MAINSTREAMING KARST BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION INTO POLICIES, PLANS AND BUSINESS PRACTICES IN

Ngwe Lwin & Frank Momberg

Fauna & Flora International Myanmar Program in partnership with Harrison Institute, Southern Biodiversity Conservation Association Innovative conservation since 1903 Innovative conservation since 1903 Innovative conservation since 1903 Innovative conservation since 1903

Innovative conservation since 1903

Innovative conservation since 1903

Tourist/ Pilgrimage Caves

Innovative conservation since 1903 Objectives

• Identify priority sites for karst biodiversity conservation in , Shan state, Kayar state and . • Recommendations, guidelines and policies briefs for mainstreaming karst biodiversity conservation in cement and tourism industries • Piloting of best practices for limestone quarries in collaboration with at least one leading Cement Industry partners • Pilot community–based cave management and biodiversity protection with local guano users and local monks/monasteries. • Increased awareness of the importance of the karst biodiversity conservation among relevant government departments, cement companies, cave tourism companies, local communities and civil society groups.

Innovative conservation since 1903 Project Activities to date

• Initial cave visits to Shan State, and Region

• Bat surveys training facilitated by Harrison Institute • Bat surveys on-going with on-the-job training

• Engagement with the Department of Ceramic Industries to initiate a review of limestone quarries for cement mining

Innovative conservation since 1903 • Bat surveys in Mandalay, Mon, Kayin and Tanintharyi o Survey led by Bat expert from Harrison Institute o , Mon and Kain States and Tanintharyi region

Map showing the location of bat survey sites

Innovative conservation since 1903 Thank you

Innovative conservation since 1903