ISSN 1020-3435 Annon-woodnon-wood information bulletin on Non-Wood Forest Products JANUARY 2008 16

EDITORIAL

The editorial for this issue of Non-Wood News has been written by Maxim Lobovikov, Chief of the Forest Products Service.

Non-wood forest products play a vital part in the livelihoods of many millions of people worldwide and are becoming increasingly important as a result of population growth, logging restrictions and environmental and health concerns. It is a paradox, therefore, that NWFP information – especially statistics on NWFPs – is still scarce, scattered and insufficient. Better and more consistent data are CONTENTS urgently needed for NWFP policy research and development. Through Non-Wood News, FAO has been instrumental in highlighting the 3 Guest article many facets of the world of NWFPs – from their role in food security and % Forest apiculture traditional medicines for the poor, to their growing importance in the multimillion dollar pharmaceutical and cosmetic business. Since its first issue in 1993, Non- 5 Special Features Wood News has been collecting, systematizing and disseminating valuable % NWFPs in the Pacific Islands information and data from around the world. The bulletin consequently serves as • A new bamboo initiative in the Fiji an excellent source of information and research ideas. Since it has always covered Islands a broad range of products and issues, Non-Wood News has been able to monitor • Canarium indicum and C. harveyi successfully global NWFP development trends, putting the subject into a (canarium nut) historical perspective. • Domesticating traditional trees of This 16th issue highlights some of these historical aspects in a Special the Pacific Feature, “History of NWFPs”, with articles ranging from “The forgotten heritage” • Medicinal plant use in Fiji and “Old glory”, to others that demonstrate how NWFPs were useful and • Keeping tapa art alive important for people in ancient times, and are still so today (e.g. edible insects, • Overview of NWFP trade in Papua Morinda citrifolia). This traditional knowledge is an essential component of the New Guinea and its contribution to NWFP world and has been underlined not only in “History of NWFPs”, but also livelihoods in “NWFPs in the Pacific Islands” (the first Special Feature in this issue), where • Pandanus tectorius (pandanus) we have highlighted the many different traditional uses of the trees of the Pacific • Papua New Guinea Forestry Islands. Regulation and NWFPs Non-Wood News is distinctive not only for its broad coverage of products and • Sago palm (Metroxylon spp.) issues over a long period of time, but also for its readers and their willingness to • The crippling of the lucrative kava contribute to its success by sharing their knowledge of their NWFP world, as is export industry in the Pacific Island amply demonstrated in this issue. In addition, many authors have again countries generously permitted us to use extracts from their books. % History of NWFPs Finally, we bring news that will sadden the forestry community: the death in • The forgotten heritage September 2007 of Cherukat Chandrasekharan, the founder of Non-Wood News. • Ancient and traditional uses of noni Please see our obituary for him in this issue. (Morinda citrifolia) It is our intention to continue what Chandra started in 1993 – to bring to our • Old glory readers the multifaceted and fascinating world of NWFPs. We hope that you will • Entomofagia humana enjoy this volume and will continue to contribute to future issues. • The vegetable fibre industry in the Canary Islands NON-WOOD NEWS • History of NWFP use in Canada is compiled and coordinated by Tina Etherington, Forest Products Service of the FAO Forest Products and Industries Division. For this issue, editing support was provided by Regina Hansda; language editing by Roberta Mitchell, 17 News and Notes Josiane Bonomi and Deliana Fanego; design, graphics and desktop publishing by Claudia Tonini. % Amazon chic Non-Wood News is open to contributions by readers. Contributions are welcomed in English, French and % Spanish and may be edited to fit the appropriate size and focus of the bulletin. Bioprospecting/benefit-sharing or If you have any material that could be included in the next issue of Non-Wood News for the benefit of other biopiracy? readers, kindly send it, before before 15 April 2008, to: NON-WOOD NEWS – FOIP • Boreal forest may be home to new FAO, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00153 Rome, Italy medicines E-mail: [email protected] www.fao.org/forestry/nwfp/nonwood.htm FAO home page: www.fao.org All Internet links cited were checked on 2 December 2007. Articles express the views of their authors, not necessarily those of FAO. The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. SUBSCRIBING AND CONTRIBUTING TO NON-WOOD NEWS

Subscription to Non-Wood News is free of charge. Please send an e-mail to (non-wood- [email protected]) if you would like to receive a copy and be added to our mailing list. A strong characteristic of Non-Wood News is that it is open to contributions from readers. Should you have any interesting material on any aspect of NWFPs that could be of benefit to all our readers, please do not hesitate to submit it. Articles are welcomed in English, French and Spanish and should be between 200 and 500 words. The deadline for contributions for Non-Wood News 17 is 15 April 2008. For more information, please contact Tina Etherington at the address on the front page or by e-mail to [email protected]

• Africa must patent traditional • Bamboo-fibre goods to set new Tanzania, United States of America, medicines fashion trends Uzbekistan, Viet Nam, Zambia • Drug companies looting South • Grassroots support for raffia Africa’s bounty of medicinal plants growers in the United Republic of 62 Econook • Namibian Government to act Tanzania % Africa’s dry forests against plant pirates • Medicinal plants used in organic % Amazon rain forest at risk from % Can trees grow on Mars? clothing line initiative to connect South American % Certification des PFNL en Afrique • Promoting the use of the “bayong” economies Centrale in the Philippines % Coalition for Rainforest Nations % Chewing sticks • Stripped of a natural fibre % Environmental certification and its role % Dried flower making: a potential • Woven bamboo products and crafts in the economic growth of Amazonia cottage industry % Mining and deforestation % Home gardens 26 Products and Markets % Picking berries protects rain forests % Les PFNL alimentaires en Afrique % Açai, Acrocomia totai, Aquilaria, best, study shows Centrale Bamboo, Butterflies, Cork, Guaraná, % Putting a monetary value on % Mediterranean forests: regional Honey, Medicinal plants and herbs, biodiversity diversity sets the scene Moringa oleifera, Myrica gale, Nuts, % The 2010 Biodiversity Indicator % Moss plays important roles Silk, Spices, Truffles, Wildlife Partnership % Non-profit organizations and NGOs • Global Forestry Conclave and 41 Country Compass 65 International Action Sustainable Development, % Afghanistan, Armenia, Australia, % FAO, INBAR, indigenous issues Cameroon Bangladesh, Bhutan, Bolivia, Brazil, • Primary Environmental Care Bulgaria, Cambodia, Cameroon, 69 Recent Events Association, Uganda Canada, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, • Resource Centre for Development Egypt, Finland, India, Kenya, 71 Forthcoming Events Alternatives, Pakistan Lebanon, Liberia, Madagascar, • Trees for Life Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritanie, 73 Publications of Interest % Science for the poor Mexico, Morocco, Nicaragua, % The role of NWFPs in poverty Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, 78 Web Sites reduction Philippines, Republic of Korea, South % Weaving with NWFPs Africa, Uganda, United Republic of 79 Obituary – C. Chandrasekharan

Non-wood forest products (NWFPs) are goods of biological origin other than wood, derived from forests, other wooded land and trees outside forests. Non-timber forest products (NTFPs), another term frequently used to cover this vast array of animal and plant products, also includes small wood and fuelwood. However, these two terms are used synonymously throughout this bulletin. Other terms, such as “minor”, “secondary” or “speciality” forest products, are sometimes used to keep original names and/or titles.

NON-WOOD NEWS No. 16 January 2008 GUEST ARTICLE 3

%FOREST APICULTURE bees. The latter is the most common example, in October 2007 the World apicultural activity of Asian forests, where Conservation Union (IUCN) reported that some honey bee species nest in single our closest living relatives – the world’s combs in the open, since they cannot be apes, monkeys, lemurs and other kept inside a manufactured hive. In primates – face unprecedented threat general, people practising forest-based from the destruction of tropical forests, beekeeping or honey hunting may be wildlife trade and commercial bushmeat characterized as poor, usually living in hunting, with 29 percent of all species remote areas, poorly represented and now in danger of extinction. For the with few sources of cash income. protection of forest mammals, tourism, The main value (although it cannot be with all its associated costs, has so far quantified in financial terms) of bees for been the only way found to enable local forests is not the products of honey and people to gain financially from the beeswax, but rather a service – presence of rare mammals. pollination. Complex interdependency has Yet tropical forests are significant also evolved whereby flowering plants depend as the last strongholds for healthy Trees and bees. Their names sound well upon bees to bring about pollination and populations of bee races and species. For together, and so they should, for trees and thereby the production of viable seeds. these species, it is feasible for people to bees are interdependent and have been The bees in turn depend upon the plants create worthwhile income without harm to perfecting their relationship over the last for their food and habitat. A tree does not bee populations. There are good examples 50 million years, literally millions of years need bees simply for its own reproduction of this, such as the North West Bee before humans appeared on the scene. (although for many plant species bees are Products of Zambia, a cooperative owned When they did, early civilizations vital), but for maintenance and by more than 6 500 beekeepers who live in developed skills to harvest honey and regeneration of the whole system within the miombo woodlands of northwest beeswax from bees, and forest dwellers which the tree exists. The more species of Zambia and whose honey and beeswax are have continued harvesting from the stores fruits and seeds generated within a exported to the European Union. of different bee species found worldwide. system, the greater its diversity and the Beekeeping may be one of the best, All forest ecosystems contain richer its life-carrying capacity. Trees and wholly sustainable ways for local people indigenous species and races of bees, and bees represent harmonious symbiosis: it to create income from forests, and some now contain introduced honey bee is essential that this symbiosis be thereby to be concerned for their species such as the African honey bees protected and, even without the promise protection. Nevertheless, beekeepers are present in forests of South and Central of honey and beeswax we ought to be still sometimes banned from forests, America. Not all bee species can be taking steps to protect bee communities. losing their rights of access. Why is this? exploited by people for honey and wax, but For we are concerned about the future Where forests are being protected, it there is always one or more honey bee or of honey bees. In 2007, the media sometimes happens that beekeepers are stingless bee species that may be utilized. highlighted news that beekeepers banned from access, in the widely held The main products harvested from bees throughout the United States of America belief that “beekeepers start forest fires”. are honey and beeswax. Less commonly were experiencing a dramatic spate of But is this true? It may be that this belief harvested products include pollen and sudden honeybee colony losses. As often arises from the use of smoke to subdue propolis, while bee venom and royal jelly happens, this created media exaggeration bees during the honey harvest and, in are specialized products harvested only in ranging from “Bee AIDS” to the extinction some areas, beekeepers camp in the a few countries where industrialized, of human beings as a consequence of the forest at the time of the harvest. However, intensive beekeeping industries are loss of honey bees. The condition – now beekeepers know that trees are the established. The world beekeeping named Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) habitat and food source of their bees and, industry trades around 1.2 million tonnes has been familiar to beekeepers in Europe when interviewed, always insist that they of honey per annum, with about half of during the last ten years or so. No single this exported to the world market by cause has been identified; rather it is countries such as Argentina, China and believed that the collapse of colonies Mexico. This is a globalized industry, arises as a result of the various honey bee using just one type of honey bee pathogens that are now widely distributed (European races of Apis mellifera), (for example, the predatory mite Varroa together with standardized technology destructor) and the viruses they carry, that well suits this particular bee. combined with the stress caused to bees By contrast, beekeeping in forests is a by intensive, industrialized beekeeping. far more variable type of extensive activity. The bee stocks used by the global Depending on the species of bees utilized, beekeeping industry are by now infested beekeepers may have a large number of with a number of pathogens that are hives distributed throughout the forest or spread almost worldwide. they may practise honey hunting, i.e. the Tropical forests are valued as a habitat harvesting of honey from wild nests of for the remaining mammal species; for

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are forest guardians rather than frame hives were invented in 1851) and arsonists. Yet the myth remains that many well-meaning projects endeavour to TEN EXCELLENT REASONS FOR beekeepers start fires. Perhaps officials encourage forest beekeepers to transfer BEEKEEPING hold on to this rumour, for which they to “modern” equipment, erroneously have no evidence, for it is easier to pin expecting this to lead automatically to 1. Pollination. Bees pollinate flowering blame on beekeepers (who are often poor increased production and sales of honey. plants – this activity is vital for life on and remote), rather than admit to the We are interested in seeing more value earth. Adequate pollination leads to presence of poachers and other non- placed on existing, local and successful good-quality seeds and fruits, and is identifiable forest visitors. methods for forest beekeeping, with much essential for maintaining biodiversity. As a NWFP-generating activity, greater emphasis given to creating 2. Useful products. Honey is valued by all apiculture is different from others, linkages for marketing the products of societies as a healthy food or medicine. involving more than simple collection of this endeavour, and such that they are Beeswax is used in cosmetics and the product, since the beekeepers, by well differentiated from those of industrial candles and has many other uses. Pollen providing containers for bees to nest beekeeping. With the need to find ways for and propolis may also be harvested inside (hives), are involved to some extent people to create sustainable incomes from from bees. with ownership and management of the bees, we are interested in pursuing 3. Land use. Bees visit flowers anywhere, species to be harvested. Apiculture does research to find the true measures of the so wild cultivated and protected areas not fit easily into the sectoral divides of values of forest beekeeping for local all have value for beekeeping. rural development, spanning as it does communities and the best ways to enable Beekeeping does not use up land that forestry, horticulture, agriculture, them to realize this value. The importance could be used for crops. environment, animal husbandry and of the sustainable use of tree resources is 4. Low cost. Beekeeping can be very low entomology, without fitting precisely into now accepted but the tremendous scope cost. Hives and other equipment can be any single one of these sectors. Similar for the sustainable utilization of bee made locally and bees are freely problems confront the classification of resources is still poorly appreciated. available. Bees do not depend upon the bee products because honey is a food, Please do contact us if you have any beekeeper for food. whereas beeswax is listed among non- information to share. 5. Income generation. Where beekeepers food waxes and oils. Indeed, beekeepers (Contributed by: Dr Nicola Bradbear, have good market access, beekeeping themselves are in different times and Bees for Development, Troy, Monmouth easily generates a profit. places categorized as farmers, hunters NP25 4AB, United Kingdom. E-mail: 6. Sustainable. Beekeeping is non- and gatherers, cattle keepers, or rural [email protected]; extractive and sustainable. Beekeepers dwellers, with beekeeping remaining www.beesfordevelopment.org; Bees for are friends of the natural environment, hidden as an important skill and part of Development Trust UK Charity 1078803.) p willing to collaborate to conserve their lives. forests and vegetation where bees live Small-scale beekeeping can contribute and forage. significantly to livelihood security and yet 7. Benefits for several sectors. Where the practice of beekeeping is underplayed there are beekeeping activities, other in both policy and planning. The fact that people in the community generate beekeeping is usually a sideline activity income by making equipment, from (albeit one of several activities that add up selling bee products and making to a resilient livelihood), may be one secondary products. reason why it receives scant attention. 8. Comparative advantage. In areas of Another may be that in recent years many developing countries where there are beekeeping interventions have not abundant natural resources and healthy achieved the results anticipated. At Bees bee populations, there are good for Development, we believe that this is possibilities for marketing organic- because projects too often endeavour to certified honey. transfer the knowledge and technology 9. Resilient income. Beekeeping is resilient that form part of the global beekeeping when disasters happen. Displaced industry to forest-based beekeeping. For communities can make hives and gain example, while tropical African bees look benefit in a relatively short time. It is rather like European honey bees (and not necessary for beekeepers to own indeed are the same species), their land or to be settled permanently. biology and behaviour are very different. 10. Gender and age inclusive. Bees can be Equipment designed for beekeeping in Dr Nicola Bradbear is the founder and kept by women and men of all ages. temperate climates does not work well for Director of Bees for Development, a Bees do not need daily care and can be bees in tropical Africa and for people who United Kingdom charity formed in 1993. attended to as other work allows. have limited access to external resources. She is a world expert on apiculture, with Source: Bees for Development The equipment used in globalized extensive knowledge of bee operations in beekeeping is often referred to by the the forests of Africa, Asia, Central misnomer of “modern” (even though America and Europe.

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NWFPS IN THE PACIFIC brainchild of a local indigenous Governments of Fiji and Indonesia and the % ISLANDS entrepreneur. In 2000, this entrepreneur Land Resources Division of the Secretariat saw the potential of bamboo to contribute to of the Pacific Community (SPC LRD) are A new bamboo initiative in the Fiji Islands the improvement of livelihoods in Fiji’s rural providing limited funding and technical Bamboo, mainly Bambusa vulgaris, grows communities. He invested his own money support. The support includes two short- naturally in the Fiji Islands, especially in the and labour to start a small enterprise in his term expert trainers from Indonesia, who wetter parts. It has been used mainly for community in Vusuya, Nausori, located on have trained the youths in basic weaving rafts for transporting agricultural products the southeastern side of Viti Levu, the and furniture-making skills and in down river and for plaited bamboo walls for largest of the Fiji Islands. Vusuya is a designing. A total of 14 youths have so far houses. However, with improvements in road multiethnic community with a total been trained and, with these skills, the systems and the use of timber and cement population of approximately 300, of which enterprise is beginning to make furniture for houses, bamboo is now restricted to youths make up 60 percent. and woven products that are being minor uses. In 2003 the entrepreneur, at his own introduced on the domestic market. Nevertheless, with the need for Fiji’s rural expense, travelled to China to participate in But while some interest has been shown communities to enhance their livelihoods a bamboo training course and also built a by potential local buyers, it is apparent that through participation in income-generating small workshop with some basic tools to a great deal of effort is still needed to projects utilizing natural resources, attention start the enterprise. But this initial improve the quality of products and to is now focused on the possible contribution investment was insufficient for his operation reduce costs. In this regard, two of the of non-wood forest products, including to progress since the skills required to start youths from the enterprise are now in bamboo, to this endeavour. Bamboo is a manufacturing marketable products to Indonesia for a 12-month working logical candidate because of its relative provide him with the income he so assignment, again with the support of the abundance, accessibility, low cost, and the desperately craved were absent. His training Governments of Fiji and Indonesia and the fact that it is a very well known raw material in China was a good starting-point but it SPC LRD. The objective is to enhance their for numerous products traded was not enough. He also needed working skills further so as to be able to contribute internationally. capital to purchase materials and to pay positively to the enterprise’s performance at Various attempts were made by the people to assist him in his operations. a higher level, in terms of improving Government of Fiji in the past to try to Although Bitukau’s progress up to now productivity and the quality of its products. enhance the use of local bamboo for income has been slow and difficult, it is regarded as Eventually, the two youths will also train generation by rural communities, with the a potential model and, if it becomes others in Vusuya, thereby establishing a support of the Chinese Government and the successful, will be replicated in other rural critical mass of skilled people in the United Nations Development Programme communities of the Fiji Islands as well as in community. (UNDP). Initiatives entailed the introduction other Pacific Island countries where there is of Chinese bamboo weaving and furniture- a sufficient supply of bamboo. Raw materials making experts to teach selected youths Bamboo currently used by the enterprise is from bamboo-owning communities the mostly the naturally growing Bambusa necessary skills to be able to obtain products vulgaris, which belongs to communities with that could earn them an income. The main traditional ties to the entrepreneur. These objective was to build the capacity of these are being sourced at present without any youths so that they would be able to return to payment to the resource owners. This, their communities and establish their own however, will change once Bitukau bamboo income-generating operations. Yet, Enterprises breaks through the market and while some success was achieved in the area begins to earn income. Paying landowners of technology transfer, the project was for bamboo from their land will mean further regarded as a failure because none of the spreading of the benefits derived from the youths trained were able to start up their enterprise. own business after the project ended. A External support Bambusa vulgaris is known for its high number of factors, including, but not limited The bamboo business being pursued by starch content, making it highly susceptible to, issues relating to inadequate project Bitukau Enterprises is new for Fiji. This, to insect infestation, a problem that was design and the susceptibility of local bamboo together with the failure of the previous cited as one of the causes of failure of the to insect infestations, were identified as the bamboo project, means that obtaining previous bamboo project. The bamboo used reasons for the failure. finance for development of the enterprise by the enterprise is currently diptreated with This article is a brief description of a new has been extremely difficult, if not almost chemicals, which is both expensive and initiative in Fiji, Bitukau Enterprises, to revive impossible. Consequently, the entrepreneur unsafe under rural applications. In order to the use of local bamboo to make furniture has had to pursue alternative sources of avoid using these chemicals, more suitable and woven products for the enhanced support outside the traditional commercial species of bamboo, coupled with appropriate livelihoods of rural communities. ones. post-harvest techniques, are being In response to his request for assistance investigated. In 2000, an initiative by SPC Bitukau Enterprises and in view of the enormous potential of LRD supported the introduction from Bitukau Enterprises, unlike the previous bamboo to contribute to the enhancement of Australia of selected species of bamboo government-initiated bamboo project, is the the livelihoods of rural communities, the considered to be more suitable for

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construction, as well as for edible shoots. Canarium indicum and C. harveyi aimed at developing sustainable, improved These are now in a number of trial plots in (canarium nut) and integrated farming systems in Pacific the country and the challenge is to produce Canarium nut is one of Melanesia’s most nations. Studies are currently under way to the required planting materials from the useful multipurpose trees, providing food enhance domestication of some top-priority introduced species for planting by farmers. (nuts), timber and oil. The nuts constitute an species among these traditional trees, Some work needs to be initiated in order to important seasonal food and appear to have including cutnut (Barringtonia procera), determine the best post-harvest handling been important in the diet of New Guineans Tahitian chestnut (Inocarpus fagifer), practices to reduce the risks of insect for at least 6 000 years. Considerable canarium nut (Canarium indicum), and infestation on the bamboo products. selection by local peoples of individual trees sandalwood (Santalum spp.). with desired fruit characters has taken Domestication offers enormous Community participation place in the Solomon Islands and in opportunities to run “traditional trees” into Although Bitukau Enterprises is the result of Vanuatu. These selections have been made cash crops with traditional values. Typically, a private initiative, community support and on the basis of kernel size and taste, ease of a high degree of variation is found in traits participation have been vital to its progress opening, thin pericarp, oil content and, that can be captured in new cultivars to so far, both in the area of material supply (at rarely, taste of the flesh and productivity. enhance yield and a range of quality present sourced for free) and in the In the Solomon Islands, canarium nut is attributes. Once selected for superior production of bamboo items. Continuing considered by villagers to be the most market-oriented qualities, simple vegetative support from bamboo owners in this regard important fruit- or nut-producing species in propagation techniques can be used to will be extremely important for the survival five of six provinces surveyed, namely, mass-produce elite tree cultivars. of the enterprise at this critical stage. Makira, Malaita, Isabel, Choiseul and On the production side, the enterprise has Western. It is also considered to be one of sourced its workers from a number of the most important timber species, families in the community close to its providing cash income in Makira and Malaita TRADITIONAL TREES OF THE PACIFIC workshop. These workers are not being paid Provinces and, to a lesser extent, in but in return are being trained at no cost at Choiseul Province. Moreover, it is the major The geographically isolated islands of the the enterprise’s facilities. The idea is to train indigenous tree species that villagers plant, Pacific are homes to people who have the workers at the workshop and, at the tend or transplant in the Solomon Islands. used their trees for material survival, as completion of their training, they will go back Other traditional uses include the well as to provide the essential ecological to their families and from there they will production of wood for canoes and for functions of soil enrichment, erosion produce items to be ordered by the wooden articles such as bowls, collection of control, watershed stability, coastal enterprise. Under this arrangement, the a resin for light or for canoe caulk and in protection and wildlife habitat. enterprise undertakes training, marketing, traditional medicines, mainly involving These trees have become “traditional” quality control and overall coordination. It is preparations from the bark. Nowadays, by virtue of being intertwined with the hoped that benefits will be equitably shared within its natural range, canarium nut is culture and the day-to-day lives of among the various interest groups, including commonly cultivated for its edible nuts. The indigenous peoples, for whom they the suppliers of raw materials, producers of nuts are of considerable sustenance and provide edible fruits, nuts, leaves and oils bamboo items and the enterprise itself. commercial importance, including sale in and serve as sources of medicine, fibre, local markets, processing and export. fuel, gum, resin, aromatics, timber and Conclusion The kernels are an important seasonal wood for numerous valuable products of Bamboo has the potential to improve the food in Melanesia. They are nutritious and everyday importance. livelihoods of rural communities in the Fiji have a high protein content (8–14 percent). Islands. The partnership between a local They are consumed either fresh, roasted or entrepreneur, Bitukau Enterprises, the smoked and may be eaten as a snack or Governments of the Fiji Islands and incorporated into various cooked dishes. Domesticating traditional trees is best Indonesia, and the SPC LRD is working (Source: extracted from Traditional trees of implemented through partnerships between towards bringing this potential to reality. Pacific Islands, ed. Craig R. Elevitch, 2006.) scientists and local communities, a process However, a number of important lessons called participatory domestication. This are being learned in the process, which FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT process allows communities to adopt rapidly need to be considered seriously by anyone THE AUTHORS OF THIS CHAPTER: the new techniques, to be the beneficiaries wishing to venture into a similar line of Lex Thomson, Research Director, Pacific of their own efforts and, most important, to business. Australia Reforestation Company, 65 Reynard retain the rights to their traditional Bitukau Enterprises, despite its current Street, Coburg, Victoria 3058, Australia. knowledge. It also ensures that the interests shortcomings, is being looked at as a E-mail: [email protected]; of the people are foremost in the process. potential model for other rural communities and Barry Evans, SPRIG Marketing Specialist, This kind of initiative is easily implemented in the Fiji Islands as well as in other Pacific 30 Berry St, Sherwood, QLD 4075, Australia. using appropriate low-technology that is Island countries. (Contributed by: Sairusi E-mail: [email protected] readily learned. Bulai, Forests and Trees Programme, Land Early results from participatory Resources Division, Secretariat of the Domesticating traditional trees of the Pacific domestication programmes in Africa Pacific Community, Private Mail Bag, Suva, Information about traditionally important tree indicate that local participants have Fiji. E-mail: [email protected]) species of the Pacific is crucial for efforts improved livelihoods, higher incomes and

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more sustainable farming systems, as well as new opportunities for commercializing and adding value to the products from a THE ROUNDTABLE FOR NATURE new generation of cash crops. CONSERVATION Extrapolation from this success suggests that if new tree crops can be The Roundtable for Nature Conservation developed by communities throughout the is the largest cross-sectoral coalition of Pacific and integrated into their traditional donors, non-governmental organizations farming systems, there can be very (NGOs), regional organizations and significant benefits for Pacific islanders national governments working in nature and their islands. (Source: extracted from conservation in the Pacific. the foreword by Roger R.B. Leakey of Traditional trees of Pacific Islands, ed. the plants commonly used in Fiji by For more information, please visit: Craig R. Elevitch, 2006.) WAINIMATE (the Women’s Association for www.sprep.org/roundtable/ Natural Medicinal Therapy) to treat various Medicinal plant use in Fiji ailments, especially infections of different The following table provides information on natures.

Local name Scientific name General description of the plants Uses and method of application

1. Botebotekoro Ageratum Coarse herb up to 1 m tall. Flowers minute, whitish to pale Juice or sometimes leaves are directly applied conyzoides blue, borne in sunflower-like heads. Now growing widely to infected wounds. Also used for eye infections, in the South Pacific, originally brought as an ornamental diarrhoea, dysentery, hepatitis, intestinal worms, plant from the Americas filariasis, wounds and cuts, besides other ailments 2. Vulokaka Vitex Small tree up to 5 m tall. Flowers relatively small, Used for mouth infections, as antihelminthic and trifolia bilateral, purple. Fruit a small globose, 4-seeded capsule. in stomach pains Grows widely throughout the Pacific and tropical region as far as South Africa 3. Uci Euodia Shrub to small tree up to 6 m tall. Small, white fragrant Bark used for treating jaundice hortensis flowers. Fruit a 4-parted brown dehiscent follicle, with single seed in each segment. Native to New Guinea, now widely distributed in the South Pacific 4. Kaukamea Vernonia Up to 60 cm high, this herb is found throughout Southeast Juice from plant is used to treat cuts from rusty cinerea Asia. White to purple-tinged flowers, borne in small heads knives, fish poisoning, stingrays and stonefish 5. Tarawau Dracontomelon Large tree, up to 20 m tall. Flattish branches, pinnate leaves, Decoction of leaves is used for the treatment of vitiense small whitish flowers, tough edible yellow fruits venereal ulcers, boils in ear and earache. Liquid pressed from the bark is used to treat inflammation and filariasis 6. Wa bosucu Mikania Perennial scrambling or climbing vine. White, minute flower Used for insect bites and various skin irritations micrantha borne in densely packed heads resembling sunflower. Fruit a small achene with white bristles that aid in wind dispersal of seeds. Common weed of pastures, roadsides. Native to tropical America but widely distributed throughout South Pacific and tropical Asia 7. Mokosoi Cananga Tree up to 20 m tall. Flowers very fragrant with six large pale Has known antifungal, antibacterial, antipruritic, odorata green to yellowish petals. Cultivated or naturalized in forests, antiyeast and amoebicidal activity slopes, etc. Native to Indo-Malesia 8. Dawa Pometia Tree up to 20 m tall with buttressed trunk. Flowers minute, Known to have antiprotozoal and antimicrobial pinnata regular, 5-parted, whitish except for red stamens. Fruit red, activity. Used for diarrhoea, coughs, fever, mouth juicy, whitish pulp with single seed. Widely planted and infections naturalized throughout the South Pacific 9. Kalabucidamu Acalypha Shrub, 2–5 m tall with hairy branchlets. Found widely in the Used for a wide range of respiratory ailments. wilkesiana South Pacific The decoction of leaves is used to treat gastritis and lymphatoid swelling 10. Cevucevu Physalis Herb up to 1 m tall. Found commonly in the South Pacific Leaf juices are used as antipyretic and also angulata region. White flower; fruit a green to yellowish berry with applied on boils, ulcers and wounds. Juice also numerous small seeds used to facilitate childbirth

Source: Kishore, K., Rao, D., Lal, R., Aalbersberg, B. & Pryor, J. 2007, in press. Standardization of an antimicrobial assay for Pacific Island natural products. (The authors are from the Fiji School of Medicine and the University of the South Pacific.)

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most of her clients usually place their orders starch remains a staple food for many with her but, if they are not enough, she takes people and communities in PNG; it has MORE JOBS FROM PINE IN FIJI her wares to sell at the Suva flea market. found wide uses in many traditional foods Vakaola is a good example of how and products and strongly features in the The interim government has forecasted individuals without much of an education can country’s food security issues. It also that the pine industry will provide rely on skills such as making tapa as a means generates a great deal of money from the employment to rural communities. to financial independence. (Source: Fiji local domestic market. Interim Finance Minister Mahendra Times, 23 August 2007.) Regional trade remains an important Chaudhry said contract employment in aspect of NWFP economy in PNG. the industry was expected to increase by Overview of NWFP trade in Papua New Eaglewood is one of the most highly priced 70 percent. He said it would be possible Guinea and its contribution to livelihoods commodities in the Asia-Pacific Region and when the Fiji Pine Limited diversified into Effective NWFP policies, regulations and has been extensively traded. The current new ventures such as pine resin tapping management strategies are needed for the discovery of natural stands of eaglewood in operations. “This will create employment economic, nutritional and cultural well- PNG has led to the extension of that trade, opportunities for rural communities, in being of the people. The development of which has impacted the rural economy. particular rural women,” he said. workable regulatory frameworks to reduce Other NWFPs traded internationally are (Source: Fiji Times, 25 November 2007.) illegal and unregulated trade, while rattan, butterflies, sandalwood and maximizing the sustainable management orchids. potential of NWFPs, is urgently needed. The economic importance of NWFPs in Forest economics are not just about trees the livelihoods of forest-dwellers should Keeping tapa art alive and their products but also include both not be underestimated, with people Kesaia Vakaola is among the limited number flora and fauna and the entire collective historically depending entirely on them for of women in Fiji who are adept at making ecosystem itself, especially for the tourism food, shelter, clothes, medicine, etc. masi, the traditional Fijian cloth produced industry, but also for research. Industrial Eaglewood and sandalwood, however, have from the bark of the mulberry tree. She forestry has had terrible social and no recorded traditional use apart from their now teaches other women the skills at the environmental effects in many parts of present economic uses. Rural populations Veiqaravi ecumenical community training Papua New Guinea (PNG) and there is a currently use NWFPs as a means towards centre in New Town, Nasinu. real need for an alternative industry development and poverty alleviation. The consistent thudding of wood against focusing on NWFPs. In 1992 a total ban was imposed on wild wood is the only sound to emerge from this Rattan, sandalwood and eaglewood are orchids and the domestication of wild urban setting, as women concentrate on leading examples of internationally flowers is being encouraged by the their individual tapa pieces. Beating the marketed resources in PNG. There is an National Botanical Gardens in Port bark of the mulberry tree is probably the immediate need for management and Moresby and Lae Botanical Gardens. Wild most integral part of the whole tapa- policy guidelines to manage these NWFPs orchids and flowers are very important making process, which takes about three to sustainably so that the people can benefit income-generating opportunities for five days at best. The activities provided at economically. village communities; they are often sold in the centre are aimed at empowering NWFPs have an economic value for rural local markets and are grown to attract women through acquired skills while also people, which means that their other NWFPs, such as insects and giving them some spiritual guidance. development and improved trade will help butterflies, which in turn attract tourists. “I have been making good money from alleviate poverty in these areas. Socially, NWFPs play a crucial role in tapa, roughly about $130 a week from the Domestication of plant species that reducing social tensions within rural sales,” said Vakaola. She said that as a produce NWFPs should involve scientists households by providing cash incomes to small girl growing up in her village of and farmers so that improved silvicultural cover basic needs such as shelter, food, Korotolu, she picked up the skill from older methods developed by scientists will be clothes, school and medical fees and women. “I used to see my grandmother, used by local farmers. Both eaglewood and transportation. Nuts such as karuka from a mother and aunties beating (tapa) every sandalwood species are appropriate for Pandanus species and canarium and okari morning until the afternoon.” domestication and are currently being nuts can be of great social significance. Vakaola usually derives much of the tested at the Papua New Guinea Forest Most NWFPs are traded within the informal mulberry bark from the village of Viwa in Research Institute (PNGFRI), with positive sector where there is no proper Yasawa, where mulberries grow prominently. results, which will improve genetic documentation or recorded figures to The Veiqaravi training centre is encouraging selection, leading to incentives for market indicate the actual trading. trainees to plant their own mulberry trees in expansion. Eaglewood and sandalwood are two of their backyard or garden. This is considered a There are many NWFPs in PNG that are these emerging commercialized NWFPs in good investment because it is usually six traded at local, national, regional and/or PNG with poorly documented production months or more before the bark can been international levels. For instance, rattan and trade. However, such harvested, which is a relatively short time for and sago (among other forest products) commercialization and the regulations that a good cash crop, according to Vakaola. The have cultural significance, used as govern them have had major impacts (both trainees have also been taught how to boil the clothing, shelter and food sources. Sago is positive and negative) on the sustainability bark of the dogo or mangrove plant to make exploited for stem starch and is both a of production, as well as on the benefits the dye used to paint tapa. Vakaola said that subsistence and commercial product. Sago that accrue to stakeholders. One possible

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reason for this is that there have been no places the consumption of pandanus has In the Ha’apai Group, 80 percent of effective mechanisms to ensure decreased in recent decades as a result of women are involved in handicraft sustainable production, equitable trade and the availability of imported foods. For production, mainly using pandanus and to show clearly the possibility of a win-win example, it was formerly a major staple some paper mulberry (Broussonetia situation for traders, local producing food in Nauru. In Micronesia adults may papyrifera). Most traditional handicrafts communities and resource conservation. commonly consume 20 fresh keys made from pandanus are produced for This has rendered fair trade dialogue (phalanges) or about 1 kg of fruit per day. home use, as gifts, or are informally difficult. A win-win situation is one in which The fruit pulp is preserved in several exchanged for other products, including the sustainable supply of raw materials as different ways. A paste, which is compared other handicrafts. Because the well as better prices commensurate with with dates in taste, texture and appearance, commodities are locally produced, non- the efforts and end value of the products is made by boiling and baking the keys, perishable and can be processed a number are assured. followed by extracting, processing, and of ways, there is a wide range of A recent paper commissioned by FAO’s drying the pulp. Cultivars with large opportunities for producers and processors NWFP Programme under the Norway amounts of pulp are preferred and the taste to enter into the handicraft marketing Partnership Programme (NPP) “Forests for differs among cultivars. Fresh pandanus is chain at any stage. Sustainable Livelihoods” an important source of vitamin C. Pandanus is an important income- (FNOP/INT/004/NOR) analyses how trade- Preserved pandanus pulp mixed with generating plant in the Ha’apai Group, and related instruments have influenced the coconut cream makes a tasty, sweet food the islands are well known as producers of commercialization and livelihood item. Pandanus can also be made into flour all types of mats known as fakaha’apai and contributions of eaglewood and that is consumed in different ways, usually salusalu. sandalwood in PNG, and also suggests how prepared as a drink In Tonga, producers and sellers report positive impacts can be enhanced or In the atoll islands of the Central Pacific, that prices of pandanus products are negative impacts minimized.Sandalwood the fruits are often sold fresh in local relatively stable, indicating that supply is and eaglewood are important NWFPs in markets, and preserved food items are matching demand. (Source: extracted PNG, producing substantial amounts of occasionally sold. from: Traditional trees of Pacific Islands, money and having economic potential. ed. Craig R. Elevitch, 2006.) Consequently, if properly managed they could help to improve people’s living FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT standards. (Source: extracted from Pandanus leaves are used to weave THE LEAD AUTHOR OF THIS CHAPTER: National analysis of trade-related traditional floor mats in many Pacific Lex Thomson, Research Director, Pacific instruments influencing trade in countries, as well as in the construction Australia Reforestation Company, 65 Reynard sandalwood (Santalum macgregorii F. of traditional houses (thatch for walls Street, Coburg, Victoria 3058, Australia. Muell) and eaglewood (Acquilaria and and roofing). A roof made from E-mail: [email protected] Gyrinops ledermannii spp.): applications pandanus leaves is said to last about 15 and impacts on poverty alleviation and years, while one of coconut leaves may Papua New Guinea Forestry Regulation sustainable forest management in Papua last for only three years. and NWFPs New Guinea. Unpublished FAO case study, In Papua New Guinea (PNG), the forestry available only in pdf format at sector contributes significantly to the www.fao.org/forestry/site/ 40716/en) economy: in 2001, it contributed US$334 million to PNG’s gross domestic product Pandanus tectorius (pandanus) (GDP), which was about 76 percent of its total. Pandanus is one of the Pacific’s must Although the contribution is useful plants and is featured prominently in predominantly from the logging industry, Micronesian and Polynesian creation NWFPs do play some role in the local mythology, cosmogony, proverbs, riddles, economy, with 13 tonnes of sandalwood on songs, chants and sayings. average being exported each year. This is Pandanus (P. tectorius) is a large shrub evident in the Forestry Regulation 1998 or small tree of immense cultural, health (consolidated in subsequent amendments and economic importance in the Pacific, of 2001 and 2003), where mentions of second only to coconut on atolls. Different NWFPs include the following. parts of the pandanus plant are used to The main commercial products from Forest industry activities, i.e. any provide a myriad of end products pandanus are woven products, often of high commercial activities within Papua New throughout the Pacific Islands, especially value. Individual mats may be worth more Guinea directly connected with: on atolls. than US$500 in Tonga, Fiji and Hawai’i. In • harvesting or processing of timber or Pandanus fruits are a staple food in Tonga, mats made from thin strips of rattan; parts of Micronesia including the Marshall leaves with intricate designs (fala) are • buying unprocessed timber or rattan Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia important gifts and indicators of wealth. for processing or export; and Kiribati providing up to 50 percent of Simpler designs using wider strips (lotaha • selling or, on behalf of another person energy intake. They are also widely and papa) are used as everyday floor mats. or other persons, arranging or consumed in Tokelau and Tuvalu. In some Ta’ovala mats are worn around the waist. procuring the sale or purchase of

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timber or rattan (whether unprocessed durable leaf thatch. Several secondary or processed but not including uses have also been recorded, but these manufactured items made from timber are not comparable in economic LEAF THATCH or rattan materials), by a person where importance with the primary uses. M. sagu the timber or rattan harvest, is a staple food crop in the Sepik and Gulf Leaves are highly valued for thatch for processed, purchased, sold or provinces of lowland Papua New Guinea, roofs and house walls in many islands of arranged or procured to be purchased where most of the sago grows in wild the Pacific. In Pohnpei, roofs are called or sold, by that person in a calendar uncultivated stands. oahs, the Pohnpeian word for year exceeds i) 500 m3 in volume; or ii) Among the Asmat of Papua New Guinea, M. amicarum, as the leaves are used for in the case of sandalwood or rattan felling of the palm and harvesting of the thatch. The thatch is applied in layers, 20 000 kina in market value. sago starch are accompanied by ritual. In with each sheet tied to the rafters by Declaration of reserved trees. The house construction, sago leaves are used coconut sennit or vines. Walls may also Ministry in-charge of forestry may, by for roof thatch and wall siding, and the be constructed from the same thatch notice in the National Gazette, declare any wood is used for floorboards and rafters. In sheets. trees or members of any species or class the Solomon Islands, the thatch is known to In northern Vanuatu, where both of trees to be reserved trees. NWFPs such last five years or longer. M. warburgii and M. salomonense are as agarwood and sandalwood fall under The decaying trunks of the sago palm present, thatch from each species is used the reserved species. (Contributed by: are a source of sago palm beetle grubs for different constructions. M. warburgii Regina Hansda, Flat 101, Teak Block, (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus/ bilineatus), sheets are used for roofing, whereas Sushant Estate, Sector 52, Gurgaon- an excellent source of protein. M. salomonense sheets are used for wall 122002, Haryana-India. E-mail: siding. In Samoa, older informants [email protected]) indicated that the leaves of M. paulcoxii were not useful for thatch but that M. Sago palm (Metroxylon spp.) warburgii is considered to be a superior The various species of Metroxylon EDIBLE STARCH thatch. Younger Samoan informants did (Metroxylon amicarum, M. paulcoxii, M. not seem to be aware of the difference sagu, M. salomonense, M. vitiense and M. Metroxylon starch may be eaten as raw between species and appeared to warburgii) have important cultural values chunks of pith or as baked pieces of harvest the leaves indiscriminately. throughout many parts of the Pacific and pith. Whole logs have been baked and The leaflets (basic thatch materials) Southeast Asia. The two primary uses are taken as sea provisions on long canoe of M. amicarum and M. warburgii voyages. contain highly modified and enlarged Each of the species is currently or subhypodermal bundles of fibres. These was previously used as a source of explain the enduring quality of thatch edible starch, with the possible made from these species. As humans exception of M. vitiense. The most have selected these species, they have intensive use as a food source has been probably also selected for increased fibre in the western Solomon Islands and production and have selectively planted Bougainville. Throughout the rest of cultivated trees with better leaf the range of distribution, the starch qualities. was eaten as a famine food, although this is questionable in Fiji and in at least one culture in the eastern Solomon Islands. In other parts of the Pacific, M. warburgii Production and use of sago starch and M. amicarum are viewed as emergency Metroxylon sagu (sago) vary somewhat from location to food and are rarely or no longer eaten by location. The production of sago from people, although they are used for thatch M. paulcoxii and M. warburgii is and animal feed. Various parts of the plant probably a recently introduced concept are used for traditional medicines, toys and SAGO GRUBS in Samoa. No starch has been observed other miscellaneous items. (Source: from M. paulcoxii. Although starch extracted from Traditional trees of Pacific Papua New Guinea is known for its production from M. amicarum is Islands, ed. Craig R. Elevitch, 2006.) nutty flavoured sago grubs known, it is very rare since the trees (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus papuanus are much more highly valued for FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT or R. bilineatus), beetle larvae that thatch. At present, many cultures have THE LEAD AUTHOR OF THIS CHAPTER: inhabit dead sago palm trees and are virtually abandoned the production of Will McClatchey, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, honoured at annual festivals. sago starch, in favour of other starch Botany Department, St John 405, (http://nationalzoo.si.edu/publications/z crops such as sweet potato, taro, 3190 Maile Way, Honolulu, Hawai’i 96822, oogoer/2005/4/edibleinsects.cfm) cassava (manihot) or imported rice. United States of America. Tel.: 808-956-6704; fax: 808-956-3923; for the production of edible starch and www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/mcclatchey/

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The crippling of the lucrative kava export Agreement for promotion of small-scale Lessons learned. The story of kava industry in the Pacific Island countries enterprises among these nations) and illustrates the value of understanding History. Kava kava (Piper methysticum) is a PRO€INVEST (an EU-ACP partnership traditional uses of NWFPs; the significance member of the pepper family. Its roots have programme developed and undertaken by of considering safety issues in herbal been used for centuries in the Pacific Island the European Commission on behalf of the preparations; the need for introducing and countries (PICs), Vanuatu, Fiji, Samoa and ACP countries). enforcing quality standards and regulations Papua New Guinea, for the preparation of a The International Kava Executive Council to ensure that quality raw materials are ceremonial and social drink. In western (IKEC) consisting of members from both the used in the pharmaceutical, food and countries kava has been mostly sold as a PICs and the EU was constituted in cosmetic industry; and the role of third party dietary supplement and in pharmaceutical November 2003 in response to this trade mediation. preparations for patients suffering from disaster. The findings of the report were IKEC’s Web site (www.ikec.org) provides a anxiety, stress, nervousness and insomnia. deliberated in the International Kava comprehensive overview of this issue. Kava production. Kava is one of those Conference 2004 organized by IKEC in Fiji, (Contributed by: Regina Hansda, Flat 101, NWFPs cultivated on a large scale, but wild wherein participation from stakeholder Teak Block, Sushant Estate, Sector 52, sources continue to meet the market representatives, scientists, health Gurgaon-122002, Haryana, India. E-mail: demand. Most of the PICs grow it; however, authorities and academics from 16 [email protected]) the archipelago of Vanuatu, the islands of countries, including the Pacific ACP and EU Pentecost, Santo, Tanna, Epi, Ambae, Tongoa states, took place. The outcomes of this and Maewo are the primary kava-growing conference led to the drafting and adoption areas. In Vanuatu, kava production is less of a resolution in 2004, which included the VANUATU DEFENDS ITS FAMOUS than that of copra (coconut) and cocoa, but following. KAVA DRINK the cash value to small subsistence Vanuatu • The efficacy and safety of kava in the kava farmers is significant. treatment of conditions of nervous Vanuatu is battling to defend the Trade and export. During the late 1990s, anxiety, stress and restlessness were reputation of its national drink, a bitter kava was one of the top ten best-selling proved through more than 20 clinical peppery concoction called kava, which is herbs globally. A boom in 1998 witnessed a trials involving more than 10 000 famous for its medicinal, stress-relieving surge in sales to an estimated US$50 patients. Of 82 reported cases of liver properties. Since 2000, kava has been million. Only some 100 000 kg were shipped toxicity attributed to kava, only about banned by many European countries, to Europe during the whole of 1996, four could be substantiated, highlighting following claims that the herbal remedy compared with 50 000 kg of dried roots that the incidence rate is one case in 50 can cause severe liver damage. Now shipped every week from Fiji alone in 1998. million kava extract users. Australia has imposed tight new import In 1997, kava extract was sold for $100/kg by • Toxicity studies on kava suggest a restrictions because of concerns that it is processing companies to manufacturers, hypothesis that the causal factors to the being abused in some Aboriginal compared with $250–300/kg in 1998, a 300 reported cases may be related to the communities. percent rise in price. variety of kava utilized (many But in Vanuatu, kava drinking Trade ban in western countries. The indiscriminate kava varieties were remains an essential evening ritual, as growing kava export industry in the PICs exported and used in the tablet industry, the roots of the Piper methysticum received a devastating setback in 2002 when including even wild or false kava, since plant are washed, chopped, mashed countries in the European Union, led by people were quick to exploit the high (ideally with a stick of dry coral) and Germany, imposed bans on kava products, prices in the absence of any kind of strained into coconut cups. Many withdrawing licences for all products quality control both between Pacific people on these remote islands believe containing kava and/or kava’s active countries and export to Europe and the that kava has been unjustly ingredient (kavalactone). This was mainly United States), and also possibly the demonized. They claim that the herb – because of the alleged links between kava extraction method used. once widely available globally in pill extract and liver damage. Other countries • The World Health Organization (WHO) form as a natural treatment for stress such as the United Kingdom, the United was asked to work on kava safety and anxiety, and known as kava kava – States of America, Canada, Australia, New evaluations. was encroaching on the turf of Zealand and Singapore also imposed a ban Current status. WHO, in association with the international pharmaceutical on the import and use of kava extract. Natural Standard Research Collaboration companies. Now Vanuatu’s case has Post-ban impacts and initiatives. As a result carried out an assessment of the risk of been strengthened by a new report of the ban, livelihoods of thousands of hepatotoxicity with kava products. This from WHO that appears to rule out a households across the PICs were impacted. provides safety and regulatory information, link between kava and liver damage. Phytopharm, the Germany-based consulting analytical results and clinical Despite the new restrictions imposed firm on botanical research carried out an in- recommendations, as well as conclusions by Australia, kava traders in the Pacific depth investigation into European Union and recommendations by the Committee are now hoping to revive their export member states’ market restrictions on kava appointed to handle the inquiry. Recent industry, which has been badly damaged products at the behest of the Centre for the news briefings suggest a possible review of by these bans. (Source: BBC News Development of Enterprise (an ACP [Africa, the kava import ban by the countries [United Kingdom], 18 July 2007.) Caribbean and Pacific]/EU joint institution concerned as a result of the outcomes of the created in the framework of the Cotonou WHO report.

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% HISTORY OF NWFPS forest-related knowledge between generations. Thus, the demand for traditional The forgotten heritage products has decreased and former well- There is growing awareness on the part of known techniques and uses are only partly international forest science and policy as recognized and have largely fallen into regards the significance and relevance of oblivion. local and indigenous knowledge about The gap between orally transferred forest- forests and traditional possibilities of related knowledge and forest science can be utilization, as well as the need to take bridged to a certain extent by forestry-related account of this knowledge in the literature dating back to the development of political strategies that aim eighteenth/nineteenth century. Although at sustainable forest management. The most of the authors (forest scientists and protection, documentation and utilization of foresters) focused primarily on the forest-related, tradition-based knowledge production of highly valuable timber, they are the focus of numerous political were aware that their scientific knowledge discussions held within national, regional was based on traditional knowledge. This is and international organizations and fora. the reason why they collected and published Buchhandlung München). However, a Countries in the European region and oral information about the various uses of considerable number of contemporary – elsewhere have in recent years increased trees and their different parts, such as bark, mainly German - forest scientists have their attention towards the cultural heritage sap, leaves, blossoms and seeds. These acknowledged the traditional multiple uses values in forests (e.g. Vienna Declaration and books are of great importance for today’s of woodlands. Vienna Resolution 2003 adopted at the society because they provide information Reber addresses the multiple products Fourth Ministerial Conference on the about different products and the recipes and deriving from specific tree species and Protection of Forests in Europe). skills necessary to produce and use them. describes in detail not only the technical uses Over thousands of years a diversity of Thus attention can be drawn to the fact that, of wood but also the multiple uses of leaves, forest management practices has shaped in addition to wood, a wide variety of products bark, sap, fruits and seeds. Thus different European landscapes, affecting density, can be derived from forest trees, with many parts of the trees can be used for different structure and species composition of forests traditional processing techniques known in purposes such as bark for tanning, dyeing, and woodlands, according to technical practice only in rare cases and that have medicine, bast for weaving and ropes, or sap knowledge, environmental conditions and fallen into oblivion to a great extent. for the production of turpentine, resin, pitch, the role played by forests in time and space. The example of juniper may illustrate the tar, soot, oil sugar, wine, brandy, vinegar and Traditional knowledge has greatly importance of specific tree species for daily medicine. The leaves of various trees can contributed, providing multiple goods and life and how they are used by local people. serve as food for human beings as well as for services, food, raw material, energy sources, The wood of this species can be used for the fodder (green or dried) for cattle, goats and livelihood security and quality of life and manufacture of cups, plates, fuelwood and sheep and as fertilizer, but can also be used developing management practices that have medicine. The roots, particularly from male for tanning and dyeing. Multiple uses of fruits increased the biodiversity and quality of shrubs, and the wood and berries produce a are also mentioned, such as food for human woodlands. Over the last decades the retreat pleasant smoke. Roots can also serve as a beings (green, dried, cooked), for fodder for of agriculture, socio-economic development, medicine against fever and other diseases. husbandry and game, for tanning and dyeing, market changes, the replacement of Resin can be collected from the bark and for beverages (syrup, coffee, brandy) and for renewable raw materials and modern used also as incense; needles might be used medicine and oil. Just in the making of oil, forestry have deeply changed the relationship for smoking. The fruits can be the basis for more than 13 different raw materials are between society and forest resources, the production of local brandy, medicine mentioned as the basis for production (such interrupting the transmission of traditional against various diseases and for oil. In these as seeds from beech, hazel, lime tree, horse publications traditional knowledge is chestnut, alder, spruce, fir, pine, larch; preserved, which has been handed down leaves from alder; buds from poplar and orally from generation to generation, that horse chestnut; and blossoms from roses otherwise would have been lost. For a long and birch). Reber also pays attention to the time, some of these products have been importance and uses of diverse plants, referred to – in a mostly discrediting manner herbs, grasses, mosses and lichens growing – as “by-products”, e.g. tree saps, which are in the woodland. Other particular products of interest in pharmacy and food technology are perfumes deriving from juniper or in the chemical industry even today. (produced from wood, roots, berries and One of the most interesting authors of that needles), larch (blossoms, needles), rose time is Peter Reber, who described in a very (leaves, blossoms), willow (blossoms) and comprehensive way the common uses of spruce (bark). Different parts of trees are forest trees, shrubs and herbs at the also highly valued because of their healing beginning of the nineteenth century (Reber, effect against diseases (mainly against fever) P. 1831. Handbuch des Waldbaues und der such as berries, fruits, leaves, branches, Waldbenutzung. Jos. Lindauer’sche bark, seeds and wood (i.e. juniper and birch).

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Active substances for pharmaceutical ancient indigenous societies. In fact, and cosmetic products are still being ancient societies turned to noni and other TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE obtained from forest trees but, apart from plants for many of their needs, ranging well-established usages, new fields of use from the mundane to the life-sustaining Traditional knowledge is a combination and products can also be created. Wood and spiritual. of ancient indigenous practices and composites hold a huge, in many respects Proof of noni’s status as a critically techniques, locally adapted and still unused, potential; for example, they important plant can be found in the stories distinctive in a territory or community. It can provide the basis for packaging of ancient Polynesians, who considered it to is passed on through generations, materials, foils, paints and many more. At be important enough to take it intentionally packaged in folk songs, stories, dances, present, forest management systems to new lands in the Pacific and plant it near poetry, carvings and paintings. This based on traditional forest-related their settlements. knowledge has greatly contributed, and knowledge and often small-scale Many of the following ancient and still does, to the world’s natural and enterprises are not sufficiently recognized traditional uses of noni are still in use cultural heritage by sustaining the by researchers, managers and policy- among indigenous peoples throughout the production of multiple goods and makers. However, the experience of the tropics. services that enhance livelihood security past half century reveals a variety of Fire. Fire is one the most basic and and quality of life. Traditional relationships between science and universal human needs. Tropical societies knowledge, cultural values and historical traditional knowledge, in which the general used noni wood as fuelwood for cooking perspective have gained an increasingly trend has been from disapproval towards fires. important role in shaping policies appreciation. (Contributed by: Prof. Tools. The ability to make tools from towards achieving the Millennium Elisabeth Johann, Oberdorfl 9, St materials in the environment enabled many Development Goals (MDGs) of alleviating Margareten 9173, Austria. E-mail: ancient societies to flourish. Every society poverty and ensuring economic, social [email protected]) can use convenient and renewable sources and environmental sustainability. of high-quality woods to make tools and to Traditional knowledge has been used construct buildings. Noni wood was used to for managing the utilization of many make canoe paddles, digging implements natural resources, such as water, soil and and other hand tools. It was also used in forests, and for organizing rural and fashioning weapons such as axe handles. urban communities. Traditional Forest- First aid. Preventing sickness and loss of Related Knowledge (TFRK) has long been life helps to keep a society strong. Noni known to have important implications leaves and fruits were used as immediate for forest management and conservation first aid treatments for cuts, bruises, burns of forest biodiversity, as well as for and broken bones. Noni served a dual role identification of valuable genetic of helping to promote healing and to relieve resources. pain. The political commitments on Curative or advanced medicine. Societies increasing awareness of the role of TFRK Morinda citrifolia all over the world have a long-established and practices in the protection of healing tradition of using noni as one of landscapes and conservation of Ancient and traditional uses of noni their most important medicinal plants. The biological diversity were reaffirmed by (Morinda citrifolia) specific medical uses of the plant, what many of the member states of the Noni has probably been used by humans plant parts are used, and how they are used United Nations Forum on Forests. During for at least 5 000 years and perhaps much vary among tropical societies. The its Sixth Session in 2006, countries longer. It belongs to a large plant group importance of the plant also varies among agreed to four Global Objectives on (genus) called Morinda. societies. Nevertheless, the plant is so Forests aimed at enhancing sustainable Morinda species comprise a useful and widely used for medicine that this may be forest management (SFM) and the widely distributed group of tropical trees, considered its most important function. As contributions of forests to the shrubs and vines. There are about 80 a medicine, healers often mixed noni with achievements of the MDGs. The species, most originating from Borneo, other herbs. Healers commonly combined increasing emphasis on SFM, which New Guinea, northern Australia and New herbs in specific amounts and mixtures to includes ecological, social, cultural, Caledonia. At least 20 species have effect more complete cures of complex spiritual and economic sustainability, has significant economic and traditional value problems. Herbal treatments together with prompted increasing emphasis on as a source of medicine, food, dyes or spiritual healing or god supplication considering all relevant knowledge wood. Several species, including noni, have activities were probably more common about forest ecosystems and the impact buoyant seeds that can float in saltwater than using herbs such as noni alone. of forest management options in the for months and still remain viable upon Clothing/fabrics. Fabrics are essential to development of forest policies and landing on a remote coast. societies for clothing and other purposes. operational practices. (Source: APAFRI These Morinda species became Virtually all societies dye their fabrics in Brief, 19 June 2007.) essential components of many tropical some way. Very important red and yellow coastal and forest ecosystems, as well as dyes for tapa cloth were made from noni by serving important functions in a number of many indigenous societies.

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Fodder. Most societies utilize animals for forest ecosystem management) began with food, transportation or work. Noni fruits the opening of colonies. Wood was used for and leaves are a good supplement for the various purposes such as ship building, diet of ruminating animals. packaging commercial products (e.g. tea Human food. Island or seafaring societies chests), mining, infrastructure in the tropics are faced with destructive development, the establishment of wood- hurricanes and tidal waves. These based industries and urbanization. calamitous events can destroy most of the The trend started in the 1700s still plant life near or on the coastline. Famine continues. Increase in population, income often follows such events and until the levels and standards of living have resulted vegetation can recover, people need in an ever-increasing demand for wood. something to eat. Noni fruit and leaves Extensive areas of forest lands have been filled this role as a “famine food” plant. cleared for agriculture, horticulture and They were not particularly delicious or other uses since population growth has led nutritious but could sustain life. (Source: to an explosion in need for food, water, Atropa belladonna extracted from Nelson, S.C. & Elevitch, C.R. clothing, education, waste disposal, health 2006. Noni: the complete guide for traditional Chinese medicines use some care and employment. The two world wars consumers and growers. Holualoa, 5 000 species. also impacted on forests. Inadequate Hawa’ii, Permanent Agriculture Resources. NWFPs were probably the earliest protection and management, frequent www.nonithecompleteguide.com). traded goods. In 1992, a team of amateur forest fires, heavy overgrazing, shifting archaeologists discovered the Atlantis of cultivation, wasteful harvesting, excessive Old glory the sands, the lost city of Ubar – the fuelwood collection, misuse of rights and For millennia, people have thrived on fabulous city in the sunken Arabian desert, privileges and illegal activities exacerbated products harvested from forests and for which was linked to the trade of the situation. Spiralling deforestation has most of recorded history people have frankincense, obtained from the sap of the become a worldwide phenomenon, valued the forest not so much for wood but trees (Boswellia and Commiphora species) especially affecting the developing for other products. Ancient writings from growing in the Dhufar mountains of Oman, countries. China, Egypt and India record a wide which was traded on far-reaching routes The assault on forests in the past was variety of products derived from forest from Rome to China. made easier because of the flora and fauna. NWFPs have been traded over long undervaluation of forest benefits. Most The early humans in their nomadic distances for many centuries, while wood valuations are based on the monetary phase of existence lived as hunters and products have only become major values of marketed or marketable forest gatherers, living in caves and makeshift international commodities comparatively products and services and this omits the shelters. Domestication of plants and recently. The ancient Egyptians, for real value of unpriced goods and services. animals started with the beginning of example, imported gum arabic from the NWFPs mostly fall in this category. Yet settled agriculture. Systems of agriculture Sudan and used it for the preparation of these goods and services make up the and medicine developed in different parts colours for painting and for mummifying. It greater part of the socio-economic values of the world, independent of each other. was such an important article of commerce of forests. Their omission automatically Some 3 000 years BC, the Chinese in the fourteenth century that it had a tax leads to gross undervaluation. emperor Shen Nung wrote down what is imposed on it. Other traded products A recent study indicated that, in India, believed to be the earliest recorded use of included natural cosmetics, dyes, spices against the estimated contribution of forest plants as medicine. He noted that and food additives. Belladonna (Atropa benefits valued at US$43.8 billion, the chalmugra oil, an extract from the fruit of belladonna) was used by Italian women to officially accounted contribution of forestry Hydnocarpus spp. was an efficient brighten their eyes. A drop of the plant to national income in 1993 was only an treatment against leprosy. The ancient extract widens the pupil and the Italians equivalent of $2.9 billion, representing 1.2 classical Ayurvedic texts Charaka Samhita, named it belladonna (beautiful woman). percent of the GNP of India. Most of those Susruth Samhita and Ashtanga Hrdaya Today it is used in medicine. For example, missing in the official figures were related Samhita mention a large number of one of its active substances, atropine, is to forest grazing, green fodder, medicinal medicinal plants for curing different used in tablet and injection forms to plants, forest foods, non-wood ailments. Hippocrates, the father of stimulate the nervous system. construction materials (e.g. thatch grass modern medicine, wrote the book Materia The geopolitics of today have been and bamboo) and some other NWFPs, medica, which discusses some 400 influenced by the past trade in NWFPs – of amounting to a value of about $28 billion. medicinal formulae using herbs such as spices, cosmetics, food preservatives and All along, the timber orientation of the mint, sage, rosemary and verbena as well silks. The influence of trade in NWFPs forestry profession and the bias of as opium. continued up to the industrial revolution in planners in favour of large-scale It is estimated that 35 000 to 70 000 the west, when the economy of scale slowly enterprises have left NWFPs at a plant species have at one time or other eased out the small-scale production of disadvantage. Production, at best, was been used in various cultures for NWFPs. considered incidental or subsidiary. This medicinal purposes. Indian traditional The pre-eminence of wood (together has resulted in NWFPs being left out of medicines are known to use 7 000 species; with woodland management as against management prescriptions and preference

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given to comparatively easier timber alto precio estaban reservadas para la alta The vegetable fibre industry in the Canary management. sociedad. Islands Except for management operations of En Europa casi desapareció la Knowledge about the vegetable fibre some commercially important NWFPs, costumbre de comer insectos en épocas industry in the Canary Islands comes from such as bamboo, rattan, pine resin, beedi posteriores al imperio romano. Aunque un three main sources of information: leaves, kutch and katha and sandalwood 80 por ciento de la población mundial come archaeology, ethnography and oil, others were lumped together as minor insectos habitualmente (y no sólo por ethnohistory. Thanks to archaeology, an products and collection rights were necesidad, sino también por placer), en important part of our prehistoric past can auctioned off for lump-sum consideration. Europa, Estados Unidos, Canadá y otros be reconstructed. Because of the particular Apart from this, there were some isolated países occidentales, la mayor parte de la climatic conditions of the Canary and disjointed activities on non-wood población sigue siendo reacia a practicar la archipelago, many objects made of species introduction and domestication entomofagia. vegetable fibres have survived up to today. (e.g. Pyrethrum). There have also been México es actualmente el mayor centro The world of nature that surrounded the systematic studies on several NWFP de entomofagia mundial. En ningún país aborigines supplied them with the prime species, without commercial objectives. del mundo se consume una variedad tan materials for their industry. Developments (Source: extracted from a key note address asombrosa de insectos, muchos de ellos in the use of rush, palm and bulrush were a delivered by C. Chandrasekharan at the con una gran tradición histórica. En México result of the abundance of prime materials, National Seminar on Sustainable se comen los saltamontes (conocidos allí the needs of the aborigines and the Management of Non-Timber Forest como chapulines), los gusanos rojo y technical knowledge they possessed. Products of Western and Eastern Ghats blanco (larvas de lepidópteros) que viven en Rush (Holoschoenus vulgaris Link) is a held in Thiruvananthapuram on 25 May el ágave o maguey, las larvas de hormigas Cyperacea plant that grows abundantly in 2000.) o escamoles, hormigas odre, larvas de marshy areas, on the banks of ponds and abejas y avispas y muchísimos otros streams. It can be used to bind mats, ropes, Entomofagia humana insectos. El total de especies consumidas chairs, and so on. The natives used this La entomofagia es el consumo de insectos en México excede las 250, pero lo más fibre in the elaboration of their clothing, to como alimento. Los orígenes de la extraordinario no es el número de especies distinguish those of different social status entomofagia humana son muy antiguos. Es sino el gran porcentaje de la población que and those of authority. Archaeological finds prácticamente seguro que todos los habitualmente consume insectos y la are proof of its use in the aborigines’ world antecesores en la evolución de nuestra diversidad y riqueza del recetario, ya que la with the existence of mats employed in especie consumían, en mayor o menor gastronomía mexicana se ha enriquecido shrouds for the dead, clothing and different medida, insectos. notablemente con el mestizaje entre las cords. Desde tiempos prehistóricos tenemos cocinas española e indígena. (Fuente: The bulrush is a similar plant to the rush. referencias del consumo de insectos en la Entomofagia. Alimentación con insectos Archaeological finds offer evidence that it alimentación humana. En la Cueva de La por Juan Lizama. Ediciones El Nibelungo.) was used to a lesser degree than the rush. Araña en Bicorp (Valencia), que es una de The date palm (Phoenix canariensis) is a las más antiguas, se representa la PARA MÁS INFORMACIÓN, DIRIGIRSE A: species exclusive to the Canary Islands. recolección de la miel (y probablemente Juan Carlos Lizama Velasco, Dirección General Palm trees frequently grew on the lower también de larvas de abeja, ya que se de Agricultura, Oficina Española de Variedades slopes and coastal plains of the larger extraían los panales completos). Estas Vegetales, Ministerio de Agricultura, islands of the archipelago. At one time pinturas rupestres tienen unos 8 000 años Pesca y Alimentación, Alfonso XII 62, extensive palm groves covered the beds de antigüedad, sin embargo actualmente 2º planta, 28104 Madrid, España. and sides of the barrancos (ravines). algunas tribus africanas extraen la miel (y Correo electrónico: [email protected] The island of Grand Canary had an consumen las larvas) de forma parecida. important vegetable fibre industry. The De la cultura asiria, una de las más basic materials were rush, bulrush and importantes del mundo antiguo, tenemos palm. These three elements are those used el testimonio del aprovechamiento de un by Don Juan Ramírez Pérez, who is abundante recurso natural – los considered the only artisan making cloth saltamontes y, eventualmente, las plagas and objects of vegetable fibre following the de langosta – como alimento. En un relieve techniques used by the native Canary del muro de un palacio de Ninive (actual islanders. (Source: El Pajar, II Época, No. Iraq) del año 700 a. C. se representa a dos 22, August 2006.) esclavos que llevan a un banquete numerosos saltamontes ensartados. FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Los antiguos griegos y romanos comían Rafael C. Gómez León, Asociación “Pinolere. insectos habitualmente y existen Proyecto Cultural”, Revista “El PAJAR. numerosos testimonios históricos de esta Cuaderno de Etnografía Canaria”. costumbre. En la antigua Grecia los Urbanización Viña Los Frailes. Calle Aceviño, 28, saltamontes o langostas eran 38300 La Orotava. Tenerife. Islas Canarias. considerados un manjar para las clases E-mail: [email protected] or populares, las cigarras, en cambio, por su [email protected]; www.pinolere.org

NON-WOOD NEWS No. 16 January 2008 16 SPECIAL FEATURES

the second in a series of research forests established by the Canadian Government NWFP EXPLOITATION: LATEX FROM and “serves as a living laboratory for the THE CONGO UNDER KING LEOPOLD Atlantic Forestry Centre”. OF BELGIUM’S RULE IN THE ARF has been a leader in the research NINETEENTH CENTURY and development of NTFPs, for example in its early work in Christmas tree culture and Native communities in the Domaine management and the recent cultivation privé (almost two-thirds of the Congo experiments of ground hemlock Taxus that was the exclusive private property Canadensis Marsh. (Source: Harvest of the state, in turn the exclusive beneath the trees: botanical non-timber private property of King Leopold) were forest products by Deannie Sullivan- not merely forbidden by law to sell Fraser.) items to anyone but the state: they were required to provide state officials FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: with set quotas of rubber and ivory at Deannie S. Fraser, 61 B Hazelhurst St, a fixed, government-mandated price. Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada B2Y 3N1. The rubber came from wild vines in E-mail: [email protected] p the jungle, unlike the rubber from Brazil that was tapped from trees. To extract the rubber, instead of tapping the vines, the natives would slash them and lather their bodies with the rubber The federal governmental forest agency latex. When the latex hardened, it – The Canadian Forest Service (CFS) – was would be scraped off the skin in a founded in 1899. The CFS has long been painful manner, as it took off the engaged in studying and demonstrating natives’ hair with it. sustainable forest management practices. This killing of the vines made it even In 1933, the CFS established the Acadia harder to locate sources of rubber as Research Forest (ARF), near Fredericton, time went on, but the government was New Brunswick. This 9 000 ha forest was relentless in raising the quotas. (Source: Answers.com; Congo Free State history of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Early history, migration and states (to 1867); SHARING KNOWLEDGE www.answers.com/topic/congo-free- state-1) First Nation people often shared their knowledge of useful plants with the pioneers. The explorer Jacques Cartier had both his ships ice bound in the History of NWFP use in Canada winter of 1635–36 at Stadacona, near In North America, the relationship between the present Quebec City. During that people and plants began thousands of winter he lost about 75 men from years ago as the First Nation peoples scurvy. In the spring, Cartier happened developed their skills and knowledge and to see a group of First Nations; among made their way south of the treeline. In them was Don Agauya who Cartier had eastern Canada, for example, not only were noticed the previous autumn displaying the forests a source of materials for fuel the same symptoms as those that took and shelter but also of food and medicine. the lives of his men. Cartier questioned Over 170 plant species have been him as to how he had recovered. documented as food sources. Almost all of Agauya sent some women in his group the parts of plants were used: fruits, nuts, to collect the bark and boughs of a seeds, roots, bulbs, rhizomes, buds, certain tree. He instructed Cartier how flowers, shoots, leaves, inner bark and sap. to make a tea from these and, as a Over 50 species were used as beverages. result, all those who were ill recovered. The early colonists brought their Unfortunately, the tree was never knowledge of European herbals with them described and has been the cause of to the New World. Seeds of old world plants interesting debates. were brought and planted in their gardens and used as edibles and medicinals.

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seeds are used in the manufacture of skin BIOPROSPECTING/ creams, and açaí, a purple berry renowned %BENEFIT-SHARING “Non-Wood Forest Products (NWFPs) for its rich antioxidant powers. Açaí, which OR BIOPIRACY? consist of goods of biological origin is being heralded as a wonder food, is sold other than wood, derived from forests, as a deep purple frozen slush at health Boreal forest may be home to new other wooded land and trees outside food stores throughout North America and medicines forests.” Europe. The berry, whose chemical Is the boreal forest the new Amazon rain «Les produits forestiers non ligneux properties are still the subject of scientific forest? That’s what the Great Lakes Forestry sont des biens d’origine biologique research, has been found to help combat Centre (GLFC) and Northern Ontario School autres que le bois, dérivés des forêts, premature ageing and has ten times more of Medicine (NOSM) are trying to find out. des autres terres boisées, et des arbres antioxidants than red grapes. Long a source of the anticancer compound hors forêts.» The Rio de Janeiro-based jewellery known as paclitaxel, the boreal forest is now «Productos forestales no madereros designer Maria Oiticica was born in the being mined for other biological chemicals son los bienes de origen biológico Amazon region. Several years ago, she that could help humanity. “Most research in distintos de la madera derivados de los began to design sophisticated jewellery the past, in regard to drug discoveries, took bosques, de otras tierras boscosas y de using seeds from rain forest berries and place in the Amazon and South America. los árboles fuera de los bosques.» nuts, and the leathery scales from giant Recently, we have been looking at resources (FAO’s working definition) Amazon river fish. Osklen, another high- in our own backyard,” said GLFC research end Brazilian retailer that recently opened scientist Mamdouh Abou-Zaid. its first North American store in New York, GLFC is collaborating with NOSM to is also using fish scales in a collection of launch the Boreal Bioprospecting Initiative. shoes and handbags. Like Osklen, Oiticica’s Bioprospecting is the search for %AMAZON CHIC unique designs are featured in fashion economically valuable biological molecules, magazines around the world. Chunky rings organisms or genetic materials using NTFPs The latest in luxury is buried deep in and bracelets made with silver and dyed such as trees, mushrooms, herbs and Brazil’s Amazon rain forest where jarina and açaí seeds in a riot of bright shrubs that could lead to nutritional or entrepreneurs are carving out a colours retail at stores in London and in medical therapies. multimillion-dollar global market in North America. Oiticica’s accessories Based on Abou-Zaid’s considerable everything from designer fish-scale range in price from about $20 for a bracelet knowledge of disease-preventing antioxidant running shoes made from giant Amazon with woven palm fronds to several hundred compounds derived from forests and NTFPs, river fish to seed jewellery and shampoos dollars for bracelets and necklaces made NOSM approached him to be the project’s and bath oils made from exotic fruits such with dyed fish scales and sterling silver. research director. The core of the Boreal as cupuaçu and açaí. Like most of the companies that market Bioprospecting Initiative will be his extensive In Brazil alone, Natura, a direct sales Amazon products, Oiticica works with local library of about 1 000 natural product crude company that markets cosmetics based on Indian tribes. She currently runs a plant extracts and 800 purified compounds, Amazon oils and essences, controls 23 programme for native women who have left many of which are novel natural products percent of the market share in a country of their Amazon tribes to seek work in cities with antioxidant properties to prevent and 185 million people. Last year, sales of such as Manaus and Belém, only to find halt damage from diseases triggered by Brazilian cosmetics, much of them based themselves living in abject poverty. Oiticica overactive internal defence reactions in our on Amazon products, topped US$484 has set up a workshop for the women, and bodies. In that library could be the key to new million, up more than 150 percent from pays them to prepare the seeds and palm therapies for victims of cancer, stroke, 2001, according to the Brazilian Toiletry, leaves that she uses in her jewellery Parkinson’s disease and the like. Perfumery and Cosmetics Association. production. “We take from the forest,” says Abou-Zaid already has a few leads, such Companies such as Natura are now Oiticica, whose raw materials in her so- as the antioxidant properties present in starting to make their products available in called “biojewels” are mostly seeds that maple syrup. North America and Europe. Natura has have already fallen from the trees. “But we It has also been found that northern already made important inroads in the all have a responsibility to give back.” plants differ from their neighbours to the world’s cosmetics Mecca, France. (Source: Macleans.ca [Canada], 8 October south in a significant way. With many more Another company, Amazônia Natural, 2007.) predators such as insects and plant-eating markets a range of hair products made animals in South America, plant life there from the guaraná berry, a natural has evolved to develop a “wide range of stimulant indigenous to the Amazon region compounds in low concentrations,” he said. that acts as an astringent and is said to “The boreal forest plant, with its shorter prevent baldness. The company also sells growing season, focuses on producing a high bath oils and creams made with passion concentration of specific compounds.” fruit, which is marketed in Brazil as a At this stage, paclitaxel (which is relaxant. Other skin and hair care lines marketed under the brand name Taxol) produced by both Amazônia Natural and remains Northern Ontario’s greatest Natura draw on the hydrating powers of pharmacological export. In cooperation with cupuaçu, an Amazonian fruit whose oily an Ottawa-based company, Ensyn

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Technologies, Abou-Zaid has applied for an representatives of at least 16 African Drug companies looting South Africa’s international patent to extract paclitaxel countries and experts from various local and bounty of medicinal plants more efficiently from the needles and twigs international organizations, including WHO. The government has stepped in to save a of eastern yew. The method they have In April this year, South Africa established tiny South African plant from extinction after developed is called byrolysis, which in its the Medicinal Plant Incubator Project (MPIP) hundreds of tonnes were harvested for simplest terms means exposing the plant to to protect its indigenous plants. This will be foreign drug companies, one of which has a few seconds of heat to release the taxanes achieved by ensuring that those who need to patented its use to fight HIV/AIDS. into an oil. use these plants do not pluck plant species Traditional healers, who have used the The impetus is both economic and in an uncontrolled manner from the wild. The plant for centuries, are now trying to win environmental. Abou-Zaid estimates that indigenous plants will be grown in a nursery back the patent which they claim is rightfully just 2 percent of chemical-rich plant environment, be well cared for and be sold to theirs. material is currently utilized from an traditional healers and others who have a The matter has become so heated that available 10 percent, moreover using “harsh use for them. the Eastern Cape government has banned solvents”. The project has, as one of its primary all further harvesting of the plant NOSM has funding applications in various objectives, a duty to ensure preservation, Pelargonium – part of the geranium family – agencies to create the infrastructure to propagation and recording of plants, and until further notice. But illegal harvesting of process and bring the raw material from the informing the public how to manage pelargonium, also known as umckaloabo boreal forest to the marketplace, while ethnobotany. This is a critical task especially and klawerbossie, continues in the hills maintaining intellectual property rights in considering the local and international around Grahamstown and Alicedale and has northern Ontario. pressure arising from competing land use led to dozens of arrests, according to In September, Member of Provincial and sheer arrogance from some quarters, in Eastern Cape researchers. Parliament (MPP) David Orazietti announced relation to biodiversity. Now the Department of Environmental a Northern Ontario Heritage Fund WHO estimates that between 70 and 80 Affairs has decided to review all Corporation $1.1-million funding to create percent of the populations of developing bioprospecting projects to make sure they NOSM’s Biomaterial Collection Assembly countries rely on traditional medicines. Over conform to new regulations that protect the and Central Processing and Analytical 30 000 of South Africa’s plant species are commercial rights of traditional healers. Facility at Algoma University College (AUC) in said to be utilized as medicines and about The pelargonium tug of war will be Sault Ste. Marie. The AUC site will collect 350 of these are still commonly used and discussed next week in Canada at a special plant samples from surrounding forests and traded as medicinal plants. United Nations working group meeting on identify the chemicals they contain. Those It is estimated that almost 20 000 tonnes biopiracy and biodiversity. considered likely to have medicinal of medicinal plants are used by at least 27 Pelargonium is one of dozens of South properties will be forwarded to researchers million consumers each year. In Gauteng, African plants being targeted by drug at both of the medical schools campuses, in numerous species are harvested, companies eager to develop new medicines. Sudbury and in Thunder Bay. (Source: Sault particularly from the province’s grasslands, Other plants successfully targeted in recent Star [Canada], 12 June 2007 and 8 which are already under pressure for land years include Sutherlandia and hoodia, September 2007.) demand for housing and agriculture. succulent plants used by San communities The success of this project will ensure to suppress appetite and thirst on long Africa must patent traditional medicines that consumers have easier access to hunting journeys. (Source: The Times African medical practitioners have been culturally acceptable and affordable [Johannesburg], 7 October 2007 [in BIO- urged to use their intellectual property rights medicine that promotes their physical and IPR].) in order to patent and protect traditional spiritual well-being. Other benefits of the medicines and indigenous knowledge. South project will include access by healers to a Namibian Government to act against plant African Health Minister Manto Tshabalala- regular supply of plants that are important pirates Msimang made this call on Monday, at the for treating some ailments, thereby The Government will set up a special Africa Regional Consultative Meeting on promoting their businesses. A wider range of committee to combat unlawful exploitation Public Health, Innovation and Intellectual plants will also be available for healers to and trade of biological products, which Property. dispense and for consumers to purchase. include plants such as hoodia and devil’s The two-day meeting is part of WHO’s (Source: BuaNews [Tshwane], 8 October 2007.) claw, and marula nuts. Namibia needs to initiative to develop a global strategy and guard against unlawful exploitation and plan of action aimed at enhancing needs- biopiracy, but has no such policies and laws driven, essential health research and in place, Cabinet noted during its latest development that are relevant to diseases meeting. disproportionately affecting developing The Ministry of Environment and Tourism countries. The high prices of medicine, the is drafting a law on Access to Biological Minister said, makes it imperative that Africa Resources and Associated Traditional takes a common position on issues of fair Knowledge, which Cabinet expects to be trade with regard to medicines affecting finalized before the end of this year. public health; the consultative meeting Trading in these products, which often sought to consolidate Africa’s position on this means exploitation for financial gain matter. The meeting was attended by without including indigenous people who

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have centuries-old knowledge of the use of donne une assurance/label commerciale such plants, requires regulation to avoid écrite attestant qu’un produit, un processus exploitation. ou un service est conforme à des normes Bioprospecting contracts lay down the spécifiques sur la base d’un audit conduit rules of benefit-sharing between suivant des procédures agréées, suppose researchers and countries, and can bring l’évaluation d’une gestion et, par royalties to less developed countries. The conséquent, des coûts pour la mise en fairness of these contracts has been a place du système de ladite gestion et pour subject of debate. son évaluation. Elle suppose aussi et “Cabinet gave approval for the surtout que le produit possède une establishment of an Interim Bioprospecting certaine/grande valeur commerciale pour Committee to coordinate Government’s pouvoir couvrir les coûts de gestion et approach on biotrade and bioprospecting CERTIFICATION DES PFNL dégager des bénéfices. A ce titre, la according to terms of reference still to be %EN AFRIQUE CENTRALE certification des PFNL dont la production se proposed,” the latest Cabinet briefing paper fait sans véritable système de gestion, et stated. Une récente étude de la FAO a été menée dont la commercialisation est Namibia has a large genetic diversity in sur les perspectives de la certification des généralement informelle et pour la plants and animals that has potential for produits forestiers non ligneux (PFNL) en subsistance, devient pratiquement difficile commercial development. Biotrade has the Afrique centrale, en général, et dans les à mettre en ?uvre pour ne pas dire sans potential to generate significant economic pays membres de la Commission des forêts objet pour l’Afrique centrale. benefits to Namibia if properly controlled. de l’Afrique centrale (COMIFAC), en Toutefois, lorsque l’on considère qu’un Cabinet noted that “in the absence of a particulier. Sur la base d’une revue PFNL fait partie intégrante d’un regulatory framework, Namibia stands to bibliographique et des discussions avec les écosystème qui est la forêt, on peut alors lose millions of dollars in potential revenues différentes parties prenantes, l’étude a envisager une alternative pour la from renewable plant, animal, fungal and révélé des points importants relatifs à la certification des PFNL en Afrique centrale: microbial resources, if these are exploited certification des PFNL. on certifie la gestion de la forêt où le PFNL by international pharmaceutical, medicinal En ce qui concerne l’état des lieux en est récolté, puis la traçabilité de ce dernier, and agrochemical interests without sound Afrique centrale, aucun PFNL n’est encore pour vérifier que toutes les étapes de sa benefit-sharing arrangements”. (Source: certifié. Cet état des choses est dû à de production et de sa transformation The Namibian, 20 August 2007.) nombreux problèmes représentant déjà respectent des normes élaborées suivant autant de contraintes à la certification des des procédures agréées. Cette approche PFNL en Afrique centrale. Ces contraintes représente une potentialité importante, on CAN TREES GROW sont entre autres: pourrait même dire la plus importante dans % ON MARS? • Les PFNL sont souvent le processus de certification des PFNL en récoltés/collectés pour la subsistance, Afrique centrale. On pourrait alors Mexico City. Scientists are using the pine- exception faite de quelques produits encourager la certification des Unités de forested slopes of a Mexican volcano as a test telles les écorces de Annickia gestion: Unités forestières d’aménagement bed to see whether trees can grow on a chlorantha, Gracnia cola, Prunus (UFA), Permis forestiers associés (PAF), heated-up Mars, part of a vision of making africana, Pausinystalia yohimbe, les Périmètres d’exploitation forestière (PEF), the chilly and barren red planet habitable for feuilles de Gnetum spp., de Unités forestières d’exploitation (UFE), humans one day. Planetary scientists at the Marantacées (Thaumatocucus danielii), Forêts communautaires et Forêts National Aeronautics and Space les amandes de Ricinodendron communales (FC). Le gestionnaire de la Administration (NASA) and Mexican heudelotii et Irvingia gabonensis en ce forêt supporte les coûts de gestion tandis universities believe that if they can warm qui concerne les végétaux, et les que l’exploitant des PFNL supporte les Mars using heat-trapping gases, raise the air perroquets (Psittacus erithacus) chez coûts liés à l’évaluation de la traçabilité des pressure and start photosynthesis, they les animaux. ses produits. Une autre opportunité pour la could create an atmosphere that would • Dans la plupart des pays sinon tous, le certification des PFNL en Afrique centrale support oxygen-breathing life forms. bois a toujours été considéré comme est le développement de plus en plus Getting trees to grow would be a crucial produit forestier principal tandis que croissant d’outils politiques et cadres step. The scientists’ quest has taken them to les PFNL ont longtemps été désignés institutionnels de promotion de gestion the snow-capped Pico de Orizaba – a comme produits secondaires. A ce titre, forestière durable dans cette région. dormant volcano and Mexico’s tallest le commerce des PFNL se fait Enfin, l’étude a défini des critères mountain – to examine trees growing at a régulièrement dans le secteur informel d’éligibilité des PFNL à la certification. higher altitude than anywhere else on Earth. à une échelle souvent locale et Ainsi, les PFNL possèdent un potentiel de The scientists are studying what makes nationale et, dans quelques cas, certification lorsqu’ils: a) ont accès à un trees refuse to grow above a certain point, régionale et internationale. marché international avec une demande where temperatures drop and the air Pour ces raisons, et bien d’autres, la significative; b) sont l’objet d’une becomes thinner, to see how easily they certification des PFNL devient alors commercialisation importante avec une could grow on Mars. (Source: Independent problématique. En effet, la certification, valeur ajoutée; c) font l’objet d’une collecte Online [South Africa], 16 July 2007.) procédure par laquelle une tierce partie organisée dans une filière bien structurée;

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d) ont un cycle de production bien connu et experts agree that they appear to clean teeth Atyrium spp., Christella dentata, maîtrisé pour une meilleure planification well and some upmarket health stores in the Woodwardia unigemmata, flowers of des récoltes et une bonne satisfaction de la United States have been selling chewing Clematis gouriana, Reinwardtia indica demande:cet aspect suppose une sticks as a natural form of dental care. and different grasses can be used for production régulière avec une périodicité Traders in Dakar and other Senegalese making cards, calendars and wall bien connue; et e) ont une haute valeur cities sell neat bundles of the pencil-sized pictures. pour la conservation (hvc). sticks – usually about 6 inches (15.2 cm) long • The turgid leaves of Quercus sp., Ilex Certains PFNL peuvent satisfaire les – on the pavement, offering a variety of dipyrena, Cycas sp., flowers of Verbena exigences énumérées ci-dessus. Il s’agit, different types of wood at different prices. erinoides and fruits of Dioscorea sp., chez les végétaux: If chewed, most of the twigs fray into finer Hedera canariensis, Mallotus • des feuilles de Gnetum spp. et de strands, which have the effect of “flossing” philippensis, cones of Cunninghamia Marantacées; between the teeth or, if rubbed up and down, lanceolata and hips of Rosa brunonii, • des écorces diverses comme celles de can scrub tooth enamel clean as well as any R. webbiana and ferns such as Annickia clorantha, Garcinia cola, toothbrush. But they can taste bitter Polystichum spp. and Pteridium Prunus africana et Pausinystalia compared with commercial toothpastes. aquilinum can be used for making yohimbe; The World Health Organization has bouquets, dried flower arrangements • des fruits, graines et amandes divers, encouraged the use of chewing sticks as an and potpourris. entre autres ceux de Irvingia alternative source of oral hygiene in poor At present, only tree cones and a few ferns gabonensis et Ricinodendron countries where many cannot afford are being sold. Dried flower products are heudelotii; commercial dental products. While a sold at very high prices and there is great • des encens, résines et exsudats divers manufactured toothbrush can cost upwards potential for setting up cottage industries. It comme l’encens de Canarium of CFAF300 (60 cents), a chewing stick costs is imperative, therefore, to preserve and schweinfurthii et la gomme arabique; only CFAF25 or 50. (Source: Conserve Africa, cultivate such native species, not only for • de l’huile des amandes par exemple 18 June 2007.) their aesthetic importance but also to l’huile des amandes de Allanblackia restore the ecological balance. With its spp, Baillonella toxisperma et Vittelaria varied climatic condition, the region creates paradoxa. a congenial environment for cultivating many Chez les animaux, ce sont les perroquets other ornamental plants that would be (Psittacus erithacus), les escargots et autres suitable for dried flowers, e.g. Molucella, mollusques, ainsi que les trophées de Helichrysum, Limonium and Nigella. nombreuses espèces telles que l’éléphant, le (Source: MFP News, XVII(3), 2007.) bongo, l’éland de derby et le buffle particulièrement convoitées dans les marchés des pays développés. (Source: Les % HOME GARDENS perspectives de la certification des produits forestiers non ligneux en Afrique centrale. Home gardens worldwide are integrated into Produits forestiers non ligneux. Document family life. Living space, boundaries and de travail N° 4, FAO, 2006.) materials are integrated into gardens. Trees provide shade and shelter under their canopy Pistacia khinjuk and their roots stabilize soil around the % CHEWING STICKS home. DRIED FLOWER MAKING: Multipurpose plants, such as sea Across Africa south of the Sahara, many % A POTENTIAL COTTAGE buckthorn in cold areas, Leucaena glauca in people go about their daily business with a INDUSTRY tropical areas and even cassava, are planted small stick or twig protruding from their as living fences to provide crop protection, mouths, which they chew or use to scrub Himachal Pradesh (India) is endowed with privacy, firewood, materials, food and animal their teeth. Cut from wild trees and shrubs a wide variety of flora and fauna. Its forests fodder. For example, a living fence of cassava in the bush, this is the African toothbrush. and valleys harbour several plant species provides a boundary to keep out wandering Its users swear it is much more natural, that are ideal for making dried flowers. livestock, but also holds a food reserve in its effective – and cheaper – than the prettily Dried flower making is an upcoming starchy roots ready for an unexpected food packaged but pricey dental products on industry. Dried flowers need less care and shortage. sale in pharmacies and supermarkets. are virtually everlasting. They can be In Asia, parents traditionally plant a neem In Senegal, the chewing stick is called painted, coloured or dyed and various floral tree (Melia azadirach) in their home garden sothiou, which means “to clean” in the products, such as cards, pictures, wall for every child born in their family, so that local Wolof language. In East Africa, the hangings, arrangements, potpourris and when they are adults there is timber for them stick is called mswaki, the Swahili word for pomanders, can be prepared from them. to build their own house. Oil from leaves and toothbrush. Examples include the following. seeds of the neem is a natural pesticide and Their users say the sticks are also • The beautiful reddish leaves of Pistacia the tree is now planted in African home medicinal, providing not just dental hygiene khinjuk, leaves of various types of ferns gardens. (Source: Livelihoods grow in but also curing a variety of other ills. Dental such as Cheilanthes albomarginata, gardens. FAO Diversification booklet 2, 2004.)

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LES PFNL ALIMENTAIRES le gibier, les plantes comestibles, les %EN AFRIQUE CENTRALE plantes médicinales et les rotins. Le tableau nous présente les PFNL essentiels LES INSECTES En Afrique Centrale, il existe une grande en fonction des différents pays d’Afrique variété de PFNL. Les plus importants sont Centrale.

Pays Principaux PFNL

Burundi Gibier, animaux vivants, plantes médicinales Dans la zone d’Afrique Centrale, de Cameroun Plantes comestibles (fruits, noix, feuilles) ; plantes nombreuses catégories d’insectes sont médicinales, rotin, gibier consommées. Parmi ces insectes, on distingue: République Centrafricaine Gibier, plantes comestibles, plantes médicinales Les larves de Hanneton qui se Guinée Equatoriale Plantes médicinales, plantes comestibles, rotin, gibier développent dans les troncs d’Elaeis Gabon Plantes comestibles, osier, gibier guineensis et de Raphia monbuttorum République du Congo Plantes comestibles (fruits, champignons, légumes); en décomposition, les pétioles des plantes médicinales ; miel, gibier, plantes palmes de Raphia hookeri sur pieds. ornementales, matériaux de construction Nous avons par exemple République Démocratique du Congo Plantes comestibles, gibier Rhynchophorus phoenicis, qui est très apprécié au Cameroun. Ces larves sont Rwanda Plantes comestibles (fruits); plantes médicinales, miel, animaux vivants. récoltées toute l’année; mais dans certaines localités, les autorités São Tomé et Principe Plantes médicinales délimitent les périodes de récolte. Les chenilles sont consommées aussi bien par les populations urbaines que Ces produits jouent un rôle significatif guineensis (palmier à huile); par celles rurales des pays d’Afrique dans l’existence des communautés locales • les légumes-feuilles de Gnetum Centrale. Les espèces consommées de cette région car, ils leur fournissent de africanum et Gnetum buchholzianum appartiennent à diverses familles entre la nourriture et des revenus. La récolte, la (okok/eru); autres: Agaristidae, Attacidae, transformation et le commerce relèvent • les écorces de Garcinia lucida; Bombycidae, Noctuidae, Nymphalidae, essentiellement du secteur informel si • les racines et les tubercules, à l’instar etc. Au Cameroun et en République bien que l’on ne dispose d’aucune de Dioscorea sp. (Igname sauvage); Centrafricaine, l’on constate une nette information digne de foi à propos du rôle • les sèves de Raphia sp. (Vin de raphia) préférence pour les Attacidae. Elles se de ces différents produits sur l’économie et d’Elaeis guineensis (Vin de palme); nourrissent des feuilles de différentes rurale. • les exsudats de Baillonella toxisperma espèces: Bridelia ferruginea, B. Les PFNL alimentaires peuvent être (Huile de moabi). micrantha, Erythrophleum suaveolens, repartis en deux grands groupes: les PFNL Entandrophragma spp., Petersianthus alimentaires d’origine végétale et les Les PFNL alimentaires d’origine animale macrocarpus, Triplochyton scleroxylon, PFNL alimentaires d’origine animale. En général, dans la zone d’Afrique Trema orientalis. En général, on récolte Centrale, les PFNL d’origine animale ont les chenilles pendant la petite saison Les PFNL alimentaires d’origine végétale une moindre importance comparés à ceux sèche, durant les mois de juillet et août Les plantes alimentaires font partie des d’origine végétale; néanmoins ils occupent et parfois septembre. principaux PFNL dans chaque pays de une place indiscutable dans l’alimentation Les criquets apparaissent surtout en cette sous-région. Ils sont consommés car ils constituent la principale source de début des saisons sèches, surtout dans comme aliment de base ou plat principal, protéine. la zone du Cameroun. Elles sont aussi aliment d’appoint, liant, condiments ou Il existe plusieurs types de PFNL consommées par les populations comme aromates, excitants ou d’origine animale qui sont consommés camerounaises. Deux espèces sont aphrodisiaques, «amusegueules ». dans la sousrégion d’Afrique Centrale. Les communément appréciées au De nombreuses espèces sont utilisées principaux sont les suivants: le gibier Cameroun, aussi bien dans les grandes pour une ou plusieurs de ces parties (mammifères terrestres et aquatiques), les villes que dans les zones rurales: le utiles, mais seules les plus importants insectes (chenilles, larves de hanneton, les criquet puant et la sauterelle verte. (c’est-à-dire ceux qui sont criquets, les termites) et les produits économiquement rentables), sont apicoles (miel), les escargots géants, les commercialisés au niveau national et poissons, les oiseaux et les reptiles. Le international. Parmi ces derniers, nous gibier est le produit d’origine animale le (Source : Gestion des ressources naturelles avons: plus important de cette région, suivi par fournissant les produits forestiers non • les fruits d’Irvingia gabonensis les produits apicoles et les animaux ligneux alimentaires en Afrique Centrale. (mangue sauvage); Dacryodes edulis vivants et les insectes comestibles Produits forestiers non ligneux Document (safou); Cola acuminata (kola); Elaeis (chenilles, termites). de travail N° 5, FAO, 2007.)

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MEDITERRANEAN these externalities do not always provide MOSS PLAYS FORESTS: REGIONAL revenues for forest owners. Forest % IMPORTANT ROLES %DIVERSITY SETS THE management lacks more human resources SCENE and profitability than ever before. As forests Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. That the diminutive have become of low interest for their moss plays an important role in retaining Mediterranean forests play a key role in the owners, forest lands are abandoned rather water in catchment areas comes as a lives and the welfare of the local people, than cultivated or maintained. This, in turn, significant discovery to researchers in the not only for the goods and services they increases the risk of natural hazards such field of bryology (the study of bryophytes – provide, but also for the challenges they as forest fires, pests and diseases. commonly known as mosses), especially pose for conservation and management. On the other hand, in the southern and since it has always been assumed that trees Mediterranean flora is extremely rich eastern Mediterranean subregions, the were more important in slowing water from with around 25 000 vascular plant species, current socio-economic conditions make runoff when it rains, which in turn helps to widely distributed throughout the diverse forests, maquis and rangelands and their prevent floods. According to research carried ecosystems of the region. Climatic, products (firewood, grass, aromatic and out in Genting Highlands, just 1 m2 (2–3cm geomorphic and anthropogenic factors medicinal plants, etc.) relevant primary thick) of a particular moss found there can have resulted in a mosaic-type landscape resources for the livelihood of local store one tonne of water for a week. of a variety of forest types that cover an communities. In addition, forest Prof. Mohamed Abdul Majid of the area of 73 million ha, or about 8.5 percent environmental functions (fight against Institute of Biological Sciences, University of of the region’s area. However, purely desertification, regulation of the Malaya, said that the destruction of forests Mediterranean forests and maquis cover microclimate, regulating water resources, also meant that the moss growing on about 56 million ha, i.e. 7.5 percent of the etc.) are crucial for the sustainable branches would be destroyed. Speaking total land. development of society as a whole. during the five-day World Conference of Mediterranean forest ecosystems The harsh and unpredictable climate, Bryology here, Prof. Mohamed said that provide multiple wood and NWFPs and the current socio-economic conditions and there were numerous other uses for services that are crucial for the socio- the unique and long-lasting history of mosses that were only now being explored. economic development of rural areas as human-forest-landscape interaction He added that Mount Kinabalu, in Sabah, well as for the welfare of the urban areas of require the development of our knowledge probably contained the most diverse the Mediterranean region. In this context, for better conservation and sustainable number of mosses in the world with more Mediterranean forests require special management of Mediterranean forests. than 1 000 species present. attention for the following reasons. (Source: “Regional diversity sets the International Association of Bryologists • They constitute a unique world natural scene” by Marc Palahí, EFIMED,Yves Birot, President Prof. Janice M. Glime said that heritage and play a key role in the Chairman of EFIMED Advisory Group, mosses have been found to contain welfare of urban and rural Aristotelis C. Papageorgiou, Demokritos anticancer and antibacterial properties. Mediterranean societies. The goods University of Thrace, Greece [in European One of the mosses that had anticancer and services that they produce are very Forest Institute, Mediterranean Regional properties was found in the Cameron diverse (multifunctionality) and have a Office, EFI news, June 2007]. Highlands. “This is why it is important to great market (many NWFPs) and non- research it. It is a largely untapped field market value (externalities). FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: and we still don’t know enough about • They represent an exceptional richness Dr Marc Palahí, European Forest Institute, mosses and their potential in medicine,” in terms of biodiversity. Mediterranean Regional Office (EFIMED), Prof. Glime said. She added that some • They are very vulnerable to numerous Passeig Lluis Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona, countries have used mosses for insulation, factors: forest fires, overexploitation, Spain. Fax: +34 93 2683768; e-mail: air-conditioning or purely aesthetic degradation and desertification. [email protected] purposes, while in Australia and parts of • Their conservation and management America, the use of mosses in horticulture affect the availability of soil and water or to provide fuel has depleted the amount resources, the latter being a key present in forests prompting the need for strategic resource for Mediterranean harvesting guidelines. (Source: Malaysia societies. Star, 23 July 2007.) • As a transitional zone, their future is seriously endangered by climate change. NON-PROFIT The situation of Mediterranean forests % ORGANIZATIONS differs clearly from the northern rim to the AND NGOS southern and eastern subregion. In the northern part, the socio-economic changes Global Forestry Conclave and Sustainable of the past decades, triggered by the Development, Cameroon urbanization of society and better living The Global Forestry Conclave and standards, have increased the relevance of Sustainable Development (GFCSD) the ecological, recreational and landscape (Partenaire à la gestion durable des functions of Mediterranean forests. But ressources naturelles) is an NGO working

NON-WOOD NEWS No. 16 January 2008 NEWS AND NOTES 23

on natural resource management that was holistic development through education, remedies and medicinal plants that could formed through a coalition of three training, awareness raising, counselling, benefit humanity. The journal is available at Cameroonian environmental working linkages and information networking. www.tfljournal.org/ groups: wildlife management, agroforestry RCDA's educational areas – based on and fishing management, and forest lands holistic approaches only – cover all FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: ecosystems research. aspects of ecological agriculture, natural Balbir Mathur, President, Trees for Life, The NGO’s name resulted from the fact health care, alternative technology, 3006 W. St Louis, Wichita, KS 67203-5129, United that the three original working groups had environment, alternative education and States of America. Fax: +1-316-945-0909; the same objective, namely a development advancement of women. It collects all the e-mail: [email protected]; priority of sustainable management of relevant educational and resource treesforlife.org/treesforlife.asp natural resources and environmental materials (i.e. books, manuals, protection. periodicals, directories and audiovisuals) Among its activities, GFCSD encourages from around the world for its resource % SCIENCE FOR THE POOR the promotion of community forest library, which it is seeking to expand. projects based on NWFP conservation and Please contact RCDA if you can help in any In the lower Tocantins region of Brazil, one sustainable management by the creation way. Amazonian woman questioned why of agroforests in our sites. GFCSD also has scientists publish principally for elite a special programme of traditional forest FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: audiences. Her experience suggests that the products’ use with various indigenous Mrs Amatul Wadood Nazli, Cofounder and impact may be enhanced by also sharing forest peoples, which will contribute to Chairperson, Resource Centre for Development data with people who depend upon forest participatory learning action and is very Alternatives (Regd), Faraz House, D-237, goods. important for sensibilization. Ghazikot Township, Mansehra 21300, NWFP, Having defended her family homestead Pakistan. E-mail: near the city of Cameta against loggers in FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: [email protected] the late 1980s, Glória Gaia became M. Gwomb Bi Hell Emmanuel and M. Tabe interested in strengthening the information Joseph Ako, Global Forestry Conclave and Trees for Life base of other villagers so that they would not Sustainable Development (GFCSD), Trees for Life is a non- lose their forests for meagre sums. She PO Box 8002, Yaoundé, Cameroon. profit, people-to-people challenged scientists to defy norms such as E-mail: [email protected] movement that helps extracting data without giving back to rural plant fruit trees in villagers and publishing primarily for the Primary Environmental Care Association, developing countries. privileged. Working with researchers, she Uganda These trees provide a helped them to publish an illustrated manual Primary Environmental Care Association low-cost, self-renewing of the ecology, economics, management and (PECA) is an NGO based in Kampala, source of food for many cultural importance of key Amazonian forest Uganda. We empower communities to people and protect the environment. Our species. With and without funds or a formal meet their needs while conserving the programmes include three elements: project, she travelled by foot and boat to environment. Currently we are teaching education, health and environment. remote villages to disseminate the book. communities how to collect herbs from the Volunteers in the villages are trained by Using data, stories and song, she brought wild in a sustainable way. We are also Trees for Life and provided with essential cautionary messages to villages about the planning to set up a centre for indigenous support for programmes that respond to impacts of logging on livelihoods. knowledge and will collect, document, the needs of their communities. Through She also brought locally useful processing research and disseminate the knowledge their own efforts and labour, the villagers techniques regarding medicinal plants, fruit in a participatory manner. We are seeking reap the benefits. Trees for Life provides and tree oils. Her holistic teachings funding for this. hope, not handouts. Each person thus challenged traditional forestry to include the empowered pledges to help at least two management of fruits, fibres and medicines. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: more people. A new version of the book, requested by the Mr Lakuma Opiro, Chairman, PECA, PO Box Since the inception of Trees for Life in Government of Brazil, contains the 23250, Kampala, Uganda. Fax: 256 41 345597; 1984, more than 3 million people have contributions of 90 leading Brazilian and e-mail: [email protected] helped plant tens of millions of fruit trees international scientists and local people. in countries such as India, Guatemala, Glória Gaia’s story raises the following Resource Centre for Development Haiti and Brazil. questions. Who is science for and how can Alternatives, Pakistan Trees for Life also produces an online science reach disenfranchised populations? The Resource Centre for Development scientific journal – Trees for Life Journal – Lessons for scientists and practitioners from Alternatives (RCDA) is a small that focuses on traditional knowledge and Glória’s story include: broadening the range multidisciplinary information and resource scientific studies of beneficial plants. The of products from research to reach local centre established to meet the organic journal provides a forum on beneficial people; complementing local ecological development needs of the country. This trees and plants and brings together knowledge with scientific data; sharing non-profit educational organization was international articles about traditional precautionary data demonstrating trends; started in 1992 and formally registered in medicine, small-scale field studies and and involving women and marginalized 1998. RCDA works to promote a vision of scientific evidence regarding natural people in the research and outreach process.

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(Source: Shanley, P. 2006. Science for the trade organizations can increase the amount poor: how one woman challenged of income that poor people earn as well, for researchers, ranchers, and loggers in example, by encouraging producer Amazonia. Ecology and Society, 11(2): 28 cooperatives to offer reasonable prices to [online]. www.ecologyandsociety. suppliers, by providing good working org/vol11/iss2/art28/) conditions and by reducing the number of intermediaries in market transactions. (Source: extracted from Better forestry, less % THE ROLE OF NWFPS poverty: a practitioner’s guide. FAO Forestry IN POVERTY REDUCTION Paper 149. 2006. Rome, FAO. www.fao.org /docrep/009/a0645e/a0645e00.HTM) NWFPs play a crucial role in meeting the

and handicrafts in Latin America” subsistence needs of a large part of the “Riches of the forest: fruits, remedies world’s population who live in or near % WEAVING WITH NWFPS forests. They provide shelter, food and medicines on a daily basis as well as in times Bamboo fibre goods to set new fashion of crisis. For poor households, NWFPs are NWFPs are also important in terms of their trends rarely the primary source of revenue, but can potential to improve livelihoods through the Because of the global focus that supplement income or lessen unexpected sale of surplus products. In these instances, environmental issues have received, bamboo- hardships such as the loss of crops. As long increasing forest areas or processing raw fibre products have caught the fancy of as people rely on these products for their materials to add value could significantly consumers, who are considering their many basic survival and nutrition, care must be enhance returns – making plant-based ecofriendly advantages. Experts have taken to prevent the resource from shrinking essential oils or manufacturing lotions and predicted that bamboo-fibre products will set or being degraded. creams from shea butter – for example. Fair new fashion trends for 2008/2009 autumn- winter clothing such as scarves, ties and outdoor sportswear. There are many local clothing, textiles and HOW NWFPS CAN BETTER CONTRIBUTE TO LIVELIHOODS AND POVERTY REDUCTION fabric enterprises that produce bamboo-fibre In order for practitioners to assist poor with community leaders, users and products. One such success story is that of people to overcome obstacles to other stakeholders to: Hebei Jigao Chemical Fiber Co. Ltd, whose collect, consume and sell NWFPs, they • compile an inventory as a first step in products made of bamboo-fibre have become need to: formulating or revising management popular both in the domestic as well as the • discuss the importance of NWFPs with plans and practices that reflect local overseas markets. Currently, Hebei Jigao’s users and identify the type of needs and promote sustainable use; products occupy over 90 percent of China’s contributions that they make to • form local associations/cooperatives bamboo-fibre market. Despite high prices, livelihoods, recognizing that and develop cottage industries or bamboo-fibre products sell very well: a households rely on these products to community-based enterprises if leisure suit made from bamboo-fibre varying degrees, depending on the commercialization of particular material costs 40 000 yuan in Japan and even extent of their poverty and products appears viable; in China, bamboo-fibre clothes are sold for vulnerability; • choose sites that have the potential hundreds of yuan. (Source: Fibre2fashion • find out which groups gather which to yield maximum benefits such as News Desk [China], 20 August 2007.) NWFPs, how they access them, and those where plants that are used for whether they use them for personal medicinal purposes could be grown in Grassroots support for raffia growers in the consumption, trade or both; home gardens for households to United Republic of Tanzania • be aware of traditional practices consume or sell; Weaving lengths of fibrous palm leaves, the regarding harvesting and collection, • document knowledge on and women of Tanzania’s Nou forest are busier including traditional norms of access; experiences with cultivating medicinal than ever. Situated in the Manyara region of • determine which households can plants and disseminate this the country’s temperate northeast part, over afford to invest in commercial information in local languages to 200 000 people depend on the forest which activities and whether this option is inform village residents which ones to for generations has provided them with food, more appropriate than other use for what illnesses and how to set water and a valued raw material – raffia potential sources of income for up this type of home garden; (Raphia). vulnerable groups; • lobby authorities to give priority to Raffia is part of daily life in the forest, • identify opportunities and constraints local residents or communities when where an abundant water supply and fertile related to access, collection and trade issuing permits to collect NWFPs, based soils provide favourable growing conditions. of NWFPs. on management agreements that The versatile palm has multiple uses: raffia Once practitioners obtain this regulate, monitor and control culms (stems) are commonly used as information, they can start working harvesting levels. supporting beams in buildings and the leaves make effective roof covering. There is also a long-standing tradition of raffia use in textiles

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– baskets, mats, hats and rope can be woven Uju, 38, from Sungai Bumbun Orang Asli from the flexible fronds. These goods were Village, one of five villages in Carey Island. produced primarily for use within the villages She had had to wade in knee-deep mud to but are now sold locally and abroad, harvest the nipah leaves for her costume, generating much-needed income.Previously which takes a full day to weave into the the situation was very different when a songkho (plaited headband), selipang combination of rapid population growth and (sash) and dendan (skirt). The beige and the need for productive agricultural land dark green colours are obtained by devastated large areas of the forest. interweaving young and mature leaves. “We Overharvesting and unsustainable methods also wear the costume for dances and it of collecting raffia also contributed to the gives us a sense of pride in our traditions destruction of parts of the state-owned forest, and customs. But due to the scarcity of threatening the village’s water supplies and and everyday ailments, each garment is 100 terap trees, we can barely produce the depleting most of the raffia. Faced with a percent organic and woven by hand. clothing for our children.” potential environmental catastrophe, the Based on the 5 000 year-old medicinal She shows us the terap tree (Artocarpus Tanzanian Government banned the collection science of Ayurveda, each Threads for Life elasticus, belonging to the mulberry family of raffia from the forest. garment is infused by hand with unique Maraceae) from where she obtains the bark. With the help of two NGOs, the ban has formulas to address various emotional and The sapling stood forlornly in a grove of palm been revoked and forest communities are physical health challenges. Through the oil trees. Like the nyireh batu wood, which now weaving their way to a brighter future. transdermal process of fibre to skin contact, men use for their magnificent carvings, these FARM-Africa Tanzania and SOS Sahel the herbs and plants are diffused into the native plants are increasingly rare because of Ethiopia established the Nou Joint Forest pores of skin to restore vitality and balance for scarcity of land. Management (JFM) project, a participatory healing and optimum health. (Source: Daily Bark is among nature’s most versatile forest management scheme, bringing Green [United States of America], 16 August materials used by indigenous people for villagers and the government together to 2007.) generations. Beaten bark clothing is found manage the forest sustainably. across tropical regions, mainly in the tropical As a result raffia production has been Promoting the use of the “bayong” in the Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia and parts of domesticated, with large quantities now Philippines Africa and South America. grown in homesteads on the forest perimeter. Apalit, Pampanga. The wife of Pampanga In Malaysia, the Mah Meri continues using Areas of the forest have been replanted and Representative Juan Miguel Arroyo and the bark clothing, but are these distinctive the crop is also grown in swampy areas to spouses of 20 of the province’s mayors have garments on their way to extinction? Julida avoid clearing more land. Furthermore, spearheaded an effort to promote the use of says that they are very careful when washing villagers no longer uproot the raffia during “bayong” (native bags), instead of plastic bags, the clothing so as not to tear them. “We don’t harvesting but leave the roots intact to allow as one way to protect the planet from pollution. know how long they can last and we can’t plants to regenerate. On Sunday they began distribution of at least make new ones.” (Source: Malaysia Star, 17 While the men of the villages harvest and 200 000 pieces of bayong or hand-woven rattan June 2007.) collect the raffia, the women weave. In 2005, or buri bags throughout the province. also as part of the Nou JFM project, raffia Television host and environment advocate Woven bamboo products and crafts weavers’ groups were established to help Christine Bersola-Babao joined the launch at Bamboo crafts and woven mats are villagers improve the quality of their products the public market, giving also a short talk on traditional products in China, India, Malaysia, and identify new market opportunities. As a how plastic bags, if not reused or disposed of the Philippines and Thailand. The technique result, demand has been increasing in local properly, hurt nature and people. “I started has been known for several thousand years. and foreign markets. using bayong when I was in high school. It’s These diverse products have become an Although many women from the Nou my personal little way of helping Mother indispensable part of daily life, literature and art. forest have been weaving with raffia since Earth.” Bersola-Babao told the crowd of There are nearly 20 categories of woven childhood, the weavers’ groups have helped about 400 women who lined up to get their bamboo products in Asia, including fruit change their fortunes. Typical is Paulina free bayong. (Source: Inquirer.net [the baskets, trays, bottles, jars, boxes, cases, Hotay. “Before joining this project I made less Philippines], 16 September 2007.) bowls, fans, screens, curtains, cushions, than TSh2 000 (US$1.50) per month,” she lampshades and lanterns. (Source: World said. “Now I make TSh15 000 per month Stripped of a natural fibre bamboo resources. A thematic study prepared through raffia.” (Source: The New Every year during the Mah Meri’s Hari in the framework of the Global Forest Agriculturist Web site, viewed 8 October 2007; Moyang (Ancestors’ Day), the Orang Asli Resources Assessment 2005. Non-Wood www.new-ag.info/07/05/focuson/focuson3.php) would proudly wear beautiful bark clothing Forest Products 18. Rome, FAO. 2007.) p called teghap, enhanced with sashes and Medicinal plants used in organic clothing line headbands woven from nipah palm leaves. Threads for Life, the first Ayurvedic apparel However, trees have become such scarce company in the United States of America, commodities in Malaysia that even the Orang In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity. successfully launched its first collection in Asli can barely afford to use the bark. Albert Einstein California. Infused with over 25 medicinal “We wear our traditional bark clothing plants and herbs to help address both serious as a form of identity,” explains Julida anak

NON-WOOD NEWS No. 16 January 2008 26 PRODUCTS AND MARKETS

% AÇAÍ cooperatives. Our buyer will inspect the desarrollarse. Crece en diferentes tipos de berries and buy the best ones. He then suelo, aunque parece preferir los arenosos, Brazilian super food going down a storm takes them off and on that day places them bien drenados, aún en zonas de altitud, in the United Kingdom in warm water for about an hour; he will pero no crece en suelos anegados. A Brazilian berry straight from the Amazon then mash them through the first sieve, at Los aceites de la semilla y la pulpa se rain forest called açaí (Euterpe oleracea) which point the stones are removed. They emplean en la fabricación de jabones, has quickly become the world’s number are then mashed through a smaller sieve to llamados de coco. La pulpa es comestible, one most powerful and nutritious food break up the fibre inside the berries. A pulp de ella se extrae un aceite ligero y con su according to many environmental is formed which is packed and shipped in fermentación se elabora un licor de sabor organizations and leading doctors. frozen containers over to the United agradable. El interior del tronco se muele A staple part of the Brazilian diet where Kingdom,” says Ronan. para obtener una harina muy fina y sabrosa they consume millions per day, already a The frozen pulp is then sold on to juice y el cogollo se consume como palmito. big hit in the United States of America with bars, smoothie bars, health shops and Las hojas de A. totai se usan como a band of celebrity worshippers, and supermarkets. forraje para el ganado; tras una although still very new to the United Greenpeace champion the açaí berry maceración, se extrae de ellas una fibra Kingdom market it is fast becoming known because although they are aware that a útil en la confección de sogas, redes, etc. as the “next big thing”. wide range of sustainable and effective El fruto sólo se industrializa en el For many people, the açaí berry is initiatives are needed to prevent the Paraguay y es completamente probably still unknown. But if you have ever continuing destruction of the Amazon, they aprovechable, se compone de 15 a 20 por visited the new wave of juice bars now on accept it as an important environment step ciento de cáscara (alimento de ganado, many high streets, you may have had some forward as the berry is derived from a non- combustible de hornos). La pulpa in your smoothie or health drink and not timber forest product within the Amazon comprende el 30 al 40 por ciento del peso even realized it. rain forest and it gives the people a del fruto y su tenor oleico varía desde un 20 Packed full of antioxidants, high in sustainable way of maintaining their hasta un 36 por ciento (expeller utilizado en omega 6 and omega 9 oils, a rich source of livelihoods. (Source: FreshPlaza [the alimentación de animales). El exocarpio protein and dietary fibre to name just a few Netherlands], 18 June 2007.) compone el 30-40 por ciento de la fruta of the benefits, this is probably why the açaí (combustible de calderas, materia prima berry is such a huge success. para carbón de alta calidad). Un 7 a un 12 Operating from the United Kingdom, por ciento lo compone la almendra, que es Sublime Food Ltd has been importing and oleosa en un 50-60 por ciento (expeller distributing frozen fruit from Brazil for the comestible para animales y seres past three years. Ronan O’Meara, its humanos). director, explains: “The açaí berry has been En cuanto a producción de aceites consumed by the indigenous people of the vegetales, esta especie nativa que posee el Amazon since time began; the berry is the Paraguay, es la segunda en rendimiento size of a large blueberry, purple almost por hectárea en el mundo entero, sólo dark black in colour. It grows wild in the superada por la palma africana. Los Amazon rain forest, which is the only place aceites de pulpa y almendra de coco tienen on earth where it grows. It has three times la ventaja de ser aceites de fácil conversión more antioxidants than blueberries and a biodiesel. (Aportación hecha por: Maura pomegranates. Antioxidants are vital Isabel Díaz Lezcano, Escuela Técnica because they mop up free radicals which Superior de Ingenieros de Montes, can cause cancer and cell damage.” %ACROCOMIA TOTAI Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Ciudad With his brother living and running a Universitaria, 28040, Madrid, España. juice bar in Brazil for the past nine years, El cocotero, mbocayá o nuez del Paraguay Correo electrónico: [email protected]) these two brothers have formed a unique (Acrocomia totai) es una planta de la international partnership where they are at familia de las arecáceas, nativa del the forefront of importing the açaí berry to Paraguay. El aceite de la semilla y la pulpa % AQUILARIA the United Kingdom. “Once the berries are se utilizan en la alimentación y en la in season there are huge quantities; an fabricación de jabones. Oudh – the sweet smell of tradition area about half the size of Switzerland is A. totai es una palmera de entre 15 y 20 Oudh is considered a supreme fragrance in completely covered in açaí trees. Berries m de altura, con uno o, en raras ocasiones, the Gulf countries. In Bahrain, it is burned are picked by small teams, often husband varios estípites de unos 20 a 30 cm de as a mark of respect and hospitality and is and wife that look after areas that are diámetro, cubierto de una corteza lisa y a traditional gesture of welcoming and unique to them. One member of the team oscura, dotada de espinas fuertes y rectas. honouring guests. In fact, oudh is will climb up the tree, cut the branch or El sistema radicular es extenso y profundo. considered an important feature at most pull the berries off and drop them to the Muestra hojas palmadas, en forma de social occasions. person waiting below who will put them abanico, con el raquis duro y espinoso. El Oudh, which simply means wood in into baskets. The baskets are then taken fruto es una drupa globosa. No requiere de Arabic, has an extraordinary pedigree. Also down the river to the local buyers, often un clima cálido o húmedo para known as aloes and agarwood, oudh is

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found in the forests of Southeast Asia and is an aromatic resin found in certain species of Aquilaria and Gyrinops trees. The resin is produced by the tree as an immune response to a fungus – Phialophora parasitica – that invades the tree and over many years spreads through it. It is believed that it takes as long as 300 years for the fungus to spread through the bark of the tree. Unlike the otherwise pale wood of the tree, infected sections are dark and extremely heavy. In fact, the Chinese Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, Java, Viet and Japanese terms for oudh translate as Nam and India. There are more than 2 000 “the wood that sinks in water”. varieties of oudh in the world. Traditionally, DVD ON GAHARU The best grade of oudh is hard, nearly India was one of the largest producers; black and very heavy. In general, oudh however, Assam, once the source of the Gaharu or eaglewood, an important becomes inferior as it becomes lighter in most valued oudh, has now exhausted its non-timber forest product, is a well- tone, flecked with diminishing amounts of wild stocks and supplies the market only known source of high-quality incense. It resin. The only reliable way to test for from plantations. In Viet Nam, agarwood is formed when damaged Aquilaria trees quality is to burn a small bit and evaluate trees are commercially extinct in the wild produce a fragrant protective resin that the complexity and richness of the and in Thailand almost no trees remain gradually hardens and turns into black smouldering wood. outside the national park. lumps. Because of its high market price Oudh is cut, sliced, polished and burned Oudh comes in different forms from (up to US$2 000/kg), the substance is over coal in traditional incense burners wood chips to powder mixed with oil and sought out by many. Systematic hunting called mabakhir. Chips of this fragrant shaped into round balls. While it is burned for the species starts from Sumatra, wood are a prized, almost priceless in mabakhir for fragrance, oudh oil or Kalimantan and Papua New Guinea. The commodity and burning it is one of the dehn-al-oudh is packaged in a bottle as a high market pressure has led to region’s most distinctive traditions. personal fragrance. Oudh-based uncontrolled, destructive and In most Gulf countries it is customary to fragrances are just as treasured a unsustainable exploitation of the pass the hand-held charcoal brazier or commodity as oudh. species, threatening its existence. mabkharah of smouldering oudh at social Traditionally, brides use oudh A recent film raises the alarm on how gatherings. Oudh is burned over fragrances on their wedding day as they these market demands are threatening smouldering bits of coal in the cup that is have an individuality that is missing in the very existence of eaglewood. It looks normally lined with sheet metal. In some international brands, but they are also at its unique sustainable harvesting homes oudh is burned in an electric more expensive. Oudh gives a powerful system as practised by the Punan of mabkharah instead of over coal for scent that lasts for 24 hours. Malinau, East Kalimantan. Not only do convenience. The mabkharah is always According to Malik Al Oudh, a company they have traditional regulations for passed counterclockwise and people waft that supplies and distributes oudh in Saudi land use and forest protection, but the the smoke over themselves to perfume Arabia, half a tola (approximately 11.7 g) of Punan are also actively engaged in using their clothes. dehn-al-oudh from India can cost Aquilaria for reforestation. The tradition of burning oudh has not anywhere between BD300 and BD600 Rehabilitating this precious resource waned even among young Bahrainis who depending on the richness and maturity of is making inroads in the national understand and appreciate the cultural the oil. Eyad Saud, sales manager at Saudi consciousness. The private sector stresses significance of this age-old custom. Indian Arabia’s Arabian oudh company in the need to balance gaharu exploitation oudh is a favoured choice with most Bahrain’s Seef Mall says, “One tola of with cultivation. Meanwhile, research Bahrainis but because of its high price Cambodian oudh costs anywhere between on inoculation methods in order to Cambodian oudh burns in most Bahraini BD6 and BD32. This is one of the cheaper enhance garahu production is well homes. On average, a middle-income and swift-selling varieties here in Bahrain.” under way. Bahraini home would spend up to BD50 on Considering the steep price of a small oudh per month whereas the well-heeled vial of oudh fragrance, it is no wonder that For more information, please contact: would spend up to BD150 per month on wearing such fragrances is restricted to Ms Aloisa Zamora-Santos, Information purchasing oudh for daily use. One special events. All oudh shops, whether Management Officer, Non-Timber Forest kilogram of oudh normally costs between they are small kiosks peppered in the Products Exchange Programme for South BD2 000 and BD8 000 or more, depending major malls in Bahrain or large speciality and Southeast Asia (NTFP-EP), 92-A on the variety shops, carry ornately packed oudh Masikap Extension, Barangay Central, The voracious demand for oudh is fragrances in exquisite bottles that are a Diliman, Quezon City 1101, the Philippines. outstripping supply, thus making this sweet testament to the fact that the tradition of Fax: +63 2 4262757; e-mail: incense more precious than gold. using this age-old prestigious fragrance [email protected]; www.ntfp.org The agarwood harvesting countries lives on. (Source: Gulf Weekly [Bahrain], 19 stretch across Asia: Malaysia, Indonesia, September 2007.)

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%BAMBOO Contribution of world bamboo resources Bamboo bicycles in Ghana by continent Accra, Ghana. The Bamboo and Rattan Bamboo as a plant and a resource Development Programme under the Bamboo belongs to the Gramineae family President’s Special Initiative Programme and has about 90 genera with over 1 200 (PSI) has introduced bamboo in the species. Bamboo flowers rarely and in manufacture of bicycles for rural irregular cycles, which are not yet clearly communities. The programme is aimed at understood. Thus taxonomists do not raising awareness about the use and always agree on the identification of benefits of bamboo and rattan in poverty bamboo species and genera, but modern alleviation and socio-economic genetic analysis may shed new light on development of rural communities. bamboo taxonomy. This initiative was made known during a Bamboo is naturally distributed in the meeting on Tuesday organized by the tropical and subtropical belt between Forestry Service Division in collaboration approximately 46° north and 47° south with the Earth Institute (EI) at Columbia latitude, and is commonly found in Africa, and utensils. In countries undergoing University in the United States of America Asia and Central and South America. Some economic development, traditional bamboo on how to use bamboo in the manufacture of species may also grow successfully in mild culture gradually disappears. However, bicycles in Ghana. Three research scientists temperate zones in Europe and North industrial development of bamboo is from the United States – Dr David T. Ho, Dr America. Bamboo is an extremely diverse offering a new opportunity for younger John Mutter and Dr Craig Calfee – are to plant, which easily adapts to different generations to retain and continue spend ten days in the country to climatic and soil conditions. Dwarf bamboo developing cultural traditions related to the demonstrate how to use bamboo in making species grow to only a few centimetres, cultivation, harvesting and use of bamboo. a bicycle. while medium-sized bamboo species may The physical and environmental Dr Ho said that the bicycle, made to reach a few metres and giant bamboo properties of bamboo make it an carry a load of 100 kg, was designed for species grow to about 30 m, with a diameter exceptional economic resource for a wide farmers in rural communities for of up to 30 cm. Bamboo stems are generally range of uses and for poverty reduction. It sustainable transportation. He said finance hard and vigorous and the plant can survive grows quickly and can be harvested was the main problem facing the project, and recover after severe calamities, annually without depletion and deterioration adding that there should be a fund that catastrophes and damage. Young bamboo of the soil. Bamboo can grow on marginal would take up two-thirds of the cost of shoots were the first sign of new plant life land not suitable for agriculture or forestry, production so that local people could afford after the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and or as an agroforestry crop. It has a relatively the bicycles. (Source: Joy Online [Ghana], Nagasaki in Japan. light weight, because the culms are hollow, 26 June 2007.) Bamboo shoots and culms grow from the and unlike wood can be easily harvested and dense root rhizome system. There are two transported without specialized equipment Bamboo for housing construction main categories of rhizomes: monopodial or vehicles. It splits easily for weaving and is A book describing the methods of using and sympodial. Monopodial rhizomes grow thus easy to handle also for women. bamboo for construction of houses, horizontally, often at a surprising rate, and Bamboo is often cultivated outside the authored by Lionel Jayanetti and Paull thus their nickname of “runners”. The forest on farms, where it is more easily Follat, was released recently at the rhizome buds develop either upwards, managed. Processing normally does not auditorium of the National Engineering generating a culm, or horizontally, with a require highly skilled labour or special Research and Development Centre (NERD), new tract of the rhizomal net. Monopodial qualifications and can be started by poor Ja-ela, Sri Lanka. bamboos generate an open clump with rural communities at a minimal cost. For A model house built using all-bamboo culms distant from each other and can be the same reason, it can offer income- materials was also formally opened. invasive. They are usually found in earning opportunities for handicapped The Deputy Minister of Science and temperate regions and include the genera people. Technology said that since bamboo Phyllostachys and Pleioblastus. Sympodial Bamboo use and trade have been growing cultivation is not widespread, there will be rhizomes are short and thick, and the culms rapidly in recent years. Bamboo is becoming a new industry in the Sri Lankan market. above ground are close together in a popular as an excellent substitute for wood in “Prices of material in the construction compact clump, which expands evenly producing pulp, paper, board and charcoal. It industry are soaring, hence bamboo will be around its circumference. Their natural is widely used in construction, either in its an ideal alternative for building materials, habitat is tropical regions and they are not natural form or as a reconstituted material especially in the hotel trade. It is high time invasive. The main genus is Bambusa. (laminated boards and panels). In addition, for us to start cultivation.” Bamboo has received increasing bamboo shoots have become a popular The Science and Technology Minister, attention over the last two decades for its vegetable, with Asian cuisine spreading Prof. Tissa Vitarana said that this would be economic and environmental values. In quickly around the globe. (Source: World a good start not only in the building Africa, Asia and Latin America, it is closely bamboo resources. A thematic study construction industry, but also for making associated with indigenous culture and prepared in the framework of the Global furniture so that forest devastation may be knowledge and is widely used for housing, Forest Resources Assessment 2005. Rome, prevented. (Source: TRADA International; forestry, agroforestry, agricultural activities FAO. 2007.) [email protected])

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associated with bamboo in the forest. Some % BUTTERFLIES species live almost entirely in large bamboo stands. Others may migrate to other East Africa feels the butterfly effect ecosystems, but may depend on bamboo for Beating the air with her homemade net, feeding and breeding. Most of the bird Aicha Ali chases a swirling black and species feed on bamboo nodes, internodes turquoise butterfly. Far from indulging in a and the insects on foliage. Some species feed frivolous pastime, this Kenyan mother is extensively on bamboo seeds and do not earning crucial family income. Arabuko reside in bamboo forests during non-seeding Sokoke on the Kenyan coast is known for its periods. rare species of butterflies, which a Studies of bird association in the Amazon development project called Kipepeo Basin show that 25 of approximately 440 bird (butterfly in Swahili) is helping export to species (about 6 percent) live in Guadua exhibits and museums in Europe and North bamboo thickets. The degree of dependence America. on bamboo varies among bamboo- Forest dwellers in the neighbouring dependent species; they may depend on it for United Republic of Tanzania have also feeding, breeding, shelter and protection benefited from such butterfly-farming Bamboo chip-based particleboard from predators. Depletion of bamboo initiatives, which not only increase the local developed ecosystems threatens species biodiversity: it community’s economic wealth but also help Pressed particleboard created from a blend has been observed that birds and mammals protect the environment. of plastic chips and bamboo has been are less abundant than before in the Atlantic “I need the forest to feed the butterflies,” invented by the Kagawa Prefecture Sangyo Forest. (Source: World bamboo resources. A Aicha explains. Gijutsu Industrial Technology Centre in thematic study prepared in the framework of Only a few years ago, she and most of the Japan. Suitable for application in the Global Forest Resources Assessment 100 000 villagers living around Arabuko construction, a particleboard that is made of 2005. Rome, FAO. 2007.) Sokoke “had a negative perception of the 70 percent bamboo chip material according forest”, says Kenyan scientist Maria to weight has the same strength attributes as Fungomeli. They saw it as little more than a typical wood-based products. The release refuge for the monkeys and elephants date of the product has not been announced RODENTS RAVAGE VILLAGES attacking their farms and a hostile growth and studies are in progress to find out IN MIZORAM, INDIA that should be cut down to harvest timber, whether the size and shape of the chips have says Fungomeli, assistant director at the any relevance to strength. (Source: Malaysian Thousands of rats have destroyed rice Kipepeo project. Timber Industry Board [in Friday Offcuts, 21 fields in Mizoram, India, fuelling fears Deforestation is threatening what is the September 2007].) of a famine in the region. According to largest block of coastal forest remaining in the Mizoram Agriculture Minister, at East Africa as well as the rare animal Animal species associated with bamboo least 177 villages have been ravaged by species it shelters. The association of animal species with armies of rats in the state this year. But what conservationists call “the bamboo has been explored in a number of About 70 villages that bore the brunt butterfly effect” has started to pay off, both studies. The best-known animals dependent have now nothing left to harvest. At for Arabuko Sokoke and its inhabitants. on bamboo are the giant panda (Ailuropoda least 65 villages have lost half their About 800 families now live thanks to the melanoleuca) and red panda (Ailurus harvest while 42 villages have sale of butterflies. Flying handkerchiefs, fulgens). Their diet consists almost experienced low-intensity destruction. emperor swallowtails and African blue exclusively of bamboo shoots and leaves. Mizoram, with about 1 million people, tigers are some of the rare species collected Several other mammals and birds live in a is dependent on agriculture. Rice and at Kipepeo, fetching between US$1 and $3 a symbiotic relation with bamboo forests. The vegetables are the dominant crops. piece for visiting tourists. One villager now southern bamboo rat (Kannabateomys Reports of rats destroying farmlands earns between $15 and $23 a month from amblyonyx) lives in groves of Guadua and follow vast forests of bamboo bursting his work with Kipepeo, double what he used some introduced bamboo species. Bamboo into flower in many parts of the state. to make selling timber. Another villager is flowering and seeding lead periodically to an When bamboo flowering takes place, equally adamant about the changes explosion of the rodent population, resulting the rat population shoots up, leading butterfly farming have brought to her in famine and social cataclysms in various to an invasion of granaries and paddy lifestyle. “We did go hungry now and then, parts of the world. Local populations in fields. The Mizoram government has but now we can meet the needs of the northeast India suffer particularly from the warned that a famine is going to hit children: medical care, school fees, rat outbreaks triggered by bamboo flowering. the mountainous state. uniforms,” she says, sorting pupae at the The dynamics of the rat population The phenomenon of bamboo project’s collection centre. fluctuations have still not been well explored. flowering occurs every 48 years. Kipepeo, launched in 1993 with funds Interestingly, the majority of bamboo- (Source: NEWSPost India, 25 September from the United Nations Development dependent birds and mammals are endemic 2007.) Programme, buys only pupae. The villagers to the Atlantic Forest of eastern Brazil. At therefore have to breed the butterflies after least 27 species of birds are considered to be capturing them. George Jefwa closed his

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the unique habitat they provide – from The best-quality cork – which is the least competition in the wine trade. porous and has no cracks or flaws – makes Alternative “corks” are ever more the best grade of stopper sold at a premium common, as synthetic and aluminium wine for wines made to be matured in the bottle. closures have grabbed a 20 percent share of Lower grades are used for cheaper wines: the market, up from just 2 percent in 2000, cork granules are agglomerated with a type according to wine industry consultant of glue to make the dense champagne corks Stephane Rein of Rein Consulting. She says that must withstand the pressure of shop down a few years ago to build his that could increase to 35 percent by the end sparkling wine. Offcuts are glued to plastic butterfly “farm”: a large, netted wooden of the decade. discs to make the type of stoppers found in cage teeming with multicoloured “Silicone corks are not a problem for some sherry bottles. butterflies. He has learned to identify quality wines that will always use cork,” As well as being cheaper alternatives, dozens of different types of butterflies and said Battista Giannottu, an agronomist who plastic and metal do not pose the same risk moths and regularly collects their eggs works with a consortium representing of “corking” the wine – when a chemical from the cage. He then places them in a Sardinia’s cork producers. “But the mass called TCA is present in the stopper and plastic box for five days and drops the newly market, which is 80 percent of the total, gives the wine a “mouldy” odour. morphed caterpillars on plants, where they might. That’s not just an economic problem But cork producers and feed before the penultimate stage of their but an environmental one.” environmentalists are fighting back. Aiming transformation into pupae ready for export. The Quercus suber, or cork oak, which to cash in on the demand for “green” In Tanzania’s Usumbura mountains, grows on both the European and African products, they have started to produce corks butterflies are also revolutionizing local sides of the Mediterranean, provides the certified as environmentally friendly under traditions. Farmers who had been earning a raw material for practically all the 20 billion the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) meagre living producing cash crops such as wine corks used every year. The way cork is scheme, an “ecolabel” system already coffee and bananas are now reaping the harvested – shaved off the sides of trees – widespread for timber products. Backers of rewards of butterfly farming, says the means that forests continue to thrive as they the FSC scheme hope that “green” wine Tanzania Forest Conservation Group. The give up their valuable bark. buyers will prefer a bottle with the FSC community will earn $50 000 in 2007 from In Sardinia, the only region in Italy that label. Cork makers hope that it can the project, the group said in a recent produces cork, the forests are a haven for guarantee their future by differentiating statement. “The forests are better protected wild boar, a species of hawk native to the their traditional product from the upstarts. now. The community knows that the base island and Sardinian deer. The highly (Source: ENN Daily News, 6 August 2007.) populations of butterflies and host plants endangered Iberian lynx roams the cork must be conserved if the enterprise is to forests of Spain and Portugal, which is the continue,” the statement said. “A recent global leader in cork production; in North survey found much higher conservation Africa the forests provide a habitat for awareness among butterfly farmers Barbary deer. compared with those not involved in the A cork oak must be at least 30 years old venture.” before the first harvest and, even then, the Kenya’s Kipepeo project has been so gnarled, porous “virgin cork” is not good successful with the local population that it is enough to make wine stoppers. It will take struggling to find buyers for the thousands another ten years for the bark to grow back of pupae collected in Arabuko Sokoke. “We and be good enough to make corks. That %GUARANÁ get 200 000 pupae a year. But we market means a poor rate of return compared with only 25 percent of them,” says Fungomeli. other trees that might be planted in such Guaraná fights cancer and global warming She explains that gaining new markets is areas, such as the fast-growing eucalyptus Scientists from the University of São Paulo crucial to keep the project alive and bring on which competes with cork oaks for land. “It (USP), Brazil, have discovered that guaraná board those villagers who are still chopping isn’t a tree which gives a lot of one thing – it from Amazonia, sold on a large scale by the down the forest’s endangered tropical trees. gives a little of a lot of things,” said Nora state of Amazonas from production in Maués (Source: Mail and Guardian Online [Kenya], Berrahmouni of the World Wide Fund for (268 km from Manaus), is effective in fighting 29 July 2007.) Nature (WWF), an environmental group cancer. The study was published in the working to protect cork forest habitats. journal, Ciência Hoje, by the Brazilian Society The undergrowth is a patchwork of for the Advancement of Science (SBPC). %CORK fragrant shrubs, including ones that The researcher responsible is produce the myrtle, a berry gathered to veterinarian Heidge Fukumasu, who has Plastic, not axes, threatens cork forests make Sardinia’s mirto liqueur – an extra worked on research in tumour regression Tempio Pausania, Sardinia. If you buy a source of forest income. through ingestion of guaraná since he bottle of wine with a metal screw top or a More than 80 percent of the world’s cork graduated from university. Now, with a plastic cork, you may be dooming the production is used for bottle stoppers. The doctorate from USP and a member of a solid world’s cork forests. That is the view of rest is used for building materials and in research team, the scientist highlighted that environmentalists and cork producers who items such as fishing tackle and badminton the decrease in cancer cells occurs in a type have joined forces to protect cork oaks – and shuttlecocks. of breast cancer called Ehrlich tumour.

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Fukumasu still does not know the the first to identify the compound substance within guaraná that acts to methylglyoxal (MGO) and prove its high decrease cancer cell levels. Nevertheless, levels in some New Zealand manuka according to data from the journal, honeys. experiments are under way to find out. Mr Paul said that the discovery that Another important study that was honey’s antibacterial ability was directly recently announced was on the related to MGO levels was highly significant development of cloned guaraná seedlings for the industry. “We have known for some that are more resistant and offer greater time that manuka honey has this property. yields, aiding both in exportation of the The term Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) is product to the national and international used to describe this honey’s consistently markets as well as reducing deforestation. reliable antibacterial effect and UMF has The experiment by the Brazilian been trademarked by the Active Manuka Capsicum frutescens Agricultural Research Corporation Honey Association. But we haven’t known (Embrapa), which also investigates the until the German discovery what the MEDICINAL PLANTS effects of guaraná, has its lines of research compound is that is responsible. The next %AND HERBS directed more towards cloning seedlings to step is to put a standards process in place increase effectiveness of seeds and reduce with the industry which independently Poultry farmers in Uganda take on herbs deforestation in Amazonia. This year, five certifies MGO levels in honey-based health to control diseases new clones of guaraná have been launched products.” Farmers have embraced medicinal plants in in Manaus, helping to reduce the total area Manuka honey was already well known treating poultry diseases. Research carried deforested in the state for planting guaraná for its reliable antibacterial activity, making out by Makerere University in central and by as much as 90 percent. it highly effective for overcoming eastern Uganda revealed that about 80 Among other variables, the research gastrointestinal and skin health problems percent of poultry farmers know how to use studies the cause and effect relationship of and improving healing of wounds. However, medicinal plants to treat these diseases. cloning guaraná plants and felling the with the identification of MGO, further Prof. Bukenya Ziraba from the Makerere forest, and is being conducted by applications for manuka honey are University Department of Botany said the agronomist Firmino José do Nascimento possible, including use as a potential research that was carried out in Mbale, Filho. He stresses that reduced tumorcidal agent to fight cancer. Rakai and Mbarara districts shows that deforestation is also one of the major A research team led by Prof. Thomas many farmers are using medicinal plants to advantages of clones in relation to Henle, head of the Institute of Food treat coughs, diarrhoea, swollen eyes, traditional seed-bred plants. This is so, Chemistry at Dresden, tested more than 80 mites, worms and lice, as well as Newcastle says Nascimento Filho, because of the low honeys from around the world and found prophylaxis and coccidiosis. Research found environmental impact that results from the MGO levels as high as 700 mg/kg in some that medicinal plant species such as use of guaraná clones. (Source: Amazonas New Zealand manuka honeys, more than Capsicum frutescens (kamulali) and Em Tempo, 24 August 2007.) 70 times higher than ordinary honey. Cannabis sativa (enjaga) were used in all the Previous research had shown the highest three districts, while Nicotiana tobaccum concentrations in any food or drink were (taaba), Aloe sp. (lukaka), Vernonia % HONEY about 100 mg/kg in cocoa and coffee. amygdalina (omubirizi) and Tagets mihuta During their research, Prof. Henle’s team (kawunyira) species were used in Rakai and Setting manuka standards developed assays for measuring MGO in Mbarara. A New Zealand honey health science honey. Ziraba says the most common way of company and a German university have Mr Paul said that medical researchers preparing the medicine is by crushing the joined forces in a bid to set industry had found MGO had the potential to act plant material, adding water and standards for the use of manuka honey specifically against malignant cells in the administering the concoction orally. Some products to heal wounds, overcome body and has a significant curative effect on farmers prefer to give chickens the stomach and skin problems, and potentially a wide range of cancers in animals. Current medicine by hand, while others put it in a in the fight against cancer. The move comes research on humans shows MGO results in container and leave the chickens to drink it in the wake of the discovery by the complete remission in about 40 percent of when they are thirsty. He says that using university’s researchers of the compound malignancies, with partial remission in a medicinal plants saves farmers losses responsible for manuka honey’s further 40 percent. More studies are under caused by outbreaks of diseases. “Since antibacterial activity. way to improve treatment techniques. some of the farmers cannot afford to buy Te Awamutu-based Manuka Health New A Japanese cancer researcher at a modern poultry drugs, medicinal plants Zealand Ltd and the Technical University of German university hospital announced last work as a substitute,” he says. Dresden have formed a partnership to month the results of a study showing Ziraba presented the research during a establish a process to certify levels of the Manuka Health’s Bio30 propolis extract symposium on drugs discovery from African compound in manuka honey. Announcing suppressed NF1 neurofibromatosis, a type flora, organized recently by the Natural the partnership today, Manuka Health chief of tumour affecting one in 3 000 people. Research Network for Eastern and Central executive Kerry Paul said that the (Source: Manuka Health press release Africa. (Source: New Vision [Kampala], 14 university’s Institute of Food Chemistry was [New Zealand], 2 July 2007.) August 2007.)

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management. “We have to consider that systems possess rich knowledge on artemisinin is the valuable drug for acute HMAPs and this gives us a great illnesses like malaria,” Valecha said. opportunity to add valuable new crops to (Source: SciDev.Net, 1 October 2007.) our joint knowledge of ecogeography and farming systems in the NENA region,” said Fighting poverty with herbs and medicinal Solh, elaborating ICARDA’s role in research plants on HMAPs. Scientists from all over the world have According to Solh, tremendous room for recently begun deliberations on the role of growth and export opportunities exists if herbal, medicinal and aromatic plants quality products are available that can Artemisia annua (HMAPs) in improving the livelihoods of the compete with other suppliers. New science rural poor. Addressing researchers and technology can be deployed to Artemisia annua. Artemisinin attending the three-day regional expert understand potential new uses for “promising”as leishmaniasis treatment workshop held at the International Center processing, transforming and adding value The antimalarial drug artemisinin shows for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas to natural products – with the purpose of promise as a treatment for leishmaniasis, (ICARDA), in Aleppo, Syrian Arab Republic, generating income for poor farmers. according to Indian researchers, whose Dr Mona Bishay, director of the Near East (Source: Yemen Observer, 17 July 2007.) research was published in the September and North Africa (NENA) division of the issue of the Journal of Medical International Fund for Agricultural Desarrollo y conservación de ipeca Microbiology. Development (IFAD) said that several (Psychotria ipecacuanha) (Brotero) Stokes Visceral leishmaniasis – also known as obstacles hinder the full exploitation of the en Costa Rica kala-azar – is caused by the Leishmania potential of HMAPs in reducing poverty and La raicilla, nombre vernáculo en Costa Rica parasite and transmitted to humans improving the livelihoods of rural people in de la ipeca (Psychotria ipecacuanha) familia through biting insects such as sand flies. the region: poor local technology; Rubiaceae, es una planta nativa de América The parasite lowers immunity and causes inadequate business and entrepreneurial usada económicamente por la industria persistent fever, anaemia, liver and spleen skills and awareness on quality farmacológica mundial. La distribución enlargement, and is lethal if left untreated. requirements; limited knowledge on the natural se extiende desde la planicie It infects 500 000 people worldwide, properties of HMAPs beyond traditional oriental de Nicaragua pasa por el sur a according to WHO. There is no vaccine for knowledge; and limited access to través de Centroamérica (Costa Rica y the disease and there are signs of intellectual property rights. Panamá) y el norte de Sudamérica, hasta increasing resistance to the few effective Underscoring the need to analyse and Brasil (Estado de Rondonia y Matto Grosso). drug treatments. find means to address the obstacles, Constituye desde el siglo 20 el producto Researchers evaluated the efficacy of Bishay said that the most important forestal no maderero (PFNM) de mayor artemisinin against the Leishmania handicap was the inability of the collectors importancia económica de las donovani parasite. They found that the drug and growers of such plants to take exportaciones de cultivos no tradicionales kills the parasite at both stages of its advantage of potential markets, because of con categoría de planta medicinal de Costa growth, particularly the disease-causing lack of access to resources; inadequate Rica. Su cosecha comenzó a partir de amastigote form of the parasite. The study extension and training services; lack of poblaciones silvestres en la Región Huetar also indicated that artemisinin was safer improved technology and business skills; Norte, Costa Rica, a partir de la década de than the existing antileishmanial drug and insufficient marketing information and 1950 y constituye el primer cultivo pentamidine, which can cause diabetes, local organizational skills that could enable comercial implementado para cobertura and miltefosine, which has been linked to them to take advantage of emerging del bosque. birth defects. market opportunities. La ipeca es una planta herbácea, con un Lead researcher Mitali Chatterjee, from Dr Mahmoud Solh, Director-General of tallo semileñoso, delgado y retorcido, entre the India-based Institute of Postgraduate ICARDA, said it was regrettable that 20 y 30 cm de largo. El rizoma es tuberoso y Medical Education and Research, said that indigenous knowledge on HMAPs was not posee una envoltura áspera, de 0,5 a 1 cm the advantage of artemisinin is that it is backed up with adequate use of modern de grosor y de 15 a 17 cm de longitud. already a licensed drug, so toxicity studies technology, despite the fact that folk El producto comercial es la raíz, que have already been completed. medicine still serves 80 percent of the después de su deshidratación presenta un Swapan Jana, secretary of the India- world’s rural population. “The HMAP sector color grisáceo, un particular olor a moho y based NGO Society for Social faces various challenges and constraints, tiene la característica de presentar anillos Pharmacology, said the prospect of using such as overexploitation of naturally en su superficie. La importancia económica artemisinin was “very encouraging, given occurring species; fragmented approaches en la industria farmacológica y leishmaniasis is endemic in India and and projects that address only limited homeopática se debe a la presencia de existing antileishmanial drugs show side- aspects of selected HMAP value chains; alcaloides isoquinolínicos, como la emetina, effects”. lack of quality control standards of locally cefaelina, psicotrina, éter metílico de But Neena Valecha, deputy director of produced HMAPs and products; and poor psicotrina y emetamina, con usos the National Institute of Malaria Research distribution of benefits in value chains,” medicinales como emético para in India, warned that any expanded use of said Solh. “Our partners in national contrarrestar la disentería amebiana, como artemisinin must not affect malaria agricultural research and extension expectorante. Las poblaciones silvestres

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varían ampliamente en el contenido de reducción de las exportaciones del año much of the vitamin is lost in the way leaves alcaloides totales, de acuerdo con la época; 2002 a 7 toneladas y el desinterés de los are preserved. en Panamá, por ejemplo se registran agricultores en el cultivo de la ipeca y While presenting a paper during the resultados medios entre 1,657 y 3,536 por finalmente en el año 2006 se presenta una Biodiversity and Medicinal Plants Joint ciento. ausencia de materia prima en el mercado Conference at Makerere University recently, Las poblaciones cultivadas tienen la internacional provocando un nuevo interés Namutebi said the study was undertaken to ventaja de producir mayor cantidad de por parte de las empresas importadoras de explore an effective method and time of alcaloides y una biomasa de raíz seca en los países consumidores: Alemania, picking the leaves in order to maintain the promedio de 2,3 toneladas por hectárea. Francia, Austria, Bélgica, Estados Unidos high vitamin A quantities. During the study, En un estudio realizado por el CIPRONA de América, elevando el precio hasta 50 leaves were picked at different times – in the (Centro de Investigación de Productos dólares EE.UU. por kilo seco a nivel de morning, at midday and in the evening. Naturales) de la Universidad de Costa Rica agricultor. Vitamin A quantities in each freshly sobre el contenido de alcaloides totales de En el 2007 no existen volúmenes harvested sample were analysed to quantify poblaciones cultivadas mayores a 2 años suficientes de materia prima para losses based on different picking times and de cultivo por medio de estolones, se abastecer las necesidades del mercado drying methods. The results revealed that the lograron resultados en promedio de 2,65 internacional. Esta situación conduce a que leaves dried in sunshine lost 35–60 percent por ciento de alcaloides totales, con 1,92 Bougainvillea Extractos Naturales and those in the shade, 11–15 percent. por ciento de emetina y 0,72 por ciento de promueva una iniciativa de desarrollo de Dr Raymond Tweheyo, a lecturer at cefaelina. producción con agricultores de la Región Mbarara University, said: “25 g daily of El tiempo para ejecutar la cosecha de la Huetar Norte para incentivar el cultivo a Moringa oleifera leaf powder would give a ipeca varía de 3 a 4 años, aumentando los precios razonables, con un contrato de child the recommended daily allowances of rendimientos en biomasa y el contenido de respaldo para producir extractos fluidos vitamins A and C, calcium, iron, magnesium, alcaloides totales, en Costa Rica para el mercado internacional con el proteins and potassium. We recommend comúnmente se cosecha entre 2,6 hasta 3 objetivo de contribuir con la estabilidad de people in developing countries grow it at the años. un mercado internacional que se ha household and community level.” En estudio realizado por el Centro caracterizado por precios inestables en el Duncan Sesaazi, also from Mbarara Internacional de Investigación Forestal tiempo, provocando situaciones adversas University, said that moringa can be an (CIFOR) en el año 2000 sobre la situación para el agricultor y por ende, para la effective supplement in the treatment of de desarrollo de la ipeca como estudio de industria farmacológica. HIV/AIDS. (Source: New Vision [Uganda], 5 caso de un producto no maderero del La importancia de esta iniciativa es June 2007.) bosque (PNMB) en Costa Rica se determinó lograr contribuir a dar valor agregado a la existencia de un área de 45 hectáreas de nivel local, ya que los PFNM históricamente cultivo y una cosecha potencial de 103 se han exportado como materia prima, por toneladas de raíz seca, situación que en lo tanto lograr la estabilidad de un precio esa fecha mantenía precios bajos, 7 base para el agricultor contribuirá a la dólares EE.UU. por kilo de raíz conservación del bosque tropical húmedo, deshidratada, precio reportado en las y dará seguridad en el abastecimiento del estadísticas nacionales, por lo tanto el producto de ipeca para la industria precio pagado al agricultor fue menor, lo internacional. (Aportación hecha por: que determinó un desinterés por el cultivo. Rafael A. Ocampo S., Bougainvillea S.A. Es importante resaltar la producción del Apartado Aéreo 764-3100. Santo Domingo, Malunggay leaf año 2000 y compararla con la producción Heredia; correo electrónico: histórica exportable de Costa Rica, un [email protected]) Malunggay: a “miracle vegetable” taking promedio de 20 toneladas por año (1961 a centre stage in the Philippines 1985), situación que se vio aumentada por Malunggay, described as a “miracle el interés por parte de los agricultores y %MORINGA OLEIFERA vegetable”, is among the many native empresarios en el cultivo gracias a los plants in the Philippines that can contribute incentivos gubernamentales para el Sunlight reduces the value of moringa greatly to human health, according to the desarrollo de cultivos no tradicionales, lo leaves country’s Bureau of Agricultural Research que provocó exportaciones entre 115 y 180 A recent research by Mbarara University of (BAR). toneladas entre 1989 y 1996 Esta situación Science and Technology has revealed that BAR disclosed recently that the Medical provocó anomalías y se descubrieron the proven potency of Moringa oleifera can College in Kolkota, India has discovered distorsiones por parte de las compañías be lost during preparation. The leaves, that among the many different medicinal exportadoras en las cifras sobre which contain vitamins A and C, calcium, herbs, malunggay, a green, leafy vegetable exportaciones de la raíz de ipeca, potassium and proteins, need proper containing phytochemicals, plays an provocando una fiscalización del sector y handling for effective use. Ritah Namutebi, important role in preventing the poniendo en duda la confiabilidad de las a student at the university, studied the development of cancer cells as well as in estadísticas oficiales. preservation of vitamin A which acts as a the treatment of female reproductive El hecho de un mercado contraído y de shield against eye and skin disease, heart disorders such as epithelial ovarian cancer. bajos precios internacionales, condujo a la ailments and diarrhoea. She found that Research studies also indicate that

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malunggay is an effective treatment for a brew made from this shrub, long before % NUTS ovarian cancer because of a combination of the Romans brought hops to Britain. antitumour and hormonal properties that Now the Danish brewing giant Carlsberg Managing the southwestern United States can be taken from its root bark extracts. is planning to use bog myrtle to flavour a of America as a nut grove: the Pinyon- Malunggay also contains antioxidants new version of one its range of strong Juniper Ecosystem Management Project and can help prevent other chronic “bock” lagers. The firm has signed a Pinyon-juniper ecosystems cover 36 million ailments such as arthritis, kidney diseases supply deal with Scottish company acres (approximately 14 568 683 ha) and heart complications. Moreover, it is Highland Natural Products (HNP) in the scattered across Colorado, New Mexico, rich in vitamins A, C and E and thus helps United Kingdom, which has already been Arizona, Nevada and Utah. Pinyon trees exist to maintain good eyesight; facilitates instrumental in bringing several bog in association with more than 1 000 species digestion and bowel movement; cleanses myrtle lines to the market. HNP’s of plants, insects, birds and mammals, and wounds and ulcers; and cures stomach managing director said it was a “landmark perform important ecosystem services, such aches, scurvy, asthma, earache and deal” between a small Highland company as water and soil retention. For 10 000 years, headaches. and a giant in the world of beverage human inhabitants in the Southwest also Also known as the drumstick or production, and foresees huge benefits for relied on pinyon trees, primarily for horseradish tree, malunggay is the most the Highland rural community in Scotland. sustenance, shade, firewood and building widely cultivated sample of the genus He added that the contract could lead to materials. To this day, pinyon trees are Moringa that can be grown almost repeat orders and possible interest by sacred among the region’s indigenous anywhere using seeds and cuttings. The Carlsberg in some of the other flavours the cultures and pine nuts – the seeds of pinyon Department of Agriculture revealed that company is producing. trees – are highly prized among Native three months after germination, the young Some microbreweries in Scotland American and Hispanic residents for their leaves can already be harvested, providing already use bog myrtle as a chief flavour and nutritional value. Commerce in vitamins, niacin, iron, calcium and protein. ingredient in specialist beers. But beer pine nuts is an old tradition in the Given malunggay’s many health benefits experts said the interest being shown by Southwest, dating back at least 1 000 years, and the fact that it is helping farmers by Carlsberg, which is the United Kingdom’s and linking peoples of the Great Basin, the becoming their major source of income fourth-largest brewer, would give it a Colorado Plateau and the Great Plains. As since it can be developed as an export crop major boost. late as the 1930s, trading posts shipped under their biotechnology programme, the The use of bog myrtle as a major beer millions of pounds of pine nuts each year Department of Agriculture and BAR have ingredient died out more than 500 years from southwestern forests to markets in pledged to step up their campaign for ago. Although used extensively as New York City and Los Angeles. production and planting of the vegetable. flavouring in Britain during the Middle Over the past 50 years, however, the flow Recent studies also indicate that Ages, it was gradually replaced by hops, of pine nuts from the Southwest’s forests because of its nutritional value, the which could be more easily grown on has dwindled to a trickle. Much of this Department of Health is advocating Filipino agricultural land closer to population decline is directly linked to a century of families, especially lactating mothers, to centres. unsustainable public land management increase their intake of malunggay leaves Beer-making aside, it has had many policies. For much of the twentieth century, in their daily diets since it is an excellent uses in the past, including as a medicinal rangeland ecologists treated pinyon trees as source of nourishment. product for wounds, stress and coughs, as weeds and recommended converting In a related move, to promote its well as a midge repellent. Earlier this year, wooded savannahs in many parts of the development, production and intake the high-street chemist Boots launched a Southwest to grasslands stocked with non- further, malunggay will be showcased at new Botanics Sensitive Skin product native grasses. By the late 1980s, the the launching of BAR’s “Indigenous Plants incorporating bog myrtle after five years of combination of wide-scale clearing, fire for Health and Wellness Program” which research and development. It sourced its suppression and intense livestock grazing coincides with the proclamation of National raw material from bog myrtle plantations had created landscapes dominated by Health and Wellness Month. (Source: in the Highlands. (Source: The Scotsman, abnormally dense thickets of small- Philippine Information Agency, 2 October 22 July 2007.) diameter pinyon trees across much of the 2007.) Southwest. Prolonged drought during the 1990s increased the susceptibility of these forests to insects and disease, resulting in %MYRICA GALE massive die-offs of the trees over large parts of Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona, and Myrica gale as a beer ingredient placing the remaining live pinyon trees at Bog myrtle (Myrica gale) is a distinctive extreme risk to wildfire. Despite the negative shrubby plant that grows on wet, acidic ecological impacts of previous pinyon heathland, bogs and moors in the north of removal efforts, current efforts to restore western Europe. One of the world’s leading pinyon-juniper ecosystems continue to rely brewers is to create a new beer using this on management techniques, such as obscure Scottish moorland plant that was hydromowing and chaining, that once used to flavour medieval beverages. indiscriminately remove all pinyon trees, In fact, Vikings and native Scots once drank rather than retaining healthy specimens.

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Land management approaches that www.pinonnuts.org/ (Contributed by: Price of Brazil nuts plummets in Acre, Brazil encourage the restoration of healthy pinyon Rebecca McLain, Institute for Culture and This year alone, the native Brazil nut groves groves instead of eliminating them are Ecology and Penny Frazier, owner, Goods in the regions of Alto Acre, Baixo Acre and badly needed. One promising alternative is from the Woods.) Iaco/Purus, have produced over 10 000 to reverse current management priorities tonnes of Brazil nuts, according to optimistic and manage pinyon-juniper ecosystems FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: forecasts in the extractivist sector. Despite primarily for nut production, and only then Ms Rebecca McLain, Senior Policy Analyst, increased production, the price per can of for grazing, timber and mining. Such an Institute for Culture and Ecology, PO Box 6688, Brazil nuts has plummeted on the regional approach would benefit the land, water and Portland, Oregon 97228-6688, United States of market, where it is currently R$14, when last wildlife; it would also decrease the risk of America. E-mail: [email protected]; year it was as high as R$17. (Source: O Rio catastrophic wildfire and provide a reliable www.ifcae.org; www.pinonnuts.org Branco, 2 August 2007.) supply of highly nutritious nuts, thereby increasing the economic viability of the Maya nut (Brosimum alicastrum): local pine-nut industry. an ancient food for a healthy future The notion of managing pinyon-juniper Maya nut (Brosimum alicastrum) – or forests as nut groves is neither new nor Ramon, Ojoche, Masica, Ujuxte, Ojushte, far-fetched: humans have managed pine Ojite, Ash, Ox, Capomo, Mojo and Breadnut – forests for nut production for thousands of is a delicious, nutritious, abundant nut from years in the Mediterranean, and the neotropical rain forest trees that provided a indigenous peoples of the Southwest staple food for pre-Columbian hunter practised a variety of management gatherers. Maya nuts are exceptionally techniques to improve nut production, nutritious, providing high-quality protein, including selectively thinning unproductive calcium, iron, folate, fibre and vitamins A, E, trees, clearing around the base of the trees NORTHERN NUT GROWERS C and B.They are also one of the best native and removing lower branches. ASSOCIATION, UNITED STATES forage species and show great promise for In 2007, with funding from the Colorado OF AMERICA providing ecological alternatives to pasture Wood Utilization and Marketing Program (a for cattle ranches in the neotropics. collaborative effort between the Colorado The Northern Nut Growers Association, In recent history, maya nuts have been State Forest Service, Colorado State Inc. (NNGA) is a national non-profit critical to rural food security; thousands of University, the United States Forest Service organization with members villages throughout Central America and and the Bureau of Land Management, throughout the United States and 15 Mexico have survived drought and famine Colorado State Office), the Institute for other countries, founded in 1911 to by eating them when no other food was Culture and Ecology initiated a pilot project share information on growing nut available. Unfortunately, knowledge about aimed at building the capacity of trees. Members include new nut the nuts has decreased as globalization, Southwestern communities and land culturists, farmers, amateur and export crops and deforestation negatively management agencies to manage pinyon- commercial nut growers, experiment impact indigenous cultures and the forests juniper ecosystems as nut groves. In this station workers, horticultural teachers that sustain them. As a result of this loss of phase an interactive Web site and scientists, nut tree breeders, indigenous knowledge, people cut maya (www.pinonnuts.org) is being established nursery people and foresters. nut trees for firewood and burn forests to where harvesters, buyers, land managers The most popular kinds of nut and plant maize, beans and other crops. The and scientists can share information about fruit trees that NNGA members plant maya nut tree is in danger of extinction pinyon nut crop locations and yields, permit are walnut (Juglans), filbert (Corylus), throughout its range, a situation that prices and harvesting restrictions, pinyon pecan and hickory (Carya), chestnut threatens the food security of both human nut prices and methods for improving (Castanea), oak (Quercus), pine nut and animal populations. pinyon nut production. Penny Frazier, (Pinus), paw paw (Asimina triloba) and The Equilibrium Fund’s Maya Nut owner of Goods from the Woods and long- persimmon (Diospyros kaki and D. Program is working to rescue lost traditional time advocate of sustainable management virginiana). knowledge about the tree for food, fodder of pinyon-juniper ecosystems, was the NNGA has been publishing articles, and ecosystem services. Since its inception inspiration for the project and is research papers, and monographs on in 2001, more than 7 000 women have been coordinating the development of the Web nuts, nut-tree growth and culture since trained from 312 communities in Honduras, site. 1910. Summaries of some of these Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador and The Institute for Culture and Ecology has articles and a listing of books that can Mexico about the nutrition, processing, produced several educational tools be borrowed can be found on the recipes, conservation and propagation of highlighting the many benefits of pinyon NNGA Web site. Brosimum alicastrum seed. This trees, including an overview of the pine nut programme has resulted in the conservation industry, guidelines for managing pinyon- For more information, please contact: of more than 400 000 ha of maya nut forests juniper forests for nut production and a Mr Tucker Hill at [email protected] or visit and the planting of more than 150 000 new scientific poster on pinyon management. www.northernnutgrowers.org/ seedlings. These materials are available at: The programme focuses on women as www.ifcae.org/projects/pinyon/ and the caretakers of the family and the

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environment, and addresses key factors for grew well there,” he said, adding that the during the current 11th five-year plan. As sustainable livelihoods – sociocultural, government wants to develop the area with research mainly involves biological environmental and economic – by creating roads and water dams. materials such as mulberry and the silk leadership, educational and economic Techniques and seeds from China are insects, the results of the products cannot opportunities for women and girls. In this being used to plant mulberry trees in Chom be ascertained in the short term. The context, we have facilitated the creation of Kiri district, Sun Kunthor said. Chinese benefits of these products will be felt five autonomous women’s producer groups experts told him that the weather in during the 11th plan period. who produce Brosimum seed for Cambodia is good for silkworm feeding and However, some products have already consumption and sale, and who train new products can be harvested throughout the started yielding results during field trials. communities to provide women with the year. “In Cambodia, we need to feed the To highlight a few, officials said mulberry skills and knowledge they can use to earn silkworms for 20 to 30 days before they can leaf productivity has doubled to 60 tonnes income and produce food for their families. spin strings of silk, but in China it will need per ha per year when compared to 30 Our anticipated accomplishments about 45 days”, he quoted an expert as tonnes during the 9th plan period. include: saying. “One hundred kg of silkworm Cocoon productivity has also increased • reforesting 50 percent of El Salvador cocoons can yield 20 to 22 kg of silk“, he to 60 kg per 100 dfls (disease-free layings) with Brosimum alicastrum; added. from 40 kg, pushing up the cocoon • creating at least three agroforestry “We plan to establish the Association of production to 698 kg per ha from 627.5 kg. demonstration plots in Mexico for Mulberry Tree Planters to protect the Input cost per kg of cocoon produced has cattle ranching using Brosimum fodder benefits of our silk products,” he said. been brought down to Rs75 from Rs100. in conjunction with pasture; “When we expand our land for planting Primarily, raw silk production per ha has • creating and strengthening a women’s mulberry trees to 800–1 000 ha, foreign increased to 82.9 kg from 68.3 kg. The CSB producer group network to unify the investors will come here to set up a factory has also filed 40 technologies for patenting, producer groups and reduce to make silk for exporting.” “If we can of which 16 have been commercialized. competition, and improve supply, produce raw materials of silk in the During the 10th plan, production varied quality, and sustainability; country, local people will have jobs,” he but has been steadily increasing, surging to • expanding the programme to Haiti, said, adding that it will help promote higher 17 305 tonnes in 2005/2006 and now in the Cuba, Jamaica and other parts of the living standards, reduce poverty, stop financial year 2006/2007 it has reached Caribbean; and labour migration and increase national 18 760 tonnes. Despite this production • obtaining research funding to explore revenues. (Source: People’s Daily Online increase, India still imports around 8 000 the Brosimum genome. [China], 23 July 2007.) tonnes of silk from China. (Source: Eco-Index Monthly Update, With new inventions, the CSB hopes to October 2007.) increase its production to match local demand and thus reduce imports from FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: China as much as possible during the 11th Erika Vohman, Project Director, Equilibrium plan period, when the country will witness Fund (TEF), PO Box 2371, Crested Butte, the benefits of newly invented sericulture Colorado 81224, United States of America. products. (Source: Financial Express E-mail: [email protected]; [India], 15 July 2007.) http://theequilibriumfund.org/ Rwanda: turning the nation into a land of silk %SILK Samples of Rwanda’s silk have been ranked the best in India. With these positive Cambodia promotes mulberry tree results, planners are positioning the

planting and silkworm feeding for silk Mulberry tree country to produce silk for both local and production international markets. Peter Muvara, The Cambodian Government is India’s Central Silk Board and its 10th chairman of the silkworm project, says encouraging farmers to expand mulberry five-year plan returns from silk are two times higher than tree planting and silkworm feeding under The Central Silk Board (CSB), apex body of that of coffee and three times that of tea. the “one village for one product” policy to the Indian sericulture industry, has almost Having a local silk industry processing produce silk to fulfil the demand in met its targets in releasing new sericulture cocoons to silk yarn and finished fabrics domestic and foreign markets, a senior products during the 10th five-year plan. would develop markets for other rural official said on Monday. The CSB’s inventions were primarily aimed products and Rwanda could be turned into There are up to 20 ha of land to plant at improving productivity in a bid to reduce a land of silk. mulberry trees in Sre Cheing commune, silk imports from China. The government has allocated about Chom Kiri district in Kompot Province, Sun Of the total 297 research projects RF154 million for training 30 farmers from Kunthor, an adviser for the Cambodian targeted during the 10th plan period, the the four provinces in the country. They will Government and secretary-general of the research institutes attached to the CSB be trained in mulberry farming, silkworm committee of “one village for one product” have completed 281 projects. The rearing and weaving to ensure that they said. “I saw mulberry trees and silkworms remaining 16 projects will be completed produce quality silk products.

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Jointly run by farmers’ cooperatives and Pepper trees that grow to a height of 20 m the private sector with the Ministry of are native to tropical forests in Mexico, Defence playing a leading role, about Honduras, Guatemala, Belize and Jamaica. 600 000 ha of mulberry trees are to be They are becoming scarce in the east Mexican planted in three years, with at least 60 000 forests of the Sierra Norte region as rising families targeted to benefit. Each household human populations have led to forests will plant 0.1 ha. The Rwanda Investment increasingly being cleared for agriculture and Group has already opened 20 ha of silkworm cattle ranching. However, escalating production in Rusizi-Western Province. The and handicrafts in Latin America” international demand for the seasoning has

“Riches of the forest: fruits, remedies government has also interested UTEXRWA, been a catalyst for the cultivation of pepper a local textile company, in upgrading their % SPICES trees in and around this region and over the factory to start processing silk products. past two decades the number of the trees has Some money has been invested in the Allspice: the flavour of Mexico increased twofold. Institute of Science and Agricultural Allspice is similar to Asia’s “black pepper” Pepper trees can be found mainly within Research, to build up staff capacity in but with a sweeter, more aromatic flavour the shade-grown coffee plantations of the silkworm egg production. Five ha of and smell. Sourced from the pepper tree Sierra Norte de Puebla, along with other mulberry tree plantations have been opened (Pimenta dioica), the flavour comes from the valuable tropical trees, such as mamey, at the Institute to kick-start silkworm egg dried, ground fruits, which first appear as banana, orange, mandarin, cedar, mahogany production. The country has been importing small strongly scented green berries. In and jonote trees (which are used for making eggs from the Republic of Korea, but the addition to the ground seasoning, essential bark paper). In the municipality of stakeholders in silkworm production oil is also extracted from the dried berries Tuzamapan, each hectare of coffee plantation complain that they are expensive. To cut for use in the medicinal, cosmetic and food contains about 70 to 100 productive pepper costs and losses, eggs will be produced industries. trees, which produce up to 120 kg of green locally in Rwanda. It is estimated that 1 ha of The pepper tree grows in several Central fruit. Each kilogram sells for around US$2.2. land needs 20 boxes of silkworm eggs. American countries and in Mexico, where its The pepper trees are valued not just for These worms feed on mulberry trees. history of use dates back long before the monetary reasons, but because they also help Cuttings were imported from Uganda and arrival of the Spanish. Known in Mexico as to improve the soil, with the falling leaves planted on 10 ha, at four sites in the pimienta gorda, the pepper tree has forming a protective layer against erosion in Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western historically given both the Old and the New mountainous terrain such as that of the Provinces. To boost silk production, the World the tremendous gift of flavour. In pre- Sierra Norte de Puebla. government plans to give out free mulberry Hispanic times, indigenous people in Mexico Within the coffee plantations, a common cuttings; however, when the project takes used the berries, which they called practice is to prune the branches of nearby off, farmers will have to pay back for them. xocoxóchitl, to season their food, and as an trees in order to promote the yield of the The farmers will also be trained in rearing ingredient in traditional medicine. The pepper trees. In addition to shade-grown and reeling silk for production. The Spanish colonists quickly adopted the local coffee plantations, pepper trees are cultivated government will install weaving facilities to seasoning and used it in their cooking as in orchards, milpas (maize plots) and be managed by cooperatives. well, mixing native condiments, cultivars and potreros on small cattle ranches. Farmers If the project takes off fully, planners fruits with produce from plant varieties from also protect the natural regeneration of believe that it will act as an incentive, their homeland. They called the local pepper pepper trees in areas where they are not triggering off economic growth and malagueta or tabasco pepper, and it went on actively cultivated. When clearing weeds and increasing the balance of payments and to become one of the main commercial grasses with machetes, the farmers try not to foreign currency earnings. products in the new Spanish colony. cut the small pepper seedlings. Some Muvara is optimistic. He believes that the During the seventeenth century, the small farmers even protect the seedlings with silk industry is well suited for Rwanda green berries were commercialized around fences or replant them within their coffee because of the excellent agroclimatic the world by Dutch and English plantations. Others establish small nurseries. conditions that favour silk production entrepreneurs. Since the nineteenth century, Men harvest the pepper berries from May throughout the year. He cited some the states of Veracruz, Chiapas and Tabasco to August – harvesting up to 25 kg a day. When countries that are not competitive in silk have been the main allspice producers, the harvesters return home, the women and production, some of them producing as little joined in more recent times by the states of children pick the little green berries off the as 600 kg, while Rwanda can produce twice Oaxaca, Campeche and Puebla. Demand for small branches. They spread the berries out as much. the dried berries and essential oil is over flat, cement surfaces or on bed rolls to Rwanda has the opportunity to exploit the continuing to grow. Between 1990 and 2000, dry in the sun. An important stage in the silk market through the African Growth the total Mexican production of allspice drying process involves making the berries Opportunity Act because world supply is increased from 868 to 4 980 tonnes. Most of “sweat” – there needs to be just the right level currently about 45 percent. When the the production is exported, with only 2.2 of moisture content (or sudado) in the dried country goes to full production, about 19 000 percent being consumed in Mexico. The allspice. The first day in the sun ensures that tonnes of cocoons worth $64 million will be majority goes to South America, the United the allspice acquires its characteristic scent produced on the 10 000 ha of land planned States of America, Europe and the Middle and black colour, but it takes four to five days to be opened for silk production. (Source: East. In 2000 the total export value was before the fruit is dried properly. Alternatively, New Times [Kigali], 9 July 2007.) US$12 million. the berries can be processed more rapidly in

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only nine hours in an electric dryer. Grain and this cultivation needs to be developed to done with the help of a large company, which sieves are then used to remove damaged fruit meet the demand, he said. “We exported $30 is where Frutarom comes in. The flavour and and sort the remaining berries by size. million of pepper and $0.5 million of food additive company has grown in the last The allspice market. At the beginning of the cinnamon last year. Our company mainly ten to15 years from US$10 million a year to a 1970s, itinerant traders would visit the region exports pepper, cinnamon, oil seeds and projected $350 million by the end of 2007. to buy allspice and then move on to hawk it in mace from the nutmeg fruit. “We should (Source: World Poultry Net, 8 August 2007.) other towns and cities, such as Cuetzalán or improve our productivity of cinnamon Veracruz. More recently, local farmers have gradually. Mostly South and Central American organized themselves into associations of countries consume Sri Lankan cinnamon.” % TRUFFLES allspice producers, taking more responsibility “Since the demand for Sri Lankan cinnamon for production as well as sales. With the is very high, the produce could be sold at Giant field of rare black truffles in Poland support of the state, these small cooperatives attractive prices,” Rajan said. He added that An enormous field of black truffles has been have begun to export their produce through this year cinnamon production was less discovered by mushroom researchers from intermediaries. because of the heavy rains and floods. the University of Lódz. The truffles are The harvesting and processing of allspice Rajan said that the tariff rebate to which growing over a large area in the vicinity of the represent an important economic activity for exporters are entitled had been reduced and southern city of Czestochowa, making this the many families in the Sierra Norte de Puebla. the government should reinstate the earlier farthest reach of the mushroom in In recent years this activity has come to the rebate rate to encourage them. (Source: northeastern Europe and the only point of its rescue of coffee growers, following the fall in Ceylon Daily News [Sri Lanka], 8 June 2007.) appearance in Poland. A kilogram of truffles, international coffee prices. Indeed, allspice considered a delicacy and an aphrodisiac by has become a more important source of some, can sell at around €3 600. income than coffee. For example, in According to the researchers from Lódz Tuzamapan, in the Sierra Norte de Puebla, University, Polish black truffles are just as where about 56 percent of the villagers are aromatic as truffles from Burgundy. In Poland engaged in producing allspice, 17 percent of truffles are a protected species, so the their overall income is derived from allspice, location of the rare Polish truffle field is being with 11 percent from coffee. kept a scientific secret. (Source: Polish Radio Although the prices of these international External Service, 14 August 2007.) products are subject to instability and fluctuations, the two products continue to be Cinnamon helps fight against bird flu Summer rain boosts United Kingdom truffle important for the livelihoods of many rural Tel Aviv University technology transfer harvest households. The diversity of crops offers company Ramot has signed an agreement Farmers across the United Kingdom have some protection against economic with Frutarom, a multinational neutraceutical been counting the cost of the summer’s uncertainty or changes that can affect one company based in Israel, for applying a devastating floods but one corner of the particular crop, such as coffee in this technology using a cinnamon extract in a industry has received an unexpected boost instance. Local people benefit greatly from whole host of applications from disinfecting from the heavy rainfall. Hunters and farmers the pepper trees, which provide a direct the air as a spray against avian flu in airports, of truffles have reported a huge increase in source of income, as seasoning for domestic to a daily supplement that protects people the number and quality of the fungi growing use, medicinal leaves and shade for coffee against common flu. The discovery was made on roots of trees and the trend will continue plants. The plantations also provide valuable by Prof. Michael Ovadia, of Tel Aviv as the main harvest gets under way resources such as fruits, fuelwood, medicinal University’s Department of Zoology. throughout August. plants and herbs, highlighting the benefits of Ovadia’s initial experiments proved to be Although France and Italy are generally multiuse plantings. (Source: Case study on true – his savoury cinnamon extract was regarded to be the world leaders in the truffle allspice, pepper seasoning by Miguel Angel quickly and efficiently able to immunize market, some species found in the United Martínez Alfaro, Virginia Evangelista Oliva, chicken embryos from the Newcastle disease Kingdom can be eaten and can fetch a high Myrna Mendoza Cruz, Cristina Mapes and virus, which costs the poultry industry in the price on the international market. Francisco Basurto Peña [in Riches of the United States of America alone millions of The heavy rainfall during June and July has forest: fruits, remedies and handicrafts in dollars a year. Apparently further studies on particularly benefited the summer truffle (the Latin America, eds C. López, P. Shanley and avian influenza H9, sendal virus and herpes only variant grown that is eaten), a caramel- A.C. Fantini].) simplex 1 also achieved positive results. “Not coloured species with white veins that has a only was the extract able to neutralize the nutty and sometimes gritty consistency and Sri Lanka: spice industry needs duty rebates viruses, but it also showed for selected can fetch up to £300/lb (0.5 kg). to encourage exporters viruses that it has the potential to immunize One entrepreneur set to benefit is the Sri Lanka has exported spices worth US$30.5 against them as well.” biologist Dr Paul Thomas whose business, million and these spices, particularly because Besides human applications, Prof. Ovadia Plantation Systems, has pioneered a way of of their original flavour, are in heavy demand sees that cinnamon fills an important niche in cultivating summer truffles in the United on the global market, said the Director of the agricultural industry where chicks need to Kingdom. Dr Thomas used his expertise as Seven Seas Commodities, V.P. Rajan. be immunized by hand against the deadly a biologist to find a way of impregnating the From time immemorial Sri Lanka has Newcastle disease virus. Applying his roots of trees with truffle fungus in the been popular in the spice industry globally research on the global scale could only be laboratory and then transferring the

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saplings on to one of four plantations products. Consequently, the table is far from across the country. a complete representation of the value of The expected bumper harvest will be TRADE IN REPTILES wildlife trade either globally or in the EU; particularly welcome to the small number of however it serves as an indication of its scale. truffle farmers who are hoping that chefs and In 2005, the European (Source: Opportunity or threat. The role of the the wider public will be interested in buying Union (EU) was the European Union in the global wildlife trade, local truffles rather than more expensive top global importer by value of live by Engler, M. and Parry-Jones, R.A. TRAFFIC foreign variants. (Source: The Independent, 6 reptiles (€7 million) for the pet trade, Europe Report. 2007.) August 2007.) and reptile skins (€100 million) for products such as handbags and shoes. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE Imports into the EU have been AUTHORS: Maylynn Engler and R.A. Parry-Jones, % WILDLIFE suspended from countries where there TRAFFIC International, 219 Huntingdon Road, are concerns about the sustainability of Cambridge CB3 0DL, United Kingdom. Global and EU wildlife trade values the trade. However, import suspensions E-mail: [email protected] or The value of legal global international wildlife do not automatically address [email protected]; trade, including non-CITES (Convention on conservation concerns. For example, ten www.traffic.org/content/905.pdf International Trade in Endangered Species of years after imports from Indonesia were Wild Fauna and Flora) species and based on suspended for certain species of Wildlife trade and biodiversity loss declared import values in 2005, is Indonesian monitor lizards, original A number of factors including habitat loss and conservatively estimated to be about €249 concerns remain unaddressed. A strategic climate change contribute to global billion per year, with timber and fisheries EU action plan for external assistance biodiversity loss. However, wildlife trade can accounting for about 90 percent of this value. should be developed, to enable priorities be an equally significant threat to the survival As a comparison, the United Nations to be identified and addressed in of certain species, such as the tiger for Statistics Division records the declared collaboration with states in order to medicine and skins, and the Tibetan antelope import value of the global trade in coffee, tea ensure wildlife trade is sustainable. for its wool. and spices in 2005 at about €14 billion; while The 2006 International Union for domestic sales of medicinal plants in China Conservation of Nature and Natural was valued at around €19 billion in 2002, and Resources (IUCN) Red List of Threatened has increased by 8 percent a year since 1994. or within the EU is not included in these Species records a significant increase in the The Table provides an estimate of the estimates, but can represent significant number of animals and plants in the Critically global value of international wildlife trade, value. Moreover, these estimates include only Endangered, Endangered and Vulnerable and an estimate of these values specifically certain categories of commodities and do not categories between 1996 and 2006.The high for the EU. Wildlife traded at the national level include the value of the illegal trade in wildlife value of wildlife trade can increase threats to biodiversity by acting as a financial incentive Estimate of global and EU wildlife trade values, 2005 for people to trade in wildlife products even when the trade is not sustainable. For Commodity Estimated global value (€) Estimated EU value (€) instance, in six United Kingdom wildlife trade Live animals prosecutions that occurred between 1996 and Primates 75 million 15 million 2002, the value of the wildlife products Cage birds 38 million 7 million concerned totalled £4 058 000 (over €6 Birds of prey 5 million 0.2 million million). These cases involved commodities Reptiles, including snakes and turtles 31 million 7 million from highly endangered species, such as Ornamental fish 257 million 89 million Animal products for clothing/ornamental rhinoceros horns, shahtoosh shawls and Mammal furs and fur products 4 billion 494 million certain parrots and birds of prey. Reptile skins 255 million 100 million Because of the environmental, economic Ornamental corals and shells 85 million 15 million and social impacts of wildlife trade, Natural pearls 57 million 12 million regulation is necessary to ensure sustainable Animal products for food (excluding fish) resource use and to avoid the depletion of Game meat 365 million 126 million Frogs legs 40 million 16 million natural capital and biodiversity loss. (Source: Edible snails 60 million 19 million Opportunity or threat. The role of the Plant products European Union in global wildlife trade. A Medicinal plants * 1 billion 324 million TRAFFIC Europe Report, 2007, by Engler, M. Ornamental plants 11 billion 1.2 billion and Parry-Jones, R. Subtotal (excluding fisheries food products and timber) 17.2 billion 2.5 billion The price of a wild trade Fisheries food products (excluding aquaculture) 68.6 billion 26 billion** Timber 154 billion 64 billion Proteins obtained from hunting wild animals are crucial for the survival of many forest- TOTAL 239.5 billion *** 93 billion dependent people of the Congo Basin. In * Estimate from 2004. ** Estimate for all European countries. *** Does not include global estimate for NWFPs of €9.5 billion (FAO estimate, 1995). Gabon, the overall annual bushmeat trade has been valued at US$25 million (€18.5

NON-WOOD NEWS No. 16 January 2008 40 PRODUCTS AND MARKETS

– a rare insight into the lucrative trade in endangered animals across Southeast Asia ILLEGAL WILDLIFE ITEMS SEIZED that makes a mockery of international WILDLIFE IN AFRICA IN THE UNITED KINGDOM conservation treaties. Vietnamese police this week found the two Wildlife is undoubtedly a very important The top ten illegal wildlife crime items frozen tigers in an apartment, along with two natural resource of Africa, with as seized by customs officials in the soup kettles filled with animal bones in an considerable potential for contributing United Kingdom between 2006 and outdoor kitchen. A 40-year-old woman to rural development through 2007 were the following. confessed to police that she had hired three employment and income from tourism, 1. Traditional Chinese medicine experts to cook tiger bones to make and as a source of food, especially (containing products from traditional medicines that she sold for about bushmeat. Establishment of protected endangered species including tiger, £400 per 100 g. “The tigers could have been areas – especially national parks and rhinoceros, seahorse, deer musk) bought in Myanmar or the Lao People’s sanctuaries – has been an important 2. Snake and lizard products Democratic Republic and transported back to approach to conservation. Game viewing 3. Alligator/crocodile products Viet Nam by ambulances or hidden in and trophy hunting have proved to be 4. Plants (including orchids, cycads and coffins,” said Vuong Tri Hoa, a forest ranger. major attractions for tourism in some cacti) And there is the problem: while more countries, contributing significantly to 5. Live reptiles (including snakes, lizards, developed countries in Southeast Asia, such increased export earnings. (Source: chameleons, iguanas, tortoises and as China and Viet Nam, have taken strong Companion Document. Comprehensive terrapins) steps to stamp out the illegal hunting of Africa Agriculture Development 6. Caviar (amounts over 250 g) endangered animals, impoverished states Programme. Integrating livestock, 7. Coral such as the Lao People’s Democratic Republic forestry and fisheries subsectors into the 8. Elephant ivory and skin products and Myanmar either will not or cannot. CAADP. The new partnership for Africa’s 9. Queen conch shells Demand for exotic animals across development [NEPAD]/ FAO.) 10. Animal skin products or stuffed animals Southeast Asia remains high – newly affluent (Source: WWF News, 16 October 2007.) Chinese prove excellent customers. Three of the world’s nine tiger subspecies became extinct in the last century, and many afield. Food stalls in the market openly scientists believe a fourth, the South China advertise dishes of pangolin or black bear. tiger, is already “functionally extinct”. Most of the specimens come from Poached from forests and sold to traders Myanmar’s still vast tracts of virgin forest, for as little as £5, almost every part of Asia’s wildlife experts believe. biggest big cat has commercial value. Skins The exotic animal black market is worth are sold as rugs and cloaks on the black billions of pounds a year – exceeded in value market, where a single skin can fetch as only by the illegal trade in arms and drugs, much as £10 000. Tiger meat is marketed as experts believe. The 100 000 yuan (£6 500) million). In West and Central Africa, estimates giving “strength”, and bones are ground into price tag on a tiger skin stretched across the of the national value of the bushmeat trade powders or immersed in vats of wine to make wall of one shop in Mong La shows what range from US$42 to $205 million (€31–151 curative “tiger-bone wine” tonics for the cross-border police efforts such as Southeast million) per year. The current harvest in traditional Chinese medicine market. Asia’s Wildlife Enforcement Network, Central Africa alone may well be in excess of If the market of Mong La – a town in launched in 2005, are up against. 2 million tonnes annually, the equivalent of Myanmar on the Chinese border – is anything The Chinese Government has stepped up over 1.3 billion chickens or 2.5 million cows. to go by, the remaining wild elephants, tigers efforts in recent years to stamp out the If current levels of hunting persist, and bears in the country’s forests are being domestic wildlife trade and educate people bushmeat protein supplies will fall hunted down slowly and sold to China. The about the environmental perils of stripping dramatically in Central Africa in less than market offers a grisly array of animal parts, forests of their native flora and fauna. 50 years. However, if bushmeat harvests as well as many live specimens, to the However, the appetite for exotica remains are reduced to a supposedly sustainable hundreds of Chinese tourists who flock and, partly as a result of the crackdown, the level, all countries will be seriously across the porous border each day. Bear trade has intensified beyond China’s borders. affected by the immediate loss of wild paws and gall bladders, elephant tusks and (Source: Environmental News Network protein supply. Most Central African chunks of hide, tiger and leopard skins, as [ENN] News, 7 September 2007.) p countries do not produce sufficient well as big-cat teeth and deer horn are all amounts of non-bushmeat protein to feed openly on display next to crudely welded their populations. There is a clear dilemma cages of live macaques, cobras, star tortoises here. (Source: extracted from an article by and pangolins. The live creatures, some of The little unremembered acts of Robert Nasi in Spore 130, August 2007.) them on the IUCN World Conservation kindness and love are the best parts of Union’s “Red List” of critically endangered a person’s life. Asia’s exotic animal black market species, are destined for the cooking pots of William Wordsworth Two of the world’s most beautiful creatures exotic animal restaurants in China’s have been found stuffed into a fridge in Hanoi neighbouring Yunnan Province, or further

NON-WOOD NEWS No. 16 January 2008 COUNTRY COMPASS 41

NWFPs: present and future activities

Potential Ongoing activities of government Activities needed NWFPs and non-government agencies Fruit and The World Bank’s Poverty and Health Production of quality fruit and timber Development Profile (PHDP) and the Ministry timber seedlings for better trees of Agriculture, United States Agency for utilization as food, fuelwood, International Development (USAID), German fodder, wood, etc. for local Technical Cooperation (GTZ) and the Bangladesh consumption and to reduce Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC) are forest depletion implementing a project for quality seedling production with community people, local entrepreneurs and farmers’ associations Medicinal No detailed information on medicinal plants Explore medicinal plant plants was found but rural people are using herbal potential throughout the country medicines at large and vendors of herbal as the rural population is medicines exist throughout the country dependent on herbal medicines AFGHANISTAN % Dried Local entrepreneurs produce export quality dried Best-quality fruit fruits figs, black and green raisins, dried apricots production and processing A land of non-wood forest products and nuts and pistachios in different parts of the country of dried fruits and nuts Afghanistan is an exquisitely beautiful for local consumption and export to the Islamic could constitute important country comprised of mountains, scattered Republic of Iran and neighbouring countries export-oriented NWFPs forests and lakes, located in the Hindu Saffron Local entrepreneurs produce saffron in some Best-quality saffron production Kush mountain range and over 500 km parts of the country. Major growing areas are the could become an alternative from the nearest ocean. It has a Islamic Republic of Iran and Kashmir; current livelihood approach to continental climate: summers are warm price/kg of good-quality saffron is US$200 opium cultivation everywhere except on the highest peaks, Apiculture FAO has conducted several exploratory Develop apiculture through while winters can be extremely cold with assessments for apiculture as a means of research and support of the considerable snowfall at high altitudes; at potential income-generating activities (IGAs) Ministry of Agriculture and donor lower elevations, winters are milder and for the landless, disadvantaged and rural poor and development agencies the climate is that of the desert or semi- Sericulture The Ministry of Agriculture has conducted Sericulture could be a major desert. several initiatives to establish this potential income generation for rural The country is divided into 34 provinces, industry through research and assessments populations since mulberry in coordination with FAO trees are largely available with Kabul as the largest city and throughout the country administrative capital. Agriculture has Mushrooms USAID-funded projects have initially been carried Mushrooms could be an traditionally been the basis of the out in the eastern part of the country, involving export-oriented industry in economy, the main crops being wheat, fruit the rural population as a potential IGA activity rural areas and vegetables, maize, barley, cotton, Oil crops The Ministry of Agriculture and FAO have Oil crop production, processing sugar beet and sugar cane. The rearing of (olives, conducted experiments and projects for the to oil and preparation for local livestock, mainly sheep, cattle and goats, is almonds, production of oil crop development; local consumption and export also important, and is the principal activity sunflowers, entrepreneurs and farmers cultivate these throughout the desert and semi-desert cotton, crops but most of the production goes to areas. The little industrial activity mustard, etc.) neighbouring countries for processing concentrates on food processing, textiles, Juices and Local entrepreneurs process juice for local Quality juice production from leather goods and furniture. Since 1979, preserves markets. Export to international markets could abundant fruits and its processing most sectors of the economy have been from orchard be organized since quality fruits are available could be of high demand on local badly affected by almost continuous civil fruits throughout the country and international markets warfare. Eighty percent of the country’s Karakul USAID-funded programme includes research Improved production level and population relies directly on the natural to improve the sector; 75 000 lamb pelts are quality of Karakul sheep are resources to meet their daily needs. Out of exported per year from Afghanistan at varying needed, with an increase in prices – a very good-quality lamb pelt costs Karakul sheep herders and also its total land area, only 12 percent (7.9 US$45 on the EU market in export volume million ha) is arable and 4 percent irrigated. An additional 46 percent is under Wool USAID-funded programme includes research Improved production level and to improve the sector; at present wool is sent quality improvement of Afghan permanent pastures and 3 percent under to Pakistan where carpets are prepared and wool are needed, with an forest cover. The remaining percentage is exported as Pakistani carpets. Yearly turnover increase in sheep herders and mountainous. of Afghan carpet industry is estimated to be also in export volume Afghanistan has a multitude of NWFPs, US$290–325 million which could contribute substantially to the Tourism National entrepreneurs are eager to vitalize Exploration of tourism industry, national economy. The country can be tourism. Afghan Logistics and Tours have already assessment of national divided into five geographic regions begun and, if the security situation economic development from according to their NWFP suitability, as improves, this sector could be of major tourism sector shown in the Table on p. 42. earning importance to the national economy

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NWFP potential in different regions of Afghanistan such as an infusion of plantain leaves and roots, considered cold, are prescribed to Region Province covered Potential NWFPs heal sickness caused by cold influences, East Nangarhar, Nuristan, Kunar, Laghman Oil crops e.g. respiratory diseases and summer Apiculture and sericulture headaches. Skins/hides/leather Herbs highly popular among Afghan Dried fruits and nuts healers include the daraona (eye Wool and carpets inflammation), water lily and Zizyphus West Hirat, Farah, Badghis, Ghor Saffron vulgaris fruits (heart arrhythmia), Cashmere Dried fruits and nuts Plantago ovata (headaches), Capparis spinosa, Condonopsis clematidea and Central Kabul, Kapisa, Parwan, Logar, Skin/hides/leather Bamyan, Daykundi Juices and preserves Rumex nepalensis (indigestion), Cannabis Orchard fruit (juicing) indica, aloe and Citrullus colocynthis Dried fruits and nuts (laxative). An infusion of Rubia tinctorum North Balkh, Faryab, Saripul, Jawzjan, Samangan, Orchard fruit (juicing) leaves is used to increase female fertility. and northeast Badakhshan, Takhar, Baghlan, Kunduz Weaving and embroidery Berberis lycium and mirhinz (Hippophae Karakul rhamnoides) are renowned panaceas. The Wool and cashmere latter is traded and exported, since it is Tourism highly sought after by traditional healers Dried fruits and nuts and the drug industry, especially in China. South Kandahar, Paktika, Paktya, Ghazni, Khost, Orchard fruits/dried fruits (Source: a translated extract from and southwest Zabul, Uruzgan, Helmand, Nimroz Forestry Red meat/casing Brandolini, G.V. 2005. Medicine Skins/hides/leather tradizionali. Bergamo, Italy, CRF Press.) Carpets (Contributed by: G.V. Brandolini, Orizzonte Terra, via Mazzini 30, I-24 128 Bergamo, Italy. Tel./fax (+39) 035 21 91 42; e-mail: Years ago, Afghan NWFPs – especially Fax: 00 93 798 125 100; e-mail: [email protected]) fruits and nuts – were world famous; [email protected]; www.bracafg.org) however, because of the country’s situation of unrest over the last 25 years, this trade Medicinal herbs, an asset for local has been mostly abolished. In addition, medicine and the export trade during this long period the growing Herbs are a key resource for most grounds of these products have been Afghans, both as domestic drugs and as destroyed. The remaining resources are traditional healers’ remedies. Medicinal used by local people who rely on their plants are also harvested, dried and traditional knowledge in the collection, exported. A flourishing trade exists processing and consumption of their towards Tibet and India. Herb shops are Capparis spinosa valuable NWFPs. often run by herbalists of Hindu or Sikh NWFPs, which could play a vital role in descent, called pansar. the economy of Afghanistan, need to In Afghanistan, Ayurveda conceptions % ARMENIA receive intensive attention and increased are combined with Arabic influences. Thus, importance from the Government and the diagnosis and therapeutic principles of Armenia Tree Project receives US$100 000 development agencies working in the Afghan herbalists are often ascribed to the grant to partner with Yale University country. A multitude of NWFPs could be four elements: heat, cold, moisture and A new partnership between the Armenia exported. The successful development of dryness (air, earth, fire and water). Tree Project (ATP), Yale University’s Global these products could have a profound Home care is the first resort in illness. Institute of Sustainable Forestry and impact on Afghan farmers, the economy Where this fails, the family of the patient Conservation International will bring and their international marketability. By asks for the advice and help of a spiritual international “best practices” of sustainable being involved in NWFP cultivation and leader (mullah) or exorcist (jenkash). An forestry to Armenia. The joint venture, management, Afghan farmers could find aromatic seed called asfand (Peganum “Evaluation and Implementation of an alternative livelihood to divert them harmala) can be burned, in order to purify Sustainable Forestry Models in Northern eventually from illegal opium cultivation. homes and persons from the evil eye. Armenia,” involves conducting a state-of- In order to achieve national economic Afterwards, or as an alternative to this the-art analysis of the forest ecosystems in objectives the potential NWFP sector must spiritual intervention, a healer (hakim in the Lori region with the aim of producing be transformed in the best way as soon as Dari or tabib in Arabic) prescribes the the first sustainable forestry training possible. (Contributed by: Mohammad appropriate drugs and gives dietetic manual tailored to the specific needs of Muktadir Hossain, Sector Specialist advice. Armenia. (Forestry), Agriculture Development Food and drugs with opposite humours The goals of the project are to evaluate Programme, BRAC Afghanistan, House 45, such as cold and hot, are used to re- the condition of the forests in northern Lane 4, Baharistan, Kabul, Afghanistan. establish body balance. Bitter concoctions Armenia, paying particular attention to the

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factors that are limiting the ability for TFS sandalwood Tropical Forestry Services Limited, PO Box regeneration. An assessment will be made Tropical Forestry Services (TFS) is the 3068, East St George’s Terrace, Perth WA of plants, herbs and other NTFPs that may world’s leading sustainable and socially 6832, Australia. Fax: +61 8 9221 9477; e- be sustainably harvested for generating responsible producer and manager of Indian mail: [email protected]; alternative income for residents living in sandalwood (Santalum album) with over www.tfsltd.com.au) close proximity to the forests. Training on 1 100 ha established in Kununurra, Western rotational grazing will be held with Australia’s tropical Kimberley region. livestock owners to prevent soil erosion Since 1999 TFS has planted, and %BANGLADESH and further degradation of forests. continues to plant, the prized Indian This two-year $100 000 project is being sandalwood using seeds originally sourced Hogla (Typha elephantina Roxb.): funded by the Critical Ecosystem from India. Expert foresters have concluded a potential NTFP for socio-economic Partnership Fund. that these trees will be suitable for upliftment in rural Bangladesh harvesting at age 13 to 15 years based on Hogla, the local name for a bush-like small FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: current rates of heartwood formation. TFS plant, Typha elephantina Roxb. of the family Armenia Tree Project, 65 Main Street, plans to become vertically integrated, Typhaceae, looks like a grass and may Watertown, MA 02472, United States of consistently to supply large quantities of attain heights of 2–5 m. The species shows America. E-mail: [email protected]; high-quality plantation-grown Indian an encouraging growth performance in www.armeniatree.org sandalwood oil, cultivated and produced in waterlogged, swamp and even under poor an environmentally friendly and ethical way. soil nutrition conditions in Bangladesh. It also provides a satisfactory yield in rural % AUSTRALIA areas when incorporated with other agrocrops, without hampering the main Double gain for tea tree oil industry crops. The species could, therefore, be an A nine-year breeding programme has economically viable associate crop in rural resulted in a new “breed” of tea tree that areas since it does not require extra care, could increase the Australian industry’s fertilizers or other costs involved in the competitiveness by dramatically collection and planting of seeds. The plant increasing production volumes of high- can survive even after a heavy flood. quality tea tree oil. Dried grasses of the species are Tea tree oil is a significant part of extensively used to make prayer mats, and Australia’s essential oil industry – it is other types of mats, baskets, ropes and incorporated into many personal care and various handicrafts. The residual matter

household products and is also used in a Sandalwood (i.e. defective leaves, petiole, roots) of the variety of agriculture and veterinary plant is also extensively used as fuel and applications. The Australian industry is The latest Baz Luhrmann film Australia, for partitioning and thatching purposes slowly recovering from several years of starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, among rural farm holders. Moreover, the decline when the prices of this oil fell below is currently being filmed on the beautiful plant produces a huge quantity of pollen, the cost of production for many producers. Kingston Rest property purchased by TFS which is used to prepare a delicious Recent increases in demand and higher late last year. TFS believes that this uniquely traditional food in rural areas. prices have seen renewed interest in beautiful property represents the future of A recent study of southwestern flood growing the tea tree. Other challenges face Indian sandalwood, allowing the company to plain areas of Bangladesh reveals that rural the industry, however, such as the threat of expand on its existing 1 100 ha. As part of women, old people and even children are increasing overseas competition. this acquisition, TFS has committed to involved in preparing secondary products The breeding programme forms part of expanding its existing training and from hogla leaves, while men are mainly an industry strategy developed by Ensis employment opportunities for indigenous engaged in the planting, collection, sorting scientist, Dr John Doran. He says that if Australians. About half of the Kimberley and marketing of the leaves. Women usually Australian producers are to maintain their population is of Aboriginal descent. TFS is utilize their leisure time to produce commercial viability, they need to give committed to providing employment secondary products. The study also serious consideration to replanting with the opportunities to ensure that at least half of suggests that planting of hogla just once can best material the breeding programme can its Kingston Rest staff is indigenous by 2016. secure the sustainability of planting provide. “The improved seed will be able to By working with the Kimberley community materials on the same field for at least ten produce plants that are capable of and environment we believe we can help to years. It was also evident that farmers can producing 270 kg of oil/ha from paddocks ensure shared long-term benefits for the earn an additional US$5 from a decimal part that would otherwise yield 148 kg/ha, if community, the environment and TFS. of their land just from selling hogla leaves. established with unimproved seed,” he says. TFS has donated the profits from filming In Bangladesh – a country with a huge The principal source of oil is Melaleuca to the Clontarf Foundation, a programme population growth, shrinking income and alternifolia, a medium-sized tree from the aimed at encouraging education, good per capita agricultural land, low coastal plains of New South Wales. health and relationship-building among the agricultural productivity, acute shortage of (Source: North Queensland Register region’s indigenous children. (Contributed fuel in rural areas, and where sudden [Australia], 10 July 2007.) by: Danae Christensen, Research Officer, floods become serious threats –

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incorporating hogla with other profitable height and a diameter of 2 cm. Local names manufacture articles according to seasonal agricultural crops can be an advantageous for this NWFP differ throughout requirements and local market demand. solution. The massive introduction of the Bangladesh, e.g. patipata and pati-jung in The murta-based cottage industry, species in rural areas will also empower the Chittagong region, mostak in Noakhali, therefore, can improve rural livelihoods, women and old people to contribute pat-bat and murta in the Sylhet and Tangail help to generate additional employment increasingly to their family income and thus regions and paitrabon in Barisal. and income, contribute to foreign currency to improve their living standards. The The species is generally grown in low- and support biodiversity conservation. residual products obtained from the lying marshy areas of greater Sylhet, Murta can play a vital role in the economy species can be used to minimize the Mymensingh, Barisal, Noakhali, Chittagong and environment of the country. It is domestic fuel shortfall in rural areas. and Pabna districts and covers sizeable possible to develop the cottage industry to However, the marketing system, both for areas in the forest of Sylhet division. It is a profitable international standard through primary and secondary products, needs to sporadically planted along roadsides and the scientific cultivation of murta on private be improved to maximize the profit of around ponds and, formerly, fallow and and government forest lands. It is growers and producers. (Contributed by: unproductive paddy fields were used for its necessary to look not at the product or Sharif Ahmed Mukul, Department of large-scale cultivation. commodity in isolation, but at a wide range Forestry and Environmental Science, Murta is extensively used as a raw of factors that would enable it to be School of Agriculture and Mineral material in cottage industries, especially for exploited, managed for sustainability and Sciences, Shahjalal University of Science floor mats, prayer mats and woven utensils, marketed for profit. The government and and Technology, Sylhet 3114, Bangladesh. and is adopted by both the rich and the poor. other national and international agencies E-mail: [email protected]) A recent valuation study revealed that the should come forward to motivate and assist stem (culm) harvested from 100 ha of land, interested farmers through technical worth 65 lakh taka (US$108 300) can support and financial assistance to help the produce products (such as shitalpati prayer industry flourish. If managed properly, it mats) worth 1 crore 80 lakh taka will not only attract foreign currency but (approximately US$300 000). Thus, it plays a also create employment opportunities for significant role in generating income and thousands of unemployed villagers in providing employment opportunities, as Bangladesh. (Contributed by: Romel well as improving the socio-economic Ahmed, Mostafizur Rahman, A.N.M. status of the rural people. Fakhrul Islam and Mohammad Redowan, A large number of local people Department of Forestry, Shahjalal handicrafts in Latin America” throughout the country have adopted the University of Science and Technology,

“Riches of the forest: fruits, remedies and murta-based cottage industry as either Sylhet 3114, Bangladesh. their part-time or full-time profession and E-mail: [email protected]) Murta (Schumannianthus dichotoma) have earned a substantial income. Various cottage industry in socio-economic novelty items produced from it are very development of rural people in the popular with both the people of Bangladesh %BHUTAN northeastern region of Bangladesh and also abroad, where it is in great demand A recent study has attempted to generate and earns foreign currency. But, this is all Grow bamboo, save trees information on the status of the about to be ruined since more and more In Bhutan, bamboo is seen as a possible Schumannianthus dichotoma (murta) fallow land is now being converted for alternative to wood to reduce the pressure cottage industry and its contribution to the agricultural production, considerably on forests. The Forestry Development income and employment of rural areas in reducing murta production. The productivity Corporation Limited (FDCL) office in the northeastern region of Bangladesh with and sustainability of the industry are, Phuentsholing distributed 10 000 seedlings the aim of improving the database therefore, becoming uncertain because of on 2 June 2007 to government agencies necessary for any socio-economic this shortage and artisans are consequently and interested private individuals in development programme. This survey was suffering the curse of poverty. If this process Samtse and Chukha dzongkhags (districts) carried out at Gowainghat thana continues, production of the popular to start large-scale cultivation of bamboo. (subdistricts) in Sylhet district. shitalpati prayer mat will decrease and The bamboo seedlings were raised last The forest-based cottage industry is one ultimately be lost forever, making year mainly in Samtse. of the major sources of off-farm income for thousands of people jobless. More than 866 acres (approximately the rural population of Bangladesh. NWFPs Our study revealed that 77 percent of the 350.5 ha) of degraded land under Samtse could generate potential income for the total population are directly involved in this and Chukha dzongkhags were identified last local people and provide employment for cottage industry and that each article year for plantation of various bamboo about 229 000 of them, which would fetches a different price, depending on total species and other valuable tree species that continue throughout the year, or at least requirements for murta and other were of commercial value according to the during the agriculture off-season. materials, market demand and workdays divisional manager of FDCL, Tashi Peljore. Murta, an important NWFP belonging to required to produce an article. The net Bamboo helped to conserve soil and water the family Marantaceae, is a clump-forming average profit/workday on various articles in catchment areas such as Balujora in shrubby plant, dichotomously branched, varies from Tk16 to 51, with net profit/article Pasakha and Dam Dum in Samtse by with green cylindrical stems of 3.7–4.6 m in varying from Tk25 to127. Entrepreneurs minimizing the downstream flow of silt.

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Bamboo products such as flag posts %BRAZIL manager of Miragina, said that “the fair is with reti and khorlo supplied by FDCL have an excellent way of bringing our products been extremely effective as a substitute for Top-selling products at Mercadão Floresta and making them known”. The company wood. Since the establishment of bamboo One of the main purposes of Mercadão from Acre, founded in the 1960s, makes plantations in mid-2006, 1 500 flag posts Floresta (Forest Market), organized by the Brazil nut-based products. Generating have been supplied to the public at NGO Amigos da Terra–Amazônia Brasileira income for traditional populations, delicious reasonable rates, said Tashi Peljore. and held from 25 May to 3 June at the biscuits are made from Brazil nuts. These Bamboo is now also used by architects and Municipal Market of São Paulo, was to were one of the top sellers at the fair, with designers in the construction of airy present the enormous range of products four extra shipments being brought in to summer houses as well as for furniture. based on Brazilian biodiversity and the supply the demand generated by the event. Gardeners in the southern region grow importance of protecting Brazilian biomes The same happened with frozen açaí bamboo for screening and greening, and to for residents of São Paulo. For the first (Euterpe oleracea) from Fruitamazon, a be used as flagpoles and scaffolding. time, these products were made available company from Pará, which transferred its Phuentsholing is the second highest for retail and, simultaneously, renowned activities to the neighbouring state of consumer of timber after Thimphu chefs took turns in providing taste tests and Amapá and is known for offering the best according to FDCL officials. (Source: talks in a gastronomical venue established açaí pulp available on the Brazilian market. Kuensel [Bhutan], 28 June 2007.) at the market. The company has 30 ha planted and also One of the highlights of the fair, for buys from riverbank communities in places example, was a sweet made from umbú such as Calçoene, Porto Grande, Serra do %BOLIVIA (Spondias tuberosa) and organic sugar Navio, Ferreira Gomes and Mazagão in produced by the Canudos, Uauá and Curaçá Amapá. Açaí has been arousing interest Caiman (Caiman yacare) in Bolivia: a Family-Based Agricultural Cooperative, around the world because of its nutritional CITES success which works in the semi-arid Brazilian value. In addition to having become a fad After a long period of overexploitation of northeast. among youths throughout the country, caiman (Caiman yacare) for its leather in Another top seller was organic powdered several products that include açaí are Bolivia, the Government installed a general cocoa from the Atlantic rain forest, beginning to appear abroad. prohibition against hunting of the animal in produced by the Cabruca Cooperative of Besides açaí, names such as cupuaçu 1990 – having signed the Convention on Organic Farmers in southern Bahia in (Theobroma grandiflorum), pequi (Caryocar International Trade in Endangered Species partnership with the Belgian firm, Barry brasiliense), taperebá (Spondias mombin of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1987 – Callebaut, a worldwide leader in the Jacq.), buriti (Mauritia vinifera and M. and this resulted in the population’s production of cocoa and chocolate goods. flexuosa), tucumã (Astrocaryum aculeatum) recovery. It has now grown strong and Certified by the Biodynamics Institute (IBD), and bacuri (Platonia insignis) have now hunting is again possible, although it is the product is obtained by processing 100 entered the vocabulary of Brazilian regulated by quotas that assure it cannot percent organic cocoa seeds, without the products. Chocolate sweets with fruit be overexploited once again. use of any pesticides. fillings from Amazonia, chocolate pralines CITES set a quota of 50 000 caiman Baru (Dipteryx alata Vog.) nuts were also with forest fruits prepared by chef Daniel leathers that can be exported per year, much sought after among the Briand and native fruit hand soaps from which until now has been respected and agroecological products. Produced at the Atelier Especiarias also were part of the mix gave estimated returns to the local people Cerrado (savannah) Center for Studies and of top-selling products at the fair. of around US$0.38 for 40 062 skins in 2003, Sustainable Use, their sustainable Setting records in terms of public and and US$0.44 for 46 720 skins in 2004. economic use helps preserve the species sales, the fair demonstrates the huge The preliminary results of an evaluation and aids local communities directly involved potential of forest products and how undertaken by the National Programme of in production. production and sales of these products are Caiman Management in 2005 indicate that One of the market niches offered was an the means to keep the forest standing. around 1 750 people are employed in the extra virgin, cold-pressed Brazil nut oil. (Source: Amazonia.org.br, 4 June 2007.) commercialization of caiman leathers. Produced by Ouro Verde, it is perfect for (Source: Trade measures – tools to salads, risottos, fish and complex recipes. promote the sustainable use of NWFPs? Rich in omega 6, omega 9 and vitamin E and %BULGARIA FAO Non-Wood Forest Products Working with no cholesterol, it helps to prevent heart Document 6.) disease, stimulates the immunological President affirms Bulgaria’s forests system and increases longevity. as national symbol Another hot item was honey vinegar, Bulgaria’s forests should be regarded as a from the Fernão Velho bee farm. A natural national symbol, President Georgi product, it is made from water and Purvanov said, during a regional fermented hydromel (mead) acetic acid, and conference about forest preservation and does not contain preservatives or artificial restoration issues in the southeastern aromas. Bulgarian town of Yambol. Purvanov added The event was an important opportunity that the Bulgarian forestry sector needs a for companies from northern Brazil to clear strategy and also a real governing market their products. José Luiz Felício, policy that could yield visible results.

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He called for reforms that would combine time, the seedlings will be planted in aims to revive and preserve the skills needed experience and tradition. “I hope the specific areas in the forest and once the to create traditional arts and crafts among establishment of the State Agency for plantation is established the nursery will the indigenous Kreung people, while also Forestry will revive the love of forest and sell its seedlings to other villages. (Source: providing training in forest conservation and care of its fate,” Purvanov said. He also WWF Cambodia, 28 June 2007.) business skills. CAN-DO executive director expressed his hope that next year’s budget Sarim Heang reports that the organization is would allow this agency to be financially supporting two village NTFP enterprises independent. (Source: Sofia Echo [Bulgaria], (VNEs), set up in late 2006, where members 24 August 2007.) participate in workshops, demonstrations and informal discussions to learn how to harvest bamboo and rattan in a sustainable %CAMBODIA manner. At the NTFP workshop in December 2006 Searching for the secret of sustainable attended by CAN-DO and others, techniques rattan use were shared for sustainable harvesting and NTFPs are important resources for local cultivation of bamboo and rattan. Mark Cambodian communities, since they Flourishing trade in Cambodian cane Poffenberger, director of Community provide people with many necessities such Home to a number of indigenous tribes, Forestry International (CFI) – another as food, income, medicine and shelter. Ratanakiri Province lies nestled in the lush member of the National NTFP Working Rattan is one of the most important NTFPs; upland forests of northeast Cambodia. Group – emphasized that regular trimming in some communities selling rattan is the Communities eke out a living by growing rice of bamboo is necessary to maintain high second major source of a family’s income. for half of the year, but food shortages levels of plant productivity. Poffenberger Unfortunately, an increasingly high demand caused by low yields and increasing family added that the practice of culturing rattan for rattan and other NTFPs threatens forest size are common. One source of income is and bamboo is also growing in Cambodia. resources and local livelihoods. cashews, grown in fields created out of the For example, training is given on how to Under sound management, rattan can forest through the slash-and-burn separate and prepare bamboo seedlings for provide a sustainable income for many technique. However, this practice is planting, when to plant and how to plant communities. The WWF Greater Mekong’s threatening forest biodiversity as well as three bamboos in a triangle to improve wind Cambodia Country Programme is working limiting availability of other NTFPs on which resistance. Amanda Bradley of CFI reports with the Preak Thnot commune, located villagers depend for nutrition, building that community forestry groups are also around Bokor National Park in eastern materials, medicines and money to buy food protecting the bamboo and rattan habitat by Cambodia, to develop a suitable rattan and other household essentials. organizing patrols to prevent burning and management model. The aim of the project Cambodians have traditionally harvested logging. is to develop economic incentives for local a wide variety of NTFPs, including numerous To enhance development of bamboo and people to manage rattan sustainably inside species of wild fruits and nuts, resin, honey, rattan handicrafts each VNE, supported by the forest or Community Protected Areas. mushrooms, medicinal plants, bamboo and CAN-DO, holds regular gatherings to A rattan management group, composed rattan. But untapped potential exists for discuss methods for improving quality, of two subgroups – the handicraft group and increasing the value of many of these colouring, patterns, product size and the nursery group – has been established. It products for rural communities. Bamboo delivery. More formal monthly meetings are is estimated that through value-added and rattan, in particular, have a range of held where producers review their processing and market linkages, group different uses – as raw materials for building achievements and develop action plans for members could generate an additional houses and for household furniture. the following month. US$600–800 per year. Part of this extra In addition, bamboo and rattan are often Heang notes that VNE members are income could be used to administer the fashioned by villagers into baskets, boxes, beginning to understand that customer group and also fund the cost of establishing musical instruments and other handicrafts preferences must be taken seriously to rattan plantations inside the forest, which and sold on a limited basis. However, by improve profitability. In addition to customer provide local people with a renewable learning the technical skills needed to feedback, producers receive support and source of rattan. manufacture high-quality goods, gaining regular field visits from CAN-DO. These To support plantation activities, WWF has direct access to markets and learning strategies are also endorsed by established Cambodia’s first rattan nursery. sustainable cultivation and harvesting Poffenberger who believes “improved Covering an area of more than 200 m2, the practices, villagers could achieve consistent processing can substantially enhance NTFP nursery can produce around 20 000–30 000 profits while maintaining the forest habitat in values, often raising the gate price of a rattan seedlings per year. Under the which rattan and bamboo flourish. product by 300–1 000 percent”. management of the rattan group, local In order to provide support to forest Creating direct market access is also villagers have received training on the day- communities in Ratanakiri, several NGOs in supported by CAN-DO, particularly with to-day management of the nursery, Cambodia have formed the National NTFP rattan back-baskets sold in Banlung town. collection of seeds and transplantation Working Group. For example, the Producers are now transporting their goods techniques. The villagers are collecting Community Handicraft Initiative Project directly to two retailers, cutting out seeds and seedlings from areas of the forest (CHIP), recently launched by the Cambodian intermediaries and thus increasing profits. with high densities of rattan. In six months NTFP Development Organization (CAN-DO), In addition, with partners such as the

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Artisans’ Association of Cambodia, CAN-DO the market dealers covering a period of five Fon Nsoh, President of NESA, told is assisting producers to design more value- years. Costs and profit margins were participants at the exhibition about the need added products, including musical analysed. Irrespective of type of honey, the to encourage the consumption, promotion, instruments and home accessories. During marketing organizations were judged to be cultivation and preservation of indigenous the last six months, Heang reports that VNE more efficient dealing with comb honey than food crops. Fon Nsoh revealed that about members have begun to realize that bamboo partially drained honey when used as raw 100 million Africans suffer from food and rattan will provide significant income for material. Furthermore, the honey marketing insecurity which exposes them to serious their families, but only if they continue to organizations are profitable with a net health risks and famine. He blamed it on the protect the forest, adopt sustainable margin of at least 18 percent, the minimum underuse or misuse of existing food methods of cultivation and harvesting, and interest rate charged by microfinance resources and expressed the conviction that work continually to improve product quality. institutions across the Northwest Province. the base of Africa’s food supply could be CAN-DO is part of a collaborative network Results of the study suggest that profit broadened by growing its almost forgotten of NGOs and community-based margins of the product marketed could be indigenous food crops and also by the organizations. It works closely with the Non- increased if market dealers interact and sustainable exploitation of NTFPs. It was Timber Forest Products Exchange share experiences. While there is an obvious evident during the exhibition that Africa’s Programme for South and Southeast Asia, need for improving the technical capacities indigenous knowledge base for food the National NTFP Working Group, and of actors of the subsector, more specific production and especially traditional food some handicrafts-based NGOs and information on the cost structure of the crops is being lost and that is why most of enterprises in Cambodia to enable the CHIP entire value chain would shed more light on the major foods cultivated and consumed endeavour to move forward. (Source: Treena the potential and actual contributions of bee have their origins elsewhere. Hein, New Agriculturist Web site, viewed 8 farming to emerging regional and national The exhibition also offered a rare moment October 2007.) economies. for lessons on the advantages of indigenous crops over exotic ones as many were FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT encouraged to consume, to give farmers a % CAMEROON THE AUTHORS: Dorothy Kenyi Malaa, Agricultural chance to improve their standard of living. Economist, Institute of Agricultural Research for The NESA exhibition was organized under Bee farming and honey marketing Development (IRAD), PO Box 44, Dschang, the combined theme “Valuing organizations in the Northwest Province Cameroon; e-mail: [email protected] or local/indigenous food as a right for people Two types of honey are extracted from the Michael Boboh Vabi, Socio-economist, living in poverty, rural women as agents of Kilum-Ijim forest of the Northwest Province: International Institute of Tropical Agriculture change, producing and providing”. The light brown and cream white honey. The (IITA), PO Box 2008, Messa, Yaoundé, Cameroon. exhibition was organized on the heels of the light brown honey is more popular in the E-mail: [email protected], 2007 Rural Women’s Day, World Food Day Northwest Province and other parts of [email protected] and the International Day for the Eradication Cameroon. The cream white honey, of Poverty. (Source: Cameroon Tribune, 29 principally extracted from the highest peaks October 2007.) of the Kilum-Ijim forest, is less popular and therefore scarcer in the province. Indeed, this honey, which looks like cream butter, is % CANADA unknown not only to many consumers in the province but also to many Cameroonians. Forestry funding coming to Chapleau, As quality is a key element in product Ontario marketing, honey is no exception. Each of A northeastern Ontario mill town will be the the marketing organizations assesses the epicentre of a movement to harvest the humidity level of their honey using wealth of northern Ontario’s alternative appropriate instruments. In addition to bioproducts commercially on a regional determining humidity levels, the different Exhibition of local indigenous crops scale. With $1.6 million in seed funding from honey types are sold in measurements impresses population Ottawa, the town of Chapleau has been ranging from 100 g to 30 kg. While dealers in It was a day for local/indigenous crops and chosen to make it happen. cream white honey present it in open- NTFPs recently in Bamenda with an The forestry town of 2 300 people was mouthed containers, those of light brown exhibition to raise awareness about their selected in July as one of 11 sites across honey do not have any standard measures. value and importance. The welcome Canada for Natural Resources Canada’s A recent paper assessed the efficiency of initiative by the Network for Sustainable (NRCan) new Forest Communities Program honey marketing organizations in the Agriculture (NESA) and the Western (FCP). The potential in developing NTFPs Northwest Province, while raising Highlands Nature Conservation Network caught the attention of NRCan officials. The awareness on the economic and ecological (WHINCONET) assembled rare local and 11 communities and their yet-to-be created potentials of bee farming. Data were indigenous food crops from the Western regional organizations will be able to tap into collected on the type and form of honey Highlands: pumpkins, bambara groundnuts, a $25 million fund dispensed over five years. marketed, as well as the costs and prices cowpeas, garden eggs, cashew nuts, The idea behind these organizations is to using a structured questionnaire. Secondary monkey cola, Bali guava, passion (Adam) develop and share knowledge, tools and data were obtained from the sales records of fruit, ancop, tree trunk mushrooms, etc. strategies to help hard-hit forestry towns

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make a transition into value-added and distribución va desde Nicaragua, Costa emerging new forest-based opportunities. Rica, Panamá, Trinidad, Venezuela, The programme, to be known as the Colombia, Ecuador, hasta Perú y Brasil. Northeast Superior Forest Community Una investigación realizada por el partnership, may be headquartered in Centro Agronómico Tropical de Chapleau but project manager Sylvie Albert Investigación y Enseñanza (CATIE) wants to cast a wide regional net and build determinó su presencia en los bosques as much collaboration as possible. Armed húmedos de Costa Rica. El estudio with $325 000 for each of the next five years, etnobotánico realizado en 1989 mostró el Albert says that the programme emphasis uso tradicional por parte de un grupo is beyond just building bricks and mortar nativo de la etnia Bribri, establecido en and making inventories of what is available Maple syrup harvest bittersweet Talamanca, Costa Rica, quienes emplean la in the bush. She wants to see a new wave of Despite a disastrous maple syrup crop in madera en la construcción de viviendas por innovative forest projects come through to the lower St Lawrence region this year, the su resistencia al comején, lo que determina production. For some small producers, the product’s provincial marketing board su empleo milenario por parte de las money will be a final incentive to take their predicts the overall 2007 harvest will still comunidades nativas de América. fledgling enterprises to the next step. yield a record $200 million plus in sales. La presencia de ingredientes químicos, Besides Chapleau, five other Charles Felix Ross, Secretary-General of tipo alcaloide en la madera y hojas cuyos communities of Dubreuilville, Hornepayne, the Fédération des producteurs acéricoles principales componentes son ryanodina

White River, Manitouwadge and the du Québec said it will mark the second (C25H35NO9); 9, 21-didehydroryanodina, township of Michipicoten will be involved in consecutive year that a below normal size contribuyó a que se emplee desde el siglo the partnership, which includes involvement crop sets a new sales mark after the 2006 pasado en Europa y Estados Unidos para el with three area First Nation communities. harvest sold for the previous high of $180 control de plagas en la agricultura. They will have at their disposal university million. Dada su importancia económica en el academics and community development Even though a recent survey of the control de plagas en la agricultura y el personnel as well as government, business federation’s 7 300 maple production farm aprovechamiento comercial de su madera, and industry experts in value-added operators calculated a yield of 61.7 million condujo al CATIE a realizar investigaciones forestry. lbs (1 lb = 0.45 kg), a 10 percent drop from enfocadas a su manejo sostenible dentro Combined with the NRCan money, Albert last year, there is an equal percentage del Proyecto de Conservación y Desarrollo has raised a total of $2.3 million with increase in sales and exports. Ross credits Sustentable para América Central. additional community contributions and she stronger promotions domestically and Los resultados de la ejecución de is looking for more. Other players such as growing interest in the health benefits of estudios ecológicos condujo a determinar the Northern Ontario School of Medicine maple syrup south of the border for the que R. speciosa es una especie esciófita (NOSM) and Laurentian University’s School product’s increasing popularity. por su característica de crecer y of Management, where Albert teaches, are An average crop is 78 to 80 million pounds, desarrollarse a la sombra del dosel del coming on board as collaborative partners. while a bumper crop is 100 million pounds, bosque y presentar madera dura. La NOSM is interested in using plants in the so Ross called this year’s yield very small. distribución de las poblaciones silvestres boreal forest for medicinal and nutraceutical Quebec accounts for 93 percent of presenta un patrón espacial agregado (natural health products) uses. Canada’s maple syrup and produces 80 únicamente para los brinzales, siendo para Albert says that one of the most percent of the world’s supply, 60 percent of los latizales el patrón al azar y para la advanced projects is the newly created Non- which is consumed in the United States of población total un patrón agregado en el Timber Forest Products Corporation. High America. About 2 000 maple farm bosque húmedo tropical de Costa Rica, con on its agenda is finding new and promising operators produce 80 percent of Quebec’s una densidad de poblaciones silvestres de NTFPs to commercialize, such as maple syrup. (Source: Montreal Gazette, 17 hasta 874 ind/ha y capacidad de rebrote blueberries. Quebec, Nova Scotia and New July 2007.) posterior a su cosecha. Brunswick have already done so with great El auge de la agricultura orgánica ha success, she says. conducido a un mayor aprovechamiento de There are other promising natural crops %COSTA RICA los PFNM como sucede con Quassia amara such as Canada yew (an ingredient used to (Familia Simaroubaceae), R. speciosa, fight cancer) and fireweed (a skin care Manejo y conservación de Ryania speciosa situación que está provocando nutraceutical). en el trópico húmedo de Costa Rica vulnerabilidad en poblaciones silvestres, “If you have pockets of producers across Ryania speciosa Vahl, es un arbusto de la como respuesta se han implementado the north, it would certainly support what Familia Flacourtiaceae; constituye uno de investigaciones para el manejo de other provinces are trying to do on a los muchos productos forestales no poblaciones silvestres y acciones de worldwide scale,” says Albert. “There are madereros (PFNM) de América tropical que domesticación en Costa Rica. many things the forest has to offer beyond es objeto de comercio en el mercado En la actualidad, el abastecimiento de la just cutting lumber that could be utilized to internacional. materia prima (madera) de Ryania para el start up cottage industries.” (Source: Es propio de los bosques tropicales en mercado internacional proviene de Trinidad Northern Ontario Business, 6 September América, generalmente se encuentra a y Tabago. El principal importador es Italia y 2007.) orilla de ríos en bosques primarios y la Estados Unidos de América. En América

NON-WOOD NEWS No. 16 January 2008 COUNTRY COMPASS 49

existen productos comerciales en Estados % CZECH REPUBLIC aromatic and medicinal plants to attend a Unidos y Argentina. stakeholders’ workshop in early September Por esta razón Bougainvillea Extractos A new season begins for Czech mushroom 2007 to discuss the wild aromatic, culinary Naturales, empresa establecida en Costa pickers and medicinal plants of Egypt. Rica realiza acciones de manejo de Twenty-six million kilograms of The specific objectives of the workshop poblaciones naturales y domesticación con la mushrooms – that’s how much Czechs were to gain a better insight into the participación de agricultores dueños de picked in the forests across the country in present resource situation and utilization bosques para su comercialización como 2006. According to a survey carried out by status of medicinal, culinary and aromatic biopesticida en forma de extracto the University of Agriculture, an average plants in Egypt, their potential, and the estandarizado en el control de mariposas. Czech family collected about 8 kg of problems and issues to be addressed for (Aportación hecha por: Rafael A Ocampo S., mushrooms last year. It seems that their sustainable development; and identify Jardín Agroecológico Bougainvillea. mushroom-picking remains one of the and propose priorities for action at various Apartado Postal 764-3100. Santo Domingo, most popular Czech pastimes. levels and programmes and projects to Heredía, Costa Rica. Correo electrónico: One proof of the continuing popularity of support national/regional efforts for [email protected]; www.bioextractos.com) mushroom-picking is the number of resource conservation and sustainable mushroom-devoted Web pages providing development of these products in the Costa Rica and the United States of detailed information about the current country. America swap debt for nature situation in different areas of the Czech The focus of the workshop was on Costa Rica and the United States have Republic. You can even download a so- aromatic and medicinal plants gathered signed an agreement to swap US$26 called “myco-map” – a map indicating the from wild sources (such as on forest and/or million of Costa Rican debt for funds to occurrence of individual mushroom species rangelands) in the Egyptian desert, so as to protect more than 1 000 acres in different regions. (Source: Radio Prague differentiate these products from those (approximately 404.7 ha) of tropical forest. [Czech Republic], 17 August 2007.) obtained as agriculture cash crops (on The move will protect biodiversity in the irrigated lands). region and help thousands of indigenous The workshop provided a useful people to maintain sustainable livelihoods. overview of the specific characteristics of The two countries made the agreement medicinal, culinary and aromatic plants this month (October), with Costa Rica and their resource/utilization status in agreeing to spend the swapped amount on Egypt. The outcome of the workshop was forest conservation over the next 16 years. presented and discussed in plenary until an The United States of America will contribute agreement by consensus was reached on $12.6 million, with the environment all recommendations. At the closing protection organizations The Nature session, a proposed project with the key Conservancy and Conservation recommendations (“Survey, sustainability International each providing $1.26 million. and conservation of the wild aromatic and Six areas have been designated for medicinal plants in Egypt: protecting their protection, based on a scientific analysis to % EGYPT genetic resources and evaluating their determine gaps in forest protection, says economic values”) was introduced by the Zdenka Piskulich, director of The Nature Wild aromatic, culinary and medicinal chairman of the workshop Prof. Dr Inas Conservancy in Costa Rica. The swap will plants of Egypt Abd El Moati Tolba, Professor of Ecology target forest protection in some of Costa Egypt is characterized by a variety of and Phytochemistry, Head of the Aromatic Rica’s best known biodiversity hotspots, climatic and environmental conditions that and Medicinal Plants Department, DRC. such as Tortuguero, a system of natural have helped in the distribution of numerous waterways near the Caribbean Sea. The area wild aromatic and medicinal plants around FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: surrounding the Rincón de la Vieja volcano, the country. These plants have been used Prof. Dr Inas A. Tolba, Head of the Aromatic and home to over 300 species of birds, and the for various therapeutic and economic Medicinal Plants Department, Desert Research Osa Peninsula, home to 2.5 percent of the purposes throughout history and are now Center, PO Box 11753, Cairo, Egypt. Fax: 02 world’s animal and plant species, will also receiving increased interest in Egypt and 26357858; 02 2 6370788; benefit, together with ecosystems in the elsewhere. e-mail: [email protected] Amistad region, which contains 90 percent of Great efforts are being made to increase Costa Rica’s known plant species. awareness of aromatic and medicinal plant Piskulich said in a press release that the products in Egypt and to strengthen % FINLAND funding will also allow indigenous national collaboration between the regional communities, many of whom live in the desert areas. Accordingly, the Aromatic Reindeer ecotourism Amistad region, “to pursue sustainable and and Medicinal Plants Department, Desert Half of our income comes from reindeer economically viable livelihoods, thus Research Center (DRC), in collaboration husbandry, half from reindeer tourism, improving their lives and sustaining the with FAO, invited local communities, private says reindeer herder and entrepreneur diverse biological resources on which they enterprises and other socio-economic Anssi Kiiskinen. “The ultimate reason to depend”. (Source: SciDev.Net, 24 October actors involved in collecting, processing, branch into tourism was to increase our 2007.) trading, marketing and sustaining of wild income from reindeer, so they would

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% INDIA vegetables and seeds as cattle feed have been pushing up the raw material cost for Tackling poverty through international the CT-gum industry. The total installed trade of forest products: a case study of capacity in the country is 0.2 million tonnes Cassia tora for splits and 59 000 for powder based on Cassia tora, commonly known as tora, Cassia tora seeds. The capacity utilization sickle senna, sickle pod, coffee pod, tovara, in the industry has been around 70 percent chakvad and foetid cassia, is a wild weed for the last three years. crop growing luxuriously in some parts of Apart from domestic consumption, there India, including Madhya Pradesh, during are now significant exports of cassia the period October to February. powder of international standard to various A natural gelling agent that has countries, such as the United States of industrial and food applications is made America, Australia, Germany, France, from the seed. The primary chemical Spain, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, constituents of the seed include Belgium, New Zealand, the United provide for us.” Kiiskinen says that the cinnamaldehyde, gum, tannins, mannitol, Kingdom, Singapore and Japan. The export income from reindeer meat is not enough coumarins and essential oils (aldehydes, value of Cassia tora has been gradually to offset the costs of the increasingly eugenol and pinene); it also contains increasing over the last five years. Detailed mechanized reindeer husbandry. That is sugars, resins and mucilage, among other export data revealed that Japan and the why he and his uncle set up a joint reindeer constituents. United Kingdom receive a regular supply, tourism enterprise, the Kopara reindeer Cassia tora has many uses. It is used as while the United States market fluctuates. farm, on the flanks of the Pyhätunturi Fell a natural pesticide in organic farms; However, the export growth rate of Cassia in Lapland. roasted seeds are substituted for coffee; its tora clearly shows the difference between In the Kiiskinens’ business, reindeer powder is most popularly used in the pet quantity and value, which leads to a low herding and reindeer tourism complement food industry; it is mixed with guar gum for price per unit price. (Contributed by: Dr one another. In reindeer herding, the use in mining and other industrial Parag Dubey, Faculty of Forest Product busiest seasons are spring and autumn, applications; its seeds and leaves are used Marketing, Indian Institute of Forest and in tourism summer and winter. The to treat skin disease; and its seeds act as a Management, PO Box 357, Nehru Nagar, meat from the herd of reindeer is served as laxative. This weed could also become a Bhopal 462003, Madhya Pradesh, India. appetizing dishes in the farm restaurant. reliable cheap supply of nutritious fodder E-mail: [email protected]) During winter the customers are offered for Ctenopharyngodon idella, a fast- reindeer safaris, usually consisting of a few growing exotic carp. Jharkhand: rich in NWFPs yet not fully hours’ ride across the snowy wilderness in Cassia tora tea is a herbal, pure, natural, tapped a reindeer-drawn sleigh. Kiiskinen has 40 non-polluted green health beverage. In the Jharkhand state was formed on 15 reindeer trained for the purpose. In Republic of Korea, it is believed to refresh November 2000 after its separation from summertime, visitors can walk the human vision. Moreover, the tea has Bihar state. Jharkhand literally means “reindeer trail” which provides information created a new term “coffee-tea”, because forest and plateau. Its total geographic about reindeer and reindeer husbandry – of its mysterious but very rich taste and its area is 79 714 km2, 22 716 km2 of which is and feed the reindeer themselves. coffee aroma. It is made from 100 percent forest. It has 18 districts, eight of which are The last five years have been a time of Cassia tora, with no artificial colouring and tribal. Tribals are an inseparable part of investments in the enterprise. Each year, no caffeine, and could be a great substitute forests so they are given special rights and the turnover has grown by 20 percent. for coffee and sodas. privileges. The assets of Kiiskinen’s firm consist of The edible part of the plant varies from Previously this area was very rich in reindeer, ideas, enthusiasm, labour and 30 to 40 percent. Because of its external forests, but over time this has changed and customer contacts. But not the land. The germicide and antiparasitic character, it now most of the natural forest is in a buildings and the reindeer enclosures are has been used for treating skin diseases degraded state and reduced (however, built on land rented from the state-owned such as leprosy, ringworm, itching and Asia’s famous Saranda Sal forest belongs to forestry enterprise Metsähallitus. The psoriasis and also for snakebites. this state). State population has increased routes of the reindeer safaris run in Galactomannans from Cassia tora (CT- (18.82 percent from 1991 to 2001) and commercial forests managed by gum), after proper processing and average population growth rate is more Metsähallitus. This is frequently the case in chemical derivatization, could function as a than the national average. This is an northern Finland. According to Pertti better and more economical thickener than important factor that has contributed Sarajärvi, Land Use and Environment locust bean gum for textiles, because of the significantly to the conversion of forest land. Manager for Metsähallitus in eastern latter’s current high price ($18/kg) and In spite of this, Jharkhand is rich in Lapland, tourism supports Metsähallitus’s limited availability. natural resources. Its main NWFPs operations. “Tourism helps to keep the Most of the CT-gum processing plants in resources can be categorized as: area inhabited and so ensures potential India are located in Gujarat state because • kendu leaf (Diospyros melanoxylon), employees for us.” (Source: Krista Kimmo, of the availability of Cassia tora beans in used as a smoking stick, locally called Pelkosenniemi, Finnish Forest Association the neighbouring states, but the bidi; Web site, 4 October 2007.) widespread use of these beans as • sal seed, from which oil is extracted;

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• Terminalia bellerica, locally called practices, it has been felt that there should and acceptable to the diverse MAP sectors harnat, used in medicine; and be national-level guidelines for wild in India. (Contributed by: Dr Prodyut • Madhuca indica: its seed is used for collection of medicinal plants. These Bhattacharya, International Centre for extraction of oil, its flower in the guidelines should be in parity with Community Forestry (ICCF), Indian Institute preparation of local wine and its leaf in international norms and regulations as of Forest Management (IIFM), PO Box 357, the preparation of a dish locally called well as satisfying Indian demands. Nehru Nagar, Bhopal 462003, Madhya donna patta. In view of these increasing demands, the Pradesh, India. Fax: +91-755-2772878; Realizing the importance and potential of International Centre for Community e-mail: [email protected]) NWFPs, in February 2002 Jharkhand’s Forestry (ICCF) at the Indian Institute of Ministry of Environment formed JSVVN Forest Management (IIFM) has started a Limited, which is the sole agency for the MAP certification project sponsored by the authorized collection and marketing of National Medicinal Plant Board (NMPB). NWFPs. JSVVN manages its NWFP This project is designed to: collection work through two circles, six • evaluate the potential for MAP divisions and 45 regional offices. In certification in an Indian context; 2002/2003, the net profit earned by JSVVN • create awareness among gatherers, was Rs773.345 lakhs, with Rs2 051.196 foresters and other stakeholders being shared among the people engaged in about MAP certification and its NWFP collection, and it was able to implication for sustainable generate 31.56 lakh/workdays. management of wild MAP resources; The collection of NWFPs is time - • document and analyse current consuming work and delays in collection and practices in the MAP sector in the light marketing cause losses. Kendu leaf and sal of certification requirements; seed collection starts in May and continues • develop national-level generic Medicinal plants of the Kashmir up to the first week of June. During this standards for MAP certification, with Himalayas period poor rural and tribal people do not special emphasis on raw material Medicinal plants have assumed a have any work in their agriculture fields or collection to marketing; and significant importance in the recent past elsewhere and so JSVVN provides them with • establish demonstration plots to test owing to the growing appreciation of employment. In this way, they earn money the sustainable collection concepts human health care through herbal (kendu leaf collection generates 31–32 through a participatory approach and medicines. The Kashmir Himalayas house lakh/workdays) and also eliminate the information dissemination. a diverse variety of plants of medicinal intermediaries. Therefore, NWFPs can have Four states were selected for the pilot value. A recent paper (Traditional enormous scope in the state and are both a study (Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa medicine: some plants of the Kashmir good source of revenue for the state and Uttarakhand) based on their MAP Himalayas) by Gulzar Ahmad Sheergojri, government and a source of income for rural resource richness, livelihood dependence Nelofar Lolapuri and Efath Shahnaz and tribal people. and available institutional framework. presents the results of a survey carried out The state has another opportunity to Important steps have already been taken for in 2006 and discusses some of the strengthen the NWFP area by raising the implementation of the project, e.g. field medicinal plants identified and their bamboo and medicinal plants, both of which surveys, interviews with multiple importance in traditional medicine. could generate income and employment for stakeholders and local- and regional-level The Kashmir Himalayas – the the state. (Contributed by: S.K. Singh, consultations/meetings with social northwestern region of the Himalayas – Forest Survey of India, Kaulagarh Road, PO- organizations. A draft standard has been represent a rich repository of diverse plant IPE, Dehra Dun 248195, Uttaranchal, India. prepared in the light of current internationally species that have been used by the locals to E-mail: [email protected]) available standards, as well as socio- treat their ailments since time immemorial. economic parameters relevant to the Indian They have also served as an important Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAP) scenario. The parameters/ statements of the source of raw material for various certification – its importance and draft standard are under evaluation with state pharmaceutical units. About 28 percent of relevance in an Indian background existing practices. Thrust areas of the study all the plants on Earth have been used for The importance of good collection include legal and policy framework, wild area curing various human ailments. Nearly 40 practices, storage and maintenance in conservation and sustainable management, percent of the known medicinal plants of the medicinal plants has been felt from time responsible collection practices, economic Kashmir Himalayas are used in the Indian immemorial. The rich traditional Ayurvedic development and benefit sharing. pharmaceutical industry alone. Global heritage and folklore practices in India A comparative analysis of the available imports of medicinal plants increased from reflect the understanding of the ancients information based on the above-mentioned US$335 million in 1976 to $551 million in regarding the sustainable utilization of issues reflects prominent differences in 1980. However, non-judicious exploitation, natural resources. However, with the policy-level interventions and social habitat destruction and the absence of massive expansion of the medicinal plant understanding of MAP resource cultivation programmes have put a business as well as changing socio- management, as well as conservation tremendous pressure on these green economic conditions, rapid depletion of measures. Further study and research are dispensaries, especially in developing and natural resources and diverse sociocultural taking place to make the draft more flexible underdeveloped countries. Furthermore,

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poor infrastructure and scarcity of funds in had rejuvenated into extensive bamboo wears a belt made of baobab bark. developing states such as Jammu and forest cover. To mitigate against possible However, Mohamed Ali Baddi, who heads a Kashmir have made these plants vulnerable overexploitation, KEFRI is teaching farmers local development organization, says to biopiracy. how to propagate the plant in central “Hunting is a way of life. For them, it is not Consequently, the authors carried out a Kenya, with financing from the United poaching. But for the KWS, they are survey to underline the importance of some Nations Development Programme. poachers.” of the plants of the Kashmir Himalayas in A bamboo tree takes an average of three Some of the Boni’s other traditional traditional medicine so that adequate years to mature and is a good protector of practices are a far cry from modern life, for measures may be taken to save them. water catchment areas. To increase the better or worse. “We know the herbs to Information was collected on many commercial value of the tree, KEFRI is treat malaria, stomach aches and medicinal plants and their traditional uses training artisans on the use of bamboo in snakebites. But some of the herbs are too were documented. The study revealed that the making of furniture and office fittings. strong for children. Sometimes they die,” these herbal medicines provide remedies Locally, the tree does well in the Mohamed says. The nearest hospital to his for a significant number of ailments, Aberdares, Olengurueni, Molo, Western village of Kiangwe is several hours’ walk especially in remote areas where health Province and parts of the coast. away. care facilities are meagre. A comprehensive Despite the promising prospects, While they are keen to preserve their strategy for the conservation and exploitation of bamboo still faces a number ancestral way of life, the Boni feel ignored development of these medicines would not of hurdles, including lack of awareness of by the Kenyan Government, as do other only widen the forest-based economy, but its potential among local communities. tribes of honey hunters across the country. also provide important raw materials for (Source: Business Daily Africa [Kenya], 26 Kiangwe is a small village of 360 immunomodulation. (Contributed by: July 2007.) inhabitants living in mud huts with no Gulzar Ahmad Sheergojri, M.Sc. dispensary, no road, no running water and (Agriculture), Sheri Kashmir University of Tribe of honey hunters fights extinction no shops. Residents say travelling vendors Agriculture Sciences and Technology, R/O Kiangwe. The marginalization of Kenya’s pass through on average twice yearly. Inder Pulwama, J & K, India 192301. E-mail: Boni tribe, known for their unique tradition “Maybe the government should come up [email protected]) of whistling to birds that guide them to with a policy for a Boni reserve so that they honey, has raised fears that their can preserve their culture,” said Omar mellifluous song will soon be silenced. Aliyoo, one of two Boni tribesmen to sit on With little or no access to health care and the local municipal council. “Our way of life other resources, the Boni’s ranks have is disappearing. There is a danger that the steadily dwindled and the tribe is now on Boni people will disappear.” (Source: the verge of extinction. Independent Online [South Africa], 10 July The semi-nomadic Hamitic tribe nestled 2007.) between the Indian Ocean and the Somali border in northeastern Kenya’s Lamu district numbers barely 4 000, compared % LEBANON with 25 000 half a century ago, according to the Organization for the Development of Illegal imports undercut local pine nuts Lamu Communities (ODLC). Chouf. Lebanon’s pine nut cultivators “We depend entirely on nature for food denounced the government’s lack of and medicine," said Nur Mohamed, a Boni. interest in putting an end to the illegal % KENYA The central ingredient in the Boni’s diet is importing of pine nuts, saying they face honey, which they track down with the help threats to their businesses as a result of KEFRI wants ban on bamboo lifted of birds – known by locals as mirsi and the invasion of Turkish and Chinese pine The Kenya Forestry Research Institute commonly described as honey guides – seeds into the local market. Consequently, (KEFRI) wants a ban on bamboo harvesting who feed on wax and bee larvae. The the problems of cultivators eased over the lifted to enable farmers to enter the peculiar species has been scientifically last three years following the government’s multibillion Kenyan shilling global bamboo proven to lead animals and humans to bee decision to halt imports in an attempt to trade currently dominated by China, Japan nests. On a good day, the mirsi will noisily cultivate the local market. The Syndicate of and Thailand. Samson Mogire, a bamboo alert the Boni by landing on a tree Pine Nut Cultivators, however, recently product expert at KEFRI, said they had sent concealing honey. The Boni then hack at discovered that several dealers have been fact finding missions to the Asian nations to the tree trunk and smoke it up to numb the illegally given licences to import the nuts. learn methods of sustainable exploitation bees before retrieving the bounty. Cultivators in the Chouf, Jezzine, Metn and of the forests. Members of the hunter/gatherer tribe Aley are therefore facing a problem thought The ban on bamboo harvesting was also eat wild fruits, roots and a variety of solved just a few years back. imposed in 1989 by former President Moi game – which they say has put them at “The cultivation of pine trees is a really and its use later restricted to select public odds with wildlife officials. “Nowadays, I costly business,” said cultivator Abdullah institutions. KEFRI said the fear of hunt secretly and I eat secretly. Otherwise, Hassan. “The cost of the harvest is very overexploitation that led to the imposition the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) will beat high and therefore the price of pine seeds of the ban no longer held, since the plant us and arrest us," said Sadi Jumaa, who is relatively high. However, with the market

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flooded with imported pine seeds, our surface area) are forest and 350 000 ha are people. Women must walk further and business might collapse at any moment.” Eucalyptus species and pine plantations. spend more time searching for firewood. Pine trees are abundant across Lebanon However, loss of species, including the Households have to buy wood for and have also long been considered as a decrease of honey bee populations on the construction, and as a substitute for tree tourist attraction and an economic island, is closely related to the loss of forests. fibres they must buy sisal or use the wire resource. However, cultivators fear pine In September 2003, President Marc from old car tyres. Without the forest, they trees will not be cared for as much as Ravalomanana committed to increasing must also go without wild game, before because of the smuggling, protected areas in Madagascar from caterpillars, medicinal plants, fruits and endangering pine tree woods in the country. 1.7 million to 6 million ha by 2008. Now many other things. “We need to find a solution to the current Madagascar is attempting to reduce Lowore stresses that it is impossible to situation by forbidding the illegal import of poverty and increase the areas under come up with a simple blueprint of pine seeds, especially since pine seeds are a conservation. Beekeeping has the potential recommendations for improving dry-forest basic ingredient of Arab sweets,” said to play an important role in these management. However, her study confirms Ahmad Awar, a cultivator. “But unfortunately processes, both for poverty alleviation and that Malawi’s miombo woodlands are vitally the owners of such sweet shops do not care the conservation of natural environments. important, both as a resource that satisfies about quality and prefer using the cheaper The remaining natural resources and the the subsistence needs of the rural poor, imported seeds instead of the finely willingness of beekeepers to improve their and for the many environmental benefits harvested Lebanese pine seeds.” (Source: activities make beekeeping possible on a that they provide. (Source: Building on Daily Star [Lebanon], 5 July 2007.) large scale in Ambositra. However, success. Center for International Forestry Imadiala, which is the most advantaged Research (CIFOR) Annual Report 2006. beekeeping area in the whole region, has http://www.cifor.cgiar.org/publications/pdf % LIBERIA suffered serious deforestation by felling _files/AReports/AR2006.pdf) trees to make planks, charcoal and Promoting ecotourism sculptures or to make space for cultivation, Conservation International (CI), an NGO causing severe negative effects for % MALAYSIA working in Liberia since 2002, has beekeeping. This process is ongoing and developed a scheme to bring tourists into forest degradation remains one of the Malaysia is taking steps to ensure that the country. Russell A. Mittermeier, major problems for beekeeping, honey trade in gaharu is sustainable President of CI, has been discussing with hunting and swarm catching in Imadiala. Gaharu, the aromatic resin from Aquilaria top government officials on how the forests (Source: Bees for Development Journal, trees, was previously regarded as worthless of Liberia can be conserved and used to Issue 84, September 2007.) woodchips but authorities are fast realizing make a profit for the country. Mr its value and are tightening the relevant Mittermeier said that Liberia’s forests are regulations. States in Peninsular Malaysia in a “hotspot”, i.e. “an area where most of have been told to keep a close eye on the animal species that live there cannot be extraction of the heartwood by emphasizing found anywhere in the world. This means it enforcement of Section 15 of the National is the most important spot in the West Forestry Act 1984, which requires any African region”. removal of the valuable product to be He said an ecotourist would be willing to accompanied by a removal pass. pay up to US$500 to visit Liberia’s natural The latest move by Peninsular Malaysia wildlife and see at first hand how these Forestry Department is to develop a animals live in the wild. (Source: The uniform grading system for the fragrant Inquirer [Monrovia], 23 August 2007.) resin. Deputy director-general (planning and development) Datuk Dahlan Taha says the absence of a standardized grade has % MADAGASCAR % MALAWI hampered administration and regulation of this NTFP. “The 10 percent royalty payment Beekeeping, poverty alleviation and forest Miombo woodlands is currently based on weight and not on conservation in Imadiala In her recent short essay, Miombo quality. The government is losing out on Beekeeping is an important source of woodlands and rural livelihoods in Malawi, revenue collection. Hence, we organized a livelihood in Imadiala, an eastern Janet Lowore cites a study of 36 farming workshop in June and produced a grading subdistrict of Ambositra. However, in spite households which revealed that during a system. We are recommending four of the efforts made by beekeepers and period of 25 months, local people collected grades: A Super, A, B and C,” says Dahlan. numerous organizations to improve 37 different species of leaf vegetables, two He is also encouraging all states to pay beekeeping in the region, the negative species of root vegetables, 21 of fruit, 23 of attention to this NWFP, which is coveted by effect of deforestation on beekeepers’ mushroom and 14 of caterpillar. both local and foreign poachers. He claims activities is increasing. Between 1946 and 1996, Malawi lost 2.5 that greater awareness has led to better Approximately 90 percent of Madagascar’s million ha of woodland, most of which was protection of the heartwood against illegal flora and fauna is endemic. Eleven million converted into farmland. The loss of collection, as indicated by zero arrests in hectares (20 percent of Madagascar’s woodland means many things for local the last two years.

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The department is also directing graines et les feuilles d’Adansonia digitata. replanting of gaharu species in logged Fourrage: les plantes fourragères production forests. So far, 215 ha have importantes sont Acacia albida, Acacia been planted. The oldest is a four-year-old raddiana, Acacia nilotica, Acacia senegal, plot in Kelantan. The lure of the highly Acacia seyal, Boscia senegalensis, Balanites priced resin has also promoted commercial aegyptiaca et Prosopis juliflora. Ces plantes planting of the species as well as research fournissent des feuilles, de jeunes rameaux, into artificial inoculation of the stem. In the des gousses et l’écorce qui constituent des wild, a gaharu tree produces the resin as a fourrages pour les moutons, les chèvres, les biological response to contain infection dromadaires et les chameaux. from bacteria, fungi and pathogens. The Médecine: les écorces, les graines, les resin covers wounded areas and blackens feuilles, les racines, les fruits et les branches the whitish heartwood to produce gaharu. d’Adansonia digitata, Acacia albida, Acacia Under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, gaharu is % MAURITANIE nilotica, Boscia senegalensis, Balanites being introduced as a potential income- aegyptiaca, Anogeissus leiocarpus, generating crop to be planted alongside Les PFNL en Mauritanie Salvadora persica, Commiphora africana, vegetable farms in agroforestry La Mauritanie pays désertique membre du Prosopis juliflora et de Sclerocarya birrea programmes. Meanwhile, the government is Sahel et Maghreb dispose d’une couverture sont utilisés pour le traitement des maladies capping export of gaharu, internationally végétale non négligeable sous forme de variées telles que le rhume, la grippe, les known as agarwood, at 200 tonnes this year. savanes arbustives ou de savanes maux de dents, les hémorroïdes, les In 2004, all eight Aquilaria species and a herbeuses. douleurs rhumatismales, l’impuissance species of Gyrinops that also produces Les principaux produits forestiers non sexuelle, le diabète, l’asthme et autres aromatic resins were included in Appendix ligneux (PFNL) de la Mauritanie sont les complications respiratoires, la fièvre, la II of the Convention on International Trade plantes alimentaires (par exemple Adansonia diarrhée, la fatigue générale, etc. in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and digitata et Zyzyphus mauritiana), les plantes Parfums et cosmétiques: les racines de Flora (CITES) to ensure survival of the fourragères (Acacia spp.), les gommes Balanites aegyptiaca rentrent dans la species in the wild. A listing in Appendix II (Acacia senegal) et les plantes médicinales fabrication du savon. subjects trade in the species to the CITES (par exemple Acacia albida, Balanites Colorants et tannins: les fruits d’Acacia permit system that covers export, import aegyptiaca et Salvadora persica). Les PFNL nilotica constituent le principal produit de and re-export. However, oil products from de moindre importance au niveau tannage chez les cordonniers. L’écorce gaharu still escape CITES scrutiny because socioéconomique sont les colorants (Acacia d’Acacia seyal fournit une teinture rouge qui of its exclusion from the Customs export seyal, Anogeissus leiocarpus), les tannins sert à teindre les vêtements. Les feuilles et prohibition order. The Customs and Excise (Acacia nilotica), les produits cosmétiques, l’écorce d’Anogeissus leiocarpus fournissent Department is in the final stage of les outils et les résines. une teinture jaune pour les peaux et les amending the order to control the export of Les PFNL ont une importance particulière tissus. processed gaharu in oil form. en Mauritanie dans la mesure où ils Ustensiles, artisanat et matériaux de As high-grade agarwood becomes contribuent à la nourriture humaine et au construction: l’écorce du tronc d’Adansonia scarce, local collectors are resorting to fourrage pour les animaux. Ils sont digitata fournit également des fibres utilisées processing lower-grade woodchips into oil également utilisés pour des soins par les pour tisser les nattes et confectionner les to increase their profit margins. Gaharu tradipraticiens, dans la cosmétologie, dans la cordes. Le tégument d’Acacia senegal est distillation plants have sprouted in several construction et chez les artisans mais utilisé pour la fabrication des cordes. Le parts of the country. Although states in the également comme boisson. Parmi les PFNL macéré du fruit de Balanites aegyptiaca est peninsula are trying to monitor the amount en Mauritanie, seule la gomme arabique fait ichtyotoxique (poison à poisson). of extraction through its licensing scheme, l’objet d’importantes activités commerciales Exsudats: la gomme, exsudant du tronc it is believed that various amounts are structurées. d’Acacia nilotica, sert à fabriquer une slipping through the cracks and these Nourriture: Les arbres produisant des fruits boisson rafraîchissante. La gomme arabique unspecified volumes are turned into oil comestibles incluent Boscia senegalensis, est fournie par l’Acacia senegal. L’exsudation products that elude the CITES permit and Balanites aegyptiaca, Adansonia digitata, est causée par des fentes dues à la the government taxation system. Hence, Zizyphus mauritiana et Sclerocarya birrea. sécheresse et des blessures. Quatre-vingt- accuracy of the official extraction volume is Les fruits de Sclerocarya birrea font l’objet dix pour cent de la production de la gomme doubtful. d’un commerce local. La pulpe des fruits, arabique est commercialisée. L’Acacia seyal While the export loophole is likely to be riche en alcool, est fermentée et transformée est une gomme arabique de qualité plugged soon, a similar effort was not en bière. Du fruit, on peut faire des jus et des inférieure. La résine de Commiphora made simultaneously to address the issue confitures. L’amande du noyau de africana est utilisée comme encens, parfum of import. The Customs import prohibition Sclerocarya birrea contient des matières et insecticide. order does not cover gaharu oil products. grasses et beaucoup de vitamine C. Elle Malgré le rôle important que jouent les Therefore, the Malaysian Timber Industry donne aussi une huile comestible. Les PFNL en Mauritanie, la filière économique Board (MTIB) has not issued any CITES graines de Boscia senegalensis donnent une des PFNL généralement très confinée dans import or re-export permits to date. excellente farine pour la fabrication des l’informel demeure peu développée. La filière (Source: Malaysia Star, 31 July 2007.) repas. En outre, on consomme l’albumen des économique des PFNL nécessite une

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valorisation et un développement. L’Etat doit, communal land with free access. However, number of community suppliers. The en collaboration avec la FAO et les autres over the last ten years, distances to harvest viability of this commercial activity and the partenaires de développement, sensibiliser sites have increased to three hours’ walk ability to obtain significant profits are a les populations sur l’importance des produits because of land conversion for maize and result of traders sourcing from numerous et surtout des coopératives féminines en coffee, and as a result of overexploitation of producer communities. In Chinantla, as in milieu rural. the palm. other regions of Mexico, six different actors En effet la promotion, la gestion et le The species reproduces easily via seed, are involved in the commercialization of développement des PFNL pourraient requiring little light and possessing a high palm leaves. Men collect the foliage and permettre de réaliser une importante activité tolerance for humidity. For these reasons, women grade it, preparing bushels of 140 génératrice de revenus pour les femmes several communities in the study area and leaves that sell for up to US$1.30 to a local rurales. Cela pourrait aider à la réalisation other regions – Veracruz, Chiapas and San stockist. A second actor transports the de certains objectifs clés des OMD: réduire Luis Potosí – have begun to domesticate via product to a regional wholesaler, who l’extrême pauvreté et la faim, promouvoir le understorey cultivation. When leaf fertilizer manages a centre where he accumulates, genre et le développement et protéger is applied in plantations, each plant can be grades, packs and sells the product to l’environnement. (Source: Gestion harvested every three months. In the wild, wholesalers in Mexico City. Leaves are sold participative et développement des produits peak harvesting, between April and to the Mexican consumer at 12 forestiers non ligneux comme moyen de October, follows the rains, when the quality leaves/US$1, and sold on to a foreign réduction de la pauvreté des femmes and quantity are most readily available for buyer, who retails them to the United rurales: cas du Maghreb et du Sahel par two to three cuts. Some camedora palm States consumer at six leaves/US$1. Mme Hawa War, Volontaire, FAO, Le Caire.) species are on the Mexican protected There are very few companies dedicated species list and thus require an extraction to the export of palm in Mexico, owing to POUR PLUS D’INFORMATIONS CONTACTER: permit. However, because of the cost the existence of a monopoly; the national Pape Djiby Koné, Forestier principal, Bureau involved in acquiring a permit, some market is concentrated in the hands of a régional de la FAO pour le Proche-Orient, communities cut leaves illegally and many single successful entrepreneur who had PO Box 2223, le Caire, Egypte. Courriel: have established small plantations. sufficient capital to invest in refrigerated [email protected] The palm leaves are used fresh in transport and storage facilities. This floristry and have been exported from the individual is the sole representative of the humid tropical regions of Mexico and North American company that imports Central America since the 1940s. Mexico is camedora. The existence of a single the leading world exporter of the leaves company buying leaves makes and seeds of different species of camedora communities somewhat vulnerable. This palm, predominantly to the United States. It single buyer supplies half of the product is estimated that the global production of from his own plantation. While this is this foliage currently meets only one-third important to maintain the value chain of the international demand. throughout the year, it can also pose a In Mexico, the leaves are used in threat to wild palm collectors who are floristry, wreaths and bouquets; as restricted mostly to cutting only a few handicrafts in Latin America” traditional adornments for Easter and months in the year. Even though there is

“Riches of the forest: fruits, remedies and Palm Sunday; as a fresh base for exhibiting small-scale domestication of camedora produce in supermarkets; and as garden palm in southern Mexico, these poorly % MEXICO plants. The leaves are highly sought after organized communities are finding it because once cut, they remain green for up difficult to compete with the industrial- Mexican palm fronds for the United States to three weeks. scale plantations being established floral industry: opportunities and threats Market access for communities depends in the United States – with seed exported A recent study on the camedora palm largely on production capacity: commercial from the Chinantla region. (Source: (Chamaedorea elegans, C. concolor, C. intermediaries are attracted to areas extracted from Marshall, E., oblongata) was undertaken in two where there is sufficient volume to make Schreckenberg, K. & Newton, A.C., eds. indigenous Chinantec communities located trade worthwhile. Many families have to 2006. Commercialization of non-timber in the river basin of Papaloapan, on the overcome several obstacles to access forest products: factors influencing Atlantic slope of the Sierra Norte, Oaxaca, regional trade centres, including low- success. Lessons learned from Mexico and situated some 300 km from the city of quality roads and lack of access for Bolivia and policy implications for decision- Oaxaca. Both communities are situated in vehicles. Monte Tinta overcame this barrier makers. Cambridge, United Kingdom, isolated mountainous locations, with by designating one community member to UNEP World Conservation Monitoring limited access to the nearest road. pool together the leaves and transport Centre.) The camedora palm, also known as xate, them, by donkey, to the road on the trader’s represents a set of species that belongs to route. In return the trader pays on time and FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: the genus Chamaedorea and dominates compensates for the costs of accidents Elaine Marshall, Independent Consultant, the herbaceous field layer of montane during collection. Heywood House, Crawley End, Chrishall, forests. Access to the resource is relatively Because of the market demand for palm Royston, Herts SG8 8QN, United Kingdom. equitable, since it is largely collected from leaves, retailers need to work with a large E-mail: [email protected]

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%MOROCCO de río San Juan, Jinotega y las Regiones voluntario de bosques bajo manejo, a la Autónomas del Atlántico. certificación forestal para garantizar un 300 ha of argan trees to be reforested in the No se cuenta con suficiente información manejo eficiente del mismo» (Art. 4). south of Morocco sobre volúmenes y valor comercializado de (Aportación hecha por Francesca Felicani Essaouira (south). Some 300 ha of argan estos productos; se conoce su uso a nivel Robles, Consultora legal, FAO, Via delle trees will be reforested in the south of artesanal, en comunidades cercanas a los Terme di Caracalla, Roma 00153, Italia. Morocco, under a cooperation agreement bosques o en zonas urbanas, y en general son Correo electrónico: signed in 2002 between Midi Pyrenees comercializados de manera informal. La [email protected]) regions and the region of Marrakech-Tensift- actividad productiva de estos productos ha El Haouz, revealed the Mohammed V sido de carácter extractiva y los volúmenes Foundation for Research and Argan Tree comerciales no han representado un flujo %PAKISTAN Preservation. The foundation, which held its comercial de importancia. En relación con su third general assembly, underlined aprovechamiento, la Ley General del Medio Indigenous use of non-timber forest achievements, mainly those pertaining to the Ambiente y los Recursos Naturales N° products in the Kalash valley, Chitral notion of the geographic indication, which 217/1996 establece que «para el uso y The Kalash valley is located in the remote represents an important step in the process aprovechamiento de las áreas de producción southwestern part of Chitral, an area of of the protection of the argan tree. forestal de productos maderables y no unique cultural and biological diversity. The The foundation’s director-general, Ms maderables, éstas deberán ser sometidas a natural forest of the area mainly consists of Katim Alaoui, noted that the agreement also manejo forestal con base sostenible, con la provides for the upgrading and marketing of aplicación de métodos y tecnologías argan oil by women’s cooperatives. apropiadas que garanticen un rendimiento This project aims at saving firewood óptimo» (Art. 100). A variety of through the use of solar energy, with project Por otro lado, a través del Acuerdo IRENA mushrooms/morels are officials estimating that the setting up of 500 (Instituto Nicaragüense de Recursos found in the Kalash solar ovens will result in avoiding a loss of 50 Naturales y del Ambiente) del 1990, se creó valley, including to 100 ha of argan trees per year. el Centro de mejoramiento genético y banco Morchella esculenta, M. Set up in May 2004, the foundation aims at de semillas forestales cuyo objetivos vulgaris, M. deliciosa and other morels guaranteeing a legal protection from argan principales son: la protección de áreas such as oyster. Their local names are tree exploitation, promoting and protecting forestales de interés científico, el quchi, brangalu and shunti. Local people natural equilibrium, improving the standard mejoramiento genético de especies de often hide the place where they pick of living of the population working on argan importancia económica y científica a través mushrooms. The Kalash community have trees and guaranteeing the quality of its de la instalación de viveros, huertos their own indigenous knowledge for products. semilleros o clónales, tanto de latifoliados mushroom collection; for example, it is A forest, fruit and fodder tree, the argan como de coníferas, la recolección de semillas believed that mushrooms often appear tree covers currently some 870 000 ha, which para suministrar material genético óptimo under various trees such as Juglans regia is around 10 percent of Morocco’s forest para los proyectos de reforestación, así como and Pinus wallichiana. Morels are areas. (Source: Maghreb Arabe Presse para el manejo sostenido de los bosques. collected mostly for marketing purposes, [Morocco], 11 June 2007.) El Centro será el responsable de but are sometimes also used as a garantizar la calidad y pureza de las semillas traditional medicine or flavouring agent. forestales exportadas e importadas a Morel collectors are usually poor Nicaragua a través de controles fitosanitarios villagers who collect morels as their part- (Art. 1). time activity besides farming and El Centro que goza de autonomía livestock keeping. The collectors – 27 financiera, estará sujeto al control de una percent women, 33 percent men and 40 auditoría externa nombrada por el IRENA percent children – collect morels during (Art. 5) quien nombra también a su director spring and early summer, from March to (Art. 2). July, and sell them in the local market to En fin, el Decreto 50/2001 sobre la política earn a livelihood. Morel collection is a de desarrollo forestal de Nicaragua, hectic job and requires a lot of physical actualmente modificado y en fase de exertion, devotion and passion. aprobación por parte de la Comisión Sometimes the collectors spend days in %NICARAGUA Nacional Forestal (CONAFOR), puntualiza the forest collecting morels. In most cases, que «se promoverá la diversificación de they sell the morels in fresh form to the Elementos de la legislación nacional sobre mercados y productos, incluyendo mercados local Pathan dealers or in the markets of Productos Forestales no Madereros a futuro, para mayor número de bienes y Chitral after drying the morels. En Nicaragua, no está muy difundido el servicios provenientes del bosque y el apoyo Morchella fetch high prices and thus manejo y aprovechamiento de los productos en la inserción en los mercados play an important role in the economy of forestales no madereros (PFNM). Sin internacionales. Además para ampliar y the Kalash valley. embargo, existe el aprovechamiento de estos fortalecer los mercados, se promoverá a recursos en algunos departamentos como el través de incentivos el sometimiento

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pine (Pinus wallichiana), chlghoza (Pinus unveiled plans to make a stevia-based %PERU gerardiana), deodar (Cedrus deodara) and sweetener under the trade name Rebiana. broadleaf species such as oak (Quercus And even though the herb is not yet Maca (Lepidium peruvianum) benefits incana). authorized for consumption in the United United States consumers and Peruvian The forest of the whole Chitral district States and has only a limited use in the economy (including the Kalash valley) is estimated to European Union, it is already popular in Nine years after medicine hunter Chris be 41 949 ha and is mainly used for timber Asia where China has planted thousands of Kilham took an exploratory trek to the extraction. The natural forest is under the hectares of rural land with the shrub. Peruvian highlands, a treasured traditional control of the Chitral Forest Department but “World demand is enormous,” said superfood called maca has entered the villagers have certain rights. Up to 25 000 Nelson Gonzalez, head of the Stevia United States consumer mass market. Now tonnes of forest wood are used annually as Chamber of Commerce, a trade group of Wal-Mart has placed Medicine Hunter Maca fuelwood. Almost 13 percent of the producers under the aegis of Paraguay’s Stimulant® on the shelves of 3 480 stores, population use the forest for generating their Ministry of Industry. “But the sugar lobby coast to coast. first cash. Additionally 80 percent of local wants to stop the importation of this According to ethnobotanist Kilham, who is people are, in one way or the other, natural, safe, revolutionary product.” Explorer in Residence at the University of dependent on NTFPs. Studies at the medical school at the Massachusetts, “Maca is one of the greatest Some of the important NTFPs in the University of Asunción found that stevia superfoods of all time and makes people feel Kalash valley are wild mushrooms had a long list of beneficial properties, very good very quickly.” (Morchella esculenta, M. vulgaris, M. being an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory Two thousand years ago, the legendary deliciosa), honey (Apis cerana), medicinal and an antibacterial agent useful in the maca root was valued as gold and traded as plants (Ferula narthex, Paeonia emodi, Inula battle against diabetes, high blood currency in the ancient Incan culture. History recemosa), pine nuts (Pinus gerardiana) and pressure and tooth decay. But it is finding it books record Incan warriors eating it to attain silk cocoons. hard to shake off fears over carcinogens fearsome prowess in battle. The people of this remote area rely on which have dogged its sister, chemically A member of the mustard family, the plant their indigenous knowledge to collect, pack manufactured sweeteners, saccharin and grows under the most inhospitable and dry these NTFPs and most of the local aspartame. conditions, in poor “moonscape” soil where people are dependent on the products for In ten years, plantations of stevia, which the air is thin and the sunlight and wind are income generation. is native to northwest Paraguay, have extremely harsh. Local harvesters today A recent research paper by Ajaz Ahmed grown from 350 to 1 500 ha. Officials hope grow maca for its medicinal root, which they investigated the situation of NWFPs and to increase this figure tenfold over the next use as a staple in their diet and export suggested future guidelines for proper five years through cloning, which is more worldwide as a mega-energy food and potent planning and management. effective than planting the seeds. However, sex booster for both men and women. the largest producer of stevia is not In addition to the United States consumer, FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Paraguay, but China, which has 20 000 ha the beneficiaries of Kilham’s work are the Ajaz Ahmed, Directorate of Non-Timber Forest under cultivation. Peruvian harvesters who can now earn a Produce, Forest Department, NWF Province, Paraguay’s stevia pioneer, the company decent wage from cultivating maca, which is Peshawar, Pakistan. E-mail: [email protected] Emporio Guarani, grows the plant and a better option than the gruelling, dangerous extracts the sweetener in its plant in and low-paying toil of mining, their only other Luque, 10 km outside Asunción, and is not source of income. (Source: ENN News, 27 % PARAGUAY worried by China’s influence on the September 2007.) market. “The land of stevia is right here,” Sweet herb may be said manager Maria Teresa Aguilera, green gold for whose phone has not stopped ringing with % PHILIPPINES Paraguay calls from companies around the globe, Paraguay is hoping a following Coca-Cola’s announcement. Establishment of a rattan plantation small herb that is not “Thanks to our climate, we can raise three A Japan-based international agency has trafficked, addictive, crops while China grows one,” she said. provided a financial grant to help or even fattening, Besides its claims to safety, stevia has underwrite the establishment of a rattan could prove to be the real thing that the another advantage over aspartame: it is plantation in Mindanao. The plantation will food industry has been waiting for. stable to 200°C so it can be baked. be set up at a government experimental Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana bertoni) has A kilogram of stevia crystals, extracted forest in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato, been used for centuries by the Guarani from 12 kg of leaf, is worth US$40 to $100, with the support of the International native people to sweeten their drinks, since depending on its purity. Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO). The it is 300 times sweeter than sugar with Knowing that Paraguay, half of whose grant was provided by ITTO to the none of the calories. Now the 60-cm high six million inhabitants live in poverty, may Department of Environment and Natural shrub has caught the eye of Coca-Cola, and be sitting on a gold mine, authorities are Resources-Ecosystem Research and its small Latin American home is hoping now launching a bid to win international Development Services (DENR-ERDS) in the cash tills will soon start ringing. recognition as the stevia plant’s country of Region 12 (central Mindanao). Coca-Cola and Cargill, one of the top origin. (Source: Independent Online [South Dr Bighani Manipula, acting regional United States food companies, recently Africa], 18 July 2007.) technical director for research of DENR-

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Region 12, said that the project will showcase %REPUBLIC OF KOREA • Remove the seeds by squeezing the the rattan seedling technology developed by juice from them. the research sector and will employ the Korean ginseng products receive • Leave the juice in the bucket left for community-based approach in managing the recognition as distinct food about four days to ferment. plantation. Immediate stakeholders will be The Republic of Korea’s ginseng-derived • Before drinking marula beer, the thick tapped as partners in developing, managing products have received initial recognition as dangwa layer on the top must be and protecting the plantation instead of just distinct foods by an international standard- removed although some people drink treating them as “resource users and setting commission, the Government said on with it to clean their digestive system. beneficiaries”, Manipula said. Sunday. • Sometimes the beer is preserved for As an initial activity, the project The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry several months in a big clay pot called management team recently met the local said that the Codex Alimentarius mvuvelo and then drunk as a fully community to brief them on the project. Commission (Codex) had approved food matured beer – lutanda. The stakeholders will also be taught about standards forwarded by the country on dried (Contributed by: Rudzani Makhado, PO Box rattan production – from seed harvesting to and liquid extracts of ginseng. The ministry 395, Council for Scientific and Industrial nursery management and plantation said that the decision made by a gathering of Research (CSIR), Pretoria 0001, South development. The project is expected to food experts in Rome to pass the food Africa. Fax: 012 841 2689 or 0866179355; enhance and rehabilitate the 30-ha teak standards for ginseng is positive for exports. e-mail: [email protected]) and rubber plantation that DENR-ERDS set The Republic of Korea considers the root a up in 1985. (Source: The Philippine Star, 5 health food but some countries classify it as Traditional medicine for HIV to go on trial October 2007.) a medicinal substance. Medicinal Clinical trials to test a traditional substances operate under different import medicine’s effectiveness in delaying the rules from ordinary food, which makes onset of AIDS in HIV-positive patients will trading them more difficult. begin in South Africa within weeks, The latest decision by Codex will be according to researchers. forwarded to member countries of the Approximately 125 HIV-positive patients organization for feedback. That feedback at Edendale Hospital in Pietermaritzburg in and the initial review will then be examined KwaZulu-Natal Province will take part in in detail by a subcommittee board before an trials of the herb Sutherlandia frutescens, international standard is established. a well-known South African traditional (Source: Yonhap News [Seoul], 15 July 2007.) medicine. The purpose of the trial will be to handicrafts in Latin America” test the safety and effectiveness of

“Riches of the forest: fruits, remedies and capsules of Sutherlandia in patients newly The Bulacan Province aggressively %SOUTH AFRICA diagnosed with HIV. Results are expected promotes bamboo farming by August 2009. The research will be The Bulacan government has launched an Recipe for making traditional “mukumbi” conducted by the South African universities aggressive campaign to boost the bamboo marula beer of KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, industry, especially targeting regions along Marula beer is brewed from the fruits of along with the Traditional Healers’ the rivers. Sclerocarya birrea. Drinking marula beer Association of South Africa and the Global demand for bamboo has suddenly is a social and cultural event in South University of Missouri in the United States surged as its fibres can now be transformed African rural areas, and people gather of America. into cloth. Cultivating bamboo in test tubes every year to drink it. Traditional healers use Sutherlandia not only yields large amounts but has also Currently, commercialization of marula frutescens, sometimes known as “cancer been perceived as an easier method. beer is growing in most urban areas. bush”, to treat a host of ailments from Researchers have developed innovative People, especially women, sell the beer for weight loss to aches and pains. means of cultivation that result in swift income generation. A litre costs R2 on the Sutherlandia has several active production of the plant. Bamboo has urban market. ingredients, said Quinton Johnson, one of generated curiosity in the textile industry; its Making the beer is a skill, but that skill the study researchers and director of the fibre has been recognized as both durable can be transferred to others. The International Centre for Indigenous and soft and can also be produced at low cost. followings are simple steps on how to make Phytotherapy Studies at the University of Not only this, bamboo is one of the most marula beer. the Western Cape. The plant contains environmentally friendly products. Experts • Collect fallen Sclerocarya birrea fruits pinitol (a compound with antidiabetic say that bamboo releases almost 35 percent and allow them to ripen fully at home. properties), canavine (used by traditional oxygen and helps purify the air. Plantations They will change their colour to yellow. healers to treat wasting diseases such as on riverbanks also help control floods. • Use a fork to remove the outer layer tuberculosis) and the amino acid GABA, Recognizing all the benefits, the and squeeze it from side to side. which produces a feeling of well-being. government is encouraging local people to • Put only the juice and seeds in a 20- Nceba Gqaleni, Deputy Dean of the indulge in bamboo farming. This will also litre bucket, until it is about 15 litres. University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Nelson R. provide livelihoods in the domestic • Add 5 litres of water to the bucket and Mandela School of Medicine, said this was handicraft industry. (Source: press down to mix with a wooden the first collaboration between scientists Fibre2fashion.com [India], 29 August 2007.) spoon. and traditional healers to assess the

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effectiveness of indigenous practices in soon will result in the country being de- indigenous forest. One tree in treating such a serious health issue. listed. If this happens, it will not only ruin particular, impembati (Polyscias fulva), According to Sazi Mhlongo, Chairman of the country’s reputation and lose trust in is frequently used and even planted the Traditional Healers’ Association of the EU market, which is still Uganda’s because of its branching habit and thus South Africa, the plant is “the most largest single exporting destination, but is its suitability for the placement of powerful of our herbs, which we mix with also frustrating in the efforts to eradicate hives. other herbs to treat a lot of different poverty. Beehives are traditionally constructed problems”. Mhlongo, who has practised as Stakeholders are blaming the from iliogoti (Hagenia abyssinica) and a traditional healer in KwaZulu-Natal for 34 government’s failure to help local farmers Ilangali (Euphorbia nyikae). Now they are years, said traditional healers have become to access facilities that could help them usually made from Euphorbia nyikae and increasingly aware of the herb’s success in harvest and produce the honey in a manner Cupressus lusitanica. treating HIV-positive patients. Patients who that is recommended by EU certification The hives are approximately 1 m long took it “felt better”, he said. (Source: standards. For commercial purposes, a and divided into two halves. These are SciDev.Net, 4 September 2007.) single farmer may require up to USh4 bound together with a cord made from million to produce high-quality honey. isintu (Ipomoea involucrata) or other The trend in world supply has continued creepers. Hives are always placed in trees, %UGANDA to rise, but earnings have declined by about mainly to keep flying bees above people US$20 million (USh35 billion). (Source: The living nearby or cultivating surrounding Uganda’s “sex tree” under threat Monitor [Kampala], 3 October 2007.) crops; to catch the warmth of the early sun, The soaring demand for a tree which some particularly during the dry season when it Ugandans believe can boost a man’s libido can be cold at over 2 000 m; and to provide and virility, may lead to its extinction, some protection from pests. The two halves researchers warn. The most popular part of the hive are hauled up and assembled of the slow growing Citropsis articulata high in the tree and then covered over with tree, locally known as omuboro, is its roots. bamboo sheaths, supported and held down Ugandan lecturer Maude Mugisha says this with sticks. The hive is baited with means the whole tree is uprooted to satisfy beeswax, which is normally effective in consumer needs. attracting a colony to enter. Found mainly in forest reserves, the When harvesting honey, the beekeeper tree’s aphrodisiac qualities are yet to be uses lit pieces of bamboo of ipekeso scientifically proven. (Conyza bonariensis) stalks surrounded by The experts’ concern was revealed igawo (Ensete ventricosum) wild banana during a symposium in the Ugandan leaves to produce smoke, but he can capital, Kampala, on conserving and nevertheless get badly stung. Sometimes improving the use of endemic plant UNITED REPUBLIC he will lower the hive to the ground where species. A by-product of the tree was % OF TANZANIA two forked sticks are used to support the actually on sale outside the conference hive. Harvesting can then be carried out venue. The vendor said he had been Beekeeping in Umalila more easily as most of the flying bees will growing the tree himself and extracts a Beekeeping is an important secondary return to the original hive site in the tree. powder that is steeped in hot water and industry in Umalila. Many of the Not all combs are taken during harvest. drunk as a beverage. beekeepers are elderly, however, and Some of the honey is left, together with It is said that the tree’s stimulating beekeeping does not appear to be brood combs. effects are only evident in men. (Source: attractive to most young people. In addition, There is normally a small harvest at the BBC News [United Kingdom], 25 July 2007.) much of the original forest is in a degraded end of June (up to 10 litres) but the main state and is being gradually lost to logging harvest takes place in November and Uganda risks losing EU honey deal and cultivation. December when between 18 and 25 litres It has been two and half years since the As the forest has traditionally produced can be collected. European Union listed Uganda among the bulk of the honey, the future for Honey has a ready local market, mainly those countries entitled to export honey but beekeeping is uncertain. This is more than eaten in the comb. Wax is sold separately not one single consignment has ever been unfortunate for three reasons. from the honey and is used by local sent. After listing, Uganda was given an • Beekeeping could provide a useful carpenters and for shoe repairs. (Source: opportunity to export 200 tonnes of honey income, particularly for young people, extracted from Latham, P. 2007. Plants annually but this volume has never been many of whom do not have access to visited by bees and other useful plants of realized, despite the good quality of the land unless they hire it. Umalila, Southern Tanzania.) honey present in the numerous tests and • Bees are important for the adequate certification procedures undertaken pollination of crops such as passion FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: countrywide and verified in Germany. fruit. Paul Latham, Croft Cottage, Forneth, The President of the Uganda National • It is traditional to site hives in areas of Blairgowrie, Perthshire PH10 6SW, Apiculture Development Organization forest thus affording some protection Scotland, United Kingdom. E-mail: (Tunado) is worried that failure to comply for the remaining patches of [email protected]

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%UNITED STATES Income from forests in Uzbekistan, 2004 Rach Moc, a protected forest, is considered OF AMERICA the best place to dig for Dia Sam. More and Product or service Income US$1 000 % more people are visiting the area to dig for Ginseng labelling act introduced the worm illegally. “It is difficult to arrest Industrial roundwood 184.8 58.8 in Congress people because they go further and further Legislation was introduced in both the United Woodfuel 49.3 15.7 inside the forest and use sophisticated States Senate and House of Representatives Medicinal plants 27.02 8.6 camouflage to hide in the bushes and trees,” yesterday that would require that ginseng Aromatic plants 0.94 0.3 said the leader of Thanh Nien Guard. (Panax spp.), when sold in its whole form, is Raw material for Because of lack of knowledge about forest labelled to identify its country of harvest. colourants and dyes 1.29 0.4 protection, most diggers just think of their Senate Bill 1953, the Ginseng Harvest Hunting 38.43 12.3 own immediate benefits. They do not realize Labeling Act of 2007, was sponsored by Sen. Fishing 12.31 3.9 that digging Dia Sam damages forest land Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Sen. Herb Kohl TOTAL 314.09 100 and tree development or that their activities (D-WI), while the companion bill, House have a destructive effect on the whole Resolution 3340, was introduced by Rep. ecological system. Once the Dia Sam are Dave Obey (D-WI). In his floor statement, caught, many old mature forests are Sen. Feingold noted that the bill has long- shrubs for fuel. This is mainly recorded in destroyed. The forestry situation is getting standing support from ginseng farmers and remote saxual forests in deserts far from worse without the Dia Sam to help improve the Ginseng Board of Wisconsin as well as forestry enterprises and forest guards. the quality of the soil. Can Gio is crying out the support of the American Herbal (Source: United Nations Economic for help to stop widespread hunting of Dia Products Association (AHPA) and the United Commission for Europe (UNECE)/FAO. Sam. (Source: Vietnam News, 28 July 2007.) Natural Products Alliance. 2006. Forest and forest products country Feingold stated that ginseng grown in profile. Uzbekistan. Geneva Timber and Handicraft exporters target key markets Wisconsin – where 90 percent of United Forest Discussion Paper 45. The handicraft industry has increased export States ginseng is cultivated – “is of the EC/TIM/DP/45.) value by nearly 30 percent in the last three highest quality”, but that “smugglers will go years but needs to reform to compete with to great lengths to label ginseng grown in other regional exporters, according to Canada or Asia as Wisconsin-grown”. He industry insiders. In 2004 the industry earned also stated that this legislation is intended to US$450 million and $630.4 million in 2006, correct the problem and is “a simple but which accounted for 3 percent of the country’s effective way to enable consumers to make total exports. Since 2000, the industry has an informed decision”. focused efforts to expand exports to potential “This bill will ensure that buyers of whole markets, including the United States of ginseng root are given truthful information America, the European Union, Japan, the as to its source, without creating % VIET NAM Russian Federation and the Association of unnecessary labelling requirements for Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries. other herbal ingredients or for finished Salt-marsh forests threatened by illegal Of these, the EU accounts for 50 percent of herbal products,” said Michael McGuffin, digging for impotence-curing worms Viet Nam’s total handicraft exports, followed AHPA’s president. (Source: American Herbal Increasing numbers of people are visiting by Japan and the United States. Products Association, 5 August 2007.) the Can Gio salt-marsh forest to dig for Dia The handicraft industry has created jobs for Sam (Sipunculus). According to Tran Minh more than 1.35 million workers, 60 percent of Long, the leader of Loi forest guards at An whom are women. Most women make rattan % UZBEKISTAN Binh Hamlet, An Thoi Dong Commune in Ho and bamboo articles, weave carpets and Chi Minh City, this activity seriously sleeping mats and make embroidered products. Sale of NWFPs damages the forest’s ecological system. Nguyen Van Sanh, deputy director of the The sale of wood and non-wood forest Dia Sam is a type of worm that plays an Mekong Delta Development Research products by forestry enterprises generates important part in enriching the ground and Institute, said that despite the industry’s 300–350 million Uzbek sum in annual income helping forest trees to grow better. contributions to increase export revenue and (see Table). Currently, more than 500 tonnes “Recently, Dia Sam has become a hasten rural economic restructuring, the of food and medicinal plants (about 35 plant special dish in Ho Chi Minh City and is also handicraft and arts industry still faces species) are harvested from the forests. exported to China. That’s why digging for challenges. The industry is plagued with NWFPs include plants such as worms in the forest has become so outdated designs and high delivery and coriander, basil, fennel, onion anzur, dog popular,” said resident Sau Xe. Dia Sam transport fees that make it less competitive rose and raspberries. In addition, saplings often hide on wet land under bushes. than China, Thailand and other ASEAN and seeds of various woody and bush People can dig them up easily and only countries, particularly in the United States and species are exported. For example, in 2004 need to use a hoe. A regular digger can the EU. According to Sanh, the industry needs seedlings of woody and bush species were collect 3 kg of Dia Sam per day. As 1 kg of to expand planting areas for materials and donated to Afghanistan for gardening. the worms fetches VND12 000, a digger can reform production and processing methods. A big threat to the sustainability of forest earn a generous income that pays much (Source: Vietnam Economic Times, 11 resources is the illegal logging of trees and more than other jobs. September 2007.)

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Businesswoman brings Sa Pa medicinal In September 2007, Bridging the Gap was The impact of exploitation of wild plants to the world filmed for a BBC television programme. medicinal plant species is less well A 31-year-old woman, Do Thi Thu Ha, has (Sources: Vietnam net, 3 July 2007 and documented, but may be equally severe, helped change the lives of ethnic minorities Sacred Earth, 27 August 2207.) especially as over 90 percent of the 3 900 in Sa Pa with her company, trading plant species used in traditional medicine medicinal plants after many years of living are wild harvested. The uncontrolled harvest in the mountainous area. In 2002, she was of wild medicinal plants in Viet Nam, assigned as coordinate officer to a project particularly on a commercial scale for on developing medicinal plants in Sa Pa processing and export by the pharmaceutical sponsored by the New Zealand Agency for industry, along with habitat loss and International Development and the EU. The degradation, are considered to be the project aimed to encourage the primary causes for the decline of 136 conservation of endangered medicinal species, 18 of them classified as Critically herbs and improve the livelihoods of ethnic Endangered by IUCN. Several other species minorities in the Sa Pa district of Lao Cai have declined so much in the wild in Viet Province. Nam that they now have to be imported by After three years’ implementation, the the major pharmaceutical companies. project saw some fruitful results. Some Regulation and testing (quality control) of overexploited and endangered plants that the trade in medicinal plants and animals used to be seen as weeds had become Traditional medicine in Viet Nam: an are poor. Current legislation is old and has medicinal plants with high prices. The most overview many gaps, and only applies to state-run successful thing, according to scientific Viet Nam has a long history of traditional companies and institutions. Within private researchers, is that these plants could help medicine (TM) practices spanning industry there is no official regulation (either cure common diseases of a developing thousands of years. Two, often interlinked, administration or enforcement) of activities. society such as depression or Alzheimer’s. forms exist within the country: thuoc bac, With such a complex structure, some of it The project also discovered a kind of root or traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), is “underground”, planning to regulate this containing an anticancer active element, the dominant system in the north and uses large private industry will be a huge which could lead to a turning-point for the materials native to China; and thuoc nam, challenge in the coming years. (Source: inhabitants of Sa Pa, once verified by or traditional Vietnamese medicine (TVM), Traffic Dispatches, 26, November 2007; researchers. Later, intellectual property which predominates in the south and uses http://www.traffic.org/content/1036.pdf) rights for the project’s products will be Vietnamese materials. granted for the benefits of the Sa Pa ethnic Traditional medicines in Viet Nam are community. made from animal, plant and mineral % ZAMBIA In 2005, Ha established a company to products. Plants are used in far more sell the products. The company is now busy remedies (over 90 percent) than animals, Beekeeping has a long and old record in seeking partners to sell medicinal plants to and most animal-based medicines also Zambian culture and there are few Zambians Australia and New Zealand. Some foreign include plants to neutralize unpleasant who do not understand about bees being pharmaceutical firms have asked to buy the odours and increase their overall effect. All helpful to humans. Most of the beekeeping company’s registered patent for mass parts of a plant can be used. Similarly, methods used are of local origin, and most production. many different animal parts are used, from commonly used is the bark hive. Ha’s company’s medicinal plants whole bodies to specific organs. A tree is chosen with the desirable preservation project was awarded one of Of the more than 80 million people in Viet diameter and is then utilized to its fullest to five 2007 Global Supporting Entrepreneurs Nam, over 75 percent are estimated to use avoid deforestation. One fully grown tree can for Environment and Development (SEED) TVM as their primary source of treatment for produce about ten hives each measuring up Awards. “Bridging the Gap”, as the project common health problems. This is perhaps to 1.2 m in length. This measurement is used is called, uses sustainable cultivation of unsurprising considering the prohibitive to allow the beekeeper easy access to the traditional medicinal plants to develop high expense of western medicines, combined combs from both ends. value-added products, the manufacturing with poor access to hospitals or community When the site for the apiary has been and proceeds of which improve the health centres. Together with increasing chosen, the hive is hung high in the tree to livelihoods of ethnic minority communities, demand from urban areas, exploitation of secure it from attack by honey badgers. according to the United Nations. medicinal plants and animals has risen to (Source: Bees for Development Journal, 83, Over the next 12 months, each of the five pose a serious threat to some species in Viet June 2007.) p SEED award recipients will receive targeted Nam – around 70 species are listed as support services designed to expand their threatened on the World Conservation Union initial ideas and projects into a socially, (IUCN) Red List. The current Viet Nam Red economically and environmentally Data Book lists 359 animals of conservation If you can walk you can dance. If you sustainable enterprise. With SEED support, concern, many of them traded and used for can talk you can sing. exports of medicinal plants in Sa Pa into medicinal purposes, including tigers Proverb, Zimbabwe foreign markets are quite likely in the near (Panthera tigris), rhinoceros (Rhinocerotidae future. spp.) and bears (Ursus spp.).

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%AFRICA’S DRY FORESTS three reports focused on particular aspects of dry-forests management and husbandry The dry forests of sub-Saharan Africa in Zambia, Burkino Faso and Malawi. cover over 40 percent of the continent and (Source: Center for International Forestry are home to more than 230 million people. Research (CIFOR) Annual Report 2006, Many of the poorest people on Earth live in Building on success. www.cifor.cgiar.org/ and around the forests and depend on publications/pdf_files/AReports/AR2006.pdf) them for their survival and their meagre incomes. Over much of Africa, dry forests are suffering from overuse and severe AMAZON RAIN FOREST degradation, and this makes it even harder AT RISK FROM INITIATIVE for rural communities to lift themselves %TO CONNECT SOUTH out of poverty. During the past three years, AMERICAN ECONOMIES CIFOR’s Dry Forests Project has sought to stimulate dialogue among a wide range of An unprecedented development plan to link stakeholders. Besides alerting policy- South America’s economies through new makers, resource managers and the transportation, energy and international community to the importance telecommunications projects could destroy of dry forests, the project has been much of the Amazon rain forest in coming strengthening research capacity within decades, according to a new study by Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, the United Conservation International (CI) scientist Tim Republic of Tanzania and Zambia in order Killeen. However, Killeen reports that such a to promote sustainable forest disastrous outcome could be avoided if The coalition endeavours to move from management and enhance local steps are taken now to reconcile the unsustainable to sustainable use of forests livelihoods. legitimate desires for development with the and, in the process, members will be able According to forester Daniel Tiveau, globally important need to conserve the to: CIFOR’s regional coordinator for West Amazon ecosystem. • manage tropical rain forest areas in Africa, it is high time we paid more His 98-page report, entitled “A perfect support of climate stability, biodiversity attention to Africa’s dry forests. “Over the storm in the Amazon wilderness: conservation, sustainable development past decade, world attention has tended to development and conservation in the context and poverty alleviation; concentrate on the destruction of tropical of the Initiative for the Integration of the • improve the living standards of people rain forests, even though worldwide Regional Infrastructure of South America living in forest areas; degradation and conversion of dry forests (IIRSA)”, offers pragmatic approaches for • guarantee the long-term security of is far more advanced than that of wet resolving the enduring paradox between their living standards; and forests,” he says. “They provide economic development and environmental • set a precedent for other similarly construction material for farms and protection. (Source: ENN News, 2 October forested countries. homes, dry-season fodder for Africa’s vast 2007.) The coalition seeks to achieve livestock populations, as well as wood fuel, environmental sustainability by developing medicinal plants and many other viable economic alternatives for tropical products.” COALITION FOR forest resource owners through: The role that dry forests play in %RAINFOREST NATIONS • utilizing selective logging practices; supporting hundreds of millions of people • harnessing and remunerating the is described in a Forest Livelihoods Brief – The Coalition for Rainforest Nations was carbon sequestration and absorption The wealth of the dry forests – published by formed after a call by the Prime Minister of capabilities of the rain forest; CIFOR in 2006. Among many other outputs, Papua New Guinea, Sir Michael Somare, in • valuing biodiversity; May 2005 and operates as an • facilitating ecofriendly community intergovernmental organization. businesses; and The participants within the coalition seek • avoiding deforestation and the responsible stewardship of the world’s last associated pulsed releases of carbon. great rain forests through innovative Such innovation is necessary in order to strategies that integrate social, economic reduce the destruction of the tropical rain and scientific rationales to achieve forest while creating sustainable social and environmental sustainability. The economic development. Coalition’s mission seeks to underpin lasting environmental sustainability and FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: economic advancement with strengthened Coalition for Rainforest Nations, c/o Columbia technical capacity and international market University, 3 Claremont Avenue, MC 5557, New reform designed to enhance tropical forest York, New York 10027, United States of America. stewardship, biodiversity conservation and Fax: +1-212-504-2622; global climate stability. www.rainforestcoalition.org/eng/

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ENVIRONMENTAL organization and migration of forest peoples Recycling electronic products and % CERTIFICATION AND ITS to urban areas and highlights: “Remaining researching the manufacturers can help ROLE IN THE ECONOMIC forest populations have been driven to minimize the environmental mining damage GROWTH OF AMAZONIA urban areas as if they were being freed from in the DRC and around the globe. the poverty and hardships of the forest, (Contributed by: Rebecca Arrington, In addition to being one form of when historically the inverse is true, people Side Porch Ind., LLC, 2705 W. Zenith Dr., preservation, environmental certification in living on urban outskirts are becoming Milford, Mi 48380, United States of America. community forests is also a primary factor increasingly poor and unviable.” (Source: E-mail: [email protected]) for sustainable economic growth in these Amazonia.org.br, 5 September 2007.) areas, providing market credibility to production, political organization to PICKING BERRIES communities and control over prices. This MINING AND %PROTECTS RAIN FORESTS is the conclusion of the doctoral thesis %DEFORESTATION BEST, STUDY SHOWS “Certificação Ambiental – Uma estratégia para a conservação da Floresta Increased mining activity in the According to a recent study, small Amazônica” (Environmental certification – Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is community projects for picking fruits and a conservation strategy for the Amazon rain not only fuelling violent conflict but is also nuts are the best way to alleviate poverty forest), by researcher Raimundo Maciel, contributing to deforestation and loss of and protect the Amazon and other tropical which was recently defended at Campinas wildlife in valuable rain forest regions. One forests, but are largely ignored by State University. driving force behind excessive mining in governments. Communities harvesting The study was based on Brazil nuts Africa is the growing consumer demand natural products generate more long-term produced and exported by the Chico Mendes for electronic devices such as cell phones, income than many national parks or big extractivist reserve and concluded that computers and hand-held technological timber companies, said a report by the “environmental certification in community instruments. International Tropical Timber Organization forests provides forest producers with fair Columbo-tantalite, or coltan, is at the (ITTO) released at a forestry conference in prices, precisely because they effectively root of electronics-related deforestation. northeastern Brazil. “Someone depending participate in the management and find Coltan is refined into tantalum, which is on a forest for income and habitat will look niches in markets for sustainable products”. efficient in holding high electric charges. after it,” said Andy White, one of the Maciel, who is also coordinator of the For this reason, coltan is in high demand report’s authors. “We need people in project, Economic Analysis of Basic Rural in a growing age of electronic gadgetry. forests.” Family Production Systems in the Acre The DRC holds 64 percent of the global The 200-page report is based on 20 case Valley (ASPF) of the Federal University of coltan supply. Two-thirds of the Congo rain studies on three continents, ranging from Acre, also pointed out that certifications forests are within the DRC. An estimated raising bees in Africa to making bamboo need to be conducted on three levels: 40 million people depend upon NWFPs chopsticks in China. forestry, organic production and socially. from these forests for survival – both The ITTO, an intergovernmental group “Triple certification [of Brazil nuts] was hunting and gathering food – and have promoting the conservation and trade of decisive in enabling producer cooperatives done so for thousands of years. Kahuzi tropical timber, says communities living in in the study region [...] to sell to the Biega National Park is one endangered the forest have a “longer time horizon for demanding European market, in particular region. Large numbers of people moved to resource management” than big timber the fair trade market niches, currently in the region and built mining camps as they companies. For example, in Nepal, the rapid expansion”, the study reports. flocked to set up house and work the extraction of juice from the Bel tree by Even though reserves, a set of public mines. Deforestation and wildlife loss are local communities is rejuvenating policies and local associations would ensure already problems; clearing land for camps degraded forests and helping prevent sustainability of forest products, attention and killing animals for food have unsustainable timber extraction, the should not only be focused on the market. exacerbated the situation. report said. “A balance must be found between Community forest management has production capacity and market demand. increased in recent years with political Production does not necessarily have to be decentralization and the recognition of determined by the market, on the contrary, historic land tenure rights in several the market must adapt to natural resource countries. But such efforts must overcome products, even renewable ones”, Maciel red tape, competition from big business points out. and government indifference, the study He also concluded that communities said. naturally concern themselves with In Brazil, local forest communities are economic use of the forest, as these often displaced by loggers, farmers and practices directly impact their habitat. miners, and many lack the infrastructure The idea of forming certified extractivist to bring products to the market. reserves is basically a form to achieve local “If the government dedicated only a economic development. In his research, fraction of its farm aid to forestry Maciel also addresses economic management, you would see a

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conservation revolution in the Amazon,” indicators, emerging from a list chosen by ITTO Executive-Director Manoel Sobral the Convention on Biological Diversity Filho said. (Source: ENN Daily News, 18 (CBD), include threats to biodiversity; the July 2007.) degree to which forests, farmlands and fisheries are managed in a way that protects biodiversity; the extent to which PUTTING A MONETARY people are affected by changes in % VALUE ON BIODIVERSITY biodiversity and the contribution of traditional knowledge to the biodiversity Placing monetary value on biodiversity is target. no easy task, say experts from the Forest There will also be a focus on the Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM). But components of biodiversity, including this is what they want to do. They are genes, species and ecosystems. Several of working to come up with a predictive the new indicators will require a model that will help calculate the comprehensive gathering of data exercise, opportunity cost of logging forest areas by including trends in the spread of invasive placing a quantitative value on the alien species and in the health and well- biodiversity. being of communities dependent on the As such, flora and fauna will be specific forest area was to consider the goods and services provided by local calculated in terms of ringgit and sen to extent of ecotourism the area could ecosystems. (Source: Afrique en ligne enable a comparison between the cost of attract. The amount of non-timber forest [France], 18 July 2007.) p timber produce and the cost of non-timber produce collected from the area and sold produce at a specific jungle site. To by the indigenous people could also assist calculate the value of bats, one could use in the value calculation. “This will give us the cost of durian trees as the basis, since an idea of the opportunity cost of logging bats were the main pollinators of durians, that area.” said project director Dr Shamsudin The bigger elements to consider in Ibrahim. “No bats, no durians,” he said, terms of opportunity cost would be how adding that monetary value for bats could the forest area contributes towards flood equal the current cost of durians. mitigation or acts as water catchment The US$5.67 million (RM19.6 million) areas with natural filtering systems. project, the first of its kind in the world, (Source: New Straits Times [Malaysia], 28 was aimed at helping those involved, June 2007.) especially contractors, make more “informed decisions” about cutting down forests, he said. THE 2010 BIODIVERSITY Shamsudin added that the success of %INDICATOR the “Conservation of Biological Diversity PARTNERSHIP through Improved Forest Planning Tools in Operation” project would showcase The United Nations Environmental Malaysia as a leader in sustainable Programme (UNEP) has inaugurated a tropical forest management. “Should we multimillion dollar effort to track the fate succeed in coming up with a practical, and fortune of the world’s biological easy and cost-effective tool to calculate diversity. Funded by the Global the monetary cost of biodiversity within a Environment Facility (GEF), the 2010 targeted production forest area, we will be Biodiversity Indicator Partnership the pioneers in this sector.” One criterion (http://www.twentyten.net/) aims to is that the tool can be replicated to be used complete a set of indicators that will allow in other tropical forests around the world. the international community to assess The project was mooted by former FRIM better whether conservation efforts are scientist Dr S. Appanah and American succeeding towards the target of forest scientist Dr Peter Ashton. It took “reducing the rate of loss of biodiversity by them six years to get the project off the 2010”. ground and obtain funding from the Global Under the new US$8.8 million Environment Facility. The Perak Integrated partnership, which has secured over $3.6 Timber Complex has been chosen as the million from GEF, a wider range of existing project site. and new indicators will be brought A forest bird never wants a cage. Project manager Dr Woon Weng-Chuen together to gain greater and deeper Henrik Ibsen said that one of the easier methods to insight into whether the 2010 biodiversity calculate the value of the biodiversity of a target is on course. Some of the new

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FAO productos por parte de los grupos más % necesitados. Hay también que tomar en cuenta los RIGHT TO FOOD múltiples factores que contribuyen a mejorar la seguridad alimentaria a través de una reglamentación apropiada, On 16 October 2007, FAO celebrated World considerando la necesidad que instancias, Food Day with the theme “The Right to autoridades pertinentes y mecanismos Food”. The right to food is the right of every adecuados hagan valer los derechos de los person to have regular access to sufficient, grupos más vulnerables. nutritionally adequate and culturally Recientes disposiciones en Honduras y acceptable food for an active, healthy life. It Nicaragua (véase pagina 56) reglamentan is the right to feed oneself in dignity, rather algunos aspectos de los PFNM, cuya than the right to be fed. With more than 850 contribución para la seguridad alimentaria million people still deprived of enough podría ser aún más relevante si se tuviera food, the right to food is not just en cuenta su potencial. economically, morally and politically A veces, la falta de conocimiento de su imperative – it is also a legal obligation. valor comercial, no atrae el interés en tomar Since 1996, following the World Food acciones para reforzar un marco legal que Summit, FAO has been working with evidencie la necesidad de incrementar su

governments and communities worldwide “Riches of the forest: fruits, remedies and handicrafts in Latin America” uso sostenible y su producción en beneficio to gain recognition for this basic human de las poblaciones nativas. right. Sin embargo, esta tendencia se está revirtiendo tanto en Honduras como en Severe food insecurity affects at least Nicaragua, las leyes forestales vigentes one-seventh of the world’s human “The right to food is not a utopia. It can incluyen disposiciones específicas para population. be realized for all. Some countries are on promover la compensación por bienes y the way to doing this, but everyone should servicios ambientales derivados de un Given the persistent high numbers of contribute to make this happen,” says manejo sostenible de los recursos undernourished people, in June 2002, the Barbara Ekwall, Coordinator of the Right provenientes del bosque como los PFNM. Es “World Food Summit: five years later” to Food Unit. primordial que el Pago por Bienes y decided to develop guidelines to support Servicios Ambientales (PBSA) sea Members’ efforts to realize the right of FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: fundamentado en la ley, con el fin de everyone to adequate food. In 2004, after Ms Barbara Ekwall, Coordinator, Right to Food asegurar el derecho de acceso a esos intensive negotiations, the Right to Food Unit, ESA, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00153 servicios a las poblaciones locales. Guidelines were adopted unanimously by Rome, Italy. Fax: +39-06-57053712; e-mail: En línea con un enfoque basado sobre los FAO members. FAO set up a Right to Food [email protected]; www.fao.org/righttofood/ derechos humanos, los gobiernos deberían Unit to support member countries in the acompañar con acciones concretas estos implementation of the guidelines. La contribución de los productos esfuerzos. A través de mecanismos claros y The guidelines are a practical tool to forestales no madereros al derecho a la procesos transparentes se deberían definir assist countries in their efforts to eradicate alimentación responsabilidades y obligaciones derivadas hunger. They provide a set of coherent ¿Como reforzar un enfoque basado sobre de la aplicación de la ley, en el marco del recommendations on, among others, los derechos humanos? proceso de descentralización administrativa labour, land, water, genetic resources, El derecho a una alimentación adecuada y del sector forestal. sustainability, safety nets, education and su aplicación, en línea con las directrices El Comisionado de los Derechos the international dimension. They also voluntarias en apoyo a la realización Humanos, asociaciones de la sociedad civil, encourage the allocation of budgetary progresiva del derecho a una alimentación y ONG podrían ser parte activa de estas resources to antihunger and poverty adecuada, tiene una directa implicación iniciativas. programmes, such as those currently con la necesidad de un manejo adecuado En fin, los PFNM, como bienes being undertaken in Brazil and de los bosques, requiriendo un marco legal ambientales proveedores de alimentos Mozambique. que integre disposiciones con miras a deberían contar con sistemas de valoración By recognizing the right to food, favorecer los derechos relativos al acceso adecuados que generen seguridad jurídica y governments have an obligation to respect, a los recursos naturales. un marco conceptual claro y práctico que protect and fulfil this right. In order to Los productos forestales no madereros permita rescatar con eficiencia la utilidad achieve the World Food Summit objective (PFNM), por ejemplo, ejercen una ambiental, social y económica. and Millennium Development Goal number importante función como proveedores de (Aportación hecha por Francesca Felicani one of reducing hunger by half by 2015, alimentos (frutas, semillas comestibles, Robles, Consultora legal, FAO, Viale delle efforts are needed to give a voice to the plantas medicinales y miel). Disposiciones Terme di Caracalla, Roma 00153, Italia. hungry and to strengthen governments’ de ley deberían mencionar la necesidad de Correo electrónico: capacity to meet their obligations. un acceso justo y equitativo a tales [email protected])

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FORESTRY DEPARTMENT the next biennium will clearly define “Enhancing food security through forestry options as a means to achieve the sustainable use of non-wood forest Right to food and FAO forestry activities – full realization of the right to food for all. products in Central Africa” the way forward (GCP/RAF/398/GER) and “Mobilization and Incorporating human rights principles into FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: capacity building of small and medium traditional development approaches may Ms Michelle Gauthier, Forestry Officer enterprises in the non-wood forest supply the “missing element” that has (Agroforestry and Land Use), Forest product value chains in Central Africa” prevented 50 years of development aid Conservation Service, FAO, Rome, Italy. (GCP/RAF/408/EC). from overcoming poverty. Empowerment is E-mail: [email protected] The projects operate within the a key to moving away from the benevolence strategic framework of the Commission en model of aid to a sustainable, enabling charge des forêts d’ Afrique Centrale environment in which people can feed (COMIFAC) and are fully in line with FAO’s themselves. A rights-based approach can priorities for the development of the help not only achieve food security, but forests of the Congo Basin. These are i) also meet international poverty reduction improving the socio-economic conditions goals, while simultaneously recognizing of the poorest people, enhancing food human dignity and the inherent worth of security and reducing poverty; ii) every individual. How is the right to food reinforcing subregional cooperation; and

(RtF) different from usual ways of fighting Latin America” iii) strengthening data collection and hunger, poverty and food insecurity? How management. will this work for FAO? Some points to A key activity of project consider in answering these questions GCP/RAF/398/GER is the improvement of include the following. the legal framework in order to ensure • The RtF is a human right. that forestry laws promote the sustainable “Riches of the forest: fruits, remedies and handicrafts in • For the 156 countries that have ratified use of NWFPs in Central Africa. The the International Covenant on Unasylva celebrates its 60th birthday appropriate inclusion of NWFPs in forestry Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, FAO’s longest-running periodical laws is an important precondition for the RtF is a legally binding right. celebrated its 60th anniversary with a sustainable forest management, allowing • Who is responsible for implementing special double issue (Unasylva 226/227), local populations to increase their well- the RtF? How can states achieve the reprinting material from every decade of being and develop the largely informal but RtF? Unasylva’s rich history. The selected economically important market chains of • How can people accede, maintain and articles illustrate how “Weaving NWFPs. claim the RtF? knowledge into development”, the slogan To this effect, an interdisciplinary • How does the RtF differ from food from the March 2007 session of the FAO working group has elaborated a sovereignty, food security and other Committee on Forestry, characterizes subregional model law that provides concepts? what Unasylva has been doing for 60 years. countries in the Congo Basin with In their document “Putting the right into Collectively, these articles document the orientations for the integration of non- practice – implementing the right to food evolution of forestry and of FAO’s activities wood resources in their respective at the national level”, the Right to Food in forestry – and some of the earliest national forestry laws. Experts and Unit have selected five areas of action as articles may surprise readers by government representatives from the entry points: i) advocacy and training; ii) anticipating concepts that we thought were subregion met twice and finalized the text information and assessment; iii) new. online. It is available for comments on the legislation and accountability; iv) strategy The double issue can be downloaded project’s Web page at and coordination; and v) benchmarks and from: www.fao.org/docrep/010/a1222e/ www.fao.org/forestry/site/43715/en. monitoring, a1222e00.htm Before its submission to the Executive FAO and its Forestry Department are Secretariat of the Central Africa Forests currently exploring the ways and means to FAO IN THE FIELD Commission (COMIFAC) in 2008, the draft create a synergy through their activities in will be discussed and validated during a order to support member countries to subregional workshop in November 2007. achieve food security and the right to food. Appropriate legislation: key to a thriving Whereas the use of wood resources can As a first step, four thematic clusters NWFP sector in Central Africa be directed by relatively clear-cut, uniform were selected – based on themes, and Millions of people in Central Africa, legislation, the enormous diversity of geographic and opportunities criteria – to notably women and minorities, depend on NWFPs in terms of use and vulnerability explore and facilitate the integration of the a wealth of non-wood forest resources. (harvesting impact, scale and intensity of RtF principles into the work of the Forestry These resources enhance food security of use, perspectives of domestication) Department: i) intersectoral linkages; ii) the poorest part of the population and requires tailored legislation. Parallel to legal framework; iii) NWFPs; and iv) policy increase revenues through the subregional harmonization through and institutions. commercialization. FAO contributes to the the model law initiative, project By the end of 2007, specific development of the NWFP sector in GCP/RAF/408/EC pilots a participatory recommendations on how to go forward in Central Africa through its projects process to develop product and chain-

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oriented legislation. This should lead to connects a global network of partners the elaboration of appropriate decrees of from the government, private, and not-for- application for the sustainable use of key profit sectors in over 50 countries to define RIGHT TO FOOD AND INDIGENOUS products. and implement a global agenda for PEOPLES An inclusive, participatory approach is sustainable development through bamboo believed to create the support needed to and rattan. bridge the gap between the national legal INBAR’s mission is to improve the well- frameworks and notoriously informal being of producers and users of bamboo markets. Including stakeholders ranging and rattan within the context of a from producers’ associations to the sustainable bamboo and rattan resource governing institutions, it is expected to base by consolidating, coordinating and promote sustainable use, increase the supporting strategic and adaptive research law-enforcing institutions’ legitimacy and and development. In their “Decade of allow for an alignment of their capacities Achievements” (1997–2007), INBAR has with their mandates. been active in many countries, covering resource improvement and management; Indigenous peoples are among the FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT OUR processing and product technology; world’s most vulnerable groups and WEB SITES OR CONTACT: Mr Daniel Knoop, national and international policy; and poorest socio-ethnic populations. They Associate Professional Officer, c/o FAO human resources development. make up a significant percentage of Representation in Cameroon, PO Box 281, To mark its tenth anniversary, INBAR is the food insecure, often facing chronic Yaoundé, Cameroon. Fax : +237 2 220 48 11; holding a wide range of different events in hunger and malnutrition. e-mail: [email protected]; late 2007 and early 2008 around the world, The Right to Food Guidelines refer www.fao.org/forestry/site/43715/en from workshops and seminars to festivals to indigenous communities in the (GCP/RAF/398/GER); and trade fairs. A full listing of INBAR’s context of access to resources and www.fao.org/forestry/site/43055/en anniversary events can be found at assets. Access to land and other (GCP/RAF/408/EC) www.inbar.int/anniversary/main.htm. productive resources (forest, fishing, INBAR has also recently produced its water, etc.) are of vital importance for “Strategy to the year 2015”. indigenous people’s right to food. The THE INTERNATIONAL cultural identity and heritage of %NETWORK FOR BAMBOO FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: indigenous peoples are inseparable AND RATTAN (INBAR) INBAR, PO Box 100102-86, Beijing 100102, from their traditional lands. China. Fax: +86-10-6470 2166/ 3166 ; e-mail: Indigenous peoples obtain food The International Network for Bamboo and [email protected]; www.inbar.int directly from their lands by hunting, Rattan (INBAR) is an international gathering or cultivating; they may also organization established by treaty in acquire food indirectly by marketing November 1997, dedicated to improving their produce. the social, economic and environmental States have particular obligations benefits of bamboo and rattan. INBAR concerning the right to food of indigenous peoples. These include respecting indigenous peoples’ traditional way of living, Over one billion people live in bamboo strengthening traditional food systems houses. However, in the absence of and protecting subsistence activities recognized bamboo building codes, such as hunting, fishing and gathering. professional architects cannot legally States are also responsible for ensuring utilize bamboo as a building material. the application of general human Insurances and loans are not available rights principles to indigenous peoples, for bamboo buildings. The impact of both in their food and nutrition the approval of the Bamboo Building security policies and policies that may Code developed by INBAR and affect their access to food. submitted earlier to the International %INDIGENOUS ISSUES The right to food is an important Standard Organization (ISO) cannot be tool for indigenous peoples to bring overestimated. It will boost bamboo The International Work Group for about real change in their lives and for building industries worldwide, Indigenous Affairs the motivation to negotiate power promote bamboo utilization and lead The International Work Group for structures. (Source: Right to food and to safer, environmentally friendly and Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA) is a non-profit, indigenous peoples, paper in the affordable dwellings, especially in the politically independent, international “Focus on” series, Right to Food Unit, developing world. membership organization that supports FAO.) indigenous peoples worldwide in their struggle for self-determination. IWGIA’s

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activities focus on human rights work, documentation and dissemination of information, and project activities in SECRETARY-GENERAL DECLARES cooperation with indigenous organizations INDIGENOUS RIGHTS DECLARATION and communities. A “TRIUMPH” The world’s indigenous peoples account for more than 350 million individuals, The Secretary-General of the United divided into at least 5 000 peoples. Nations warmly welcomes the adoption Since its foundation in 1968, IWGIA has of the Declaration on the Rights of followed the indigenous movement and Indigenous Peoples as a triumph for continuously increased its activities and indigenous peoples around the world. expanded its network with indigenous He notes that this marks a historic peoples worldwide. IWGIA supports moment when United Nations Member indigenous peoples’ struggle for human States and indigenous peoples have rights, self-determination, right to reconciled with their painful histories territory, control of land and resources, and are resolved to move forward cultural integrity and the right to together on the path of human rights, development. It collaborates with justice and development for all. indigenous peoples’ organizations all over The Secretary-General calls on the world. governments and civil society urgently

Documentation about indigenous affairs “Riches of the forest: fruits, remedies and handicrafts in Latin America” to advance the work of integrating the is an essential part of IWGIA’s work. IWGIA rights of indigenous peoples into publishes books, periodicals and a international human rights and yearbook about indigenous peoples. States of America. Fax: 1 917 367 5102; e-mail: development agendas, as well as IWGIA’s work is primarily funded by the [email protected]; policies and programmes at all levels, Nordic Ministries of Foreign Affairs and www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/ so as to ensure that the vision behind the European Union. the declaration becomes a reality. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous (Source: UN press statement FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Peoples SG/SM/11156 HR/4931, 13 September International Work Group for Indigenous The UN General Assembly on Thursday 2007.) p Affairs (IWGIA), Classensgade 11 E, DK 2100, adopted a non-binding declaration Copenhagen, Denmark. Fax: (+45) 35 27 05 07; upholding the human, land and resources e-mail: [email protected]; www.iwgia.org/ rights of the world’s 370 million indigenous people, brushing off opposition United Nations Permanent Forum on from Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Indigenous Issues the United States. The vote in the The UN Permanent assembly was 143 in favour and four Forum on Indigenous against. Eleven countries, including the Issues (UNPFII) is an Russian Federation and Colombia, advisory body to the abstained. Economic and Social The declaration, capping more than 20 Council, with a years of debate at the United Nations, also mandate to discuss recognizes the right of indigenous peoples indigenous issues to self-determination and sets global related to economic and human rights standards for them. It states social development, culture, that native peoples have the right “to the the environment, education, health and recognition, observance and enforcement human rights. of treaties” concluded with states or their The Seventh Session of UNPFII, with the successors. special theme “Climate change, Indigenous peoples say their lands and biocultural diversity and livelihoods: the territories are endangered by threats such stewardship role of indigenous peoples as mineral extraction, logging, and new challenges”, will take place at the environmental contamination, United Nations headquarters, New York privatization and development projects, from 21 April to 2 May 2009. classification of lands as protected areas or game reserves and use of genetically FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: modified seeds and technology. (Source: Secretariat of the Permanent Forum on Agence France-Presse newswire, 13 Indigenous Issues, United Nations, 2 UN Plaza, September 2007 [in BIO-IPR docserver].) Room DC2-1772, New York, NY 10017, United

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38TH INTERNATIONAL showed how a huge bamboo resource there • NTFPs are extremely important for many %SYMPOSIUM ON is being used in a wide range of industrial communities, particularly the rural poor ESSENTIAL OILS processes, from reconstituted boards to rugs and among women, probably much more and curtains, aiding the province’s rapid important than available data would GRAZ, AUSTRIA 9–12 SEPTEMBER 2007 development process. indicate. Some high-value, The papers presented at the conference internationally traded NTFPs also make The main topics covered by plenary and the discussions they provoked were significant contributions to national lectures were: wide-ranging. The conference received an economies. However, the benefits of the • Recent developments in molecular overview of the global NWFP and services trade in NTFPs are not always distributed biology and biosynthesis of terpenes sector, considered the growing significance equitably and markets are often informal, • Body(sweat) – fragrance – interactions of community forest enterprises in the disorganized and open to exploitation. • New developments in quantitative production of forest products and services, • For many NTFPs, the value chain is not essential oil analysis and discussed policy and practical issues well developed and more value-adding • Essential oils in animal health and related to the development of markets for at the local level could provide forest- nutrition. carbon and other forest services. It also based communities with significant learned of experiences in a number of ITTO- benefits. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: funded projects and canvassed issues • The sustainable use of NTFPs and the Organizing Secretariat, SEMACO GmbH, related to NTFPs and environmental services environmental services are key elements Firmianstr. 3, 5020 Salzburg, Austria. Fax: +43 in Brazil, Cameroon, the Central African of sustainable forest management 662 82 68 78 4; e-mail: [email protected]; Republic, China, Colombia, the Congo, (SFM), but this is not always clear to www.iseo2007.org/index.php?pg=home Germany, India, Indonesia, Liberia, Malaysia, forest managers. There is a lack of Mexico, Myanmar, Peru and the Philippines. normative guidance on the management During the conference, participants of many NTFPs and a need to pursue the INTERNATIONAL formed five break-out groups to reflect integrated (“multiple-use”) sustainable CONFERENCE ON further on the ideas, experiences and management of forests for all goods and THE SUSTAINABLE issues raised during plenary sessions. The services. % DEVELOPMENT OF key issues and recommendations • Information on the production, use and NON-TIMBER FOREST presented below were derived from the trade of NTFPs is generally very poor at PRODUCTS AND SERVICES findings of these five groups. all levels. It is known, however, that BEIJING, CHINA NTFPs are being extracted at higher than 26–28 SEPTEMBER 2007 Key issues the sustainable rate in many forests. • The NTFP sector is highly diverse and, • A lack of clear resource tenure, access This conference, hosted by the Chinese often, region- or country-specific. While a and rights inhibits the development of Academy of Forestry and organized by the great strength, this diversity has not been community-based forest enterprises. International Tropical Timber Organization helpful in communicating to decision- Fiscal policies and regulations are also (ITTO) in collaboration with the International makers the importance of NTFPs. There often counterproductive to the Network for Bamboo and Rattan, the is also a wide diversity of definitions of successful commercialization of NTFPs International Centre for Bamboo and Rattan NTFPs and environmental services, which and environmental services. and FAO, was attended by 120 people from 42 hinders the development of the sector. • Many NTFPs and environmental developed and developing countries, • Forests provide many services, including services transcend national boundaries including officials from forestry agencies in carbon sequestration (forest growth, and offer an opportunity for tropical countries, researchers, project protection); avoided carbon emissions; strengthening trade and cooperation managers and representatives of national hydrological services; scenic beauty between countries. International legal and international non-governmental and /recreation; biodiversity conservation; mechanisms exist that play a role in the development assistance organizations. soil erosion control; disaster mitigation; trade of NTFPs, but not all The conference was convened at a time climate buffering; environmental governments make full use of this role. when some non-timber forest products purification; and pollination. Payments • There is a suspicion among some (NTFPs) are emerging rapidly in the global for these services can help reduce both policy-makers and forest owners and marketplace and as markets for the poverty and deforestation. Recent users that payments for carbon credits environmental services of forests are being experiences in Mexico and China show will mean the exclusion of other uses, increasingly promoted. Many countries and that schemes to introduce such such as the extraction of timber and organizations see a great deal of potential for payments are feasible within a clear non-timber products. However, this is these forest products and services to assist national legal and institutional not necessarily true. the process of sustainable development and framework and with start-up funding. to help alleviate poverty in some of the • Governments and forestry institutions Recommendations world’s poorest places. The conference was have tended to neglect research and Governments and international held in China, a country that is at the development into NTFPs and organizations should: forefront of many of the most dramatic environmental services, although for • fully recognize the huge existing and developments in the utilization of NTFPs. A some products and services this is potential role of NTFPs and forest study visit to Anji Province in southern China changing rapidly. environmental services in sustaining

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and adding wealth to people living in and - clarifying the costs and benefits of United Nations Environment Programme around forests; certification for all stakeholders in (UNEP), was entitled “Ecosystems and • improve the terminology and definitions the NTFP value chain people – biodiversity for development”. of NTFPs and environmental services to • strengthen international networks on The conference provided input to the ensure a consistent approach to their NTFPs to improve the quality, Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) and its management and trade; availability and exchange of technical, preparations for the ninth Conference of the • where necessary, institute and support marketing and management Parties (COP-9) in Germany in 2008. It participatory processes to develop and information; and focused on the critical role of biodiversity and improve legal and policy frameworks • support the development of: ecosystems in providing goods and services that support the production and trade of - capacities for monitoring and that are necessary for human well-being and NTFPs and services, including by assessing environmental services security and for economic development. addressing land tenure, resource access and payments for them as a way of and user rights; adding value to tropical forests and FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: • ensure that these laws and policies allow reducing poverty Directorate for Nature Management, 7485 and assist indigenous and local - effective procedures for the valuation Trondheim, Norway. Fax +47 73 58 05 01; e-mail: communities, including women, to develop of environmental services [email protected]; successful forest-based enterprises; - better instruments for financing www.trondheimconference.org/ • ensure that such laws and policies also environmental services, especially encourage the improved organization from the private sector and equitability of markets for NTFPs - integration in national development/ INTERNATIONAL and environmental services at the local, sectoral planning and legal frameworks. CONFERENCE ON national and international levels; SUSTAINABLE FOREST • review the need for new and/or improved FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: MANAGEMENT AND financial mechanisms to promote ITTO Secretariat, Forest Industry Division, % POVERTY ALLEVIATION: community-based enterprises based on International Tropical Timber Organization, ROLES OF TRADITIONAL NTFPs and environmental services with International Organizations Center, 5th Floor, FOREST-RELATED the objective of reducing poverty; Pacifico-Yokohama 1-1-1, Minato-Mirai, KNOWLEDGE • develop cooperative agreements for the Nishi-ku, Yokohama, 220-0012 Japan. KUNMING, CHINA sustainable management of NTFPs Fax: +81 45 223 1111; e-mail: [email protected] 17–20 DECEMBER 2007 within common biogeographic areas; • develop guidelines for the sustainable Traditional knowledge has greatly and socially equitable use of NTFPs THE 8TH PACIFIC ISLANDS contributed, and still does, to the world’s and environmental services in the CONFERENCE ON NATURE natural and cultural heritage by sustaining context of SFM; % CONSERVATION AND the production of multiple goods and • strengthen capacity among local PROTECTED AREAS services that enhance livelihood security and communities, government and the ALOTAU, PAPUA NEW GUINEA quality of life. This conference provided a private sector to apply such guidelines; 22–26 OCTOBER 2007 platform for sharing of information and • support the development of national and exchanging experiences related to traditional international standards and certification The conference’s theme, “Conservation forest-related knowledge (TFRK) in the Asia- systems for different groups of NTFPs serving communities, in a rapidly changing Pacific Region. The conference also and environmental services; world” highlights the inextricable link between highlighted the importance of TFRK in • boost research and development into Pacific islanders and the natural environment, achieving the Millennium Development NTFPs and payments for environmental and the importance of strengthening networks Goals and sustainable forest management. It services, including by: in the climate of global change. also encouraged further development on - facilitating the collection and incorporating TFRK in models of sustainable dissemination of applied research and FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: practices. knowledge Ruth Pune, Conference Coordinator, Secretariat - improving methodologies for of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme, FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: assessing the social, economic and PO Box 240, Apia, Samoa. Fax +685 20231; e-mail: Dr Liu Jinlong, Sustainable Forestry Research environmental importance of NTFPs [email protected]; www.sprep.org/roundtable Centre, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing and services in the context of SFM 100091, China. E-mail: [email protected]; - encouraging the greater involvement www.iufro.org/science/task-forces/traditional- of the private sector in technology TRONDHEIM CONFERENCE forest-knowledge p development %ON BIODIVERSITY - identifying knowledge gaps and TRONDHEIM, NORWAY improving research into and the 29 OCTOBER – 2 NOVEMBER 2007 transfer of appropriate technology for value-adding to NTFPs, particularly The fifth Trondheim Conference on post-harvesting and processing Biodiversity, hosted by the Norwegian techniques at the village level Government in collaboration with the

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FOREST INSECTS AS however, more sophisticated and wide- FOOD: HUMANS BITE reaching marketing and commercialization BACK. A WORKSHOP of edible forest insects have been advanced, % FOCUSED ON ASIA- including attractive packaging and PACIFIC RESOURCES advertising. Some advocates believe that AND THEIR POTENTIAL creating a wider market for food insects FOR DEVELOPMENT could provide an economic incentive for CHIANG MAI, THAILAND conserving insect habitat. 19–21 FEBRUARY 2008 To promote further forest insects as human food, six major areas need to be Development potential for edible forest Humans have consumed insects for addressed: insects. The role of edible forest insects in thousands of years – in some cases as • geographic information gaps; food security. Insect protein as a contribution emergency food, in other cases as a staple, • improved insect identification; to better nutrition. Economics of collecting and in still other cases as delicacies. In • better understanding of the ecological edible forest insects. Harvesting, processing modern times, consumption of insects has roles of edible forest insects; and marketing of edible forest insects. declined in many societies, and has often • assessment of the potential for rearing Promoting insect eating: snacks, dishes, been shunned as old-fashioned, dirty or insects for food and other purposes; condiments, recipes, etc. unhealthy. Yet, among various cultures • post-harvest handling of insects and The workshop is co-organized by FAO and scattered throughout the world, insects improved processing and storage; and Chiang Mai University. Local support is remain a vital and preferred food and an • economic and marketing data and provided by the Forest Restoration Research essential source of protein, fat, minerals and information. Unit (FORRU), Chiang Mai University. vitamins. For some members of the rapidly The Chiang Mai workshop will attempt to growing upper and middle classes of urban address these issues and discuss strategies FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: society, insects are “nostalgia food,” to promote edible forest insects for Patrick B. Durst, Senior Forestry Officer, reminding them of earlier, simpler days in enhancing human nutrition and forest FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, the rural countryside. management. The workshop will focus on all 39 Phra Atit Road, Bangkok, Thailand 10200. Worldwide, over 1 400 insect species are aspects of edible forest insects, including Fax: (66-2) 697-4445; E-mail: [email protected] reportedly eaten as human food. Most are management, collection, harvest, harvested from natural forests. But, while processing, marketing and consumption. insects account for the greatest amount of Social, environmental and economic aspects CLIMATE CHANGE biodiversity in forests, they are the least will be explored, including opportunities and % AND BIODIVERSITY studied of all fauna. Surprisingly little is issues related to income and livelihoods. The IN THE AMERICAS known, for example, about the life cycles, focus of the workshop will be on knowledge SMITHSONIAN TROPICAL RESEARCH population dynamics and management and experiences from Asia and the Pacific, CENTER (STRI) IN PANAMA potential of many edible forest insects. but the workshop will also draw on examples 25–29 FEBRUARY 2008 Similarly, little is known of the impacts that and resource persons from other regions of overharvesting of forest insects might have the world as well. Consideration will be given This symposium is being organized by on forest vegetation, other forest fauna and to insects and their edible relatives, such as Environment Canada, the Adaptation and the ecosystems themselves. spiders and scorpions. Impacts Research Division and the Among forest managers, there is little Smithsonian Institution, National Zoological knowledge or appreciation of the potential Workshop themes and subjects Park, Center for Conservation Education and for managing and harvesting insects Edible forest insects as a natural resource. Sustainability. sustainably. There is almost no knowledge or Overview of current status of forest insect The focus of the symposium is to provide a experience in manipulating forest vegetation exploitation for food in Asia and the Pacific. forum for leading scientists to present the or harvest practices to increase, maximize or Insect conservation issues. Thematic results of research and monitoring activities sustain insect populations. Indeed, as many presentations by participants, with particular of climate change and forest biodiversity insects cause massive damage and mortality attention to the identified geographic gaps throughout the Americas. The aim is to to valuable commercial trees, virtually all (i.e. Viet Nam, Cambodia, Myanmar, establish a cooperative science, research and insects are considered undesirable pests by Peninsular Malaysia and the Pacific Islands). monitoring network of activities that interlink many forest managers. What knowledge Models of insect management for food and biodiversity conservation and sustainability, does exist in these respects is often held by other products. Examples from beekeeping, policy responses and adaptation to climate traditional forest dwellers and forest- silk worm farming and palm grub change throughout the Americas. dependent people. harvesting. Complementary and competing The changing climate is a significant driver The capturing, processing, transporting economic non-food insect products and uses of biodiversity and is already affecting many and marketing of edible forest insects (i.e. medicine, livestock feed, ritual, ecosystems throughout the Americas. It is provide interesting income and livelihood ornamental and integrated pest necessary to mitigate and prevent these opportunities for an undetermined number management). The relationship of insect changes to preserve the biodiversity and of people around the world. Traditionally, exploitation to the extraction of common ecological integrity of these regions. these activities were all locally based and non-wood forest products (NWFPs) and Increasingly, governments, organizations, largely under-recognized. Recently, linkages to forest management. industries and communities need to consider

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adaptation to impacts of current and future XIII WORLD Web page www.wfc2009.org or be requested changes in forest biodiversity and % FORESTRY by e-mail at [email protected] or by mail or sustainability in their planning, CONGRESS fax. Abstracts should not exceed 250 words infrastructure, and operations. BUENOS AIRES, and the complete paper no more than 4 500 ARGENTINA words, tables included. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: 18–25 OCTOBER 2009 Don MacIver, Director, Adaptation and Impacts FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Research Division, Environment Canada, 4905 The World Forestry XIII World Forestry Congress, FAO, Forestry Dufferin Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Congress is held every six years and is Department , Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, M3H 5T4. Tel.: 416-739-4436; fax: 416-739-4297; cosponsored by FAO and the host country. 00153 Rome, Italy. Fax: +39-06-5705-5137; e- e-mail: [email protected]; The main objective of the congress is to mail: [email protected]; www.wfc2009.org or www.climatechangeandbiodiversity.ca provide a forum for the exchange of personal www.wfc2009.org/version2/registroSimple_ingle experiences and for discussions on topics s.aspx related to forestry activities, involving professionals and other interested people from all over the world. Approximately 6 000 participants from more than 160 countries are expected at the XIII World Forestry Congress, which is being organized by the Government of Argentina in collaboration with the FAO Forestry Department. Activities at the congress will include conferences, roundtable discussions, INTERNATIONAL poster presentations, parallel events, SYMPOSIUM exhibits, study and technical tours. All will “UNDERUTILIZED PLANTS focus on subjects related to the main subject % FOR FOOD, NUTRITION, theme of the congress: “Forests in INCOME AND development: a vital balance”. SUSTAINABLE This theme guarantees opportunities to DEVELOPMENT” analyse social, environmental and economic 18TH COMMONWEALTH ARUSHA, UNITED REPUBLIC aspects of natural resources in a local, % FORESTRY CONFERENCE OF TANZANIA regional and global context. The importance EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND, 3–7 MARCH 2008 of the sustainable management of all types of UNITED KINGDOM forests will be emphasized, as well as the 28 JUNE – 2 JULY 2010 Underutilized plants are species with contribution of forest resources to the underexploited potential for contributing to sustainability of the planet. The congress will The Commonwealth Forestry Association food security and nutrition by combating provide an opportunity to learn about the (CFA), founded in 1921, is the world’s longest- “hidden hunger” caused by micronutrient diverse ecosystems of the different regions of established international forestry deficiencies; they often have medicinal the world, as well as the diverse perspectives organization. It works to enable people to properties and other multiple uses and they of people and organizations sharing an manage and sustain their forests and trees provide options for improved incomes to the interest in forests, including academics, effectively. It is a professional association poor and for environmental services to the forest producers, environmentalists, rural linking foresters throughout the world to global community. These species collectively and indigenous people, forest managers, exchange information on developments in receive little attention from research, technical experts and policy-makers. The forest policy, forest science and forestry extension services, farmers, policy- and congress will offer a truly global view of the practice. It also publishes the International decision-makers, donors, technology future of the world’s forests. Forestry Review and assists in reviewing providers and consumers. voluntary papers. The CFA is represented on The symposium will be organized around First call for voluntary papers and posters the Standing Committee and is closely four main areas of importance for We invite every interested person to submit involved with planning the conferences. underutilized plants: food security, nutrition voluntary papers and posters expressing new Preparations are now under way to agree a and health, income generation, and ideas and providing information on theme, develop a Web site and appoint an environmental sustainability. experiences, theoretical models and organizing committee for the CFA’s 18th interesting initiatives. Papers will be Conference. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: published in the congress proceedings and Dr Hannah Jaenicke (Convener), International posted on the official Web site of the FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Centre for Underutilised Crops, congress. Papers and posters can be Charlton Clark, British Forestry Commission 127 Sunil Mawatha, Colombo, Sri Lanka. submitted to the FAO Forestry Department press office, 231 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh, Fax: +94-11-2786854; e-mail: before 30 June 2008. Scotland, United Kingdom EH12 7AT. E-mail: [email protected]; Information or guidelines for [email protected]; www.cfa- www.icuc-iwmi.org/Symposium2008 presentations can be downloaded from our international.org/CFC2010.html p

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J.G., Rowcliffe, J.M., Underwood, F.M. & analysis. South African J. Wildlife Res., Wilkie, D.S. 2007. Hunting for 36(2): 159–165. consensus: reconciling bushmeat harvest, conservation and development Dawson, I.K., Guarino, L. & Jaenicke, H. policy in West and Central Africa. 2007. Underutilised plant species: Conserv. Biol., 21(3): 884–887. impacts of promotion on biodiversity. Position Paper 2. Colombo, Sri Lanka, Bisht, S. & Ghildiyal, J.C. 2007. Sacred International Centre for Underutilised groves for biodiversity conservation in Crops. Uttarakhand Himalaya. Curr. Sci., 92(6): 711–712. do Valle, D.R., Staudhammer, C. & Cropper, W.P. Jr. 2007. Simulating Brandolini, G.V. 2005. Medicine Nontimber Forest Product Management tradizionali. Bergamo, Italy, CRF Press. in Tropical Mixed Forests. J. Forestry, (Please see page 42 for an extract on 105(6): 301–306. Afghanistan.) Edderai, D. & Dame, M. 2006. A census of Adepoju, Adenike Adebusola & Salau, Braun, L. 2006. Pine bark extract. J. the commercial bushmeat market in Adekunle Sheu. 2007. Economic Complementary Medicine, 5(6): 67–70, Yaoundé, Cameroon. Oryx, 40(4): valuation of non-timber forest products 90. 472–475. (NTFPs). 18 pp. Download from: http://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/2689/ Bridgewater, S.G.M., Pickles, P., Garwood, Elevitch, C.R., ed. 2006. Traditional trees of 01/MPRA_paper_2689.pdf N.C., Penn, M., Bateman, R.M., Morgan, Pacific Islands. H.P., Wicks, N. & Bol, N. 2006. Aguilar-Støen, M. & Moe, S.R. 2007. Chamaedorea (xate) in the Greater Maya Medicinal plant conservation and Mountains and the Chiquibul Forest management: distribution of wild and Reserve, Belize: an economic cultivated species in eight countries. assessment of a non-timber forest Biodivers. Conserv., 16(6): 1973–1981. product. Economic Bot., 60(3): 265–283.

Andel, T. van. 2006. A company-community Cañellas, I.R., Poblaciones, M.J., Gea- partnership for FSC-certified non- Izquierdo, G. & Olea, L. 2007. An timber forest product harvesting in approach to acorn production in Iberian Brazilian Amazonia: requirements for dehesas. Agroforestry Systems, 70(1). sustainable exploitation. Partnerships in sustainable forest resource Carson, C.F., Hammer, K.A. & Riley, T.V. management: learning from Latin 2006. Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) America, p.169–185. oil: a review of antimicrobial and other medicinal properties. Clinical Arroyo-Quiroz, I., Pérez-Gil, R. & Leader- Microbiology Reviews, 19(1): 50–62. Williams, N. 2007. Mexico in the international reptile skin trade: a case Case, M.A., Flinn, K.M., Jancaitis, J., Alley, study. Biodivers. Conserv., 16(4): A. & Paxton, A. 2007. Declining 931–952. abundance of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) documented by Full text available for downloading from: Ash, N. & Jenkins, M. 2007. Biodiversity herbarium specimens. Biol. Conserv., http://www.traditionaltree.org; copies of and poverty reduction: the importance of 134(1): 22–30. the book can be ordered from ecosystem services. Cambridge, United http://www.traditionaltree.org Kingdom, UNEP World Conservation Chomel, B.B., Belotto, A. & Meslin, F.X. Monitoring Centre. 2007. Wildlife, exotic pets and emerging FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: zoonoses. Emerging Infectious Craig R. Elevitch, Permanent Agriculture Belcher, B. & Schreckenberg, K. 2007. Diseases, 13(1): 6–11. Resources, PO Box 428, Holualoa, Hawai’i 96725, Commercialisation of non-timber forest United States of America; e-mail: products: a reality check. Development Corlett, R.T. 2007. The impact of hunting on [email protected] (Please see pages 6, 9 and Policy Review, 25(3): 355–377. the mammalian fauna of tropical Asian 10 for extracts from this book.) forests. Biotropica, 39(3): 292–303. Bennett, E.L., Blencowe, E., Brandon, K. Engler, M. & Parry-Jones, R. 2007. Ivanei, S., Brown, D., Burn, R.W., Crookes, D.J. & Milner-Gulland, E.J. 2006. Opportunity or threat. The role of the Cowlishaw, G., Davies, G., Dublin, H., Wildlife and economic policies affecting European Union in global wildlife trade. Fa, J.E., Milner-Gulland, E.J., Robinson, the bushmeat trade: a framework for Brussels, Belgium.TRAFFIC Europe.

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Gubbi, S. 2007. Rights of forest dwellers in planning or basic inventorying and India. Oryx, 41(1): 16. monitoring has been undertaken with regard to NTFPs. Without better Halme, K.J. & Bodmer, R.E. 2007. information, land managers will be Correspondence between scientific and increasingly unable to make informed traditional ecological knowledge: rain decisions on how to manage NTFP forest classification by the non- biodiversity sustainably as demand for indigenous ribereños in the Peruvian products increases. Amazonia. Biodivers. Conserv., 16(6): 1785–1801. Barlow, J., Overai, W.L., Araujo, I.S., Gardner, T.A. & Peres, C.A. 2007. The Hobley, M. 2007. Where in the world is value of primary, secondary and European Environment Agency. 2007. there pro-poor forest policy and tenure plantation forests for fruit-feeding Halting the loss of biodiversity by 2010: reform? Washington, DC, Rights and butterflies in the Brazilian Amazon. J. proposal for a first set of indicators to Resources. 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Earthscan and forest products and biodiversity Himalayan medicinal plant Bioversity International. ISBN management in the Pacific Northwest. conservation. Biodivers. Conserv., 16(6): 9781844074686. This book describes a Forest Ecology and Management, 246: 1679–1697. study, conducted in the Syrian Arab 29–37. Non-timber forest product Republic, of how communities are harvesting in the Pacific Northwest is Latham, P. 2007. Plants visited by bees and developing markets for local products neither a new activity nor a disappearing other useful plants of Umalila, Southern derived from neglected and relic of the pre-industrial era. Although Tanzania. ISBN 978-0-9554208-3-0. underutilized plants. Based on concrete emphasis may have shifted from case studies, the data and processes subsistence to commercial and Law, W. & Salick, J. 2007. Comparing documented in the book show the recreational pursuits, harvesting and conservation priorities for useful plants potential of biodiversity to make a harvesters of wild species are still among botanists and Tibetan doctors. significant contribution to livelihood widespread throughout the region. Biodivers. Conserv., 16(6): 1747–1759. security in communities that inhabit Hundreds of businesses and thousands difficult environments with unique of harvesters earn part or all of their Li, H.M., Aide, T.M., Ma, Y.X., Liu, W.J. & resources. The study also highlights the income from harvests. Every year Cao, M. 2007. Demand for rubber is importance of local cultural knowledge thousands of pounds and hundreds of causing the loss of high diversity rain and institutions in sustainable NTFPs valued in hundreds of millions of forest in SW China. Biodivers. Conserv., development of biodiversity markets. dollars are harvested from regional 16(6):1731–1745. public and private forests. 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Lindsey, P.A., Roulet, P.A. & Romañach, Nuñez-Iturri, G. & Howe, H.F. 2007. Shah, N.C. 2007b. Kuth, Saussurea costus S.S. 2007. Economic and conservation Bushmeat and the fate of trees with (Saussurea lappa): a herbal drug of significance of the trophy hunting seeds dispersed by large primates in a antiquity and its present status in India. industry in sub-Saharan Africa. Biol. lowland rain forest in western Amazonia. Herbal Tech. Industry, 3(4): 14–18. Conserv., 134(4): 455–469. Biotropica, 39(3): 348–354. Shah, N.C. 2007c. Sweet flag (vaca) Acorus Lizama, J.C. 2004. Entomofagia. Ohwaki, A., Nakamura, K. & Tanabe, S.I. calamus L.: the oldest medicinal plant Alimentación con insectos. Ediciones El 2007. Butterfly assemblages in a ever known to mankind with especial Nibelungo. ISBN 84-609-3309. traditional agricultural landscape: reference to Uttarakhand. Herbal Tech. importance of secondary forests for Industry, 3(6): 16–23. Loveridge, A.J., Searle, A.W., conserving diversity, life history Murindagomo, F. & Macdonald, D.W. specialists and endemics. Biodivers. Shah, N.C. 2007d.Curcuma longa (turmeric): 2007. The impact of sport-hunting on the Conserv., 16(5):1521–1539. a condiment of great therapeutic value population dynamics of an African lion tested with the times. Herbal Tech. population in a protected area. Biol. Pattanaik, C. & Reddy, C.S. 2007. Medicinal Industry, 3(7): 12–18. Conserv., 134(4): 548–558. plant resources of Gandhamardan hill range, Orissa: an urgent need for Shrivastava, R.J. & Heinen, J.T. 2007. A Mayers, J. 2007. Trees, poverty and conservation. Natl Acad. Sci. Lett., microsite analysis of resource use around targets. Forests and the Millennium 30(1–2): 35–38. Kaziranga National Park, India: Development Goals. IIED Briefing Paper. implications for conservation and International Institute for Sustainable Peres, C.A. & Palacios, E. 2007. Basin-wide development planning. J. Environment Development. effects of game harvest on vertebrate and Development, 16(2): 207–226. population densities in Amazonian Mooney, E.H. & McGraw, J.B. 2007. forests: implications for animal-mediated Silori, C.S. 2007. Perception of local people Alteration of selection regime resulting seed dispersal. Biotropica, 39(3): towards conservation of forest resources from harvest of American ginseng, 304–315. in Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, Panax quinquefolius. Conserv. Genet., northwestern Himalaya, India. Biodivers. 8(1): 57–67. Pilz, D., Alexander, S., Smith, J., Schroeder, Conserv., 16(1): 211–222. R. & Freed, J. 2006. Nontimber forest Mozumder, P., Starbuck, M., Berrens, R.P. product opportunities in Alaska. Gen. Sonwa, D.J., Nkongmeneck, B.A., Weise, & Alexander, S. 2006. Lease and fee Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-671. Portland, OR, S.F.,Tchatat, M., Adesina, A.A.l. & hunting on private lands in the US: a United States Department of Agriculture, Janssens, M.J.J. 2007. Diversity of plants review of the economic and legal issues. Forest Service, Pacific Northwest in cocoa agroforests in the humid forest Human Dimensions of Wildlife, 11(6): Research Station. 79 pp. zone of Southern Cameroon. Biodivers 1–14. Conserv., 16: 2385–2400. Purohit, V.K., Phondani, P.C., Dhyani, D., Muhammad Hamayun, Ambara Khan, Rawat, L.S. & Maikhuri, R.K. 2007. Staniskiene, B., Matusevicius, P. & Sumera Afzal & Khan, M.A. 2006. Study Ginkgo biloba a living fossil: need Budreckiene, R. 2006. Honey as an on traditional knowledge and utility of conservation initiatives. Natl Acad. Sci. indicator of environmental pollution. medicinal herbs of district Buner, Lett., 30(1–2): 31–33. Environmental Res., Engineering and NWFP, Pakistan. Indian J. Traditional Management, (2): 53–58. Knowledge, 5(3): 407–412. Quennoz, M., Simonnet, X., Vergeres, C. & Hausammann, H. 2006. L’argousier, une Starbuck, M., Alexander, S.J., Berrens, B.P. Muller-Landau, H.C. 2007. Predicting the espèce pour l’industrie cosmétique. (Sea & Bohara, A.K. 2004. Valuing special long-term effects of hunting on plant buckthorn [Hippophae rhamnoides L.]), a forest products harvesting: a two-step species composition and diversity in species for the cosmetics industry. Revue travel cost recreation demand analysis. J. tropical forests. Biotropica, 39(3): suisse de viticulture, arboriculture et Forest Economics, 10: 37–53. 372–384. horticulture, 38(4): 215–217. Stave, J., Oba, G., Nordal, I. & Stenseth, Sadykova, Chinara & Pisupati, Balakrishna. N.C. 2007. Traditional ecological 2006. Biodiversity Conservation and knowledge of a riverine forest in Turkana, Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Kenya: implications for research and the Kyrgyz Republic. UNU-IAS Working management. Biodivers. Conserv., 16(5): Paper 147. 45 pp. 1471–1489.

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Studley, J. 2007. Hearing a different Vellak, K., Vellak, A. & Ingerpuu, N. 2007. NEW PUBLICATIONS FROM drummer: a new paradigm for the Reasons for moss rarity: study in three FAO’S NON-WOOD FOREST "keepers of the forest". London, neighbouring countries. Biol. Conserv., PRODUCTS PROGRAMME International Institute for Environment 135(3): 360–368. and Development (IIED). Willcox, A.S. & Nambu, D.M. 2007. Wildlife hunting practices and Non-Wood Forest Products series bushmeat dynamics of the Banyangi and Mbo people of Southwestern Cameroon. Biol. Conserv., 34(2): 251–261.

Willis, K.J., Araújo, M.B., Bennett, K.D., Figueroa-Rangel, B., Froyd, C.A. & Myers, N. 2007. How can a knowledge of the past help to conserve the future? Biodiversity conservation and the relevance of long-term ecological studies. Philos. Trans. R. Soc. London. Based on research in the Kham region [Biol.], 362(1478): 175–186. of southwestern China, this book explores the crisis of extinction facing Wright, S.J., Hernandéz, A. & Condit, R. indigenous knowledge systems, 2007. The bushmeat harvest alters biodiversity and cultural diversity seedling banks by favoring lianas, large worldwide. It introduces ERA (the seeds, and seeds dispersed by bats, endogenous realization of aspirations), birds and wind. Biotropica, 39(3): to enhance well-being and biocultural 363–371. diversity by building on local or World bamboo resources. A thematic endogenous ambitions and dreams. The Wright, S.J., Sanchez-Azofeifa, G.A., study prepared in the framework of the author offers practical methods and Portillo-Quintero, C. & Davies, D. 2007. Global Forest Resources Assessment policy recommendations for Poverty and corruption compromise 2005. Non-Wood Forest Products incorporating this approach into tropical forest reserves. Ecol. Appl., series, 18. This study is a joint development practice within local forest 17(5): 1259–1266. FAO/INBAR initiative to incorporate concepts and values. bamboo into the FAO Global Forest Wright, S.J., Stoner, K.E., Beckman, N., Resources Assessment programme. It Sunderlin, W.D., Dewi, S. & Puntodewo, A. Corlett, R.T., Dirzo, R., Muller-Landau, was undertaken as one of seven 2007. Poverty and forests: multicountry H.C., Nuñez-Iturri, G., Peres, C.A., & thematic studies within the forest analysis of spatial association and Wang, B.C. 2007. The plight of large resources assessment 2005 process proposed policy solutions. Bogor, animals in tropical forests and the and is a first attempt at systematic Indonesia, CIFOR. consequences for plant regeneration. reporting of the best available Biotropica, 39(3): 289–291. information on bamboo resources and Taylor, L. & Griffiths, T. 2007. A desk- utilization at the global level. based review of the treatment of Wunder, S. 2007. The efficiency of A total of 22 countries responded to indigenous people’s and social issues in payments for environmental services in the FAO/INBAR call for information and large and medium-sized GEF tropical conservation. Conserv. Biol., submitted national reports. Although biodiversity projects (2005–2006). 21(1): 48–58. data availability and quality are often Moreton-in-Marsh, United Kingdom, weak, the main value of the study is Forest Peoples Programme. WWF. 2007. Half way to the Millennium that it has established a systematic Development Goals, An assessment of methodology and has launched the Teder, T. et al. 2007. Monitoring of the progress made on MDGs and the most comprehensive assessment of biological diversity: a common-ground environment. World Wide Fund for global bamboo resources to date. approach. Conserv. Biol., 21(2): 313–317. Nature. Copies of this publication can be purchased from FAO’s Sales and Ticktin, T., Fraiola, H. & Whitehead, A.N. Marketing Group at publications- 2007. Non-timber forest product [email protected]. An electronic version is harvesting in alien-dominated forests: available from FAO’s NWFP home effects of frond-harvest and rainfall on page: www.fao.org/docrep/010/ the demography of two native Hawaiian a1243e/a1243e00.htm ferns. Biodivers. Conserv., 16(6): 1633–1651.

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NWFP Working Documents OTHER RECENT PUBLICATIONS The following three publications have been added to our NWFP Working Plants visited by bees and other useful Documents series. plants of Umalila, southern Tanzania • No. 4. Les perspectives de la certification des produits forestiers non ligneux en Afrique Centrale • No. 5. Gestion des ressources naturelles fournissant les produits forestiers non ligneux alimentaires en Afrique Centrale • No. 6. Trade measures – tools to Forest harvesting case study on NWFPs in the promote the sustainable use of Congo Basin NWFP? An assessment of trade- A new case study produced by FAO’s Forest related instruments influencing the Products Service – The impact of timber international trade in non-wood harvesting on the availability of non-wood forest products and associated forest products in the Congo Basin (Forest management and livelihood Harvesting Case Study 23) – seeks to strategies. examine the impact of timber harvesting in Working Documents 4 and 5 were two villages, one in Cameroon and one in the produced by FAO’s NWFP regional project Central African Republic. It documents many GCP/RAF/398/GER “Enhancing the plant-based and animal-based NWFPs of contribution of non-wood forest products great significance to the livelihoods of the to food security in Central Africa”. local populations in terms of food security, Electronic versions of these documents income generation and health. are available from our NWFP home page With regard to the impact of logging on In his book, Paul Latham provides www.fao.org/forestry/site/40716/en. Hard NWFP availability, the study finds that the information on 188 plants in Umalila in copies are available free of charge from greatest impacts have been on tree species the Mbeye district of the United FAO’s NWFP Programme at the address with NWFP values that are extracted by the Republic of Tanzania. A forage chart on the first page or by sending an e-mail timber companies. Timber exploitation also indicates the months when bees collect to: [email protected] leads to the destruction of secondary trees pollen and/or nectar. Plants are listed and understorey species that furnish alphabetically and, in addition to Pipeline publications NWFPs. Damage is associated with tree falls photographs, details of their botanical, A new publication in our NWFP Working and the passage of heavy machines that also vernacular and common names are Document series – The role of CITES in destroy NWFPs. Apart from a few NWFPs given, together with brief descriptions. controlling the international trade in that benefit from logging-induced The distribution, uses and the forest products: implications for microclimate changes at the forest floor, propagation and management of sustainable forest management – is being most plant-based NWFPs decrease in selected plants are also provided where finalized and will be available shortly. availability following logging. With regard to appropriate. (Please see page 59 for an the availability of animal-based NWFPs, the extract from this book.) p overall trend is also one of decline after logging. www.fao.org/forestry/site/harvesting/en/ The forest of the Congo Basin is a major economic asset for national governments, local communities and economic operators. With the drive towards sustainable forest management, it would be ethical to take into consideration all stakeholders in designing policy, management and control tools that minimize the negative impacts of logging and encourage multiple benefits from a greater array of forest products. The study offers recommendations on policies governing forest exploitation. The things I want to know are in FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: books; my best friend is the man who’ll Ms Simmone Rose, Forestry Officer, Forest get me a book I ain’t read. Products Service, FAO, Viale delle Terme di Abraham Lincoln Caracalla, Rome 00153, Italy. E-mail: [email protected];

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Cropwatch Global Biodiversity Information Facility Cropwatch is an independent watchdog for (GBIF) FAO’S NWFP HOME PAGE endangered and vulnerable natural The new GBIF data portal is an Internet aromatic products used in the aroma gateway to more than 130 million data Our Web site is gradually being updated (perfumes, flavours, aromatherapy, records provided by 200-plus institutions and new features added. We invite you cosmetics), herbal, traditional medicine scattered over more than 30 countries to visit: and phytochemical industries. Information around the world. • the “Reader’s Research” page, which provided to Cropwatch is forwarded by a http://data.gbif.org includes new articles on Prunus africana, number of academics, researchers, Cameroon honey and many more industry professionals, trade and ethnic Learning for Sustainability (LfS) (www.fao.org/forestry/site/35667/en) peoples, all of whom have primary This Web site aims to provide a practical • the updated “Other NWFP links” concerns for the environment. resource for proponents of (www.fao.org/forestry/site/12979/en) www.cropwatch.org/index.htm multistakeholder learning processes. It • our ever-expanding “NWFP recognizes that social learning is an bibliography” page Databases ongoing process that underpins health and (www.fao.org/forestry/site/13467/en) The Eco-Index other sustainable development initiatives, Please help us make this a rich The Eco-Index, an online rather than an outcome to be achieved. resource by sending us (non-wood- database of conservation As an international guide to online [email protected]) your NWFP Web sites, projects in the Americas resources, this Web site is designed for citations of any publications that we are created by the Rainforest government and agency staff, NGOs, missing, as well as any research that you Alliance, now features more than 1 000 researchers and other community leaders would like to share. projects in English and Spanish. It has working in peace, community www.fao.org/forestry/site/6367/en grown steadily since it was launched in development, public health, forestry, January 2001 with 70 projects. The projects catchment and natural resource in the database now represent the work of management. It acts as a gathering point more than 700 NGOs, research institutions for resources that have been developed in and government ministries in the these separate sectors, and supports the Americas. Project profiles outline contact sharing of ideas across sectors. information, summaries, objectives, The new site will replace the NRM- funders, budget, accomplishments, changelinks site that has provided links in lessons learned, methodology, links and this area since 1998. Feedback on this new reports. site is welcomed. If you have particular The Eco-Index also offers a variety of other guides on the Internet that you find useful resources to conservation researchers. Users can check out a bimonthly bulletin called the Eco-Exchange about BioAssess – The Biodiversity Assessment environmental issues and success stories in Tools Project the Americas and read interviews with NWFP-DIGEST-L The Biodiversity Assessment Tools Project conservation leaders and field staff. Users is developing a tool box for assessing the can also subscribe to a monthly e-newsletter The Digest is a free monthly e-bulletin impacts of policies on biodiversity in in English or Spanish that lists new projects produced by FAO’s NWFP Programme Europe. In addition, the project is that have been added to the Eco-Index. An and covers all aspects of non-wood forest measuring the impact of land-use change average of 20 projects are added or updated products. Past issues can be found on on biodiversity across Europe’s on the Eco-Index each month. FAO’s NWFP home page at biogeographic regions. The Eco-Index is also home to the Eco- www.fao.org/forestry/site/12980/en. www.nbu.ac.uk/bioassess/ Index of Sustainable Tourism (www.eco- You can take part in contributing to index.org/tourism), a searchable database the continued success of this newsletter Blogs of sustainable tourism operations in Latin by sharing with the NWFP community Blogging underutilized species America and the Caribbean. any news that you may have regarding This is an information exchange tool that www.eco-index.org research, events, publications and complements the Global Facilitation Unit (Please see page 35 for an Eco-Index report projects. Kindly send such information (GFU) for Underutilized Species portal. We of a maya nut project.) to [email protected]. hope this will stimulate further thought, To subscribe: either by sending an learning and discussion. A link can be ForestHarvest – NTFP in Scotland, United e-mail to: [email protected], found from GFU’s home page. Kingdom with the message: subscribe NWFP- www.underutilized-species.org www.itto.or.jp/live/index.jsp Digest-L; or through the NWFP Programme’s home page at World bamboo blogspot Khadi and Village Industries Commission of www.fao.org/forestry/site/12980/en world-bamboo.blogspot.com/ India www.forestharvest.org.uk/home.htm

NON-WOOD NEWS No. 16 January 2008 WEB SITES 79

in practice please suggest them as a future accessible and user-friendly form. It also The Green Corridor Project resource to add and share with others. contains a news section and a www.huegreencorridor.org http://learningforsustainability.net metadatabase of Web resources – Web Village soap makers pages of organizations, networks, http://laurapel.com/index.htm Mapping the changing forests of Africa information providers, databases and http://nasadaacs.eos.nasa.gov/articles/2 selected major reports. Yummy bugs 006/2006_africa.html http://forestportal.efi.int/ www.sciencenews.org/articles/20071006/ safari.asp p Mesoamerican Biological Corridor (MBC) Rain forest educational resource www.ghcc.msfc.nasa.gov/corredor/corre Mongabay.com, a leading tropical rain dor.html forest information Web site, has now made available a rain forest educational New Euroforest portal resource in 19 languages. The European Forest Institute (EFI) has The site explains what constitutes a He has half the deed done who has launched this new information service. tropical rain forest, why they are made a beginning. The portal aims to meet demands for important, why they are threatened and Horace better access to current information on how they can be saved. European forests and forestry in an easily http://world.mongabay.com/

OBITUARY

stimulating article in the last issue of advice and expertise were much sought Non-Wood News (15). after by organizations such as ITTO, Chandra’s career is a remarkable Asian Development Bank, World Bank, example of hard work and commitment Ford Foundation, CIFOR, WWF and as he moved up the professional ladder IDRC. Notwithstanding his ill health, he in India (his home country), occupying maintained his professional interest various positions and dealing with a and commitment. Even a few days wide array of issues. His career in FAO before his end, he was coordinating began in 1975 at the Regional Office in the electronic discussion on science and Bangkok where he worked as the technology development in the NWFP Regional Forestry Economist and where sector. he played a leading role in developing Bringing NWFPs to the forefront of its forestry programme. He realized the the forestry agenda was one of his CHERUKAT CHANDRASEKHARAN significance of information exchange significant achievements. He was the (1933–2007) and was responsible for starting Forest architect of Non-Wood News, which he News, which eventually was developed launched in 1993 and which has since Dr C. Chandrasekharan, founder and as the Tiger Paper. His subsequent become a leading source of first editor of Non-Wood News, passed assignments with FAO included: Senior information on NWFPs and a means of away on 11 September 2007, leaving an Forestry Planning Officer at FAO networking among those interested in imprint in professional forestry headquarters; Team Leader of the the subject. spanning more than 50 years. FAO/World Bank Project in Indonesia; As a person, Chandra was known for Although he retired from FAO in Forestry Institution Specialist in his soft-spoken approach and for his 1995, Chandra (as he was affectionately Bangladesh; and, eventually, Chief of ability to motivate and encourage known to his friends and colleagues) the Non-Wood Forest Products and coworkers. He was also a true always kept in contact with our NWFP Energy Branch in the Forestry gentleman and his generosity and Programme – ever willing to offer Department at FAO headquarters in encouragement will be missed by advice and support. He was enthusiastic Rome, a post he held until his many, including all his friends here at about our recent idea of creating a retirement in 1995. FAO’s NWFP Programme. new feature – the guest article – and Even when retired from FAO, When a roll call of outstanding was delighted to be its first Chandra’s professional involvement in foresters in the world is taken, Chandra contributing author, presenting a forestry probably increased and his will be in the forefront.

NON-WOOD NEWS No. 16 January 2008 Weaving and thatching using non-wood forest products © Lex Thomson © Lex © Craig Elevitch © Craig © Will McClatchey © Lex Thomson © Lex © Randy Thaman Elevitch © Craig

Since ancient times, the trees of the Pacific Islands have been providing their inhabitants with a variety of benefits – in addition to timber, they are used as sources of food, medicine, adornment and shelter. Weaving and thatching, using the leaves and fronds of these traditional trees, are important cultural activities.

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