ISSN 1020-3435 Annon-woodnon-wood information bulletin on Non-Wood Forest Products APRIL 2011 22

EDITORIAL

The editorial for this issue of Non-Wood News has been written by R. Michael Martin, Director of the Forest Economics, Policy and Products Division.

The United Nations General Assembly designated 2011 the International Year of Forests to raise awareness on sustainable management of all CONTENTS types of forests. "Forests for people” is the main theme of the year, highlighting the 3 Guest Article % dynamic relationship between NWFPs: cultivation – the key to better forests and the people who agriculture and improved livelihoods depend upon them. 5 Special Features % Forests 2011 provides an unprecedented NWFPs in Asia opportunity to bring attention to the • Asian forests interconnectivity between people and • The role of palm husbandry in the forests. National, regional and local economic revival of rural organizations around the world are Bangladesh encouraged to plan Forests 2011 • China: traditional medicine prices events in line with their own interests go sky high and, in particular, to reach out to • Honey production: from cottage those in fields not traditionally industry to global business considered directly related to forests. In fact, forests are important to nearly all • Kashmiri saffron growers see red kinds of human activity: providing shelter to people and habitat to biodiversity; • Indigenous communities and as a source of food, medicine and clean water; and they play a vital role in NTFPs: towards ownership and maintaining a stable global climate and environment. governance in India • Indonesia: call to revamp trade and Non-Wood News highlights the many ways people have come to use and export of rattan depend upon their forests. Increasing urbanization removes many consumers • Edible insect farming in the Lao from the source of origin of key products enriching their lives. Take every chance People’s Democratic Republic you can to publicize the International Year of Forests and your role in working with • Fragrant future for agarwood forests, their products and services. Of particular interest to readers of Non-Wood exports in Myanmar News may be the Web site on how we celebrate forests every day around the world • Philippines: bamboo production as – each of us in a special way: www.fao.org/forestry/ iyf2011/68850/en/ an alternative watershed protection tool • Paying homage to ginseng in the Republic of Korea NON-WOOD NEWS • Bamboo and rattan industry in Viet is compiled and coordinated by Tina Etherington of the FAO Forest Economics, Policy and Products Division (FOE). Nam to develop sustainably For this issue, editing support was provided by Giulia Muir; language editing by Roberta Mitchell, Anouchka Lazarev and Deliana Fanego; design, graphics and desktop publishing by Claudia Tonini. % Cork Non-Wood News is open to contributions by readers. Contributions are welcomed in English, French and Spanish • Why cork? and may be edited to fit the appropriate size and focus of the bulletin. • Cork and cork oak forests under the If you have any material that could be included in the next issue of Non-Wood News for the benefit of other readers, kindly send it, before 31 August 2011, to: spotlight during the FAO Committee NON-WOOD NEWS – FOE on Forestry FAO, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla 00153 Rome, Italy • Towards better quality cork? E-mail: [email protected] www.fao.org/forestry/nwfp/nonwood.htm FAO home page: www.fao.org All Internet links cited were checked on 12 April 2011. Articles express the views of their authors, not necessarily those of FAO. Authors may be contacted directly for their reference sources. 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. • Conservation, sustainable écosystème socialement % New Google Earth technology allows management and restoration of incontournable et économiquement tracking of environmental changes cork oak forests in North Africa indispensable au niveau international % New UN platform for biodiversity • Silva Mediterranea Cork Oak % La mise en œuvre du droit à % Recognizing the economic benefits of Working Group. A key issue for l’alimentation dans le secteur des nature in 2011 Mediterranean forests PFNL en Afrique Centrale % Scientists aim to map and save • Chêne-liège et changement % New species “sitting in cupboards” endangered habitats climatique: vers quelle forêt allons- % Non-profit organizations and NGOs nous? • Center for Sustainable 63 International Action • Portugal’s new twist on the cork Development, United States of % FAO, International Year of Forests, industry America Global Shea Alliance • Make an early resolution to recycle • The Non-Timber Forest Products your cork stoppers Exchange Programme (NTFP-EP), 68 Recent and Forthcoming Events Asia 71 Publications of Interest 14 News and Notes • TREE AID, United Kingdom % A fair and sustainable trade in wild % South-South Cooperation: Benin, 74 Web Sites plants on a firm footing: FairWild Bhutan and Costa Rica exchanging 75 Readers’ Response Foundation launches a revised knowledge on NTFPs standard % Treeborne oilseeds: an alternative % Bioprospecting/benefit sharing or energy source biopiracy % TrekEast: exploring and conserving • Malaysia: industries see massive North America’s wildlife corridors profits on the forest floor through bioprospecting 22 Products and Markets • Brazil: biopiracy crackdown results % Agarwood, Bamboo, Baobab, in US$59 million in fines for Bushmeat, Cat’s claw, Edible insects, companies Fodder, Foraging, Fruits, Honey and • Biopiracy leaves native groups out in honey bees, Medicinal plants and the cold herbs, Mushrooms, Natural dyes, % Certification of NWFPs: a proxy for Nuts, Oleoresin, Palms, Pines, Rattan, monitoring forest biodiversity? Spices, Vegetable ivory, Wildlife % Food from forests % Journals and newsletters 41 Country Compass • Heritage Amruth, India % Armenia, Australia, Bangladesh, • MycoAfrica, newsletter of the Benin, Bolivia (Plurinational State of), African Mycological Association Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burkina Non-wood forest products (NWFPs) are goods of • OHCHR Indigenous Peoples and Faso, Cameroon, Canada, China, biological origin other than wood, derived from Minorities Section Newsletter Costa Rica, Czech Republic, forests, other wooded land and trees outside % La forêt du bassin du Congo, un Democratic Republic of the Congo, forests. Non-timber forest products (NTFPs), Eritrea, Ghana, India, Kenya, Lao another term frequently used to cover this vast People’s Democratic Republic, array of animal and plant products, also include Liberia, Mexico, Myanmar, Namibia, small wood and fuelwood. However, these two terms are used synonymously throughout this Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Russian bulletin. Other terms, such as “minor”, Federation, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, “secondary” or “speciality” forest products, are Slovenia, Somalia, Spain, Tanzania sometimes used to keep original names and/or (United Republic of), Turkey, United titles. The mention of specific companies or Arab Emirates, United States of products of manufacturers, whether or not these America, Uzbekistan have been patented, does not imply that these have been endorsed or recommended by FAO in 60 Econook preference to others of a similar nature that are % Biodiversity: boundless, priceless – not mentioned. and threatened

NON-WOOD NEWS No. 22 April 2011 GUEST ARTICLE 3

NWFPS: CULTIVATION – on-farm resource through the upscaling of The vegetative propagation of selected THE KEY TO BETTER diversified farming can lead to a reduction individuals with desirable traits can result %AGRICULTURE AND of poverty, malnutrition, hunger and land in large improvements in yield and quality IMPROVED LIVELIHOODS degradation, as well as contributing to the as there typically is three to tenfold reduction of other environmental intraspecific variation in all the traits of Thanks to Non-Wood News we are all problems, such as erosion, watershed importance to enhance marketability. increasingly aware of the utility of many protection and even climate change. With Interestingly, this variation is greatest at underutilized species and their potential to modern agriculture often failing to meet the village level, indicating that genetic play an important role in the improvement many of the needs of poor smallholder diversity at the species level can be of the livelihoods of millions of people farming communities, there is an urgent maintained by village-level domestication. around the world, especially in the tropics need for work in support of more socially, In addition to selection for yield and quality and subtropics. In my last contribution economically and environmentally traits, it is possible to develop cultivars that “Domestication of non-wood forest sustainable tropical agriculture. are productive out of season and whose products: the transition from common products sell for much higher prices than property resource to crop” (Non-Wood Domestication techniques and strategies those obtained in the peak season. News 12), I highlighted the tree There are many species producing NWFPs To ensure that the benefits of domestication programmes that are with potential for cultivation and domestication flow back to the local people, bringing some of these species into domestication. Simple horticultural a participatory approach to domestication cultivation as new crops integrated into approaches to cultivar development can be based on local knowledge can be used. agroforestry systems. I called the products introduced to rural communities to Recent evidence indicates that this of these new crops Agroforestry Tree progress towards more diversified and empowers local communities, conferring Products (AFTPs) to distinguish them from productive farming systems utilizing greater food self-sufficiency, livelihood non-timber/wood forest products, which traditionally and culturally important benefits from income generation and typically are common property resources. species. For example, the development of nutritional security. However, this approach Many wild species, both trees and herbs, robust vegetative propagation techniques to diversified agriculture needs to be can be brought into cultivation to restore has been used to overcome some of the supported by rights and formal agreements lost productive capacity in farm land, critical barriers to rapid tree domestication, that protect the farmers from especially through soil fertility opening up the opportunities for clonal unscrupulous commercial exploitation. improvement and the rehabilitation of varieties. Simple, inexpensive and low- Currently, formal international legal agro-ecosystem functions. The technology methods for the rooting of stem frameworks for these rights are domestication of these wild species by cuttings have been developed for use by unavailable, although they have been under cultivation, with and without genetic resource-poor farmers in remote village discussion for many years. However, in a selection, also adds enhanced utility and nurseries. These robust and appropriate recent paper, my colleague Cyril Lombard greater profitability as well as conferring techniques, which do not require running and I have proposed some interim nutritional and health benefits. Going one water or electricity, are now being widely measures involving local registration of step further, the marketing of the products implemented, most notably within cultivars that should provide some level of can promote local enterprise and value participatory village-level development of protection. On the marketing side, addition, and creates jobs in rural cultivars of indigenous fruit/nut tree experience to date indicates that protection communities. Thus, the expansion of the species (see Table) in West Africa. can be achieved by the development of

Some of the tree species being domesticated that have potential as components of agroforestry systems

Species Use Adansonia digitata Fruits and leafy vegetable Allanblackia spp. Oils Barringtonia procera Nuts Canarium indicum Nuts Dacryodes edulis Fruits and oils Gnetum africanum Leafy vegetable Inocarpus fagifer Nuts Irvingia gabonensis/I. wombulu Kernels and fruits Pausinystalia johimbe Bark for medicinal products Prunus africana Bark for medicinal products Ricinodendron heudelottii Kernels Santalum austrocaledonicum/S. lanceolatum Essential oils Sclerocarya birrea Fruits and nuts Vitellaria paradoxa Nuts Inocarpus fagifer

NON-WOOD NEWS No. 22 April 2011 4 GUEST ARTICLE

C. nitida, Dacryodes edulis, Garcinia kola, interestingly, young men have said that Gnetum africanum, Irvingia gabonensis, they can now see employment and Prunus africana, Ricinodendron heudelottii business opportunities in the community, and Voacanga africana. which means that they can stay in the This programme has taken an innovative village rather than migrating to town. approach to rebuilding both the lives of the Overall, therefore, this programme is communities and the forest resource by delivering a suite of impacts as part of a providing training in tree domestication and much bigger package that is improving the nursery management, the wise use of social, economic and environmental small loans, community governance, food sustainability of rural life in Cameroon. The processing using locally fabricated challenge now is to scale this project up to equipment, and short-term improved meet the needs of hundreds of millions of fallows for soil fertility improvement. The other rural people in Africa and elsewhere overall approach has thus involved three in the tropics. The project illustrates how Allanblackia floribunda steps aimed at promoting sustainable rural AFTPs derived from NWFPs can be development through the implementation cultivated and deliver a pathway out of partnerships between producers and the of multifunctional agriculture. hunger, malnutrition and poverty. local-to-global companies by carefully • Step 1 involves the restoration of soil (Contributed by: Roger R.B. Leakey, formulated commercial agreements with fertility in degraded farmland by Agroforestry and Novel Crops Unit, School leaders in the relevant sector. Forward growing nitrogen-fixing trees and of Marine and Tropical Biology, James Cook thinking and farmer-oriented trade shrubs at high density for two to three University, Cairns, Australia QLD4870. associations need to create supply years. This has tripled crop yields. E-mail: [email protected]) agreements which ensure that the village • Step 2 involves the creation of village producers remain in the value chain in the nurseries to produce planting stock of Before retirement, Prof. Roger Leakey was long term. To diversify the rural economy locally important species, especially Director of James Cook University's with AFTPs from new crops based on indigenous fruit and nut trees. Through Agroforestry and Novel Crops Unit, former NWFPs and to use this approach to reduce the selection of superior trees and the Director of Research at ICRAF (now the poverty in developing countries effectively development of cultivars, this has built World Agroforestry Centre) and Head of will require the incentive to develop local on the common practice of small-scale Tropical Ecology at the Centre of Ecology processing and value-adding opportunities farmers to protect or plant trees and Hydrology, Edinburgh, United in country. In Cameroon, an integrated producing traditionally important Kingdom. He was also a Coordinating Lead rural development project – “Food for products (food, medicines, etc.). This Author of the International Assessment of Progress” – involving the domestication of tree domestication activity is Agricultural Knowledge, Science and local tree species has illustrated how this generating income and improving Technology for Development (IAASTD) and can be achieved. household diets. is now Vice President of the International • Step 3 involves the promotion of local Society of Tropical Foresters. p Food for Progress entrepreneurism in value-adding and The “Food for Progress” programme in the processing technologies for both staple west and northwest regions of Cameroon food crops and the new AFTPs. This is has placed indigenous tree domestication aimed at expanding local and regional at the heart of an integrated rural trade, increasing the availability of the development project, which is products throughout the year, and simultaneously reducing poverty, creating off-farm employment malnutrition and hunger and rehabilitating opportunities. degraded land. Its success, recognized by The project started with just a few the award of a United Nations Equator farmers from two villages and has now Prize, has been the outcome of grown to over 7 500 farmers from more wholehearted adoption of participatory tree than 450 villages centred around five rural domestication in a growing number of resource centres. The villagers are villages. This impact is attributable to the reporting life-changing positive impacts. dissemination of knowledge and skills to These range from income-raising from neighbouring communities, via Rural US$1–2 per day to up to about US$15 per Resource Centres (RRCs). The training by day. This income has allowed villagers to these RRCs has been the catalyst for send their children to school, and to farmer adoption and the socio-economic improve their buildings and other impacts have come in as little as five years infrastructure such as piped water or new from the sale and cultivation of plants from wells. In addition, the households have village nurseries, including Afrostyrax reported better nutrition and health, more lepidophyllus, Allanblackia floribunda, time for women to spend in the home and Adansonia digitata Canarium schweinfurthii, Cola acuminate, reduced daily drudgery. However,

NON-WOOD NEWS No. 22 April 2011 SPECIAL FEATURES 5

% NWFPs IN ASIA 48 households in the study area were Prince ginseng prices jumped from interviewed, using a semi-structured 119 yuan (US$17.90)/kg at the end of 2009 Asian forests questionnaire. Based on their total annual to 905 yuan (US$136.17) today, a 660 percent Asian forests cover 549 million ha, income, the farmers were categorized into increase in less than one year. Top-grade accounting for nearly 14 percent of the three groups as high, medium and low caterpillar fungus has seen a 20 percent global forest area. However, their income. Palm trees contribute Tk26 000, increase in just the last month, selling for as distribution in the region is uneven, with Tk22 740 and Tk18 300 respectively for the much as 200 000 yuan (US$30 109.20)/kg. China, Indonesia and India having about three income groups annually. The health product market in China was half of the area. Asia’s forests encompass a Palm products contribute 46 percent of worth about 91 billion yuan (US$13.69 wide array of ecosystems, including the total annual income of the low-income billion) last year, ranking it behind the United tropical and temperate forests, mangroves, group, followed by 19 percent of the States of America and Japan. montane and arid forests. The region also medium-income group and 14 percent of the In the first three-quarters of this year, has some 200 million ha of other wooded high-income group. Taking into account the exports of traditional Chinese medicines land, including scrubland and areas with income of all the respondents, 24 percent of topped US$1.35 billion, up 20.5 percent limited tree cover. their income is derived from palm products. year on year, according to data from the At the aggregate level, there has been a Additionally, palms provide a multitude of China Association of Traditional Chinese positive trend in forest area increase since useful products ranging from fuelwood, Medicine. (Source: Global Times, 2000. The increase over the last two construction materials and tools, to 18 November 2010.) decades is primarily a result of large-scale handicrafts. However, a poor marketing afforestation in China and Viet Nam. China system results in a decreasing annual alone has accounted for 80 percent of the return from palm trees. regional expansion of planted forests in the Palm husbandry could be a promising last five years. Elsewhere, particularly in source of rural incomes in Bangladesh if the Southeast Asia where the highest levels of farmers’ traditional knowledge of biodiversity are found, deforestation rates management were to be combined with remain high. At the same time, improper more scientific management practices. logging and illegal practices contribute to (Source: M. Islam, S. Sohel, P. Rana, the degradation of natural forest areas. S. Akhter, M.S. Chowdhury and A. Halim. Degradation often precedes deforestation. 2010. The role of palm husbandry in the Population pressure on Asian forests is economic upliftment of rural Bangladesh. heavier than in any other global region; Centre of Minor Forest Products for Rural forest area – including both plantations and Development and Environmental Honey production: from cottage industry natural forests – amounts to only 0.15 ha Conservation. International J. Forest to global business per capita. As plantations replace natural Usufructs Management, 11(2). Indirapuram, Honey production, at best, makes you think of forests, forest capacity to provide all the Dehradun, India.) a small cottage industry. Often, it is just one products and the wide array of ecosystem beekeeper who collects honey and delivers it services of natural forests is reduced. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: to your doorstep. Jagjit Singh Kapoor, though, As tropical hardwood supplies continue Department of Forestry and Environment has turned it into a global business. He to dwindle, expanding improved Science, Shah Jalal University of Science and started with five honey bee colonies in the management practices will be critical to Technology, Sylhet-3114, Bangladesh. 1980s and today his Kashmir Apiaries has maintaining biodiversity and enhancing 50 000 of these across the country, "from the local livelihoods in and around existing China: traditional medicine prices Himalayas to Kanyakumari". natural production forests, as well as go sky high The company, based in Doraha, Ludhiana,

reducing the region’s CO2 emission levels. Some 84 percent of the nearly 600 Chinese is the largest exporter of honey from India, Several countries have opted for partial traditional medicines in the market have accounting, perhaps, for as much as 80 or total bans on wood production from seen prices spike as high as 700 percent percent of the country's total honey exports. It natural forests, often triggered by natural over the past year, according to the China has a presence in more than 48 countries. calamities such as floods and landslides, Association of Traditional Chinese "I started with 10 000 rupees given to me and pay more attention to the importance Medicine. Industry watchers blame by my father. I took it as a challenge and never of forests with high conservation value. speculation, bad weather and strong looked back. There were many hurdles but I (Source: Yasmi et al. (eds). 2010. Asian market demand for the soaring prices. was determined and my family supported me Forests: Working for People and Nature. Two traditional medicines undergoing in my journey," says Kapoor. Last year, the IUFRO, WFSE, FAO and RECOFTC.) astronomical prices include company recorded a turnover of 280 rupees Pseudostellaria root, commonly known as crore, with a 35 percent growth in sales. The role of palm husbandry in the prince ginseng, and Cordyceps sinensis, Kapoor set about devising his own methods, economic revival of rural Bangladesh colloquially known as caterpillar fungus. including designing driers to reduce the An exploratory study was conducted in Prince ginseng is often used for spleen- moisture content in honey. "And I travelled Feni, a southeastern district of related illnesses or to rehydrate the body, throughout the country with my wife to Bangladesh, to explore the role of palm while caterpillar fungus is used for identify flora for feeding the bees to get good- husbandry in the rural economy. A total of ailments ranging from fatigue to cancer. quality honey."

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Initially, the orders were small. Today, production,” admits Chief Agriculture individuals and communities over these his company competes with rivals from Officer Nigeen Ahmad Lone. Production resources. The rights recognized under the China and Argentina, the two major honey was slightly better this autumn because of Act include the right to occupy forest land for exporters globally. the weather, he says. Saffron is grown in habitation and agriculture, rights of access to The company is also working on a parts of Budgam in central Kashmir and forest land for grazing, fishing, and to project to make “green” candles. These are Kishtawar in Jammu province, but traditionally accessed sacred places and candles made from beeswax, a by-product 74 percent of the saffron land is in Pampore burial grounds, rights of ownership, collection for beekeepers. "These candles do not and its periphery. Agriculture Minister and sale of NTFPs and rights to biodiversity leave black smoke when lit, like the Ghulam Hassan Mir says that seed corms and associated traditional knowledge. synthetic wax candles. These are will be replanted in the entire area over the While recognizing the larger import of the environment friendly.” (Source: The Times next three years with three-quarters of the entitlement, the right of ownership over of India, 19 January 2011.) cost being borne by the government. traditionally collected NTFPs is likely to be Experts say the growers use archaic of immediate interest to indigenous Kashmiri saffron growers see red methods of planting seed corms at random communities. Across the country, these Plagued by dwindling yields, lack of without replacement for 15–20 years. people have a strong cultural heritage scientific crop management and shrinking “We stress planting corms geometrically, associated with forests. NTFPs are an cultivation space, saffron production in recycling them every four years and important seasonal source of household India’s Kashmir region is in a critical state. introducing sprinkle irrigation methods,” income. However, over a period of time, Worse, even six months after it was says seed specialist Farooq Ahmad indigenous collectors have become mere announced, the much-hyped 376 rupees Mandoo. The four-year mission plans to labourers supplying this produce to a chain crore National Saffron Mission is yet to establish 128 tube wells and distribute of market agents. The joint forest initiate baby steps to boost production. 3 715 sprinkle sets. The government will management programme of the On average, Kashmir annually produces fully invest in bore wells, but the land has Government of India, begun over two 12 500 kg of saffron (Crocus stavia to be provided by farmers. decades ago, held some promise of tenurial kashmiriana), a prized and costly Contraband is a major problem plaguing security over forest produce for the ingredient used in medicine and South the cash crop. Last year, police seized a indigenous community. Unfortunately, any Asian cuisine. Saffron is the dried reddish- factory run clandestinely where fake possibility of comanagement has turned out purple stigma painstakingly collected from saffron was being manufactured. to be mired in institutional road blocks. billions of flowers grown in autumn on The shrinking of saffron land is another Today, the FRA vests in indigenous 4 500 ha, spread over 200 villages of the threat. “Though construction on saffron communities the rights of collection and prosperous Pampore belt on the outskirts land is prohibited under the land revenue trade of NTFPs and further empowers the of Srinagar. Last year, prices fetched up to Act, the law is violated repeatedly,” says gram sabha – or the village assembly – to 175 000 rupees/kg. lawyer Bashir Ahmad Malik, who owns a initiate and validate claims and evolve But the scenario is changing. Over the part of the saffron land. The growers in mechanisms for conservation of the years, average production has halved, the Pampore are eagerly waiting for the saffron resource. By mainstreaming forest cultivable land has shrunk to 3 600 ha and mission to pick up speed. “It is our last ray governance into the larger democratic prices are not picking up. This year, saffron of hope,” says Ghulam Qadir Bhat, a saffron framework of governance in the country, is selling for 120 000 rupees/kg in a slow grower from Pampore’s Tulbagh area. the legislation has at once strengthened market. “Incessant drought periods in the (Source: www.dailypioneer.com, both the livelihoods of indigenous forest- past two decades, lack of scientific crop 6 December 2010.) dependent communities as well as the methodology and transformation of community-based conservation of a fast cultivable land into residential colonies Indigenous communities and NTFPs: depleting resource. have wreaked havoc on saffron towards ownership and governance However, there is much to be done to in India realize the potential of the legislation on the The idea that the development trajectories ground. There is a distinct possibility that, of our forests and those of the indigenous as in the case of the legislation that people who inhabit these forests cannot be provided for local self-governance in the seen apart from each other is one that has country, the FRA will also be subverted by gained currency the world over. In India, the the lack of adequate capacity building of Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional village-level bodies. For people, who have Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest long been subjected to a colonial world Rights) Act (FRA), taking cognizance of this, views of forestry and who have been located seeks to remedy the “historical injustice” as the “growing human threat” to forests, it suffered by indigenous communities by will require a proactive role by the state to recognizing and vesting in them a range of draw on their collective knowledge of the forest rights that have been traditionally resource and posit a long-denied people's enjoyed by the communities. forestry. (Contributed by: S. Archana, The spirit of the legislation is to revitalize Keystone Foundation, Groves Hill Road, traditional systems of community forest Kotagiri 643 217, Nilgiris, TN, India. Saffron governance by strengthening tenure of E-mail: [email protected])

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The edible insect farming demonstration site, at the National University Faculty of PEOPLE AND ECONOMIES IN ASIA Agriculture, will be officially launched in March (see Box). It is a learning centre for Asia is widely hailed as an economic multispecies of edible insect farming and is success story and a major driver for open to farmers or anyone else who would powering global growth over the last two like to learn. This is the first time such an decades. The speed of economic growth in activity has focused on insects in the Lao the region’s developing countries has PDR. surpassed global growth rates for several Currently, the university students are years. The World Bank contends that Asia doing a test-run of raising three types of is the most preferred region for Foreign insects: house cricket (Acheata domestica), Direct Investments (FDIs). mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) and palm Rattan However, economic growth has weevil (Rhynchophoru ferrugineus). There widened the gap between the rich and The Indonesian Rattan Businessmen is also semi-farming of the weaver ant the poor. Asian societies show wide Association (APRI) added that domestic (Oecophylla smaragdina); this is being discrepancies in people’s empowerment consumption of rattan stands at about carried out on trees outside, rather than and income, as large groups of the 40 000 tonnes/year, while production has inside the unit. Students are gathering data population have been left out of the reached 696 000 tonnes/year. Moreover, on the best and highest economic return development process. It is estimated that rattan processing in the country has diets for the insects. This first generation of there are approximately 600 million poor declined over the past few years, further insects will be taken into the FAO people in the region living on less than weakening demand. laboratory and tested for food safety and US$1 per day. The Ministry of Trade Indonesia enforced nutritional content. There are a lot of gaps The forestry sector provides important the regulation on the trade and export of in scientific, quantifiable knowledge that employment, basic needs and ecosystem rattan on 11 August 2009. The regulation FAO is attempting to fill. services to both rural and urban outlines the export ban of several species populations. The region’s urban of rattan and also limits the export volume population has increased fivefold since of semi-processed rattan to 35 000 tonnes. 1950. The United Nations projects that by Furthermore, the regulation also requires A seminar on “Edible Insects for Food and 2025 Asia’s urban population will have that rattan producers and suppliers obtain Nutrition Security” was held in Vientiane increased by a further 670 million people letters of approval from the local rattan on 29 March 2011 with the aim to provide from today’s figure of 1.8 billion; by 2025 industry declaring that they have met and information on the project’s urban dwellers in Asia will exceed the satisfied the requirements of the local achievements and activities. It was also an numbers of their rural counterparts. Rapid rattan market. occasion to show, for the first time, the economic growth in urban areas is Indonesia exported a total of US$138 insect farming demonstration unit site widening the rural-urban divide. With low million worth of rattan products in 2010, where three species of insects are being incomes from agriculture, poverty down 21.5 percent from US$168 million bred and one species is being semi-bred. reduction will remain a major challenge, recorded in 2009. This activity is taking place in especially in rural areas. Even in areas Indonesia accounts for 82 percent of the collaboration with the Faculty of where forestry may not be able to lift world’s total rattan production and there are Agriculture, National University of Laos. people out of the poverty trap, it will be 300 rattan species found across the country. Both theoretical and practical training important for providing basic needs, (Source: www.ihb.de, 23 February 2011.) was held for farmers at the especially for indigenous peoples and demonstration unit site. forest-dependent communities. (Source: Edible insect farming in the Lao People’s Presentations during the seminar Yasmi et al. (eds). 2010. Asian Forests: Democratic Republic focused on the nationwide edible insect Working for People and Nature. IUFRO, FAO/Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao survey carried out by the Institut de la WFSE, FAO and RECOFTC.) PDR) is undertaking an innovative and francophonie pour la médecine practical project to address the unacceptable tropicale, insect consumption in the Lao levels of malnutrition in the country, working PDR among children under two years with the National University of Laos to old and breastfeeding women, and the Indonesia: call to revamp trade and export research and develop edible insect farming. development of edible insect farming in of rattan Insects have been eaten for centuries in Thailand, among others. The Indonesian Commission for the the country. Traditionally, Lao people would Supervision of Business Competition (KPPU) collect insects when required as a result of has urged the Indonesian Federal the abundance of biodiversity in the country. Government to revise the regulation on trade However, factors such as development, FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: and export of rattan. According to KPPU, the commercial farming, changing land use and Sissel Brenna, Public Health and Nutrition supply of rattan has exceeded demand in the climate change have necessitated farming to Specialist, FAO Representation in Laos, PO Box domestic market, thus harming the ensure insects are still easily available for 1640, 01004 Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic livelihoods of local rattan suppliers. consumption. Republic. E-mail: [email protected]

NON-WOOD NEWS No. 22 April 2011 8 SPECIAL FEATURES

Daw Jar Var, who owns an agar field in Myitkyina township, Kachin region, said: “I VIDEO: EDIBLE INSECTS BEAT HUNGER started growing agarwood early last year. It IN THE LAO PDR can grow everywhere in Myanmar, but in a tropical zone it grows in May and June, the According to the United Nations, in the rainy months”. It costs about K6.5 million Lao PDR some 40 percent of children an acre (0.4 ha) to plant agar, and the profit under the age of five are severely for each plant can range from K800 000 to undernourished because of a lack of K1.5 million. (Source: Myanmar Times, protein in their diets. But food charities 1 November 2010.) are hoping that a move towards insect farming in the country could help Philippines: bamboo production as an overcome the problem. FAO, which is alternative watershed protection tool supporting efforts in the Lao PDR, says The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Ginseng insects contain a high protein and showcased several bamboo products as vitamin content. (Source: Al Jazeera, 14 part of its advocacy campaign to promote The plant, known to Koreans as the "root September 2010.) the propagation of bamboo for furniture of life" for its purported health-giving making and to encourage local residents to properties, grows wild in deep valleys and on To view video, please visit: plant bamboo in order to help save and shaded hillsides and has also been www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4VxJecTOkM protect the deteriorating condition of the cultivated on the peninsula for 1 500 years. region’s watersheds. Devotees say the root increases resistance DTI Trade and Industry Specialist, to stress and fatigue, has an aphrodisiac Josephine Daliyong, said that this is in line quality and acts as a stimulant, although it Fragrant future for agarwood exports with the government's thrust to promote has proved scientifically difficult to prove in Myanmar the material in order to encourage small some of the claimed benefits. Interest is growing in a fragrant new product and medium entrepreneurs using Last year, the Republic of Korea produced that could help boost Myanmar’s foreign indigenous raw materials and local skills 27 460 tonnes of ginseng roots – worth exchange income. Agarwood, primarily and talents in their production. about US$700 million – including exports derived from the Aquilaria malaccensis The development of the bamboo industry valued at more than US$21 million. species, produces an oil that, under certain (supported by Executive Order 879 to Geumsan county, 130 km south of the conditions, emits a pleasant fragrance and promote the industry), will work to support capital Seoul, is the hub of the industry. Its is said to have medicinal properties. three pillars of development: climate ginseng market operates year-round and Investment in Myanmar agarwood is change mitigation, poverty alleviation and accounts for 80 percent of all the country's increasing, a spokesperson for the Forest disaster risk management. The sustainable trade. Geumsan also draws almost Products Joint Venture Corporation said last propagation of bamboo is seen as an 1 million visitors every year to its ginseng week. “There is little domestic demand for effective mitigation measure of climate festival, which precedes the major holiday the time being. Middle Eastern countries and change in that it will prevent the use of of Chuseok (thanksgiving) at which the root America use agar oil mostly for perfume and more trees for furniture making and is a prized gift. The festival earned some medicine,” said U Aung Min Kyaw Thu, the building construction since it could US$76 million last year, including Corporation’s general manager. The effectively replace wood products. This is US$27 million in sales of raw ginseng and Corporation planted 60 agar trees as a test in also geared towards the attainment of the US$13 million spent at an expo of various 2003, and has since expanded to 2 000 trees. country’s commitment to reforest at least products based on the herb. “Thailand and Viet Nam export agarwood. 500 000 ha with bamboo as part of its During the expo, more than 150 tonnes of They have successful plantations, and can contribution to the Association of Southeast ginseng products are sold daily to both produce the oil themselves,” he said. Asian Nations (ASEAN) commitment of locals and foreigners. The festival also Agar trees produce the oil naturally only in 10 million ha of new forest by 2020 as part offers visitors a chance to dig for the roots, a combination with a fungus. Agarwood, an of its initiatives to improve the free health examination, ginseng facial evergreen, is listed as an endangered species, environment. (Source: Manila Bulletin beauty masks, massages involving a form of and is protected by law. A permit is required to [Philippines], 24 February 2011.) ginseng aromatherapy and foot baths in cultivate and sell it. Two of the 15 known water flavoured by the root. species can grow in Myanmar. Agarwood can Paying homage to ginseng in the Republic The festival celebrated its 30th be worth from US$800 to US$10 000/kg. of Korea anniversary this year by opening the “Most farmers think they cannot afford "Look! It's huge!" shouts a muddy but International Ginseng and Herb Research to grow it, but there are profits to be beaming Han Myung-Ja, 52, plunging her Institute, a 17 billion won (US$14 million) made,” said U Aung Min Kyaw Thu, who hoe into the soil to unearth a giant ginseng project with 11 researchers dedicated to said the wood had grown in popularity over root. Han fills a basket with the man-shaped proving the health benefits of ginseng and the past two years. “Companies are root as she collects seasonal presents for honing cultivation skills. The county says its increasingly interested. If we succeed in family and friends – one of dozens of people goal is to make ginseng production scientific producing the fragrance, it could bring in doing the same at the Republic of Korea's and easier for buyers to trace, in a bid to lots of foreign income.” biggest ginseng festival. promote the root more widely overseas.

NON-WOOD NEWS No. 22 April 2011 SPECIAL FEATURES 9

"Ginseng and Koreans cannot be value. Exports of these products increased woodlands. A harmonious balance is separated. It is our medicine and our food from US$48 million in 1999 to US$224.7 maintained, where local people can and we will try to show all its benefits to million in 2008 and are expected to reach provide for their needs without foreigners through this festival," said county US$300 million in 2010. The products are damaging the ecosystem or mayor Park Dong-Cheol. now available in 120 countries and threatening the long-term (Source: AFP in The Vancouver Sun territories. sustainability of their most important [Canada], 10 September 2010.) Around 270 villages with 340 000 workers natural resource. are involved in the industry. (Source: Voice of • The cork oak is a slow-growing tree Vietnam, 22 November 2010.) that may live for 200 years, which allows it on average to be stripped SRI LANKA: INTERGENERATIONAL 16 times during its lifetime. The first KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE % CORK stripping only takes place after PROGRAMME ON MEDICINAL PLANTS 25 years, when the trunk of the tree Why cork? has a circumference of 70 cm. A special programme to transmit the That natural cork in your wine bottle does medical healing methods and more than just preserve the quality and Biodiversity hot spot knowledge about medicinal plants to character of your wine. It preserves old- • Cork oak trees help to conserve soil by the children of the Aboriginal growth cork oak forests and a centuries- providing protection against wind Community has been launched. Under long way of life through sustainable erosion and increasing the rate at this programme, the Elders of the harvesting of the bark. And it helps which rainwater infiltrates and Aboriginal Community world are preserve the planet by naturally absorbing recharges groundwater. encouraged to impart their knowledge carbon, the greenhouse gas responsible for • Cork oak landscapes cover to their young ones. Action will also be climate change. approximately 2.7 million ha of taken to record data about medicinal Artificial plastic stoppers or screw caps Portugal, Spain, Algeria, Morocco, Italy, plants and biodiversity. on the other hand consume fossil fuels, Tunisia and France. As well as The Aboriginal Community will also and use at least five times more energy per providing a vital source of income for be educated about the medicinal plants tonne to produce, before millions of them more than 100 000 people, these of economic value so as to encourage end up in our landfills and oceans. So why landscapes also support one of the them to cultivate them and earn an cork? highest levels of biodiversity among income by arranging marketing forest habitats, including globally facilities. (Source: Sri Lanka Daily News, Sustainably harvested bark endangered species such as the 27 January 2011.) • Cork harvesting is an environmentally Iberian lynx, the Iberian imperial eagle friendly process during which not a and the Barbary deer. single tree is cut down. The bark • The Mediterranean is one of the renews itself ready for the next 25 global hot spots characterized by a Bamboo and rattan industry in Viet Nam to harvesting. high level of species diversity. It has develop sustainably • Unlike its synthetic counterparts, cork 13 000 endemic plant species, the Viet Nam’s Ministry of Agriculture and is an inherently sustainable resource, second highest number in the world Rural Development identified bamboo as a both renewable and biodegradable. The after the tropical Andes. In cork oak key export product, helping to reduce cork oak tree (Quercus suber) is unique landscapes, plant diversity can reach a poverty and developing the rural economy in that its thick bark can be stripped off level of 135 species per m², and many sustainably in the 2011–2015 period. every decade to extract the cork of these species have aromatic, At a seminar on the development of the without damaging the trees, which can culinary or medicinal uses. bamboo industry on 22 November, Deputy live for 170 to 250 years on average. Minister of Agriculture and Rural • Careful forest management not only Naturally sequesters carbon Development, Ho Xuan Hung, said that if provides for the continued extraction of • In comparison with aluminium and the bamboo industry grows by the cork oak but helps to create the plastic closures, the cork stopper is the 10–15 percent, Viet Nam will require about conditions for a diverse range of other best alternative in terms of non- 100 000 tonnes of rattan and 1 million products that are harvested from the renewable energy consumption, bamboo trees every year. Currently, Viet emission of greenhouse effect gases, Nam imports around 33 000 tonnes of rattan. contribution to atmospheric Therefore, to develop the industry acidification, contribution to the sustainably, the ministry will protect formation of photochemical oxidants, around 1.6 million ha of rattan and plant an contribution to the eutrophication of additional 165 000 ha by 2020. The ministry surface water and total production of proposed many measures to develop rattan solid waste. materials and support cultivation and • The capture of carbon by the cork oaks protection of both bamboo and rattan. during the photosynthesis process In Viet Nam, bamboo and rattan are results in plant growth and transforms important forestry products with high atmospheric CO2 into O2 and, in the

NON-WOOD NEWS No. 22 April 2011 10 SPECIAL FEATURES

case of organic matter, into cellulose. market (70 percent of the economic value For this reason the forest is considered of cork production) as well as the to be an important carbon sink. livelihoods of people who depend on cork oak forest management and the cork Preserves local livelihoods industry for their living. Such action might • Without the demand for cork, economic be the only viable way to halt the decline in pressures could force farmers to the cork stopper market and the abandon the active management of consequent loss of interest on the part of cork forests, which may lead to a rural cork oak forest managers and owners to exodus as well as unbalance the invest in the conservation and sustainable ecosystems that preserve the management of cork oak forests, leading biodiversity of these regions. key”. A key feature of the week, and an ultimately to increased degradation and • The increase in the market share of important event for the Mediterranean forest loss. (Source: Silva Mediterranea alternative wine stoppers, specifically area, was the photo exhibit illustrating Newsletter No. 5, November 2010; plastic stoppers and screw tops, could “The Art of Cork Manufacturing in www.fao.org/forestry/silvamed) reduce the economic value of cork Sardinia”, with photos taken by the lands, therefore leading to conversion professional photographer, Roberto Graffi. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: to other uses, abandonment, The idea of an exhibit was agreed upon by Ms Nora Berrahmouni, Arid Zone Forestry degradation and finally loss of one of the enlarged Executive Committee of Officer, Forestry Department, FAO, the best and most valuable examples of FAO/Silva Mediterranea at its meeting in April Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00153 Rome, a human-nature balanced system. 2010 in Antalya, Turkey. Prominently displayed Italy. E-mail: [email protected]/ Because the forests have an economic in the FAO Atrium, the exhibit was inaugurated www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlzL-dElvv8 value to local communities, people care at the reception on 5 October hosted by the for the forests. Assistant Director-General of the FAO Forestry • Cork oak woodlands provide Department, Mr Eduardo Rojas-Briales, who employment and guarantee the welcomed participants and highlighted the CORK OAK FORESTS ARE UNIQUE survival of local communities. More importance of cork oak forests and the than 100 000 people in the seven contribution of their products, including cork, Cork oak forests are unique. They occur Mediterranean cork-producing and services: biodiversity conservation, naturally only in seven Mediterranean countries depend directly and indirectly desertification and fire prevention, climate countries: Portugal, Spain, Morocco, on cork economies. Cork is a vital change adaptation, etc. In introducing Roberto Algeria, Tunisia, Italy and France. source of regional rural employment. Graffi, Mr Rojas-Briales referred to the video, Cork is an important NWFP in a forest- • Over 15 billion cork stoppers are photos and book which formed the core of the based economy, whereas the market of produced every year and sold exhibit and which vividly captured the cork stoppers represents the backbone of worldwide to the wine industry. These photographer’s passion for the cork industry the cork economy. Cork is also used in the stoppers are processed from bark and cork harvesting. The portraits featured in building sector for insulation and flooring harvested from cork oak woodlands his 40 photographs sensitively reflect the as well as in several other areas. that have existed in the western human roots of the industry and the workers’ Cork oak forests provide pastures for Mediterranean for thousands of years. connection to the forests. livestock, honey, mushrooms, acorns, Cork for bottle stoppers accounts for The event was a great opportunity for berries, and medicinal and aromatic almost 70 percent of the total value of Silva Mediterranea as a whole and its plants. The forests are particularly the cork market. The wine industry working group on cork oak in particular to important for a wide range of thus plays a vital role in maintaining raise awareness and illustrate the environmental services including the economic value of cork and the importance of cork oak forest landscapes biodiversity conservation, soil cork oak forests. and their contribution to the sustainable conservation, fire prevention, protection (Source: http://100percentcork.org/cork.php/ development in the Mediterranean as well of territories against mega fires, good why-cork) as the linkages of the forestry sector with resilience to climate change and the agriculture sector, for example wine desertification, carbon fixation, water- Cork and cork oak forests under production and industry. Cork is produced table recharge and runoff control. the spotlight during the FAO Committee in only seven Mediterranean countries, Cork oak forests are increasingly on Forestry while vineyards are cultivated and wine is affected by a number of threats: decline The 20th Session of the FAO Committee on produced and consumed all over the world. in the global cork stopper market as a Forestry (COFO) hosted by the Organization The cork exhibit coupled with a wine result of the growing use of substitutes at its headquarters in Rome, Italy, took serving served to showcase how the wine for bottle stoppers, poor governance, lack place from 4 to 8 October 2010. It was held sector – both producers and consumers – of investments and management, in conjunction with the second World can take action in support of the overexploitation of cork oak forest Forest Week (WFW), which was designed to conservation of cork oak forests. By resources and climate change. (Source: provide opportunities for discussions and choosing the cork stopper as the closure, Flyer, COFO 2010 World Forest Week.) debates around the theme “Forests and wine producers and consumers will sustainable development – you are the continue to support the cork stopper

NON-WOOD NEWS No. 22 April 2011 SPECIAL FEATURES 11

Towards better quality cork? way for owners to get the most out of their communities, are also to blame for cork oak The future of the quality of cork is a major good forest management, not necessarily forest degradation. At present, although preoccupation for professionals in the cork from the added value such management local communities benefit from the use of stopper industry. For even if cork oak may bring to the cork as a product but, products and services for subsistence in (Quercus suber) as it stands can put up with above all, because it demands a different most cases through informal markets (i.e. a climatic evolution towards drier conditions, perspective on the manager’s behalf on access to grazing and acorn collection are how will cork growth be affected? The forests, one that is more multifunctional, free and not regulated), most of the phenomenon has been under observation in more global. “Forest certification induces a monetary benefits from cork oak forests do western Algeria by Rachid Tarik Boubraoua different outlook on forests because it not reach local communities. Furthermore, for some 12 years. He has observed that cork implies notably a pre-existing forest lack of management of cork oak forests coming from a given tree maintained the management plan,” he says. Incidentally, linked with lack of human capacity and lack same porosity regardless of its state of the number of companies with suitable of long-term investment are problems of decline, but the cork itself grew less quickly. monitoring schemes as well as a certified high importance that need to be addressed. “A tree in decline loses 30 percent of its surface area under cork oak is constantly The picture does not look better in the growth in thickness ... one can thus observe increasing. (Source: R. Piazzetta. 4 December countries of the northern Mediterranean a close relationship between the health of a 2010. Vivexpo 2010: International (Portugal, Spain, Italy and France), despite stand and its productivity characterized by Symposium on Cork Oak and Climate the high productivity and increased surface the cork’s speed of growth.” Change. Forêt Méditerranéenne, XXXI: 4.) of cork oak (mainly in Portugal and Spain), Hence, a decline in the quality of a plot or through plantations on marginal land stand can impact the thickness of its cork. during the last decade. In contrast to the Observations by Enrique Torres, a research northern Mediterranean countries, in North scientist and Professor at the University of Africa the cork sector is suffering from Huelva (Spain) reach the same conclusion, reduced quality and productivity of cork which will certainly imply modifying the because of lack of management and poor harvesting rotations in the regions involved. cork harvesting techniques. “It will perhaps be necessary to lengthen Moreover, one of the current and future the periods between harvesting from nine drivers behind cork oak forest landscape to 11 or 12 years.” As to porosity, the degradation and loss is the forecasted essential criterion for the quality of future decline in the global cork market as a result cork stoppers, Torres explains: “The of the growing use of substitutes for cork number of cells will not decrease but their bottle stoppers. This threatens to reduce the diameter may, which is positive for the Conservation, sustainable management market value of cork and with it the quality of cork”. The season for harvesting and restoration of cork oak forests in incentive to preserve and manage cork oak will also no doubt be affected: already, in North Africa forests. Despite the variety of cork products, particularly dry summers, the cork will A workshop to discuss the conservation, it is wine bottle stoppers that drive the cork hardly come off from mid-July whereas sustainable management and restoration of industry: they represent almost 70 percent harvesting usually goes on until a month cork oak forests in North Africa took place of the cork market value. The dependence of later. “The harvest will be brought forward, on 7 April 2010. It was coorganized by FAO the cork sector only on the cork stopper beginning earlier in the year but also and the General Directorate of Forests market is a major risk and a threatening finishing earlier, though this will require (DGF) Tunisia within the framework of the issue in itself. There is need for the cork adapting legislation.” FAO Silva Mediterranea Committee sector to explore better promotion, Climate change leads us to the wider activities (Cork Oak Working Group), with development and marketing of the full range question of taking into account the support of France (Ministry of Food, of cork products (i.e. cork used for environmental issues in the cork market. Agriculture and Fisheries) and the bioconstruction or other technologies). In According to Ramon Santiago, engineer Mediterranean Network of Model Forests. addition, there is a need to look at the with the Renewable Natural Resources In spite of being so valuable, in the hidden value of the cork oak forests beyond Service of the Spanish Institute IPROCOR, countries of the Near East region (Algeria, cork. Capturing and valuing all the other strong signs are already perceptible in the Morocco and Tunisia), cork oak forests are products and services provided by these cork and related industries. “The European affected by degradation and loss as a result forests is of vital importance for ensuring Cork Confederation is in the process of of different pressures and factors. Poor sustainability of the systems and livelihoods. trying to influence the International Code of governance, poverty and lack of economic Another issue highlighted during the Cork-making Practices by asking opportunities opened the way to illegal workshop was the lack of awareness of the manufacturers to buy some part of their harvesting and overuse of forest resources. social, economic and environmental values raw material from areas benefiting from the Where the forests are managed for cork, of cork oak forests, leading to both a lack of guarantee of sustainable development such poor harvesting techniques lead to high attention and a lack of long-term investment as forests certified by an independent body.” mortality of trees. Overgrazing also reduces in their conservation and development. Agostino Pintus, Director of the the regeneration capacity of the forest. All these threats and drivers are Department of Research on Cork and Governance problems and unfair exacerbated by climate change, affecting the Silviculture of AGRIS in Sardinia (Italy) conditions, in terms of commercial rights health of cork oak landscapes and increasing considers forest certification as the best and access to forest products for local their vulnerability to diseases, pests and fires.

NON-WOOD NEWS No. 22 April 2011 12 SPECIAL FEATURES

Given this complex situation, the enterprises of local communities, En ce qui concerne l’évolution des workshop participants emphasized the need research, adaptation to climate change, températures et des précipitations, Enrique and urgency to take action based on an etc.) and relevant fund-raising; Torres, enseignant-chercheur à l’Université integrated and participatory approach to • putting in place a knowledge centre on de Huelva, précise que le changement address the many challenges facing the cork cork oak forests; climatique peut provoquer une modification oak forests and the people depending upon • supporting the establishment of non seulement des valeurs moyennes de them. They recognized the suitability and the monitoring and evaluation systems on ces dernières, mais aussi de leur variabilité, unique opportunity given by the Silva the state of cork oak forests and the à savoir leur écart-type. Pour ce qui est plus Mediterranea committee, in particular impact of management practices; spécifiquement du chêne-liège, cela through its Cork Oak Working Group, to • supporting the development of long- pourrait se traduire par des problèmes de build a Mediterranean alliance among all term and large-scale capacity building relocalisation de l’espèce, en regard de ses interested groups to ensure the programmes on cork oak forests’ difficultés de dissémination naturelle par les conservation and enhancement of the issues, including cork harvesting at both glands: on assisterait alors à un values of cork oak forests. Participants national and Mediterranean levels; déplacement des aires potentielles de committed to joining the Silva Mediterranea • implementing a communication and reboisement en chêne-liège vers le nord et Cork Oak Working Group and recommended marketing strategy for cork oak forests vers des altitudes plus élevées. and agreed on components to be included in and derived products and services, C’est ce que confirment les travaux de the group’s work programme for the next using tools such as labelling and modélisation informatique réalisés à four years. certification, payment for environmental l’Université d’Estrémadure par Angel Maria The entire set of presentations, the final services, and targeting wine and Felicisimo, et présentés lors de Vivexpo report and the list of participants are bioarchitecture sectors and forest- 2010 par Ramon Santiago, ingénieur available on the Silva Mediterranea Web related and green industries. auprès du Service des ressources site: www.fao.org/forestry/silvamed/ In January 2010, the FAO Silva naturelles renouvelables de l'Instituto del (Source: Workshop Report, Parallel Mediterranea Secretariat, together with key Corcho, la Madera y el Carbón Vegetal Workshop “Conservation, sustainable partners, developed and submitted to the (IPROCOR) espagnol. Selon les modèles management and restoration of cork oak Spanish Agency for International utilisés, plusieurs scénarios sont forests in North Africa”, 7 April 2010, Development Cooperation (AECID) a project possibles, le pire allant jusqu'à prévoir une 19th Session of the Near East Forestry concept with the aim of reducing current quasi disparition des zones favorables au Commission.) trends of degradation of cork oak forests in chêne-liège dans le sud-ouest de North African countries, while enhancing l’Espagne, où il est pourtant aujourd’hui FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: sustainable development opportunities for majoritairement présent, avec en Ms Nora Berrahmouni, Arid Zone Forestry local populations. The objectives of the contrepartie une ouverture de nouveaux Officer, Forestry Department, FAO, project are to: (i) develop mechanisms for territoires subéricoles dans le nord du Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00153 Rome, Italy. the sustainable management of cork oak pays. En toute logique donc, si le chêne- E-mail: [email protected] forests and the valorization of relevant liège venait à déserter les régions products; and (ii) raise the profile of cork oak climatiquement les plus défavorables, il Silva Mediterranea Cork Oak Working forests at the Mediterranean level, pourrait néanmoins étendre à l’avenir sa Group. A key issue for Mediterranean recognizing the importance for rural zone de répartition vers le nord. forests development of the services and goods they Cela n’est toutefois naturellement pas le The Silva Mediterranea Cork Oak Working provide to Mediterranean societies. (Source: cas au Maghreb, d'après les résultats des Group intends to be a common Pan- Flyer, COFO 2010 World Forest Week.) travaux de modélisations menés par Gazi Mediterranean platform allying countries, Gader, expert tunisien intervenu dans le institutions, the private and public sector, Chêne-liège et changement climatique: cadre d’un projet de coopération tuniso- NGOs and local communities to: (i) build a vers quelle forêt allons-nous? allemand sur le changement climatique, Mediterranean strategy for the Le changement climatique est un lesquels montrent qu'il n’y a pas de conservation, sustainable management, phénomène mondial, qui se présente de possibilité d’évolution et d’extension de la restoration and promotion of cork oak façon inégale selon les parties du globe. subéraie en Tunisie. En effet, si le forests’ social, cultural, economic and Qu’en est-il à cet égard du pourtour changement climatique se poursuit, il y environmental values and products; and (ii) méditerranéen? Tel est le thème traité dans aura une réduction drastique des zones foster South-North synergies and son exposé par Bernard Boutte, ingénieur présentant des conditions favorables au collaboration on main cork oak issues. au Département de la santé des forêts chêne-liège dans le pays, accompagnée The work plan of the Silva Mediterranea d’Avignon. S’appuyant sur les conclusions d'une fragmentation des habitats. Cork Oak Working Group is based on: du Groupe d’experts intergouvernemental Cependant, précise l'intervenant, la • promoting best practices (sustainable sur l’évolution du climat (GIEC), il rapporte réduction des conditions favorables management and restoration) through a qu'il fera plus chaud en été – avec une n'implique pas que le chêne-liège est network of cork oak landscapes and pluviométrie stable mais concentrée en amené à disparaître complètement de ces territories; hiver et au printemps –, ce qui conduira, en zones. Ramon Santiago tient ainsi à • promoting and facilitating the particulier dans la région, à une souligner que ce dernier s'adapte très bien development of joint projects and évapotranspiration plus importante et à des à la chaleur, y compris à des variations programmes (comanagement, déficits et stress hydriques. considérables de température et à des

NON-WOOD NEWS No. 22 April 2011 SPECIAL FEATURES 13

épisodes de sécheresse, et que de même il Underpinning the campaign is a 126-page résiste à l’inverse très bien au froid, report on the environmental impact of cork comme dans la région de Salamanque où il 100 PERCENT CORK stoppers versus that of aluminium and supporte sans problème chaque hiver des plastic closures. The peer-reviewed report températures allant jusqu’à -12ºC. The 100 percent cork Web site is concludes that screw caps and plastic Cette plasticité remarquable nous dedicated to promoting the use of the stoppers release ten to 24 times as much permet de rester optimistes quant au more environmentally friendly cork as greenhouse gas over their life cycles as cork devenir de la subéraie, qui reste l'un des bottle stoppers, instead of plastic and and require up to five times the non- principaux remparts contre la aluminium screw caps that consume renewable energy to produce. désertification dans bien des zones du fossil fuels and use at least five times The good news for cork is that many wine pourtour méditerranéen, ainsi qu’un habitat more energy per tonne to produce. drinkers, notably in the United States of d’une exceptionnelle diversité sous nos www.100percentcork.org/ America, which is set to become the world’s latitudes. (Source: R. Piazzetta, Décembre largest wine market, still equate cork with 2010. Vivexpo 2010, colloque international quality. “People also like the cork-pulling «Chêne-liège et changement climatique». ritual,” says wine expert Taber. It is a ritual Forêt méditerranéenne, XXXI, n°4.) Natural cork, it is claimed, has a much that can help save the planet, say cork’s smaller carbon footprint than its synthetic proponents. (Source: Time Magazine, 8 Portugal’s new twist on the cork industry competitors, while cork forests sequester an November 2010 in http://100percentcork.org)

The axes that can be heard in the summer estimated 10 million tonnes of CO2 annually. months throughout the cork oak woodlands, “Cork fits right in with the wine industry’s or montados, of Portugal’s Alentejo region growing interest in sustainability,” says have long fallen silent. The annual harvest is Peter Weber, Executive Director of the Cork over, and the trees that have yielded their Quality Council (CQC), a cork producers’ bark are beginning the decade-long process association. A 2006 World Wide Fund for of regenerating their corky cladding. Across Nature (WWF) report, moreover, highlighted the vineyards of southern Europe, the final the importance of cork forests and warned grapes have been picked for the new vintage. that a valuable habitat for endangered One day the products of these two harvests species and migratory birds was under Make an early resolution to recycle your should come together in a wine bottle. threat. Falling prices, adds WWF Forest- cork stoppers Or will they? These are uncertain times for Programme Coordinator Luis Silva, could If you are not artistically inclined to craft a cork producers in Portugal and the force marginal producers out of business. wine cork wreath or tabletop, what do you do Mediterranean countries that are home to the If the cork stopper, which accounts for with cork stoppers when they start piling up? cork oak, Quercus suber. For centuries, cork 70 percent of cork output, despite industry Recycle them, of course. from the region’s 2.7 million ha of cork forests efforts to diversify, goes the way of the “People do not like to throw them away,” has been the world’s wine bottle stopper of buggy whip, Portugal’s already shaky says Stephen Yemm, co-owner of Yemm & choice. But in recent years, alternative economy could get even shakier. With more Hart, a Fredericktown, Missouri (United closures such as metal screw caps and than half of global cork production, States of America)-based green building synthetic stoppers have boosted their market Portugal needs the 60 000 jobs and materials company. Yemm & Hart began share. Lower costs helped the upstarts. So US$1 billion in annual export earnings that collecting corks in 2004, with the goal of too did industry complacency regarding cork’s the industry generates. obtaining enough to make products from the responsibility for “taint”, a malodorous To protect cork oak woodlands, the recycled content. Not to mention saving more malady caused by the contaminant TCA that Portuguese Government is helping the than 10 000 pounds (4 536 kg) of cork from the can result in ruinous wine spoilage rates. Portuguese Cork Association and the CQC to landfill thus far, more than 1 million single With US$2 billion in annual revenue at finance a campaign dubbed “100 percent stoppers. They are now producing floor and stake, cork producers have scrambled to cork” that aims to build consumer support wall tiles. invest in new equipment, improve quality and for cork and encourage vintners, “Our goal is to create a sustainable develop treatments to eradicate the mouldy restaurants and retailers to switch back. business that also benefits the small farmers smelling menace. They have also mounted a of the western Mediterranean,” Yemm says. counterattack, using the assertion that cork is According to the Cork Forest Conservation greener and more sustainable than other Alliance, cork forests in the Mediterranean closures. Yet cork’s future is far from certain, CORKWATCH support the second largest forest biodiversity says wine expert George Taber, author of on Earth. Cork trees, which can live up to 300 To cork or not to cork: “The screw-cap In February 2011, 100 percent cork years, are not cut down to harvest cork but are juggernaut has slowed, but it has not launched Corkwatch, an online directory stripped by hand every nine to 12 years. stopped.” Cork alternatives make up about of more than 1 500 wines that indicates Recycling cork helps to promote its use. In one-third of the 18 billion or so closures used which ones are sealed with natural cork. turn, it benefits the indigenous communities worldwide. Australia’s industry is now 85 http://www.100percentcork.org/cork- and prevents desertification in the region. percent screw cap, and close to half of the watch/ (Source: Kansas City Star [United States of United States of America’s wineries have America] in http://100percentcork.org, opted for cork alternatives. 25 December 2010.) p

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loss. Overexploitation of wild plants can Conservation). Now that ISSC-MAP has threaten people’s health, economies and merged with the FairWild Standard, “Non-Wood Forest Products (NWFPs) biodiversity on a broad scale, and TRAFFIC continues to support the FairWild consist of goods of biological origin undermine the livelihoods of collectors who Foundation through a partnership other than wood, derived from forests, often belong to the poorest social groups in agreement, including hosting the other wooded land and trees outside the countries of origin. Application of the Foundation’s interim secretariat. forests.” revised FairWild Standard will ensure that The FairWild Foundation is currently «Les produits forestiers non ligneux medicinal plants are sustainably managed developing additional guidance documents sont des biens d’origine biologique and harvested, and that those involved in for the implementation of the standard in autres que le bois, dérivés des forêts, collecting and trading them receive a fair collaboration with a range of partners. A des autres terres boisées, et des arbres deal for their knowledge and efforts. It fills number of opportunities have been hors forêts.» a niche not covered by other systems, such identified to support the development and «Productos forestales no madereros son as fairtrade certification and organic implementation of policy processes, as los bienes de origen biológico distintos standards. The latest standard was drawn outlined above, both at international and de la madera derivados de los bosques, up following extensive consultations with national level. The Foundation also looks de otras tierras boscosas y de los árboles plant experts and representatives from the forward to working with existing and new fuera de los bosques.» global herbal products industry, and partners, including the private sector, to (FAO’s working definition) incorporates the lessons learned through put the standard into practice. TRAFFIC will its practical application in the field. be supporting the Foundation in this ISSC-MAP was originally developed by regard: promoting use of the FairWild TRAFFIC, the World Wide Fund for Nature standard is at the heart of TRAFFIC’s (WWF), International Union for medicinal plants programme worldwide. Conservation of Nature (IUCN)/SSC Finally, now that the revised standard has Medicinal Plants Specialist Group and BfN been launched, the FairWild Foundation (the German Federal Agency for Nature and partners are well placed for an expansion of the FairWild certification scheme. Look out for more FairWild- certified goods coming your way in 2011! PRINCIPLES OF THE FAIRWILD (Source: Reprinted with permission, from STANDARD TRAFFIC Bulletin, 23(1), December 2010.)

The FairWild Standard provides FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: A FAIR AND SUSTAINABLE guidance on best practice harvesting Bryony Morgan, Global Medicinal Plant TRADE IN WILD PLANTS and trading of wild-harvested plant Programme Assistant, TRAFFIC, %ON A FIRM FOOTING: (and similar) resources in 11 key areas. and Secretariat FairWild Foundation; FAIRWILD FOUNDATION 1. Maintaining wild plant resources TRAFFIC International, 219a Huntingdon Road, LAUNCHES A REVISED 2. Preventing negative environmental Cambridge CB3 ODL, United Kingdom. E-mail: STANDARD impacts [email protected]; www.fairwild.org/ 3. Complying with laws, regulations In October 2008, the International Standard and agreements for Sustainable Wild Collection of Medicinal 4. Respecting customary rights and BIOPROSPECTING/ and Aromatic Plants (ISSC-MAP) was brought benefit sharing %BENEFIT SHARING under the auspices of the FairWild 5. Promoting fair contractual OR BIOPIRACY Foundation. ISSC-MAP, which focused relationships between operators and principally on ecological aspects of collectors Malaysia: industries see massive profits sustainability, has now been fully merged with 6. Limiting participation of children in on the forest floor through bioprospecting the original FairWild Standard 1, focused on wild-collection activities Some 30 minutes' drive from the centre of the social and fairtrade issues. The FairWild 7. Ensuring benefits for collectors and Malaysian capital lie 1 800 ha of tropical rain Standard version 2.0 thus provides a single, their communities forest, thick with lush vegetation, palm leaves comprehensive system for the sustainable 8. Ensuring fair working conditions for and trees rising up to 100 m. Researchers at management and trade in wild-collected all workers of the FairWild collection Nimura Genetic Solutions, a Japanese natural ingredients for food, cosmetics and operations biological resources exploration company, pharmaceuticals (see Box). 9. Applying responsible management search for valuable bacteria on the forest Globally, more than 400 000 tonnes of practices floor. The company, which runs a laboratory medicinal and aromatic plants are traded 10. Applying responsible business within the Research Institute of Malaysia, a annually, with the majority of these species practices governmental organization, was established harvested from the wild. Of the 50 000– 11. Promoting FairWild buyer in 2000. Its president, Satoshi Nimura, began 70 000 plant species used medicinally commitment creating around 1994 a database of the worldwide, around 15 000 are thought to be traditional knowledge of Malaysian native threatened by overexploitation and habitat people of the medicinal effects of plants.

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SUSTAINABLE WILD PLANT were devised to protect key natural most important, for protection of HARVESTING PROVES A GLOBAL resources from the wild while improving workers’ traditional knowledge and SUCCESS the livelihoods and benefits for local benefit sharing. people through application of “The BMZ-funded ‘Saving Plants that Worldwide application of a new guidelines on sustainable wild Save Lives and Livelihoods’ project has standard for sustainable harvesting of collection. “With around 15 000 of the taken an important step in bridging the wild medicinal, aromatic, dye and food estimated 50 000–70 000 plant species gap between words and action to plants and trees is charting new ways to used for medicine, cosmetics or dietary manage wild plants for the future of protect the species and their habitats supplements threatened, the need for humankind,” said Dirk Niebel, Germany’s and benefit the communities that developing practical guidelines to Federal Minister for Economic depend upon them, according to a new ensure supplies are sustainable has Cooperation and Development (BMZ). report from world wildlife trade never been more urgent,” said The International Standard for monitoring network, TRAFFIC. Anastasiya Timoshyna, TRAFFIC’s Global Sustainable Wild Collection of Medicinal In Karnatka, India, it is now possible to Medicinal Plants Programme Lead and and Aromatic Plants (ISSC-MAP), collect the resin of the white palle tree co-author of the report. evaluated in this study, has now been used in traditional Indian medicine and The project demonstrated sufficient combined with an existing FairWild incense without removing the bark and flexibility in the guidelines to allow them Foundation Standard aimed at ensuring killing the trees that provide it. In to be adapted to meet local conditions, that trade in medicinal and aromatic Cambodia, a new cooperative has boosted including a variety of governance and plants is conducted fairly. The new returns to medicinal plant harvesting land tenure systems in Bosnia and FairWild Standard version 2.0 for the communities through better harvesting, Herzegovina, Brazil, Cambodia, India, sustainable management and trade in drying and marketing. In Brazil, a women’s Lesotho, Nepal and South Africa. wild-collected natural ingredients came cooperative in Amazonia state and a The report notes the importance of into effect on 8 September 2010. (Source: major natural cosmetics company are ensuring all local stakeholders – from TRAFFIC media release, Berlin, Germany, aiming to cooperate in the marketing of collectors to local organizations, resource 15 September 2010.) sustainably harvested products. In Lesotho management authorities, and businesses and South Africa, a harvesting and – are involved in partnership from the For more information, please contact: management strategy for kalwerbossie, outset, and that clear and realistic market Dr Richard Thomas, Communications whose tubers are used to treat digestive openings should be identified for Coordinator, TRAFFIC International, 219a disorders, will ensure sustainable harvest harvested products and with ways Huntingdon Road, Cambridge CB3 0DL, of the plant, thus providing long-term devised to give added value to products United Kingdom. benefits to communities. and a fair share of benefits to the owners Fax: +44 (0) 1223 277237; The report “Wild for a cure: ground- of traditional knowledge. e-mail: [email protected]; truthing a standard for sustainable Adequate resources should be www.traffic.org; “Wild for a cure”: management of wild plants in the field” allocated for training of local project www.traffic.org/species- details projects ranging from South workers in wild plant resource reports/traffic_species_plants14.pdf; America to southern Africa and assessment, for harvest monitoring, project highlights: www.traffic.org/bmz- Southeast Asia, where new methods collection and processing techniques and, project-highlights/

About the same time, he was contacted by a According to the agreement, Nimura Genetic Brazil: biopiracy crackdown results Japanese pharmaceutical company. The 1992 Solutions will pay Malaysia a portion of any in US$59 million in fines for companies Convention on Biological Diversity states that proceeds or research funding received from The Brazilian Government is stepping up when companies utilize the resources gained private enterprises; the company will antibiopiracy measures and imposing from living organisms, they must reach a transfer its technology to Malaysia; and any substantial fines on companies that make prior agreement with the country that owns patent applications will be filed jointly with use of rare plants or animals without giving the resources and share profits fairly. Malaysia and sent first to the Malaysian adequate compensation to Brazil or its Nimura decided to set up a company to Patent Office. The company has already paid indigenous communities. act as a bridge between the owners and a total of 20 million yen (US$244 000) to Brazil's unique species have been exploited users of biological resources. In 2002, his Malaysia's central and state governments. for centuries by businesses that often make company concluded an agreement with the "The discovery of valuable resources can fortunes while overlooking local communities. Malaysian Government through the Institute. contribute to the preservation of tropical rain For instance, the slime from kambo frogs, The agreement allowed the company to forests," Nimura says. "It is important for the found in the Amazon state of Acre, has been search for biological resources in Malaysia countries owning the resources and those used by pharmaceutical companies to develop and conduct research and development on using them to put together sustainable rules." anti-inflammatory drugs without granting micro-organisms and bacteria it found. (Source: www.asahi.com, 23 October 2010.) Acre residents any of the profits.

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Brazil's antibiopiracy initiative began in Biopiracy leaves native groups out grow on plants found at the top of the 2001, with a ruling creating the current in the cold Kukenán and Roraima tepuis, table-top laws that control species use. The Millions of cancer patients around the mountains or mesas in the highlands area Government will expand the programme world benefit from a medication called straddling the borders of the Bolivarian with a project called "Operation New Paclitaxel (Taxol), which may begin to be Republic of Venezuela, Brazil and Guyana. Direction", which may hike up fines to produced from a new source: fungi found at He also found the Serratia marcescens US$29 million with a possible loss of the summit of the flat-topped mountains in bacterium, capable of producing Oocydin A, patents for companies found to be using the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. But tested as an anticancer agent. The area species that they have not registered. the indigenous communities who have lived where the researchers extracted plant One of the largest fines imposed so far in that area since time immemorial will samples, without informing or receiving has been on the cosmetics company, receive no benefits, and were not even permission from local communities, is the Natura. The Brazilian company was fined consulted on the matter. 30 000 km² Canaima National Park, best US$12.4 million for allegedly including "Our countries are highly vulnerable to known for the ancient flat-topped, steep- unregistered genetic material in its biopiracy, to what is practically an invasion sided tepuis, which harbour ecosystems products. Natura denies any wrongdoing by global pharmaceutical companies," composed of unique plant and animal and is appealing against the fine. Julio César Centeno, a forestry specialist at species. The park is home to some 30 000 Critics say that the antibiopiracy the University of Los Andes in the Republic, Pemón indigenous people. measures often make it impossible to ship told the International Press Service (IPS). Strobel's research has given rise, in the samples abroad for medical analysis, which "They evade international agreements and United States of America, to some 50 could provide benefits for all. Zoological take advantage of the weak monitoring of patents for Montana State University in research can also be hindered, inciting biodiversity in our country." association with pharmaceutical giants scepticism that the rules are applied too The Venezuelan environment group such as Bristol Myers Squibb and generally. "The current law is very vague on VITALIS has documented the case of Taxol, Cytoclonal Pharmaceutics; some of the a lot of points; it ends up classifying the commercial name under which the patents broadly cover "micro-organisms everybody as illegitimate," Raul Telles do New York-based Bristol Myers Squibb from any source" that are capable of Valle, who works with International registered Paclitaxel, a chemotherapy drug producing Paclitaxel. (Source: International Strategic Analysis (ISA), a think tank on used to treat cancer and AIDS-related Press Service (IPS), 9 February 2011.) social and environmental issues, told Kaposi’s sarcoma. It is also potentially Reuters. He believes that the measures useful to treat psoriasis, congenital should be more concerned with polycystic kidney disease, multiple CERTIFICATION determining how to compensate local sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease. By 2000, %OF NWFPS: A PROXY populations from collective knowledge Bristol's annual sales of Taxol amounted to FOR MONITORING passed down over generations. nearly US$1.6 billion, and by 2003 the drug FOREST BIODIVERSITY? However, Bruno Barbosa, of the had been used to treat 1 million patients. environmental oversight agency IBAMA, Paclitaxel was originally extracted from Monitoring biodiversity to determine how maintains that the fight against biopiracy is the bark of the Pacific yew tree (Taxus management is complying with guidelines is important to preserving sensitive brevifolia), native to the northwest coastal a complex and costly exercise. Not only do environments and promoting fair profit region of the United States of America. But habitats and their species differ in many distribution. "This is going to enable it is a small, scarce, extremely slow- ways, but it is generally a challenge to define concrete alternatives that substitute growing tree, and the drug's active what exactly needs to be measured, and how destruction of the ecosystem for new ingredient is concentrated in the bark, in and when to measure it. economic mechanisms," he told Reuters. small quantities (1 g/14 kg of bark). That In forest habitats, forest inventories (Source: Reuters in www.mongabay.com, means at least three trees must be provide a useful framework to support 31 December 2010.) destroyed to obtain enough Paclitaxel to biodiversity monitoring (including non-tree treat just one patient. For this reason, a species) by including measurements and furore began two decades ago to obtain observations of selected biodiversity Paclitaxel from other sources: first, other indicator species. However, the longer trees of the genus Taxus, and later from such a list of species becomes, the more fungi that could be produced more easily complex and more expensive biodiversity and at a lower cost, using biotechnology, monitoring will be. said Gary Strobel, a plant biologist at The question is: does certifying NWFPs Montana State University (northwest United guarantee that biodiversity will be States of America). monitored in the habitats where they were Strobel visited remote areas on four collected? In some cases, the answer is continents, and found Paclitaxel in yes. The certification of Brazil nuts from organisms present in plants in Australia, Amazon forests in the Plurinational State of Nepal and the Bolivarian Republic of Bolivia or in Acre, Brazil, for example, Venezuela. In the latter country, he includes monitoring of the pollinator discovered it in Stegolerium kukenani and species (bats) and the small rodents that Seimatoantlerium tepuiense, fungi that disperse the seeds, because they

NON-WOOD NEWS No. 22 April 2011 SPECIALNEWS AND FEATURES NOTES 17

contribute to a sustained supply of Brazil certified NWFP species and their consumed raw, as a snack or dietary nuts and the natural regeneration of the increasing market share will strengthen supplement. Forest fruits are also widely Brazil nut tree. conservation of these species, and of the used for making beverages, most notably Several certification schemes address general biodiversity of the forests where beer. In India, it has been estimated that up to forest management for NWFPs. A good they were harvested. (Source: ETFRN News 50 million households supplement their diets example is provided in the Forest 51, September 2010.) with fruits gathered wild from forests and Stewardship Council (FSC) step-by-step surrounding bushland. guide to certification requirements. Step 3 FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT of the guide describes the procedures to THE AUTHOR: Paul Vantomme, monitor the population levels of the NWFP Senior Forestry Officer, Forest Economics, species being harvested and those of other Policy and Products Division, FAO, Viale delle WHAT IS A FOREST? species in the harvested forest. Certification Terme di Caracalla, 00153 Rome, Italy. of an NWFP species requires not only its E-mail: [email protected] A forest is an ecosystem dominated by sustainable use, but also provides a way to trees and other woody vegetation. FAO assess the abundance of other species with defines a forest as a minimum of 1 ha in which it is ecologically linked. In this way, size, with at least 10 percent crown certification of NWFPs provides an cover and with mature trees at least opportunity to assess at least a part of the 2 m tall. The definition explicitly biodiversity of the harvested forest, and includes open woodlands, such as those have some of the associated monitoring found in the African Sahel. costs borne by the consumers of the certified NWFPs. Although considerable indigenous knowledge often exists for specific NWFPs, Seeds and nuts. Seeds and nuts add formal resource inventory techniques for calories, oil and protein to diets. In them are relatively new, especially in developing countries, edible oil (fat) tropical countries, and have received little %FOOD FROM FORESTS consumption is often low, and fat or oil attention to date. The assessment of commonly constitutes a major household NWFPs and the resources that support The most direct way in which forests and food purchase. Low-fat diets are thought to them is a difficult task for several reasons: trees contribute to food security is through be detrimental especially for children who the number and variety of NWFPs; the their contribution to diets and nutrition. need energy-dense foods. In addition to the multiplicity of interests and disciplines Plants and animals found in forests provide energy they provide, fats and oils are also involved in NWFP monitoring; important nutrient-rich supplements for important for the absorption of vitamins A, organizational and financial constraints; rural households. They add variety to diets D, E and K. Numerous nutritionally and the lack of globally or even nationally and improve taste and palatability of important nuts and seeds are gathered in recognized common terminology and units staples. Forest foods often form a small but forests; important examples include Brazil of measurement. critical part of otherwise bland and nuts (Bertholletia excelsa), pine nuts (Pinus In response to this situation and to raise nutritionally poor diets. pinea, P. edulis, P. koraiensis), kola nuts awareness of the importance of accurate Leaves. Wild leaves, either fresh or dried, (Cola edulis) and chestnuts (Castanea and precise resource assessments at all are among the most widely consumed sativa). Coconuts are of central importance levels of forest use for NWFPs, FAO has forest foods. They are often used as the in many cultures; on the world scale, they compiled a technical guidebook that basis for cooking soups, stews and relishes are the source of 7 percent of the global provides information about the design and that accompany carbohydrate staples (such consumption of fat. selection of appropriate methods of as rice or maize), adding both flavour and Roots and tubers. A variety of forest plants resource quantification for a range of nutritional value to diets. Wild leaves can (frequently climbers) have edible roots and situations and products. It also reviews and be excellent sources of vitamins A and C, tubers, which provide carbohydrates and analyses a wide range of approaches and protein and micronutrients such as some minerals. They are drought and famine developed to measure NWFPs. calcium and iron, which are commonly foods, not only because they can persist Certification of NWFPs is increasing deficient in diets of nutritionally vulnerable under reduced precipitation, but also quickly for both global and national communities. Common leaf vegetable because they can be an important source of markets in developed and developing species eaten across different parts of water during prolonged droughts or in areas countries. In addition, technical manuals Africa include Gnetum africanum, of low and erratic rainfall. In addition, roots are becoming available to assess the status Adansonia digitata (baobab) and Cassia and tubers are often important ingredients in of NWFP-producing species. They include obtusifolia. The protein content of baobab traditional medicines. In Swaziland, information on how to define sustainable leaves is around 14 percent. approximately 10 percent of commonly eaten harvesting levels for mushrooms, Fruits. Thousands of species of wild fruits are wild species are bulbs or roots. medicinal plants, berries, wild honey and consumed worldwide. They are especially Mushrooms. Mushrooms, gathered wild fruits, as well as best practice guidelines good sources of minerals and vitamins and from forests and woodlands, are favourites for the certification of NWFPs. It is sometimes contribute significant quantities in many cultures, where they are added to expected that the growing number of of calories. Fruits are most commonly sauces and relishes for flavouring. They

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sometimes provide a substitute for meat. urban demands and poor regulation. South Africa 0002. Fax: +27-12-4203960; Fresh mushrooms are often only available (Source: FAO, 2011. Forests for improved e-mail: [email protected]; for short seasons, but may also be dried, nutrition and food security. Rome.) www.africanmycology.org/ which allows them to be traded or consumed throughout the year. In some FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: OHCHR Indigenous Peoples and cultures, mushroom gathering is a major Eva Muller, Principal Officer, Forest Minorities Section Newsletter seasonal activity. Economics, Policy and Products Division, This newsletter is designed to inform Honey. Trees and other plants growing in Forestry Department, FAO, Viale delle Terme interested persons on the activities of the forests often have an important role in di Caracalla, 00153 Rome. Indigenous Peoples and Minorities Section of honey production since they provide year- E-mail: [email protected] the United Nations Office of the High round fodder for bees because of different Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). It flowering times. In some cultures, honey is is available at: ww2.ohchr.org/english/issues/ collected from wild colonies, although most indigenous/docs/Newsletter1_2010.pdf/ honey is harvested from hives placed around farms or in neighbouring FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: woodlands or forests. Honey is a good Sushil Raj, Indigenous Peoples and Minorities source of sugar and is also an important Section, Rule of Law, Equality and ingredient in many traditional medicines. In Non-Discrimination Branch, UN Office Zambia, a country with extensive of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, woodlands and dry forests (called miombo), 48 Giuseppe Motta, Office 2-20, CH-1211, beekeeping and honey production are an Geneva 10, Switzerland. Fax: +41-22-928-9066; important aspect of rural livelihoods, e-mail: [email protected]; www.ohchr.org/ providing up to 25 percent of total annual JOURNALS income for tens of thousands of people and %AND NEWSLETTERS supplementing the diets of at least LA FORÊT DU BASSIN 250 000 households. Heritage Amruth, India DU CONGO: UN Wild animals, insects and fish. Wild animal Heritage Amruth, produced by the Medplan ÉCOSYSTÈME species consumed include birds and their Conservatory Society (MCS), is a bimonthly %SOCIALEMENT eggs, insects, rodents and mammals. Wild magazine based on the belief that there is a INCONTOURNABLE ET animals are often an important part of the profound holistic science underlying India’s ÉCONOMIQUEMENT diet of people living in close proximity to health traditions, and that this heritage INDISPENSABLE AU forests and fallow areas; for some people should be built upon. MCS is engaged in NIVEAU INTERNATIONAL they are the only source of animal protein. activities aimed at enhancing public In at least 62 countries worldwide, wildlife awareness about the rich health care Les pays du bassin du Congo sont situés de and fish constitute a minimum of 20 traditions in India, their contemporary part et d’autre de l’équateur, entre les percent of the animal protein in rural diets. relevance and the conservation and latitudes 14° Nord (nord du Cameroun) et The consumption of game meat is closely sustainable utilization of medicinal plants 13°27’ Sud (sud de la République linked to the availability and abundance of and other raw material used in these démocratique du Congo). L’ensemble de la wild animals, which tend to vary from place traditions. région est caractérisé par une topographie to place. As a result, there is great regional monotone, formée de vastes étendues quasi variation in wild meat consumption. In West FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: planes. Seuls le Cameroun et la République Africa, where the consumption of The Medplan Conservatory Society, No. 74/2, démocratique du Congo présentent, à bushmeat is high, the most consumed Jarakabande Kaval, Attur PO, via Yelahanka, certains endroits, des paysages de game meat species are small animals Bangalore, 560 106, India. Fax: +91 80 montagne réellement accidentés. Les (such as rodents) because of their natural 28567926; e-mail: [email protected]; sommets les plus élevés de la région abundance and few restrictions on their www.heritageamruth.com/ comprennent le massif volcanique des hunting. The economic value of the Virunga (4 000 m) à l’est de la cuvette bushmeat trade in Central Africa is high, MycoAfrica, newsletter of the African congolaise, le mont Cameroun (4 070 m) au with estimates ranging from US$42 to Mycological Association sud-ouest, couvert de forêt dense US$205 million per year. The total annual MycoAfrica is the newsletter of the African sempervirente, et le massif du Ruwenzori harvest of bushmeat in Central Africa Mycological Association (AMA). AMA (5 000 m), à la frontière entre la République amounts to more than 1 million tonnes promotes mycology and contact between démocratique du Congo et l’Ouganda. annually – the equivalent of almost 4 million members in Africa and other international Ce grand massif forestier mondial est head of cattle. Hunting provides between mycologists, as well as regional and encore le théâtre de problèmes 30 and 80 percent of the overall protein international congresses. socioéconomiques importants: si plus de intake of rural households in the subregion. 70 pour cent de la population d’Afrique Despite the positive contribution that FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: centrale vit en zone rurale, en contact bushmeat provides to food and nutritional Marieka Gryzenhout (Editor), Forestry direct avec la forêt, le reste de la population security, harvesting often exceeds and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), reste elle aussi néanmoins tributaire de la sustainable levels, mainly as a result of high University of Pretoria, Pretoria, forêt à des degrés divers. De nombreux

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habitants comptent donc et continueront domaine et se caractérisent par la fluidité Ces trois journées ont rassemblé des encore longtemps à compter sur ces forêts, des informations et la qualité des représentants de la Commission en charge dont ils tirent une grande quantité de enseignements impartis. On retiendra des forêts d'Afrique centrale (COMIFAC), de la produits essentiels. notamment à ce titre l'exemple de Global FAO et des ministères en charge des forêts du Les populations riveraines des forêts du Forestry Conclave and Sustainable Gabon, du Congo et de la République bassin du Congo sont pauvres et une part Development (GFCSD), une organisation centrafricaine, ainsi que des membres de la importante de leurs revenus provient de la d’appui à l’amélioration du cadre de vie des société civile. Les participants ont acquis les vente de produits forestiers non ligneux populations défavorisées et à la gestion connaissances nécessaires à la mise en (PFNL). Par ailleurs, de nombreuses durable des forêts tropicales. (Auteur: œuvre du droit à l’alimentation dans leurs compagnies exploitent ces mêmes forêts pour Emmanuel Gwomb Bi Hell, domaines respectifs et ont identifié les liens le bois d’œuvre, employant bien souvent pour Environnementaliste/expert en existants entre les PFNL, la sécurité cela des méthodes peu respectueuses de agroforesterie et étude de projets de alimentaire et ce droit fondamental. l’environnement. Les dégâts provoqués par les développement durable, Président- Afin de faciliter, dans le cadre du droit à activités d’abattage et de débardage se fondateur de GFCSD. B.P. 33.939, Yaoundé, l´alimentation, l’intégration des principes répercutent en premier lieu sur les PFNL, Cameroun. Courriel: [email protected]; des droits de l´homme dans les essentiels à la subsistance des populations [email protected]) programmes, les politiques et les activités rurales. C'est l’une des raisons expliquant les forestières au niveau national dans les pays conflits de plus en plus nombreux qui de la COMIFAC, un modèle régional intitulé opposent les acteurs en présence dans cette LA MISE EN ŒUVRE DU «Boîte à outils sur les PFNL, la sécurité région du monde – notamment populations DROIT À L’ALIMENTATION alimentaire et le droit à l’alimentation» sera riveraines, Etats et exploitants forestiers – , %DANS LE SECTEUR développé puis validé par la COMIFAC et dont les intérêts, les attentes et les perceptions DES PFNL EN AFRIQUE testé dans les trois pays du projet. Dans les sont à bien des égards contradictoires. CENTRALE mois à venir, le travail de collaboration avec l’Equipe du droit à l’alimentation facilitera le Ecologie, interactions faune-flore La plupart des pays d’Afrique centrale ont développement de ce modèle régional, et mesures à prendre ratifié le pacte international relatif aux notamment grâce à la participation des Les végétaux et animaux entretiennent entre droits économiques, sociaux et culturels, acteurs gouvernementaux, de la société eux des interactions déterminantes pour le qui prévoit à l’article 11 le droit à une civile et des organisations internationales. maintien de l’équilibre et la diversité alimentation adéquate pour tous. Les biologique de l’écosystème de la forêt dense conditions sont réalisées lorsque chaque POUR EN SAVOIR PLUS, CONTACTER: humide. Selon Brosset, à chaque stade de la homme, chaque femme et chaque enfant, Juliane Masuch, Cadre associé PFNL et droit à régénération forestière correspond une seuls ou en communauté, ont accès à tout l’alimentation, Coordination régionale du Projet faune particulière. Ainsi, dans une optique instant, physiquement et économiquement, PFNL, FAO. B.P. 281, Yaoundé, Cameroun. d’aménagement forestier durable basé sur à une alimentation adéquate ou bien aux Courriel: [email protected]; la régénération naturelle des espèces, les moyens de se la procurer. La mise en www.fao.org/forestry/nwfp/55079/fr/ animaux (dont la très grande majorité œuvre de ce droit constitue un défi (Please see page 64 for more information about peuvent être considérés comme des quotidien et contribue à la lutte contre la this project.) produits forestiers non ligneux – PFNL) vont pauvreté et l’insécurité alimentaire. Une jouer un rôle important, notamment dans la approche intégrée fondée sur les droits de pollinisation et la dispersion des diaspores, l´homme permet l’amélioration des assurant ainsi la dynamique de la forêt. conditions de vie des populations et leur Nombre de PFNL d’origine végétale servent développement économique, en renforçant de nourriture aux animaux, lesquels en les capacités des pays dans le domaine retour assurent la dispersion et catalysent juridique, politique et institutionnel. dans certains cas la régénération naturelle Ce droit à l’alimentation, et tout des premiers. Il s’agit d’un milieu naturel particulièrement sa mise en place, sont écologiquement stable qui doit attirer encore méconnus dans la sous-région. Aussi NEW SPECIES “SITTING l'attention de la communauté internationale le projet GCP/RAF/441/GER «Renforcement %IN CUPBOARDS” et des bailleurs de fond, dans le sens du de la sécurité alimentaire en Afrique financement d'activités et projets de centrale à travers la gestion durable des Of the estimated 70 000 species of développement en faveur des communautés produits forestiers non ligneux (PFNL)», qui flowering plants yet to be described by riveraines des forêts tropicales d’Afrique. concerne le Gabon, le Congo et la scientists, more than half may already Les mécanismes ou processus de République centrafricaine, a-t-il organisé have been collected but are lying unknown financement d'une telle action devra obéir une formation technique sur son application, and unrecognized in collections around aux normes mondiales sur le transfert des dans le contexte des PFNL et de la sécurité the world, a new study suggests. technologies, passant du niveau alimentaire. Financée par le Gouvernement The lack of resources for collections of plant international au niveau national puis local. allemand et en collaboration avec l’Equipe specimens, known as “herbaria”, together with A cet égard, il sera essentiel d'associer dans du droit à l’alimentation de la FAO, cette a lack of experts who can identify new species, chaque pays concerné les organisations formation s’est tenue du 20 au 22 octobre are leaving a vital reservoir of information locales, qui ont une expertise avérée dans ce 2010 à Libreville. about global biodiversity untapped, the study's

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authors believe. Their work shows that it NON-PROFIT SOUTH-SOUTH currently takes on average 30–40 years from %ORGANIZATIONS AND NGOS COOPERATION: BENIN, the time a flowering plant specimen is %BHUTAN AND COSTA RICA collected to its being recognized and described Center for Sustainable Development, EXCHANGING as a new species. A report of the research United States of America KNOWLEDGE ON NTFPS appears this week in the Proceedings of the The Center for Sustainable Development, a National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). non-profit organization, focuses on helping The South-South Cooperation project (PSC) “Many people think that discovering new NGOs build community-centred, was launched ten years ago. The species is primarily about expeditions to sustainable development projects. We have Netherlands provided the initial impetus exotic locations and collecting new traditionally done this by giving workshops and Costa Rica in Central America, Benin in specimens, but the truth is that thousands and training courses. West Africa and Bhutan in South Asia took of new plant species are lying unidentified in part. It led to 34 separate programmes in cupboards, drawers and cabinets around the FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: which the countries helped each other in world,” said Dr Robert Scotland of Oxford Tim Magee, Center for Sustainable radically different ways. University's Department of Plant Sciences Development, 724 Via Santo Tomas, Claremont, One project in particular involved (United Kingdom), an author of the report. CA 91711, United States of America. E-mail: exchanging expertise, experience and At the moment our knowledge of flowering [email protected]; www.csd-i.org/ knowledge on NTFPs among the three plants is greater than our knowledge of countries. The project, which kicked off in almost any other group of organisms of The Non-Timber Forest Products 2008 with the intention of terminating in comparable size; it is estimated that we know Exchange Programme (NTFP-EP), Asia 2010, aimed to enhance institutional about four out of five species compared with The NTFP-EP is a collaborative network of capacities to offer new products and knowing about only one in ten species of over 50 NGOs and community-based services to society, as part of an overall insect, for example. Because flowering plants organizations in South and Southeast Asia. effort to use and conserve biological are found in every terrestrial habitat and They work with forest-based communities to resources sustainably. With this in mind, every area of the globe, they are a vital tool for strengthen their capacity in the sustainable the National Mushroom Centre in Bhutan, monitoring biodiversity. management of natural resources. the National Biodiversity Institute in Costa Herbaria consist of collections of dried Rica (INBio) and the Département plant specimens mounted on card and then FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: d’Aménagement et Gestion de filed away in cupboards and cabinets. Oxford Non-Timber Forest Products Exchange l’Environnement et de la Faculté des University's Department of Plant Sciences Programme (NTFP-EP), 92-A Masikap Sciences Agronomiques de l’Université de has its own herbaria containing around Extension, Barangay Central, Diliman, Quezon Abomey-Calavi, Benin, all working closely 1 million specimens and for the study City 1100, Philippines. Fax: +63 2 426.2757; together, set out to exchange experience worked with colleagues from the Natural e-mail: [email protected]; www.ntfp.org/ and knowledge on research, gathering, History Museum (London); Royal Botanic cultivation and domestication of NTFPs, Gardens, Kew; Royal Botanic Garden TREE AID, United Kingdom such as mushrooms and insects. Edinburgh; Missouri Botanical Garden; and TREE AID is a United Kingdom-based To date, 154 people have been trained in the Earthwatch Institute. development charity established in 1987 by edible and medicinal mushroom collection “Our own research into one particular a group of foresters in response to the and production in Bhutan and Costa Rica. genus of flowering plants, Strobilanthes, famine in Africa. They believed that Four communities in Costa Rica used described 60 new species from specimens community forestry could ensure that Bhutanese technology to produce shiitake which had been sitting unexamined in those same communities in rural Africa’s mushrooms (Lentinula edodes). herbaria for a long time,” said Dr Scotland. drylands would be less vulnerable to Additionally, infrastructure development at “We now know that this pattern of new drought and famine in the future if they Costa Rica’s INBio and Bhutan’s National species going unrecognized is repeated at could secure the resources they depended Mushroom Centre has taken place for the world's greatest plant collections, on for survival. Since its inception, TREE mushroom cultivation, research and hindering efforts to monitor global AID has ensured that processing. biodiversity and measure the impact of 7.2 million trees have been planted across Beninese experts, meanwhile, taught human activity on plants and animals.” the Sahel; hundreds of thousands more Costa Rican and Bhutanese technicians to (Source: Science Daily, 10 December 2010.) trees have naturally regenerated and over raise edible insects with potential market 450 000 villagers have benefited from value. This involved an entomology improved incomes from tree products. exchange that took place in Benin in TREE AID is currently working with over January 2009 with participants from 350 communities in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Bhutan and Costa Rica. In return, six Ghana and Mali. technicians from Bhutan were trained as parataxonomists in Costa Rica. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: “In Benin we identified that they eat TREE AID, Brunswick Court, Brunswick Square, insects,” said Marianella Feoli, Head of the Bristol BS2 8PE, United Kingdom. Programme for South-South Cooperation, E-mail: [email protected]; representing Costa Rica. “In Costa Rica we www.treeaid.org.uk/ do not eat insects … but it turns out that

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Costa Rica has a strong capacity in turning revered Appalachian Trail. The traditional knowledge into scientific conservation non-profit group “Wildlands knowledge.” And so the Costa Ricans Network” is launching writer and explorer adapted Benin’s insect snack into a cattle- John Davis on a 4 500-mile (7 242 km) feed supplement, reducing feed costs for journey from the southern tip of Florida to livestock farmers. the Gaspe Peninsula in Canada. With the support of another South-South First, the mission of the wilderness Cooperation project, a Costa Rican NGO journey is to explore the remaining wild trained the Benin Ecotourism Concern areas along the visioned Eastern Wildway. (Eco-Benin) to use ecotourism as an Second, it is to encourage the creation of a effective source of development and habitat network of people and organizations conservation of tropical forests in the sharing the common goal of conservation. country. Through field visits and transform the oil status, offer a great At every stop along the way, there will be workshops, the Beninese were provided potential to supplement supply of fossil fuel gatherings of these wilderness visionaries with recommendations and plans for and at the same time minimize carbon in support of the mission. sustainable tourism development emissions, since biodiesel has a reduced The journey will take a zigzagging path (including business plants), promotion, greenhouse-gas emission compared with through 13 states and two Canadian environmental education and alternative fossil fuels. In particular, biodiesel from provinces. Almost all of the route will be income generators such as arts and crafts. treeborne oilseeds (TBOs) such as karanj muscle powered, including hiking, biking, “The advantage of South-South (Pongamia pinnata), mahua (Madhuca spp.), walking, running, kayaking, canoeing and Cooperation over North-South Cooperation undi (Calophyllum inophyllum) and jatropha skiing. is that it applies the Paris Declaration (Jatropha curcas) will find a place as an The main focus of the trek is the issue of Principles. Beneficiary states identify their alternate energy source. North America's wildlife corridors. The own priorities and execute them with More than 300 TBOs have been identified problem is that they are all fragmented by financial support from the North,” says as suitable for biodiesel. In India, more than highways, agriculture or suburban Mathias Pofagi, the PSC representative in 100 plant species occurring in the wild or in developments. The habitat connectivity, Benin. cultivated conditions have been identified as which is necessary for wildlife to thrive, In all, the three countries involved in the bearing seeds with oils in commercially simply does not exist. The preservation of PSC programme have jointly engaged in extractable proportions. India’s western wildlife is important so that natural projects covering not only agricultural and Ghats is one of the world’s ten "biodiversity ecosystems can perform their services and environmental issues, but also subjects hot spots" and has over 5 000 species of so future generations can enjoy them. such as technology transfer, female flowering plants, which may include varied The journey, known as TrekEast, will be empowerment and improved hygiene. elite species of biodiesel plants. The potential led by John Davis, founder of the Hundreds of jobs have been created and of these TBOs may be tapped for energy. “Wildlands Network”, past editor of Wild peoples’ earnings have increased as a The scenario of rising volatile prices in the Earth magazine, writer and naturalist. result of the projects. (Source: www.south- world oil market and respective foreign (Source: Environmental News Network, 24 southcooperation.org/eng/ongoingprojects exchange costs are the main risk factors for January 2011.) _detail.php?id=16) the economy and social development prospects of many countries. The FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: development of biofuels will provide an www.wildlandsnetwork.org/trekeast/blog p TREEBORNE OILSEEDS: opportunity to find substitutes for fossil %AN ALTERNATIVE fuels, bringing both economic and ENERGY SOURCE environmental benefits. (Contributed by: C. Harisudan, C. Sivaraj, M. Velmurugan and Globally, the population explosion and the S. Arumugachamy, Rice Research Station, higher rate of economic growth and Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, industrialization lead to a higher level of Ambasamudram – 627 401, Tamil Nadu, energy demand. The incessant exploitation India. E-mail: [email protected]) and reliance on fossil fuels have fatally degraded the environment, causing irreparable damage such as the depletion TREKEAST: EXPLORING of the ozone layer and global warming. AND CONSERVING Consequently, there is renewed interest in % NORTH AMERICA’S finding an alternative source of non- WILDLIFE CORRIDORS conventional energy. The need for an Dislodging a green nut from its shell is alternative energy source is a prerequisite Starting on 3 February, a group of almost impossible, but let it dry and the to address these threatening wilderness enthusiasts are embarking on lightest tap will do it. environmental concerns. an epic adventure across the eastern Sri Ramakrishna Among the renewable energy sources, oil- seaboard of North America. The scope of based biodiesel has the potential to the adventure may even blow away the

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%AGARWOOD usually found in trees around 50 years of age. Such agar fetches anything between Research breakthrough in India 50 000 and 70 000 rupees/kg in the In what may be termed as a path-breaking wholesale market,” Borah said. find, a team of researchers from the Rain Borah further pointed out that Forest Research Institute (RFRI) in India, commercial cultivation of agarwood suffers led by Rajib Kumar Borah, claimed to have from a paradox in that only those plants pinpointed the fungus that causes the infected by the particular fungus produce formation of agarwood (Aquilaria sp.) and, the highly valued agarwood. “So even if ultimately, agar oil, used widely in the agar trees are planted on a massive scale multimillion dollar global perfume there is no guarantee that a commercial industry. quantity of agarwood can be harvested. The Director of the Institute, N.K. Vasu, This kind of ignorance, or even greed, often said that the find would lead to a more results in indiscriminate felling of trees. scientific and accurate method of tapping This problem can be overcome by artificial the oil and saving millions of agarwood inoculation of the fungus,” the scientist The Government’s Forestry Department trees from being felled unnecessarily. “It is said. (Source: The Telegraph [India], 13 is aiming to strengthen the non-wood- very difficult to understand which tree has January 2011.) based industries of the Sultanate this the oil and which has not, and therefore year. In an interview with The Brunei trees are being indiscriminately cut with Brunei Darussalam: cultivating gaharu Times, Director of Forestry Hj Saidin only a sparse growth now surviving in the (agarwood) trees to prevent their Salleh said that his department would wilds of Assam,” Vasu said. extinction continue to promote and encourage R.K. Borah, Head of the Forest Importing and cultivating gaharu trees local entrepreneurs to venture into Protection Division of the Institute, said he (Aquilaria sp.) will prevent them from sustainable activities such as nature had applied for a patent and did not want to extinction. The demand for agarwood tourism, ecotourism and biotechnology, disclose the name of the fungus before the products has resulted in the depletion of wild including production of agarwood patent was allotted, “as there is gaharu trees and they are now considered to (Aquilaria sp.), or gaharu. competition, and researchers of other be endangered, said Acting Director of The official noted that towards late institutes, too, have claimed discovery of Malaysia's Oud Agarwood Enterprise, Mohd 2010 the community began to see the the fungus”. Ruslan Osman. Developing cultivated species potential and the economic importance The agarwood tree, popularly known as of gaharu – which is protected in Brunei – will of forest trees such as the gaharu tree. the sasi tree in Assam, is indigenous to prevent wild trees from being harmed. Huge profits are possible from gaharu's Southeast Asia and some other parts of the Mohd Ruslan was speaking at the Mukim fragrant oil extract. For example, gaharu world and its products have the biggest Tanjong Maya Local Products Festival on extract, which can be made into various market in oil-rich West Asia. One litre of Monday, which saw the launch of the products such as lotions, perfume oil and agar fetches as much as US$10 000 to Aquilaria subintegra species imported from soap, is an industry generating US$1.2 US$14 000. Malaysia. The imported species promises billion in Singapore. Its leaves can also be In Assam, the trade in agarwood oil is more yield of resin in a shorter time to help made into green tea. said to be the largest informal industry. increase productivity of the gaharu industry in Because of their economic Almost every household in rural Upper Mukim Tanjong Maya. He explained that resin significance, the trees are often Assam is engaged in extracting the oil, is what makes the gaharu tree valuable chopped down and stolen for their which is then sold to intermediaries and because the valuable oil is extracted from the valuable resin. The official said his taken to Mumbai for onward transmission resin. Sometimes people illegally chop down department was "eager in leading the to the Gulf. “The oil extracted from the wild trees and find out there is no resin, Mohd way to promote gaharu", adding that trees of Assam is especially in great Ruslan said. "This is wasteful and it is a loss emphasis would not only be given to demand as it lends a rich and strong because wild trees can take decades to grow." the economic activities for this year but fragrance to the aatar (perfume),” Borah Mohd Ruslan explained that cultivated would also focus on enforcement said. “Nowadays, tea estates have also trees are guaranteed to contain resin because activities, which at the moment was only taken up agar plantations on fallow land they are injected with a vaccine that at 11 percent capability. and as shade trees,” he added. stimulates resin production. Therefore, with The wood gains commercial value after it cultivated trees, there will be no unnecessary is infected by a fungus, which is carried by wasteful cutting of trees. Furthermore, the the larvae of Zeuzera conferta Walker, a harvesting of resin from cultivated trees Mohd Ruslan said that Oud Agarwood stem borer. “The stem borer larvae make happens in phases, slowing down the Enterprise is working together with the vertical tunnels which are the initial sites of depletion of trees. Mukim Tanjong Maya Consultative Council to infection. From these, the infection Although the cultivated trees will eventually educate Tanjong Maya residents interested in gradually spreads up and oleoresins are die off as more parts are chopped off to extract the gaharu business on proper methods of accumulated in the infected areas. The resin, the trees will be replaced. Cultivated cultivating the plants through workshops infection process takes time and the trees take less time to mature, from about five and consultation. (Source: The Brunei Times, highest concentration of agar (2.5–5 kg) is to seven years, unlike wild trees. 29 December 2010 and 3 January 2011.)

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% BAMBOO well as facilitating many of the operational fit la connaissance de son premier baobab aspects of the project. un jour d'août 1749, au Sénégal. Mais c'est Bamboo charcoal In Ghana, BBL will be responsible for seulement il y a une quinzaine d'années – Bamboo is one of the most important managing the production facility and autrement dit hier pour les scientifiques – sources of energy for cooking and heating in supplying the labour, bamboo and bike parts que le taxinomiste américain David Baum a many tropical and subtropical regions. The for the production test run and subsequent enfin mis (provisoirement?) tout le monde culms by themselves, however, are not good scale-up. It will be responsible for all d'accord sur le nombre d'espèces de combustible material: they do not store well, operational matters, as well as marketing baobabs: il y en a huit, dont six n'existent they burn fast and tend to produce dense and outreach efforts in Ghana. qu'à Madagascar. smoke while burning. Bamboo charcoal Included within the many groups that La région du fleuve Mangoky, dans offers an alternative to bamboo culms for could benefit from bamboo bikes are health l'ouest de l'île – loin des baobabs à stored energy. For over 1 000 years, charcoal care workers, students and farmers. (Source: touristes, loin de tout – figure parmi les has been produced and utilized, primarily in www.theengineer.co.uk, 27 January 2011.) moins bien connues des spécialistes, qui China, and exported either in its basic form sillonnent pourtant le pays à longueur or as various manufactured products. d'année. En mai dernier, six chercheurs International organizations should promote malgaches et français du Centre de the production and use of bamboo charcoal coopération internationale en recherche and its by-products. In a recent article, the agronomique pour le développement authors present methods of preparation as (CIRAD) ont décidé de s'y aventurer, well as describing properties and use of s'orientant grâce à la carte réalisée par le bamboo charcoal and its important by- biogéographe du groupe, Cyrille Cornu. A products, including bamboo vinegar, bamboo partir des images satellitaires à haute gas and bamboo ash. (Source: W. Liese and résolution que Google Earth propose sur S. Silbermann. 2010. Bamboo charcoal: Internet, le scientifique a identifié des properties and utilization. Magazine of the zones à forte densité de baobabs: ces American Bamboo Society, 31(6).) arbres sont en effet si imposants que, vus du ciel, ils se distinguent des autres. Bamboo bike factory set to put Africa into % BAOBAB Progressant en pirogue, l'équipe de motion spécialistes observe les baobabs The first large-scale production facility of its Madagascar: les baobabs, grands corps grandidieri, les plus élancés de tous, en kind in the world will soon begin producing fragiles pleine floraison à cette époque de l'année. bikes made from bamboo for the African Madagascar abrite la plus grande variété Protégé par son large chapeau et son market. Initially, Ghana-based Bamboo au monde de ces arbres mythiques, foulard rouge pare-soleil, armé de ses Bikes Limited (BBL) will produce 750 bikes menacés par la déforestation. Une jumelles, Pascal Danthu, patron de la for a test run at its facility in Kumasi, with expédition franco-malgache est allée mission, est aux aguets. A plusieurs larger-scale production runs to follow. étudier de près le devenir de ces reprises, il arrête le cortège: «Il faut Bamboo is grown locally in many regions phénomènes du règne végétal. absolument que l'on aille prélever un peu of Africa and the manufacturing of bicycle Selon la croyance malgache, c'est dans d'écorce de ces baobabs-là.» Aussitôt, les frames does not require costly infrastructure un baobab qu'Imbelo, le premier homme, a piroguiers tâchent de gagner le banc de or electricity. Bamboo-framed bicycles are sculpté sa compagne. Pour toucher et sable le plus proche. Puis tout le monde lighter and stronger than steel-framed bikes, photographier ces créatures mythiques, descend et des groupes se forment. adaptable to difficult road conditions and can leurs admirateurs sont prêts à franchir des Lorsqu'un arbre est particulièrement be easily modified for different needs, such océans. Au détour de la célèbre «allée des difficile d'accès, c'est Wilfried Ramahafaly as carrying farm loads, passengers, food, baobabs» de Morondava, dans l'ouest de qui s'y colle, sourire aux lèvres, son water and medicine. Madagascar, il n'est pas rare d'apercevoir inséparable hache en équilibre sur The production of the bamboo bikes at un Japonais ou un Américain en pleine l'épaule. Ce phénoménal marcheur des BBL is a direct result of Columbia extase, le visage posé sur l'arbre magique, bois parcourt chaque année 4 000 km à University’s Bamboo Bike Project (BBP) in les bras tendus, comme s'il cherchait à pied dans la campagne. A la nuit tombée, New York, United States of America, which l'enlacer. Comme si c'était possible... La sa consœur, l'entomologiste Tantelinirina was established at the university’s Earth circonférence de ces splendeurs peut Rakotoarimihaja, pose ses pièges – drap Institute to enhance access to safe, reliable dépasser 20 mètres. On murmure même blanc et projecteur – à proximité des and multipurpose transportation in rural que, quelque part dans le pays, celle de baobabs. Un sphinx (papillon de nuit), communities of sub-Saharan Africa. l'un d'eux dépasserait 35 mètres. pollinisateur éventuel, l'intéresse? Elle The effort was supported by the Earth Ce ne sont pourtant pas les l'attrape dans son filet, le pique à Institute’s Millennium Cities Initiative (MCI), mensurations de ces géants du règne l'ammoniac puis le classe dans ses petites which helps under-resourced sub-Saharan végétal qui excitent les chercheurs, ce sont boîtes pour identification ultérieure. African cities to create employment and leurs singularités biologiques. Voilà deux Les rares villageois installés sur les foster economic growth. MCI was siècles et demi que les botanistes étudient rives fabriquent de la corde avec l'écorce instrumental in establishing the bamboo bike le genre Adansonia, du nom de des baobabs. Ils vouent aussi une investment in Ghana, attracting donors, as l'explorateur français Michel Adanson, qui vénération absolue à certains spécimens

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remarquables, placés sous la garde après génération. Elles «volent» du from the parent plants, a phenomenon vigilante d'un sage. Ils savent aussi que la matériel génétique à d'autres espèces de called dispersal), or they can oppose culture sur brûlis qu'ils pratiquent a des baobabs bien établies, un phénomène regeneration (by destroying seeds or young effets redoutables. Au moins 10 000 ha de appelé «introgression». Leur stratagème seedlings). So basically, we expect that if a forêts partiraient chaque année en fumée. est au point: elles titillent le pollinisateur guild of animals implied in seed dispersal Déjà, les jeunes plants se font rares, et de leur cible, un sphinx par exemple (le of a plant is removed, the regeneration of certaines espèces seraient menacées. «Il papillon) et lui soutirent un fécond baiser. this plant species will be compromised." est grand temps de mettre en place sur l'île Un peu comme si, souhaitant quitter Because of a dearth in data, Vanthomme un plan de préservation acceptable l'hémisphère Sud pour le Nord, des and his colleagues did not know which sociologiquement», souligne Pascal manchots venaient frayer avec des animals spread which plants, but instead Danthu. «Il faut accompagner les villageois pingouins afin de favoriser leur had to hypothesize likely ecological pour qu'ils profitent davantage des descendance! Efficace. Mais aussi très interactions. ressources forestières et prennent déstabilisant pour Jean-Michel Leong Pock According to co-author, Pierre-Michel conscience de leur valeur.» Tsy, le généticien du groupe, qui tombe Forget, given the diversity of such, it is Les chercheurs du CIRAD associés à parfois sur d'improbables hybrides. De almost impossible "to know all the actors leurs homologues de l'université quoi compliquer encore la carte de involved – we are simply not enough and an d'Antananarivo ont constaté que certaines répartition des espèces sur l'île, qu'il army of scientists would be needed for espèces malgaches présentaient un peaufine depuis des années. that, just as to describe the diversity on étonnant mode d'évolution. Pour s'adapter Aujourd'hui de retour à Antananarivo, Earth – and what are the ecological à un nouvel environnement, elles l'équipe a commencé le travail d'analyse. services these animals offer to plants". n'attendent pas que la sélection naturelle Dans les années qui viennent, les However, by analysing two plots in the «classique» suive son cours, génération spécimens de baobabs aux profils ADN les Ngotto Forest, one with little hunting and plus étranges auront droit à une nouvelle the other with high hunting, they were able visite. Les chercheurs, qui ont noté les to paint a broad picture of the impact of coordonnées GPS de tous les arbres bushmeat hunting on forests in the region, L'ARBRE AUX MERVEILLES observés, tenteront alors de saisir ce qui, a "net effect" as Vanthomme puts it. dans l'environnement, pourrait expliquer The study found that a number of key Il vit longtemps: Les plus vieux ces anomalies. «Il reste encore tant de trees – the African star apple pourraient dépasser 1 000 ans. Une choses à comprendre sur la génétique, Chrysophyllum africanum, a species of aubaine: grâce aux tissus d'anciens l'histoire biologique et les liens que les kola nut tree Cola acuminata, and the spécimens, les chercheurs du CIRAD et hommes entretiennent avec ces arbres Carapa procera, a species of mahogany – leurs partenaires comptent retracer fabuleux», s'enthousiasme Pascal Danthu. were all depleted in the high hunting site, l'histoire climatique de Madagascar. (Source: L’Express, 18 août 2010. France.) most likely because of the lack of Ses fruits sont à tomber: La pulpe du necessary seed dispersers. Each of these pain de singe, le fruit du baobab, est dix trees produces large seeds that probably fois plus riche en vitamine C que % BUSHMEAT require big mammals and birds to disperse l'orange. En la mélangeant avec de successfully. l'eau, on obtient un délicieux breuvage Bushmeat hunting alters forest structure Dr Forget said that the study's findings acidulé. Depuis deux ans, la in Africa are buoyed by similar studies in South commercialisation du fruit et de son jus According to the first study of its kind in America, showing that trees which hold est autorisée dans l'Union européenne. Africa, bushmeat hunting impacts African similar ecological niches also vanish when Il se remet de tout: Coupez un arbre: à rain forests by wiping out large mammals hunting is high. However, since the study l'intérieur, le bois est mort. Coupez un and birds, such as forest elephants, broke new ground, more research is needed baobab: le coeur est vivant. Un atout primates and hornbills, which are critical for to confirm the results and build a more qui lui permet de cicatriser des pires dispersing certain tree species. The study, complete picture of how hunting is changing blessures en quelques mois. Quitte à published in Biotropica, found that heavy forests, according to the authors. Yet if these repousser parfois bizarrement, sous la bushmeat hunting in the Central African findings stand the test of time, it means that forme d'une théière, par exemple. Republic changes the structure of forest forest structure is being changed in ways Il intéresse l'industrie cosmétique: Sur species by favouring small-seeded trees hardly imagined a few decades ago. les rives du Mangoky, l'équipe du over large-seeded ones, leading to lower While seed dispersal studies have CIRAD a prélevé des échantillons pour tree diversity of trees that have large seeds. become almost common in South America les laboratoires de la marque Yves "When hunters remove big animals, they and Southeast Asia, Vanthomme and Rocher, qui a participé aux frais de la remove at the same time the ecological Forget say that studies in Africa have taken mission. L'entreprise n'est pas la seule à functions of the animals," lead author time to get off the ground in part because s'intéresser aux fruits, aux feuilles et Hadrien Vanthomme, from the Muséum of a lack of field stations and infrastructure aux graines du géant des forêts, qui national d'histoire naturelle in France, in tropical Africa for researchers. pourrait bien devenir une vedette des explained to mongabay.com. "To keep it In addition, if researchers are to move rayons beauté. simple, animals can have two opposite forward in their understanding of the impacts on forest regeneration: they can complex interactions between animals and favour it (mostly by carrying seeds away plants in rain forests – knowledge that

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women. The women have just arrived here fight the issue in a more strategic way. in the village of Pompeya by motorized Among other things, they are trying to canoe from their territory across the Napo. develop ecotourism and other sources of Within a day or two, the meat from their income for the Huaorani, rain forest home will be served in Wildlife scientist Esteban Suárez is restaurants across Ecuador’s Amazonia cautiously optimistic about such plans. But region. he says the Ecuadorean Government will The Pompeya market is the only regular need to work creatively to protect the forest bushmeat bazaar in Ecuador, and business and its wildlife while also respecting the is brisk. A recent report estimated that rights of the people who live there. (Source: about 12 tonnes is sold here every year. The World, 15 March 2011.) Quito-based biologist Esteban Suárez says that nearly 50 species are traded at the could prevent species and ecosystems from market, including the agouti – a large local % CAT’S CLAW vanishing – Forget says that local education rodent – wild pigs, birds, reptiles and fish. must be paramount. "[We] need more Suárez says the numbers are growing, and Medical benefits of uña de gato, or cat's researchers from tropical countries to the hunting is starting to take its toll. claw describe the diversity and the essential He is worried about the impact on animal The Amazon rain forest has been targeted by relationships that exist, linking plants to local populations, but is more concerned pharmaceutical companies for over a animals. And for that, we need both to about the overall health of the forest. Large century as a land of exploration for source educate a young generation of scientists mammals such as the agouti perform materials of new drugs. It is also a treasure and offer them the most favourable critical jobs in a rain forest, dispersing seeds trove of botanicals for the herbal supplement conditions for adequate learning and and controlling seed-eating rodents. A industry. Among the many Amazon training to study rain forest ecology. That is forest without its large mammals could be botanicals that have come to light in recent the next challenge for educators, an ecosystem in trouble. years, uña de gato (Uncaria tomentosa), politicians and stakeholders if they don’t The problem is especially acute because which means “cat’s claw” in Spanish, is one want the rain forest to disappear." (Source: of where the Huaorani live. Their forest of the most promising of all. A woody vine, www.mongabay.com, 4 November 2010.) territory is in what is now the Yasuni the plant earns its name because of its National Park, which harbours among the preponderance of sharp, claw-like thorns. Chimpanzee meat found on sale in the greatest variety of animal and plant life on Dispersed throughout Central and South United Kingdom Earth. The Huaorani have hunted in this America, uña de gato has been used for Chimpanzee meat is for sale in restaurants forest for centuries but until recently only to centuries by numerous native tribes. and market stalls in the United Kingdom in feed themselves. Uña de gato is described by Dr James a lucrative black market, authorities said. What is happening now is different. “It is Duke in his Amazonian Ethnobotanical Officials uncovered the illegal bushmeat totally illegal,” says Ecuadorean wildlife Dictionary as a plant widely used in Peru for from the endangered species while testing official Javier Vargas. Vargas says the anti-inflammatory, contraceptive and samples seized from vendors in the Huaorani have the right to hunt, but only for cytostatic purposes. In popular literature, it Midlands, the Daily Mail reported on subsistence. Commercial hunting is not is additionally touted as an immune Monday. permitted, which may be why it is difficult to stimulant, and a large number of studies do Bushmeat, which can sell for more than find any Huaorani willing to talk about the in fact show that it offers significant anti- US$15/pound (0.45 kg), is part of a lucrative bushmeat trade. inflammatory and immune-enhancing black market trade that experts say is The Huaorani have been selling benefits, and that constituents in the vine "rife" in Europe. At least five tonnes of bushmeat to outsiders since the 1960s, may help to inhibit tumour cell formation. bushmeat arrive in Europe every week to when Ecuador began to open its Amazonian The vine has been known for a long time be distributed across the continent, said lowlands to oil drilling. It was a new road, through the Victorian era explorers. But the Marcus Rowcliffe, a research fellow at the however, built by an oil company in the plant gained the attention of the European Zoological Society of London. "I am not at 1990s, which turned the new commercial scientific community in the early 1970s all surprised that bushmeat is on sale in hunting from a small problem into a big one. when Austrian Klaus Keplinger heard of a the Midlands because we know the trade is However, it seems no-one foresaw that the remarkable cancer cure attributed to use of going on in the United Kingdom and that road would become a bushmeat the plant. Keplinger spent time in the there is a regular flow of smuggled meat superhighway. It created an easy route out of Peruvian Chanchamayo region of the into the country," he said. (Source: United the forest for Huaorani hunters, including Amazon, and familiarized himself so well Press International, 28 February 2011.) free transportation. Biologist Suárez says with the plant to become one of the most this means that hunters can bring out a lot important scientific authors on its uses. Bushmeat in Ecuador: market in the rain more meat. Since that time, researchers have plumbed forest thrives Vargas says the government has tried uña de gato’s chemical secrets in search of At an open-air market on the bank of the seizing all the animals in similar markets what might account for its purported healing Napo River in eastern Ecuador, a group of elsewhere, and that does not work. Instead, benefits. Analysis shows that it contains at men bid for smoked wild animal parts he says the Environment Ministry plans to least five alkaloids, and two other important offered for sale by four native Huaorani join forces with other institutions to help groups of compounds – quinovic acid

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glycosides and triterpenoid saponins. In "The question is now, how do you sell además, provocan graves problemas addition, the plant contains antioxidant something that people are not sure they medioambientales. polyphenols. want?" Desde hace siglos muchas culturas han Well-conducted scientific studies appear Dianne Guilfoyle may have the answer: by mantenido a los insectos como base de su to validate several of the traditional uses of having it provide a solution for problems alimentación. En la actualidad, 36 países de uña de gato. It appears to be safe and non- presented by other products on the market. África, 29 de Asia y 23 en América consumen toxic, and is useful in cases of inflammation, Guilfoyle is working on Bug Muscle, a alrededor de 527 tipos de insectos compromised immunity and viral infection. nutritional supplement for bodybuilders diferentes. Entre los más comunes se It is a significant aid to relief in cases of both made from the phylum of various bugs. engloban estos cuatro grupos: escarabajos; osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis. With "The exact amount of bugs can differ, but it hormigas, abejas y avispas; saltamontes y further research, the plant may eventually is 80 percent crickets and grasshoppers," grillos; y por último, polillas y mariposas. play a broader role in a complementary she said. The product's patent is still Julieta Ramos Elorduy Blázquez, approach to the prevention and treatment of pending, but Guilfoyle is confident that Bug profesora e investigadora del Instituto de certain types of cancer. (Source: Fox News Muscle will make its way on to the market Biología de la Universidad de México, ha Latino, 13 January 2011.) by the end of the year, mainly because her dedicado más de tres décadas al estudio de target market – bodybuilders and cage los insectos y sus virtudes alimenticias. fighters – is looking for something different Para ello, ha convivido con distintas tribus % EDIBLE INSECTS from what is on the market. de México y asimilado los conocimientos de She adds: "Look at the impact farms have estos pueblos para los cuales los insectos Rebranding edible insects on ecosystems. Insects have much less. As son una tradición gastronómica legendaria. Edible insect advocate and anthropologist the population increases, we will have to México es uno de los países con mayor Daniella Martin first tasted insects in Oaxaca, rely on insects for our diet". (Source: consumo de insectos en su dieta común. Mexico, when she purchased a small bag of America Online News, 22 February 2011.) Desde hace 500 años se conoce su uso chapulines, a tasty treat typical of the region culinario. Los primeros españoles que se that combines dry-roasted grasshoppers with establecieron allí enviaban a los reyes de lime and chilli. España ilustraciones de esos pequeños In America, however, “insects need animales que eran consumidos, entre los rebranding!" she says. Martin is hoping to que se encontraban chapulines do just that by becoming "an edible insect (saltamontes), abejas, avispas y advocate". One of her projects is “Girl escarabajos, todos ellos con el nombre en la meets bug,” a Web site where she offers lengua que cada pueblo hablaba. cooking tips on the proper way to prepare Julieta Ramos nos explica que "en la larva tacos. She is also part of a loose-knit actualidad, se sigue consumiendo en todo el cricket-eating collective of women who are país, en particular en áreas rurales. Incluso, trying to show that bug eating is not hay algunos insectos que han alcanzado exclusive to eight-year-old boys daring each precios muy elevados, como es el caso del other in the playground. Los insectos se convierten en una gusano blanco del maguey, que cuesta Designer Rosanna Yau is another woman alternativa real contra el hambre $USD 500/kg, que corresponden a who has plans on getting Americans – Para muchas personas, los insectos son 1.666 gusanos, aunque es una cantidad especially American women – to eat more animales que hay que exterminar, para difícil de obtener dada su escasez". bugs and did a thesis on whether elements otras son alimento diario y exquisito. Se El valor nutritivo de los insectos es mayor such as branding or packaging would make evalúa que en el año 2050 la población que el del resto de las proteínas animales, the concept more palatable. Yau is studying mundial llegará a superar los 9 000 millones sostiene la bióloga, "porque los insectos ways that design might help influence de personas, un número que colapsará las tienen ciclos de vida mucho más cortos que Americans to be more open to eating fuentes de alimentos. los que tiene una res". Su contenido en insects such as mealworms. Ante esa situación, de la que ya infinidad proteínas es comparable al de la carne y su "The biggest challenge is identifying a de científicos vienen alertando desde hace cantidad de fibra es aún mayor. Son ricos en cultural identity with a product," she said. tiempo, expertos de la FAO han decidido ácidos grasos poliinsaturados de cadena "Do people identify with insects? How do promocionar estos animales, tan corta, hierro, calcio, vitaminas del grupo B y the people likely to eat insects see denostados por algunas civilizaciones y tan minerales, por lo que su desarrollo de forma themselves? As foodies? As adventurous?" requeridos desde hace siglos por otras, industrial podría ser una importante fuente Yau has theorized about creating brands como fundamento de nutrición. de alimentación para aquellos países cuyos for foods, such as Opoda, which is an Los responsables del Programa de habitantes sufren de desnutrición. offshoot of the word "arthropod", the word Insectos Comestibles del Departamento de Para Ramos "es una alimentación que for creatures with crunchy exoskeletons, Bosques de la FAO, en Roma, insisten en sirve para cualquier país porque los insectos and experimenting with transparent que no se puede ignorar la eficiencia de los se reproducen geométricamente, es decir packaging that would let people see the insectos como productores de proteínas, en que siempre habrá más generaciones de product, but admits that we may be a few detrimento de otros animales que se insectos que de vacas, aunque el tamaño decades from converting the populace into incluyen en la dieta tradicional, pero de los sea diferente. Pero a la vaca se le tiene que insectivores. que no todos pueden participar y que, dar de comer ocho gramos de comida para

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ganar uno de peso, y los grillos, por The results of the study were published in ejemplo, necesitan menos de dos gramos the online journal PLoS ONE on 29 December para un engorde similar. 2010. The research team has for the first time Además, las reses apisonan las tierras y quantified the greenhouse gases produced no las dejan ser productivas, y el vaho de su per kg of insect product. The gases concerned respiración genera gran cantidad de CO2 lo were methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). que provoca un cambio de la atmósfera, The results demonstrate that insects produce porque nunca ha habido pastos tan grandes much smaller quantities of greenhouse gases como los que hay ahora para obtener than conventional livestock such as cattle and carne". pigs. For example, a pig produces between A pesar de la idea generalizada que se ten and 100 times as much greenhouse gas tiene de los insectos en algunos países per kg compared with mealworms. Emissions desarrollados, donde están asociados a la of ammonia (which causes the acidification suciedad, en Estados Unidos hay empresas and eutrophication of groundwater) also Livestock feed – a forest provisioning service dedicadas exclusivamente a su appear to be significantly lower. A pig in the lower Himalayas comercialización; en Montreal, Canadá se produces between eight and 12 times as India is primarily an agrarian country, with realizan cada año festivales de degustación much ammonia per kg of growth compared the largest livestock population in the y en otros países europeos, como España, with crickets, and up to 50 times more than world. In rural India, livestock rearing han abierto sus puertas restaurantes en los locusts. An additional advantage of insects mechanisms and food production systems que los insectos son los únicos over mammals is that they convert their food are closely integrated in the forest protagonistas de sus platos. Aunque su into meat more quickly. ecosystem in general and the hilly regions comercialización masiva parece todavía The study indicates that proteins in particular. Most of the households in the lejana, llegado el momento esta será, sin originating from insects in principle form an hilly regions rear livestock of varying duda, será mucho más amplia. environmentally friendly alternative to numbers and composition, depending on proteins from meat originating from the availability of resources. Uttarakhand conventional livestock. Further research is represents 1.8 percent of the country’s required to ascertain whether the production geographic area with a total population of • 925 millones de personas sufren de of 1 kg of insect protein is also more 8.48 million recorded in 2001. The rural hambre en el mundo, según cifras environmentally friendly than conventional population is 74.4 percent and the urban actuales de la FAO; animal protein when the entire production population is 25.6 percent; population • 578 millones de personas en Asia y el chain is taken into account. (Source: Science density is 159 persons/km². Uttarakhand Pacífico padecen hambre; es la región Daily, 9 January 2011.) has 1.18 percent of cattle, 1.25 percent que más presenta este fenómeno. of buffaloes, 0.48 percent of sheep, 0.93 percent of goats and 0.24 percent of % FODDER the pig population in the country. Policy development vis-à-vis fodder in Fodder and browse for livestock India is crucial to curtail the deficit of (Fuente: El Tiempo [Colombia], 17 de Many species of trees found on farms, as livestock feed and to conserve the country’s noviembre de 2010.) well as forest trees and associated forests. To address the issue, data were understorey shrubs and grasses, are used collected from rural households selected at Edible insects produce smaller quantities for animal feed, either as browse or collected random from the Nainital district of of greenhouse gases than cattle and pigs and fed to livestock in stalls. It has been Uttarakhand. Based on the data collected Insects produce much smaller quantities of estimated that 75 percent of the tree species from 67 selected households, it was clear greenhouse gases per kg of meat than (7 000 to 10 000) of tropical Africa are used as that the quality of life of the people in the cattle and pigs. This is the conclusion of browse. Fodder trees contribute in several region is poor. The extraction of livestock scientists at Wageningen University in the ways to the overall food and nutritional feed from forests totalled 4 362 kg for Netherlands, who have joined forces with security of households. First, they make a 326.45 adult cattle with the per capita government and industry to investigate significant contribution to domestic livestock consumption of an adult animal at whether the rearing of insects could production, which in turn influences milk and 13.38 kg/day. The fodder extraction from contribute to more sustainable protein meat supply. Second, fodder contributes to the forest by each household is 65 kg/day production. Insect meat could therefore maintaining draught animals and producing on average. This amount of feed from the form an alternative to more conventional manure and organic fertilizer, thereby forest is extracted for the livestock of the types of meat. boosting agricultural production. Tree fodder region as a forest provisioning service by Cattle farming worldwide is a major and browse may consist of leaves, small households. In total, 4 550 919.99 kg/day producer of greenhouse gases. For the branches, seeds, pods and fruits, all of which are required for the livestock of the region. assessment of the sustainability of insect supplement other feeds and which can be a This is a testament to the contribution of meat, the researchers at Wageningen crucial component of livestock diets during forests to the livestock sector, as well as to University quantified the production of the dry season, providing proteins, minerals family welfare. It is important for policy- greenhouse gases of several edible insect and vitamins. (Source: FAO, 2011. Forests for makers to consider sustainably managing species. improved nutrition and food security. Rome.) forests, which are under huge pressure

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from the livestock sector, as well as service in the lower Himalayas. Centre of supports a diversity of environmental opportunities for provisioning proper Minor Forest Products for Rural stewardship activities, but also supports livestock feed to fulfil the requirements of Development and Environmental broader initiatives of environmental justice. the poor. Moreover, the palatability of the Conservation. International J. Forest If you are a forager or interested in forest feed in combination and on an Usufructs Management, 11(2). participating in this project, please individual species basis should be explored Indirapuram, Dehradun, India.) consider getting in touch with the project locally, keeping in mind the poor quality of leader, Dr Melissa Poe ([email protected]). livestock in the region. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: (Contributed by: Eric T. Jones, Ph.D., Jagdish Kishwan, Division Director, EIA Environmental Anthropologist, Institute for Division, Indian Council of Forestry Research Culture and Ecology, PO Box 6688, and Education, Dehradun, India. Portland, Oregon 97228-6688, United FODDER COLLECTION, AVAILABILITY E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected] States of America. E-mail: AND PREFERENCES [email protected]; www.ifcae.org)

Fodder collection is carried out by %FORAGING women and in some cases children accompany them. In general, fodder Urban foraging – a look at the deep and fuelwood collection are practised connections between people and together. The collection of fodder ecosystems involves assembling small bundles Do you forage for wild fennel? Pluck juicy called phula; the total collection berries from nearby shrubs? Gather fallen comprises seven to eight figs, apples, plums, walnuts and phula/day/person. Fodder collection chestnuts? Harvest stinging nettles, depends on the size of the herds being dandelions, chickweed, watercress or other reared and available labour; however, edible greens? Use Oregon grape or the maximum collection of fodder for woodland fungi to dye textile fibres? If so, livestock is nearly 65 kg/day from the then you just might be an “urban forager”. forest. Nevertheless, a few households, Foraging is a deeply interactive nature with only one or two animals and scarce practice that links urban residents to the FOOD FORAGERS FIND FUN labour, prefer to collect fodder from intricate web of urban ecology while AND CASH IN THE UNITED STATES their own resources. During the summer improving overall health and well-being. OF AMERICA and rainy season, the villagers collect Urban ecosystems yield a bounty of edible, grass and tree fodder twice a day, while medicinal and useful plants and organisms Hunting may get more attention as a during the winter season only once a important to the diverse communities. primal human endeavour but, for day because fodder is scarce. Forested woodlands, parks, alleys, parking Connie Green, there is something even The most common fodder species strips, vacant lots and other areas outside deeper and older: gathering. “I think it collected is oak (Quercus spp.) e.g. the garden provide habitat for well over triggers something in people's brains Quercus leucotrichophora and 250 native and introduced species of plants that we are hard-wired for,” she says. It Q. semicarpifolia, which are abundantly and mushrooms in Seattle, Washington “involves the joy of finding food, and it distributed in the surveyed area and (United States of America), some of which is really quite beyond our control in used extensively for fodder. Other tree are foraged throughout the year. Gathering some way”. species preferred include banj, putli, vegetative material serves many purposes, Green is a professional forager. She kaphal, rianj, buransh and bhimal. In including: providing food, medicine and raw makes her living gathering wild foods the hills, bedding materials (crop materials; strengthening social ties; and in the woods and selling them to chefs, residues, leaf litter, leftover forage and maintaining cultural identity. stores and the occasional very lucky feed) are spread in the animal shed and The Institute for Culture and Ecology (a person. Her tramps through northern are mixed with dung and urine. The use non-profit applied research organization) is California yield delicacies such as of raw materials for bedding varies currently taking an in-depth look at the mushrooms, ferns, elderflowers, salad from place to place, depending on diversity of plants and fungi important to greens, juniper berries and rosehips. forest species, forest condition and people in Seattle. As part of the Green Some of these, especially the socio-economic circumstances. Cities Research Alliance, we are examining mushrooms, can go for hundreds of Compost, moreover, is used in crop the social, economic and cultural dollars a pound (0.45 kg). production at the moderate to well importance of foraging and gathering in To share the thrill of that hunt, and decomposed stage; it is common in the urban ecosystems and the extent to which a taste of the thrill, Green and chef hilly regions. foraging practices foster stewardship of Sarah Scott have written The wild plants and habitats. The Seattle Urban table: seasonal foraged food and Foraging Project has the potential to link recipes. (Source: USA Today, 12 January planners, land managers and gatherers in 2011.) (Source: A. Mishra and R. Pandet. 2010. ways that build new bridges for urban Livestock feed – a forest provisioning green-space management that not only

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United Kingdom: top foods to forage northern Africa, and North America, and spring. The leaves can also be added to Thanks to modern agricultural methods, is the best-known member of the nettle salads, made into a tea or munched foraging – once a part of the majority’s daily genus Urtica. Another plant pariah, straight off the branch, while the roasted life – has faded away, replaced by regular nettles tend to be avoided thanks to their seeds make a good coffee substitute. trips to the supermarket instead. Recently, well-known propensity for leaving Hawthorn berries, bountiful in autumn, however, there has been a revival of interest painful welts on the hands of the picker. make a tasty jam or fruit bread. in raiding nature’s larder, thanks to increased Among other things, they can be used to Hawthorn also has medicinal benefits awareness of the health benefits of wild food. make tea, soup, beer and even haggis. and can help treat heart and circulation But for the beginner, foraging should Boiling will get rid of the sting. Packed disorders. Powerful bioflavonoids come with a health warning as it is easy to with vitamins and minerals, nettles present in the fruit stimulate blood flow mistake a deadly fungus for an innocent contain more vitamin C than oranges. to the heart and regulate the heartbeat. field mushroom. While wild food is Nettles should be harvested before the • Mallow refers to any of several flowering generally good for you, taking precautions flowers appear in early spring and only plants in the hibiscus, or mallow, family and getting some tips and advice from the youngest leaves should be chosen; (Malvaceae), especially those of the experienced foragers are essential. mature leaves can damage the kidneys. genera Hibiscus and Malva. Mallow In addition to mushrooms, berries, nuts, Find them in gardens, woodlands, leaves have a mild flavour and a garlic and other wild foods, the following are pastures and orchards. distinctive gummy, glutinous texture, among the most common foods foraged. • Hawthorn. Crataegus monogyna, known making them good for bulking up salads. • Elder. Also called elderberry, elder is a as common hawthorn, is a species of By the same virtue, they can be used to genus of between five and 30 species of hawthorn native to Europe, northwest treat constipation and diarrhoea, shrubs or small trees constituting the Africa and western Asia. Hawthorn used soothing the digestive tract, as well as genus Sambucus of the moschatel to be referred to as “bread and cheese”, helping a dry throat or chesty cough. The family, Adoxaceae. There are more uses as the leaves sandwiched between slices mauve flowers have a similar flavour for elderflowers than for any other type of bread were once a staple food in the and texture to the leaves and are also a of blossom. The aromatic blooms can be good addition to the salad bowl. Mallow eaten raw, cooked, dried or powdered, is widespread from spring to and added to cordials, wine, salads, midsummer in open and sunny habitats fritters, ice-cream, cakes, biscuits, MUSHROOM FORAGING IS such as at roadsides and on pastures. jellies, jams, sweets, tea and meat DAMAGING UNITED KINGDOM (Source: The Ecologist, 18 March 2011; dishes, as well as to beauty products FORESTS, WARN NATURE GROUPS Wikipedia.) such as skin lotion and eye cream. Elder bushes are usually covered in sweet- The fashion for collecting wild smelling flowers by the end of June, mushrooms began with celebrity chefs followed by berries between August and and has been encouraged by those with October. Elderberries can be put to many a revived interest in local food. This of the same uses as the flowers but the year's wet summer and mild autumn leaves and stems are poisonous. Elder is has produced bumper crops of colourful widespread and abundant in hedgerows, wax caps, common ceps and luscious woods and at roadsides. chanterelles. • Dandelion or Taraxacum is a large But this new generation of foodies genus of flowering plants in the family and foragers are beginning to trample Asteraceae. They are native to Eurasia the forests and fields that feed them, as and North America, and two species, well as many animals and insects, warn T. officinale and T. erythrospermum, are those who look after the United found as weeds worldwide. Both species Kingdom's woodlands and nature are edible in their entirety. They might reserves. Concern is particularly high at Hibiscus have a reputation for being obstinate some of the country's best-known garden weeds, but dandelions are beauty spots, including the New Forest, %FRUITS versatile, healthy and are freely available Epping Forest and around the North throughout the country for most of the Downs and the Chilterns. So serious is Monkey cola/kola: underutilized fruits of year. The whole plant can be eaten: the problem in some areas that some Nigeria leaves in salads, sandwiches or pies, big collectors, found with bagfuls of The west and central subregions of sub- while flowers (in bloom between mushrooms from one trip, are being Saharan Africa have been known to hold a February and November) can be used in prosecuted. In just one weekend earlier great array of kola species, among which anything from a risotto to omelettes. The this month, forest managers reportedly are the commercial varieties of kola nuts roots can also be thrown into stir-fries confiscated 45 kg of fungi at a site near (Cola acuminata and C. nitida). Monkey or added to vegetable dishes. London. (Source: www.guardian.co.uk, kola is a common name given to certain • Nettles also known as common nettle or 24 October 2010.) wild Cola spp. relatives in the subregions. Urtica dioica, is a herbaceous perennial They include C. pachycarpa K. Schum flowering plant, native to Europe, Asia, (white monkey kola), C. lateritia K. Schum

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(red monkey kola) and C. lepidota K. Schum African plum (Dacryodes edulis) and its use (yellow monkey kola). All these yield edible The contribution of African plum to fruits of varying characteristics and WILD FRUITS OF AFRICA improving food security and health as well as sweetness. The species are known in alleviating poverty in the local population in southern Nigeria, where they are common Most of Africa’s edible native fruits are the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) sights in local markets during the peak wild. One compilation lists over 1 000 is unquestionable. Considering the vastness fruiting season from June to November. different species from 85 botanical of the production area in Central Africa, the All of the species are identified by families and even that assessment is African plum offers interesting prospects for various local names in southeastern probably incomplete. Among all these mobilizing and building capacities for small- Nigeria: achicha or ochiricha in Igbo and fruit-bearing plants, few have been and medium-sized enterprises involved in ndiyah in Efik as well as Ibibio. As selected to bring out their best qualities, the NWFP value chains. underutilized indigenous fruit trees, there let alone deliberately cultivated or The African plum can be found growing is scanty research and information on the maintained through generations. naturally in forests; it is also artificially monkey kola species. However, the For all the lack of research and planted and managed by humans. It can be nutritional value of the fruits has been attention in development activities, wild planted in orchards or through mixed evaluated and quantified by the authors. fruits still play a crucial role in Africa’s farming, as in cocoa agroforests. The fruits Monkey kola fruits have long been rural areas, especially for young children are either harvested by climbing the trees among the primary NTFPs of the humid who are malnutrition’s greatest victims. or mechanically using a hook-like object. forest belt of southeastern Nigeria. The This is because, unlike most grains and Natural harvesting occurs when the fruits produce is consumed by men, women and vegetables, fruits generally do not need drop as they mature. The natural method is children alike because of the natural tasty cooking, they require no adult especially used for very tall trees and for pulp, especially that of the species intervention and they are tasty to boot. personal consumption. C. lepidota and C. pachycarpa. The value of In this sense, wild fruits are Africa’s most Generally speaking, 58 percent of the these underutilized indigenous fruit trees nutritionally important resource. Even a African plum produced is for commercial in meeting the micronutrient needs of local few small fruits that are nutritionally purposes, 28 percent for personal people, in alleviating food insecurity and as dense can deliver large benefits when consumption, 10 percent for gifts and a source of income for resource-poor the rest of the diet is deficient in 4 percent represent losses. farmers cannot be overstressed. The World vitamins and minerals, which is Even though the African plum exists in Agroforestry Centre states that African especially the case when it is overly other provinces of the DRC, the greatest indigenous fruit trees constitute one of the dependent on starchy staples. production is in the Bas Congo province; best tools readily available for preventing A surprising number of wild fruits 42.2 percent of the stems in the surveyed diseases caused by a lack or insufficient contribute to countryside nutrition, and area in the DRC are found in domestic supply of vitamins in the diet. also to commerce, as seen in local gardens, 22.4 percent in secondary forests, Domestication efforts focusing on finding markets. In Cameroon, for example, and 35.4 percent in fallow land and farms. the most productive species/varieties of surveys identified over 300 trees whose During the 2007/2008 season, 116 persons these indigenous fruit trees with high fruits or seeds were eaten, including interviewed by the Center for International nutritive value and good market potential 200 forest species. In Uganda, 105 wild Forestry Research (CIFOR) in 23 villages should be further researched. (Source: fruits are recorded as still being used. valued their production at 197 500 kg. Some Platform for Agrobiodiversity Research Similar inventories are documented in villages such as Luanza, Konde Divungu and Newsletter, 16 March 2011.) enough places to make this a fair Boko Kinfulama distinguished themselves reflection of the norm. with production highs estimated at 9 975 kg, Today, however, these wild resources 5 750 kg and 3 717 kg, respectively. Kibangu are becoming harder to find. Nearly all and Boko Disu, the villages with the lowest activities in African agriculture production, averaged 217 kg and 344 kg, emphasize the top international crops. respectively. In the capital Kinshasa, the Technical interest and professional African plum accounts for more than half support for wild fruits are crucial, the income generated from the sale of especially because times are rapidly NWFPs in households. Among those changing. Fruits contribute most to the interviewed, 92 percent generate significant quality of eating and their nutrients act income from the fruit. catalytically in tiny amounts to help the The income derived from the fruit in the body employ bulky staple foods most areas surveyed by CIFOR around Bas efficiently and effectively. Congo and Kinshasa accounts for Underexploited fruits can contribute 31.4 percent of all NWFPs, followed by much more to Africa than they do today. mushrooms (18.2 percent), caterpillars (Source: Development, Security and (13 percent) and fumbwa (11.4 percent). Cooperation, 2008. Lost crops of Africa. The African plum is principally used for Vol. III. Fruits.) food (95.53 percent) and health (4.47 percent). Used as food, the fruit is Cola acuminata consumed after it has been cooked in

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warm water, in a frying pan or roasted. It is market as these patients become more also consumed separately as a dessert or resilient to the penicillin products," she said. as an accompaniment to other foodstuffs. "They need to look for alternatives and The fruits of Dacryodes edulis, moreover, fortunately this is a natural alternative that have a high nutritive value, with each fruit has been available for some time, but containing an average of 50 percent lipids, unknown." (Source: www.abc.net.au 10 percent protein, 27 percent fibre and [Australia], 1 March 2011.) 10 percent of sugar on dry matter. Some varieties can have as much as 70 percent United Nations alarmed at huge decline in in oil content. For health reasons, the bee numbers leaves, bark and roots of the African plum The UN on Thursday expressed alarm at a tree are used to treat toothache, diarrhoea, huge decline in bee colonies under a multiple burns, chronic weight loss, shingles, Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke, Stanton onslaught of pests and pollution, urging an hiccups, dysentery and the regulation of said she was pleased that the PCT was international effort to save the pollinators that excess milk in breastfeeding women. experimenting with the bandage. She are vital for food crops. Moreover, the African plum is potentially explained that the chemical produced by Much of the decline, ranging up to 85 useful in the production of cosmetic and bees, which is used in the dressing, was percent in some areas, is taking place in the pharmaceutical goods. integral to the success of the treatment. industrialized northern hemisphere, resulting The development of the African plum She said that it was mainly being used in from more than a dozen factors, according to value chain has many opportunities, the Staffordshire on leg ulcers and surgical a report by the United Nations Environment most important of which seems to be the wounds that are not healing. "For people Programme (UNEP). These include existence of big markets that include even with these long-term wounds, life can be pesticides, air pollution, a lethal pinhead- people in places far away from the place of appalling and painful. To use something sized parasite that only affects bee species in production. Handling may be another that has this positive effect can be life- the northern hemisphere, mismanagement important strategy to complement the changing." of the countryside, the loss of flowering plants supply. (Source: S. Grouwels and O. Ndoye. Asked if she was concerned that this and a decline in beekeepers in Europe. Policy Brief No. 6, April 2010. Mobilization treatment costs twice as much as the usual "The way humanity manages or and capacity-building for small and methods, she pointed out that the National mismanages its nature-based assets, medium-sized enterprises involved in the Health Service spends 4 percent of its including pollinators, will in part define our non-wood forest products value chains in budget treating people with wounds that collective future in the twenty-first century," Central Africa. Rome, FAO and CIFOR.) will not heal. She said the results will be said UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner. (This study took place within the framework analysed later in the year by the PCT, which "The fact is that of the 100 crop species that of FAO project GCP/RAF/408/EC. Please see would then reassess its use for cost provide 90 percent of the world's food, over page 64 for more information.) effectiveness. 70 species are pollinated by bees," he added. Honey has been much touted for its Wild bees and especially honey bee colonies medicinal qualities. Scientists hope that its from hives are regarded as the most prolific % HONEY AND HONEY BEES ingredients may also be used to combat pollinators of large fields or crops. MRSA, the “superbug” present in hospitals Overall, pollinators are estimated to Honey is behind new technique to help in the United Kingdom. (Source: BBC contribute US$212 billion worldwide or ulcers heal News, 7January 2011.) 9.5 percent of the total value of food A new type of medical bandage using production, especially fruit and vegetables, chemicals derived from honey is on trial in Study produces sweet result for medicine according to the report. Staffordshire, United Kingdom. Early Honey from an Australian native myrtle Honey bee colony declines in recent years results show that the dressing produces (from the genus Lagerstroemia) has been have reached 10 to 30 percent in Europe, better and quicker effects on long-term found to contain the most powerful 30 percent in the United States of America, wounds than traditional methods. antibacterial properties of any medicinal and up to 85 percent in the Middle East, said Julie Stanton, a tissue specialist with the honey in the world. scientist Peter Neumann, one of the authors South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust Medicinal honeys contain an antibacterial of the first-ever UN report on the issue. But (PCT), said its use could be "life-changing". agent that can be used to treat wounds and in South America, Africa and Australia there She said it had had success with seven out viruses. A team including researchers from have been no reports of high losses. of ten patients. the University of Queensland (Australia) and Some of the mechanisms behind the four- The bandage was developed by Professor the state government found native myrtle decades-old trend, which appears to have Paul Davis, the man who invented the honey has very high levels of the ingredient intensified in the late 1990s, are not pregnancy test. Speaking to BBC Television, known as MGO (methylglyoxal). understood. UNEP warned that the broad he explained that the honey derivative put The chief executive of a company involved issue of countryside management and both iodine and oxygen into a wound, using in the research, Carolyn MacGill, says the conservation was involved. two layers of gel that slowly interact. The honey could prove useful in treating Citing research in the United Kingdom, iodine kills the bacteria in the wound, as infections resistant to antibiotics. It will also the report estimated that pollination by does the oxygen, since it empowers white be beneficial in wound care. “It will have a managed honey bees is worth €22.8 billion blood cells to kill the bacteria. huge impact, particularly in the wound-care to €57 billion in terms of crop yields, and

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that some fruit, seed and nut crops would 200 species of wild fungi in 64 genera are decrease by more than 90 percent without commercially traded, while in Europe and them. (Source: AFP in The Independent North America, woodlands and small [United Kingdom], 10 March 2011.) forests are the source of many highly prized mushrooms and an essential resource for small enterprises and collectors. Yet the MEDICINAL PLANTS increased demand for timber has resulted % AND HERBS in the rapid expansion of forestry, which in turn has destroyed the natural habitat of Artemisia annua: largest clinical trial many fungi, unbalancing both forest confirms new drug for worldwide malaria economics and ecology. treatment Despite the economic, social and

The largest clinical trial ever conducted has Passiflora incarnata cultural values of fungi, there is a general concluded that the drug artesunate should lack of understanding of their importance now be the preferred treatment for malaria The German-based group noted that to local livelihoods and forest ecology. A in both children and adults everywhere in extracts from the plant helped to relieve recent book aims to fill this gap and the world. Professor Nick White of the nervous restlessness, mild insomnia and demonstrates the crucial roles that fungi Wellcome Trust-Mahidol University-Oxford gastrointestinal complaints related to play in maintaining forest ecosystems and Tropical Medicine Research Programme in nervousness, adding that trials had also the livelihoods of rural people throughout Bangkok, Thailand, and his colleagues shown it to be effective in easing anxiety. the world, while providing good practice conducted the trial called African Quinine Unlike many psychotropic drugs, guidelines for the sustainable management versus Artesunate Malaria Trial (AQUAMAT). passionflower has no muscle-relaxing of this resource and an assessment of Artesunate is derived from a Chinese herb effects, which makes it a good general economic value. The book brings together called qinghao (Artemisia annua). sedative that can be taken during the day. the perspectives of biologists, AQUAMAT found that treatment with The group said that the most potent extracts anthropologists and forest and woodland artesunate reduced the number of deaths from the plant were from its leaves. Although managers to provide a unique from severe malaria by 22.5 percent scientists are not sure what substances are interdisciplinary and international overview compared with quinine. With artesunate responsible, the main effect is thought to of the key issues. (Source: A.B. treatment, 8.5 percent of the patients died, come from chains of molecules called Cunningham and X. Yang (eds). 2010. compared with 10.9 percent with quinine. flavonoids that calm and lower anxiety by Mushrooms in Forests and Woodlands: Children treated with artesunate were also inhibiting certain neurotransmitters. Resource Management, Values and Local less likely to slip into a deeper coma or have Passionflower is native to the tropical Livelihoods. United Kingdom, Earthscan.) seizures after the treatment was started. rain forests of Central and South America. Severe hypoglycaemia – dangerously low More than 400 species are known, many of Enoki, the winter mushroom blood sugar – was also less common in which have edible fruits. However, only the Enoki (Flammulina velutipes), also known children treated with artesunate. In addition, maracuya of the P. edulis has commercial as winter mushroom, enokitake, velvet the drug was easy to administer, well significance, the study group said. stem or velvet foot, is a dark orangey- tolerated, and proved very safe. Every year since 1999, the group has brown gilled mushroom with an elongated Thanks to the development of the selected a Medicinal Plant of the Year on the velvety stem, and a cap that can grow up to artemisinin compounds, we now have a basis of an “interesting cultural and medical two inches (5 cm) wide. Like oyster safer and much more effective treatment. history” and scientifically demonstrated mushrooms, enoki grows on dead wood “We recommend that artesunate should medicinal effects. (Source: Manila Bulletin and has a long season, even showing up now replace quinine for the treatment of [Philippines], 24 December 2010.) throughout the winter. severe malaria in both children and adults In its wild form, enoki looks nothing like everywhere in the world,” the Lancet the ghostly white supermarket version – journal quoted White as saying. “For those % MUSHROOMS those long, thin crunchy fungi that are of us who treat malaria in Africa, this trial cultivated in the dark. From above, is a turning point. Finally, we have a better Mushrooms in forests and woodlands Flammulina velutipes are dark amber- treatment to offer to our malaria patients,” Many mushrooms, or the "fruits of fungi", brown to tawny coloured, and slimy-tacky agreed Dr Olugbenga Mokuolu from the are extremely valuable, wild-gathered to the touch. But underneath, their caps University of Ilorin in Nigeria. (Source: products that are utilized for both their are light, whitish-gold, and clustered very www.thaindian.com, 7 November 2010.) medicinal properties and as food. In many close together. of the world's tropical and temperate Prized in Chinese, Japanese and Korean Passiflora incarnata named Medicinal forests, they are the primary source of cuisine, where it is used in soups and stir- Plant of the Year income for the people who live there. fries, enoki has been cultivated for The passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) These forests range from temperate hundreds of years. has been named Medicinal Plant of the woodlands and small forests to high Wild enoki can easily be mistaken for Year 2011 by a University of Wuerzburg altitude forests in the Himalaya and poisonous mushrooms such as the deadly study group on the historical development tropical miombo woodlands in South- galerina (Galerina autumnalis or autumn of medicinal plants. Central Africa. In southwest China, over galerina), a very common little brown

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mushroom that grows throughout North %NATURAL DYES America. It also has tacky, brown caps and grows on wood. Unlike enoki, which has a Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) NATURAL COLORANTS white spore print, G. autumnalis has a ringed Few of the wildflowers that appear in AND DYESTUFFS stalk and a telltale brown spore print. (Source: Missouri (United States of America) have a New York Times, 13 November 2010.) stronger connection with past and present Natural colorants and dyestuffs are an human routines than this early spring important group of NWFPs that find use Collection of the caterpillar mushroom bloomer. In presettlement North America, in industries producing confectionery, Ophiocordyceps sinensis in southwest bloodroot was immensely popular with many other food products, textiles, cosmetics, China American Indian tribes because of the red medicines, leather, fur, paper, paint, ink, The caterpillar mushroom Ophiocordyceps sap extracted from its roots, which was used etc. One of the publications in FAO’s sinensis (syn. Cordyceps sinensis) is among as a clothing dye and for face paint. NWFP series (No. 4) reviews the the most valuable mushrooms in the world Bloodroot was also used for a variety of production, markets and development and plays a major role for local economies in medicinal purposes by American Indians and potential of these products and provides its distribution area on the Tibetan plateau the early pioneers. information that will help resource and adjacent regions. The mushroom is a Bloodroot is a perennial, herbaceous, managers appraise the future valuable income source for the rural poor. flowering plant native not only to Missouri, opportunities and constraints for their Large proportions of its habitat fall into but to eastern and North America, from Nova development. protected areas, and best practices of Scotia in Canada to Florida in the United If you would like to receive a sustainable harvest are being reviewed to States of America. Bloodroot is also known as complimentary copy of this publication, ensure availability for future generations. bloodwort, red puccoon root, and sometimes please contact Non-Wood News. An A recent study analysed the O. sinensis pauson and tetterwort (although that name is electronic version is available from collection in a nature reserve in southwest used in the United Kingdom to refer to FAO’s NWFP home page: China. The authors found that harvesting is greater celandine). The plant is found in rich www.fao.org/forestry/site/6367/en unevenly distributed among households soils in open broad-leaved woodland and on and villages, with households that have shaded slopes. Following its flowering period, access to the resource but lack adequate it produces pods that eventually wither and alternatives for income generation (such as release seeds on to the ground. Besides its Caesalpinia echinata rewarding wage labour, fertile agricultural most noticeable characteristic – a white Caesalpinia echinata, also known as pau fields or harvest of other high-value flower with a yellow centre – bloodroot can brasil or brazil wood, is a tree species native products) being most involved. Although also be distinguished by its single, lighter- to Brazil. It is found in littoral forest and collection is de jure forbidden, authorities green leaf, which has three to nine lobes. woodland, generally on sandy or sand-clay of the nature reserve apply adaptive Bloodroot's large, fleshy roots emit the red soils that are well drained, preferring less management strategies for sustainable sappy juice that gives the plant its name. dense forest, frequently in dry high areas. resource use. This includes the allocation As mentioned, this juice was used as a The species is famous for the dye of collection areas to communities, based face/body paint and as a dye by Native extracted from the heartwood. Pau brasil on their traditional land-use strategies and Americans. Warriors painted their faces with was in fact an important source of fiery red the control of harvesters from outside, it and young girls their bodies. The root juice colorant during the Middle Ages. Enormous triggering self-policing of the resource by has been used as a dye for fabrics, producing quantities of dye wood were exported the local people. The strategies applied a yellow-orange colour. Nonetheless, applying between 1501 and 1850, causing the loss of also provide a promising model for other the root or juice to the skin is a questionable large areas of forest and enslavement of protected areas where the caterpillar activity as the plant is known to be an Indians. Exports of brazil wood, including mushroom is collected. (Source: C.S. escharotic, a substance that kills tissue. the heartwood of a number of related Weckerle, Y. Yang, F.K. Huber and Q. Li. Native Americans, early settlers and herbal species from Central and South America to 2010. People, money, and protected areas: practitioners have prescribed bloodroot for a the United States of America and western the collection of the caterpillar mushroom myriad of medical conditions from skin Europe, declined after the 1950s, in part Ophiocordyceps sinensis in the Baima cancers to sore throats. Its most persistent resulting from the manufacture of synthetic Xueshan Nature Reserve, Southwest China. and possibly valid use takes advantage of the dyes. The extent of the current trade is not Biodiversity and Conservation, 19(9).) flesh-destroying properties of the root juice or known and it is unlikely that brazil wood will powdered root for treating conditions of the be exploited as a source of dye other than on skin such as ringworm, warts, polyps, fungal a small scale. growths and the like. Today, the plant has an The remaining stands of the species exist even wider – and much less known – use: it is in a few areas on coastal plains, where a key ingredient in many brands of toothpaste deforestation rates are rampant. Illegal and mouthwash because several alkaloids extraction of C. echinata by farmers and found in the plant (notably sanguinarine) are foresters is still thought to occur. The highly effective at inhibiting the growth of oral species was included on the official list of bacteria and the build-up of plaque. (Sources: threatened species in Brazil in 1992. various, including Missouri Department of Two protected areas in Bahia and Cordyceps sinensis Conservation.) Pernambuco were set up specifically to

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protect populations of C. echinata. The known allergies to nuts, the researchers spices to make “ogbono soup”, a common species is also recorded in other public and found that the principal immune molecule dish. The wide popularity of ogbono soup private reserves. It is in cultivation in Bahia, that would usually invoke an allergic has created a large market for dika seeds Pernambuco, Alagos and Rio de Janeiro and response, immunoglobulin E, barely bound to and harvesters can trade the kernels on there is also a reintroduction programme at the shea protein. In other words, Chawla said, both the local and regional scale. Out of Linares Reserve. Various federal and state although shea nuts in theory could be an season, the seeds bring in an especially laws exist, restricting the export and cutting allergy trigger, the evidence from her study high price – it has been estimated that a of C. echinata or its habitat type. However, suggests they are not. At least the immune farmer can make up to US$300 from the there appear to be considerable loopholes system does not appear to recognize them as seeds produced by just one tree. and a lack of specific measures to protect a nut protein. What is more, since Americans Each year, thousands of tonnes of dika the species. typically do not eat shea butter – it can be an nuts are harvested throughout western In addition to its use as a dye, the heavy ingredient in European chocolates – the risk Africa and the popularity of this wild tree has timber has considerable value for use in is likely to be even smaller, Chawla added. led to many attempts at commercial construction work, carpentry and The researchers reported their findings as cultivation. It is a slow maturing plant – it handicrafts, but its most commercial a letter to the editor in the latest issue of the takes ten to 15 years for a tree to begin application is in the manufacture of bows for Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. bearing fruit. Breeders, motivated by the musical instruments. The bark is of local (Source: Reuters [UK], 22 December 2010.) value of its fruit, are working on developing importance for its medicinal properties. faster growing varieties as well as varieties (Source: Tree Conservation Information with shells that are easier to crack open. Service, UNEP Web site.) But whether or not the dika is successfully tamed by breeders and made more commercially viable as a domestic crop, the % NUTS tree in the wild is already providing a critical income for millions of farmers and Shea nuts appear safe in allergy study harvesters throughout West Africa. (Source: Shea butter is in everything from nappy World Watch Institute, 18 October 2010.) cream to tissue paper, but the US Food and Drug Administration considers shea nuts – from which the butter derives – to be tree %OLEORESIN nuts and therefore potential allergens. A new study suggests, however, that shea butter Copaifera trees poses little, if any, allergy risk to people who Developing sustainable extractive use products containing the substance. Dika nut: the taming of the dika, West industries in otherwise intact tropical The allergy triggers in other tree nuts and Africa’s most eligible wild tree forest regions requires a sound in peanuts are proteins. For nearly 2 million When forests are cleared in West Africa for understanding of the production potential Americans, the immune system recognizes firewood or for farmland, the dika trees of key resource populations. The oleoresin these proteins as harmful and launches an (Irvingia barteri) are, more often than not, extracted from Copaifera trees is an attack to rid the body of the molecules. If the left untouched. Farmers have too much to economically important NTFP harvested assault is severe enough, the result can be gain from harvesting the tree’s fruits and throughout the lowland Amazon basin. an anaphylactic reaction marked by seeds to burn or discard a tree found in the The authors of a recent paper studied potentially deadly failure of the airways, wild. oleoresin extraction from four species of although the number of deaths in the United Indigenous to West Africa, the dika tree Copaifera trees with known harvest histories States of America linked to nut allergies is can grow to be as tall as 40 m and produces a within two contiguous extractive reserves in small – about a dozen annually. small green and yellow fruit that looks, at western Brazilian Amazonia. They conducted Dr Kanwaljit K. Chawla, a paediatrician in first glance, like a small mango. a large-scale experimental harvest of training at the Mount Sinai School of Its fruit ranges in taste from sweet to 179 previously unharvested Copaifera trees, Medicine in New York City, said she became bitter and can be enjoyed, especially the in both seasonally flooded (várzea) and curious about the potential for shea butter to sweeter varieties, fresh off the tree, or made adjacent unflooded (terra firme) forests. trigger nut allergies, while researching the into jelly, jam or “African mango juice”. The likelihood of trees yielding any safety of baby products. But while the fruit is a delicious treat, oleoresin was principally determined by their Shea nuts are mostly fat, but Chawla and the seeds are where the real value is to be species identity: Copaifera multijuga was the her colleagues decided to see if they could found. Resembling smooth walnuts, dika only species regularly to yield oleoresin extract any proteins from the nuts and seeds are cracked open by harvesters to (70 percent of trees). Yield volumes varied whether these shea proteins would provoke collect the edible kernel contained inside. both among species and forest types: an immune response. Even trace amounts of These kernels can be eaten raw or roasted, C. multijuga (restricted to terra firme forest) nut proteins can still pose problems for but most are processed and pounded into had the highest mean yield of 505 ml, while people susceptible to the substances, so butter, compacted into bars or pressed to C. guyanensis produced higher volumes of Chawla's group tested the ability of shea produce a cooking oil. oleoresin in várzea (139 ml) than terra firme protein to trigger an immune reaction. Using The seeds also produce a unique flavour (15 ml) forest. Intraspecific differences were blood taken from several volunteers with when crushed and are combined with driven mainly by tree size. To assess

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extraction sustainability, the authors país, debido a que durante mucho tiempo en diferentes planos dando un aspecto reharvested a sample of C. multijuga trees les ha provisto de alimento, vestido y plumoso a la copa, son pinadas con una and compared the oleoresin production of vivienda, además de servirles para fines longitud de 4 a 5 metros, presentando 24 conspecific trees that had been initially artesanales y mágico-religiosos. aproximadamente 130 foliolos de cada lado y harvested one year previously, with that of En la zona central de México las hojas espinas en la región central. La 17 trees initially harvested three years nuevas de B. dulcis son extraídas de inflorescencia es un espádice, con 50 a 80 cm previously. Reharvested trees produced just ecosistemas naturales, principalmente selvas de longitud, protegidas por una espata de 35 percent of the oleoresin volume compared bajas y encinares. En Hidalgo, la planta ha color castaño. Las flores son amarillas y with that when originally drilled, but this sido ampliamente utilizada por la comunidad unisexuales, el fruto es una drupa globosa response was not affected by the time otomí para procesarlas y transformarlas en que en época de maduración se torna de interval between consecutive harvests. The diversos artículos, presentando, al menos en color amarilla a naranjo. research demonstrated that, within a esta zona, 26 usos. La fructificación ocurre todo el año, y los population of Copaifera, both morphological Sin embargo, a pesar de que estudios en frutos maduran en los meses de septiembre and environmental factors restrict total esta zona han demostrado que a junio. Los principales polinizadores son productivity; consideration of these factors potencialmente este recurso puede Coleópteros, como la familia Curculionidae, should inform sustainable management aprovecharse de manera sostenible existen Nitidulidae y Escarabaeidae. practices. (Source: P. Newton, A.R. Watkinson normas que limitan su aprovechamiento, El fruto es una drupa globosa de diámetro and C.A. Peres. 2011. Determinants of yield in principalmente por la ausencia de variado entre 2,5 a 5 cm, constituida por un a non-timber forest product: Copaifera información básica (biológica, ecológica y pericarpio quebradizo cuando maduro; oleoresin in Amazonian extractive reserves. cultural) y por el mal diseño de los mesocarpio fibroso, mucilaginoso, Forest Ecology and Management, 2: reglamentos de aprovechamiento de ésta. La azucarado y rico en glicéridos de coloración 255–264.) reglamentación actual señala que debe amarillo-naranja; el endocarpio está tenerse un permiso de aprovechamiento para fuertemente adherida el mesocarpio, posee cortar hojas de esta palma dentro del área de una estructura ósea de coloración oscura y la Reserva, y ante la imposibilidad operativa un espesor de aproximadamente 3 mm, de obtenerlo hay desconformidad por parte de dentro de la cual está contenida la almendra los pobladores locales quienes han realizado oleaginosa comestible, cada fruto esta actividad durante décadas. generalmente contiene una almendra, pero La gran facilidad que esta especie tiene de rara vez presenta bipartición. adaptarse a zonas perturbadas y con poca La planta prefiere suelos arenosos, precipitación, la variedad de usos y la profundos y bien drenados, derivados de omnipresencia de productos hechos con esta areniscas, aunque también puede crecer en palma en muchos mercados en México, la suelos derivados de basaltos. La topografía convierte en una de las especies de palmas donde crece tiende a ser plana o levemente más útiles de ambientes semiáridos de ondulada. No crece en suelos bajos y de % PALMS México. (Aportación hecha por: Mayte naturaleza hidromórfica que sean pesados y Coronel Ortega y María Teresa Pulido Silva, mal drenados. El rango de pH óptimo para el La palma Brahea dulcis (Kunth) Mart. en Universidad Autónoma del Estado de buen desarrollo del mbokaja está entre 5,5 a México Hidalgo, Mexico.) 6,5, y un contenido de arena de 60 a 75%. Hoy en día las especies proveedoras de La producción de aceite, de genotipos productos no maderables, constituyen una PARA MÁS INFORMACIÓN DIRIGIRSE A: naturales de mbokaja, puede llegar a parte importante en la economía de María Teresa Pulido Silva, Centro de 4 toneladas por hectárea año, esto es, sin muchos países, debido a que proporcionan Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad ningún manejo y sin ninguna planificación. ingresos directos a muchas familias que Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo. Dando mayor observancia a su capacidad de habitan en zonas rurales. Tal es el caso de Carretera Pachuca Tulancingo S/N. C.P. 42184. adaptación en condiciones donde otros la palma Brahea dulcis (Kunth) Mart. en Pachuca, Hidalgo, México. Correo electrónico: cultivos tendrían problemas para su México, conocida comúnmente como [email protected]; http://uaeh.academia.edu/ establecimiento, como ser, entre otros, palma soyate, la cual es un producto mariateresapulido/papers/ acidez elevada y bajo nivel de fertilidad, el forestal no maderable (PFNM) que mbokaja se desenvuelve y prospera. Esto le actualmente se cosecha en forma silvestre Aprovechamiento del mbokaja (Acrocomia da un valor significativo como una opción, en algunas partes de México, y se aculeata) (Jacq.) tanto para la diversificación del cultivo, distribuye hasta Guatemala. Estas plantas El mbokaja (Acrocomia aculeata) (Jacq.) es aprovechamiento de superficies degradadas alcanzan una altura de 9 metros, puede una palmera perteneciente a la familia como alternativa para forestación. crecer de dos maneras, como una palma Arecaceae, nativa de la vegetación de (Aportación hecha por: Maura Diaz de tronco único o en grupos arbustivos que Paraguay y Brasil, es una planta de amplia ([email protected]), Ariel Antonio alcanzan hasta 10 metros de diámetro y distribución. Posee un estípite que puede González Duarte ([email protected]) y cada planta producen en promedio oscilar entre 10 a 15 m de altura y 20 a 30 cm Prof. Dra. Maura Isabel Díaz Lezcano 12 ± 2.5 hojas al año. de diámetro, región donde presenta una ([email protected]), Facultad de Ciencias Esta palma tiene gran importancia para cobertura de espinas cerca de 10 cm de largo Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, las poblaciones indígenas y mestizas del de color oscuro. Las hojas verdes, ordenadas Campus de la UNA, San Lorenzo, Paraguay.)

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Seeking intervention of the community temperatures have warmed to the point as well as the State Forest Department in where the pine beetle can winter over. The the regeneration of the species, Sarkar last studies concluded that in the greater said innovative plantation strategies were Yellowstone ecosystem, which is a much needed to conserve the species and bigger area than the national park, generate awareness at the grassroots level 82–83 percent of the white-bark pine trees of sustainable practices where the were either dead or dying. And a lot have community could be involved to protect the died since,” says Peacock. species from dwindling. “So what we are talking about is probably Development activities have seriously the total loss of white-bark pine in this affected the species in the areas of Kinnaur ecosystem. We do not know if we are going and Bharmour, in addition to adverse to have any trees left in three or four years. climatic conditions. Pangi, which is still And as far as the grizzly bear is concerned, relatively untouched by developmental that means the nut of the white-bark pine activities, still has a larger portion of cone is lost forever as a food source,” he chilgoza trees compared with Kinnaur and added. Bharmour. (Source: The Times of India, While some wildlife management 25 January 2011.) officials are saying that the grizzlies will adapt and find other food sources to eat to White-bark pine in the United States replace the pine nuts, Peacock says it is a %PINES of America and the grizzlies very contentious area. “White-bark pine is Doug Peacock has been a tireless defender incredibly nutritious. With the loss of the Chilgoza trees dwindling fast in Himachal, of the Yellowstone grizzly for decades, but white-bark pine as a food source, the India he believes the bear may now be facing its carrying capacity – which is how rich the The chilgoza pine trees (Pinus gerardiana) toughest threat yet. habitat is for bears – is going to be greatly – a source of livelihoods for many people in A close encounter with a grizzly many diminished. And for bears to survive, the tribal areas of Himachal and an integral years ago led to what was to become basically they are going to need a much part of the local economy – are dwindling Peacock’s life’s work: documenting the larger area to forage in,” explains Peacock. fast because of the reckless overextraction grizzly on film and in books (including Grizzly (Source: Yale Environment 360, 19 January of pine seed, said Rinki Sarkar, an Years and The Essential Grizzly) and fiercely 2011.) economist and livelihood expert in New advocating its protection. Now Peacock is Delhi, India. warning against what he sees as the greatest Based upon extensive research involving threat yet to the grizzly’s future: the loss of %RATTAN ethnographic and household surveys from white-bark pine (Pinus albicaulis), a major 2009 to 2010 in the chilgoza belt in Himachal food source for the bear. Warming World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) (including 13 villages of Kinnaur, Bharmour temperatures in the Rocky Mountains have showcases sustainable rattan use amid and Pangi), Sarkar submitted a report to the led to a proliferation of the pine beetle, an design revival Forest Department on the tree’s status. insect that destroys the trees, wiping out vast Natural rattan belongs to the design Sarkar said: "I stumbled upon the chilgoza swaths of white-bark pine. In an interview classics and it is making a comeback in tree in 2009 on a visit to Kinnaur while doing with Yale Environment 360, Peacock talks design circles. Unfortunately, conventional research on common property resources and about why the demise of white-bark pine will forestry practices may damage tropical was fascinated by the well-organized lead to more contacts between grizzlies and forests when the rattan is harvested. To mechanism of collection of the pine seeds people, and why the grizzly needs to be avoid this forest destruction, WWF has set and cones, and the equitable sharing of the protected under the Endangered Species Act. up a European Union (EU)-funded profits from the seeds by the natives''. “In the last five years, steady warming programme for the sustainable production The seeds, collected tediously, were once temperatures have allowed the mountain and processing of rattan in the Mekong largely used solely for self-consumption, pine beetle to move up a life zone to where region. An innovative collection of rattan but with the rising commercial value, the white-bark pines live. The mountain pine home accessories is being showcased this people started auctioning the extraction beetle has been around a long time. Until week at the international design fair process to contractors, who in turn engaged now, it has mainly affected lodgepole pine Ambiente in Frankfurt/Main. inexperienced migrant workers or labourers up here, and lodgepole pine has evolved WWF is working with Swedish designers, to extract the seeds from the cones. some defence to it. That same genetic graduates from Lund University, in Excessive extraction and careless chopping material is present in white-bark pine, but it cooperation with local companies, to of branches and twigs have led to a reduction has not evolved a defence. And that is develop rattan products that are suitable in the forest stock and prevented the natural because it had not been invaded before [by for the international market. These regeneration of the trees, which take almost the pine beetle], because we had winter products range from doormats made of ten years to grow 1 foot (30.5 cm). Besides temperatures that dropped to -30 to -35 for rattan waste to foldable baskets, and a uncontrolled cutting, the extensive grazing four or five days in a row up in that high unique rattan lounge chair. on land was also causing a reduction in the country and the larvae of the pine beetle In addition, WWF has analysed the regeneration of the pines. cannot winter over. But, since 2002, those worldwide trade flows of rattan. The key

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points of a scientific study launched today along the rattan value chain and include the following: between 2006 and encouraging certification. IKEA cofinances 2008, global trade declined by 26 percent “SUSTAINABLE RATTAN IN THE the Programme. (Source: WWF, 12 as a result of dwindling rattan resources GREATER MEKONG REGION”: BRIEF February 2011. http://wwf.panda.org/ and forest loss. Indonesia is the most PROJECT PROGRESS REPORT wwf_news/?199309/WWF-Showcases- important exporting country in the world, Sustainable-Rattan-Use-Amid-Design- with a market share of 80 percent. During the last six months, the WWF team Revival) The major buyers are the EU and China. and its partners, with support from the Viet Nam plays an essential role for the EU three governments, have made a market, exporting mainly to Germany and significant impact on forest inventory and France. Viet Nam is also a major importing management in the region (Lao People’s country – suppliers are the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Cambodia and Viet Democratic Republic, India, Cambodia and Nam), with today more than 31 992 ha of the Philippines. forest inventories and management and Rattan species are members of the palm 120 ha of rattan plantation and family and grow climbing and winding enrichment forest planting. themselves around other vegetation; some The first 1 200 ha of forest has been varieties can grow to lengths of more than granted by the Department of Forestry 100 m. (DOF) of the Lao PDR under the FSC Group “Forests with such a wide variety of flora certificate. The DOF would like to and fauna, which have disappeared in other promote and scale up a sustainable rattan %SPICES regions of the world, still exist in the Mekong management approach in the country. region,” said Thibault Ledecq, WWF One hundred villages from the three What is forcing the prices to rocket in spice Sustainable Rattan Regional Programme countries have set up groups and half of world? Manager. “More than 1 000 new animal and them have received training on rattan After a series of natural calamities and poor plant species have been discovered in the resource management, business and harvests, the prices of spices from ginger to Mekong region in the last ten years alone.” market links as well as cleaner production nutmeg have rocketed in one of the hidden But many of these rattan resources are being management. More than 50 rattan stories of global food inflation. Traders and overexploited, leading to a decline of many processing and trading companies from brokers reported that prices of some spice rattan species, prompting WWF to create the the Lao PDR, Cambodia and Viet Nam are staples have increased more than tenfold Sustainable Rattan Programme in Cambodia, engaged in the project to adapt cleaner over the past five years and in turn hit food Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Viet production techniques, as well as sourcing manufacturers and consumers. Nam five years ago. from more sustainable rattan Speculators have joined the fray, The objectives of the programme are to management areas. The project and encouraged by high prices and poor returns manage the tropical forests containing rattan partner (Vietnam Cleaner Production on the financial markets, leading to in accordance with the Principles and Criteria Centre [VNCPC]) are now developing new hoarding and pushing up prices. of the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), and cleaner rattan production techniques that Several years of hurricanes and to promote and implement the United are expected to be used by rattan devastation in major spice-growing areas Nations’ principles of “Cleaner Production”. companies from the region but also from have led to a perfect storm of circumstances These include the optimization of material other countries such as Indonesia. that have contributed to the price rises. and energy flows, minimizing waste and Regional market and business links Cyclones that hit Madagascar destroyed water contamination, and reducing between Vietnamese and Laotian vanilla crops, hurricanes in the West Indies emissions. “Sustainable rattan only has a companies have been established, but are affected nutmeg and unpredictable chance if there is a market for it and if the not as secure yet as with Cambodia. monsoons in India cut chilli harvests. forests where the rattan grows are still In terms of policy, a gap analysis has In the United Kingdom, prices have standing,” explained Ledecq. He is convinced been carried out in the three countries followed the upward trend in the £250 million that “with credible forest management, with the stakeholders and with the a year herb and spice market where demand responsible trade and consumer awareness support of governments. is fuelled by a growth in ethnic cooking and we can ensure that this fascinating natural During this period, the project has health concerns. Reducing the salt level in raw material has a future”. assisted the Government of Viet Nam to set diets has resulted in an increased use of The WWF Sustainable Rattan up the Bamboo and Rattan Master Plan. spices, said Anthony Palmer, General Programme receives 80 percent of the The project will also pilot the rattan supply Manager of Schwartz (a United Kingdom programme’s total budget of €2.4 million chain amendment in 2011. (Contributed spice supplier). from the EU SWITCH-Asia Programme of by: Mr Thibault Ledecq, WWF Sustainable The spice trade represents a small EuropeAid Development and Cooperation. Rattan Regional Programme Manager, subsection of the food supply chain where SWITCH-Asia aims at scaling up WWF Lao Country Office, BP 7871 prices have been volatile recently because of environmentally friendly production and Vientiane, Lao PDR. E-mail: extreme weather. The last food price crisis, in consumption practices. The Sustainable [email protected]) 2008, quickly dissipated as the world entered Rattan Programme is successfully serving recession, demand fell and farmers shifted this purpose by reaching out to all actors into production of higher-priced crops.

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and drove up prices. The damage to the trees has a long-term significance: the spice is obtained from the inner bark of trees that NUTMEG take some 15 years to mature. Analysts also reported that competing crops, such as Nutmeg is a spice from the nutmeg tree, coffee and cocoa, were being planted instead, of the genus Myristica. The most to increase returns for farmers. important commercial species is Cumin. Cumin has been relatively expensive M. fragrans. Nutmeg is native to several for the last couple of years, with too little of Indonesian islands, particularly the Banda the crop grown to satisfy demand, islands in the Moluccas, also known as particularly in India, where it is a staple of the Spice Islands. M. fragrans is also Indian cooking. Spice brokers say the trade in grown on the island of Penang in cumin has been highly influenced by Malaysia, in Grenada (the Caribbean) and speculation, notably in India, the source of a in Kerala, a state in southern India. majority of the world's spices and the centre The nutmeg tree bears a fruit from Cardamom of their trade. The nature of farming, with which two spices are derived: nutmeg Cardamom. Highly popular in the Middle thousands of backyard growers each and mace. Nutmeg is the “seed” of the East, cardamom was originally grown in supplying a few sacks to cooperatives, has tree, measuring some 20 to 30 mm long southern India but is now grown elsewhere, also contributed to the volatility of supply and and 15 to 18 mm wide; it can weigh including Sri Lanka and Guatemala. Yields in pricing. anything from 5 to 10 g when dried. Sri Lanka were down sharply this year Ginger. The price of ginger has been hit by Mace is the surrounding lacy aril or because of heavy rains that caused flooding both strong demand in China and a smaller reddish covering of the seed. This is the and landslides. However, demand for the than expected crop in India. While it is only tropical fruit that is the source of crop has remained buoyant in the Middle native to these two countries, and they are two different spices. East. It is used heavily in sweets and the early two of the key producers of the crop, it is The first harvest of nutmeg trees Ramadan holiday meant that supplies were now also produced elsewhere in Asia, West takes place some seven to nine years snapped up. The crop was also disrupted in Africa and the Caribbean. As a root spice, it after planting; the trees reach full Guatemala. is susceptible to damage from flooding. In production after roughly 20 years. Coriander. Although the price for coriander November last year, China's Commerce Nutmeg is generally consumed in (one of the first spices ever used by primitive Ministry blamed hoarding and speculation powdered form, even though several cooks), has been largely flat over the year, for driving up prices. The food industry said other commercial products are derived there has been a sharp spike in recent that Nigeria was only slowly releasing from the tree, including essential oils, weeks. The relatively stable price, compared supplies to achieve top prices. extracted oleoresins and nutmeg butter. with some of the other most popular spices, Turmeric. Turmeric, another root spice, Nutmeg also boasts several health has been attributed to its diversity of supply. had a smaller annual crop last year. It is an benefits. It contains the antioxidant It is grown in eastern and southern Europe integral part of Indian cuisine, used in most eugenol, as well as vitamin A and and in North Africa and the variety of growing meals, with few alternatives to its use potassium; it has been used since conditions and locations has levelled out (when used to colour foods, it is much ancient Roman times to enhance short-term spikes in price and production. cheaper than one alternative, saffron). As memory function. It relieves stress and The price has spiked in India over the last well as being used for colouring, it is used stimulates concentration. Used to couple of weeks in part owing to the late in India as an aid to digestion, for skin relieve stomach pain and arthritis in monsoons that affected growing conditions conditions and for other medicinal Chinese medicine, nutmeg oil increases and cut production. purposes. Much of the smaller supply is circulation, relieves pain and stimulates Paprika. While the price has been driven up taken for domestic use in India, thus the liver. The spice is also known to by increasing producer prices in Peru, driving up the prices for export. boost kidney function, as well as for its brokers in Europe blame the rise in domestic Nutmeg/mace. Historically both highly antibacterial and anti-inflammatory prices on stricter pesticide and toxin rules prized and expensive, the prices of nutmeg properties. (Sources: various.) that have restricted supply. Originally grown and mace, from the same tree, have in Central America, the supply of paprika to increased sharply. Supply is dominated by European consumers is dominated by a Indonesia and Grenada. After nearly 50 small group of family businesses in Murcia, years without suffering from a hurricane, Spice up your health, cancer researcher Spain, who buy up a large proportion of the Grenada was hit by two in 2004 and 2005. advises world's crop for processing. Brokers say Trees were destroyed and the long growing Bharat Aggarwal, a professor of rules have tightened over the last five years, period until they can be harvested has experimental therapeutics at the University preventing much of the crop being sold in meant that its nutmeg industry, the world's of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (United Europe and hence driving up the price. second largest, has not yet fully recovered. States of America), began studying the Cinnamon. An earthquake in 2009 in Indonesia, the world's largest producer, cancer-fighting properties of curcumin – the Indonesia damaged a number of plantations, has been unable to pick up the slack. active ingredient in turmeric – in the 1990s. causing major disruption to the cinnamon (Source: The Independent [United Back then, he says, it was hard to get his crop, which contributed to supply problems Kingdom], 18 February 2011.) colleagues to take him seriously; he recalls

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one oncologist politely shooing him out of his Individual nuts are removed from the fruit reveals several hen-egg sized tagua office when he tried to share his findings. fruit by hand. Before the invention of nuts, which are seeds of the tree. Tagua These days, however, his is an expanding plastics, tagua nut was used for buttons, seeds can grow into seedlings or be carved field of research. The scientific community dice, chess pieces, etc. Now it makes great into vegetable ivory products. In the small is discovering the medicinal powers of not fashion jewellery, handmade by fairtrade South American communities where it just turmeric, but all kinds of spices. cooperatives such as Camari in Ecuador grows, tagua provides a valuable economic In his new book, Healing Spices. How to (www.camari.org/). and cultural service for indigenous people, Use 50 Everyday and Exotic Spices to Boost Camari is a Quechua word meaning allowing them to exist in their traditional Health and Beat Disease, Dr Aggarwal “please” or “gift”. Camari was formed in lifestyles. draws upon scores of studies to show how 1981 to assist small farmers and the urban La Tagua products closely resemble various spices can help prevent or treat poor to market their agricultural and craft ivory, but are far less expensive than ivory specific ailments. Researchers from the products. Working with Camari benefits and do not affect the environment Harvard School of Public Health, for approximately 15 000 families around the negatively. (Source: www.naplesnews.com example, discovered that people living in country; they are particularly focused on [United States of America], 6 January India had a 51 percent lower risk of heart the development of products that have no 2011.) disease if they cooked with mustard seed negative impacts on the environment. In oil compared with those who cooked with addition to product marketing, they also sunflower seed oil. Japanese researchers provide credit and technical assistance and %WILDLIFE found that mint extracts can prevent the training to individual artisans and farmers. release of histamine, the chemical that (Source: Oxfam Ireland, 23 September World Bank President announces Wildlife causes allergic symptoms such as watery 2010.) Premium Market Initiative eyes and stuffy noses. Scientists in World Bank President Robert Zoellick Denmark found that eugenol, or oil of announced a Wildlife Premium Market clove, is more effective as a blood thinner Initiative, which will provide additional than aspirin. Cinnamon has also been incentives to protect endangered animals shown to improve one’s memory and ability as part of financing for REDD+. to focus. Speaking at an event entitled "New “When there is any kind of disease, Pathways and Partnerships to Advance people think drugs are the only solution. REDD+" sponsored by “Avoided Spices are the last thing they ever think Deforestation Partners” during the Cancun about because, especially in the Western (Mexico) Climate Change Conference, world, it is not a part of their lifestyle,” says Zoellick explained that the Wildlife Dr Aggarwal. “But spices have been used Premium Market Initiative will focus on quite extensively in history. Now, we are species such as tigers, lemurs, elephants, actually providing scientific evidence that New business creates products from rain great apes and others that require large their medicinal value is indeed real and forest tagua trees forest areas. The Initiative aims to they can be used for a wide variety of Ken and Mako Friedenberg have been in complement REDD+ programmes by giving diseases.” (Source: The Globe and Mail the Naples area of Florida (United States of value to forest wildlife and make payments [Canada], 23 January 2011.) America) for only a few months, but already to local communities for wildlife protection. the husband and wife team have found a Other speakers at the event, including following. Their company is called La Tagua UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, % VEGETABLE IVORY (www.latagua.com) and it comes to Conservation International CEO Peter southwest Florida by way of the Amazon Seligmann and UNEP Executive Director, Assisting small farmers in Ecuador rain forest. While many products from the Achim Steiner, stressed the need to act Tagua nuts (harvested from a tree species Amazon previously have come under fire now to protect the world's forests. Zoellick called Hyphaene phytelephas) come from for being destructive, La Tagua has the also stressed that a formal decision on the ivory palm tree (often called vegetable opposite effect, they say. REDD+ in Cancun would help scale up ivory for its similar properties), which “Our product falls off the tagua trees (in efforts in forest conservation and wildlife grows only in the Amazon rain forests. the Amazon) naturally, so there is no protection, but that interested parties Once it reaches maturity, a tree will bear damage to the natural resources in should proceed with actions in any event. fruit for up to a century. harvesting the nuts of the seeds, which are (Source: International Institute for The 20–50 cm fruit from the ivory palm is the size of hen eggs,” said Ken Sustainable Development [IISD], called a mococha. It is collected from the Friedenberg. “The raw materials we use 8 December 2010.) forest floor after it falls from the tree and are from the rain forest and we wanted to animals take care of removing the tough be closer to our natural resources, which DVD – The Wild Meat Trail outer husk. The individual nuts are then made southwest Florida a desirable place Wild meat hunting and consumption are an removed from the fruit and dried in the sun for us to live.” integral part of the life of communities in for six to eight weeks before they can be A full-grown tagua tree can grow to 65 northeast India. Wild meat markets exist in worked. They can then be sliced, cut and feet (19.8 m) and yield enormous, knobby different towns and cities across the states. A dyed as required. wooden fruits. When cracked open, the hoopoe bird for 400 rupees (US$8), a giant

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squirrel for 500 rupees (US$11), a barking the DRC. Much of the ore is being smuggled deer for 6 000 rupees ($135) … while the FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: over the eastern borders of the country by forest seems devoid of wildlife, what you see Mathew John, Keystone Foundation, Post Box militias to Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi, in the markets is an indicator of what still 35, Kotagiri – 643 217, Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, fuelling conflict in the DRC, while prisoners- remains. Whereas cash is a driving force in India. Fax: + 91-4266-272277; e-mail: of-war and children are often forced to work the wild meat trail, there are clearly other [email protected]; www.keystone- in the illegal mines. The Democratic Republic aspects to the use of animal parts in local foundation.org or www.lastforest.in/ of the Congo Permanent Mission to the rituals and culture that is deeply ingrained in United Nations (DRCPMUN) reported that the the psyche of the people here. Rwandan army had made an estimated Filmed over seven years, The Wild Meat US$250 million over a period of 18 months Trail is a quest to get some insight into the from the sale of coltan, even though no coltan extent of hunting practices and their place in is mined in Rwanda. the current cultural context. It is a journey Recycling coltan is a proven way to reduce through northeast India – travelling from demand for the ore and reduce the small towns to remote villages, trekking destructive consequences of illegal mining. though wild terrains, participating in village Melbourne Zoo, in conjunction with the Jane rituals, talking to sellers and consumers – in Goodall Institute, has launched the “They're an attempt to develop some understanding Calling You” campaign, encouraging of the state of the wildlife in the region. The Australians to donate their old phones. So film also looks at attempts made by some far, the campaign has raised US$50 000, with village communities to ban hunting and Gorillas on the line 50 percent going to the Jane Goodall Institute conserve their natural wealth. Each and every time your mobile phone rings, and the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. Directed by Rita Banerji and Shilpi Sharma a mineral ore called coltan enables the call to Mobile phones, however, are only one of and produced by Dusty Foot Productions of be made. Coltan, which coats the tiny many electronic devices containing coltan. New Delhi, the DVD is in English and has a capacitor inside most mobile phones, is According to the Australian Mobile duration of 28 minutes. mined in Central Africa with devastating flow- Telecommunications Association (AMTA), on effects: the deforestation of primate tantalum capacitors are critical components habitat and butchering of animals to the point in computer motherboards, computer disc of endangering species. drives, video camcorders and engine control Eighty percent of the world's reserves of units and are used right across the UNDER THE CANOPY coltan are found in the Republic of the Congo. electronics, chemical and defence industries. This same region is home to the mountain (Source: G Magazine [Australia], 10 January “Under the canopy” is the education gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) and 2011.) p component of the film The Wild Meat Grauer's gorilla (G. beringei grauer, formerly Trail. This education programme was known as the eastern lowland gorilla). As developed as a step to influence mining operations expand to meet escalating positively people’s knowledge, attitudes, global demand for coltan, clearing the emotions and behaviour regarding country's lush forest, the habitat of these wildlife. gorillas and at least ten other primate species is being destroyed, and with it their food sources. In addition to these threats to their survival, the increased human population in mining areas has led to these primates being hunted for bushmeat. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) reported a 90 percent decline in the number of Grauer's gorillas in eight national parks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) between 1996 and 2001. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies mountain and Grauer's gorillas as endangered and estimates their respective populations as being 680 and 16 900 individuals, respectively. Isihlahla saziwa ngezithelo zaso. And it is not only the animals that are A tree is known by its fruit. suffering; communities are being plundered. United Nations Security Council reports have Zulu proverb implicated illegal mining and smuggling of coltan in funding the military occupation of

NON-WOOD NEWS No. 22 April 2011 COUNTRY COMPASS 41

% ARMENIA The company, Mary Kay of Texas, United genetic resources. After intense negotiations, States of America, applied for the patent the COP10 summit in Nagoya drew up the Wild fruit and nuts project on sustainable four years ago but, amid opposition from world's first internationally binding forest use launched indigenous groups and Australian experts, agreement to prevent biopiracy. The new A pilot project aiming to capitalize on the the application was only recently submitted regulations mean that companies searching sustainable non-timber use of forests in a for examination to Intellectual Property abroad for new genetic resources for drugs or region of Armenia has been developed Australia (IP), the office that oversees cosmetics will have to enter into written following a WWF Armenia analysis, carried patents. agreements to share the benefits of any out within the framework of the ENPI-FLEG IP Australia said it would publish a discoveries with indigenous people who may Programme (European Neighbourhood and preliminary report in the next few weeks. have rights over these resources. Because Partnership Initiative-Improving Forest Law The native Kakadu plum acts as an the United States of America is one of only Enforcement and Governance). Non-timber antioxidant when applied to the skin. three countries in the world not to have use of forests, for example the collecting of According to Mary Kay, "the combination of signed up to the Convention on Biodiversity, wild fruits, berries and nuts, is a significant Kakadu plum extract and açai berry extract American companies such as Mary Kay can component of sustainable forest produces synergistic effects that are avoid this kind of scrutiny. management and an important factor in the beneficial to skin". Indigenous groups have sent letters to IP efficient use of forest resources. Indigenous groups worry that the patent Australia and to Mary Kay directly to express The project, which will be launched in could prevent them from using the plum as their concern about the patent on the Koghb village in the Tavush region, aims to traditional medicine. The Mirarr people say Kakadu plum. (Source: www.smh.com.au, create new alternative income opportunities they have never been consulted about the 4 December 2010.) and reduce the pressure on natural patent application, which they strongly resources. The WWF Armenia analysis oppose. The Gundjeihmi Aboriginal revealed that the collecting and processing Corporation, which represents the Mirarr, of forest fruit and berries were the most said people in the area had used the plum profitable alternative use of forest in Koghb, longer than anyone could remember. "The and that the community has the potential to Kakadu plum has been an important source develop a viable ecotourism and cultural of food and medicine for the Mirarr," it said. tourism sector. "It also features in oral histories and The pilot project aims to establish a fruit ‘dreaming’ stories." and berry collection point, in addition to Dr Daniel Robinson of the University of tourism infrastructure such as a visitor New South Wales said that Mary Kay may information centre, observation points and have exploited a loophole in access and pavilions, signs and route maps. The idea is benefit sharing (ABS) laws. "Australia has a % BANGLADESH that the planned fruit and berry collection very well developed ABS system," he said, point will allow harvesters to deal directly "but it appears the company has taken [plum Potential for rural employment in bamboo- with buyers in order to negotiate prices and samples] out of the country commercially, based industries in the northeast organize delivery, ensuring better supply and so they have actually got around the ABS Bamboo-based cottage industries are chain efficiency and reducing the possible regime". potentially important sources of spoilage of crops. The village will also have a Mary Kay's Director of Communications, employment as well as rural development in new source of income through being able to Crayton Webb, defended the company's use Bangladesh. The average population of a provide tourists with services such as horses of the plum, insisting it followed "the process household of artisans is six and an average for hire, accommodation and selling locally that is in place" in obtaining plum extracts. of 3.7 people in each household are engaged grown and prepared food. "We are using a local supplier, who has in the bamboo industry. Of these, about 62 The €6 million ENPI-FLEG Programme sourced and harvested the Kakadu plum percent are female and mostly illiterate. supports governments, civil society and the with a licence, under government Melocanna baccifera and Bambusa private sector in the development of sound regulations," he said, declining to name the polymorpha are widely used as raw and sustainable forest management supplier. materials for seven different types of practices, including the prevention of illegal The plum extract is already an ingredient bamboo product. About 60 percent of the forestry activities. (Source: ENPI info centre in some of Mary Kay's Timewise line of raw materials are supplied from (http://enpi-info.eu/), 15 November 2010.) products. "No-one has ever used this fruit in government forests and 40 percent from a cosmetic formulation before," said Mr village homesteads. Women typically make Webb, "so it makes sense to patent it to bamboo products and collect raw materials, % AUSTRALIA protect our idea". while the marketing is carried out by men. Dr Robinson has filed a formal challenge The investment in this sector is not Patent fight erupts over Kakadu plum to the patent with IP Australia, but pointed significant. An annual per capita income of The Australian Government will soon rule out that Mary Kay had not contravened any artisans is 16 303 taka, which is slightly on a controversial patent application by an legislation. above the standard daily labour wage. There American cosmetics giant to extract The Kakadu plum tussle erupted just is enough scope, however, to increase their ingredients from the Kakadu plum weeks after an international row at a United income and living standards by providing (Terminalia ferdinandiana). Nations summit in Japan over access to financial and technical assistance.

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Products and raw materials of the industry Technology, Sylhet-3114, Bangladesh. Last August, the vision came to fruition All cottage industries are developed within Fax: +880 821 716312; e-mail: [email protected] at the widely participated launch of ABM. the artisans’ households, in which they or [email protected]; www.sust.edu/~fes/ The moringa industry in Benin has produce bamboo-based mixed products. flourished notably as ABM facilitates more Most of the various products are made farmers growing moringa alongside other throughout the year, such as kula, ora, %BENIN crops as an additional source of income, chata, dol and khacha. Kula are essential and as an affordable supplement for for rural people and used for winnowing Moringa to empower farmers in Benin malnutrition. cereal crops and pulses. Ora are used for In the fields of Benin, a green revolution Through ABM, efforts of farmers, which carrying earth mud and waste. Chata are has placed local farmers at the forefront of were usually confined to their own fields important for rural farmers, who use them the battle against malnutrition. With the and villages, are stretched out to markets to protect themselves from the direct heat establishment of the Association Béninoise and other moringa producers across the of sunlight and from rainfall while working du Moringa (ABM), Beninese farmers have country. “Ultimately the goal is to create in the field. Dol are used for storing cereal expanded the production and promotion of nationwide demand for moringa powder, crops and pulses. Khacha are used widely moringa to nourish the ailing West African satisfied by a network of well-supervised for carrying betel leaves to the market by nation. moringa plantations,” said Herby. (Source: Khasia tribes. Dori and paron are seasonal Widely acclaimed as a “miracle tree”, MediaGlobal, 10 February 2011.) products usually used in the rainy season Moringa oleifera is fast-growing and for fish trapping purposes. possesses multiple benefits, from Green bamboo is used for making various nutritional leaves, flowers and seeds, to BOLIVIA, PLURINATIONAL products. As mentioned, the raw materials drought-resistant roots and bark. Moringa %STATE OF used in the industry are procured from both leaves are usually consumed fresh in green village homesteads and government forests, salads, or sautéed. In health programmes, With sugar short, country looks to honey but sometimes artisans use their own leaves are dried and ground into powder, and stevia household bamboo. The villagers of the then sprinkled on any dish for an instant Sugar is short in the Plurinational State of forests surrounding Gazipur and Muraichara nutritional boost. Bolivia, so President Evo Morales is urging beats (the lowermost unit of the forest Moringa has been traditionally used in the country to look elsewhere for its sweets. administration) procure government forest South and Central Asia, India and the Morales says the government is encouraging bamboo, mostly illegally, to sell to artisans in Middle East as livestock feed, biofuel, production of honey and stevia (Stevia the local market. It should be noted that medicine, water purifying agent and soil rebaudiana), and says officials will handle villagers of forest surroundings have the fertilizer, among many other uses. selling and exporting it. right to collect dead forest resources. In the mid-1990s, the US Peace Corps Morales says the government will build a However, as these resources are scanty, they initiated moringa promotion in the country, sugar mill to help overcome the shortage, fell living tree and bamboo resources, which in keeping with nutritional campaigns all which is allegedly one of the factors feeding is one of the principal reasons for over West Africa. Despite such assistance, inflation in the South American country. deforestation in Bangladesh. (Source: N. however, Benin has long lagged behind in (Source: The Associated Press in Saha, M.S. Rana, M. Rahman and M. Islam. the region, as compared with the Niger, Bloomberg News, 22 December 2010.) 2010. Potential rural employment in bamboo which has been producing moringa as a based industry in the northeast region of cash crop, and Senegal, which integrated Strengthening the organizational Bangladesh. Centre of Minor Forest moringa into HIV and AIDS treatment in the capabilities of indigenous communities Products for Rural Development and late 1990s. in natural resources management Environmental Conservation. International J. In 2008, a pilot project in the town of and conservation Forest Usufructs Management, 11(2). Goumori drew closer attention to moringa. The Wildlife Conservation Society-Bolivia Indirapuram, Dehradun, India.) The first batch of moringa powder produced (WCS-Bolivia) and the Tacana Indigenous was sold out in one week, encouraging Council (CIPTA-Consejo Indígena del FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT farmers to share their knowledge so that Pueblo Tacana) joined forces in carrying out THE AUTHORS: others could grow the plant. As communities a project to strengthen the organizational Department of Forestry and Environment increasingly grasped the nutritional and capabilities of CIPTA and its communities Science, Shah Jalal University of Science and economic benefits of moringa, volunteers to advance the sustainable conservation of and farmers saw the need for a mechanism natural resources, promote equity between to manage its future in Benin. Thus, ABM men and women, and foster an was born. appreciation of the Tacana culture. “We envisioned an organization that Several community initiatives were would promote moringa on a national scale carried out as part of this project, and facilitate a market for moringa, thereby including: weaving with cotton, jipijapa taking the responsibility of promoting palm (Carludovica palmata), and miti mora moringa and creating a market off the root, carried out by the Buena Vista farmers themselves,” former US Peace Organization of Female Crafts People; Corps volunteer Christoph Herby told establishing criollo cacao nurseries in MediaGlobal. Tumupasa by the Cacao Grower’s

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Association in the Tumupasa community; and developing ethno-ecotourism in the FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Macahua community. Anastasiya Timoshyna, Global Medicinal Plants Regulations within and outside the Programme Lead, TRAFFIC, c/o WWF Hungary, community for the use of natural Álmos vezér útja 69/A, 1141 Budapest, Hungary. resources, internal zoning and the practical Fax: +36 1 212 93 53; e-mail: experiences in the design and [email protected]; implementation of sustainable www.traffic.org/ management projects were key factors in (Please see page 14 for more information on designing a natural resource management FairWild.) strategy that promoted production alternatives compatible with sustainable management in the Tacana territory. This %BURKINA FASO strategy permitted the consolidation of the eastern border of Madidi National Park and NWFPs and SMFEs – strengthening the Madidi Managed Natural Area, with a Arnica montana policies and institutions in Burkina Faso proposal for the rational use of the Between 1995 and 2005, various territory's land, biodiversity and natural the Rulebook of Conditions for Utilization government and NGO projects in Burkina resources. and the Methods of Collection of Other Faso targeted NWFP development. Some So far, the project has successfully: Forest Products, which lies at the heart of impact was achieved, but the sum of these (i) designed a methodology to develop regulations governing the collection and initiatives was insufficient to highlight the regulations for natural resource use at the sustainable use of NWFP species, based on real potential of the NWFP sector as vital to community level and training on how to the Law of Forests (2008). TRAFFIC food security and rural incomes. The lack of design resource management projects for participated with the ministry in a review of recognition was probably the result of poor communities and resource users; the new legislation. analysis of demand, and limited data on the (ii) developed a methodology to facilitate The Rulebook identifies responsible economic value of NWFPs and SMFEs the creation of communal regulations and entities for the management of wild (small and medium forest enterprises). project design for groups of natural NWFPs, defines procedures for There was also poor coordination between resource users; (iii) trained five people in establishing harvesting quotas, the organizations. Moreover, the 1997 Code the application of the methodology, which selection of harvesting techniques, the Forestier contained no specific clauses has ensured that CIPTA will have trained process of devising management plans for relating to NWFP development, although it staff to continue these types of activities species use and population monitoring. upheld the rights of indigenous after the project has ended; (iv) published Other measures concern the establishment communities to manage and use their two educational brochures to reinforce the of new licensing procedures and controls traditional resources, including NWFPs. training workshops in the communities, over commercial collection, the After a workshop in 2004 hosted by the and visited 20 communities of the Tacana introduction of a list of plants approved and NGO TREE AID, Burkina Faso’s Ministry of ancestral community lands to provide forbidden for commercial collectors (the Environment (MECV) accepted an invitation training in the formulation of community first list of its kind), and introduction of by FAO and TREE AID to work in partnership regulations and projects; and (v) supplied obligatory annual plans for NWFP use, to pilot the FAO Market Analysis and radio equipment to three Tacana based on ecological sustainability. Development (MA&D) approach through a communities. (Source: Eco-Index: Monthly Species of particular conservation project entitled “Promoting micro and small Update, 4 January 2011.) concern, which are on the list of species community-based enterprises of non-wood forbidden for commercial collection, forest products (2005–2006)”. As a result, in include medicinal plants such as Arnica 2007 the Government asked FAO to support BOSNIA AND (Arnica montana), bear berry the elaboration of a national strategy on the %HERZEGOVINA (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) and yellow promotion and valorization of NWFPs. gentian (Gentiana lutea). Using local solutions, policies were New rules for use of NWFPs “The adoption of the Rulebook is a amended to suit conditions in the area, build New rules governing the use of NWFPs in positive example of a policy mechanism to capacity and develop other support Bosnia and Herzegovina have been support the establishment of a sustainable mechanisms. In this case study, the most announced, in line with the principles and system for the wild collection and use of significant demonstration of national criteria of FairWild’s Standard for NWFPs,” said Anastasiya Timoshyna, importance for the sector was the creation sustainable and fair use of wild-collected TRAFFIC’s Global Medicinal Plant by the Government, in 2008, of the Agence species. NWFPs include materials such as Programme Lead. TRAFFIC hopes similar de promotion des produits forestiers non medicinal and aromatic plants, supporting policy mechanisms will be ligneux (APFNL). APFNL is now a national mushrooms, berries, ornamental plants widely established in other countries of institution under the Ministry of and lichens. Southeast Europe – an important region for Environment, concerned with the support, The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and the collection of wild NWFPs. (Source: coordination and monitoring of operations Water Management of the Republic of Reprinted with permission, from TRAFFIC and marketing of NWFPs. It pilots, Srpska recently published a new edition of Bulletin, 23(1), December 2010.) implements and monitors policies and

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strategies to promote NWFPs in The challenges facing various regions in improved hives originating from Adamaoua collaboration with all other actors in the the country were voiced by numerous and the northwest, in particular, Oku. field, and links the actors in the NWFP representatives at the gathering. NAGBEC resulted in several positive distribution chain. APFNL has attracted the In the coastal region, for example, outcomes, including: (i) the validation of an interest of various international donors and Mr Soppo Sylvestre, a distributor of honey, active framework capable of developing a NWFP development has become a priority explained that production is nearly non- structured Cameroonian beekeeping sector, for government to diversify rural existent and that the honey sold originates modelled on other sectors, through the livelihoods and generate economic growth. primarily from Adamaoua and Ngaounda, in establishment of the Network of The recently approved “Projet central Cameroon. The challenges facing Beekeepers of Cameroon; and (ii) the d’amélioration de la gestion et de beekeepers in his region include excessive development of an action plan towards the l’exploitation durable des PFNL” (funded by transportation costs and poor infrastructure. adoption of a system of financing of the the Government of Luxembourg through He also sought to raise awareness on the network by the beekeepers themselves. FAO and implemented by APFNL) includes potential customer base in Nigeria. (Source: General Report of the National support for techniques to improve Representing the southwest region, Gathering of Beekeepers of Cameroon production and add value, and for the Mr Dimitri explained that occasionally stock (NAGBEC). 2010.) establishment of NWFP-specific producer runs out because supply does not meet organizations. (Source: State of the World’s demand. In response to the question of how FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Forests 2011.) to recognize good honey, he proposed the Michael Tchana, Guiding Hope, BP 15753 (Please see page 20 for more information method that consists of putting a drop of Yaoundé, Cameroon. on TREE AID.) honey on a piece of white paper and E-mail: [email protected] observing the reverse side. If it is wet, the honey is of bad quality and contains a lot of African cherry (Prunus africana % CAMEROON water. or Pygeum) In the western region of Cameroon, the Living up to 100 years and patchily National Gathering of the Beekeepers problem is the quality of the honey. The distributed, the African cherry tree (Prunus of Cameroon beekeepers in the west admire the work africana) is one of 13 critical species in the Cameroonian beekeeping faces numerous undertaken in the regions of the northwest rainy, high altitude, mixed forest ecosystems challenges to the growth of the sector in the and Adamaoua. in Cameroon. Since the 1970s, Cameroon has country (e.g. production, provision, In the south and central regions, the been one of the largest exporters of Prunus marketing, technique, quality, security, quality is good, the sector well structured worldwide. Its bark is exported dried, chipped traceability and financing), despite the many and beekeepers are trained in production or powdered to the United States of America efforts made by various partners such as the techniques. To solve the problems of and Europe (the latter being Cameroon’s Government of Cameroon, FAO, the SNV organization and financing, they have largest importing market prior to the recent Netherlands Development Organization, grouped together in Commodity Interest export ban in November 2007). Once African Intellectual Property Organization Groups. exported, it is converted into an extract used (OAPI), United Nations Development In the northwest region, white honey to treat benign prostrate hyperplasia. A major Programme (UNDP) and many others. represents 30 tonnes or 25 percent of the benefit of this natural medicinal product is The first National Gathering of the yearly production, while the remaining 75 that the cure comes with no side-effects. The Beekeepers of Cameroon (NAGBEC) was percent of production is made up of other- extract is also a raw material for the organized in Ngaoundal, Djerem coloured honey. The sector is organized and burgeoning health, bioproduct and dietary subdivision, in the Adamaoua region of technicians train the beekeepers. supplement industry. Cameroon from 5 to 7 August 2010, in In the east region, beekeeping activities One of the intervention areas of an EU- response to these problems. It aimed to are rudimentary. The producers are funded project is to support the sustainable resolve the challenges met by Cameroonian organized in poles and estimated to number management of trees within a favourable beekeepers on a regular basis by designing 160 in total. legal and institutional setting. In 1995, the a road map for the development of In the Adamaoua region (northern growing demand for Prunus africana, apiculture in the country. Cameroon) there are innumerable coupled with unsustainable harvesting producers, collectors and sellers of bee methods, led to the Convention on products. Apiculture is an ancestral activity. International Trade in Endangered Species Honey was first extracted from the trunks of of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) placing trees and consumed locally. Supply was restrictions on the marketing of this species lower than demand and gradually more on the international market. In 2008, the people became involved in the sector. The Cameroonian Minister of Forestry and local population now consumes little honey Wildlife asked the EU project to develop a because beekeepers prefer to sell their management plan for the tree, which honey on the market. The Adamaoua region specifically focused on Cameroon. That boasts a large number of organizations but detailed, 150-page plan has been developed they lack collaboration and organization. by the Center for International Forestry Beekeepers exchanged experiences on Research (CIFOR) researchers, FAO, the harvesting techniques and the production of SNV Netherlands Development Organization

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en Afrique centrale», avec la FAO, le Centre géré conjointement par les deux ONG pour la recherche forestière internationale d’accompagnement, CEREP et FONJAK (CIFOR) et le Centre mondial (CEREP-FONJAK n° E080039553), qui en d'agroforesterie (ICRAF). Le projet est retour expédieront la machine au financé par l'Union européenne. bénéficiaire. Pour améliorer la productivité de la Une forte synergie avec les autres mangue sauvage, la SNV a facilité la partenaires (FAO, CTB, WWF [Fonds conception, la production, la vulgarisation et mondial pour la nature], CTFC) a permis l’utilisation d’une machine métallique pour d’améliorer la productivité de plus de 500 la fente des amandes de la mangue producteurs de mangue sauvage. (Auteur: sauvage, à travers un processus participatif Raoul Bruno Ngueko, Conseiller principal impliquant de multiples acteurs. Un film sur chaîne de valeur des PFNL, SNV ce processus est disponible à l'adresse Cameroun, B.P. 1239, Yaoundé, Cameroun. suivante: www.youtube.com/ Courriel: [email protected] ou Prunus africana watch?v=visNK_-6bes [email protected]; www.snvworld.org) and the World Agroforestry Centre. “It Les avantages de la machine (This study took place within the framework balances conservation needs with local Cette machine est idéale pour les of FAO project GCP/RAF/408/EC. Please see livelihoods and international health needs, producteurs qui cherchent la rapidité, page 64 for more information.) and it addresses all of CITES’ concerns and l’efficacité, la sécurité et l’hygiène au cours recommendations. It also shows that the du travail, ainsi que la qualité du produit vulnerability of this species is not as acute final. En outre, elle est facile à transporter, % CANADA as CITES originally believed,” says Verina même loin dans la forêt, elle ne s’use pas Ingram, a CIFOR scientist based in Yaoundé. facilement, peut résister à toutes les Canada lacks biodiversity data (Source: S. Grouwels and O. Ndoye. Policy intempéries climatiques en forêt, et n’a pas Canada's declining ability to keep track of Brief No. 6, April 2010. Mobilization and besoin de carburant ni d’électricité pour its biodiversity leaves the country capacity-building for small and medium- fonctionner. vulnerable to invasive species, extinctions sized enterprises involved in the non-wood Une approche de renforcement des PME de and poor environmental policy, a new forest products value chains in Central la filière report says. The gaps in data about the Africa. Rome, FAO and CIFOR.) L’approche adoptée par la SNV a suscité une country's plants, animal, fungi and (This study took place within the framework forte implication des petites et moyennes microbe species may also limit the of FAO project GCP/RAF/408/EC. Please see entreprises (PME) de la filière de la mangue country's ability to respond and adapt to page 64 for more information.) sauvage: global changes such as a warmer climate, • Trois groupes d’artisans (menuisiers says the report, released on Thursday by Une machine métallique pour fendre les métalliques) ont contribué à la the Council of Canadian Academies. amandes de la mangue sauvage production des machines. "Canada may lose the long-term La mangue sauvage (Irvingia spp.) est un • Cinq radios communautaires ont assuré information … essential to understanding produit forestier non ligneux (PFNL) que la vulgarisation à travers des émissions changes in biodiversity and our ability to l'on trouve en Afrique tropicale en général, radiophoniques. make informed policy and management et en particulier un peu partout dans la • Les Organisations non decisions," said David Green, Director of zone forestière du Cameroun. Ce produit gouvernementales (ONG) locales et les the Redpath Museum at McGill University est recherché pour ses amandes, groupes de producteurs et in Montreal and a co-author of the report. largement consommées par les commerçants de PFNL ont assuré la Already, such decisions are "often made populations de la région forestière et des sensibilisation des producteurs quant à with limited information", because of pays voisins du Cameroun (Nigéria, Gabon, l’utilisation et à la vente de ces knowledge gaps across the country and Guinée équatoriale). machines. among different groups of species, said La production d'amandes de mangue Un système de commercialisation de la Luc Brouillet, a professor and curator at sauvage rencontre des difficultés diverses, machine ancré au sein de deux ONG the University of Montreal's Marie-Victorin dont les plus importantes sont l’insécurité, Pour assurer la durabilité de cette action, Herbarium, another of the 14 co-authors. la lenteur lors de l'opération de fente et la la SNV a mis en place un système de The report was commissioned by the non maîtrise des techniques de fente et des commercialisation combinant diverses federal Heritage Ministry on behalf of the normes de qualité de la part des actions qui mettent en jeu un Museum of Nature from the Council of producteurs. établissement de microfinance spécialisé Canadian Academies. Une solution apportée par la SNV dans le transfert d’argent au Cameroun et The study also found that biodiversity La SNV Cameroun, Organisation deux ONG locales. En effet, toute personne data collected in Canada are housed néerlandaise de développement, est désireuse de se procurer la machine doit mainly in museum cabinets. They are partenaire de la mise en œuvre du projet simplement effectuer un transfert d’argent mostly inaccessible on the Internet, where GCP/RAF/408/EC, «Mobilisation et (18 000 FCFA, soit 27,5 euros) dans un troves of other countries' biodiversity data renforcement des capacités des petites et compte ouvert auprès d’une institution de can be found. In addition, 80 percent of moyennes entreprises impliquées dans les microfinance présente dans presque tous Canadian online biodiversity data are held filières des produits forestiers non ligneux les bassins de production. Ce compte est outside the country. The number of expert

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taxonomists in Canada who can manage %CHINA Naranjito, La Inmaculada, Manuel Antonio, biodiversity collections and interpret data, Paquita and Quepos in Aguirre canton. moreover, is dwindling, and jobs for them China's pandas need old forests to thrive: The Titi Conservation Project has several have nearly vanished. In some cases, study objectives: (i) to promote the development of collections of specimens are being China's giant pandas need not only bamboo, a responsible tourism destination with rendered unusable because of a lack of but also ancient forests to thrive in the wild, a varied local and regional stakeholders; (ii) to staff, infrastructure and national study in western China has found. The educate members of the community, standards. Chinese researchers hunted for panda especially children, about the importance of The report's authors recommended grounds in forests in Sichuan province and protecting biodiversity and the environment; dedicating more money to training marked out 1 116 habitats after finding the (iii) to make the Río Naranjo Biological taxonomists while expertise is still animals' faeces and foraging sites. They Corridor (RNBC) official and expand it until it available in the country, and making digital analysed common traits in these habitats is connected with other forested areas of the records of its collections of plant, animal and found that they were mostly located in central and south Pacific region; (iv) to and fungi collections. Brouillet estimated forests that were at least 100 years old. promote responsible tourism to local and the digitization effort would cost at least "Previously, we thought slope was a very regional businesses; and (v) to stabilize the US$150 million, but is urgently needed by important factor but, from this study, forest habitat for endangered squirrel monkeys in decision-makers. (Source: CBC News, age emerged as the most important reason, Costa Rica. 17 November 2010.) as important as the presence of bamboo," To date, TCA is recognized locally and said Fuwen Wei, Deputy Director of the regionally as one of the most effective Institute of Zoology at the Chinese Academy alliances for sustainable development, of Sciences in Beijing. whose members include local businesses MÉTIS COMPLETE TRADITIONAL Wei and colleagues, who published their that are renowned in the tourism, industry PLANT USE STUDY FOR SOUTHERN findings in the Royal Society journal Biology and real estate sectors. RNBC, created by ONTARIO on Wednesday, believe pandas use large the TCA, stretches from Manuel Antonio trees as "maternity dens". "Old forests offer National Park to the Nara hills, thereby On 15 September, the Métis Nation of many maternity dens which are necessary connecting the two areas of spider monkey Ontario (MNO) released the findings for panda reproduction. Where big trees are habitat that have been disconnected by from a first-of-its-kind traditional felled, there are no more maternity dens," development and land-clearing for knowledge study on Métis plant and Wei said. agriculture. RNBC is now being legally vegetation use in southern Ontario. The A 2004 census by the World Wide Fund for recognized. To date, TCA has planted more study, entitled Southern Ontario Métis Nature (WWF) revealed that there were 1 600 than 38 000 trees along this corridor. Traditional Plant Use Study, highlights pandas in the wild. Considered a national (Source: Eco-Index: Monthly Update, some of the unique traditional and treasure, the panda is seen as having come 2 November 2010.) medicinal practices of the Métis in back from the brink of extinction while relation to plants and vegetation in remaining under threat from logging, southern Ontario. The study also agriculture and China's increasing human documents notable changes to the population. (Source: Reuters, 12 January environment in southern Ontario over 2011.) the past few decades and the impacts these changes have had on Métis plant and vegetation use, as identified by % COSTA RICA Métis Elders and traditional resource users. Titi Conservation Project MNO President Gary Lipinski The Titi Conservation Alliance (TCA) was commented: “Through studies like this, created more than eight years ago to save Ontario Métis are finally being able to endangered titi or squirrel monkeys (Saimiri tell our story in the province and share oerstedii) and their habitat on Costa Rica’s our traditional knowledge in order to central Pacific coast. Since then, its % CZECH REPUBLIC protect Métis rights, interests and way conservation approach and responsibility of life for generations to come. I know have been expanded; today, TCA leads Honey production up 8 percent in 2010 this study will be an important resource projects for responsible tourism, Honey production in the Czech Republic for our people today and generations reforestation and environmental education, rose by 8 percent to 7 455 tonnes last year, to come”. with sustainable development and Miroslav Peroutka of the Czech Beekeepers' The study was supported by Ontario biodiversity conservation as key goals for Association told the Czech News Agency Power Generation (OPG). (Source: Métis the lowlands of the Río Naranjo Basin in the (CTK). Nation of Ontario release in Traditional Central Pacific region of Costa Rica. This growth was the result of a higher Knowledge Bulletin, 22 September Administratively, TCA’s actions involve the number of bee colonies and favourable 2010.) cantons of Tarrazú and Aguirre, specifically weather. The number of beekeepers in the neighbourhoods of Esquípulas and the increased as well, compared with 2009. Last communities of Londres, Villa Nueva, year in autumn, beekeepers prepared

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528 000 bee colonies for winter, 31 000 more than a year earlier. The number of the bee colonies has thus moderately exceeded the VALEUR NUTRITIONNELLE ET VALEUR SOCIOÉCONOMIQUE level before the varroasis epidemic, which MÉDICINALE DE GNETUM SPP. ET CULTURELLE hit domestic beekeepers hard in 2008. In the past, domestic beekeepers had even 800 000 La littérature indique que la feuille est L’importance de Gnetum africanum est bee colonies. principalement utilisée comme aliment. remarquable au niveau des économies The price of honey has not changed a Gnetum spp. a cependant aussi des locales et régionales. Il est très recherché great deal. Light honey is selling for 110 to utilisations médicinales diverses, et sert et commercialisé dans tout les pays 120 koruna/kg and dark honey for some de traitement en cas d'agrandissement d’Afrique centrale. Les échanges 150 koruna/kg. Most of the honey produced de la rate ou de gorge endolorie, pour commerciaux concernant ce produit se in the Czech Republic is sold by soulager des douleurs de sont développés au cours des dernières beekeepers directly to clients. Traders l'accouchement, et comme antidote à années. Non seulement les marchés bought 1 620 tonnes of honey from certaines formes de poison et de morsure locaux sont fournis, mais il est aussi beekeepers last year and most of the honey de serpent. Les graines sont exporté vers l’Europe et l’Amérique pour was exported. particulièrement employées comme servir la diaspora africaine. La valeur Honey consumption in the Czech fongicide pour panser les blessures marchande de G. africanum est très Republic has been around 0.5 kg/capita/year fraîches et septiques. Elles sont mâchées élevée, et il est surtout prisé pour sa in the long term. Demand has grown par les enfants diabétiques pour valeur nutritive. La République moderately. The number of beekeepers rose combattre l'urination excessive. Le centrafricaine lui accorde un grand by some 500 to 47 887. "This is a contenu en éléments minéraux, la teneur intérêt. Ainsi, une entreprise de paysans breakthrough; for almost 20 years the en acides aminés et la composition centrafricains a commencé dès les années number of beekeepers was always falling," proche des feuilles a été relevée. 1976-1979 à exporter ses feuilles vers Peroutka noted. (Source: CTK in the Prague l’Europe. Par ailleurs, les populations Monitor, 17 January 2011.) africaines manifestent leur identité culturelle à travers la consommation de contraintes. La commercialisation de plats de Gnetum, qui assument une % DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC G. africanum est l’unique source de revenu valeur symbolique. Le Gnetum est utilisé OF THE CONGO (9 vendeurs sur 10) pour satisfaire les besoins par toutes les couches sociales. Certaines de base. Selon les estimations, la rentabilité espèces américaines et asiatiques Analyse de la chaîne de valeur de Gnetum commerciale de la vente de G. africanum est produisent d’autres éléments utilisables, africanum auprès des vendeurs des de 74 pour cent chez les grossistes et de 86 notamment des écorces, dont la fibre est marchés Gambela et Pascal à Kinshasa pour cent chez les détaillants sur le marché de utilisée pour la confection de lignes de Identifier les vendeurs de Gnetum africanum Pascal, tandis qu’elle est respectivement de 94 pêche ou de pâte à papier. Les tiges opérant sur les marchés Gambela et Pascal pour cent et 159 pour cent sur le marché de souples et solides sont utilisées pour à Kinshasa et les répartir en fonction de leur Gambela. L’alimentation, la santé, l’éducation tendre des pièges, fabriquer des collets et profil social (sexe, niveau d’étude, statut des enfants et le loyer sont les principaux procurer des lianes pour le potage. matrimonial, composition du ménage, postes d’affectation des revenus générés par profession, ancienneté dans la pratique de la vente de G. africanum. vente, etc.), telle est l'investigation menée Le marché de G. africanum est un par Apollinaire Biloso Moyene, John Mafolo, marché à concurrence parfaite, rentable et Les actions à promouvoir en matière de Ann Degrande et Zac Tchoundjeu. L'objectif satisfaisant, exerçant un impact G. africanum sont notamment les de cette enquête est de connaître les profils socioéconomique positif. Cette activité est suivantes: vulgariser les bonnes majoritaires sur ces deux marchés, une source de revenu non négligeable qui techniques de cueillette et assurer déterminer les contraintes liées à cette permet d’assurer la survie et de lutter l’encadrement des acteurs; développer la activité commerciale, mettre au point contre la faim, des producteurs jusqu'aux recherche agronomique sur le choix du quelques stratégies opérationnelles visant à distributeurs, et sa cueillette s’étend sur substrat et du sous-bois qui permettent le pérenniser l’activité – comme la toute l’année. Toutefois, les commerçants mieux d'intégrer les plants bouturés de vulgarisation des techniques de font face à diverses contraintes liées au G. africanum provenant de pépinières transformation post-récolte –, et estimer la manque de bonnes infrastructures de agroforestières; et assurer un bon service rentabilité commerciale de la vente et vente, de stockage et de transport, l’avion d’information sur le marché, afin de l'affectation socioéconomique du revenu de demeurant le moyen le plus utilisé. La réduire les risques et les incertitudes la part des vendeurs. consommation actuelle de G. africanum en inhérents aux marchés et pour que le Dans sept cas sur 10, le commerce de République démocratique du Congo est système fonctionne de façon économique G. africanum est pratiqué par des femmes tellement élevée qu’elle menace l’existence et précise. ayant franchi les études secondaires, d'un âge des espèces spontanées. Il y a même des Une mise en place d'instruments variant entre 20 et 50 ans, mariées pour la provinces où les plantes ont complètement appropriés pour assurer une gestion plupart. L’éloignement de lieux de production disparu (comme dans le cas du Bas- durable et efficace des forêts est en outre et le manque d’infrastructures de vente et de Congo). Cela constitue un important coût indispensable. Il faut de plus créer des stockage constituent les principales d’opportunité pour les usagers. emplois visant à résorber la main d’œuvre

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en passe de déséquilibrer les écosystèmes environmental protection and biodiversity Orphans Movement (WOM), Ms Fati naturels pour cause de pauvreté. Ces conservation requirements. Bee farming Abdulai, has proposed setting up a body to principes respectés et dans le contexte de can be considered as an important pillar in be responsible for the testing of the quality la sécurité alimentaire, le G. africanum the face of the population explosion in of shea butter for export. pourra subsister encore plusieurs années Kinshasa, by offering possibilities for the Ms Abdulai, who was speaking at a comme pilier alimentaire pour les kinois. development of an industry to produce workshop on the effective management of (Auteur: Professeur Apollinaire Biloso apicultural material, apicultural products, the shea tree, organized with support from Moyene, Coordonnateur national, Centre and by promoting initiatives to plant Oxfam, at Kongo in the Talensi-Nabdam mondial d'agroforesterie, 13, Avenue des melliferous trees. (Source: O. Ndoye and district, indicated that unlike cocoa, shea cliniques, Kinshasa Gombe, B.P. 2037, U.K. Marcel. Policy Brief No. 5, April 2010. butter had not seen any serious support Kinshasa 1, République démocratique du Mobilization and capacity-building for from governments. She was therefore calling Congo. Courriel: [email protected]; small and medium-sized enterprises on the government, as a matter of urgency, [email protected]) involved in the non-wood forest products to put in place measures to ensure that shea value chains in Central Africa. Rome, FAO butter receives maximum attention, just like Honey production and CIFOR.) cocoa, so that the product can gain strong In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (This study took place within the framework international attention. (DRC), men are the main practitioners of of FAO project GCP/RAF/408/EC. Please Highlighting the benefits of shea, Ms bee farming (59 to 82 percent). Women play see page 64 for more information.) Abdulai said the whole of the tree can be an important role in securing income, used for several purposes, including planning post-harvest activities (38 medicines, food and for foreign exchange. percent) and in transporting beehives (70 % ERITREA She stated that the fruits from the tree are percent). The Bas Congo province and the eaten, contributing to food security in areas Batéké plateau are the main bee farming Better honey production obtained in the where it is grown. She added that the fruits areas of the DRC. However, the Adi-Keih subzone normally mature during the lean season organizational level of this value chain is Farmers engaged in bee farming in the and, therefore, supplement the meals of still low. This is because 56 percent of the Adi-Keih subzone have obtained better the rural people especially when they are farmers interviewed in the surveyed area honey production this year. They explained on their farms. Regarding export, Ms are still operating as individuals. Moreover, that previously honey production was low Abdulai said the price of shea was higher apiculture in the area under review is still through lack of sufficient rainfall, and that than cocoa on the international market and practised at a subsistence level, because the good rainy season this year has called on the government to consider giving some bee farmers still use wild honey from enabled them to obtain satisfactory the industry a boost in order to reap the natural beehives. In 2007, the annual production. Each farmer possesses ten to benefits of the tree. production of honey by 54 individual 20 modern beehives, which in turn are According to WOM, shea butter has been producers in the village under survey was making a due contribution in improving used since time immemorial in cooking, estimated at 5 135 L, whereas 42 producers their living standards, they added. and also as a pomade for babies and working as an association produced a total Mr Tesfai Gebrekidan, an expert in animal adults. of 8 273 L. resources in the subzone, said that Demhina, As part of measures to ensure that shea The honey produced is used as a food Mesgolo-Zula, Egla and Sibiraso are some of trees in the Kongo traditional area are source (35 percent) or in pharmacopoeia the villages in the subzone that are protected, the participants, led by their Chief (65 percent). Drawing from the 263 renowned for honey production. Over 200 and Elders, set out rules and sanctions to consumers interviewed in the capital, modern beehives and over 1 000 traditional punish people who destroy them. Some of Kinshasa, monthly honey consumption beehives exist in the area. Mr Tesfai the sanctions include replanting trees to stands at 0.4 L/person. The most common Gebrekidan further indicated that more than replace the destroyed ones, as well as illnesses treated using honey are coughs, 1 300 kg and 5 600 kg of honey was obtained payment of fines, as specified by the burns, eye disorders and gastric ulcers. this year from modern beehives and traditional authorities. (Source: Ghanaian Honey is good for diabetics, or even as an traditional ones, respectively. (Source: Chronicle, 18 February 2011.) antivenom. Although the annual output is allafrica.com, 14 December 2010.) low when compared with other African countries, 78 percent of the honey is produced from artificial hives – an % GHANA indication of the dynamism of local farmers, making this a promising product Calls for body to test quality of shea butter for further development. The absence of a regulatory body to test the Although the present level of income quality of shea butter (extracted from the from honey is still low, it contributes in one nut of the Vitellaria paradoxa tree) meant way or another to the well-being of the for export in Ghana, has often led to the people. Furthermore, owing to the exploitation of shea butter producers by opportunities offered by the domestication exporters of the commodity. In order to of bees and the planting of melliferous curb this exploitation, the Natural trees, the production of honey meets Resources Officer of the Widows and

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%INDIA as flagpoles for Hindu religious temples. The plant produces timber and the stem is a Bamboo is a grass, not a tree source of resin, which is used as incense and It is now official: bamboo is a grass. Union as a substitute in marine yards for pitch. The Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said on gum is also used in indigenous medicine as Monday that the Prime Minister and senior an external stimulant, for duodenal ulcers Ministers had reached the conclusion, putting and as a substitute for arbutus. The extract of an end to a long-standing debate. the plant bark is used to cure earache and Positioning bamboo, the Government the leaf juice is used as ear drops. The trunk feels, will mark a crucial step in tackling Delisting bamboo from the “timber list” is has rough, hard and furrowed bark at the underdeveloped areas in India, home to many the first step the Government should take base and slightly narrow, less rough top tribal communities. A Home Secretary-led towards altering this regime in favour of regions; this variation in the bark is well committee concluded that tribal communities people. Nevertheless, it is not a huge step, suited for the growth of different species of needed to be given better rights, control and considering that the Forest Rights Act epiphytic lichens. revenue from the forests they lived in or legislated by the United Progressive Alliance The amplification of this species has been depended upon and that the role of the forest (UPA) in 2006 already defines bamboo as an decreasing enormously because of departments should be reformed; they NTFP. So the Government is merely environmental and anthropogenic should not act as a police force keeping acknowledging that it will adhere to the laws. disturbances. At present, the taxon is tribals out of the forests. It would now need to ensure that restricted in some localities. Another reason The officials deliberated on how to communities claim their traditional legal for the fragmentation of this species is increase the incomes of those dependent on rights over these bamboo forests under the overexploitation because of its multiple uses. forests for their earnings. Forest Rights Act. (Source: The Times of Conservation measures should be taken to “Minor forest produce” played a key role in India, 21 January 2011.) sustain the species in these potential areas for local economics. The Planning Commission, its therapeutic uses. The local tribal groups in turn, concluded there was nothing minor Shorea tumbuggaia Roxb. An endemic, and villagers should be included as partners about it. It was a booming unregulated trade endangered and medicinal tree taxon in conservation strategies. (Contributed by: worth 50 000 rupees crore annually, roughly under threat Prof. (Mrs) N. Savithramma, Department of twice the total rural health budget of the Shorea tumbuggaia is a globally endangered, Botany, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati country. It also discovered the small tricks the semi-evergreen tree species whose habitat is – 517 502, Andhra Pradesh, India. E-mail: Government had played over decades to keep the Tirupati-Cudapah-Nallamalai hot spot [email protected]) the tribals out of this lucrative trade. region of the eastern Ghats in India, which is Defining bamboo as a "tree" was one of red-listed by the International Union for Status of multipurpose trees (MPTs) and them. Forget what taxonomists and biologists Conservation of Nature (IUCN). medicinal herbs in the Vidarbha region of all over the world believe conclusively: The plant is distributed at low elevations of Maharashtra with special reference to bamboo is a type of grass. hilly tracks at an altitude of 300 m. The species Wardha The Government listed bamboo as a tree belongs to the family Dipterocarpaceae and is Wardha is a well-known district in the under the Indian Forest Act. This ensured that vernacularly known as Thamba jalari in Vidarbha region of eastern Maharashtra, cutting bamboo, selling it or trading in it Telugu and green dammar in English. The tree comprising eight administrative blocks out of became the monopoly of the Government and can grow to a height of 12–15 m, with full which the target Arvi block is mainly of hilly gave the forest bureaucracy control over what vegetation during the rainy season, and terrain and typical dry deciduous forests. The some estimates suggest is a 10 000 rupees shedding its leaves in late winter and early area under forest is around 966 km2 or, in crore trade. Bamboo is grown over roughly summer and especially between February and other words, the district has 15.4 percent of its 9 million ha of forest area in India. The major March. New foliage starts to appear from geographic area under forest cover. demand for it comes from the pulp and paper March onwards. Mass flowering occurs in a Geographically, Vidarbha lies on the northern industry and the housing and construction short period between April and May. Self- and part of the Deccan plateau and there are no sector. cross-pollinated flowers wither in two to three major hill tracts. There are some watersheds Long leases of over 30 years are given to days. The plants flower irregularly, depending in the region. Wainganga is the largest of all contractors and industry for bamboo forests. on the availability of moisture. The phenology the Vidarbha rivers. In the Wardha district, the The leases give the state some revenue. The also helps to initiate flowering. Although the main rivers are Wardha and Dham. Government controls the trade, the industry plants have mass flowering because of the The soil in the Arvi block, especially in the gets cheap raw material and the people living existence of post-zygotic incompatibility, only forest fringe villages and forests, is mainly in the forests get nothing. cross-pollinated flowers develop into fruits. black, which is suitable for cotton cultivation. In various states, the people living in or Fruits produce long red hypocotyls before they But brown-black and red soils are also dependent upon these bamboo forests get a are shed by the plant. The seeds begin to found. The soil for the most part is of few bamboo shafts on a subsidized rate for germinate immediately upon falling to the medium depth with a clay texture. their housing needs; the Government ground, without any seed dormancy. The The condition of the forests can be continues to believe it is extending a primary root and shoot arise from the tip of summarized as follows. concession, which it is able to do because it the hypocotyl of the seed. • Forests are typical tropical dry calls bamboo timber a “nationalized” forest The plant has economic medicinal and deciduous, with plenty of natural and product over which it holds sole rights. religious importance. Tree trunks are used planted teak (Tectona grandis). Good-

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quality sagwan trees are found in the TABLE 1 forests of the Arvi block. • Tree species in the area include Common/local name Botanical name Usage dhawada (Anogeissus latifolia), salai Palas Butea monosperma Leaves used for platter making; flowers a (Boswellia serrata), tendu (Dyospyros source of natural dye melanoxylon) and mawai (Lannea Saguan Tectona grandis Highly valued timber coromandelica). Others are palas (Butea Timburni/tendupatta Dyospyrus melanoxylon Used for bidi manufacture monosperma), moha (Madhuca indica) Anjan Hardwickia binata Timber, poles, pulp and paper, source of and behada (Terminalia bellerica). fodder, fuel • The forest area is highly degraded. The Khair Acacia catechu Class II gums canopy cover is very sparsely distributed in patches because of the Dhawada Anogeissus latifolia Class II gums ruthless destruction of trees and, Baheda Terminalia bellerica Tanning, medicinal subsequently, during the time of Salai Boswellia serrata Class II gums replenishment, only economically Ain Terminalia alata Tanning beneficial tree species were planted Bharati Maytenus emarginata Fuelwood, used for house construction, without considering ecological needs. medicinal, yields sesquiterpenes • Although there is an appreciable range Bael Aegle marmelos Fruit edible, medicinal; leaves medicinal; of diversity of potential multipurpose religious application tree species (MPTs), the number of Lendi Lagestroemia parviflora Multipurpose wood, leaves and bark individuals is much less in forest areas. produce tannin • The denuded area is open to sun, causing Neem Azadirachta indica Fruit, leaves are used as biopesticides speedy evapotranspiration from the soil Ber Zizyphus mauritiana Edible, medicinal during spring and the long summer. Mahua/moha Madhuca spp. Edible oil, liquor, wood • The soil has become prone to erosion. Aruni Clerodendrum phlomidis Medicinal • For shelter, water and food, wild animals Charoli Buchanania lanzan Kernel used for sweetmeats; oil medicinal – including blue deer, wild boars, deer and monkeys – intrude upon the fringe Chilati Mimosa hamata MPTs farm land and cause heavy damage to Maharuk Ailanthus excelsa Medicinal crops. The farmers are disturbed about Amaltas Cassia fistula Ornamental their crop damage and economic loss Bibba Semecarpus anacardium Fruit cup edible, bark gum, fruit pulp, and sometimes take ruthless measures. oil medicinal • Landless people opt to work, as they do Kusumb Schleichera oleosa Hard strong wood; plant medicinal not have enough forest resources. • A lack of knowledge about the available forest resources, and the TABLE 2 need for their conservation among the locals, has aggravated the situation. Common/local name Botanical name Usage The species in Table 1 are generally Babul Acacia nilotica Firewood, medicinal found in forests. Bamboo Bambusa spp. Timber for the poor, also used in crafts The MPTs in Table 2 are found outside and furniture the forest area, and within and around the Baheda Terminalia bellerica Component of famous Tiphala Ayurvedic agricultural fields and near the villages. preparation. Good source of tannin There are several important medicinal Karanj Pongamia pinnata Medicinal herbs also found in the Vidarbha area. Of Mahua/moha Madhuca indica Seed source of edible oil. these, the following are in high economic Good for local liquor industry demand: Andrographis paniculata Neem Azadirachta indica Biopesticides and edible (kalmegh), Asparagus racemosus (satavari), Palas Butea monosperma Leaves used for platter making and for Withania somnifera (ashwagandha), natural dye Tinospora cordifolia (gurvel, giloy), Setaphal Annona reticulata Edible fruit, leaf source of biopesticides Convolvulus prostratus (shankhpushpi), Mucuna pruriens (kabaj beej), Solanum Shirish Albizia lebbeck Wood and medicinal nigrum (makoi), Gloriosa superba (kalalavi) Sindhuri Phoenix sylvestris Edible juice, jaggary and Cassia senna (sonamukhi). Shisham Dalbergia sissoo Highly valued timber The State Horticulture Mission has already selected 52 plants with potential government departments and non- Chakravarti, President, Participatory for large-scale cultivation and trade. government agencies, as well as the Research Association for Sustainable A holistic and integrated development plan community, should prepare the plan in a Development (PRASuD), Flat 40, 201 Satin – on the basis of existing natural resources – participatory way and implement it Sen Sarani, Kolkata 700 054, India. E-mail: is urgently required; at the same time all the accordingly. (Contributed by: Dr Visvarup [email protected])

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% KENYA through modern tissue culture techniques. source of nutrition and food security for the While some farmers are already growing vast majority of rural people. They are also The unexploited herbal pharmacy the tree, the researchers advise that an important source for medicines and Kenya and other African states are sitting before doing so, it is important to get products for everyday use, as well as being on a fortune in the form of unexploited expert guidance because some traits of the a key part of the country’s rich biological natural cures and pharmacies. These plant produce different medicinal qualities diversity. natural remedies could help the country at different sites. The NTFPs at this wiki are organized into cope with its malaria burden and also cure Another tree species with chemical seven categories – food, medicine, fibre, many of the world’s diseases, and in the compounds found to act against extracts, ornamentals, charcoal and process earn billions of dollars. multidrug-resistant malaria is the long firewood and animal products – with many In the first-ever hard evidence of the pod cassia (Cassia abbreviata) or mbara in different NTFPs described within each extent of the country's potential in herbal Kiswahili, which has traditionally been category. medicine, researchers have publicly given used to treat malaria, pneumonia and The wiki can be found at: a scientific backing in support of Kenyan other chest complications. Unlike most www.tabi.la/lao-ntfpwiki/?Itemid=39 herbalists. Researchers from the Kenya other locally occurring trees, cassia is a (Contributed by: Mr Thibault Ledecq, WWF Medical Research Institute and the World fast-growing shrub and requires only a few Sustainable Rattan Regional Programme Agroforestry Centre have published a list months in the nursery; it also can do with Manager, WWF Lao Country Office, BP 7871 of 22 tree and shrub species with high little water. Vientiane, Lao PDR. E-mail: potential for further development in One of the most enduring treatments for [email protected]) treating malaria and acting as possible complicated malaria across the world and cash crops for smallholder farmers. in Kenya in particular is quinine, which is Launching the publication – Common classified in the chemical group of Antimalarial Trees and Shrubs of East alkaloids. Several shrubs and trees in the Africa – last week at the National region such as the bitter albizia (Albizia Museums of Kenya, lead author Dr Najma amara) – widely distributed along many Dharani said the knowledge was gathered river beds, particularly in the Sudan, from practitioners and fellow scientists Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and South and the plants' chemical content had been Africa – were found to contain alkaloids. A thoroughly analysed and found effective. decoction made from the bitter albizia, "We hope that the information provided in taken three times a day, is used in treating this guide will be useful for scientists in malaria traditionally. determining to what species to direct their And, of course, not to forget the famous research activities," says the researcher. neem tree, locally known as mwarubaini, % LIBERIA It is this kind of research that has turned for its 40 magical cures. The researchers the growing of a previously little known confirm that apart from other cures, this NWFPs in the Liberian high forest area weed from China, the Sweet Annie, also tree – which is easy to grow and even A Community-Based Enterprise known as the Chinese wormwood easier to maintain – has very good Development (CBED) project recently (Artemisia annua), into a huge global antimalarial activity. kicked off in Liberia aiming to inform success, turning around the fortunes of Common Antimalarial Trees and Shrubs locals who inhabit Government-Protected peasant farmers and making billions for of East Africa is funded by the World Bank Areas in the country about their rights and the pharmaceutical industry while saving and the European Union. (Source: Liberia’s forestry laws. Under the project, many lives. The plant now provides the www.allafrica.com, 27 January 2011.) staff will identify potential NTFPs, teach world with the main ingredient for making locals about their value, and together a most effective first-line malaria develop business plans for these products. medicine. Several trees in Kenya and other %LAO PEOPLE’S A variety of NTFPs will be covered, parts of East Africa were found to have the DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC including bamboo/reeds, palm wine, cane capacity to rival this moneymaker. The rat, honey, kola nut and bush pepper, as pepper-bark tree (Warburgia ugandensis), The Lao Non-Timber Forest Products wiki well as ecotourism activities such as for example, has similar chemical This wiki has been created to allow all boating. compounds to those found in the Chinese NTFP lovers an opportunity to learn more Ten communities throughout Lake Piso plant. Some Kenyan communities and contribute to the growing body of (which is located in Grand Cap) and Bomi including the Luo, Maasai and Kipsigis knowledge about NTFPs in the Lao and Wonegizi (located in Lofa counties) have always used the pepper-bark tree for People’s Democratic Republic. have been selected to benefit from the the treatment of malaria, stomach aches Lao people of all ethnicities have been activities. and toothaches as well as the common using, managing and protecting NTFPs for cold. A compound in the plant was found to hundreds of years. NTFPs are a key FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: be active against malaria parasites, even component to all aspects of life in the Lao Mr Advertus Koyee, Liberia Agency for those resistant to chloroquine. The Kenya PDR and most Lao people can name Community Empowerment (LACE), Horton Forestry Research Institute has shown that hundreds of different types of NTFPs and Avenue, Capital Bye Pass Monrovia, Republic of the propagation of the tree is possible their uses. NTFPs provide an important Liberia. E-mail: [email protected]

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% MEXICO strengthening the promotion of crafts and percent of the total costs of producing defending the handicrafts industry from honey comes from moving the bees to new Native craftswomen harness their skills piracy. The draft law was drawn up with fields. This year our exports are worth less It took María de los Ángeles Carrillo, a contributions from craftspeople's and the transport charges have risen. I am native craftswoman from Mexico, eight associations. (Source: IPS in Traditional worried that if this situation continues, months to weave a decorative junco reed Knowledge Bulletin, 21 January 2011.) then we will see a dip in production,” basket, for which she won a US$8 000 prize added the General Manager of Welcome from the Mexican Government. The 32- General Trading. Part of the problem is year-old Carrillo, a member of the that beehives cannot be driven by bus or Kumeyaay Native American people, truck to many of the fields that the bees belongs to the Grupo de Artesanos Nativos feed on, leaving the keepers no choice but de Baja California (Group of Native to hire ox-driven carts. Bees also have a Craftspeople of Baja California), which was limited flying range of only about 3.2 km founded in 2004 and has more than 140 and need to be moved to a fresh field every members from the Kumeyaay, Paipai, week. Kiliwa and Cucapá communities in that Production also relies on the weather: northwestern Mexican state. heavy rainfall can reduce the amount of "Before, the craftspeople had to wait for pollen the flowers produce and in turn someone to visit their community to buy curtail the amount of honey. their products," said Kumeyaay Indian %MYANMAR Companies typically export as much as Javier Ceceña, Director of the non-profit 90 percent of all the honey produced here, Native Cultures Institute of Baja California, Transportation costs put pressure selling it to Thailand, Japan, China, which provides backing for the group of on honey makers Singapore and Malaysia. This year, craftspeople. "They would wait for a long Migration costs – required to shift hives Thailand is buying most of it. time until someone would finally show up closer to flowerbeds – are threatening the Myanmar’s honey has too much and buy their products at a really low price. honey export business this year, bee moisture in it to compete in many So we got organized," he told the Inter experts say. Myanmar Apiculture international markets. This year’s exports Press Service (IPS). Association cosecretary, U Kyi Lwin Oo, have about 20 percent moisture content, The Grupo de Artesanos Nativos de Baja said the cost of moving beehives to courtesy of the heavy rains, whereas the California is one illustration of how different fields is threatening to international standard is below 20 percent. Amerindian groups in Mexico are using overwhelm the profits from selling the Honey is exported in drums that weigh their craftmaking skills and traditions to honey. At the same time, the demand for between 250 and 290 kg each. defend their cultures and earn incomes to Myanmar’s honey from abroad is strong, U Kyi Lwin Oo said that if producers here improve their living conditions. with the amount exported on track to were able to minimize their transport In the town of El Tajín in the better last year by 50 percent. However, a costs, boost production and lower the southeastern state of Veracruz, Totonaca weak dollar means the earnings are not moisture content of the honey, they would Indians joined together in 2006 to perfect likely to be significantly higher, U Kyi Lwin find ready markets nearby, pointing out their work and improve the marketing and Oo said. that Japan consumes at least 20 000 sales of their products, and thus boost their By early November, companies had tonnes of honey a year. (Source: Myanmar family incomes. exported about 800 tonnes of honey, worth Times, 15 November 2010.) Both the Grupo de Artesanos Nativos de about US$740 000, since the start of the Baja California and the Cerámica de El 2010/11 financial year in April. For the Tajín are keeping alive artistic traditions whole of the previous fiscal year only % NAMIBIA passed down from generation to 1 000 tonnes, earning slightly more than generation, and use raw materials US$900 000, were exported. Namibia’s new policy to monitor the use of available in their communities. From the The current domestic price of 1 viss devil’s claw products ancestral knowledge and the hands of the (1.6 kg) of honey is between K1 200 and Devil’s claw, Harpagophytum procumbens, Baja California artisans emerge baskets, K1 400. has been a very important resource for the pottery, bows and arrows, belts, sashes, At this time of year, as many as 90 livelihood of many Namibians for over 50 bags, purses, necklaces, frames and percent of beekeepers keep their hives in years. In view of this, the Millennium decorative ornaments, while the Totonaca Kani township, in the Sagaing region. But Challenge Account (MCA-N) hosted a one- ceramicists make serving dishes, pots, soon some will migrate to the southern day training workshop on the revised candlesticks, planters, jars, pitchers and Shan state or Meiktila in Mandalay region National Policy on the utilization of devil’s many other products. to bring their bees within reach of the claw products, which was approved by The craftspeople exhibit and sell their sesame crops. Cabinet in July 2010, this week. products at regional fairs. Last year, the In January and February, they will move The aim of the policy is to assist the Totonaca artisans sold more than 800 on again to Katha, Kale, Monywa, Htigaing Ministry of Environment and Tourism pieces, earning some US$48 000. or Madaya. These relocations make up a (MET) to manage devil’s claw resources, The Ministry of Social Development will large percentage of the costs of processes and products to ensure its send Congress a bill aimed at production, U Kyi Lwin Oo said. “Seventy sustainable management as well as the

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effective promotion of biodiversity provide the substitute for the chemical The Museum of the Frankincense Land conservation and human development. The used for water treatment, which the opened in 2007 in Salalah with two halls of policy will also allow MET to control the Federal Government spends about N354.5 exhibits that define the various grades of utilization of the plant to ensure million annually to import. frankincense (silver and white are the most sustainable harvesting methods are used, Peter Onwualu, Director-General/Chief expensive, brown the least) and display collect information to facilitate trade in Executive Officer of Raw Materials ancient incense burners unearthed in devil’s claw products and promote value Research and Development Council archaeological digs. Local guides in the addition in Namibia as the biggest devil’s (RMRDC), disclosed this at the First region take tourists to the coastal belt and claw exporter in Africa. national summit on moringa development. valleys, where the frankincense trees stand The Under Secretary at MET, Simeon He said that the socio-economic benefits of in sloppy formation at heights of 16 feet (4.9 Negumbo, said that the policy was drafted developing the entire value chain of m), soaking up the moist sea breezes and about ten years ago and has been used by moringa could not be quantified and could monsoon rains of the summer months. staff members as an internal guiding compete with earnings from crude oil. He Women sort the dried resin by hand in document for permitting and regulating maintained that more grants would be the markets and offer it for sale. A clay the utilization of devil’s claw in the country. awarded to researchers and private burner, a handful of frankincense tears, a “With the assistance of MCA-N, MET has industries towards moringa development in stick of charcoal, and a small bottle of finalized the devil’s claw policy this year. 2011. (Source: www.vanguardngr.com, lotion with frankincense extract, cost about The newly approved policy will therefore 9 December 2010.) US$3 in total. improve the existing framework to address Although it takes eight to ten years for a sustainable management of devil’s claw as frankincense tree to produce quality resin, well as effective promotion of both %OMAN land is sufficiently covered to "rotate" the biodiversity conservation and human crop, says Mohammed Mahaad Saheel Bin development,” he said. Sniffing out the Frankincense Coast Baafee, a local resin tapper. (Source: The aim of the workshop was to train On a scraggly mountainside on the Chicago Tribune, 12 December 2010.) MET officials and devil’s claw traders on desolate coast of this small country in the the implementation of the newly approved southern Arabian Peninsula, a man in a policy. “This policy is very important where white dishdasha and colourful scarf Namibians are considered ‘price takers’ scrapes at the side of a tree and waits for rather than ‘price makers’ and therefore a the milky white sap to bleed droplets from more organized and coordinated supply the nicked bark. In ten days, he will return chain is expected to result in a better price to the tree and collect the hardened rocks for the product in its different forms: raw, of aromatic resin – or tears, as they are semi-processed or processed,” said Eline called – take them to a cave and spread van der Linden, Deputy Chief Executive them on a ledge above a shaded dirt floor. Officer (CEO) of Programme After four months of curing, he will bundle Implementation at MCA-N. the pieces, put them in bags on a camel Devil’s claw products have been and send them to the sea to follow ancient %PAKISTAN harvested in Namibia for more than 50 trade routes to Africa and India. years. In 1977, devil’s claw was declared a Frankincense and myrrh (also a resin, NTFPs in the mountains of northern parts “protected plant” because of concerns derived primarily from the Commiphora of Pakistan over possible overutilization. Devil’s claw is myrrha tree) are used in perfumes, burned Pakistan′s forest resource base is mostly found in Namibia, Botswana, Angola, as incense and made into medicinal found in the mountains of the Northwest Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and ointments. They are deeply entrenched in Frontier Province (NWFP), supporting the some northern parts of South Africa. Omani culture. livelihoods of the rural poor and providing (Source: Economist [Namibia], 19 The Dhofar region of southern Oman is different ecological services. The present November 2010.) one of only three places in the world where study was, therefore, initiated with the aim a certain species of Boswellia tree of evaluating different constraints and produces the majority of the world's opportunities for sustainable livelihoods %NIGERIA frankincense. The other two are Somalia and cash income generation from NTFPs in and Yemen. For generations, frankincense the mountainous area of the NWFP during Government to create 1 million jobs from has been harvested from these trees in 2008. Information was collected through moringa plant Oman. questionnaires and interviews during field The Federal Government has unveiled Salalah, the second-largest city in Oman trips. plans to generate over N500 billion as after Muscat, the capital, is the ancient A total of 117 NTFP species have been revenue from the moringa plant – Moringa commercial centre of the south. The recorded, which are being used locally for oleifera – and create over 1 million jobs. waterfront is called the Frankincense various purposes such as fuelwood, fodder, Moringa is popular in the northern and Coast, and its roots in the ancient spice medicinal plants, vegetables, mushrooms, eastern parts of the country, and is used for trade are well documented. One agricultural tool-making, furniture, food and medicines. The plant is believed to frankincense port, Khor Rori, or thatching, shade, fencing/poles, prevent over 300 diseases and could readily Sumhuram, dates back to 300 BC. ornamental purposes and animal products.

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The majority of plants are multifunctional, years at the moment. They work together with tiger conservation, and work towards the such as Pinus wallichiana, which provides the Amur branch of WWF on forest protection long-term environmental sustainability of timber, fuelwood and torchwood; the and conservation, as well as the development resources and ecosystems. leaves/small branches are used as thatch of a system for income generation of Besides Korean pine nuts, a number of for roofing; the split logs are used for communities that are traditionally involved in NTFPs are wild-harvested and traded from fencing; and the decomposed needles are harvesting of wild NTFPs. the Russian Far East, based on harvest collected as humus for agricultural fields. Among the NTFPs used, Korean pine nuts quantities approved in forest management These products are widely used by the (Pinus koraiensis) have the biggest potential plans. The NTFPs include a range of berries indigenous community, supporting their for an economically sustainable future for (schisandra berries [Schisandra chinesis], livelihoods. community development in the Bikin River bilberry [Vaccinium myrtillus], viburnum The study proposes protection and area because of the high market prices for berries [Viburnum sargentii], hawthorn sustainable management of these valuable nuts, and potential harvesting amounts berries [Crataegus spathulata], rosehip resources for rural livelihoods, which (average total estimated harvested from berries [Rosa rugosa], barberries [Berberis might be useful for developing regional four leased NHZs is over 2 000 tonnes of amurensis], actinidia [Actinidia kolomikta] strategies of sustainable management of shelled nuts). Project partners expect to and cowberry [Vaccinium vitis-ideae]); forest resources. (Source: S. Hassan, generate additional revenue from NTFP mushrooms (e.g. chaga mushrooms K. Jehangir, K. Kiramat, S. Hazrat and trade for nature conservation, prevention of [Inonotus obliquus]); ferns (bracken fern E. Muhammad. 2010. Constraints and fire and illegal logging, and sustainable [Pteridium aquilinum], osmunda/cinnamon opportunities for sustainable livelihoods development activities in the region. fern [Osmunda regalis]); medicinal plants and cash income generation from NTFPs in Achievements of the project to date include (Siberian ginseng [Eleutherococcus the mountains of northern parts of the proven legality of the product harvested senticosus] and Manchurian aralia [Aralia Pakistan. Acta Botanica Yunnanica, 32(2): under the long-term concession rights, the elata]); roots; Amur cork tree 167–176.) generated social effects, the link to Amur (Phellodendron amurense); and honey.

%RUSSIAN FEDERATION KOREAN PINE: PROTECTION IN THE the local people whose livelihoods NTFPs from Russian Far East: RUSSIAN FEDERATION depend on the trade in Korean pine conservation of Korean pine forests, local nuts and for Amur tigers which live livelihoods, tiger habitat preservation A ban on the logging of Korean pine where these trees grow,” said Alexey In the Russian Far East – an important habitat (Pinus koraiensis) has been announced by Vaisman, Senior Programme Officer for the Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) – the Government of the Russian Federation with TRAFFIC Europe-Russia. “The ban the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in a move to preserve key habitats of the will need to be backed up with Russia’s Amur branch, together with WWF Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica). appropriate enforcement action,” Germany, through cooperation and joint work Korean pine occurs in temperate forests in added Vaisman. with the indigenous Udege and other the Russian Far East and has been subject Measures to protect the Korean pine communities, protects valuable Korean pine to rising global demand for its timber. were already introduced by the Russian forests, ensuring survival of ecosystems and Fewer than 500 Amur tigers remain in the Government in July 2010 when the the traditional lifestyle of communities. The Korean pine forests of the Russian species was placed in the Convention on wilderness around the middle and upper Federation and northeast China. International Trade in Endangered Bikin River in the Russian Far East covers an The ban was declared just prior to the Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) area of 1.3 million ha. It is the habitat for opening of the International Tiger Appendix III in an attempt to regulate 40–45 Amur tigers – around one-tenth of the Conservation Forum held in St Petersburg the trade, much of it carried out Russian Federation’s tiger population. These from 21 to 24 November 2010. According illegally. Such a listing meant that all habitats are under the risk of illegal timber to Igor Chestin, CEO of WWF Russia, “a cross-border shipments had to be logging, because of the high demand for ban on Korean pine logging is the best authorized by the issuance of a precious Korean pine, oak, ash and other gift for the Amur tiger in the Year of the document certifying the origin of the valuable species. Tiger. Korean pine is of crucial products covered by the listing. The WWF project in the Bikin River area importance for tiger conservation: its At the International Tiger aims to demonstrate that harvesting and cones are fodder for wild boars, and wild Conservation Forum, the 13 countries utilization of wild NTFPs, providing the boars are the tiger’s prey”. Furthermore, with surviving tiger populations agreed major source of income for local people, is a the ban will benefit the legal pine nut on a historic Declaration on Tiger viable alternative to timber logging (often trade in the region, which WWF and Conservation, committing these countries illegal and unsustainable). These efforts TRAFFIC have been promoting as a means to double the number of remaining wild lead to the conservation of Korean pine of providing legal and sustainable tigers, whose total population is forests and Amur tiger habitats. income. estimated at 3 200, by 2022. Parts of Korean pine forests – Nut “TRAFFIC and WWF Russia warmly (Source: Reprinted with permission, from Harvesting Zones (NHZs) – are under welcome the ban, which is good news for TRAFFIC Bulletin, 23(1), December 2010.) concession ownership rights by a number of partners. Four NHZs are under lease for 49

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For the majority of NTFPs, shifting Sri Lanka, India, Malaysia and the their destination's animal attractions. primary processing to a community level Philippines. This tree is nutritional Now, Hands Up Holidays are taking this would generate higher earnings, and this dynamite. Virtually every part of it can be trend a step further, and offering green is ongoing in selected project sites. used, and there are hundreds of uses for it. travellers the chance to combine a family WWF supports legal, environmentally and The United Methodist Committee on holiday with helping researchers to socially sustainable harvesting of wild NTFPs Relief (UMCOR) has played a pioneering preserve these magnificent mammals. in the Russian Far East through long-term role in the promotion of moringa as a food The company takes its guests deep into community engagement in resource supplement source in Africa. Its the woods surrounding the Tatras management. Certification frameworks, Sustainable Agriculture and Development Mountains in search of bears, wolves and including “tiger-friendly”, organic and unit (UMCOR SA&D) supports widespread chamois. While hiking through the stunning sustainable FairWild labels, are under cultivation and production of the plant in mountain ranges, tourists contribute to the consideration to verify the sustainability of Ghana and Liberia. essential monitoring work needed to keep wild NTFP harvesting and trade. UMCOR SA&D officially introduced tabs on local bear and chamois moringa into Sierra Leone in 2001. UMCOR populations. Most trips also include a visit What partnerships are we looking for? SA&D provided formal training in moringa to the Tatras Foundation, an NGO Business partners – to develop viable cultivation for 150 farmers, who then established to raise awareness of business opportunities for communities in taught other farmers about the plant and environmental issues in the local area. the Russian Far East through sustainable its uses. Afterwards, the Council of (Source: The Ecologist, 10 March 2011.) and legal trade in NTFPs, providing a Churches in Sierra Leone coordinated the constant and secure supply of NTFPs, efforts in the country to promote the use of supporting both the livelihoods of people moringa in Africa. These efforts %SLOVENIA and the conservation of Korean pine culminated in the decision for a nationwide forests and Amur tiger habitats. launch of moringa in Sierra Leone. Last Slovenia and its biodiversity (Contributed by: Anastasiya Timoshyna, October, a national conference was held in Slovenia ranks among the countries with Global Medicinal Plants Programme Lead, Freetown, which brought together the highest biodiversity in the European TRAFFIC, c/o WWF Hungary, Álmos vezér interested and high-level participants from Union. Some scientists have even labelled útja 69/A, 1141 Budapest, Hungary. church and government. it as one of the “hot spots” of the continent. Fax: +36 1 212 93 53; e-mail: Moringa leaves contain all of the amino A relatively small space interlinks the Alps, [email protected]; acids that are essential to the human body, the Dinarides, the Mediterranean and the www.traffic.org) including two that are especially important Pannonian Basin. All of this is reflected in for children. They are also the richest single the rugged surface, diverse geological natural source of vitamins and minerals on structure, rapidly varying climate and, of Earth. A family that has moringa can course, the richness of flora and fauna. virtually "grow multivitamins at their Around 22 000 plant and animal species doorstep". This is because moringa contains have been recorded in Slovenia, but it is

vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C, calcium, chromium, estimated that at least 50 000 to 120 000 copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, actually exist. There are 850 endemic phosphorus, potassium, proteins and zinc. species, of which more than 300 live in the Moringa contains some 46 antioxidants, underworld of Slovenia’s many caves. which promote heart health and control the Slovenia is also home to a large number ageing process. Moringa leaves and fruit are of animal and plant species that are loaded with phytonutrients, which flush endangered in Europe or on the verge of toxins from the body, purify the liver, bolster becoming so. The Natura 2000 areas (a the immune system, help rebuild red blood centrepiece of the EU’s biodiversity Moringa cells, and rejuvenate the body at the cellular strategy) are set deliberately for their level. (Source: ReliefWeb, 15 February protection; 36 percent of Slovenia’s surface % SIERRA LEONE 2011.) is protected in this way – the highest proportion in Europe. Moringa, the “miracle tree”, is launched in Slovenia’s biodiversity is particularly Sierra Leone % SLOVAKIA threatened by the changing of the natural For centuries, the people of northern India habitat and the impact of non-native and many parts of Africa have known of the On the bear trail: ecotourism in Slovakia invasive species. Direct threats – such as varying benefits of Moringa oleifera. Its Slovakia's Tatras Mountains are home to the collecting, harvesting, fishing, hunting uses are as unique as the names by which some of Europe's last brown bears as well and trading of endangered species – are it is known: califer, horseradish and as the critically endangered Tatra chamois less important causes of endangerment. drumstick, for instance and, in East and (mountain goat). Tourism has not always This is also the result of the growing West Africa, "Mother's best friend". been kind to the furry inhabitants of awareness of the importance of biodiversity Native only to the foothills of the destinations, but that is changing, with among Slovenians. (Source: Slovenia Times Himalayas, moringa is now widely cultivated holiday companies realizing that their in Balkan Business News Correspondent, in Africa, Central America, South America, businesses depend on the well-being of 20 September 2010.)

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%SOMALIA according to size and colour, but Guelleh of La Mancha. Until recently, this cottage hopes that will change one day. “It is a industry – which sprouts for about two Somalia fosters trade in frankincense and technical issue because it is not a simple weeks of planting in spring and two weeks myrrh process to distil for the perfumery of harvesting in late autumn – seemed to In the mist forests of the Golis Mountains industry. You need to show reliability of be withering as quickly as a plucked in northern Somalia, stumpy trees grow as quality and consistency of supply; you saffron crocus. But now, amid the bleak if anchored to the mountainside by some need to be able to process the same way economic landscape, it is blossoming once unknown force. From the hand-slashed the French do,” he said. again. bark of these stubborn, spiky trees leak Nevertheless, exporting the unrefined José Martinez, who picked a basketful droplets of a gum that hardens into a gums alone is a profitable enterprise, of purple buds outside the town of chewy resin. These aromatic gums are the earning Guelleh up to US$60 000 a year. Madridejos on Monday, is among the biblical frankincense and myrrh. Other regions where frankincense and newcomers to the backbreaking harvest Harvested and dried, they have been highly myrrh are produced include parts of season, initiated into the somewhat valued trade items for thousands of years. Ethiopia, Kenya and the Arab peninsula. secretive, family-dominated field by a The gums are simply processed and (Source: www.globalpost.com, veteran grower's son. But many former exported. They look like dirty little stones, 25 December 2010.) saffron producers, who abandoned their and they find their way out of Somalia's fields years ago for promising jobs in the wild north and into European perfumes, now ailing construction industry, are also Christian churches, Arabian households seeking refuge in these precious purple and Chinese medicines. flowers. Other growers, inspired by Myrrh is extracted from the historically high wholesale prices of Commiphora myrrha tree that grows on €3 000/kg (more than double in stores), the lower slopes. Frankincense comes have expanded their plots. from the Boswellia carteri tree that grows "Rural people are returning to their at higher altitudes. Both are used in roots," said Antonio García, President of herbal medicines, essential oils and the province-wide Regulatory Commission perfume, not to mention religious for the Denomination of Origin of La ceremonies. Mancha. Until the 1990s, about 60 percent Lesser known in the Western world is of La Mancha families grew the treasured maidi, a type of frankincense that is spice. The income from the wispy extracted from the Boswellia frereana tree filaments was not enough to live on, but and is popular in the Arab world as a Boswellia carteri they allowed an olive farmer or grape- naturally scented chewing gum. This high- grower to afford a few luxuries. Many quality gum, which is pure white in colour, % SPAIN people squirrelled away the dry red is much sought after and sells for stigmas in closets or secret places as US$12/kg, six times the price of the best Saffron harvest brings a new gold rush though they were gold nuggets, to be sold inedible frankincense. José Martinez, a 24-year-old plumber, during hard times. But then, in the heat of Somaliland is the northern territory of never imagined himself crouching in the Spain's housing boom, relatively high- Somalia that functions largely dirt on a blustery field, delicately plucking paying construction jobs beckoned. independently from the war-torn south, purple flowers. But he has been out of work "Imagine, it almost disappeared," Mr although it is not officially recognized as for two years, so even the brief saffron García said. Prices plummeted because an autonomous country. The production harvest, which ended this week in the some saffron sellers mixed the Spanish and trade in the aromatic gums of Spanish region of La Mancha, is a welcome variety, highly valued by spice frankincense and myrrh are important opportunity to earn some money. "I will connoisseurs, with cheap imports from economic activities for the area. work at anything," he said, while gingerly [the Islamic Republic of] Iran, he added. Guelleh Osman Guelleh, General wrapping his fingers around the stems to But production started picking up again Manager of Beyomol Natural Gums in avoid damaging the crocus petals and their after the La Mancha region instituted a Hargeisa, told GlobalPost that he exports valuable red stigmas. "I do not know what saffron certifying process, with detailed 330 000 pounds (149 685 kg) of they will pay me yet – I do not expect more criteria for everything from colour and frankincense and myrrh every year. Much than €7 an hour – but it is better than purity to the stigma arrangement (they of his product is distilled abroad for use in nothing." must look like a three-pronged pitchfork in perfumes. “The main market for us is in The worldwide recession has burst miniature). Every farmer was even given a southern France, in Grasse; 90 percent of Spain's housing bubble, devastating the number that appears on the saffron label. what we sell goes there to be used in job market and pushing the unemployment The move cut down on the swindles by perfumes,” said Guelleh, who studied in rate to a painful 20 percent, but it has been rogue distributors. the United Kingdom before returning to accidentally kind to a fragile, once- Today, 440 state-certified saffron Somaliland in 1999 to set up his gum- forgotten crop: saffron. These spindly growers, most of them families, churn out exporting business. aromatic filaments that give paella its 1 500 kg/year. At €3 000/kg, the delicacy is The only processing done in Somaliland characteristic golden glow are a double the price paid four years ago. At the itself is sorting and grading the gums centuries-old tradition in the torrid plains gourmet counter at Spain's El Corte Inglés

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supermarket, a 10 g gift pack fetches €102. impacted by human activities and % TURKEY After so many years, again in La Mancha, recommends that action be taken urgently people are talking about "red gold". to protect it. Also affected is the Bees on strike, honey harvest plummets Gregoria Carrasco Sanchez, whose six biodiversity critical to the health of the by 50 percent children and nine grandchildren harvest ecosystems which many Tanzanians rely The harvest of natural Kaçkar honey, 7 or 8 kg of saffron each year, said: "Here in on for water, soil fertility and other which is produced in Rize's Kaçkar Madridejos, the majority of the homes were services. Mountains in Turkey, has plummeted by built with saffron". “Tanzania has an amazing conservation nearly 50 percent this year, despite an The children of veteran growers used to record, but the increase in human increase of 40 percent in the number of groan at the annual date with hand cramps population, and other external pressures beehives, said Remzi Özbay, the General and yellow-stained fingers. After all, such as the increased demand for ivory Manager of Topuy Kaçkar, an organic stooping in the dirt and peeling flowers and other animal products from China, natural honey supplier. with mum is not everyone's favourite way to means it will get harder and harder for the In a written statement on Sunday, spend a two-week holiday. But with the country to conserve the incredible natural Özbay said the drop in the quantity was poor economy, even the younger saffron riches it still has,” says Mr Trevor Jones of dramatic, despite proper climate generation is performing its familial duties the Uzungwa Elephant Project and a conditions and the abundance of flowers with renewed vigour. (Source: The biologist in the team that compiled the in the region, and blamed the Independent [United Kingdom], 13 report. deterioration of the natural balance November 2010.) Another member of the team, Sokoine ensued by the overexploitation of University lecturer Amani Kitegile, says pesticides in agricultural production. “The bushmeat hunting is also becoming a bees are on a veritable strike, so to say,” %TANZANIA, UNITED serious threat to wildlife in the United he noted. He warned that some producers REPUBLIC OF Republic of Tanzania. He told The Citizen in the region have already started offering that, apart from fire, hunting is an on the market fake “Kaçkar” honey, which Bushmeat hunting “threat to wildlife” immediate threat to wildlife populations is produced with dextrose, with price tags Experts have warned on several occasions and a major conservation problem for the from TL50 to TL150, opening doors to that conservation activities in the United Uzungwa Scarp Forest Reserve. extremely high "undeserved revenues". Republic of Tanzania are seriously Fires and bushmeat hunting aside, other The top manager of Topuy Kaçkar, impaired by shortage of funding, which human activities such as pole cutting and which has been producing organic honey consequently exposes the country’s forests illegal logging have also exacerbated the in the region for a decade, said the and wildlife, especially rare species, to problem, as they lead to further company had been getting six tonnes of imminent threats of extinction. The deforestation and soil degradation. honey from a thousand combs in a year on funding shortfall is undermining protection According to Mr Kitegile, the government average, but that this amount has fallen to of the nation’s ecology and biodiversity, needs to revisit its policies and approaches three tonnes. “I am receiving daily which are threatened by and left towards conservation issues to tackle the reports from beekeepers. Bees are strong, vulnerable to illegal human activities, such problem holistically. “Increased law flowers are plentiful and the weather as poaching, logging and farming. enforcement will have some immediate conditions are fit. We were expecting to But a recent report shows that in some effect at decreasing human pressure on the see a very good season. When we opened areas, conservation efforts are derailed by forest. But the costs will be high if other the combs when the harvesting time widespread hunting for bushmeat, in options are not considered; and these arrived, we were stunned to see that the addition to other human encroachment include providing alternative sources of amount of honey was much less than it activities. To address the situation, the protein (meat) and income and some level of should have been. It had gone down even experts want to see more investment in assurance that the preservation measures though it should have increased. We conservation, to help the government will benefit local people in the long term,” he started growing curious about why the recruit and train more personnel and noted. (Source: The Citizen [United Republic bees were sulking. Then we realized that partner with local communities in the of Tanzania], 19 February 2011.) all apiarists were witnessing sharp drops management of natural resources. in their harvests,” said Özbay. The report, released early this month A similar dire situation occurred three and prepared by Tanzanian and years ago when sizeable honey bee international scientists and conservation populations in many parts of the world organizations, warns that “the populations disappeared in a strange and of several animal species in southern unprecedented way, all of a sudden Tanzanian forests are suffering alarming and without a trace. Scientists received declines due to bushmeat hunting and this incident as a heads-up, and habitat degradation”. It describes the conducted studies as to the possible results of three separate research projects causes of this extraordinary and focusing on the threats to biodiversity in mysterious situation, which they the Uzungwa Scarp Forest Reserve in termed "colony collapse disorder”. southern Tanzania since 2004. It shows (Source: www.todayszaman.com, that the Tanzanian wildlife has been hugely 25 October 2010.)

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% UNITED ARAB EMIRATES UNITED STATES % OF AMERICA Herbal formula to undergo clinical tests A herbal-based formula extracted from Wild ginseng disappearing from parks endangered plants across the United Arab Although not officially endangered, ginseng Emirates is set to undergo clinical tests for populations are decreasing at an alarming its efficacy to help combat serious diseases rate in parks located in the southeastern such as diabetes, a health expert said United States of America. Rangers at during a symposium on protection of Mammoth Cave National Park (Kentucky) medicinal plants in the country. and Great Smoky Mountains National Park A designated farm to help preserve the (Tennessee, North Carolina) are now medicinal plants at the Zayed Complex for battling poachers. Herbal Research and Traditional Medicine In national forests and private property, in Abu Dhabi has been recently recognized people may dig up the plant legally if they by the World Health Organization as a have the landowners’ permission. But regional centre for herbal research. recently, poachers continue to hunt the "Through evidence-based research, we plant in the summer. Rangers have been plan to introduce our own herbal-based patrolling the backcountry to look for formula, and will continue into clinical diggers and some have been caught. In trials by offering patients herbal solutions October 2010, a major bust occurred, for different chronic diseases such as saving 805 roots which were then of Charges and Fees for Harvest of Forest allergies, asthma, kidney stones, replanted. Botanical Products” for the National hypertension and diabetes. A single herb The latest advance in stopping poachers Forest System, commonly referred to as can have 1 000 active ingredients, which has been a coded chip that is being placed “section 339”. This law provided the can be useful to help combat all these on the roots of the plant to identify its impetus for the development of a cost diseases put together," Dr Mazen Ali Naji, location. Should it move, then rangers appraisal system for SFPs sold from FS Manager at the Zayed Complex told Gulf know it has been uprooted and it can be lands. News on the sidelines of Wednesday's hunted using ultraviolet light or trained For the most part, commerce in wild- meeting. dogs. (Source: www.about.com, 10 January harvested medicinals, florals and foods In line with Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al 2011.) has operated at unknown scales, as trade Nahyan's vision to preserve medicinal in these products is not generally tracked plants, the Ministry of Environment and Trade in NWFPs separately from agriculturally produced Water (MOEW) partnered with the Health Trade in plants, lichens and fungi from items. In addition, businesses in NTFP Authority Abu Dhabi in a project to help forests in the United States of America has industries have generally been small, with preserve 30 different kinds of plants in the been important for generations. Native many small businesses operating at the Emirates, known for their useful medical Americans had well-established trade margin of the formal and informal components. "There are 640 different types routes throughout the land for thousands economies. When both commercial of plants in rural areas and deserts across of years. As other groups came to North harvest and personal use are considered, the United Arab Emirates, 30 percent of America, trade in these products the contribution of forest botanicals to which are herbal. Most of these herbal expanded to Asia and Europe. some local and regional economies is plants are prone to habitat destruction due Internationally, these forest botanical significant. Please see box on page 59 for to changing weather conditions and animal products are referred to as non-wood or information on three wild-harvested feed, which is why we are supporting non-timber forest products. The US products included in this report. projects which help preserve these Department of Agriculture, Forest Service (Source: J. Smith, L.K. Crone and S.J. endangered plants," said Eng Ahmad Al (FS) refers to these products as special Alexander. 2010. A US Forest Service Matri, Director of the Desertification forest products (SFPs). special forest products appraisal system: Combat Department at MOEW. (Source: Increasing concern about the impact of background, methods, and assessment. www.gulfnews.com, 25 November 2010.) commercial harvest of these wild Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-822. Portland, resources on their sustainability and on Oregon, US Department of Agriculture, wildlife, questions of tribal and treaty Forest Service, Pacific Northwest rights, concerns raised by amateur Research Station. 22 p.) science groups, as well as concerns over access and property rights have resulted FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: in efforts by state and federal Susan J. Alexander, Ph.D., Regional governments to exert more control over Economist, Alaska Region Secure Rural harvests and harvesters. A significant Schools Coordinator, Alaska Region, federal regulatory response to these USDA Forest Service, PO Box 21628, concerns is Public Law 106–113, Juneau AK 99802, United States of America. legislation passed by Congress in the 2000 Fax: +1-907-586-7852; Appropriations Act entitled “Pilot Program e-mail: [email protected]

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WILD HUCKLEBERRIES, WILD EDIBLE another upswing in the 1980s, which matsutake, a substitute for true FUNGI AND FLORAL PRODUCTS: persisted, as huckleberry products were matsutake from Asia (T. matsutake). The SIGNIFICANT INDUSTRIES IN THE PAST marketed in the west as local cultural recession in Japan and the entry of CENTURY symbols and tourist souvenirs. Although suppliers from East European and Asian the market is relatively small, continued countries into various markets have In the western United States of America, pressure on resources has raised concerns caused prices to decline and stabilize three wild-harvested products stand out from tribes with rights to forest resources, somewhat. as significant commercial industries in the from people concerned about wildlife past century. These three products (such as bears) and from concerns about Floral products illustrate how wild-harvested products are resource sustainability. The floral products (primarily salal subject to the same economic and social [Gaultheria shallon Pursh] and evergreen forces as any agricultural product and, in Wild edible fungi [or California] huckleberry [Vaccinium some cases, create unique issues owing to Commercial harvest of wild edible fungi, ovatum Pursh]) industry has evolved from their special characteristics. particularly American matsutake many small businesses to a concentration (Tricholoma magnivelare), saw a huge of large businesses that rely on wild- Wild huckleberries upswing in the late 1980s and early 1990s, harvested products and cheap labour. This Wild huckleberries (primarily Vaccinium followed by a decline after the mid-1990s concentration has led these businesses to membranaceum), also harvested and sold caused by the Japanese economic yield some control over harvest levels and in the east, have experienced boom-and- recession and increased competition from some influence over attempts at bust cycles since the 1920s. Variations in other countries. There are essentially two regulation, even though the products the harvest of wild huckleberries illustrate separate international markets for wild themselves are open access resources. the impacts of upswings and downturns in edible fungi: the European and the Floral greens markets, like those for the national economy on open access Japanese market. wild edible fungi, are strongly forest resources. During downturns in Markets and commodity chains for wild international. regional or national economies, harvest of edible fungi harvested in the United Floral greens are sometimes harvested these products can increase significantly. States of America are primarily for personal use, but impacts from Western huckleberries have been sold international, although there is a growing harvesting result primarily from commercially at least since the beginning domestic market for wild fungi. Much of commercial demand. During the 1930s of the twentieth century. With the the total volume harvested comes from Depression, many people in the west development of preservation public lands in the west. Many successful depended on NTFPs for income, including technologies, construction of roads small businesses supply both domestic and floral greens. In the post-Second World creating access, and the stock market international markets with fresh or lightly War era, as jobs in the formal economy crash of 1928, huckleberries became a processed (dried or frozen) products, became more available, NTFP harvest major crop in western forests. The serving as peripheral nodes where the became a background issue for land commercialization of huckleberries formal and informal economies meet. managers. It emerged as a public policy changed the sociocultural interaction of Large-scale commercial harvesting of wild issue in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Whites and Native Americans in the west. mushrooms surged in western North owing to a variety of factors, including Although both groups sold berries America in the 1980s; European demand regional declines in timber employment, commercially, the invasion of non-Native for wild edible fungi, primarily morels increases in favourable habitat for floral pickers created unprecedented (Morchella spp.) and chanterelles greens because of silvicultural conditions, competition for berries, while also raising (Cantharellus spp.) declined, particularly immigration that led to large pools of concerns that Native Americans’ after contamination concerns following labourers with limited work opportunities, relationship to huckleberries was not the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear accident and and increasing demand for wild-harvested being respected. After the Second World power plant pollution. An economic products worldwide. Concern about War, huckleberry pickers were relegated boom in Japan created sharp increases, resource sustainability has led to studies to marginal participants in the formal and sometimes wild daily fluctuations, in examining the impacts of harvesting on economy. But the industry saw yet prices and demand for American floral greens.

Forestry, nearly 6 000 farms manage some allocated to give incentives to expand % UZBEKISTAN 213 487 hives. production and enrich forage reserves for In 2010, over 28 000 hives, 258 000 frames beekeepers: 54 new farms received 440.3 ha Beekeepers produce 3 000 tonnes of and other necessary materials were of land last year. As a result, Uzbek honey in 2010 supplied to foster the development of beekeepers produced over 3 000 tonnes of Uzbekistan has invested great efforts in beekeeping in the country. Banks also honey in 2010. (Source: Kazakhstan developing beekeeping in the nation. extended credit worth a total of 351.8 million News.Net, 6 January 2011.) p According to the General Department of soums. Additionally, more land was

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BIODIVERSITY: That is why the United Nations has declared by millions of years of evolution are being % BOUNDLESS, PRICELESS 2011 to be both the International Year of extinguished at a rate a thousand times – AND THREATENED Forests and the launch of an International faster than, for example, at the end of the Ice Decade of Biodiversity, with a new Age, and that as the human population Continental Europe is home to more than intergovernmental panel of expertise. grows in the next 90 years, this extinction 125 000 known species of terrestrial and French researchers pointed out in rate is predicted to increase a further freshwater animals, and each year another November that the inventory of European tenfold. Such problems cannot be solved in a 700 newly described species join the list. fauna is incomplete and that they cannot year, or a decade. But perhaps, with serious That sounds like good news to mark the end begin to guess what the total might be. Yet political investment, a concerted global of 2010, the International Year of Biodiversity. Europe is where taxonomy and ecology began: effort can at last begin. (Source: The It may not be. The planet buzzes with life, from Beijing to Bradford, from Windhoek to Guardian [United Kingdom], 1 January 2011.) most of it unidentified and an alarming Wisconsin, creatures have formal Latin proportion of it now vulnerable to extinction. names because Latin was the scholarly language of the first systematic catalogue of the living world little more than 250 years ago. Biodiversity is all we have. Living things EVERY SPECIES TO GET ITS OWN DNA provide food, fabric, fibre and BARCODE pharmaceuticals for humans; they fertilize and pollinate crops, generate oxygen and The International Barcode of Life project recycle water. The wealth of nations is built (iBOL – http://ibol.org/), which says it is the upon biodiversity: even the oil, coal, peat, world's first reference library of DNA chalk and flints dug from the ground were barcodes and the world's largest once living tissue. So the case for the biodiversity genomics project, is being conservation of life's variety ought to be built by scientists using fragments of DNA obvious. But biodiversity is a problem in four NEW GOOGLE EARTH to create a database of all life forms. parts. We do not know, cannot identify, and TECHNOLOGY ALLOWS “What we are trying to do is to create this cannot even begin to count most of the %TRACKING OF global library of DNA barcodes – snippets, creatures upon whom we depend, nor do we ENVIRONMENTAL little chunks of DNA – that permit us to know how these unidentified species CHANGES identify species," said Alex Smith, Assistant interact with and depend upon each other, Professor of Molecular Ecology at the yet we are extinguishing this richness at a Google has unveiled an online technology that University of Guelph's Biodiversity rate perhaps unparalleled in the 3.5 billion- allows scientists and researchers to track Institute of Ontario (Canada). To get the year history of life on Earth and we have as and measure changes to the environment barcodes, scientists use a short section of yet no master plan with which to address using 25 years worth of satellite data. Google DNA extracted from a standardized any of these challenges. Earth Engine, introduced during climate talks region of tissue. Once the barcode is Right now, one-fifth of the planet's known in Cancun, Mexico, utilizes "trillions of created, it is filed in the iBOL library. vertebrates and one-fifth of its named scientific measurements" collected by Within a week, the barcode can be viewed flowering plants are vulnerable, threatened NASA’s LANDSAT satellite, the company said. publicly, online, by signing up for a free or heading for extinction, but these represent Google is already working on applications account at www.boldsystems.org/, the site only a small fraction of all that there is to for tracking deforestation and mapping land- for Barcode of Life Datasystems (BOLD). conserve. If biodiversity is still unfinished use trends, including the creation of the Smith describes it as being like a label on a business in the continent in which research most comprehensive scale map of Mexico’s filing cabinet. began, and which is still home to most of the forest and water resources ever made. That The library has more than 87 000 world's expertise, then things look ominous project alone would have taken three years formally described species with barcodes for those places so much richer in wildlife to process using a single computer, Google filed and more than 1 million total and so much poorer not just in money but in officials say, but took just one day using barcoded specimens. scientific investment: those countries with Google Earth Engine. "No one has ever been Smith said humans live among at least the coral reefs, mangrove swamps, rain able to analyse that entire data set for 1.9 million named species, with total forests, savannahs and dry uplands that are Mexico, or even come close," said Rebecca diversity within all these species adding up home to the greatest diversity. Moore, the project’s engineering manager. to millions more. Scientists estimate iBOL There are of course vital projects – the Google says it will offer 20 million central will have barcodes for all 10 million species Census of Marine Diversity, the Barcode of processing unit (CPU) hours free to of multicellular life within the next 20 years. Life, IUCN red lists and so on. But they do developing nations and scientific While the library is based in Canada, not add up to global determination, and so organizations to utilize the platform, which which led the early stages of DNA far these initiatives do not address one could emerge as a critical tool in the barcoding, 25 other countries are also taxonomic riddle: confusion about how enforcement of such land management involved. (Source: Reuters [Canada], many species have been "discovered" and initiatives as the UN's REDD programme in 1 November 2010.) named more than once. which wealthier nations pay developing Meanwhile, the most conservative nations to preserve rain forests. (Source: Yale estimates suggest that creatures fashioned Environment 360, 3 December 2010.)

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RECOGNIZING THE %ECONOMIC BENEFITS GOOGLE EARTH NOW FEATURES 3-D OF NATURE IN 2011 TREES The world is waking up to the fact that it can no Google has populated several major cities Earth populated five sites run by the longer sit back while the planet's natural with more than 80 million virtual trees Green Belt Movement with the native resources, and the species that depend upon based on an automated process that tree species that communities are using them, are systematically destroyed. The identifies trees in satellite images. The to reforest degraded landscapes. In economic and human costs of inaction are realistic 3-D representations are based on Mexico, Google Earth worked with simply too great. Much of the groundwork has actual tree species found in urban areas. CONABIO, Mexico's National been laid which, for the first time in history, has But Google has also extended realistic Commission for the Knowledge and Use begun to quantify just how expensive the tree coverage to sites in some of the of Biodiversity, to model mangrove degradation of nature really is. world's most biologically diverse forests. forests, which serve as nurseries for A recent United Nations study entitled The Working with environmental marine life and protect coastal regions Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity organizations involved in its Google Earth from erosion. (TEEB) put the damage done to the natural Outreach program, Google has modelled The latest version of Google Earth world by human activity in 2008 at between trees in East Africa, the Brazilian Amazon includes two other major new features: US$2 trillion (£1.3 trillion) and US$4.5 trillion and coastal Mexico. Google hopes the an integrated "street view", which at the lower end, roughly equivalent to the initiative will help highlight the group’s enables users to zoom from space entire annual economic output of the United efforts to protect endangered forests and directly to an on-the-ground view of a Kingdom. generate sustainable livelihoods for place, and improved access to historical And in October last year in Nagoya, Japan, communities. imagery, which allows viewers to see almost 200 countries negotiated 20 specific In Brazil, Google worked with the how locations have changed over time. targets with the express aim of "taking Surui tribe and the Amazon Conservation Historical imagery can be particularly effective and urgent action to halt the loss of Team to model some of the most useful in the context of deforestation. biodiversity". Among these were included "culturally significant" trees in the Surui's For example, a Google Earth user massively increasing areas of protected tract of Amazon rain forest. These include viewing the area surrounding the Surui oceans, halving the rate of loss of natural the açai palm, known for its protein- and territory can see forests disappear over habitats and preventing the extinction of antioxidant-rich fruit; the moriche palm, time as loggers and ranchers move into threatened species. an important source of food; the cacao the region. Today, the Surui forest is an Binding commitments are not due to be tree, used to produce chocolate; the island in a largely deforested landscape. signed until February next year, but over the cashew tree; and the Brazil nut, among (Source: www.mongabay.com, next 12 months the momentum will really others. Meanwhile, in Kenya, Google 29 November 2010.) begin to build upon many of the targets set out in Nagoya. This year will also see real momentum gathering for the value of nature to be reflected NEW UN PLATFORM scientific knowledge about the very rapid in national accounts. With trillions of dollars %FOR BIODIVERSITY disappearance of a great number of being lost to the global economy each year vegetable and animal species and the through the destruction of the Earth's natural The UN General Assembly has approved the erosion of ecosystems leads to concrete resources, the World Bank and individual creation of an Intergovernmental Science measures. IPBES is intended to facilitate national accounting bodies are working to find Policy Platform on Biodiversity and this process." the best way in which this money can be Ecosystem Services (IPBES), aimed at The UN General Assembly resolution to accounted for. Only then will the true value of harnessing scientific knowledge in fighting create a platform that would place the issue the services that nature provides, such as vital the destruction of the ecosystem. of biodiversity at the top of the international pollination for crops by bees and storm The new body is modelled on the political agenda came five years after a protection from mangrove swamps, be Intergovernmental Panel on Climate global conference at UNESCO on identified. Only then can proper mechanisms Change (IPCC) set up in 1988 by the World biodiversity and governance laid the be put in place to protect these so-called Meteorological Organization and the United groundwork for negotiations culminating in ecosystem services. Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). the formation of IPBES. India has already announced its intention to The United Nations Educational, Scientific As a way forward, following the landmark incorporate natural capital into its national and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is one decision, environment ministers will attend accounts by 2015, and "others will hopefully of the organizations involved in creating a governing council of UNEP and the Global agree by the end of the year to a framework [to IPBES. In a statement on 21 December, the Ministerial Forum in Kenya next month follow suit]", says Mr Pavan Sukhdev, leader of UN agency said: "The main objective of where decisions concerning the first IPBES the TEEB study. IPBES is to promote awareness among plenary meeting as well as the location of TEEB has so far completed two case studies political decision-makers and the general the new body's secretariat will be taken. focusing on the impact of deforestation on the public of the disastrous consequences of (Source: www.undiversityworldnews.com, Chinese construction industry and of the biodiversity loss. The aim is to ensure that 9 January 2011.) drying up of the Aral Sea on the local cotton

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Some scientists caution that agreeing on precise categories to divvy up habitats would NAGOYA BIODIVERSITY SUMMIT reduce the pressures on biodiversity; be a monumental task. But many already safeguard biodiversity at all levels; agree on some ecosystems that are Some 18 000 participants representing the enhance the benefits provided by threatened or endangered, including many 193 Parties to the Convention on Biological biodiversity; and provide for capacity coral reefs, salt marshes, mountain habitats Diversity (CBD) and their partners closed building. threatened by rising global temperatures, the Nagoya Biodiversity Summit by The “Aichi Target” will be the grasslands in the southern Russian adopting historic decisions that will permit overarching framework on biodiversity Federation and Brazil's Atlantic forest. the community of nations to meet the not only for the biodiversity-related Logging poses a serious threat to the lowland unprecedented challenges of the conventions, but for the entire United forests on Indonesia's Borneo Island, which continued loss of biodiversity, which is Nations system. Parties agreed to translate are home to endangered orangutans. In the being compounded by climate change. this overarching international framework Andes, expanding farmland has fragmented Governments agreed on a package of into national biodiversity strategy and the cloud forests where spectacled bears live. measures that will ensure that the action plans within two years. "You usually get ecosystem decline ecosystems of the planet will continue to Parties also adopted the Nagoya occurring first, and then species decline later sustain human well-being into the future. Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources on," said Jon Paul Rodriguez, a conservation The meeting achieved its three and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of biologist at the Venezuelan Institute of interlinked goals: (i) adoption of a new Benefits Arising from their Utilization. The Scientific Research who is leading the IUCN ten-year Strategic Plan to guide historic agreement creates a framework working group. He and 20 other experts laid international and national efforts to save that balances access to genetic resources out their proposals in an article published biodiversity through enhanced action to on the basis of prior informed consent online by the journal Conservation Biology in meet the objectives of the CBD; (ii) a and mutually agreed terms with the fair November. resource mobilization strategy that and equitable sharing of benefits, while The list of habitats devastated by people provides the way forward to a substantial taking into account the important role of has been growing. North American tall grass increase to current levels of official traditional knowledge. The Protocol also prairies have largely vanished, along with the development assistance in support of proposes the creation of a global game animals that once thrived in them. biodiversity; and (iii) a new international multilateral mechanism that will operate Some rivers, such as the Rio Grande, have protocol on access to and sharing of the in transboundary areas or situations been strangled by heavy pumping and now benefits from the use of the genetic where prior informed consent cannot be barely reach the sea. resources of the planet. obtained. The Protocol is expected to Today, some efforts to save threatened The Strategic Plan of the CBD or the enter into force by 2012, with aid from species appear to be working. One study “Aichi Target”, adopted by the meeting, the Global Environment Facility of US$1 released in October by a large international includes 20 headline targets, organized million to support early entry into force. team of researchers found that efforts to save under five strategic goals that address the (Source: CBD press release [Nagoya, endangered animals are making a difference underlying causes of biodiversity loss; Japan], 29 October 2010.) for dozens of species. The report concluded that the overall march towards extinction would have been about 20 percent faster if no conservation steps had been taken. industry. Mr Sukhdev says between 500 and their familiar list of endangered species. "Species Red Lists have already been a 1 000 such case studies are needed before Some experts say that drawing up a global huge policy success, so there is reason to natural capital can begin to be widely "Red List" of vanishing ecosystems would think that ecosystem Red Lists could be too, incorporated into national accounts. help them spot looming crises caused by and could complement them," said Kathryn This year is the one in which the foundations everything from climate change to the cutting Rodriguez-Clark, an ecology and conservation for much of the research will be laid, research of forests, and would sharpen their focus on specialist at the Venezuelan Institute of that will help to hammer home just what a vital areas to conserve. Scientific Research, who is part of the IUCN role nature plays in the global economy. An international working group of effort. (Source: The Associated Press in the (Source: BBC News, 9 January 2010.) biologists and conservation experts has Washington Post, 5 December 2010.) p been developing a system for classifying threats to ecosystems. "If we can get a good, SCIENTISTS AIM TO MAP rigorous scientific system in place that is %AND SAVE ENDANGERED relatively easy to monitor worldwide ... you HABITATS can follow these changes and describe them An individual has not started living until and ring the alarm bell where things might he can rise above the narrow confines of From mangrove swamps in the Bolivarian go wrong," said Dutch conservation expert his individualistic concerns to the broader Republic of Venezuela to lowland forests in Piet Wit. He chairs the Commission of concerns of all humanity. Indonesia, entire communities of plants and Ecosystem Management of the International animals are under threat. Now scientists are Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Martin Luther King, Jr figuring out how to catalogue and map the which maintains the Red List of thousands world's most threatened ecosystems, just like of threatened plants and animals worldwide.

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result of our exceptional staff. Responding % FAO tonnes of CO2; that is the equivalent of to countries’ needs should be balanced 3.7 percent of global CO emissions. 2 between normative (statistics, However, data on carbon sequestered in publications, best practices, etc.) and FORESTRY DEPARTMENT soils are not yet sufficiently available. project work. The engagement of FAO as Thirteen percent of forests are located in Chair of the Collaborative Partnership on protected areas with an increase of Forests in global forest-related issues is a 94 million ha since 1990. The annual value key part in achieving this balance. of wood used was nearly US$100 billion Moreover, a stronger focus on dryland and NWFPs nearly US$19 billion. Direct forests and options for forest and forest employment (excluding industrial landscape restoration in these countries employment) is estimated at 10 million has been identified as a departmental people. Three-quarters of the countries priority, as well as strengthening the are reported to have a national forest linkages with the forest research and programme. education community. The challenges are very different in The International Year of Forests in every region of the world, given the 2011 (Forests 2011) is an important varying socio-economic and natural occasion to highlight the value and role of conditions, population density and threats forests for society in all countries. to forests. The most intensive changes are Through the focal agency for Forests 2011, observed in emerging countries because the UN Forum on Forests, and the of urbanization and industrialization, Collaborative Partnership on Forests, FAO which are reducing pressure on land and is preparing a supportive toolkit to guide Forests and FAO forests, allowing recovery, especially if member countries. We will also take The following has been extracted from an adequate policy strengthens the process. advantage of all opportunities during the interview in UN Special 702 with Eduardo In developed countries, forest area and year to place forests at the centre of Rojas-Briales, Assistant Director- stock are growing and problems resulting attention and focus on the needs of General, Forestry Department, FAO and from underuse of forests are people, which is in accordance with the Chair of the Collaborative Partnership on accumulating (overpopulation of certain Forests 2011 slogan: “Forests for people”. Forests. wildlife species, the increasing risk of Only if people, especially those living near strong winds destroying forests, greater the forests, are aware of the wealth of The main findings of the FAO Global instances of forest fires, etc.). Land-use services and products from the forests, Forest Resources Assessment 2010 show planning is a key instrument in countries can forests have a long-lasting future. a significant reduction (37 percent) in net that place high pressure on land, (Source: UN Special 702, January 2011. deforestation: from 8.3 million ha/year in particularly where previously deforested Geneva, United Nations. the previous decade (1990–2000) to 5.2 land is ineffectively used but suitable for www.unspecial.org/UNS702/t21.html) million ha/year in the past one afforestation or energy crops. In emerging (2000–2010). Deforestation is mainly countries, supportive policies can help restricted to two regions – South America advance opportunities for forest and Africa; the other three, Asia, Europe landscape restoration, as seen in and North and Central America, have countries such as China. In less developed shown a net increase in forest area. The countries, agricultural intensification and FAO FORESTRY PUBLICATIONS difference between net and total improvement in living conditions will help deforestation (13 million ha/year) is to reduce pressure on forests. In FAO has launched an improved caused by reforestation and natural forest developed countries, the challenge is Forestry publications site. The home expansion (7.8 million ha/year). Three finding ways to make forestry a major page features the most recent countries account for 90 percent of the asset in the development of green publications from a number of series reduction of net deforestation: Indonesia, economies, for example by adjusting the produced by the Forestry Department, China and the Sudan. In all regions, there timber harvest level to match the growth both at headquarters and regional are excellent examples of sound forest of forest resources. offices. Besides the Department’s policies and management that should be The priorities of FAO for forests and flagship publications, such as the State expanded upon. At the country level, Viet forestry are determined by our statutory of the World’s Forests and Unasylva, Nam and Costa Rica have undergone bodies, the Regional Forest Commissions FAO Forestry papers, working paper significant forest reforms, including (like the European Forest Commissions) series, recent books, copublications changes in the legal and institutional and the Committee on Forestry (COFO). and other non-series titles are framework, forest tenure reform and The management challenge is to take displayed. The home page also has implementation of payment of advantage of all opportunities to match slots for recent publications from each environmental services. Despite the countries’ requests with our limited work region. improvement to deforestation rates, forest resources. Fortunately, the amount of www.fao.org/forestry/publications/en/ biomass is still reducing annually by an quality activities and projects from FAO in amount that is equivalent to 1.8 billion forests and forestry is quite high, as a

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FAO IN THE FIELD and credit; and (vi) providing an enabling Comment sensibiliser les décideurs policy and institutional environment. The politiques en Afrique centrale sur GCP/RAF/408/EC Project “Mobilizing and project is expected to be completed in June l’importance des PFNL pour les populations building the capacities of small and 2011. locales, leur alimentation et leurs revenus? medium-sized enterprises involved in the On the whole, the project was responsible Comment montrer aux décideurs l’influence non-wood forest product value chains in for creating nine producer organizations on primordiale du cadre légal et institutionnel Central Africa” NWFPs, with incomes of the populations sur le développement des filières de PFNL? Funded by the European Union and carried involved rising by some 35 percent. It is Afin de répondre à ces questions, le projet out by FAO in collaboration with partners worthy of mention that at least 40 percent of GCP/RAF/441/GER, financé par le including the Center for International these organizations are managed by women. Gouvernement allemand pour une durée de Forestry Research (CIFOR), the World A number of publications, reports and trois ans (octobre 2009-septembre 2012) et Agroforestry Centre and the SNV policy briefs produced by the project are mis en œuvre au Congo, au Gabon et en Netherlands Development Organization, this available from the project’s Web site: République centrafricaine, a organisé un project aims to increase the income of small www.fao.org/forestry/enterprises/nwfp- voyage d’étude et d’échanges sur le and medium-sized enterprises involved in centralafrica-eu/en/ développement du secteur des PFNL au NWFP value chains and to manage forest niveau sous-régional, national et local dans resources in a sustainable manner for FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: les pays de l’Afrique centrale. present and future generations. It plans to do Sophie Grouwels, Forestry Officer, Community- Ce voyage a permis aux représentants des so by building entrepreneurial capacities and based Enterprise Development (CBED), Forest ministères en charge des forêts et des ensuring sustainable resource management Policy and Economics Team, Forestry équipes de projet au Gabon, au Congo, au within enabling institutional settings. Department, FAO, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, Cameroun et en République centrafricaine, This project kicked off across four sites in 00153 Rome. E-mail: [email protected] d’échanger avec les commerçants, les Cameroon and three areas in the Democratic (Please see pages 31, 44, 45 and 48 for extracts producteurs, les structures de recherche et Republic of the Congo (DRC), with the aim of: from reports produced by the project.) de domestication et les industries de (i) ensuring increased revenue for local transformation des PFNL, au Cameroun et producers/groups based on key NWFP Projet GCP/RAF/441/GER «Renforcement au Gabon, sur les opportunités et les production and commercialization; (ii) de la sécurité alimentaire en Afrique» contraintes du secteur. improving entrepreneurial and marketing centrale à travers la gestion durable des Les participants ont notamment constaté skills; (iii) ensuring sustainable resource produits forestiers non ligneux (PFNL)» le grand pouvoir d’achat des commerçants production and harvesting techniques; (iv) nigérians dans le sud du Cameroun et leur improving processing for local value addition; Voyage d’étude du Cameroun au Gabon: les forte influence sur le prix de la mangue (v) improving access to market information réalités du secteur des PFNL sur le terrain sauvage (Irvingia spp.). Afin de réduire leur

IMPACTS OF THE PROJECT • trained 35 representatives of • produced three technical manuals on 19 producer organizations in the sustainable collection and Below are some of the goals FAO and production and post-harvest domestication of selected species; its partners have achieved to date. techniques of various NWFPs. • sensitized 364 persons on new 1. Developed skills of local producers 2. Developed NWFP value chains planting techniques of specific Acacia and groups • nine studies on the key NWFPs in the species; and • improved entrepreneurial and region were carried out, outlining • provided and disseminated 350 organizational capacities of small problems in NWFP value chains, machines for splitting bush mangoes. and medium-sized NWFP enterprises, overexploitation of specific NWFPs 4. Provided an enabling policy and including 223 persons representing and plans of action for the institutional environment for the 3 515 villagers throughout the DRC sustainable production and development of small and medium- and Cameroon; management of key species in the sized NWFP enterprises • sharpened business skills of region. • sensitized 36 persons on the 229 villagers, the marketing skills 3. Developed sustainable resource importance of public-private relations of 93 people (who in turn passed production and harvesting techniques in the sustainable development of on their skills to an additional • trained 319 people in the small and medium-sized NWFP 406 locals, including four domestication and commercialization enterprises; associations that indirectly of key NWFPs and in developing • produced an amendment containing benefited an additional 3 500 NWFP “business plans”; 12 articles to upgrade and ameliorate people); • supplied 65 nurseries with resources, existing forestry legislation and aspects • developed capacities of 71 persons in mobilizing 436 men and 155 women related to NWFPs in the DRC; and production techniques of the African in the domestication of selected • set in place a national consultative plum (Dacryodes edulis); and agroforestry species; committee on NWFPs in Cameroon.

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dépendance à l'égard des fonds étrangers %INTERNATIONAL YEAR Through an ancient agricultural planting pour l’achat du produit, les commerçants OF FORESTS technique that he pioneered on his own, camerounais devraient s’organiser dans les Sawadogo brought trees to a barren land, bassins d’approvisionnement et mettre en helped them grow and flourish and improved place des fonds de roulement. the lives of all in the region. Le caractère transfrontalier du voyage a The UNFF Secretariat will also be running permis d'observer que le Cameroun exporte a “Forest Heroes” campaign, to help des PFNL comme la mangue sauvage, le highlight the stories of those whose Gnetum spp. et les feuilles de Marantacées dedication to forests and forest issues au Nigéria, en Guinée équatoriale et au deserve special recognition. Throughout Gabon. Il a en outre mené à constater le Forests 2011, nominations will be accepted manque d’un système harmonisé en matière and winners announced, having their stories de taxation, contrôle phytosanitaire et permis shared with the world through the Forests d’exploitation dans la sous-région. Par 2011 Web site. ailleurs, les visites dans les villages gabonais ont montré l’importance des PFNL comme filet de sécurité lors des phases de soudure agricole, ainsi que la nécessité de mieux FORESTS 2011 WEB SITE intégrer les producteurs dans les filières. De plus, l’accès des populations locales aux UN International Year of Forests This site is a global platform to celebrate PFNL n’est pas toujours garanti et l’exercice Jan McAlpine, Director of the United Nations people’s action to manage sustainably de leur droit à l’alimentation entre souvent en Division on Forests and head of the United the world’s forests. It contains conflit avec les activités développées par Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) Secretariat, information regarding events being d’autres acteurs, notamment dans le cadre highlights the role the International Year of organized throughout the year as well as des concessions forestières. Une approche Forests will play in bringing critical attention interactive Web tools and resources to intégrée dans l’élaboration et la mise en to the world's forests. promote dialogue on forests. place des politiques et des cadres juridiques www.un.org/en/events/iyof2011/ or est fortement recommandée afin de garantir The United Nations General Assembly www.fao.org/forestry/iyf2011/en/ les droits des populations et la durabilité de designated 2011 as the International Year l’exploitation économique des ressources of Forests (Forests 2011) to raise forestières. awareness on sustainable management, Nous vous invitons à visiter le site Internet conservation and sustainable Part of the power of the International Year du projet: development of all types of forests. of Forests is that it is a global event, with www.fao.org/forestry/nwfp/55079/fr/ Throughout Forests 2011, events will be events organized by many different Inscrivez-vous sur le site et recevez organized around the world at the national, governments and groups. While UNFF has automatiquement par courriel les mises à regional and local level. All events will been designated as the focal point for jour sur le projet, les activités en cours et les capture the message of Forests 2011 – a implementation of Forests 2011, the central publications! celebration of the many wonders of forests idea is “we provide the platform, you provide and their special relationship to the people the action”, and we have received many POUR EN SAVOIR PLUS, CONTACTER: who depend upon them. There are great pledges to action. Juliane Masuch, Cadre associé PFNL et droit à success stories the world over of people Forests 2011 will be an unprecedented l’alimentation, Coordination régionale du Projet sustainably managing their forests for opportunity to bring attention to forests PFNL, FAO. B.P. 281, Yaoundé, Cameroun. shelter, food, income, medicine and clean throughout the world. The spotlight on Courriel: [email protected]; water – for income, trade, sustenance and a forests and climate change, and particularly www.fao.org/forestry/nwfp/55079/fr/ way of life. These stories exist and are the growth of REDD+ with crucial support (Please see page 19 for more information about plentiful. from the UN-REDD Programme, has this project.) A central event of Forests 2011 is the provided extensive political commitment International Film Festival, launched in and financial resources for forests. At the conjunction with the Jackson Hole Wildlife same time, Forests 2011 provides the Film Festival in Wyoming, United States of opportunity for increased visibility of forests America. We received more than 170 film and their importance among the wider submissions from more than 25 countries public, both in developed and developing across six categories. Each film had a unique countries. Through this linkage, Forests story to tell, stories that can help inspire and 2011 and REDD+ are helping us work in encourage action. synergy to ensure that forests are One film, “The man who stopped the sustainably managed in the near future so desert”, followed the story of Yacouba that present and future generations can Sawadogo, an illiterate peasant farmer from continue to enjoy the wonders of the world’s Burkina Faso, who transformed the lives of forests. (Source: UN-REDD Newsletter, 15 thousands across the Sahel region of Africa. January 2011.)

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SPECIAL ISSUE OF UNASYLVA links. With only photos and the briefest We have not managed to be of stories, the issue expresses the theme completely comprehensive in the of the international year – “Forests for selection since it has not been possible people” – by showing how forests are to obtain photos from every country, important to nearly all kinds of human and you will surely think of great activity. So when you celebrate Peace Day examples that we have left out. We in 2011 – or International Women’s Day, welcome you to send us your own or Human Rights Day, or World Health photos and captions (to Day or even International Civil Aviation [email protected]), and time and space Day – you can celebrate forests. permitting, we may highlight them on a While the international days are the calendar that we will run on the FAO thread that holds this collection of photos Forestry Web site throughout the year. together, the organization is thematic, You may notice that one day is rather than chronological, the better to missing from the collection. There is no catalogue forests’ place in many sectors. universally celebrated day for forests. We We admit that a few have been left out – hope that the International Year of World Tobacco-Free Day and World Forests will change this, and give impetus International Year of Forests 2011. Television Day, for instance – but perhaps to consider creating an international day Celebrate forests every day you can think of forest linkages even to for forests, as recommended by the FAO The year 2011 is a special one for forests these. Committee on Forestry at its most recent and for all who care about them. To Some of the photos highlight FAO meeting in October 2010. inaugurate it, FAO has created a special activities and those of our partners; many I hope you will enjoy this special all- issue of Unasylva. come from less usual partners, UN photo issue, and celebrate forests More than 100 international days are agencies that are not often associated throughout the year. Celebrate forests celebrated throughout the year, in directly with forestry – such as the for people – and people for forests, and recognition of a vast range of issues, International Organization for forests for life. (Source: Editorial of occupations, activities and cultural values Migration, the United Nations Capital Eduardo Rojas-Briales, Assistant Director- important to humanity. What better way Development Fund, the United Nations General, FAO Forestry Department, to demonstrate the myriad functions of Industrial Development Organization, Unasylva, 62: 237.) forests than to show that forests have a the International Fund for Agricultural (Photos from this special edition of link to almost all of them? The Unasylva Development and the United Nations Unasylva have been used to illustrate Editor, Andrea Perlis, has compiled a Educational, Scientific and Cultural the back cover of this issue of Non- collection of images that illustrate these Organization. Wood News.)

sostenible del planeta debido a los Secretaría del Foro de las Naciones Unidas beneficios económicos, socioculturales y sobre los Bosques (FNUB) será el centro de ambientales que proporcionan. Con este fin, coordinación designado para la puesta en se promoverá la acción internacional en pos práctica del Año Internacional de los de la ordenación sostenible, la conservación Bosques. y el desarrollo de todo tipo de bosques, Es la segunda vez que se asigna a los incluidos los árboles fuera de ellos. bosques su propio «año internacional». La Entre las actividades conmemorativas primera fue en 1985, cuando el Consejo de del Año Internacional de los Bosques figura la FAO pidió a todos los Estados Miembros el intercambio de conocimientos sobre que concedieran un reconocimiento estrategias prácticas que favorezcan la especial a los bosques en el curso del año a ordenación forestal sostenible y el fin de centrar la atención mundial en la retroceso de la deforestación y la necesidad de conservar y proteger los degradación de los bosques. bosques; despertar la conciencia política y El Año Internacional de los Bosques Con el objeto de facilitar la organización pública en lo relativo a los recursos El 20 de diciembre de 2006, la Asamblea de estas actividades, se alienta a los forestales; identificar y poner de relieve los General de las Naciones Unidas aprobó la gobiernos a que establezcan comités factores que amenazan a estos recursos resolución por la que se declaraba el 2011 nacionales y centros de coordinación en sus forestales; y movilizar a la población, y en como el Año Internacional de los Bosques. países respectivos, así como a que aúnen especial a los jóvenes, para que participasen Esta celebración resultará útil para tomar sus esfuerzos con los de las organizaciones en actividades orientadas hacia la mayor conciencia sobre los bosques, los regionales e internacionales y las protección de los bosques. (Fuente: cuales son parte integrante del desarrollo organizaciones de la sociedad civil. La www.eluniversal.com, 10 de enero de 2011.)

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CITES Secretary General emphasizes GLOBAL SHEA CITES’ contribution to IYF goals % ALLIANCE John Scanlon, Secretary General of the INTERNATIONAL SHEA CONFERENCE Convention on International Trade in TO BE HELD IN GHANA Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), recalling that 2011 is both International shea industry stakeholders the start of the UN Decade on will come to Accra, Ghana, on 6 and 7 Biodiversity and the International Year of April 2011 for the sector's fifth annual Forests (IYF), has announced that conference. The Global Shea Alliance CITES is responding to the UN General announced that the conference – “Shea Assembly call for governments, relevant 2011: Sustainable Solutions” – will feature regional and international organizations, the launch of the world's first and major groups to support activities An international alliance to promote the international private sector shea alliance related to IYF. shea industry around the world and expert information on virtually every Scanlon highlighted the CITES On 11 October 2010, more than 50 shea aspect of the business. framework for tracing international trade industry stakeholders established the first "The conference facilitates in the approximately 34 000 species it international shea alliance. The Global connections, information exchange and protects (which include around 200 tree Shea Alliance was formed to promote business among stakeholders from across species) and ensuring that their derivative shea worldwide, establish industry West Africa and around the world," said products are from legal and sustainable standards for quality and sustainable Peter Lovett, shea sector advisor at the sources. He indicated that the number of sourcing and facilitate information USAID West Africa Trade Hub, which tree species protected by the Convention exchange. Stakeholders included the organizes the event with sponsorship has risen in recent years, partly through world’s largest buyers of shea nuts and from across the industry. the increase in exploitation and partly shea butter, traders, processors, service Shea nuts come from millions of trees because the Convention is increasingly providers and NGOs from across West growing in the Sahel, an arid region seen as an effective tool for ensuring Africa and around the world. Twenty-eight stretching from Senegal to Uganda. As sustainable use of commercial tree companies signed a declaration to form many as 4 million women sustain their species, and described, inter alia, the international alliance. livelihoods by collecting the nuts, which increasing calls for inclusion of then become shea stearin or olein, an commercially important native trees Guidelines, structure and functions ingredient par excellence for speciality in Appendix III (species subject to Stakeholders elected an interim executive fats used in confectionery and natural domestic regulation by a party requesting committee to develop the new alliance’s cosmetics. From the women's groups that the cooperation of other parties to guidelines, structure and functions. Global collect shea nuts to the world's major control international trade in that Shea – the internationally recognized buyers of nuts and butter, the conference species). brand developed by stakeholders in 2009 – is the only event of its kind for the Scanlon urged active cooperation to will be used to represent the alliance on industry. Researchers, civil society, public achieve the conservation and sustainable an interim basis. In addition, stakeholders sector officials, service providers, financial use of the world’s forests, referring to elected to house the alliance’s secretariat institutions and transport companies will CITES' existing collaboration with key at the USAID West Africa Trade Hub, also also participate. international organizations in the field on an interim basis. "This event is the most significant of its such as the International Tropical Timber The new alliance will pursue strategic kind to date, for the global shea Organization (ITTO) as well as efforts that objectives to improve the shea industry for industry," said Peter Stedman, senior are expected to come to fruition in 2011, all stakeholders. buyer at The Body Shop International. including cooperation with FAO’s Forestry Operators will formally launch the Global Department; the United Nations Formal launch Shea Alliance at the conference, which Environment Programme (UNEP); the The alliance will be formally launched at they formed in October. Global Environment Facility (GEF); the Shea 2011: Sustainable Solutions, the "An international alliance will allow Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD); international shea industry conference stakeholders to work together to and the International Consortium on taking place in April in Ghana (see Box). promote shea in international markets," Combating Wildlife Crime. The conference is being organized by the said Kadijatou Lah of Mali's National Shea He emphasized that the CITES USAID West Africa Trade Hub with Federation and CEO of Lawal Secretariat will pay particular attention to sponsorship support from stakeholders International, a shea exporter. Source: the goals of IYF, and will be doing its best across the industry. www.next.com, 17 January 2011.) to promote further the important role of (Please see page 68 for more the Convention in achieving better forest FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: information.) p management for the benefit of forest Mr Aaron Adu, USAID West Africa Trade Hub, species and of the people who depend Jubilee House, PMB Osu, Accra, Ghana. upon them. (Source: International Fax: +233 21 782 231; e-mail: Institute for Sustainable Development [email protected]; www.globalshea.com (IISD) news, 31 January 2011.) or www.watradehub.com/

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QUINZIÈMES JOURNÉES Fundación Bosques de la Patagonia, Groves Hill Road, PB 35, Kotagiri 643217, % SCIENTIFIQUES DE Administración de Parques Nacionales y la Tamil Nadu, India. E-mail: sneh@keystone- L’INRGREF SUR LES PFNL Universidad Austral y el Instituto Forestal- foundation.org; www.nilgiriswaterportal.in or HAMMAMET, TUNISIE INFOR, ambos de Chile. www.keystone-foundation.org/ 12-14 OCTOBRE 2010 Se comenzó con conferencias a cargo de los expertos invitados, luego de las cuales L'Institut national de recherches en génie se presentaron los trabajos voluntarios que WESTERN HUCKLEBERRY rural, eaux et forêts (INRGREF) a consacré habían sido seleccionados: Simposio I: %FORUM ses Quinzièmes Journées scientifiques au Productos forestales no madereros; CRANBROOK, BRITISH COLUMBIA, thème de la valorisation et de la gestion Simposio II: Turismo en el bosque; y CANADA durable des produits forestiers non ligneux Simposio III: Servicios ambientales. 22–23 FEBRUARY 2011 (PFNL). Celles-ci avaient pour objectif de dresser l’état des lieux des PFNL dans les PARA MÁS INFORMACIÓN DIRIGIRSE A: Huckleberries are a key component of local forêts méditerranéennes, montrer les correo electrónico: ecosystems, cultures and economies in acquis de la recherche dans le domaine des [email protected]; communities throughout western North PFNL, et présenter et discuter les www.ciefap.org/novedades/economadereros/ America. With fire suppression and approches impliquant la population changes in the logging industry, forestière dans la gestion durable des PFNL. huckleberry pickers and natural resource Divers thèmes ont été abordés, NTFP ECO- managers have noted declines in the notamment: graines et fruits sauvages; % CERTIFICATION abundance and productivity of the plantes aromatiques et médicinales; WORKSHOP huckleberry throughout its range. champignons; faune sauvage (escargots, KEYSTONE FOUNDATION, From 22 to 23 February, a diverse group cynégétique…); formes d'artisanat liées KOTAGIRI, INDIA of resource managers and researchers will aux PFNL; rôle de l’écotourisme dans la 31 JANUARY–1 FEBRUARY 2011 share their knowledge on habitat valorisation des PFNL; et aspects restoration, forestry and huckleberries, socioéconomiques. A workshop was organized to discuss the huckleberries and wildlife, historical issue of sustainable collection of NTFPs ecology, fire ecology and ethno-ecology. POUR PLUS D’INFORMATIONS, CONTACTER: and review their current state of Abdelhamid Khaldi, Institution de la recherche et certification. Twenty-three participants FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: de l'enseignement supérieur agricoles, 30, Rue representing various Andra Forney, c/o Environmental Studies, Alain Savary, 1002 Tunis Belvédère, Tunisie. research/academic/civil society University of Victoria, PO Box 3060 STN CSC, Télécopie: (00 216) 71 796 170; courriel: organizations attended the workshop. Victoria BC V8W 3R4, Canada. [email protected]; The key objectives for the workshop were E-mail: [email protected]; www.iresa.agrinet.tn/index.jsp?pg=14&rub=01/ to: (i) share experience about the diversity of www.ser.org/serbc/default.asp/ approaches being used to guide sustainable (Please see page 59 for more information on collection from the wild; (ii) share experience huckleberries.) ECO PRODUCTOS on how sustainable collection leads to better % FORESTALES NO engagement with primary collectors and MADEREROS 2010 improved livelihoods; (iii) share experience on CHUBUT, ARGENTINA certification/guarantee measures for 1-3 DE DICIEMBRE DE 2010 sustainable extraction that could have the potential of improving market access; and (iv) Esta reunión tuvo lugar en Chubut, develop a vision for the future and strengthen Argentina desde el 1 al 3 de diciembre de the diversity of efforts of sustainable 2010. En base a disertaciones de expertos collection and certification/guarantee/ argentinos y extranjeros, se han debatido monitoring mechanisms. temas relacionados con la utilización de Recommendations and the way forward productos forestales no madereros It was decided that participants could (PFNM), servicios ambientales y desarrollo provide input, be part of discussion groups % SHEA 2011: SUSTAINABLE del turismo en los bosques. and engage with systems such as FairWild. SOLUTIONS La reunión ha sido organizada por las It would be useful to provide community ACCRA, GHANA siguientes Instituciones: CIEFAP, perspectives and practical workable 6–7 APRIL 2011 Secretaría de Ciencia, Técnica e Innovación solutions for them, and work on aligning Productiva del Chubut, Ministerio de standards to suit Indian conditions. This conference brings together hundreds Industria, Agricultura y Ganadería del However, this is a voluntary certification of industry stakeholders to discuss major Chubut, Consejo Federal de Inversiones, and depends on the clients who are issues affecting shea. Producers, traders, Secretaría de Ambiente y Desarrollo interested in taking it up. processors and international brands will be Sustentable de la Nación, Universidad present. It connects stakeholders and Nacional de la Patagonia “San Juan FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: service providers, including financial Bosco”, Municipalidad de Esquel, Ms Snehlata Nath, c/o Keystone Foundation, institutions and transport companies.

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Shea 2011: Sustainable Solutions will possibility of attending the 2011 Xi’an feature the launch of the world’s first International Horticultural Exposition. international private sector shea alliance: The tour will include visits to some leading the Global Shea Alliance. bamboo flooring manufacturers, such as DASSO (which produced the bamboo fireproof FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: ceiling in Madrid’s international airport); Joe Lamport, Communications Manager, Yafeng (strand-woven bamboo lumber and USAID West Africa Trade Hub, Jubilee House, benefits for present and future generations. floor); Yongyu (bamboo floor); Shengbang 4th Street, Kuku Hill, Osu, Accra, Ghana. Ministers are expected to adopt a vision, (bamboo concrete form and fibreboard); E-mail: [email protected]; goals and targets for Europe’s forests and Xieqiang (bamboo curtain and mat); Kangxing www.watradehub.com or www.globalshea.com/ address ways to strengthen cooperation on bamboo-shoot processing company; Shenshi (Please see page 67 for more information.) sustainable forest management in Europe. Bio-product company (bamboo extracts such In this context, they will consider opening as flavonoids, bamboo beer); Wenzhao, the negotiations on a legally binding agreement biggest bamboo charcoal company (charcoal 5TO CONGRESO FORESTAL on forests and their management in Europe. and vinegar); the only Bamboo Charcoal %DE CUBA Museum in the world; some primitive LA HABANA, CUBA FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: processing workshops (bamboo strips) at the 25-29 DE ABRIL 2011 Kristin Dawes, Communications and Public community level; Huachun bamboo furniture Affairs, Forest-Europe, Liaison Unit Oslo, company; Jitai bamboo-processing machine El Comité Organizador del 5to Congreso Ministerial Conference on the Protection of company; and the Anji bamboo product Forestal de Cuba, VI Simposio Internacional Forests in Europe, PO Box 115, NO-1431 Aas, market (hundreds of bamboo products, sobre Sistemas Agroforestales, V Norway. Fax: +47 64 94 89 39; e-mail: including bamboo clothes). Encuentro Internacional de Jóvenes [email protected]; The tour also includes visits to the Investigadores, en el marco del Año www.foresteurope.org/ biggest bamboo botanic garden in the world, Internacional de los Bosques, se complace Anji Bamboo Garden, which has more than en invitarle a participar a nuestro 5to 300 bamboo species, plus two giant pandas; Congreso Forestal. CIFOR POLICY the Chinese Bamboo Museum; high-yielding Se debatirán las siguientes temáticas: % CONFERENCE bamboo plantations; a bamboo film Silvicultura sostenible, Bienes y servicios THE ROYAL SOCIETY, LONDON, production base; ecotourism sites; an de los bosques, Tecnología de la madera y UNITED KINGDOM ornamental bamboo nursery; Baisha Productos naturales, Agrosilvicultura, 15 JUNE 2011 ecotourism village; and, finally, companies Cambio climático, Protección al bosque y la and communities producing NTFPs such as fauna, Forestería análoga, Café y Cacao y CIFOR and its partners will host a global ginkgo, hickory and traditional dry bamboo Seguridad alimentaria. forum on the role of environmental income shoots. and forests in rural livelihoods and poverty The cost of attending the tour in China is PARA MÁS INFORMACIÓN DIRIGIRSE A: alleviation. Results from the PEN (Poverty US$2 100/person including Lic. Marta González Izquierdo, secretaria Environment Network) global study and accommodation, food, transportation, comité organizador, Instituto de Investigaciones other large-scale comparative research domestic flights and entrance tickets. Forestales, Calle 174 # 1723 entre 17B y 17C, projects will be presented. The aim is to Reports from the 2005, 2007, 2008 and Siboney, Playa, Ciudad de la Habana, Cuba. Fax: strengthen the case for institutionalizing 2009 bamboo tours are available online. +537 208 34 44; correo electrónico: data collection of previously “hidden” [email protected]; www.cpalco.com/ environmental income. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Dr Fu Jinhe, INBAR, No. 8, Fu Tong Dong Da Jie, FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER, Wang Jing Area, Chaoyang District, Beijing FOREST-EUROPE PLEASE VISIT: 100102, China. Fax: +86-10-6470 2166/ 3166; MINISTERIAL www.cifor.cgiar.org/pen/london-conference or E-mail: [email protected]; % CONFERENCE ON THE e-mail: [email protected] www.inbar.int/Board.asp?Boardid=89/ PROTECTION OF FORESTS IN EUROPE OSLO, NORWAY 2011 INBAR BAMBOO 14–16 JUNE 2011 % TOUR TO CHINA CHINA The Forest-Europe Ministerial Conference 19–30 JUNE 2011 on the Protection of Forests in Europe represents a major European contribution to The objective of INBAR’s annual bamboo the International Year of Forests. At this study tours is to share the experience of conference, European countries will take Chinese bamboo development and to promote decisions aimed at the preservation of bamboo development in other countries. The forests and the safeguarding of their 2011 INBAR Bamboo Tour will include visits to environmental, societal and economic Zhejiang and Sichuan province, with the

NON-WOOD NEWS No. 22 April 2011 70 RECENT AND FORTHCOMING EVENTS

INBAR COURSE INTERNATIONAL physically to unite bamboo enthusiasts and ON INTEGRATED % CONFERENCE ON THE professionals. The aim of the WBC is to bring SUSTAINABLE ART AND JOY OF WOOD together people from around the world to DEVELOPMENT IN BANGALORE, INDIA meet, discuss, network, collaborate and %MOUNTAIN AREAS 19–22 OCTOBER 2011 exchange with the intention of improving AND NTFP INDUSTRIAL understanding and stimulating potential. AND COMMERCIAL In collaboration with the Government of Ever since its inception in Puerto Rico in DEVELOPMENT India, FAO will be holding an international 1984, each WBC has been uniquely ZHEJIANG PROVINCE, CHINA conference on wood products and informative, educational, and culturally and 6–26 SEPTEMBER 2011 sustainable development. The overall aim intellectually challenging. of the conference will be to examine how The 9th WBC will be a two-part event This workshop will be held in Lin’an and the production and use of wood products taking place between Belgium and France. Anji; these locations are commonly can contribute to sustainable development The congress will focus on the future use of recognized in both China and the and how greater demands for sustainability bamboo in Europe and innovations in international community as successful might present new opportunities for bamboo development. Apart from a series examples of integrated sustainable development of the wood products sector. of meetings and conferences, the schedule development in mountain areas. The well- Within this general direction, three will also include field visits, a trade fair for developed NTFP industries and themes for the conference are proposed: (i) bamboo products and allied wares ecotourism, the affluent and modern emerging trends in economies and lifestyles: (machinery, tools, etc.), and complimentary mountain villages and the beautiful forest what are the main trends affecting wood use exhibit booths for “not-for-profit, non-profit environments are all signs of success. and how can these be utilized to strengthen or non-government” organizations (i.e. the This workshop will provide a platform for the forest products sector?; (ii) stories United Nations Industrial Development people from various levels and fields of portraying the winds of change: case studies Organization (UNIDO), national bamboo work who are concerned with mountain showing how some wood producers and societies, etc.). development, rural development, users have already developed strategies or environmental protection and natural innovations to build successful enterprises FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: resource management and so on, to share based on changing consumer demands and Mr Kamesh Salam, President, World Bamboo and explore the best practices in needs; (iii) wooden paths to a sustainable Organization, c/o Cane and Bamboo Technology sustainable and integrated development in future: how can the linkages between wood Centre, Mother Teresa Marg, Guwahati, Assam, mountain regions, especially the use and sustainable development be India. E-mail: [email protected]; technologies and products of NTFPs. strengthened and used to promote more and http://worldbamboo.net/category/world- The training workshop is designed to higher-value wood use? bamboo-congress/ p provide a platform for participating This conference will focus in particular countries to share and exchange the best on the social, aesthetic, cultural and practices and experiences in mountain traditional aspects of wood use and how sustainable development, as well as the strong linkages between wood and experiences in NTFP industrialization and society might be used to support the future commercialization. development of the sector as a whole.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Ms Jin Wei, Public Awareness Coordinator, Adrian Whiteman or Illias Annimon, Forest Development and Communications Unit, No. 8 Products and Industries Division, Forestry Futong Dong Da Jie, Wang Jing Area, Chaoyang Department, FAO, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, District, PO Box 100102-86, Beijing 100102, 00153 Rome. E-mail: [email protected] China. Fax: +86-10-64702166; e-mail: or [email protected] or [email protected]; www.inbar.int/ [email protected]; www.artjoywood.org or www.fao.org/forestry/en/

9TH WORLD BAMBOO % CONGRESS 10–13 APRIL 2012 (ANTWERP, BELGIUM) 17–21 SEPTEMBER 2012 (TOULOUSE, FRANCE) The important work of moving the world forward does not wait to be Every three to four years the World Bamboo done by perfect men. Organization (WBO) organizes a World George Eliot Bamboo Congress (WBC) which is the culmination of the organization’s efforts

NON-WOOD NEWS No. 22 April 2011 PUBLICATIONS OF INTEREST 71

Chidumayo, E.N. & Davison J. Gumbo. 2010. Freudenthal, E., Nnah, S. & Kenrick, J. The dry forests and woodlands of Africa: 2011. REDD and rights in Cameroon: a managing for products and services. review of the treatment of indigenous United Kingdom, Earthscan. peoples and local communities in policies and projects. Rights, Forests and Climate Clarke, P. & Jupiter, S.D. 2010. Law, custom Briefing Series. United Kingdom, Forest and community-based natural resource Peoples Programme. management in Kubulau District (Fiji). Environ. Conserv., 37(1): 98–106. Gaoue, O.G. & Ticktin, T. 2010. Effects of harvest of non-timber forest products and Cunningham, A.B. & Yang, X. (eds). 2010. ecological differences between sites on the Mushrooms in Forests and Woodlands: demography of African mahogany. Resource Management, Values and Local Conserv. Biol., 24(2): 605–614. Livelihoods. United Kingdom, Earthscan. (Please see page 32 for more information.) Gonzalez, R., Treasure, T., Wright, J., Saloni, D., Phillips, R., Abt, R. & Jameel, H. 2011. Dhakal, B., Bigsby, H. & Cullen, R. 2011. Exploring the potential of Eucalyptus for Aggarwal, B.B. 2011. Healing Spices. How to Forests for food security and livelihood. energy production in the Southern United Use 50 Everyday and Exotic Spices to Boost J. Sustainable Agriculture, 35: 86–115. States: financial analysis of delivered Health and Beat Disease. New York, biomass. Part I. Biomass and bioenergy, Sterling. Dharani, N. et al. 2010. Common Antimalarial 35: 755–766. Trees and Shrubs of East Africa. World Alves, R.R.N., Souto, W.M.S. & Barboza, Agroforestry Centre and the Kenya Medical Gonzalez, R., Treasure, T., Wright, J., Saloni, R.R.D. 2010. Primates in traditional folk Research Institute. Kenya, Nairobi. D., Phillips, R., Abt, R. & Jameel, H. 2011. medicine: a world overview. Mammal Rev., Converting Eucalyptus biomass into 40(2): 155–180. Dlamini, C.S. & Geldenhuys, C.J. 2010. ethanol: financial and sensitivity analysis in Towards the development of a theoretical a co-current dilute acid process. Part II. Awasthi, Hari. 2010. NTFPs marketing framework for the sustainable management Biomass and bioenergy, 35: 767–772. system in the hills of Nepal: an empirical of NTFPs: a Swaziland case study. South analysis on NTFPs trade system in the Africa, University of Stellenbosch. (Diss.) Gordon, I.J., Pettorelli, N., Katzner, T. et al. value chain perspectives. Germany, LAP 2010. International Year of Biodiversity: LAMBERT Academic Publishing. Dunham, K.M., Ghiurghi, A., Cumbi, R. & missed targets and the need for better Urbano, F. 2010. Human-wildlife conflict in monitoring, real action and global policy. Barber-Meyer, S.M. 2010. Dealing with the Mozambique: a national perspective, with Animal Conservation, 13: 113–114. clandestine nature of wildlife-trade market emphasis on wildlife attacks on humans. surveys. Conserv. Biol., 24(4): 918–923. Oryx, 44(2): 185–193. Gryzenhout, M. 2010. Pocket Guide: Mushrooms of South Africa. South Africa, Batello, C., Avanzato, D., Akparov, Z., Eaton, M.J., Meyers, G.L., Kolokotronis, S.O., Random House Struik. Kartvelishvili, T. & Melikyan, A. 2010. Leslie, M.S., Martin, A.P. & Amato, G. Gardens of Biodiversity. Rome, FAO. 2010. Barcoding bushmeat: molecular Hassan, S., Jehangir, K., Kiramat, K., Hazrat, identification of Central African and South S., Muhammad, E. 2010. Constraints and Blomley, T., Namara, A., McNeilage, A., American harvested vertebrates. Conserv. opportunities for sustainable livelihoods Franks, P., Rainer, H., Donaldson, A., Genet., 11(4): 1389–1404. and cash income generation from NTFPs Malpas, R., Olupot, W., Baker, J., in the mountains of northern parts of Sandbrook, C., Bitariho, R., Infield, M. European Environment Agency. 2010. Web Pakistan. Acta Botanica Yunnanica, 32(2): 2010. Development and gorillas? of knowledge, web of life, web of wonder 167–176. Assessing the impact of fifteen years of (Fungi). “Our Natural Europe” Series. (Please see page 53 for more information.) integrated conservation and development Denmark, EEA. in southwestern Uganda. United Kingdom Huber, F.K., Ineichen, R., Yang, Y. & Weckerle, International Institute for Environment and European Environment Agency. 2010. C.S. 2010. Livelihood and conservation Development. European Environment State and aspects of non-wood forest product Outlook Report 2010. Denmark, EEA. collection in the Shaxi Valley, Southwest Casadei, E. & Chikamai, B. 2010. Gums, China. Economic Botany, 64(3): 189–204. resins and waxes. United Kingdom, CABI. FAO. 2010. Developing effective forest policy: a guide. FAO Forestry Paper 161. Rome. Kathe, W., Pätzold, B., Leaman, D., Chaves, C.L. & Manfredi, C.S. 2010. Medicinal Timoshyna, A., Newton, D., Khou, E., trees from riparian forests along Canoas FAO. 2011. Forests for improved nutrition Kinhal, G., Sapkota, I.B., Pasha, M.K.S., River: potential use in restoration projects. and food security. Rome. Ndam, N., Melisch, R., Bundalo, S., Revista Brasileira de Plantas Medicinais, (Please see pages 17-18 and 27 for Honnef, S., Osborn, T., Buitrón, X. & Liu, X. 12(3): 322–332. extracts.) 2010. Wild for a cure: ground-truthing a

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standard for sustainable management of This book includes an inventory and wild plants in the field. TRAFFIC ethnobotanical use of 150 wild edible fruit International. plants found in eastern India. Download: http://assets.panda.org/ downloads/traffic_species_plants14.pdf FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Regional Plant Resource Centre, Nayapalli, Keystone Foundation. 2006. Forest plants of Bhbaneswar 752 015, Orissa, India. E-mail: the Nilgiris – Eastern Nilgiri Biosphere [email protected]; www.rprcbbsr.com/ Reserve. An Illustrated Field Guide. India. Mathela, C.S. & Bhalla, A.S. (eds). 2010. Keystone Foundation. 2008. Forest plants of J. Essential Oil-Bearing Plants. India, Har the Nilgiris – Northern Nilgiri Biosphere Krishan Bhalla & Sons. Reserve. A Pictorial Field Guide. India. catch per unit effort as a monitoring tool in Moreno, A., Pulido, M.T., Mariaca, R., Valadéz a bushmeat-harvesting system. Conserv. Keystone Foundation. 2009. Non Timber Azúa, A., Mejía, P. & Gutiérrez, T.V. Biol., 24(2): 489–499. Forest Produce – Protocols for Harvest (editores). 2010. Sistemas biocognitivos Resource Pack for Practitioners. India. tradicionales: paradigmas en la Rives, J., Fernandez-Rodriguez, I., conservación biológica y el Rieradevall, J. & Gabarrell, X. 2011. Kirkby, C.A., Giudice-Granados, R., Day, B., fortalecimiento cultural. Asociación Environmental analysis of the production Turner, K., Velarde-Andrade, L.M. et al. Etnobiológica Mexicana, Global Diversity of natural cork stoppers in southern 2010. The market triumph of ecotourism: Foundation, Universidad Autónoma del Europe (Catalonia-Spain). J. Cleaner an economic investigation of the private Estado de Hidalgo, El Colegio de la Production, 19(2/3): 259–271. and social benefits of competing land uses Frontera Sur y Sociedad Latinoamericana in the Peruvian Amazon. PLoS ONE, 5(9). de Etnobiología. Sandbrook, C. & Roe, D. 2010. Linking ape conservation and poverty alleviation: the Kritsky, G. 2010. The quest for the perfect Mutenje, M.J., Ortmann, G.F. & Ferrer, case of the great apes. United Kingdom, hive: a history of innovation in bee culture. S.R.D. 2011. Management of non-timber International Institute for Environment and New York, Oxford University Press. forestry products extraction: local Development. institutions, ecological knowledge and Kuhlman, T., Coulibaly, K., Yago, E.L., market structure in southeastern Scott, S. & Green. C. 2010. The wild table: Michels, R. & Berg, J. van den. 2010. Les Zimbabwe. Ecological Econ., 70(3): seasonal foraged food and recipes. United arbres fruitiers sahéliens dans l'économie 454–461. States of America, Studio. rurale. Cas du Burkina Faso et du Mali. Landbouw Economisch Instituut, 55: 104. Newton, P., Watkinson, A.R. & Peres, C.A. Smith, J., Crone, L.K., Alexander, S.J. 2010. 2011. Determinants of yield in a non- A US Forest Service special forest Liese, W. & Silbermann, S. 2010. Bamboo timber forest product: Copaifera oleoresin products appraisal system: background, charcoal: properties and utilization. in Amazonian extractive reserves. Forest methods, and assessment. Gen. Tech. Rep. Magazine of the American Bamboo Ecology and Management, 2: 255–264. PNW-GTR-822. Portland, Oregon, US Society, 31(6). (Please see page 34 for more Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, (Please see page 23 for more information.) information.) Pacific Northwest Research Station. 22 p. (Please see pages 58 for extracts from this Mahapatra, A.K. & Panda, P.C. 2009. Wild Nijman, V. 2010. An overview of international publication.) edible fruit plants of eastern India. India, wildlife trade from Southeast Asia. Orissa, Regional Plant Resource Centre. Biodivers. Conserv., 19(4): 1101–1114. Székely, T. & Sutherland, W.J. 2010. Hunting the cause of a population crash. Nature, Ninan, K.N. (ed). 2010. Conserving and 466(7305): 448. valuing ecosystem services and biodiversity: economic, institutional and Vanthomme, H., Belle, B. & Forget, P.M. social challenges. United Kingdom, 2010. Bushmeat hunting alters recruitment Earthscan. of large-seeded plant species in Central Africa. Biotropica, 42(6): 672–679. Pardo-de-Santayana, M., Pieroni, A. & Puri, R.K. (eds). 2010. Ethnobotany in the New Weckerle, C.S., Yang, Y., Huber, F.K. & Europe: people, health and wild plant Li, Q. 2010. People, money, and resources. Studies in Environmental protected areas: the collection of the Anthropology and Ethnobiology 14. Oxford, caterpillar mushroom Ophiocordyceps Berghahn Books. sinensis in the Baima Xueshan Nature Reserve, Southwest China. Biodiversity Rist, J., Milner-Gulland, E.J., Cowlishaw, G. and Conservation, 19(9). & Rowcliffe, M. 2010. Hunter reporting of (Please see page 33 for more information.)

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NEW PUBLICATIONS FROM FAO’S NON-WOOD and the Center for People and Forests FOREST PRODUCTS PROGRAMME (RECOFTC) have released a publication entitled Asian Forests: Working for People and Nature. The report highlights key concerns and LE ROLE DES ABEILLES DANS et une attention particulière est accordée presents recommendations on how to LE DÉVELOPPEMENT RURAL: au potentiel d'expansion future de la optimize the opportunities of forests in the MANUEL SUR LA RÉCOLTE, LA gestion des abeilles sauvages dans les region. It outlines various opportunities and TRANSFORMATION ET LA pays en développement. Le rôle des incentives that can contribute to realizing the COMMERCIALISATION DES PRODUITS abeilles dans la pollinisation des cultures potential of Asian forests, including: reducing ET SERVICES DÉRIVÉS DES ABEILLES et l’impact de la gestion des abeilles sur emissions from deforestation and forest les forêts et les cultures sont aussi traités degradation in developing countries (REDD); dans cette étude. Les techniques de payments for environmental services; conservation des abeilles sauvages et les increasing demand for recreation and questions relatives à la production et à la ecotourism; integration of national and global vente de miel ainsi qu'au commerce supply chains; and forest law enforcement international des produits dérivés des and governance and sustainable forest abeilles sont présentées et étayées de management as requisites for international nombreuses références et sources market access. The authors advocate d’informations additionnelles. Le lecteur improving the enabling environment by pourra ainsi mieux comprendre à la fois la improving land-use planning and through complexité de l’apiculture et les tenure and public sector reform. They also opportunités de développement qu'elle call for better management of human and représente pour générer des moyens natural resources by, inter alia, investing in d’existence dans le monde rural. science, technology and human resources. (Source: IISD, 23 November 2010.) Ce document – le numéro 19 de la série Pour se procurer cette publication, contacter: (Please see page 5 and 7 for extracts from Produits forestiers non ligneux – présente Groupe des ventes et de la this publication.) une information de base sur la gestion commercialisation, Bureau de l'échange des abeilles sauvages et l’utilisation des des connaissances, de la recherche produits qui en dérivent. Il identifie et et de la vulgarisation, FAO, Viale delle Terme décrit les principales espèces d’abeilles et di Caracalla, 00153 Rome, Italie. MAJOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY leur importance pour la conservation de Télécopie: (+39) 06 57053360; TEXTBOOK NOW FREE ONLINE la nature et la création de moyens courriel: [email protected] d’existence durables pour les populations La publication est aussi disponible sur le site A highly regarded conservation textbook rurales. Les produits provenant des des PFNL de la FAO ou à l'adresse suivante: is now available online for free. abeilles sont considérés à la fois en termes www.fao.org/docrep/013/i0842f/i0842f00.p Conservation Biology for All, a book de subsistance et en termes commerciaux, df/ edited by Navjot S. Sodhi of the National University of Singapore and Paul R. Ehrlich of Stanford University (United States of America), has been posted on OTHER RECENT PUBLICATIONS forests support livelihoods. The chapters mongabay.com, an environmental assembled for this year’s State of the World’s science and conservation news site, as a Forests highlight four key areas that warrant free download. State of the World’s Forests greater attention: regional trends on forest The authors, together with the Produced by FAO, the State of the World's resources; the development of sustainable publisher, Oxford University Press, Forests reports on the status of forests, forest industries; climate change mitigation expect open access to greatly increase recent major policy and institutional and adaptation; and the local value of forests. the reach of the book, which was developments and key issues concerning the Considered together, these themes provide published last year. forest sector. It makes current, reliable and insights on the true contribution of forests to Conservation Biology for All includes policy-relevant information widely available to the creation of sustainable livelihoods and chapters on a range of topics including facilitate informed discussion and decision- alleviation of poverty. deforestation, extinction, ecosystem making with regard to the world's forests. www.fao.org/forestry/sofo/en/ services, fragmentation, invasive species, The ninth biennial issue of State of the (Please see page 43 for an extract from this climate change, overexploitation, World’s Forests, published at the outset of publication.) biodiversity, fire and conservation. More 2011, the International Year of Forests, than two dozen authors contributed to considers the theme “Changing pathways, Asian Forests: Working for People and Nature the book. (Source: www.mongabay.com, changing lives: forests as multiple pathways The World Forests, Society and Environment in Amazon News, 20 January 2011.) p to sustainable development”. It takes a Special Project of the International Union of holistic view of the multiple ways in which Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO), FAO

NON-WOOD NEWS No. 22 April 2011 74 SPECIAL WEBFEATURES SITES

Newsletters/e-zines available in 33 languages – each of which has been translated by native speakers. An FAO’S NWFP HOME PAGE  A Community List for Small Island expanded version for adults is available in Developing States (SIDS) English, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Please help us make our Web site a rich www.iisd.ca/email/subscribe.htm/ simplified Chinese, French, German and resource by continuing to send us (non- Japanese. [email protected]) your NWFP Web  Centre for Livelihoods and Ecology http://world.mongabay.com/vietnamese/ sites and citations of any publications that Chronicle: CLE Chronicle we are missing, as well as any research www.royalroads.ca/cle/ Save forests. Save ourselves: BirdLife that you would like to share. Community www.fao.org/forestry/site/6367/en  Earth wire www.birdlife.org/community/2011/01/save- This environment news service provides a forests-save-ourselves/ daily overview of the environment as reported in the media. Sustainable trips Adopt a truffle tree www.earthwire.org/africa/about.aspx/ This is the online database of sustainable Truffle Tree offers individuals the opportunity tourism businesses in Latin America and to have their own truffle-producing oak tree  BIODIVERSITY-L the Caribbean, launched by Rainforest in a French truffle plantation. Adopters may BIODIVERSITY-L is a free community Alliance. The goal is to provide travellers, choose between the evergreen holm oak, announcement list for policy-makers and tour operators and travel agencies with a Quercus ilex, and the white, deciduous downy practitioners involved in international comprehensive and trustworthy database oak, Q. pubescens. biodiversity policy. of tourism companies that are not only www.truffle-tree.com/ www.iisd.ca/email/biodiversity-L.htm/ located in beautiful areas, but are also making an effort to benefit local CITES trade data dashboards  Peak to Peak Newsletter communities and the surrounding flora and This Web site was launched on occasion of This newsletter is prepared by the Mountain fauna. Available in English, Spanish and the 35th anniversary of the entry into force of Partnership Secretariat. French. the Convention. It is a new, interactive and www.mountainpartnership.org/ www.SustainableTrip.org; dynamic way of viewing trade data submitted www.VoyageResponsable.org; by CITES.  The Message Stick www.ViajeSostenible.org/ http://cites-dashboards.unep-wcmc.org/ The Message Stick is a newsletter highlighting the activities undertaken by Think to sustain Earth Child Institute the United Nations Permanent Forum on www.thinktosustain.com/ 2.2 billion: the power of one child + one tree = Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) and is prepared a sustainable future for all. by its Secretariat. A message stick is a www.earthchildinstitute.org/1-child-1-tree traditional Australian Aboriginal method of correspondence whereby runners would Girl meets bug deliver messages carved in symbols on a NWFP-DIGEST-L This Web site is full of information about piece of wood to inform other indigenous edible insects. peoples of upcoming events. Traditionally, The Digest is a free monthly e-bulletin www.girlmeetsbug.com/ message sticks were passed on between produced by FAO’s NWFP Programme different clans and language groups to and covers all aspects of non-wood Natural solutions establish information and transmit forest products. Past issues can be This site shows how nature provides messages. found on FAO’s NWFP home page at innovative designs, materials and processes www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/en/newslet www.fao.org/forestry/site/12980/en/ that have had a revolutionary impact on ter.html/ You can take part in contributing to human well-being. the continued success of this www.jncc.gov.uk/page-5187/ NTFP information exchange newsletter by sharing with the NWFP Hosted by the Institute for Culture and community any news that you may New FAO policy support Web site Ecology (IFCAE), this site provides have regarding research, events, This site is aimed especially at anyone information and tools to help advance publications and projects. Kindly send involved in policy-making processes: policy commercial development of NTFPs on non- such information to NWFP-Digest- analysts and advisors, government industrial private lands in the United States [email protected]/ ministries, practitioners, academics and of America. To subscribe: send an e-mail to: students. All our material is freely available www.ifcae.org/ntfp/ [email protected], with the for download. message: subscribe NWFP-Digest-L; www.fao.org/tc/policy-support/policy- Plants for the Planet or through the NWFP Programme’s support-home/en/ www.plantsfortheplanet.com/ home page at www.fao.org/forestry/site/12980/en/ p 100 percent cork Rain forest information for children www.100percentcork.org/ Mongabay's rain forest site for kids is now

NON-WOOD NEWS No. 22 April 2011 SPECIALREADERS’ FEATURES RESPONSE 75

A new season for FAO’s 1billionhungry baseball players in Italy, agricultural Reader from South Africa campaign workers in Nepal, and hundreds of Many thanks for your assistance and for the thousands of individuals online. pleasurable times reading your excellent The petition will be presented to publication over the last years. (Prof D.C.J. government leaders for a second time this Wessels) Retiring. coming autumn. (Please visit www.1billionhungry.org and Reader from Australia www.EndingHunger.org/) Thanks for keeping me on your list for receiving Non-Wood News. I find the Request for information: Oregon information in each issue very interesting grape/barberry (Mahonia spp.) and it really does highlight how important The Institute for Culture and Ecology forests are to people in so many different (United States of America) is conducting a ways with the vast array of products that The new season of the 1billionhungry market analysis on the medicinal plant, most of us would never think of or know project sees the original project, which Oregon grape or barberry (e.g. Mahonia about. (David Cameron) p focused on collecting signatures, take a aquifolium, M. nervosa). more hands-on approach to ending hunger. Our research team is looking for any “Since the first season, people have been international import/export data and saying, ‘the petition is nice, but what can we contacts to brokers and wholesalers actually do?’” said Project Manager Scott anywhere in the world. If you have any Grove. “This second season is about giving suggestions or information please e-mail everyone an opportunity to get involved and Eric Jones: [email protected] help end hunger themselves.” A new sister Web site to www.1billionhungry. Comments received org – www.EndingHunger.org – will offer concrete ideas about what people can do, Reader from Canada gathering together short films, animations, I would like to say that I am very happy to podcasts, recommended books, contests see FAO has a NWFP section to promote and news from like-minded groups around research in this area. This is very the world. heartening, considering the recent cuts in "In this second season we are aiming the Canadian federal and provincial specifically at high school and college government research budgets for all non- students and people just out of university, timber related research. Keep up the good narrowing the target to the people with the work. (Andra Forney) greatest potential to actually change the world.” Reader from Nigeria The 1billionhungry project in its present I am a young research scientist in Nigeria. I form was launched in May 2010, with the aim have just seen a recent publication of your of collecting 1 million signatures by magazine, which was very interesting and November. It triggered a storm of public educative and a must read for every antihunger events, drew thousands of fans to forester, so I would like to subscribe to it. CONTRIBUTIONS TO NON-WOOD NEWS its Facebook page, which counts over 75 000 (Arabomen Kevwe) readers, and by the November deadline had A strong characteristic of Non-Wood attracted over 3 million signatures. The Reader from Germany News is that it is open to contributions petition has been physically signed by Near the end of the year, I want to express from readers. Should you have any farmers in Guatemala, boy scouts in Algeria, my thanks to you for editing the NWFP- interesting material on any aspect of Digest-L. It is full of interesting and NWFPs that could be of benefit to all our important information – even for me in my readers, please do not hesitate to submit advanced age – and I always enjoy the it. Articles are welcomed in English, impressive content. The issue passes French and Spanish and should be around my colleagues, who also benefit. between 200–500 words. (Prof. Walter Liese) The deadline for contributions for Non-Wood News 23 is 31 August 2011. Reader from the Lao People’s Democratic Republic For more information, please contact: Again thank you for the fantastic work you Tina Etherington at the address are doing with Non-Wood News, such good on the front page or by e-mail to: and useful documents and info sharing. [email protected] (Thibault Ledecq, WWF Sustainable Rattan Regional Programme Manager)

NON-WOOD NEWS No. 22 April 2011 International Year of Forests 2011 ©FAO/FO-7084/OUSSEYNOU NDOYE ©FAO/FO-7084/OUSSEYNOU ©UN PHOTO/31707/JOSEANE DAHER ©UN PHOTO/31707/JOSEANE ©FAO/FO-7207/ARMAND ASSENG ZE ASSENG ©FAO/FO-7207/ARMAND ©METLA/ERKKI OKSANEN AKASH ©IFAD/3590/G.M.B. The United Nations General Assembly declared 2011 as the International Year of Forests to raise awareness on sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests. The year also provides an excellent opportunity to highlight non-wood forest products, their uses and users. From left to right: selling the leaves of Gnetum sp. to be consumed as a leaf vegetable in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; making fire using sticks from the buriti palm (Mauritia flexuosa) in Brazil; weaving a bamboo basket in Bangladesh; using the nut or seed of Garcinia kola (bitter kola) for medicinal purposes in Central Africa; and picking blueberries in Finland.

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