Transboundary Cooperation for Nature Conservation World Trends and Ways Forward in Northeast Asia
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NEASPEC WORKING PAPER Transboundary Cooperation for Nature Conservation World Trends and Ways Forward in Northeast Asia February 2015 This working paper was prepared by Alexandre Edwardes, intern for NEASPEC, under the supervision of Sangmin Nam, Deputy Head, East and North-East Asia Office of the ESCAP. The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. This paper follows United Nations practice in references to countries. Where there are space constraints, some country names have been abbreviated. Transboundary Cooperation for Nature Conservation Alexandre Edwardes Transboundary Cooperation for Nature Conservation World Trends and Ways Forward in Northeast Asia (May 2015) Table of Contents 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 3 2. Transboundary Conservation Initiatives Worldwide ............................................................................. 4 a. Brief history and current trends in transboundary conservation ...................................................... 4 b. Definitions and designations of transboundary conservation initiatives .......................................... 5 • Transboundary Protected Areas ..................................................................................................... 5 • Parks for Peace ............................................................................................................................... 6 • Transboundary Conservation and Development Areas .................................................................. 6 • Transboundary Migration Corridors ............................................................................................... 6 • Other definitions and designations ................................................................................................ 6 c. Objectives, Benefits and constraints of TBC ...................................................................................... 7 • Ecological objectives and benefits .................................................................................................. 7 • Political objectives and benefits ..................................................................................................... 8 • Other benefits ................................................................................................................................. 9 • Difficulties and constraints to transboundary cooperation ........................................................... 9 d. Levels of Transboundary cooperation ............................................................................................. 10 • High level initiatives ...................................................................................................................... 11 • Local level initiatives ..................................................................................................................... 11 • Third-party initiatives.................................................................................................................... 12 • IUCN Levels of cooperation .......................................................................................................... 12 e. Case study of existing transboundary nature conservation: the Prespa Lakes (Albania, Macedonia, Greece) .................................................................................................................................................... 13 Overview ............................................................................................................................................. 14 Key developments of transboundary cooperation in the Prespa Lake ............................................... 14 Projects and Activities in the Prespa Lakes ......................................................................................... 15 1 Transboundary Cooperation for Nature Conservation Alexandre Edwardes Benefits and challenges of transboundary cooperation in the Prespa Lakes ..................................... 16 3. Nature Conservation Mechanisms in Northeast Asia: a Case Study of the Lower Tumen River Basin....... 17 a. Overview of the Lower Tumen River Basin (LTRB) .......................................................................... 17 b. Overview of NEASPEC’s flagship species ......................................................................................... 18 • The Amur Tiger ( Panthera tigriss ssp. Altaica ) ............................................................................. 18 • The Amur Leopard ( Panthera pardus orientalis ) .......................................................................... 20 • Black-faced Spoonbill (Platalea minor) ......................................................................................... 21 • Hooded Crane (Grus monacha) .................................................................................................... 22 • White-naped Crane (Antigone vipio) ............................................................................................ 22 c. Existing protected areas in the LTRB................................................................................................ 23 d. Current transboundary cooperation mechanisms in the LTRB ....................................................... 26 e. Observations, trends and needs for transboundary conservation in the LTRB ............................... 29 4. Transboundary Conservation of Wetlands: Towards Greater Environmental Diplomacy in Northeast Asia? ............................................................................................................................................................ 30 a. Value of wetlands for biodiversity conservation ............................................................................. 30 b. Two experiences of transboundary wetland conservation: the Wadden Sea area and the Saloum- Niumi Complex ........................................................................................................................................ 32 • The Wadden Sea (Germany, Netherlands and Denmark) ............................................................ 32 c. The case for ecotourism ................................................................................................................... 43 Definitions and objectives of ecotourism ........................................................................................... 44 Transboundary mechanisms to promote ecotourism: examples from the Sava River Basin ............. 45 Proposed activities for the development of transboundary ecotourism ........................................... 45 d. Recommendations ........................................................................................................................... 48 Conclusions ................................................................................................................................................. 50 Bibliography ................................................................................................................................................ 52 2 Transboundary Cooperation for Nature Conservation Alexandre Edwardes 1. Introduction The borders that delineate our sovereign states are part of the foundations of our modern world. They evolved through historical processes shaped by conflicts, revolutions, wars and peace. These borders can range from a virtual division of space with no physical presence on the ground, to very clear separations marked by fences, walls and more. This very human world is in contradiction with the inherent characteristics of the natural world that does not adapt to these human borders and cannot be constrained by administrative and political divisions. Hence, some ecosystems extend over the borders of two or more states, migratory species move freely across them and the water cycles disregard them too. And yet despite this situation, transboundary conservation areas are still relatively rare and only compose a minority of the otherwise fast growing number of natural protected areas throughout the world. As we will see in this report, transboundary cooperation is a challenging and complex process that requires a lot of effort and trust from all stakeholders involved. However, the benefits of cooperation are significant and range from improving biodiversity and ecosystem conservation, creating opportunities for an ease in diplomatic relations between states, providing sustainable development for local communities through activities such as ecotourism, or creating cultural exchanges between local communities. The central aim of this report is to provide an overview on the situation of transboundary nature conservation on the international scale in order to highlight its benefits, challenges, mechanisms and processes in the hope of bringing relevant information and examples to stakeholders wanting to engage in transboundary conservation. The more specific aim is to provide an overview of transboundary cooperation activities in East and Northeast Asia and the potential for their development by looking at transboundary wetland conservation