sanctuary. supported by favorable winds, blowing in an From there, the bird escaped and moved to easterly direction towards the sub-continent and Spain, which is the favorite breeding area of Central Asia. the White-heads. The male Ruddys found it very easy to mate with the females of the The author strongly believes that there is a closely related species of White-heads, thus relationship between the migration of White- decreasing the number of original White- heads and this particular weather phenomena. heads. Different projects (including the killing of Ruddys) are in hand to try to Recommendations control the situation, but the desired results a) Satellite Tracking Technology should be have not yet been achieved (Ref: Newsletter employed to exactly determine the of Baltimore Birds Club). migratory pattern of White-headed ducks. b) Hunting. Migrating White-heads (along b) A captive breeding facility should be with other species of waterfowl) are established at Soan Complex. From the ruthlessly hunted in the Central Asian states. breeding center the captive-bred birds can Whole communities participate in well- be introduced to Khabbaki wetland for planned hunting of water fowl, in order to subsequent integration with wild White- fulfil their protein requirements. headed ducks.

Migration routes Avi and mammalian fauna in the Salt Range

The migration routes of White-headed ducks are The Salt Range supports a number of common not yet properly understood. Sometimes the odd bird and mammal species. Only those species sighting is reported from an area or wetland not covered in any of the wildlife surveys where the bird could be least expected and (except for sub-para ‘c’) are described below: sometimes they fail to stage at their favorite a) Wood pigeon (Columba palumbus). Except wintering spots. for a few small pockets in the Suleman Range at the Pak-Afghan border, the Salt Author’s hypothesis Range is the only place in Pakistan where this particular species of the pigeon family The migration of birds is a complex, instinctual exists (Ref: Birds of Pakistan Vol-I by behavior, strongly linked to the weather. Each Roberts). The Wood pigeon is a colony bird step of the migratory sequence is directly or and is found at heights of not less than indirectly linked with different weather 4,000 feet above mean sea level. The phenomena. In order to determine and analyze plumage of Wood pigeon is generally the migratory behavior of White-heads, the similar to that of Common blue rock pigeon. author established a link with the significant The only significant feature is its extra long weather that prevails over the Mediterranean. tail, which is unusual for the pigeon family. The bird is a swift flyer and the specially In the winters, the sub-continent is frequently designed tail gives it excellent struck by ‘western disturbances’, which is a low maneuverability during flight. Its population pressure system originating from the is drastically decreasing, mostly because of

Tigerpaper Vol.29:No.1 Jan.-Mar.2002 15 loss of habitat. Hunting of the bird is very 1995 when a leopard was sighted at the top rare, as the local shikarees (hunters) are of Mount Sakesar. The was seen by more interested in hunting partridges, see- a number of people at close range in broad see, etc. Moreover, very few people can daylight. It remained there for three days differentiate it from the Common blue rock (confirmed by multiple sightings), which pigeon (Columba livia). spread a wave of terror amongst the local b) Hedgehog (Paraechinus hypomelas). Huge inhabitants. Recently an animal descended colonies of common hedgehog inhabit the from the mountains (probably due to top of Sakesar. The mammal is not very shy starvation) and entered the town of and often comes in close range of humans, Quaidabad, where it was shot dead. During as it feels no potential threat. In winters, the the same time frame a calf was killed by a mammal goes into hibernation. The only leopard near the top of Sakesar. The remains factor responsible for its unnatural death is of the calf were poisoned by the locals, but vehicular traffic on the road. The Sakesar the results of the poisoning are not known. peak can provide excellent opportunities for In the summer of 2000, a sighting of a the study of hedgehogs. female leopard with two cubs was reported c) Punjab urial (Ovis vignei). A few herds, in the Western Salt Range. each comprising 10-15 urials, are found in the Salt Range. They are fighting a battle for The author believes that there are presently no survival against the local shikarees and loss more than 2-3 pairs of leopards remaining. The of habitat. Shikarees are distributed in species is facing extinction due to loss of almost all the villages of the valley and have habitat, the hostile attitude of humans, and the a craze for hunting these magnificent non-mutation of the genetic pool. animals because of their delicious meat, trophy horns and for seeking thrills. Also, Recommendations the Punjab urial is affected by the loss of i) A well-planned, thorough survey of the area habitat due to the ever increasing numbers should be conducted to establish the number of coal and salt mines, along with human of animals and their favored habitats. interference in the ecology of the Salt ii) The hide and skull of the recently shot Range. animal should be retrieved from the town of d) Leopard (Panthera pardus). The Salt Range Quaidabad and a sample of hair or skin sent supported a comfortable population of to relevant laboratories for DNA testing. leopards until the mid-20th century, after The results would enable us to determine its which it fell prey to the hunting instincts of exact decendency and to establish links with man and loss of habitat. Influential persons similar species. in Mianwali and Kalabagh (adjoining iii) To eliminate the chances of poisoning, a districts of the Western Salt Range) carried scheme for compensation to the locals out the ruthless killing of the cat to the stage should be initiated in case their domestic where it was declared ‘extinct’ (Ref: animals are killed by leopards. Mammals of Pakistan by Robberts -1977). The author is Squadron Leader, P.A.F Base, The species made its first reappearance in Lahore, Pakistan.

16 Tigerpaper Vol.29:No.1 Jan.-Mar.2002 A PRELIMINARY SURVEY ON THE STATUS OF TIGERS (Panthera tigris) IN DIBRUSAIKHOWA BIOSPHERE RESERVE

by Asif Ahmed Hazarika

Introduction water channels were also thoroughly surveyed. Animal drinking spots in the forests, as well as Tiger (Panthera tigris) is the most significant in the silty stretches of the Brahmaputra, were species of wildlife in the flood plains of surveyed for tiger pugmarks. In the mornings Dibrusaikhowa Biosphere Reserve, with a and evenings, forest roads and animals trails healthy population and an additional large were monitored for direct observations. On a potential habitat for expansion. The grassy few occasions, tiger kills were located to riverine plains, interspersed with evergreen ascertain the presence of tiger. Interviews were and moist deciduous tree forest and swamps, is conducted with local graziers, forest villagers ideal for the sustainment and propagation of and forest guards. For a comparative study on the tiger population. The presence of prey the movement of tigers, several central and species, i.e. wild ungulates, is very low and peripheral zones of the reserve were selected the tigers thrive to a great extent on the and pugmark evidence collected from the livestock of the cattle stations. The tigers zones in summer and winter. normally keep within the protected area, but in winter some animals - usually males - stray to Results nearby villages, particularly along the Brahmaputra and even to towns like Dibrugarh. Also, during heavy flooding the Tiger pockets tigers occasionally take shelter in nearby villages. Several pockets of jungle have been identified as tiger pockets. These pockets hold resident Taking into consideration factors like the rich tigers and, in some cases, regular visitors. The tiger population in the area, the inadequate maximum number of evidences in the form of surveys on the species in the region, and pugmarks, scratch marks, dung, kills, etc. were finally the protection and management found in these pockets. Both old and fresh infrastructure in Dibrusaikhowa and its impact evidences regularly found at the same on the tiger population at present and in the locations indicates that these areas hold future, there is an urgent need for a first hand resident tigers or regular visitors. The habitat preliminary survey on its status. in all these pockets is ideal for tiger.

This paper deals with the distribution of tigers 1. Holokhbari-Jamubari Pocket within the reserve, their major prey species, Location: northeastern part of the reserve local movements and recommendations. One of the most well-stocked tiger habitats, situated in the northeastern part of Saikhowa Methods R.F. The vegetation consists of trees such as Jamuk (Syzygium cumini), Holokh (Terminalia All parts of the reserve were surveyed on foot, myriocarpa), Satiana (Alstonia scholaris), by boat and on a few occasions on elephants. short grasses (mostly thatch -Imperata) and Foot transects were made along wildlife trails, cane (Calamus) thickets. Bushy thickets of foot tracks and forest roads. The banks of

Tigerpaper Vol.29:No.1 Jan.-Mar.2002 17 Fig.1: Tiger pockets identified in Dibrusaikhowa Biosphere Reserve wild lemon are also found in some parts of the 4. Dighalipathar Pocket area. The Garonala runs along the southern Location: central northern part of the boundary of the area, while the Brahmaputra reserve at the mouth of the Dighalinala forms its northern border. The marshy area of A vast area comprised entirely of elephant Tokobil and the thatch land of Miripathar form grass. To the north lies the pomua-monku area. the western boundary. The area has at least This area is one of the best tiger areas in three small pools that hold water in summer Dibrusaikhowa. The tigers of this area until early winter. The western part of regularly visit the forests to the south, across Garonala holds water almost throughout the the Dighalinala. year. 5. South Shampathar Pocket 2. Ronganala Pocket Location: immediately south of Location: southeastern part of Saikhowa Shampathar field, south of Phasizua Forest R.F. in the northeastern part of the reserve. Village A very fine area with perhaps two resident The area comprises light to dense forest and tigers, comprising thatch land dotted with bushy areas. There are some open areas and small trees. It stretches along the west bank of small swamp lands. The area is visited by the Ronganala (a sub-channel of the tigers from the Balijannala area in the west. Ajukhanala) in a northwest-southeast Tigers from this area visit the Shampathar in direction. The thatch grassland vegetation on the north and the main channel of the the bank of the Ronganala is gradually Brahmaputra. replaced in the west by a dense forest which is contiguous with the eastern-most point of 6. Kachudeep (Kachudubi) Balijannala Dibru R.F. Pocket Location: less than a kilometer to the west 3. Nagapathar Pocket of Balijan Forest Camp Location: northeast of Kolomy A very secluded pocket comprised solely of The area comprises a narrow nala surrounded tall elephant grass. There are no trees with the up to the bank by big trees. Several uprooted grassland. The area is bounded in the south, trees have fallen across the nala. North of the east and west by dense forest. There are a few nala is mostly of grassland, although there are pools of water within the grassland. forests as well. The entire area to the south of

18 Tigerpaper Vol.29:No.1 Jan.-Mar.2002 the nala consists of thick forest, most of which Dibrusaikhowa Reserve was carried out during belongs to the Balijan Forest Plantation. There the months of November/December (winter) is sufficient evidence to indicate resident and July/August (summer) of 1993-94, based tigers. on pugmark evidence. For the purpose of the study, the reserve was roughly divided into 7. Kundaghat Pocket seven central zones (Kolomy, Nagapather, Location: north of Torali beel, stretching Kawri Beel, Kadamguri, Trongkong Road, along the Garamajan-Laika forest road on Dhopra Beel, Dighali south) and seven either side peripheral zones (Torali, Kunda ghat, Sabru Of late, the area earlier covered with open tree Mohmara, Baghjan Raidang, Shampathar, forest has been encroached upon by Rongdoi, Kaitia). More pugmarks were grasslands. Attracted by this ideal habitat of recorded in the central zones in summer and in light to heavy forest and grassland, one or the peripheral zones in winter, indicating that more tigers have taken up residence in the the tigers maintained a seasonal pattern. This area, perhaps temporarily since the area does pattern may correspond to factors such as: 1) not have any thick patches of jungle that the flooding of the reserve and the submergence of tigers usually prefer. The evidence indicating most areas, particularly in the peripheral the presence of tigers was collected in the regions, during the summer months; 2) the winter, when tigers often travel considerable mating season being in winter; and 3) the distances from their home territory in search of confinement and dispersal of the prey animals a mate. in the summer and winter months.

Major prey species of the tiger in Another factor that is instrumental in forcing Dibrusaikhowa the tigers out to far flung areas in late summer is the annual flooding which drives both the The reserve has a moderate stock of wild tigers and the prey animals to peripheral and ungulates. The populations of both of the adjoining areas. major deer species, i.e. barking deer (Muntiacus muntjac) and sambhar (Cervus Recommendations unicolor) are showing an increasing tendency and the hog deer (Axis porcinus) is also known A multi-pronged management, protection and to occur in some pockets. In particular, the research infrastructure is recommended. population of barking deer is showing a steady recovery. Wild pig (Sus scrofa) is well stocked 1. Protection infrastructure in the reserve and is one of the major prey a) Adequate protection staff: At least species of the tiger. In Dibrusaikhowa, three companies of Assam forest buffaloes – particularly calves, heifers and protection force should be stationed at cows – from the cattle camps constitute a Dibrusaikhowa Biosphere Reserve. major portion of the dietary ratio, particularly b) Establishment of forest camps: Some in the northern riverine areas where most of forest camps are needed in strategic the cattle farms are located. Other minor prey and vulnerable areas of the reserve species include hare and porcupine. In the where 24-hour vigilance is necessary. eastern part of the reserve, in the Surkey Forest camps should be set up at Chapori-Rongdoi area, the tiger will readily Baluchar, Surkey chapori, Jamukbari, prey upon the feral horses that are found in Ajukha, Dighalimukh, Baghjan, that part of the reserve. Mohmara chapori and Kuplong. c) Establishment of beat offices: Two Comparative study of local seasonal beat offices should be established, one movements of tiger within the core area at Laika and another at Dodhia. Both should have half a company of A comparative study of the movements of A.F.P.F. personnel each. tigers in the central and peripheral zones of d) Intelligence network: An efficient

Tigerpaper Vol.29:No.1 Jan.-Mar.2002 19 intelligence network should be set up, Officers of Dibrusaikhowa as the other engaging informers on a reward basis, members of the cell. This cell should have a who should be instructed to report field coordinating group as its grassroots back on all illegal activities such as constituent comprising junior officers of the fishing, poaching, tree felling, etc. police stations, outposts and beat posts located e) Improvement of mobility: A good on the periphery of the reserve, a few village transportation infrastructure should be headmen from the area, prominent villagers established so that protection activities and a trustworthy local NGO. This cell or can be effectively carried out. Since committee should meet once a month and the area is riverine and flood-prone, an review the functioning of the reserve and the adequate number of boats should be welfare of the tigers. made available. A few elephants should also be brought into service. Acknowledgments

2. Technical research wing, research programs The author would like to thank the following and projects people for their assistance during this study: A proper research wing manned by trained Retesh Bhattacharjee, Mufakkir Ali, Narayan scientists and technicians should be Sarmah, Samsul Hussain, Thaneswar Bora, established to carry out various long and short Sankar Upaidhya, Bori, Khelon Saikia, Sridhar term research programs on the ecology of Gohain, Dipen Saikia, Lokheswar Mili, different species of wildlife, and in particular, BihuramMili, Depen Sonowal, Monoj the tiger. Bailong, Marques Beck, Sadhin Sonowal, Semon Kerketta, Bishop Tirkey, Ramon 3. Veterinary infrastructure with forensic Toppo, Holy Munda, Joton Das, Lakhinder laboratory Majhi, Gopal Mahato, Maq bool Hussain, A modern and sophisticated veterinary wing Pradeep Mahato, Ramjan Ali, Arshad Ahmed, with a research laboratory to carry out various Kharia Koiri, Bhim Y adav, Shyamdras Y analytical and experimental works should be adav, Hamlal Puri, Ramsing Pegu, Arun Mili established. This is needed to maintain the and Dheran Pait. Their help and cooperation healthy propagation of wildlife and also to were most efficient and praiseworthy. cope with outbreaks of epidemics or diseases. A forensic laboratory would also be useful to References ascertain the causes of death of wildlife both within and outside the reserve. Ali, S. and S.D. Ripley. 1983. A Pictoral Guide to the Birds of the Indian Sub- 4. Elevated platform to provide shelter during continent. Bombay Nat. Hist.Soc. 2nd ed. Corbet, G.B. and J.E. Hill. 1992. The A series of earthen platforms about 15 feet Mammals of the Indomalayan Region: A high should be constructed at different parts of Systematic Review. Oxford University the reserve to provide high ground for the Press. animals to take shelter during flooding. Chaudhury, A. U .1997. Checklist of the Mammals of Assam. Gibbon Books, 5. Regional (district) tiger welfare cell Guwahati. Although the tiger is the most important Das, P.K. and P. Sanyal. 1995. Assessment of wildlife species in Dibrusaikhowa, it receives stable pug measurement parameters for little protection and management for its identification of tigers. Tigerpaper welfare. Therefore, a regional or district tiger 22(2):20-26. welfare cell should be formed comprising the Hazarika, A.A. 1994. Dibru Saikhowa: The Deputy Commissioner of Dibrugarh & unsung tiger haven. The Assam Tribune, Tinsukia Districts as the Head, and the Sunday reading, April 3, Guwahati. Superintendents of Police of both districts, and Hazarika, A.A. 1995. Born free. The Assam the Divisional Forest Officer and Range Tribune, Sunday reading, July 23,

20 Tigerpaper Vol.29:No.1 Jan.-Mar.2002 Guwahati. territoriality of tiger in Kanha National Park. Tigerpaper 22(4):6-11. Hazarika, A.A. 1997. A report on tiger Prater, S.H. 1948. The Book of Indian census conducted in Dibru Saikhowa Animals. Bombay Natural History Society, sanctuary and a prospective tiger reserve 4th Edition. in Upper Assam. Tigerpaper 24(1):14-16. Roots, C. 1971. Tropical Birds. Hamlyn Jackson, P. 1995. The status of tiger in 1993 Publishing Ltd., England. and threats to its future. Tigerpaper 22(1):14-22. Author's address: Seujpur 4th bylane, P.O. Kotwal, P.C. and R. Gopal. 1995. Radio- Dibrugarh, Dist- Dibrugarh, Assam -786001, telemetry and field observation on the India.

Tigerpaper Vol.29:No.1 Jan.-Mar.2002 21 NAMDAPHA TIGER RESERVE – PLANNING FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AS A BIOSPHERE RESERVE

by G.S. Solanki and Uma Melkania

Introduction 1. Analyze the vegetation wealth of Namdapha Tiger Reserve and the human resource In the first meeting of the International factor in the periphery of this reserve. Coordination Council for the Man in the 2. Assess the present level of impact of human Biosphere (MAB) program in 1971, it was activities on this reserve. decided that what was needed for the envisioned 3. Suggest ways for proper and sustainable international network of protected areas was to management of the reserve. identify sites for the conservation of genetic resources, for research, monitoring, education Description of the area (NTR) and training. The Indian MAB committee established a Core Advisory Committee (CAC) Climate: The region is well-known for a in 1979 to study potential sites for biosphere prolonged monsoon and excessive rainfall, reserves in India. In accordance with the criteria which may extend over eight months from evolved by Unesco, the CAC of the Indian MAB March to November-February. Temperatures in committee identified twelve potential sites for the winter season range from 15° to 21° C, while biosphere reserves, one of which was Namdapha from March to October it varies between 22° to National Park (Nair, 1993). This national park 30° C. The maximum temperatures occur during was also identified and recognized as the June-August when the weather becomes fifteenth Tiger Reserve in 1982-83 (Gopal, oppressive. The southwest monsoon that lasts 1993). from May to October accounts for 75% of the total annual rainfall, while the northeast Geographically, the park is located in the monsoon during December to March accounts northeastern part of Changlang district in for only 15%. The total average rainfall Arunachal Pradesh, between 20°15' to 27°51' N recorded is 6,300 mm. latitude and 95°45' to 97°30' E longitude. It covers a total area of 1,983 km2. At present, Topography: The area is wedge-shaped and is outside the boundary of Namdapha Tiger located between Mismi Hills and the Reserve (NTR) there are villages of the Chakma, northeastern limit of the Patkai Hills. The ridges Lisu and Mishimi tribes, whose main occupation of Mismi Hills have extensive table land and is agriculture and who are more or less settled in high peaks of over 4,000 m. The highest peak the area. Their dependency on the adjacent within the reserve is the Champ Bum (2,513 m), forest (outside the boundary of the biosphere which is part of the present Dapha Bum Ridge. reserve area) is for all forest products used as The ridges, burns and rivers (Namdapha and material for house building, fodder, fuel, Diyum) form natural boundaries for the existing handicrafts, etc. It is necessary to take care of national park. Diyum valley is the most the human factor in the periphery of the reserve. significant area within the national park and is Proper planning and consideration is needed to proposed as the core area of the biosphere take care of their socio-economic, cultural and reserve. legal aspects in order to ensure better environmental care of this and other biosphere Biogeography and Geology: Biogeographically, reserves. the area falls within a single natural unit – the Indo-Chinese sub-region. Geological formations The information in this report was gathered and include Tertiary and Quaternary sequences. The compiled with the aim to: oldest Tertiary sequence, termed ‘Dibang

22 TigerpaperVol.29:No.1Jan.-Mar.2002 Group’, dates back to the Eocene and is Site 2: Located at 300m; largely flat land composed of sandstones, clay, shells and covered with mixed forests. Undergrowth carboniferous shells with coal. The next rocky cleared at times for habitat management. The layer is the ‘Tipan Group’, dating back to the Noa Dihing River and various small nullahs Miocene and composed of coarse ferruginous flow in the area. The area is close to human sandstone and sandy clay with occasional thin habitations. Fauna commonly found in the area partings of shale, girt and conglomerates and are as follows: fragmentations of silcified and semi- Mammals: Assam tree shrew, Miller’s fruit bat, carboniferous fossil wood. The youngest Temminck’s fruit bat, Leopard cat, Black-tailed Tertiary sequence is composed of pebble beds squirrel, Irrawadi squirrel, Nepal house rat, alternating with clay and sandstone termed Hoolock gibbon, Assamese macaque, ‘Dihing Group’, and has become exposed along Himalayan porcupine, Barking deer, Sadiya the course of a major drainage system. The area hare, Elephant is earthquake-prone and as a consequence the Birds: Spotted Dove, Green imperial pigeon, rivers change their courses abruptly. Emerald dove, Spotted scops owl, Three-toed kingfisher, Ruddy kingfisher, Rufous piculet, Faunal diversity according to altitude: The Pale-headed woodpecker, Black-browed tree topography of the Namdapha Tiger Reserve is pie, White-throated bulbul, Small wren babbler, highly variable, ranging from 100m to 4,571m. Black-throated babbler, Laughing thrush, White- The description of faunal diversity according to crested laughing thrush, Yellow-napped yuhina, altitude will conveniently provide the total Little spider hunter spectrum of richness in the reserve, although Reptiles: Xenochrophis, Boiga sp. information on the biodiversity beyond 1,100m Amphibians: Rana, Amolops, Bufo, Philautus sp. is not available because the area toward the higher reaches is not easily accessible. Site 3: This site is located at an altitude of Information regarding faunal and floral diversity 500m, surrounded by deep forest with a very was gathered from the technical report of the thick undergrowth. The Nao Dihing flows MAB project conducted by the Zoological through the area far below the surface. Survey of India (Ghosh, 1987). The sites given Commonly reported fauna: below have been redefined on the basis of the Mammals: Fruit bats altitudinal height mentioned in the report. Birds: Collared pigmy owlet, Red-headed trogon, Rufous piculet, Gold-headed babbler, Site 1: This site is located at an altitude of about Black-throated babbler, Spotted-breasted 100m near Mio, the headquarters of Namdapha laughing thrush, Silver-eared mesia, White- National Park and Tiger Reserve. Located by the napped yuhina, Nepal tit babbler, Small Nitava, side of the Noa Dihing River, the human Namdapha shortwing, Golden mountain thrush, settlements border the nearby forest. Annual Steak spider hunter, Scarlet finch rainfall varies between 1,770-3,100mm, Reptiles (Lizards): Cosymbotus platyurus; reaching its peak during July and its lowest level (Snakes): Elephe, Ophiophagus sp. in December. Significant vertebrates are as Amphibia: Bufo, Rhacophorus sp. follows: Mammals: Irrawaddi squirrel, Giant flying Site 4: The site is located at an altitude of 700m, squirrel, Long-tongued fruit bat with an undulating terrain interspersed with a Birds: Ruddy kingfisher, Speckled piculet, few moderately large all-weather streams. The Longtailed broadbill, Crow-billed drongo, Hair- area is covered with old mature forest with tall crested drongo, Great racket-tailed drongo, Red- trees; the undergrowth is very thick at some whiskered bulbul, Red-vented bulbul, Spotted places and less so at others. The site is suitable babbler, Paradise flycatcher, Tree sparrow for hornbills and also provides an appropriate Reptiles (Lizards): Hemidactylus, Cosymbotus, habitat for gibbons. A brief list of fauna is given Calotes sp. below: Amphibia: Rana, Bufo, Polypedates sp. Mammals: Nepal house shrew, Yellow-throated marten, Barking deer, Giant flying squirrel, Red-

Tigerpaper Vol.29:No.1 Jan.-Mar.2002 23 bellied squirrel Type I forest is a three-storeyed forest with Birds: Blyth’s kingfisher, Red-eared bay Dipterocarps, Shorea assamica presenting the woodpecker, Collard broadbill, Himalayan tree most dominant layer. Dipterocarpus occurs in pie, Large scimitar babbler, Wedgbilled wren large belts on the well-drained areas at high babbler, Black-throated babbler, Nepal tit elevations and Shorea grows in patches in the babbler, Sapphire-headed flycatcher, Small drier and gravelly soil. Other trees in the top niltava, Blue-throated flycatcher, Slaty-backed storey include Artocarpus chaplasa, Cinnamum forktail, Himalayan whistling thrush, Lesser cecidodapha, Terminalia myriocarpa, and brown thrush Toona cileata. Reptiles (Lizards): Crytodactylus, Ptyctolaemus, Sphenomorphus, Takydromus sp.; (Snakes): The middle storey consists predominantly of Dendrelaphis, Trimeresurus sp. Mesua ferrea in some areas, while in others M. Amphibia: Rana, Amolops, Bufo, Philautus, ferrea may be scarce or non-existent. The Chirixalus sp. middle storey as such is not dominated by a single species that can be noted but Castanopsis Site 5: The site is located at an altitude of indica, Canarium resiniferum, Duabanga 1,070m, and has high mountains covered with grandiflora, Dyoxylon hamiltonii, Cryptomeria evergreen forest. The area is free of human peniculata, Eleocarps genitrus, Dillenia indica, habitation. The avian fauna is reputed to be rich. Magnolia griffithi and Michalia sp. can be A brief listing of the fauna is given below: pointed out as primary components. Mammals: Wild dog, Malayan sun bear, Sambar, Capped langur, Assamese macaque, The lower storey of the forest is composed of Stumptailed macaque, Himalayan porcupine, mainly shade trees, e.g. Baceaura sapinda, Clawless otter, Assamese shrew Dillenia indica, Atica lanceaetolia, etc. and the Birds: White-throated brown hornbill, Wreathed density of the canopy of this stratum is hornbill, Rufous hornbill correlated with the density of the upper Reptiles (Snakes): Python molurus canopies, but in the case of mixed forest canopy Amphibia: Rana sp. in the upper strata, shade trees in the lower storey are replaced by deciduous trees, e.g. Floral diversity: The forest survey record Albizzia sp., Molia azodarech, Mallotus albus classifies the vegetation following the manual of and bamboo, especially Dendrocalamus Champion and Seth, as mentioned in the hamiltonii. Zoological Survey of India, MAB Technical Report (Ghosh, 1987), into the following major The undergrowth is composed of woody shrubs categories: and scitaniinous shrubs; woody shrubs (e.g. Leea indica, Lea acuminata, Melastoma Type I: Northern Tropical Evergreen Forest or malabarica) and other shrubs in the moist area Assam Valley Tropical Wet Evergreen Forest. (e.g. Alpinia sp., Phyrnium sp., Musa sp. In dry This is dominated by Diptioarpus areas cane and palm, especially Pinanga gracilus, occur in abundance. Calmus sp. and Type II: North Indian Tropical Deciduous Livistonia jenkinsii may also occur occasionally. Forest. This is dominated by Terminalia and Duabanga The ground offers thick humus on the forest floor and different species of fern, a number of Type III: Miscellaneous forest – no single species of beonia and a large number of shrubs species is particularly dominant. This includes and herbs forming a thin ground cover. Ferns open understocked inferior forest trees, e.g. may be Polyodaceacous or tree ferns (Cyathea Dillenia indica, suberosa, Bischofia sp.) and Angiopteris orchids are mostly jayanica, Kydia caliciana and grass, e.g. Dendrobium and Cymbidium. Imperata arundinaceum (thatch), Phragmites kirka, Alpina, Erianthus rovanceace In Type II forest, two distinct storeys can be distinguished. The top storey is composed of

24 Tigerpaper Vol.29:No.1 Jan.-Mar.2002 Terminalia myriocarpa, Duabanga grandiflora, in the voters list. They are also allotted land for Amoora wallichi, Terminalia ceitrina, agriculture, but their dependency on the forest Terminalia belrica, etc. The middle storey is and forest produce is still strong (pers. comm. composed of Bischia javanica, Gynocardium from Project officials). odonata, Vatica lanceaefolia and bamboo. Under the eco-development project, the This type of forest also shows profuse climbers government is providing free medicine and free like Acacia pinnata, Tinospora cordifolia, teaching material for their children and school at Mikania cordata and Vitis latifolia. the primary level. This area is quite far from the urban areas and there are no road linkages. The The composition of Type III forest has been people have to go on foot to the market place at mentioned earlier. One of the major weeds that Miao, around 100 km away to purchase salt, oil invade this forest in abandoned jhoom land or and clothing. For the rest of their needs they are other areas is Mikenia cordata, which along dependent on the forests and forest products. with Eupatorium forms the major weed problem They also kill animals for their own use. They all over the northeastern region. are good archers and use bows and arrows. Conflicts with forest personnel posted inside the Human factor forest are common.

The tribes living outside the boundary of the They major demands from the government are: tiger reserve are the Chakma, Lisu and Mishmi. i) that their community be included in the ST Their main occupation is settled agriculture. The category at par with the tribes of Arunachal Chakmas are well settled in the nearby urban Pradesh for getting all benefits in the areas of Miao and Deban. Their dependency on government sector; ii) proper road transport and the forest is for firewood, fodder, food, house other communication facilities; iii) awareness building material and other forest produce. The activities for held and family welfare should be basis of their economy in terms of cash, in promoted. addition to agricultural products, partially depends on their employment as porters for Threats to biodiversity conservation tourists, the occasional killing of wild animals for social ceremonies and selling forest products Deforestation, illegal hunting, shifting in the local market. cultivation and encroachment have been considered threats to biodiversity that need to be The Mishmi, living towards the Happy Valley protected in this area. Care must be taken side, had previously resided inside the Reserve regarding these aspects when preparing the since 1952. Now they have vacated the park area management plans for this pristine reserve. and also left their claims on the Reserve area and are settled outside the park boundary and Land use strategies engaged in agricultural and horticultural activities. In spite of the settled way of life, their The land use strategies can play an important dependency on minor forest products from the role in management and planning in this forest outside the park has not lessened. biosphere reserve.

The Lisu tribe migrated from in 1947 Discussion and settled in the higher altitude area of 1,000m elevation inside the park area. They were later The Tiger Reserve which has been proposed to shifted to the Gandhigram area outside the be a Biosphere Reserve has to be developed periphery of the tiger reserve. Their population along the core, buffer zone and transition zone has slowly increased from five families to 40, concept. Generally in India, Biosphere Reserves with a total population of about 6,000, although have been demarcated as core and buffer zones. the official records say 1,800. In 1994 they were The management planning needs to make given Indian citizenship and 1,600 persons are careful observations to identify the transition

Tigerpaper Vol.29:No.1 Jan.-Mar.2002 25 zone in order to give a double protective cover, Bordumsa Diyum. Censuses have shown that the as the chances of human interference are high. total population has grown between 1981 and 1991 from 95,530 to 62,211, and further The area is very big (1,985 km2) and has enough increases area expected. The literacy rate shows manpower, but the participation of the local a wide gap between male and female (70.09% vs people should also be sought in managing the 29.91%), thus emphasizing the need for female Reserve. Their needs, influence and linkages education. with other communities, indigenous knowledge, etc. should be recognized before getting their Biosphere Reserve management planning cooperation in the better management of this important Biosphere Reserve. Management plans need to be prepared with proper emphasis on the following points: At the same time, an impact assessment study needs to be initiated to understand and analyze C The main focus of the plans should be on the possibility of damage/change due to human the basic principles or concepts, which need interference in the Biosphere Reserve and vice- to be simplified for applications suited to versa. local conditions. C The traditional knowledge identifying The general characteristics of an area and the biodiversity, its uses and management needs socio-economic conditions in the district play an should be incorporated into the plan. important role in the management of national C The land use policy and legal status of the parks. The Namdapha Tiger Reserve is located area need to be clearly defined in order to in Changlang district with an extension of the avoid conflicts at any level. denuded hills of the Eastern Himalayan ranges C The carrying capacity needs to be assessed in Arunachal Pradesh. Land uses/land cover in order to predict the stability of the system features are forest-dominated. The Miao block from an ecological point of view for the of Changlang district, which is adjacent to the plan to be environmentally sound. reserve area, has a diverse land cover pattern C Regular impact assessment studies and with evergreen and semi-evergreen forest monitoring should be carried out. dominating in most parts. In this district, settled C The interests of the local inhabitants should agriculture ranges from 0.93% (Khagam-Miao be protected by accommodating their block) to 46.45% (Bordumsa Diyum block) and preferences in jobs and other activities with 1% shifting cultivation in Nampong. The forest economic return. Moreover, their area with evergreen ranges from 16.12% cooperation and participation will definitely (Bordumsa Diyum block) to 86.48% in be helpful in effective implementation of the Khagam-Miao. The degraded and deciduous plan. forest ranges from 9.88 toe 36.74% (Bordumsa- C While preparing the plan, due consideration Diyum block) and 1.5% of the land is in a should be given to each and every aspect barren/rocky snow-covered area (Singh, 1999). related to resource utilization.

The total number of villages in the district are Claridge (1999) has emphasized that 285, with 79 villages in the Khagam-Miao management decisions can be made on the basis block. The main occupation is cultivation, of the best available information at the time and ranging from 45 to 71.42% in the different suggested some points to consider: blocks. Activities like animal husbandry, forestry and fishing, trade, commerce, transport What are the values of the protected area? What and other services are limited, as are the gaps are their in our knowledge of those values educational opportunities, hence the need to and how will we fill the gaps? What threats are extend these facilities. The total population there in the values and what will we do about varies in the different blocks: 12,593 in them. How will we capitalize on the values of Nagmpongmanmao; 15,789 in Changlang; the area (e.g. develop them to meet park 27,288 in Khagam Miao; and 39,815 in objectives). What resources do we have with

26 Tigerpaper Vol.29:No.1 Jan.-Mar.2002 which to carry out the tasks arising from the Ghosh, A.K. 1987. Quantitative Analysis of above, and do they match what is needed? How Faunal Resources of Namdapha will we program our time to do the tasks Biosphere in Arunachal Pradesh. Final identified with the available resources? Technical Report of the MAB project, Zoological Survey of India, Calcutta. Some important points include local constraints, such as the historical aspects of management of Gopal, Rajesh. 1993. Fundamentals of protected areas, traditional conservation Wildlife Management. Justice Home methods, etc. In these areas the main occupation Publication, Allahabad. is cultivation, involving 45-71% of the locals. Other opportunities are very limited. With a Nair, S.C. 1993. Biosphere reserve in the probable population increase in the future, other Indian Context. The INTACH possible occupations must be worked out during Environmental Series No.24. New Delhi. the management planning. Coordination with other departments involved with employment Singh, S. 1999. A resource atlas of Arunachal opportunities may be considered. Pradesh. Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh publication, Itanagar. References Authors’ address: c/o Department of Applied Claridge, Gordon. 1999. Protected area Science (Forestry), North Eastern Regional management planning. Tigerpaper Institute of Science & Technology, Nirjuli - 791 26(2):15-17. 109, Arunachal Pradesh, India.

Tigerpaper Vol.29:No.1 Jan.-Mar.2002 27 ECOLOGICAL PRUDENCE OF THE LEPCHAS OF SIKKIM by Ajeya Jha

While searching for new alternatives for which are invariably the veneer over a practical evolving sustainable societies, the human efforts measure. The Lepcha socio-ethical norm called have begun venturing away from the western “Buk-rup” in this context is a unique wisdom to explore the knowledge and traditions philosophy. It essentially involves avoidance of of tribal and other indigenous people. There are unnecessary wastage and the destruction of lessons, too important to be ignored, to be learnt nature and promotes the employment of simple from the Lepchas of Sikkim that will help in techniques to upgrade the same. This entire saving our earth and enriching our civilization. belief is reflected in many Lepcha traditions. For example, the tuberous roots, which form an Living around Mount Kanchendzonga in important component of their diet, are not Sikkim, Lepchas are a charming people with a removed completely. Only the most edible parts fascinating lifestyle and a unique philosophy of are removed and the rest is put back under the their own. They are the true children of nature. soil for it to grow up once again. They also take To survive, like all natural societies of hunters measures to protect it by building stone and gatherers, they developed a pragmatic and protections around it and by removing excess caring attitude towards their environs. Their rain water. They use many plant species as collective experience has taught them that nature edible fruits using non-destructive methods for is fragile and they cannot afford to be careless harvesting (e.g. collecting only ripe fruits by towards it. Hence, they have imposed a strict shaking the tree). In edible plants, mostly leaves social and religious order upon themselves and are used, thus allowing ample scope for their surroundings. regeneration.

Perhaps the most important feature of their Females of the wild species were always culture is the emotional tie existing between protected by Lepcha hunting taboos. Even the these indigenous people and their non-human male animals were not hunted during particular companions. This bond springs from their periods or under certain conditions. Fishing was traditional belief the they, along with the rest of prohibited from July to October – the breeding all other biological (and even geographical) time for fish. Thus, their ecological prudence is beings, are the creation of one mother - their not only highly evolved, but is also well defined. supreme goddess - Na Zong Nyo. They believe It could very well be the basis for us to build that they are an inherent and inseparable sustainable societies. component of the living world. Their taboos, myths and traditions keep this concept dynamic Today, the greatest threat to global food security and alive. comes from the fact that the entire world is heavily dependent on only seven species of plant This emotional approach, however, must not be sources. There is an urgent need to add on many interpreted as an irrational conviction. Their more plant species to the list of food sources. In intimate knowledge and intuition made them this context, the Lepchas have been known to realize that the mountains, rivers, forests, and all use 268 plants as sources of food – including the animal and birds living in this world do mushrooms of various kinds. These would form share a symbiotic relationship of mutual alternative vegetable or fruit resources for others obligation and trust. They also believe that too, thereby broadening the base of our food conservation is vital and that is why they depict security system. restraint in terms of usage – even in times of plenty. The greatest contribution Lepchas have made in this respect is perhaps the ways and means they They show restraint in the killing of game or developed to make poisonous plants edible. gathering of plant material protected by taboos About four hundred years ago, the Lepchas

28 Tigerpaper Vol.29:No.1 Jan.-Mar.2002 waged a 12-year war with Bhutanese invaders, kinds, are important to them as they help in which resulted in an appalling food supply deciding their agricultural calendar. So the shortage. The Lepcha wise men embarked upon Lepchas take immense care not to disturb their finding ways to neutralize the toxic contents of nesting and breeding habitats. otherwise edible items for their consumption as food. This required an investigative task of some Another important principle underlying their magnitude. After many efforts, the Lepcha relationship with nature is that ‘rare is sacred’. priests finally succeeded in converting many Thus, Lepchas never allow hunting or disturbing poisonous plants into harmless edible food any rare animal or plant. Sikkim Himalayas are sources. The philosophy and technique of replete with micro ecosystems; some are neutralizing the toxic content of edible plants is distinctly unique in terms of their flora and called “Sim-Ayu-Mun”. fauna. Broad and swampy valleys beyond Nathula are some good examples. For Lepchas, Many plants are sacred to Lepchas because they all such micro-climatic zones are sacred. are the gods’ trees and thus possess healing powers. Their knowledge of medicinal plants is Being primarily hunters and food gatherers, very impressive and could be a significant none of their traditions ever required the cutting addition to the contemporary knowledge of food of trees. They cut trees perhaps only to build and health security. houses. A person who cuts even a single tree is under the religious and social obligation to The tradition of sacred groves prevalent among compensate for the same by planting eight the indigenous people of Africa and Asia finds saplings in its place and nurturing them for six its expression in the ‘mountain-worship’ full years. In addition, one has to plant and amongst the Lepchas. Sikkim is a land endowed protect three more saplings in place of every with a rich congregation of natural features, but single one dying during this period. is epitomized by its mountains. Indeed, the whole ecosystem of this region has been Apart from such specific instances, the entire nurtured by its mountainous character. These cultural spectrum of Lepchas inculcates a mountain peaks, the forests over them and the healthy and practical attitude towards nature. animals and birds living there are protected and The indigenous knowledge on the properties, conserved through a combination of taboos, utilization and conservation aspects of plant and prohibitions, beliefs and restrictions. The rivers other natural resources available with the and streams flowing from the mountains are also Lepchas is on the verge of extinction because of treated as sacred. People protect the water various developmental activities and arrogant source of the stream and do not allow farming attitudes which are adversely affecting their activities, bathing, washing of clothes or similar cultural and traditional life. It is vital that the polluting activities, even today. knowledge now available with the Lepchas and other tribal people is properly documented and Some forests and ecosystems are venerated integrated with modern scientific values before because they house a variety of animals or birds it is lost forever. Also, preservation of such vast that are considered sacred. For example, Blood knowledge demands an essential belief in the pheasant is one such sacred bird believed to people’s life-style and culture. Studies in well- have saved the Lepcha ancestors by guiding defined tribal areas need to be initiated them to Mount Tendong when a devastating immediately to catalogue the ecological flood engulfed the entire earth. Hence, this prudence of their glorious traditions. particular species is protected along with the forest patch it dwells in. Thus, the respect for Author’s address: Sikkim Manipal Institute of one species leads to the conservation of many Technology, Majitar, Rangpo 737132, Sikkim; others. E-mail: [email protected]

Migratory birds, particularly cuckoos of various

Tigerpaper Vol.29:No.1 Jan.-Mar.2002 29 BIRD SPECIES IN KANJLI WETLAND

by Tejdeep Kaur Kler

Study Area recorded/found/confirmed during the study, which is less than the 92 species recorded in an Kanjli is a man-made, freshwater wetland earlier report (Dhindsa and Saini, 1993). A located at 31°13' N latitude and 75°12' E possible explanation for the lower number can longitude, occupying an area of about 0.3 km2 in be that since the study was conducted in the the district of Punjab State (50,376 summer, it did not include the winter migrants. km2) classified as the North Western State and The water body near the bridge in Kanjli was known as the grain bowl of India. The Ministry found to have abundant and extensive growth of of Environment and Forests, Government of floating aquatic weeds, particularly Eichhornia India, has identified sixteen wetlands of Punjab, crassipes/water hyacinth; this weed can have a including the wetland of Kanjli, for conservation detracting effect on the migratory birds, and an and management (Anon., 1988). Human adverse effect on the health of the wetland. It habitations include Kapurthala town and Kanjli was distressing to see that the surface of the Village, situated a few kilometers from this water body was covered with a blanket of wetland. discarded polythene bags, household refuge and waste matter on one side of the bridge. Little This report summarizes observations made on cormorants were seen sitting and diving in the the status of bird species in the Kanjli wetland water surrounded by floating polythene bags. and the threat of aquatic weeds/pollution Wetlands are more vulnerable to accidental and affecting this fragile ecosystem. intentional human interference than any other habitat because both water levels and quality can Methods very easily be altered to spoil the life support system of the wetland. Nearly 25% of the 300 Observations in the Kanjli wetland were made bird species present in Punjab are more or less during walks along the sides of the water bodies totally dependent on the wetlands, and an and point counting without distance estimates additional 50 are partly so; thus, pollution and (Verner, 1985), using field binoculars. Bird’s human interference can have a serious effect on nests were also observed in the survey area and the ecological status of the wetland and its subsequently this information proved valuable in biodiversity. In such habitats, avian community the confirmation of certain avian species studies are effective tools for monitoring the residing/present in the wetland, which otherwise health of a wetland. There is a need to evaluate could have been missed. the bird communities of Kanjli wetland, as it will greatly help in forming an effective plan for Results and Discussion the preservation of biodiversity and eco-friendly development of the wetland. The present study has generated a fairly comprehensive list of species, although Bird species in Kanjli Wetland (common and additional species may be present in less scientific nomenclature) follow (Toor et al., accessible areas, or in dense woods/tall grass 1982). pockets. A total of 61 species were

No. Common Name Scientific Name

30 Tigerpaper Vol.29:No.1 Jan.-Mar.2002 Order: Podicipediformes Family: Podicipedidae 1. Little grebe Podiceps ruficollis capensis salvadori

Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Phalacrocoracidae 2. Little cormorant Phalacrocorax niger (Vieilot) 3. Large cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis

Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Ardeidae 4. Eastern grey heron Ardea cinerea rectirostris (Gould) 5. Eastern purple heron Ardea purpurea manilensis (Meyen) 6. Indian pond heron Ardeola grayii grayii (Sykes) 7. Cattle egret Bubulcus ibis coromandua (Boddaert) 8. Little egret Egretta garzetta garzetta (Linnaeus) 9. Night heron Nycticorax nycticorax (Linnaeus)

Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae 10. Spotbill duck Anas poecilorhyncha poecilorhyncha

Order: Falconiformes Family: Accipitridae 11. Pariah kite Milvus migrans govinda (Sykes) 12. Indian shikra Accipiter badius dussumieri (Temminck)

Order: Galliformes Family: Phasianidae 13. Indian black partridge Francolinus francolinus asiae (Bonaparte) 14. North Indian grey partridge Francolinus pondicerianus interposiius (Hartert) 15. Indian peafowl Pavo cristatus (Linnaeus)

Order: Gruiformes Family: Rallidae 16. Chinese white-breasted waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus chinensis 17. Indian moorhen Gallinula chloropus indica 18. Coot Fulica atra atra

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Charadriidae 19. Red wattled capwing Vanellus indicus indicus

Order: Columbiformes Family: 20. Indian blue rock pigeon Columba livia intermedia 21. Indian ring dove Streptopelia decaocto decaocto 22. Indian spotted dove Streptopelia chinensis suratensis 23. Indian little brown dove Streptopelia senegalensis cambayensis

Order: Psittaciformes

Tigerpaper Vol.29:No.1 Jan.-Mar.2002 31 Family: Psittacidae 24. Large Indian parakeet Psittacula eupatria nipalensis 25. Northern rose-ringed parakeet Psittacula krameri borealis

Order: Cuculiformes Family: Cuculidae 26. Indian cuckoo Cuculus micropterus micropterus 27. Indian koel Eudynamys scolopacea scolopacea 28. Common crow pheasant Centropus sinensis sinensis

Order: Strigiformes Family: Strigidae 29. Northern spotted owlet Athene brama indica

Order: Coraciiformes Family: Alcedinidae 30. Indian pied kingfisher Ceryle rudis leucomelanura 31. Indian white-breasted kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis fusca

Family: Meropidae 32. Indian small green bee-eater Merops orientalis orientalis

Family: Coraciidae 33. Northern roller Coracias benghalensis benghalensis

Family: Upupidae 34. European roller Upupa epops epops

Family: Bucerotidae 35. Grey hornbill Tockus birostris

Order: Piciformes Sub-family: Picinae 36. Northern golden-backed woodpecker Dinopium benghalense benghalense

Order: Passeriformes Family: Pittidae 37. Rufous-backed shrike Lanius schach erythronotus

Family: Oriolidae 38. Indian golden oriole Oriolus oriolus kundoo

Family: Dicuridae 39. North Indian black drongo Dicrurus adsimilis albirictus

Family: Sturnidae 40. Brahmini pagodarum 41. Indian pied myna Sturnus contra contra 42. Indian myna Acridotheres tristis tristis 43. Bank myna Acridotheres ginginianus 44. Northern jungle myna Acridotheres fuscus fuscus

32 Tigerpaper Vol.29:No.1 Jan.-Mar.2002 Family: Corvidae 45. Western tree pie Dendrocitta vagabunda pallida 46. Indian house crow Corvus splendens splendens 47. Punjab red-vented bulbul Pycnonotus cafer intermedius

Family: Muscicapidae 48. Western yellow eyed babbler Chrysomma sinense hypoleucum 49. Common babbler Turdoides caudatus caudatus

Subfamily: Sylviinae 50. Indian tailor bird Orthotomus sutorius grzuratus

Subfamily: Turdinae 51. Indian magpie robin Copsychus saularis saularis 52. Northern pied bush chat Saxicola caprata bicolor 53. Brownbacked Indian robin Saxicoloides fulicata cambaiensis

Family: Motacillidae 54. North western paddy field pipit Anthus novaeseelandiae waitei 55. Large pied wagtail Motacilla maderaspatensis

Family: Nectariniidae 56. Indian purple sunbird Nectarinia asiatica asiatica

Family: Ploceidae 57. Indian house sparrow Passer domesticus indicus

Subfamily: Ploceinae 58. Indian baya weaver bird Ploceus philippinus philippinus 59. Red munia Estrilda amandava amandava 60. White throated munia Lonchura malabarica malabarica 61. Indian spotted munia Lonchura punctulata punctulata

Acknowledgment Dhindsa, M.S. and H.K. Saini. 1993. Avian fauna of wetlands. In: G.S. Dhaliwal, B.S. Thanks are due to Mr. Harpal Singh Thandi, Hansra and S.S. Ladhar (Eds.) Wetlands: Investigator, and Ram Parshad Beldar for their their conservation and management. Punjab assistance. Thanks are also extended to the Agricultural University, Ludhiana. Indian Council of Agricultural Research for financial support. Verner, J. 1985. Assessment of counting techniques. In: R.F. Johnston (Ed.) Current References Ornithology, Vol.2. Plenum Publishing Corporation. Anonymous. 1988. Directory of Wetlands in India. Ministry of Environment and Author’s address: c/o Prof. P.S. Kler, 225-226 Forests, New Delhi. Model House, P.O. Model Town, Ludhiana 141002, Punjab, India.

Tigerpaper Vol.29:No.1 Jan.-Mar.2002 33 FOREST NEWS Vol.XVI:No.1

APFC IS MONGOLIA BOUND!

Plans are being made to convene the 19th session willows. Until 1990, the country had a vibrant of the Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission (APFC), forest products industry, which has suffered in 26-30 August 2002, in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of recent years due to market restructuring and Mongolia. Please mark your calendars and plan to increased conservation measures. participate! Mongolians have a close and synergistic The convening of the APFC session in Mongolia relationship with the environment, which plays a offers a rare opportunity to visit this fascinating critical role in supporting the nation’s economic and beautiful country. Mongolia is a huge country; well being and traditions. Herders (there are more with 156 million hectares, it encompasses an area than 30 million head of livestock in the country) larger than Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and are directly dependent on healthy grasslands and Vietnam combined. But with only 2.3 million clean water for their livelihoods. Unspoiled and human inhabitants, Mongolia has the lowest spectacular landscapes, rare wildlife, and population density of any country in Asia. traditional cultures are important for the tourism Situated between China and Russia, Mongolia industry — a growing source of employment and occupies a critical transition zone in Central Asia revenue. Numerous plant and animal species where the great Siberian taiga forest, the Central provide important sources of food, traditional Asian steppe, the high Altai mountains, and the medicines, and materials for daily life. Gobi desert converge. An abundance of wildlife, including several species that have largely Against this backdrop, the Mongolian Ministry of disappeared from the rest of Asia, is found Nature and the Environment will serve as gracious throughout the country. Mongolia has more than official hosts for the 19th session of the Asia- 17 million hectares of protected areas, including Pacific Forestry Commission. The detailed agenda more than 10 million hectares under strict for the session is currently being developed, but it protection. will certainly include the following: C discussion of important forestry developments Many people mistakenly think Mongolia has no in the region over the past two years; forests. While it’s true that the majority of the C regional inputs to the United Nations Forum country is devoid of tree cover (only about 8 on Forests (UNFF); percent is forested), Mongolia surprisingly has C regional involvement in future forest about 12 million hectares of forests — nearly the resources assessments; same as Thailand or Laos, and roughly twice that C updates on the International Year of of the Philippines or the Republic of Korea. Mountains, preparations for the XII World Common species include Siberian larch, Siberian Forest Congress and the World Summit on pine and Scotch pine, cedar, Siberian spruce, Sustainable Development; Siberian fir, birch, aspen, poplar, saxaul, and C information on the national forest programme

Forest News 1 facility; and incentives for forest plantation development. C reports of progress on key APFC initiatives Some exciting field visits will soon be identified, related to forest harvesting, policy studies, and as well as opportunities for longer post-APFC sustainable forest management. tourist trips to stunning areas of the country.

Side meetings may also be organized to discuss in More details on the August APFC session will be greater detail the prioritization and follow up provided in the coming months. Please plan now related to the IPF/IFF proposals for action and to attend.

2 Forest News First Announcement BRINGING BACK THE FORESTS:

October 2002, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Organized by the Asia Pacific Association of Forestry Research Institutions (APAFRI), FAO, the Forest Research Support Programme for Asia and the Pacific (FORSPA) and the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM).

Background Conference objectives C review the current status of rehabilitation A large and growing area of forest land in Asia efforts and knowledge; and the Pacific has been deforested or degraded by C identify critical issues of policy and inappropriate logging practices, shifting implementation that need to be addressed to cultivation, repeated burning and other human make rehabilitation a key component of forest disturbances. Much of this land has been management; and converted to other uses, but much has also been C encourage cross-disciplinary learning and left in a degraded state. In this condition it may partnerships among rehabilitation still support trees, but it will have lost much of its practitioners, resource managers, policy original structure, diversity and productivity. makers and other concerned stakeholders.

Transforming degraded forest lands into Expected outputs rehabilitated forests offers many benefits, but C better understanding of the opportunities and faces serious practical and institutional constraints. constraints facing forest rehabilitation at both Knowledge and experience of rehabilitation are policy and implementations levels; still limited, and its needs are inadequately C recommendations for a policy brief that will addressed in forest policy, planning and highlight the positive role of forest management. Some promising approaches and rehabilitation and to outline measures needed experiences in rehabilitation exist in the region, to strengthen this role; but they have not been widely publicised or C proposals for action to establish a coalition of adopted. Concerted efforts are needed to build the research and development organizations to knowledge, institutions and, above all, policy advance forest rehabilitation in Asia and the commitment needed for rehabilitation. Pacific; and C a publication on recent experiences and Against this background, the International promising approaches for rehabilitation. Conference on Rehabilitating Forests in Asia and the Pacific: Effective Policies, Practical Provisional session topics Applications will bring together forest managers, C Defining Terms: Rehabilitation, Restoration planners and policy makers to assess the state of and Reclamation current knowledge, highlight and promote C Rehabilitation in Practice: What Works, What successful approaches to rehabilitation, and Doesn’t? identify key policy and management needs for C Integrating Rural Livelihood Needs. effective forest rehabilitation. C Rehabilitating Ecosystem Services.

Forest News 3 C Scaling Up: Rehabilitation at the Landscape for rehabilitation. Additional information on the Level date, agenda and other aspects of the conference C Financing Rehabilitation will be made available as the program develops. C Policy, Planning and Partnerships for For further details and a registration form, please Rehabilitation visit the conference website at http://www.apafri.upm.edu.my. Or contact: Mr. Further details Alias Abd Jalil, APAFRI, Forest Research Institute Malaysia, Kepong, 52109, Kuala Lumpur The conference is intended for those who are Malaysia; Tel: 6003-62722516; Fax: 603- actively involved in rehabilitating forests, or who 62773249; E-mail: [email protected] are developing policies, procedures and capacity

4 Forest News IN SEARCH OF EXCELLENCE IN FOREST MANAGEMENT – EXTENDED DEADLINE

In the drive towards sustainable forest APFC and FAO are calling for nominations of management, there has been continuous forests in the region that demonstrate forms of improvement in the management of several forest exemplary management. We welcome areas in the Asia-Pacific region. In Search of nominations both from people and organizations Excellence aims to document specific examples of that wish to nominate their own forest(s) and from this improvement. It seeks to identify: those who wish to nominate others’ forests. S a broad cross section of experiences of exemplary forest management; To date, around 60 nominations have been S examples of forest management that show received from 17 countries in the region. We promise for the future; and would like to receive more. Consequently, the S examples across a broad range of forest eco- deadline for nominations has been extended to types from many countries in the region 1 May 2002. Nomination forms can be obtained exemplifying management for a variety of from Patrick B. Durst, Senior Forestry Officer, objectives and under different ownership FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. E- structures. mail: [email protected]

Forest News 5 SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT: FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE

As a follow-up activity to the International C log tracking systems; Conference on the Application of Reduced Impact C timber and forest certification; Logging to Advance Sustainable Forest C requirements for conserving high-value Management: Constraints, Challenges and forests; Opportunities (held in February 2001), and other C illegal logging and logging bans; activities promoting the regional Code of Practice C timber utilization and research; for Forest Harvesting, the Asia-Pacific Forestry C the role of the timber processing industry; Commission (APFC), the Sarawak Timber C technical, economic and institutional issues of Association (STA) and the Forest Department reduced impact logging (RIL); and Sarawak organized a regional seminar on forest C training requirements for achieving SFM. management issues. The seminar was financially supported by the USDA Forest Service. During the field trip to the MFMA in Sarawak’s hill forests, it became apparent that in steep terrain Three forestry officials each from , even improvements such as “path logging” (an China, Myanmar, Lao PDR and Viet Nam improved tractor-logging practice) lead to participated in the seminar, along with additional considerable damage to the residual stand. participants from Malaysia. The seminar provided Whether such damage is acceptable in the long run ample time for discussions, particularly during remains to be seen. The participants also gained two field visits. The objectives of the seminar useful insights into Sarawak’s approach to forest were as follows: management during the one-day trip to the Forest C Raise the understanding of sustainable forest Department Sarawak. management (SFM) for forestry officials of countries that have been less exposed to issues Discussions during the seminar revealed that of SFM and practical approaches for technical issues are viewed as secondary implementing better forest management. constraints to SFM. Instead, participants stressed C Illustrate new approaches and experiences in that illegal logging remains a serious concern and natural forest management and timber impediment to SFM. Another issue of concern is harvesting during study tours to the Forest the move to decentralize and devolve forest Department Sarawak and the Model Forest management, as it remains unclear whether moves Management Area (MFMA) project (an ITTO to hand over forest management to decentralized project executed by the Forest Department administrative units and/or local communities lead Sarawak). to better forest management. C Discuss and agree on follow-up activities of mutual concern, with a focus on pilot or The outcome of the seminar was mixed. While the demonstration areas for reduced impact first two objectives were achieved, the discussion logging (RIL). on follow-up activities proved to be less fruitful, as the conditions and the needs in the five The public and private sector perspectives of the countries are very different. The issue of how to following forest management aspects were proceed in implementing the Code will be discussed during the seminar: followed up by the new RIL Coordinator, who C planning for sustainable timber production assumed his duties in early 2002 (see following and extraction; article).

6 Forest News NEW COORDINATOR FOR RIL ACTIVITIES

Under a cooperative agreement between FAO and Mr. Dugan currently is a Senior Forestry Expert the Japan Overseas Forestry Consultants with JOFCA, providing technical support for Association (JOFCA), Mr. Patrick C. Dugan will community forestry programs, development and work over the next several months to help testing of forest change models, and review of coordinate and support activities related to practices for rehabilitating logged-over forests in reduced impact logging (RIL) and implementation Asia. He is a U.S. national, but has lived and of codes of practice for forest harvesting. Initial worked most of his life in the Philippines. He has funding for the arrangement has been provided also conducted consulting assignments in India, under a grant from the Government of Australia. Indonesia, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Myanmar, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Thailand and Vietnam. Mr. Dugan has extensive experience in logging and forestry, including several field operations Under the cooperative agreement with JOFCA, assignments and senior management positions. Mr. Dugan will coordinate FAO and partner Mr. Dugan, who was responsible for managing support to countries in the region in developing three separate timber concessions in the and implementing national codes of practice for Philippines in the 1970s, has solid expertise in forest harvesting, identifying priority training planning and supervising logging, road needs for effective implementation of codes, construction, reforestation, and log processing. In organizing training activities and study tours, and recent years, Dugan has served in several policy building awareness and political support for and programming positions where he has improved forest harvesting. promoted community-based management of natural forests, improved reforestation practices, Mr. Dugan can be contacted at: and agroforestry development. He has championed JOFCA the concepts of labor-intensive approaches for 445 Bulusan Lane, Marian Lakeview Park road construction and timber extraction in parallel Parañaque 1700, Metro Manila, Philippines with conventional machine-based systems. Tel: (632) 823-3010; Fax: (632) 821-6692 E-mail: [email protected]

“The condition of a Forest is the micro-image of the Forester who has tended it.”

– Anonymous

Forest News 7 TOWARD EFFECTIVE WATERSHED AND FLOOD MANAGEMENT

Every year during the monsoon season, floods watersheds than with land and vegetation occur in the lowlands of many countries in Asia mismanagement in the uplands. Scientific and the Pacific. For many people, floods are a evidence indicates the need for integrated normal part of life, occurring regularly and approaches that focus far more on flood predictably. In other cases, however, unanticipated management and disaster preparedness in the catastrophic flash floods devastate lives, property lowlands, together with continued efforts to and agricultural crops. They also decrease food improve watershed management in the uplands. security and contribute to poverty in both rural and urban areas. Unfortunately, the increased knowledge on highland-lowland interrelationships has not There is a plethora of misinformation, translated into widespread re-orientation of misconceptions and myths surrounding the problem-solving approaches. One reason for this relationships between forests, trees, and land-use is the failure of scientists (hydrologists, soil activities on one hand, and catastrophic floods on scientists, foresters and experts in related the other. Although the highland-lowland disciplines) to effectively present recent research interactive systems are very complex, people’s results and recommendations. There is an urgent perceptions of the causes of floods tend to be need to promote better understanding of the actual conversely overly simplistic. Within days of most interactions and influences related to watersheds major floods, the media and leading public and floods – and, more importantly, the options officials proclaim that human activities in the available for effectively mitigating and managing upper parts of mountainous watersheds in general the effects of floods. — and deforestation or illegal logging in particular — are responsible for the disaster The forestry group of the FAO Regional Office for striking the lowlands. Because such simplistic Asia and the Pacific has taken the lead in perceptions pervade, the proposed remedies for developing a highly attractive booklet combating and managing floods often fail to synthesizing the scientific facts related to floods address the real problems and needs related to and watersheds, and opportunities for improved flood disasters. Moreover, some of the proposed flood management. The International Year of responses (e.g. logging bans, reforestation Mountains (2002) offers a timely opportunity for programs, resettlement of residents out of upper this work, in which the Center for International watersheds, restrictions on growing certain crops, Forestry Research (CIFOR) is collaborating. etc.) may be highly detrimental to the livelihoods Production of the proposed booklet would help and food security of (poor) upland dwellers. increase the understanding of the policy makers, media development officials and the general Over the past 20 years, the scientific knowledge of public about the real needs and opportunities for floods and erosion processes has increased watershed and flood management. considerably. It is now well established that, while deforestation and land degradation can It is anticipated that the document will be released significantly affect hydrological processes in small during the FAO Regional Conference in watersheds, major floods in large watersheds are Kathmandu, Nepal, in May 2002. It will give natural phenomena that have more to do with added attention to the issues of mountain extraordinarily heavy rainfall events and river- development and disaster management that will be course mismanagement in the lower portions of a prominent focus of the conference.

8 Forest News NOT ALL TREES GROW IN FORESTS

Contributed by Aru Mathias1

A regional workshop on trees outside forests forests in large island countries and the remaining (TOF) for Pacific Island countries was organized tree resources in small island countries, are being by the FAO Sub-Regional Office (SAPA) in Nadi, lost to deforestation, forest degradation, and the Fiji, 10-14 December 2001. The University of the general neglect and failure to protect and replant South Pacific (USP), PNG University of trees. Technology (UNITECH) and the Secretariat for the Pacific Community’s Pacific Islands Forests In some of the smaller islands and atolls, almost and Trees Programme collaborated in conducting every tree has a use or provides an ecological the workshop. This was the first workshop on service to the island and local communities. One TOF conducted in the region with participants of the most critical roles of trees outside forests is coming from Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Niue, their support for conserving biodiversity. In fact, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Palau, the loss of biodiversity is considered by many to Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu. be a much more serious obstacle to sustainable development and survival on small islands than The purpose of the workshop was to: climate change and sea-level rise. C share information and experiences on the status and roles of trees outside forests in the A field trip taken around the sugarcane belt in Pacific region in the context of overall Nadi, where various trees are planted around forestry sector development; homesteads and farms for food, shade, animal feed C identify and analyze problems and issues and building materials, provided a good picture of limiting and impacting establishment and the importance of TOF. Participants reiterated the protection of trees outside forests; and need for government extension services to work C identify opportunities for promoting tree closely with communities, and strongly planting and sustainable management of TOF, recommended that tree planting activities be including mechanisms to assist field integrated with other developments going on implementation (e.g., institutional within the community. arrangements, funding arrangements, regional co-ordination, legislation, and policy Outcomes of the workshop initiatives). While many issues and constraints faced by Undoubtedly, TOF in the Pacific Islands will countries were identified and discussed, a few are continue to play a significant role, especially in common throughout. These included: maintaining the environment and providing C insufficient in-depth knowledge of tree support for sustainable livelihoods. Two basic species by technical agencies and the general facts underscore this importance: i) many of the public; small-island states of the Pacific, and a significant C inadequate documentation of traditional part of the larger island countries, have little or no knowledge about indigenous trees and their true native forest or the potential for exotic forest uses, that could benefit future generations’ plantation development; and ii) many of the efforts to protect and plant TOF;

1Aru Mathias is FAO Forestry Officer, Subregional Office for the South Pacific, Apia, Samoa

Forest News 9 C failure to harmonize traditional local C Develop methodologies to assess and monitor knowledge about tree roles and uses with local the status of TOF which can provide useful developments, and neglecting to incorporate data and information for planning purposes. traditional knowledge in forestry plans to C Increase awareness and actively promote tree improve livelihoods and support ecologically planting and protection in communities, based sustainable development; including churches, schools and farms. C weak protection of TOF against processes of C Increase the capacities of extension services deforestation, agro-deforestation, fire, over- and provide adequate support to tree planting grazing by livestock, and other threats; programs. C lack of appropriate policies and legislation C Develop appropriate policies and legislation supporting sustainable management of TOF; for sustainable development and management C failure to develop appropriate of TOF. frameworks/mechanisms to address land C Improve awareness, communication, and tenure issues, especially security of tenure, coordination amongst stakeholders, and to balance the distribution of benefits government and donors at the national and among resource owners; regional level. C lack of awareness and communication C Integrate tree planting and tree protection with amongst communities, technical agencies and other community activities and link tree other stakeholders on the importance of planting with other development initiatives. protecting and promoting TOF; and C lack of funds to sponsor replanting schemes Further information about the workshop, including and the adoption of new technologies. copies of the workshop papers and the report can be obtained from Mr. Aru Mathias, FAO Sub- The workshop made the following Regional Forestry Officer, Apia, Samoa. His e- recommendations for action: mail address is [email protected], and fax: C Document traditional knowledge about the 685 22126. roles and uses of TOF.

“Ten Commandments” for protection and planting of trees as a foundation for sustainable living in the Pacific Islands (as identified by workshop participants)

1. Protect all inland forest and tree groves 2. Protect and replant all coastal, mangrove and river forests 3. Plant and protect trees in villages, towns and agriculture areas 4. Replace all trees that die or that you have killed and protect and nurture young tree seedlings 5. Protect and replant all endangered trees 6. Do not burn and kill trees when clearing new land 7. Protect native birds and animals that live in the forests and trees 8. Fence, tie or pen your domestic animals 9. Eliminate dangerous weedy trees and other serious weeds from our lands 10. Teach children, the public and policy makers about the environmental, cultural and economic importance of trees

10 Forest News VIETNAMESE FORESTERS ASSESS PHILIPPINE ASSISTED NATURAL REGENERATION (ANR) PRACTICES

Throughout Asia, assisted natural regeneration The study tour included visits were made to three (ANR) is steadily gaining recognition as a field sites, meetings with senior officers of the practical, low-cost approach for restoring and Philippine Department of Environment and rehabilitating denuded and degraded forest lands. Natural Resources (DENR), and discussions with In many circumstances, ANR offers considerable members of the academe. The various study tour advantages over conventional reforestation components provided opportunities to assess ANR methods, particularly in terms of greater from the perspectives of government policy, forest biodiversity in regenerated forests and science, and community involvement. The significantly lower costs. insights gained are expected to contribute to Vietnam’s on-going Five Million Hectares ANR is a flexible approach to reforestation that Reforestation Program, which includes plans for stimulates the growth of natural saplings and regenerating large areas of forest through natural seedlings. It “assists” natural regeneration by regeneration. preventing fires and grazing, controlling competition from weeds (including pressing Field visits highlighted ANR experiences on Imperata grass to suppress its growth), and recently logged-over forests in Palawan, lands in enhancing the growth of trees by mulching, Luzon that were formerly forested but which were fertilizing, or other practices. In areas where repeated burned and invaded by Imperata grass, natural seedlings and saplings are lacking, ANR and residual (secondary) forests in Leyte province. may include enrichment planting. In some areas, The sites exemplify the significant potential of techniques have been applied to attract wildlife ANR under a broad range of edaphic and socio- and birds that help disperse tree seeds. cultural conditions. While noting the successes attained through ANR, the study tour participants Despite its advantages and demonstrated potential, nonetheless identified the need for more careful ANR is not yet widely accepted or promoted by documentation of biological succession, including governments as a reforestation approach in the the number and frequency of emergent species, region. growth rates, and related data. They pointed out that information on these topics could help To promote greater understanding of ANR and facilitate ANR planning and promote its adoption possible approaches for its implementation in and implementation. Vietnam, FAO recently supported a study tour for two Vietnamese forestry officials to review ANR Encouraged by results of the study tour, FAO is practices in the Philippines. The two-week study currently exploring the feasibility of organizing a tour for Messrs. Dinh Huu Khanh and Hoang Sy study tour for a larger number of participants and Dong, of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural countries. Development of Vietnam, was supported by the “Technical Support to the Five Million Hectare Reforestation Program” project (TCP/VIE/0066), which is funded under FAO’s Technical Cooperation Programme. The study tour was organized and supported by the Bagong Pagasa Foundation (BPF), a non-profit organization involved in rural and forestry-sector development in the Philippines.

Forest News 11 CRITERIA AND INDICATORS FOR MODEL FORESTS

Contributed by Tang Hon Tat and Ravi Hegde1

The third regional workshop on “Criteria and collection. Indicators for Sustainable Forest Management in C Countries should enhance the development of Model Forests,” was held in Pyay, Myanmar, 25- their C&I initiatives by exchanging 29 November 2001. The workshop was organized experiences and identifying common sets of and sponsored by the Regional Model Forest indicators on key model forest attributes. Project (RMFP), in collaboration with the Forest C More training on C&I should be provided to Department, Union of Myanmar, and the Japan MF stakeholders and facilitators. International Forestry Promotion and Cooperation C Awareness and understanding of the concepts Center (JIFPRO). of C&I should be enhanced, especially among local stakeholders, using simple terms. More than 60 people participated in the workshop, C Management guidelines for soil and water including representatives from the RMFP conservation, social aspects and forest countries, FAO, Japan Forestry Agency (FAJ), workers’ welfare should be strengthened. International Tropical Timber Organization C Efforts to implement codes of harvesting (ITTO), Center for International Forestry Research practices in production forests should be (CIFOR), Forestry Research Support Programme accorded high priority. for Asia and the Pacific (FORSPA), JIFPRO, the C Support efforts to promote wider involvement Regional Community Forestry Training Center for of local people in the development of C&I. Asia and the Pacific (RECOFTC), the Malaysian C Monitoring and evaluation systems should be Timber Certification Council (MTCC), Kyoto developed based on local conditions and Prefectural University (KPU), and the Forest management objectives set by local groups. Department of Myanmar, among others. The C Increased collaboration among international workshop was opened by U Shwe Kyaw, Director organizations in C&I processes is desirable to General, Forest Department, Myanmar, and the enhance capacity building, sharing of keynote address was delivered by Ms. Mette experiences, etc. Loyche Wilkie of FAO, Rome. C A few key indicators should first be used as a first step in carrying out monitoring, Papers were presented on the C&I development of assessment and reporting activities for those the RMFP countries (China, Myanmar, with limited resources. Philippines and Thailand), and by resource C Ensure that standardized and replicable persons from RECOFTC, ITTO, CIFOR, JIFPRO, methods for data collection are used. FAO, FAJ, FORSPA and MTCC. Field visits were C Make use of existing documentation and made to the Paukkhaung Model Forest. networks to guide development of initial C&I and data collection guidelines/protocols. Among the recommendations of the workshop C The RMFP should continue to provide support were: where needed and explore the possibility of C The process of developing field level C&I funding a training workshop for the should start with a limited number of preparation of data collection guidelines. indicators and simple guidelines for data

1Tan Hon Tat and Ravi Hegde are Chief Technical Adviser and Associate Professional Officer, respectively, for the Regional Model Forest Project.

12 Forest News UNDERSTANDING FOREST MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATION AND LOCAL AUDITING SYSTEMS IN INDOCHINA

Traditionally, forest problems have been tackled Recognizing the need in Indochina for further by governments using regulatory approaches, understanding and exchange of information on often supplemented in poorer countries by donor- certification, the Forestry Research Support funded programs. In general, these efforts have Programme for Asia and the Pacific (FORSPA) proved insufficient to reduce either forest loss or held a regional workshop on “Forest Management degradation. Regulation has suffered from a lack Certification and the Design of Local Auditing of political will, accountability and resources, and Systems” in Phnom Penh in December 2001. The from weak monitoring and enforcement. Aid has workshop was organized together with the Asia achieved some successes, but these have rarely Pacific Association of Forestry Research persisted beyond the lifetime of a particular Institutions (APAFRI), Cambodia’s Department of program. In the meantime, public dissatisfaction Forestry and Wildlife (DFW), the German Agency (particularly in Europe and North America) with for Technical Cooperation (GTZ) and the World ineffectual government efforts has resulted in Bank’s Forest Concession Management and moves towards market-based voluntary Control Pilot Project (FCMCP). approaches, the chief of which is certification. The objectives of the workshop were to: Broadly speaking, certification is the procedure by C review and exchange information on which an independent third party gives written certification and auditing systems worldwide; assurance that a product or process conforms to C explore potential opportunities for specified requirements. This procedure may be certification in Indochina; linked with product labeling for market C examine the potential markets for certified communication purposes. In this form, and when products from Indochina; applied to the process of forest management, C review case studies and practical experiences certification gives consumers the means to in certification from other regions; discriminate in favor of products from well- C examine the practical and institutional needs managed forests. This approach has two purposes: of a national certification initiative; and 1) to improve forest management through market- C examine the methods available for developing based incentives; and 2) to improve market access a local audit system. and share for the products of such management. In all, 45 participants from Cambodia, China, Lao Although forest certification has existed for over PDR, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand attended a decade (originally as a program of one non- the workshop. Most were senior scientists actively governmental organization, but later under several engaged in researching or developing certification national and international initiatives), few systems in their countries, or high-ranking countries in Indochina have experience in its government officials who would be responsible application. The uptake and impact of certification for integrating certification into the management in the region have been limited by the many of national forests. uncertainties and unresolved issues that surround it (not least of which are its costs and benefits), The workshop was divided into two parts: a two- and the practical challenges of developing, testing day theoretical seminar, in which participants and implementing local certification systems. learned about the principles and practice of certification, backed up by experiences from

Forest News 13 China, Malaysia and Thailand; and a one-day but essential if national debates on practical exercise, in which participants carried out certification are to be properly informed and a mock certification assessment of a working balanced. A strong desire was expressed for forest operation at a 149,000 hectare forest follow-up workshops at the country level, or concession at Bac Sna in Kompong Thom a regional information network along the lines Province. The aim of this exercise was not to of existing FORSPA-supported networks. judge the quality of management as such, but to introduce participants to the tools and working C Developing a regional certification scheme. methods of an assessor, and to allow them to put Participants recognized that ultimately, the into practice some of the principles of assessment countries of Indochina would have to decide discussed during the first part of the workshop. whether to adopt certification, and if so, what The outcomes of both parts of the workshop will type of auditing system to implement. be detailed fully in the forthcoming proceedings Participants acknowledged the pre-eminence (to be published in early 2002). of international schemes such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), but drawing on At the conclusion of the workshop, participants Malaysia’s experience, suggested the need to were asked to suggest ways in which research and develop a home-grown scheme FAO/FORSPA might develop and extend its more suited to Indochinese political systems, support for certification and related standard- culture and environment. setting processes. The resulting suggestions covered four broad themes: C Market pragmatism. Enthusiasm for a regional certification scheme was tempered by C Implementing criteria and indicators for participants from Thailand and other countries sustainable forest management. Participants with practical experience of certification. stressed the need for further support to They stressed the importance of market develop, implement and monitor criteria and pragmatism (i.e. giving the market what it indicators of forest management. In general, it wants). Though an attractive idea, a regional was felt that criteria and indicator processes scheme could face high costs in promoting should continue to take precedence over itself unilaterally in a marketplace dominated certification and verification schemes, at least by one or two international schemes. until the cost and benefits of the latter were Significantly, both the Malaysian and better understood. Indonesian national initiatives have sought recognition from FSC, the current market C Information and learning about certification. leader. Any support for a regional scheme, Participants pointed out that certification is therefore, should be directed in part at developing quickly and accumulating a large harmonization and recognition by market- body of experience. Keeping track of this leading schemes. progress is difficult for developing countries,

“For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled.” – Richard Feynman

14 Forest News ASIA-PACIFIC FORESTRY CHIPS AND CLIPS

BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY IN agreements are reached. AUSTRALIA – UPI Science News –

The Australian government is spending NEW ZEALAND FOREST INDUSTRY A$500,000 on a program to encourage native WORRIES ABOUT KYOTO biodiversity in urban household gardens. The “Flora for Fauna” programme will promote the The New Zealand Forest Industries Council has establishment of backyard gardens that utilize expressed grave concerns over the implications of indigenous trees and plants to create attractive ratifying the Kyoto Protocol for the country’s habitats for native birds, insects and small reptiles plantation industry. The Council believes the and mammals. Protocol will increase costs to New Zealand – Environment News Service – plantation owners while subsidizing new competitors. New Zealand’s plantation forests are NEW AUSTRALIAN CONSERVATION the basis of the country’s US$1.5 billion forestry RESERVE export sector. – NZFIEA Offcuts – Australia has announced the creation of a new 2.7 million hectare conservation reserve in Western SUSTAINABLE RUBBERWOOD MANAGE- Australia. The State and Federal governments MENT IN THAILAND have spent A$5.7 million purchasing land in the Gascoyne-Murchison region to enable the The Office of the Rubber Replanting Aid Fund in establishment of the reserve. The conservation Thailand is to become FSC-certified. To date, reserve constitutes an integral part of a Gascoyne around 700 hectares of Thai rubberwood Murchison Rangelands Strategy aimed at plantations have FSC certification, but the country addressing the environmental, economic and has almost 2 million hectares of rubberwood social needs of the region. plantations and the Office anticipates all of these – Environment News Service – being certified during the next decade. – Bangkok Post – CAMBODIA SUSPENDS ALL LOGGING OPERATIONS CHINA’S LOGGING BAN IMPACTS RURAL LIVELIHOODS The Royal Government of Cambodia has ordered a suspension of all commercial logging, effective Nearly 1,000 wood processing factories and 38 1 January 2002. The suspensions came as a result timber markets and mills located near Chongqing of concessionaires’ failure to submit acceptable in the catchment area of the upper Yangtze River long-term forest management plans for their and the Three Gorges Reservoir have closed concessions by 1 September 2001, as had earlier because of reductions in the local log harvest since been agreed. The logging industry in Cambodia severe restrictions were placed on logging in the has been under heavy criticism during the past region. Log harvest in the region was 650,000 several years for destructive logging practices and cubic meters in 2000, down from 3.84 million failure to comply with Government regulations. cubic meters in 1997. The 17 concessions would reportedly be allowed – ITTO Tropical Timber Market Update – to resume operations once acceptable management plans are submitted and new concession SOLOMON ISLANDS RESTRUCTURES

Forest News 15 FORESTRY AGENCY million. The industry generated 12 billion yuan in 2000, up 15 percent from 1999. Furniture exports The Solomon Islands recently reorganized its were valued at US$3.6 billion in 2000, up from Ministry of Natural Resources, renaming it the US$2.7 billion the previous year. Ministry of Forests, Environment & Conservation. – ITTO Tropical Timber Market Update – The former Forestry Department has become the Forestry Division within the new ministry. Mr. SARAWAK PUSHES FOR SKILLED Gideon Bouro, who is also the Head of Research, FOREST WORKERS is now acting Commissioner of Forests. The Malaysian state of Sarawak announced late NEPAL EXPANDS LEASEHOLD last year that it will amend its Forest Ordinance to FORESTRY require timber licensees, contractors, and sub- contractors to employ only properly trained Buoyed by the success of pilot leasehold forestry workers in logging operations and reforestation programs (supported in part by IFAD and FAO) and forest management activities. The move is designed to directly benefit the poorest of Nepal’s aimed at reducing accidents in the logging rural population, the Government has decided to industry and enhancing forest management. extend the Leasehold Forestry Program to an – The Star Online – additional 16 districts. Under the pilot phases, the program operated in 10 districts, directly TRADE NOTES benefitting 11,500 poor families. The leasehold C Indonesia placed a ban on the export of forestry approach effectively targets families unprocessed logs and wood chips in October living below the poverty line an effort to enhance 2001. The ban will be reviewed in the next six food security and raise income levels. Degraded months to determine its impacts on forest and barren forest land is leased to small groups of management. poor families and support is provided for forestry C Malaysia abolished its export quotas on sawn and forage development. rubberwood in February 2002. The export – The Kathmandu Post – levy was also reduced to US$16 per cubic meter. PAKISTAN ASSESSES BAN ON FELLING C Japanese imports of North American logs TREES dropped to 3.9 million cubic meters in 2001, dipping to below 4 million cubic meters for In past years, Pakistan imposed a ban on the the first time since 1965. Imports of North felling of trees, but recently relaxed the ban to American logs were as high as 12 million encourage greater investment in forestry. The cubic meters as recently as 1989. Government is now assessing reports from C China imported 132,000 cubic meters of provinces on the effects of the relaxation and the radiata pine logs from New Zealand in Cabinet may decide to extend the lifting of the ban November 2001, for the first time topping the for a longer period. 100,000 mark for a single month. – Dawn - the internet connection – C Papua New Guinea reduced log export duties by 5 percent at the beginning of 2002; CHINA’S FURNITURE PRODUCTION plantation logs can now be exported duty free. BOOMS C Chinese import duties on plywood have been cut to 10 percent (from 15 percent) and from The last 10 years have seen a huge expansion of 8 percent to about 4 percent for veneer. Import the Chinese furniture industry. There are now duties on logs and sawnwood are zero. more than 50,000 furniture manufacturers in the – ITTO Tropical Timber Market Update – country, with a total work force of nearly 3

16 Forest News NEW RAP FORESTRY PUBLICATIONS

Auditing of Sustainable Forest Management A practical guide for developing local auditing systems based on ITTO’s criteria and indicators FORSPA Publication No. 26/2001

A new and significant development is taking place in forest management. The market place is beginning to exert influence on the way we manage forests. Buyers are beginning to look for a guarantee that their purchase is coming from a well-managed forest (e.g., it is certified by an independent verification process). At the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, nations agreed to a set of Forest Principles. As a result, there has been a plethora of initiatives to establish the specific principles for forest management, identify the criteria to assess the quality of management, and the indicators to assess the performance. Certification systems are now being promoted in many areas of the world.

Despite the many new initiatives, the extent of forests that has been certified as sustainably managed in the Asia-Pacific region remains systems. The biggest breakthrough in the work is insignificant, due to many factors. Firstly, very that it offers a weighting system for the various few institutions in the region have sufficient criteria and activities, thereby identifying the ones knowledge about certification procedures, what that accord the highest benefits in terms of are the opportunities and benefits, and how their sustainable practices, the ones that should receive management procedures will have to be upgraded maximum attention from forest managers and to achieve certification. Secondly, there is no auditors. It is a highly practical guide presenting expertise within most countries in the region to clear and simple auditing approaches. train their field staff in the procedures and auditing systems. Thirdly, there are few documents that For copies of the guide, contact: offer the means and methods to translate these criteria and indicators to the level of S. Appanah implementation, at the forest unit level. Nor do Senior Programme Adviser most forest managers know how to go about FORSPA auditing their own efforts. c/o FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific Phra Atit Road, Bangkok 10200, Thailand This FORSPA publication is an attempt to bridge Fax: 0-2697-4411 some of these gaps. The guide can assist national E-mail: [email protected] and/or regional institutes in developing local audit

Forest News 17 FAO ASIA-PACIFIC FORESTRY CALENDAR

19-21 March 2002. Manila, Philippines. Informal Workshop on Incentives for Forest Plantation Development. Contact: Thomas Enters, Forestry Sector Analysis Specialist, FAO/RAP, Maliwan Mansion, Phra Atit Road, Bangkok 10200, Thailand; Tel: (66-2) 697-4328; Fax: (66-2) 697-4445; E-mail: [email protected]

26-29 March 2002. Nanning, China. Workshop on Strategic Planning on Forestry. Contact: Darmo Suparmo, NFP Adviser (Asia-Pacific), FAO/RAP, Maliwan Mansion, Phra Atit Road, Bangkok 10200, Thailand; Tel: (66-2) 697-4142; Fax: (66-2) 697-4445; E-mail: [email protected]

April 2002 (tentative). Manila and Palawan, Philippines. Workshop and Study Tour on Assisted Natural Regeneration. Contact: Patrick Durst, Senior Forestry Officer, FAO/RAP, Maliwan Mansion, Phra Atit Road, Bangkok 10200, Thailand; Tel: (66-2) 697-4139; Fax: (66-2) 697-4445; E-mail: [email protected]

6-8 May 2002. Bogor and Jakarta, Indonesia. RILSIM$ Workshop. (Participation by invitation only.) Contact: Patrick Durst, Senior Forestry Officer, FAO/RAP, Maliwan Mansion, Phra Atit Road, Bangkok 10200, Thailand; Tel: (66-2) 697-4139; Fax: (66-2) 697-4445; E-mail: [email protected]

13-17 May 2002. Kathmandu, Nepal. FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific. Contact: T.C. Ti, Conference Secretary, FAO/RAP, Maliwan Mansion, Phra Atit Road, Bangkok 10200, Thailand; Tel: (66-2) 697-4195; Fax: (66-2) 697-4445; E-mail: [email protected]

10-13 June 2002. Rome, Italy. World Food Summit: five years later. More information is available at the following website: www.fao.org/worldfoodsummit/

26-30 August 2002. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. 19th Session of the Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission. Contact: Patrick Durst, Senior Forestry Officer, FAO/RAP, Maliwan Mansion, Phra Atit Road, Bangkok 10200, Thailand; Tel: (66-2) 697-4139; Fax: (66-2) 697-4445; E-mail: [email protected]

2-11 September 2002. Johannesburg, South Africa. World Summit on Sustainable Development (“Rio+10"). More information is available at the following website: www.johannesburgsummit.org

7-10 October 2002. Bringing Back the Forests: Policies and Practices for Degraded Lands and Forests. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Organized by APAFRI, FAO, FORSPA, FRIM and IUFRO. Contact: Mr. Alias Abd Jalil, APAFRI, Forest Research Institute Malaysia, Kepong, 52109, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Tel: 6003-62722516; Fax: 603-62773249; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: apafri.upm.edu.my

21-28 September 2003. XII World Forestry Congress. Québec City, Canada. Contact: Secretariat General, XII World Forestry Congress 2003, P.O. Box 7275, Québec City, Canada G1G 5E5; E-mail: sec- [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.

18 Forest News FORESTRY PUBLICATIONS: FAO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC (RAP)

Readers who are interested in obtaining any of the 16. Ecotourism for Forest Conservation and following publications can order up to three titles. Community Development (RAP Publication For copies, please write to: Forestry Section, FAO 1997/42 Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Maliwan 17. Leasing Degraded Forest Land: An Innovative Mansion, Phra Atit Road, Bangkok 10200, Way to Integrate Forest and Livestock Thailand Development in Nepal (RAP Publication 1998/4) 18. Carbon Dioxide Offset Investment in the 1. Leucaena Psyllid in the Asia Pacific Region: Asia-Pacific Forestry Sector: Opportunities and Implications for its Management in Africa Constraints (RAP Publication 1998/9) (RAPA Publication 1994/13) 19. Asia-Pacific Forestry Towards 2010 - Executive 2. Asia-Pacific Tropical Forestry: Ecological Summary: The Asia-Pacific Forestry Sector Disaster or Sustainable Growth? (RAPA Outlook Study (RAP Publication 1998/22) Publication 1994/18) 20. Asia-Pacific Forestry Towards 2010 - Report of 3. Workshop Report: Reform of the Forestry the Asia-Pacific Forestry Sector Outlook Study Sector: Towards a Market Orientation in China, 21. Regional Strategy for Implementing the Code of Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, and Vietnam (RAPA Practice for Forest Harvesting in Asia-Pacific Publication 1995/4) 22. Trees Commonly Cultivated in - 4. Beyond Timber: Social, Economic and Cultural An Illustrated Field Guide 2nd Edition. (RAP Dimensions of Non-Wood Forest Products in Publication 1999/13) Asia and the Pacific (RAP Publication 1995/13) 23. Decentralization and Devolution of Forest 5. A Guide to the Identification of Diseases and Management in Asia and the Pacific (RAP Pests of Neem (Azadirachta indica) (RAP Publication 2000/1 - RECOFTC Report No.18) Publication 1995/41) 24. Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission Fifty Years 6. Non-Wood Forest Products in Bhutan (RAP (RAP Publication 2000/2 Publication 1996/6) 25. Development of National-level Criteria and 7. Asia-Pacific Agroforestry Profiles: Second Indicators for the Sustainable Management of Edition (APAN Field Doc. No.4/RAP Dry Forests in Asia: Workshop Report (RAP Publication 1996/20) Publication 2000/07); Background Papers (RAP 8. The Khao Kho Story: Reclaiming the Barren Publication 2000/08) Hills of Thailand's Central Highlands (RAP 27. Report of the Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission Publication 1996/27) Eighteenth Session (RAP Publication 2000/11) 9. Reports Submitted to the Regional Expert 29. Forests Out of Bounds: Impacts and Consultation on Eucalyptus - Vol.II (RAP Effectiveness of Logging Bans in Natural Publication 1996/44) Forests in Asia-Pacific (RAP Publication 10. Forests and Forest Management in Mongolia 2001/08); Executive Summary (RAP Publication (RAP Publication 1997/4) 2001/10) 11. Non-wood Forest Products: Tropical Palms 30. Regional Training Strategy: Supporting the (RAP Publication 1997/10) Implementation of the Code of Practice for 12. Gone Astray: The Care and Management of the Forest Harvesting in Asia-Pacific (RAP Asian Elephant in Domesticity (RAP Publication Publication 2001/15) 1997/16) 28. Trash or Treasure? Logging and Mill Residues 13. Directory of Selected Tropical Forestry Journals in Asia and the Pacific (RAP Publication and Newsletters (2nd Edition) RAP Publication 2001/16) 1997/17 - FORSPA Publication No.19/1997. 31. Proceedings of the International Conference on 14. Forest Dependent Survival Strategies of Tribal Timber Plantation Development Women: Implications for Joint Forest 32. Information and Analysis for Trees Outside Management in , India (RAP Forests in India (Working Paper No.1. EC-FAO Publication 1997/24) Partnership Programme) 15. Labor-Intensive Harvesting of Tree Plantations in the Southern Philippines (RAP Publication Periodicals 1997/41) • Tigerpaper •