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TIGERPAPER

Crop Raiding by in Aravalli and Its Management in …………………………………………………… 1 Status of Wild Water in ……………...... 6 Natural Resources Management in : Linking National Priority to Global Perspective……….………...... 10 New Record on Habitat of Proboscis Monkey in South , …………………………………...... 17 Vanishing of ………………………………...... 19 Wildlife Potential in Rawalpindi District, Punjab, ...... 22 Population Estimates of Falcons in …………..………….... 26 Revival of Population by Stringent Habitat Protection: A Case Study from Orissa………………………………………30

FOREST NEWS

Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission Considers Regional Forestry Issues………………………………………………...... 1 Pre-Session Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission Workshop: “Implementing IPF/IFF Proposals for Action Through National Forest Programmes: Strategies, Initiatives and Tools…...... 8 Asian Foresters Plan for Combating Invasive …...... 10 Online Help and Advice on Obtaining Funding for Forestry- Related Projects...... 11 What Were the Most Significant Developments in the Forestry Sector in Asia-Pacific in 2003?...... 12 FAO Asia-Pacific Forestry Calendar...... 16

CROP RAIDING BY WILD BOAR (Sus scrofa) IN AND AROUND ARAVALLI, AND ITS MANAGEMENT IN RAJASTHAN,

by A.K. Chhangani and S.M. Mohnot

Introduction

In general, the survival and of wild depends on their ability to locate and harvest sufficient food to meet their nutritional needs. Timing and selection of food are synchronized to meet the animals’ nutritional requirements. While all animals have the same general need to acquire energy, the specific Group of wild boar (Photo: A.K. Chhangani) patterns of resource utilization may, however, vary according to species, age-sex classes, group, carrion (Prater, 1971). They feed in the early population and habitat. All species interact with a morning and late evening at night. They are variety of food sources distributed in their home more destructive to crops than any other animals. ranges within their reach. Wild boars live in groups of 6-23 animals.

Crop raiding by animals, in particular In India, crop damage by wild boar is very like (Elephas maximus), ( common along the immediate peripheries of gaurus), (Antilope cervicapra ), wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. But there (Gazella bennetti), wild boar (Sus are several areas in and around human habitations scrofa), Hanuman langur (Semnopithecus on the outskirts of villages, towns and cities entellus), and porcupine (Hystrix indica) has been where they also do considerable damage to crops, widely reported from all over the country (Prater, vegetable fields and orchards. This man- 1971; Schultz, 1986; Sukumar, 1990; Bohra et al., conflict is mainly due to the conversion of forests 1992; Balasubramanian et al., 1993; Chhangani, into large-scale monoculture plantations, shifting 1994; Chhangani, 2000; Chhangani and Mohnot, cultivation, overgrazing, forest cutting, and 1997; Chhangani et al., 2002). encroachment in the home ranges, which reduces the availability of natural food to wild animals. Wild boars are found in good numbers in the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary in the Aravalli This study aims to examine the role of cultivated Hills, and are very adept at crop raiding due to food plants and their seasonality in the diet of wild their acute of smell and nocturnal feeding boars, determine the extent and damage of crop habit. raiding, list the total species of crops, vegetables, fruits and flowers affected by the wild boars, The wild boar has an elongated head with an estimate economic losses and threats to the abruptly truncated mobile snout that ends in a flat livelihood of farmers living in and around disk containing the nostrils. The head is very Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, and look at the strong and used in fighting, digging and various strategies employed by the people in the bulldozing vegetation. Wild boars are omnivorous, conservation and management of wild animals. living on crops, roots, tubers and Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary

Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS) lies between 25°0' and 25°40' N and 73°21' and 73°30

Tigerpaper Vol.31:No.2 Apr.-Jun.2004 1 E , some 200 km south of Jodhpur in the west interviewed and a questionnaire was prepared to Aravalli hills of Rajasthan. The sanctuary has a gather information on the of crops affected, total area of 585 km2 and ranges in altitude from crop raid behavior, seasonality of food 274 to 1,155 m about level. There are distinct preferences, crop protection strategies, economic winter, summer and seasons. During loss and other issues concerning people’s summer months, the temperatures fluctuate livelihoods and issues. Scan between 30° - 48°C during May and June. In sampling and ad libitum sampling methods winter, the temperature can drop as low as 2ºC in (Altamann, 1974) were also used to collect December-January. The average annual rainfall is additional information. For population estimates 725 mm. of wild boar, census data from the state forest department were used. In addition, visual counts A variety of agricultural and horticultural crops had been made in the study area during the 7-year are grown in the study area, including: Cyamopsis long study of langurs. Photography and tetragonaloba, Triticum aestivum, Zea mays, videography also confirmed the presence of wild Lycopersicon lycopersicum, Brassica oleracea L. boar in the study area. var. capitata, Abelmoschus esculentus, Pisidium guajava, Punica granatum, medica, Musa Results and discussion paradisiaca, Carica papaya, Tagetes erecta and T. patula. Crop raiding: Wild boars were recorded feeding on about 39 species of cultivated plants in and The forest is broadly dry deciduous or woodland around the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary study type dominated by Anogeissus pendula, area, which included 13 crop species, 19 Anogeissus latifolia, Boswellia serrata, Lannea vegetables and 7 species of flowers and fruits. coromandelica, Wrightia tinctoria, Crops such as Zea mays, Saccharum officinarum, Senegal, Acacia catechu, mauritiana, Arachis hypogaea and some vegetable species Butea monosperma, etc. suffered the most damage by wild boars. The animals were also observed eating roots, stems, The undergrowth mainly consists of Ziziphus both young and mature leaves, flowers, fruits and nummularia, Adhatoda zeylanica, tenax, occasionally whole plants. The frequency of how Grewia flavescens, Capparis sepiaria, Lantana much a species was eaten depended on how camara , etc. Some climbers and grasses are also easily the boars could invade the fields. All the found. farms in the study were equally vulnerable to crop raids by wild boars. Generally, the farms located The main of KWS includes right at the sanctuary’s boundary wall and those (Panthera pardus), (Hyaena hyaena), with poor crop protection strategies were at most Indian (Canis lupus), jackal (Canis aureas), risk and experienced frequent losses. sloth (Melursus ursinus), wild boar (Sus scrofa), fourhorned (Tetracerus Population: Wild boar has a fairly good quadricornis), chinkara (Gazella gazella), distribution in KWS and can be easily spotted porcupine (Hystrix indica), sambar ( during the early mornings and evenings. unicolor), bluebull (Boselaphus tragocamelus), According to the censuses, the wild boar toddy cat (Paradoxorus hermaphrodiatus), jungle population in the sanctuary showed a steadily cat (Felis chaus), fox (Vulpes bengalensis), increasing trend from 1986 to 2000 (from 422 to (Crocodilus palustris) and rock python 799 animals). (Python molurus). Crop protection strategies and management: Farmers use many methods to protect their fields Material and methods and orchards from wild boars. These include patrolling the fields, watchdogs, fencing, guns, Data on the wild boar was collected during a potash bombs, etc. The most commonly used long-term eco-behavioral study on Hanuman crop protection strategy used by 71% of the langurs (Semnopithecus entellus) from 1995 to farmers is constant vigilance. About 20% use 2001. During the study 25 farmers were to chase the wild boars away, while the

2 Tigerpaper Vol.31:No.2 Apr.-Jun.2004 remaining 9% resort to more dangerous methods Ministry of Environment and Forests, like shotguns, potash bombs and high voltage , and the U.S. Fish & electrical current, which usually kills or seriously Wildlife Service (Grant Agreement injures the animals. Another method commonly No.INT/FWS-22). The authors would like to used by farmers is to construct fences out of the thank Dr. Ashok Purohit and Dr. L.S. Rajpurohit, thorny twigs and branches of , Department of Zoology, J.N.V. University, and Acacia nilotica, Ziziphus nummularia, Z. the staff of the State Forest Department and mauritiana and Euphorbia caducifolia. However, officials of Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, despite all these crop protection measures, wild especially A.C.F. Shri Lalit Singh Ranawat and boars still manage to invade the crop fields. Shri Sukhdave and Shri Madan Mali, for their support during this survey. Thanks also to The annual economic loss to farmers from crop Mr. Bundu for help during the computation damage in the study area is about work. US$2,500-3,000 from all 25 farms. However, the cost of crop protection for each farm ranged References between US$200-250 per year, for a total of US$5,000-6,250 annually. Therefore, the Altmann, J. 1974. Observational study of monitoring cost to a farmer comes to more than behaviour: sampling methods. Behaviour the cost of the crop damage. 49:227-267. Balasubramanian, M., Baskaran, N., For successful protection, it would require that Swaminathan, S. and A.A. Desai. 1993. Crop people be in the fields throughout the day during raiding by elephants in the Nilgiri the seasons when the crops are most vulnerable. Biosphere Reserve, India. Paper presented Obviously this is not possible because the farmers at the international seminar on the have other work to do. In some instances, 4 or 5 conservation of the Asian . farmers jointly hire a person or persons Mudumalai. (depending on the farmer group) to guard their Bohra, H.C., Goyal, S.P., Ghosh, P.K. and I. crop fields. This practice is the most economical Prakash. 1992. Studies on and and also more successful among the crop eco-physiology of the of the protection strategies. Indian . Annuals of Arid Zone,

32(2):83-96. Over the last 6 years people’s attitudes towards Chauhan, N.P.S. and V.B. Sarwarkar. 1989. conservation of areas and wildlife have changed Problems of over-abundant populations of considerably. Before, there were few applications for gun licenses, but now the number has greatly and Black Buck in and increased with people’s desire to protect their Ma dhya Pradesh. Indian Forester, agricultural and horticultural fields from wildlife 115(7):488-493. attacks. In the majority of cases, the farmers Chhangani, A.K. 1994. Crop raiding behaviour depend on their crops for survival. This change in and status survey of Nilgai (Boselaphus is not restricted to the farmers living tragocamelus) around Jodhpur. M.Sc. around KWS, but has also spread to other areas project report submitted to J.N.V. University, as well. This is a man-wildlife conflict issue that Jodhpur. is related to a lessening of interest in conservation Chhangani, A.K. 2000. Eco-behavioural among the people of India, and the United Diversity of Langurs (Presbytis entellus) States (Sukumar, 1985; Infield, 1988; Bala- Living in Different . subramanian et al., 1993; Canover and Decker, Unpublished Ph.D. thesis. JNV University, 1991; Chauhan and Sawarkar, 1989). Jodhpur. Chhangani, A.K. and S.M. Mohnot. 1997. Acknowledgments Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary under . Nat. Symp. Public Participation & This study was part of the Indo-US Env. Protection. Dec.1997. JNV University, Project, a collaborative program between the

Tigerpaper Vol.31:No.2 Apr.-Jun.2004 3 Jodhpur. interaction with man in . Ph.D. Chhangani, A.K., Purohit, A.K. and S.M. Mohnot. thesis, India Institute of Science, Bangalore. 2002. Status survey and of Nilgai pp.542. (Boselaphus tragocamelus) around Sukumar, R. 1990. Ecology of the Asian Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Cheetal Vol.41:No.2 Elephant in Southern India: II Feeding p.7-14. habits and crop raiding patterns. J. Conover, M.R. and D.J. Decker. 1991. Wildlife Tropical Ecology 6:35-53. damage to crops: Perceptions of Vansina, J. 1990. Paths in the Rainforest. agricultural and wildlife professionals in Toward a History of Political Tradition in 1957 and 1987. Wildlife Soc. . 19:46-52. Equatorial Africa. Madison, University of Infield, M. 1988. Attitudes of a rural Wisconsin Press. community towards conservation and a Yoshiba, K. 1968. Local and inter-troop local conservation area in Natal, South variability in ecology and social behaviour Africa. Biol. Conserv. 45:21-46. of common Indian langurs. In: Phyllis Jay Prater, S.H. 1971. The Book of Indian Animals. (Ed.) . New York, Holt, Rinehart & Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., Bombay. Winston. p.217-242.

Authors’ address: c/o Primate Research Centre, rd 396, 3 ‘C’ Road, Sardarpura, Schultz, B.O. 1986. The management of crop Jodhpur-342001,India; E-mail:chhanganiak damages by wild animals. Indian Forester @yahoo.com 112(10):891-899. Sukumar, R. 1985. Ecology of the (Elephas maximus) and its

Farmer with shotgun protecting crops from wild boar (Photo: A.K. Chhangani)

Table 1: Cultivated plants consumed by wild boar at Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary

No. Local Botanical Name Months when consumed Crops

4 Tigerpaper Vol.31:No.2 Apr.-Jun.2004 1 Ganwar Cyamopsis tetragonaloba July to December 2 Genhu Triticum aestivum November to March 3 Chana Cicer arietinum November to March 4 Moong Phaselus radiatus July to October 5 Rizka Medicago sativa April to July 6 Makka Zea Mays August to October 7 Moth Vigna aconitifolia August to October 8 Ganna Saccharum officinarum February to April 9 Mungphali Arachis hypogaea November to January 10 Sarson Brassica campestries December to January 11 Jawar bicolor August to September 12 Til Brassica juncea September to October 13 Kapas Gossypium heerbaceum September to October

Vegetables 1. Gajar Daucas carota December to March 2. Dhania Coriandrum sativum October to February 3. Chandalia Amaranthus hybridus August to December 4. Kakri Cucumis sativys January to April 5. Muli Raphanus sativus November to February 6. Tamatar Lycopersicon lycopersicum September to March 7. Band gobi Brassica oleracea L. var capitata December to February 8. Bhindi Abelmoschus esculentus March to April 9. Baingan Solanum melongena March to June 10. Kachar Cucumis melo var. culta August to September 11. Kanda Allium cepa November to January 12. Palak Rumex vesicarium November to February 13. Pudina Mentha spicata June to September 14. Sakarkand Ipomoea batatas October to January 15. Ful gobi Brassica oleracea L. var botrytis November to January 16. Mirchi Capasicum annuum October to November 17. Methi Trigonella foenum-graecum November to January 18. Matira Citrullus lanatus August to September 19. Tumbi/All Lagenaria siceraria July to September

Cultivated flowers and fruits 1. Amrood Picidium grajava September to December 2. Anar Punica granatum October to January 3. Nimbu Citrus medica February to April 4. Kaila Musa paradisiacal February to March 5. Papita Carica papaya November to February 6. Hajara Tagetes erecta November to February 7. Hajara Tagetes patula November to February

Tigerpaper Vol.31:No.2 Apr.-Jun.2004 5 STATUS OF WILD ( bubalis) IN THAILAND

by Rattanawat Chaiyarat

Introduction In 1970, Seidensticker and McNeely (1975) surveyed the sanctuary on foot, walking first The (Bubalus bubalis) is a from Huai Ai Yoh forest guard station west of the critically . Some believe that HKK River, then following the river south to the the total world population is below 200 individuals, sanctuary boundary. The study concluded that while researchers in estimate that there were two separate populations of wild water there are less than 4,000 individuals (Hedges, in buffalo in the sanctuary – one located in the press). Accordingly, the species is listed by the riverine tall grass areas near the confluence of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Huai Ai Yoh, and a second group downstream, Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES, 1979) near what is today Krung Krai Guard Station. as “Seriously Threatened,” and by The World Conservation Union (IUCN) as “Endangered” The following year, a small herd of 6 wild water (IUCN, 2000). buffalo (5 adults and 1 ) were sighted during a helicopter reconnaissance flight, 8 km south of Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary (HKK) in Khao Bandai (Prayurasiddhi, 1977). Uthai Thani Province, western Thailand, has recently been identified by IUCN as one of four In 1985, Naksathit and Chanard undertook a new key areas for the protection of wild water buffalo survey following the HKK River from Khao Ban (Hedges, in press). The other areas are Bastar and Dai Forest Guard Station to Krung Krai Forest Raipur districts of (India), Guard Station, documenting both the size of Manas Wildlife Sanctuary/Project Tiger Reserve water buffalo tracks encountered (assuming that (India), Kosi Tappu Wildlife Reserve () and different track sizes indicated different Royal (). Elsewhere individuals), and estimating the size of the area in South and there are only used. The survey suggested that the population buffalo (Hedges, in press). was between 35 to 40 individuals in the 70 km2 area (Naksathit and Chanard, 1985). Former distribution Uicharoensak (1992) and another RFD researcher In Thailand, wild water buffalo were reported to undertook a follow -up wild water buffalo survey exist in relatively small herds totaling less than 40 of the same area, utilizing the same methodology. individuals (Lekagul and McNeely, 1977). The Observations were also made on species being population was “discovered” in 1964 when Royal grazed and on -lick use in the area. Forest Department (RFD) officials were Uicharoensak (1992) found that wild water investigating reports of in the remote buffalo utilized all the forest types within a 1 km HKK forest area and came upon the carcass of a radius from the HKK river. No tracks were wild water buffalo, providing evidence that wild observed beyond this distance. The distribution of water buffalo still existed in Thailand wild water buffalo was particularly high between (Nakhasathien and Stewart-Cox, 1990). The Sob Huai Hin stream and Krung Krai Forest Guard officials viewed it as a significant find, and HKK Station. The study concluded the population to be was set-up to protect the endangered population. between 36 and 39 individuals.

A more recent survey in March 2000 called the using a helicopter to fly over the survey area on size of the wild water buffalo population into two consecutive days, estimated the population of question. Prayurasiddhi and Chaiwatana (2000), wild water buffalo in the sanctuary at 72. On the

6 Tigerpaper Vol.31:No.2 Apr.-Jun.2004 first day, 5 sightings were made and a total of 6 second part from Khao Ban Dai Wildlife Guard males, 21 females and 8 sub-adults were recorded. Station to the Sob Huai Ai Yoh area. The signs of The largest herd contained 23 individuals. On the wild water buffalo were concentrated in the first second day, 7 sightings were made, involving 10 part. This might be because the terrain through males, 24 females, and three sub-adults. The the second part is considerably steeper than the distance between the sightings was not provided. area in the first part. It could also be that lower river volumes between Sob Huai Ai Yoh and Khao The social organization of wild water buffalo in Ban Dai Wildlife Guard Station (an area not Thailand has not been studied. According to affected by the Sri Nakarin Dam) permit the Hedges (in press), Asian wild water buffalo movement of wild water buffalo north along the generally exhibit the social structure stream and riverbank in the . Evidence characteristics of wild , with the basic unit was also found that the animals traveling north of appearing to be the cow plus calf, and groups Khao Ban Dai Wildlife Guard Station tended to be predominantly consisting of cows with solitary (i.e. larger tracks measuring 20x20 and sub-adults, although some groups may also cm2), as opposed to herds with cows and calves. contain adult bulls on occasion. However, solitary bulls are the norm. Groups of sub-adult and adult The average herd size was estimated to be 5.67 males also occur, but these all-male groups tend individuals (SD=4.75, N=21 times), with herd to be rather ephemeral and do not show the same sizes ranging from 2 to 19 individuals. The dung degree of cohesion as the groups of cows with count survey shows a current population of 38 offspring. (Chaiyarat, 2001). Track-based assessments carried out in the mid-1980s and early 1990s also Large herd sizes of 75-100 animals have also recorded populations of between 35-40 (cf. occurred, but these were more common when Naksathit and Chanard, 1985; Uicharoensak, the species was more numerous (Daniel and 1992). Grubh, 1966). It is likely that these large groups were only temporary assemblages of small herds During the study, the carcass of an adult female (Prater, 1965). Our study attempted to estimate wild water buffalo was found and judged to have the population size and structure and identify the been killed by a tiger (pers. obs. February 29, major factors limiting the population of wild water 2000). are the primary predators of wild buffalo in Thailand. The results would be helpful water buffalo in HKK; however, the finding of an in formulating conservation and management adult wild water buffalo killed by a tiger does not strategies to ensure the long-term survival of wild fit well with the suggestion of Lekagul and water buffalo in Thailand and other habitats. McNeely (1977) and de Silva et al. (2001) that predators of wild water buffalo prey primarily on Current distribution and population status calves, juveniles or unhealthy buffalos. Another paper exists that supports the view that adult wild The current study was carried out in HKK during water buffalo are also subject to by tiger. 1999 to 2001. The focus was on lowland areas Bhumpakphan (1997) reported finding two adult near HKK River, where wild buffalo are known to wild water buffalo that had been killed by tiger be present. In the field, signs of wild water attacks in HKK. Attacks on calves and juvenile buffalo were also found all the way from Krung wild water buffalos by tiger are also likely to be Kai Wildlife Guard Station to the Sob Huai Ai Yoh common. Petdee (2000) found buffalo hair in area. This area can be divided into two parts – the tiger scat in the , a period that first part from Krung Kai Wildlife Guard Station coincides with the birthing season of wild water to Khao Ban Dai Wildlife Guard Station, and the buffalo. Transmission of disease to the wild water buffalo food-and-mouth disease. Most domestic water population in HKK is seen as a potential major buffalos were either removed from the sanctuary threat. The wild water buffalo population is in or shot in the early 1990s. There are, however, contact with the domestic population, which several villages in the sanctuary’s buffer zone, substantially increases the potential for the and domestic water buffalo are numerous in these transmission of disease, e.g. and villages. Wild water buffalo have courted

Tigerpaper Vol.31:No.2 Apr.-Jun.2004 7 domestic buffalos at the edge of the sanctuary. population (Hedges, in press). The second reason Each such encounter substantially increases the is that the translocation of wild water buffalo threat of transferring disease to the wild inevitably brings up the issue of resettling villages population. from wildlife sanctuaries, which is a highly sensitive topic. No evidence of of wild water buffalo was observed in HKK during the study period. Acknowledgments Fortunately, wild water buffalos are not generally affected by . Most people are Our great appreciation and thanks are given to unable to tell the difference between the horns of Theerapong Choomsangsri, Sompong Jantawayot wild and domestic water buffalo and the low and forestry students of Kasetsart University for market prices reflect this confusion. their technical support and friendship. We gratefully acknowledge Wirot Kempanya and Conservation and management Wanchanok Suvannakhorn for facilitating this research. Thanks are also offered to Dr. Schwan There are two important reasons for considering Tunhikorn for his permission and encouragement the option of translocating wild water buffalos. to study the wild water buffalo in Huai Kha The first is the threat of disease wiping out the Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, and to single population. The second reason is the fact WWF-Thailand for funding this research. that the wild water buffalo population in HKK has not grown in the last 15 years. References Transmission of disease to the single wild water buffalo population is a major concern. During the Bhumpakphan, N. 1997. Ecology characteristics research period, foot-and-mouth disease reached and habitat utilization of gaur (Bos gaurus pandemic proportions globally. There are H. Smith, 1827) in different climate sites. domestic buffalo in the immediate vicinity of HKK. Dissertation, Kasetsart University, . It would be very easy to pass diseases from domestic to wild population or vice versa. Chaiyarat, R. 2001. Ecology and habitat

utilization of wild water buffalo (Bubalus The reason for the population’s failure to thrive is bubalis) in Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife not known. Available evidence suggests that the herd is healthy. Females in the herd are capable of Sanctuary, Thailand. Dissertation, reproducing (Kraison Wiriya, pers. comm., 1998; Kasetsart University, Bangkok. Prayurasiddhi and Chaiwatana, 2000). And the forage inside the sanctuary is known to be of Chaiyarat, R. 2002. Forage species of wild good nutritional quality and plentiful (Chaiyarat, water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) in Huai 2002). There is no evidence of environmental Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand. degradation due to overuse. One suggestion for Buffalo Journal 3:289-302. the stagnant population growth is that there is unusually high predation in the sanctuary. CITES. 1979. Convention on international Another is that a large portion of new -born calves trade in endangered species of wild fauna may be lost by drowning in the HKK River during and flora. Regulations and appendices the yearly floods in October. published by the Federal Wildlife Permit Office, United States Fish and Wildlife Translocation initiatives are controversial for two Service, Washington, D.C., USA. reasons. The first is the small size of the population, which is less than 50 individuals. Daniel, J.C. and B.R. Grubh, 1966. The Indian Removing 4 or 5 individuals reduces the genetic wild water buffalo, Bubalus bubalis (Linn.), variety in the remaining wild population. The in peninsular India: a preliminary survey. IUCN Action Plan recommended against Journal of Bombay Natural History Society translocation in Nepal on the basis of a small

8 Tigerpaper Vol.31:No.2 Apr.-Jun.2004 63:32-53. Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary by fecal analysis. M.S. thesis, Kasetsart University, DeSilva, M., Dissanayake, S. and C. Santiapillai. Thailand (in Thai). 2001. Aspects of the population dynamics of wild water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) in Prayurasiddhi, T. 1977. Progress Report on Ruhuna National Park, . wild water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis Http://www.wht.org/publications/serials/abs Linnaeus, 1758) in Huai Kha Khaeng tracts/Contentsl-1/Abstracts/buffalo.html. Wildlife Sanctuary, Uthai Thani Province, Thailand. Journal of Wildlife in Thailand Hedges, S. in press. Asian wild cattle and 8:13-23 (in Thai). buffaloes. Status Report and Conservation Action Plan. IUCN/SSC Prayurasiddhi, T. and S. Chaiwatana. 2000. Asian Wild Cattle Specialist Group, Gland, Aerial survey on population of wild water . buffalo in the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand. Journal of Wildlife in Lekagul, B. and J.A. McNeely. 1977. Mammals Thailand 8(1):150-153 (in Thai). of Thailand. Association of the Conservation of Wildlife, Bangkok, Thailand. Seidensticker, J. and J. McNeely. 1975. Observations on the use of natural licks Nakhasathien, S. and B. Steward-Cox. 1990. by in the Huai Kha Khaeng Nomination of the Thung Yai-Huai Kha Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand. Natural Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary to be a History Bulletin of the Siam Society UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wildlife 26:25-34. Conservation Division, Royal Thai Forest Department, Bangkok, Thailand. Uicharoensak, V. 1992. Ecology and current distribution of wild water buffalo (Bubalus Naksathit, N. and T. Chanard. 1985. Progress bubalis Linnaeus, 1758) in Huai Kha Report in the ecology of wild water buffalo Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, Uthai Thani in Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, Province. Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Uthai Thani Province and the surrounding Thailand (in Thai). area. Royal Thai Forest Department, Bangkok, Thailand (in Thai). Author’s address: c/o Department of biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Prater, S.H. 1965. The Book of Indian Animals. Bangkok -10400,Thailand. Bombay Natural History Society, Bombay.

Petdee, A. 2000. Feeding habits of the tiger (Panthera tigris Linnaeus) in Huai Kha

Tigerpaper Vol.31:No.2 Apr.-Jun.2004 9 NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT IN BANGLADESH: LINKING NATIONAL PRIORITY TO GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE

A.H.M. Ali Reza

Introduction contributed immensely to the productivity of , forestry, fisheries, and industry. The earth’s biological foundation is eroding at a rate Globally, species have been disappearing at unequaled in at least 65 million years (Johnson 50-100 times the natural rate, and this is 1995). Rapidly escalating human demands for predicted to rise dramatically. Based on current natural resources are causing , species, and trends, an estimated 34,000 plant and 5,200 natural ecosystems to disappear at an animal species – including one in eight of the unprecedented rate. Therefore, conservation is world’s species – face . In becoming a crisis discipline. Deciding what to modern society, contributes conserve and where is an essential first step in enormously to human welfare as well. For managing the crisis. example, a substantially high figure of prescription drugs worldwide owe their Although estimates vary widely, there may now be existence to compounds first derived from 30 million or more species on the earth. Living plants, e.g. Neem (Azadurachata indica) is organisms are found everywhere on the surface of prescribed for malaria, disease, the planet, including such inhospitable places as the inflammation while Thankuni (Centella asiatica) polar icecaps and deep within sulfur springs is used as stimulant. The over-the-counter value thousands of meters below the surface of the of plant-derived pharmaceuticals alone exceeds Pacific . The interaction of species with each US $ 40 billion per year worldwide (Miller and other and their environments has multiplied with the Tangley, 1991). growing diversity of life, giving rise to new evolutionary pathways that eventually contribute to While the loss of individual species draws our the formation of new species and ecosystems. One attention, it is the fragmentation, degradation, of these pathways produced the species Homo and outright loss of forests, wetlands, coral sapiens roughly one million years ago. reefs, and other ecosystems that poses the gravest threat to biodiversity. Forests are home Extinction is, however, a fact of life. Sooner or later, for much of our known terrestrial biodiversity, every species meets its fate; it may be overwhelmed but about 45 percent of the Earth’s original by environmental changes or by the debut of a new forests are gone, cleared mostly during the past species. The record indicates that during the century. Up to 10 percent of coral reefs, among more than 3.5 billion year history of life, the average the richest ecosystems, have been destroyed, longevity of a species has ranged from less than a and one third of the remainder face collapse million years for some groups of mammals, to over the next 10 to 20 years. Coastal mangroves, about 10 million years for certain groups of a vital nursery habitat for countless aquatic invertebrates and flowering plants (Wilson, 1992). species, are also vulnerable, with half already The fossil record indicates that life has been gone. The awareness of the need for impoverished by five massive extinction events conservation has been on the rise since the during the past 450 million years, each of them 1950’s in the developed world. Rachel Carson, wiping out between 25 and 50 percent of all in her 1962 seminal work, Silent Spring, had biological families (Raup, 1988). signaled the widespread effect of pollution on the environment. In 1972, another significant Diversity in genes, species, and ecosystems has book, The Limits to Growth articulated the

10 Tigerpaper Vol.31:No.2 Apr.-Jun.2004 fear of exhausting the earth’s non-renewable conservation and sustainable use of biological resources. These were some important milestones diversity. Over 150 governments signed the in raising worldwide consciousness of the adverse document at the Rio conference, and since then environmental impacts of the development activities. more than 175 countries have ratified the The idea that the environment and development are agreement. The Convention reminds two sides of the same had become apparent in decision-makers that natural resources are not the 1970s. In 1972, the first major world infinite and sets out a new philosophy for the conference on Human Environment was held in 21st century – that of sustainable use. Stockholm, where Heads of States from all over the world came together for the first time to consider Bangladesh perspective the state of the earth. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) was established A broad range of ecosystems are found in to deal with the environmental issues. The World Bangladesh, including tropical evergreen forests, Conservation Strategy was conceived by the The deciduous forests, mangrove forests, riparian World Conservation Union (IUCN), UNEP and the and coastal wetlands, and the littoral, sub-littoral Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) in 1980, as a and benthic communities of the Indian Ocean. means of providing a comprehensive, sector-wise Over 50% of Bangladesh can be classified as analysis of conservation and resource management wetlands (Khan et al., 1994). Together with issues, to integrate environmental concerns into the neighboring India, Bangladesh supports the development process: “¼because unless patterns largest remaining mangrove forest in the world of development that also conserve living resources – the . Bangladesh has a rich are widely adopted, it will become impossible to agro-biodiversity. Over 12,000 plant varieties meet the needs of today without foreclosing the have been recorded to date, representing a of tomorrow” (IUCN/UNEP/WWF, valuable, but rapidly vanishing, genetic resource. 1980) The World Com- mission on Environment On the other hand, many of the faunal species and Development (WCED), more popularly known are globally threatened, such as the Asian as the Brundtland Commission after its chairperson elephant, the tiger, the Gangetic gharial, Madam Brundtland, the former Prime Minister of the and the hoolock gibbon, Norway, was established by the UN in the mid among others. Although it is not frequently 1980’s. The commission held a series of private recognized, Bangladesh supports a wealth of consultations with the leaders, experts, biodiversity, including 113 species of mammals, governments and people in different regions and 628 species of , 126 species of , 22 published its landmark report called “Our Common species of , 708 species of Future” in 1987. In 1991, a revolutionary book was freshwater and marine fishes, 400 species of published: Caring for the Earth mollusks, about 70 species of and as many (IUCN/UNEP/WWF, 1991) whic h documented the species of wasps, about 5,700 species of principles and strategies for sustainable living. angiosperms (68 woody, 130 fiber yielding, 500 medicinal, and 29 orchids), 1,700 species of Following the Brundtland Commission Report, the pteridophytes, and 3 species of Gymnosperms issues and concepts of sustainable development (Nishat et al., 2002). In 2000, the have been adopted by the UN as well as most of the IUCN-Bangladesh Country Office published the countries and led to the UN General Assembly Red Book of Threatened Animals of resolution in 1989 to hold a World Conference on Bangladesh, which listed 43 species of Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de mammals, 47 birds, 63 reptiles, 8 amphibians Janeiro, in 1992, also known as “Earth and 58 fish species as facing various degrees of Summit”. In Rio, over 110 Heads of States or extinction. According to the similar exercise Government officially signed four documents: i) the recently completed by the Bangladesh National Rio Declaration; ii) Agenda 21; iii) the Framework Herbarium, 106 species face Convention on Climate Change; and iv) the risks of various degrees of extinction in Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The Bangladesh. CBD is the first global agreement on the

Tigerpaper Vol.31:No.2 Apr.-Jun.2004 11

Table 1: List of threatened animals of Bangladesh

Group Total no. of Threatened Not Living Critically Endangered Vulnerable Total Threatened Species Endangered (EN) (VU) (CR) Fishes 708 12 29 17 58 584 Amphibians 22 0 3 5 8 7 Reptiles 126 13 28 27 63 24 Birds 628 19 20 8 47 413 Mammals 113 21 15 7 43 17 Total 1,597 65 94 59 219 1,045

Source: IUCN Bangladesh, 2000

In the vast majority of , we will never know what we are missing. Only a fraction of the biological resources in their myriad forms are world’s total number of species – estimated to be essential to human welfare. between 10 and 30 million – have been identified and described by science (Johnson, 1995). For The biodiversity of Bangladesh, however, faces instance, IUCN Bangladesh has very recently a broad array of anthropogenic threats. With reported the sighting of the Asian leaf turtle more than 130 million people, a population (Cyclemys dentata) in the growth rate of 2.17 percent, and a population and black krait (Bungarus niger) from the density of 800 people per km2, the pressure on Sundarbans mangrove forest, which were not the nation’s natural resources is intense. nationally described to have occurred in the past. Population pressure, habitat loss and Moreover, IUCN Bangladesh has also reported the fragmentation, pollution, illegal killing and sighting of the Indo-Pacific hump-backed dolphin hunting are putting tremendous pressure on the (Sousa chinensis) and Nypa mollusk (Enigmonia existing biodiversity of the country. Hence, over aenigmatica) in the Sundarbans mangrove forest of the last 100 years, Bangladesh has lost about 10 Bangladesh, which were also not nationally percent of its mammalian fauna, 3 percent of its described earlier. But even if human society does avifauna and 4 percent of the reptilian fauna not notice the passage of these anonymous (Khan, 1998). If the current trend is allowed to species, it is clear that continue, many more of our precious species will end up in the following extinction list.

Table 2: List of wildlife extinctions in Bangladesh during the last century

Group Common name Scientific name Past distribution Reptiles Marsh crocodile Crocodylus palustris Most of the rivers throughout Bangladesh Birds Pin-headed Duck Rhodonessa Haor wetlands and some parts of mixed caryophyllacea evergreen forest Common Peafowl Pavo cristatus Deciduous forests of Bangladesh Mammals One-headed Rhinoceros unicornis Sundarbans, Garo hills, Valleys of Sylhet Rhinoceros and wetlands of Mymensingh Asiatic Two-horned Didermoceros From Comilla to Teknaf in the evergreen Rhinoceros sumatrensis forest wetlands Rhinoceros sondicus Chittagong Hill Districts

12 Tigerpaper Vol.31:No.2 Apr.-Jun.2004 Wolf Canis lupus Last sighted in Noakhali Swamp Cervus duvauceli Sundarbans and moist deciduous forest of Mymensingh Hog Deer Axis porcinus Sundarbans and Sylhet Gaur Bos gaurus All inland forests Wild Buffalo Bubalus bubalis Low-laying chars in the southern districts, wetlands of Jessore, Sylhet, Mymensingh, Sundarbans and valleys of CHT Nilgai Boselaphus From Tetulia to Barind tract tragocamelus Bos benteng Inland forests

Source: IUCN Bangladesh 2000

A quiet revolution has been under way since the or improve the environment while pursuing the first half of the 1990’s as, keeping the pace with the goal of sustainable development. The NCS rest of the world, environmental sustainability, viz. provides an overview of issues and develops a sustainable development planning, has become a strategy, while NEMAP provides action plans central theme of polic ymakers in Bangladesh. The for specific projects. Government’s pro-nature commitment is reflected in the new Ministry of Environment and Forest National Environment Management Action Plan (MoEF) and an upgraded Department of (NEMAP): NEMAP is an environmental Environment (DoE). Moreover, the Government planning exercise that was initiated by the has also formulated some long-term sustainable Government of Bangladesh through the MoEF environment management plans and programs, following the commitments made under Agenda which will be discussed later on. There are two 21 at UNCED. The objectives of NEMAP are important national documents related to very similar to those of the NCS. The key management of the environment in Bangladesh, element that distinguishes NEMAP from the which have subsequently been translated into NCS is the full participation of the common programs: 1) the National Conservation Strategy people, interest groups, resource users and (NCS); and 2) the National Environment stakeholders, NGOs and lobbyists in all phases Management Action Plan (NEMAP). of planning and implementation of its policies, programmes and projects (MoEF, 1991). Policy intervention Environmental Policy and Action Plan, 1992: It provides sector-wise policy guidelines, which National Conservation Strategy (NCS): The NCS should be developed by the respective ministers. aims to incorporate environmental considerations An implementation plan, appended to the policy, into the development planning process. The major is an integral part of it. It outlines the actions objectives of the NCS are to provide a guide for that various Government agencies and NGOs development practitioners on the means to preserve should undertake to implement the policy.

Tigerpaper Vol.31:No.2 Apr.-Jun.2004 13 Progammes for natural resources conservation Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank, the Canadian International Development A considerable number of natural resources and Agency (CIDA), and NORAD. Four projects biodiversity-related programs and projects are now are in progress. The Air Quality Monitoring in the planning stage or under the process of Project (AQMP), Bangladesh Environment implementation. Some of the major programs Management Programme (BEMP) and the which will be discussed briefly here are the NCS Sustainable Environment Management Implementation Project, Ramsar Site Conservation Programme (SEMP) are in their final stages of Initiative (Tanguar Haor), NEMAP Implementation implementation. Project, Sustainable Environ- mental Management Programme (SEMP), Sundarbans Biodiversity Sustainable Environment Management Conservation Project (SBCP), and Biodiversity Programme (SEMP): With a grant of US$ 26 Strategic Action Plan Project (BSAP). Moreover, million, SEMP is UNDP’s largest environ- there are also some initiatives that are in the process mental programme across the world. It has 26 of implementation: Forestry Sector Project; Coastal components being implemented by 21 and Biodiversity Management Project sub-implementing agencies (Government: 08, (CWBMP); Biodiversity Conservation in the Professional bodies: 02 and NGOs: 11). SEMP Sundarbans Reserved Forest Project; the has five broad sub-programmes: a) Policy and Strengthening of the Department of Environment Institution; b) Participatory Project, Integrated Coastal Zone Management Management; c) Community- based Project, Forest Resource Management Project, Environmental Sanitation; d) Advocacy and Coastal Green Belt Project, etc. Awareness; and e) Training and Education. SEMP is intended to benefit the grass-roots National Conservation Strategy Implementation level population and encourage the participation Project (NCSIP): MoEF started the NCSIP in 1994 of women in the eco-specific intervention areas. with an aim to piloting conservation practices in selected ecosystems with financial support from Sundarbans Biodiversity Conservation Project the Norwegian Agency for Development (SBCP): The MoEF, with financial support Cooperation (NORAD). A number of projects have from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), been planned under the NCSIP, among which are initiated a project called the SBCP. The overall important projects such as Tanguar Haor Wetland objective is to develop a sustainable Biodiversity Conservation, and Conservation of management and biodiversity conservation Coral Resources of Narikel Jinjira (St. Martin’s system for all Sundarbans reserve forest Island). resources on the basis of rational plans and the participation of all key stakeholders. Ramsar Site Conservation Initiative (Tanguar Haor): Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan (BSAP): The NCSIP of MoEF initiated the Tanguar Haor MoEF, with financial support from the Global Pilot Project in January 2000. The goal of the Environment Facility (GEF)/UNDP, recently project is to ensure the long-term conservation of launched the BSAP project. BSAP will focus the globally significant biodiversity of Tanguar Haor. mainly on building a unifying framework to To this end, the project is looking into the guide and coordinate various biodiversity- restoration program to safeguard habitats important related programmes and projects that are now for maintaining biodiversity, curb threats to under implementation, identifying national biodiversity, reduce pressures on the natural biodiversity priorities, or allocating lead resources by means of resource substitution and a responsibilities. Hence, the BSAP will reflect the poverty alleviation program, and develop the local biodiversity conservation aspirations and will capacity for sustainable resource utilization. build on existing national strategies and plans. The project will allow Bangladesh to meet its NEMAP Implementation: NEMAP is now in its obligations under the CBD. implementation phase. A number of development partners are implementing various segments of NEMAP. These include the United Nations

14 Tigerpaper Vol.31:No.2 Apr.-Jun.2004 Legal mechanism for natural resource is envisaged that the court will facilitate speedy management disposal of cases concerning environmental offences as defined in the Environmental Law. The conservation and management of the nation’s natural resources is the responsibility of many The road ahead different government bodies, including the MoEF, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Fisheries and As Noss (1993) observed, it is sustainability that , Ministry of Land, and Ministry of Water depends on biodiversity, not the other way Resources. The Forest Department (under MoEF) around. However, conservation in Bangladesh is is a specialized body dealing with the management still being regarded as a negative factor generally of forest reserves, wildlife and protected areas. The deterring development. However, as a signatory DoE is another specialized body under the MoEF, to the CBD and Agenda 21, which envisaged the dealing primarily with ‘brown’ and ‘grey’ issues in sustainable use of biological resources, policy the environment sector. Responsibilities, and lawmakers in Bangladesh must understand communication channels and coordination the implications of the conservation issues. mechanisms among the many different ministries and departments remain poorly defined and unclear. We have come a long way towards defining the norms of sustainable development. We have Many of the nation’s natural resource management revised our policies, ratified international laws and policies have their origins in the British conventions, treaties and protocols, developed colonial period. As a result, they are no longer and adopted new strategies, implemented new suited to present day needs for the conservation of programmes and projects – all of which are biodiversity and the sustainable use of its meant to ensure sustainable development. Yet, components. Similarly, important aspects of the we are still miles behind in translating all these obligations under the CBD – such as access to excellent instruments into actual practice. More genetic resources – have yet to be accorded legal importantly, conservation issues for protection backing. of habitats and wildlife are still not given due importance. Biologists typically involved in The first major law that was promulgated for the setting conservation priorities often fail to specific purpose of conservation of nature and realize a simple fact of life that helps to explain protection of environment is the Environmental why conservation priorities are so often ignored, Conservation Act of 1995, which was followed by which is that in most circumstances, effective the Environmental Conservation Rules (ECR) of conservation is ultimately, for better or worse, 1997. In addition, there are around two hundred a political process whose chances of success laws in Bangladesh, which have, in some cases, are improved through wider participation. direct relevance to the environment. In most cases, Therefore, one of the key prerequisites for the primary objective of these laws does not launching a successful conservation initiative is concern natural resource management or address a national political consensus. Multi-stakeholder environmental pollution directly. Recently, the involvement and ownership in decision making Government passed the Environmental Court Act, is a precondition for a holistic development, i.e., 2000 to deal with environmental offences more sustainable development. Without such a effectively. The Act provides for the establishment consensus, the key challenges of environ- of one or more Environmental Courts, primarily in mentally sound, socially justified and equitable each division of the country, with specific terms of economic development will be a far dream. references to deal with environmental offences. It Acknowledgments References The author is grateful to Professor Anuin Nishat, Country Representative, IUCN-Bangladesh IUCN/UNEP/WWF. 1980. World Country Office, who extended his support and Conservation Strategy. IUCN, Gland, technical assistance. Special thanks to Sabir Bin Switzerland. Muzaffar for his input.

Tigerpaper Vol.31:No.2 Apr.-Jun.2004 15 IUCN/UNEP/WWF. 1991. Caring for the Earth: A Strategy for Sustainable Living. IUCN, MoEF. 1991. National Environmental Gland, Switzerland. Management Action Plan. Progress Review. IUCN Bangladesh. 2000. Red List of Threatened Animals of Bangladesh. IUCN-The World Nishat, A., Huq, S.M. Imamul, Barua, Conservation Union, Bangladesh Country Shuvashish P., Reza, A.H.M. Ali, and Office, Dhaka, Bangladesh. xi+54 pp. Moniruzzaman A.S. Khan. (Eds.). 2002. Bio-ecological Zones of Bangladesh. Johnson, N. 1995. Biodiversity in the Balance: IUCN Bangladesh Country Office, Dhaka, Approaches to Setting Geographic Bangladesh, xii+141 pp. Conservation Priorities. Biodiversity Support Programme. WWF/The Nature Conservancy/ Noss, R.F. 1993. Sustainable Forestry or World Resources Institute, Washington, DC. Sustainable Forests. In: G.H. Aplet, N. 2006. Johnson, J.T. Olson, and V.A. Sample (Eds.) Defining Sustainable Forestry. Khan, A. 1998. Biodiversity. In: Gain, P. (Ed.) Island Press, Washington D.C. 17-43 pp. Bangladesh Environment: Facing 21st Century. SHED, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Raup, D.M. 1998. Diversity crises in the geologic past. In: E.O. Wilson and F.M. Khan, M.S., Haq, E., Huq, S. Rahman, A.A., Peter (Eds.), Biodiversity. National Rashid, S.M.A., and H. Ahmed (Eds.). 1994. Academy Press, Washington D.C. 51-57 Wetlands of Bangladesh. Bangladesh Centre pp. for Advanced Studies. Dhaka, Bangladesh. Xvi+91 pp. Author’s address: c/o Department of Zoology, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka 1342, Miller, K.R. and Tangley, L. 1991. Trees of Life: Bangladesh; E-mail: wild_reza @hotmail.com Saving Tropical Forests and Their Biological Wealth. Beacon Press, Boston.

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Contents

FOREST NEWS

Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission Considers Regional Forestry Issues………………………………………………...... 1 Pre-Session Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission Workshop: “Implementing IPF/IFF Proposals for Action Through National Forest Programmes: Strategies, Initiatives and Tools…...... 8 Asian Foresters Plan for Combating …...... 10 Online Help and Advice on Obtaining Funding for Forestry- Related Projects...... 11 What Were the Most Significant Developments in the Forestry Sector in Asia-Pacific in 2003?...... 12 FAO Asia-Pacific Forestry Calendar...... 16

FOREST NEWS

Vol.XVIII:No.2

ASIA-PACIFIC FORESTRY COMMISSION CONSIDERS REGIONAL FORESTRY ISSUES

Representatives from 29 member countries, State of forestry in the region along with observers and representatives from 7 international organizations and 5 international Delegates concurred with FAO’s Report on the non-governmental organizations, met in Nadi, “State of forestry in the region.” They Fiji, 19-23 April 2004, to consider possible acknowledged many of the common threats to actions to deal with critical issues facing the the region’s forests, including continued forestry sector in the region. The twentieth and degradation of natural forests, session of the Asia -Pacific Forestry Commission illegal and uncontrolled logging, invasive (APFC) was organized by FAO and the Fijian species, forest fires, unmanaged recreation and Ministry of Fisheries and Forests. The 29 competition from alternative land uses. The countries participating eclipsed the record set for delegates further stressed that the countries were an APFC session two years ago in Mongolia. tackling these problems through a variety of measures, but were sometimes constrained by His Excellency Konisi T. Yabaki, Minister of weak institutional capacity, insufficient Fisheries and Forests, Government of Fiji, budgetary resources and inadequate political will. presided over the meeting as Chairperson. N.K. Joshi (India), Sohn Chan-Joon (Republic of Nevertheless, several countries reported that Korea) and Thang Hooi Chiew () were deforestation had been curbed or even reversed, elected Vice Chairpersons for the session. David although the loss and degradation of natural Rhodes () served as Rapporteur. forests were continuing. Countries generally reported increased use of criteria and indicators, While several ongoing international dialogues certification, reduced impact logging, and are addressing forest-related issues at the global participatory approaches in forest management. level, forestry experts at the APFC session A number of countries also expressed concern focused on regional initiatives and cooperation over declining investments in the forestry sector. among Asia -Pacific countries. The following On the positive side, the delegates further paragraphs summarize the conclusions and reported on the increased regional and bilateral recommendations related to specific agenda cooperation in addressing illegal logging and topics discussed in the Nadi session. Copies of associated illegal trade of forest products. the full report of the APFC session are available from the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Based on the presentations and the interventions Pacific (see also: hhtp://www.apfcweb.org/events). from the delegates, the Commission concluded

Forest News 1 that members were making progress toward sustainable supplies of wood and fiber; b) sustainable forest management as a result of continuous improvement in forest management; reorientation of policies, decentralization and c) devolution of forest management devolution of forest management, application of responsibilities; and d) cross-cutting initiatives. best management practices, expansion of The Secretariat clarified that many regional protected areas, acceleration of plantation activities supported by FAO were carried out development and rehabilitation of degraded within the framework of the Asia -Pacific areas. The Commission further acknowledged Forestry Commission to take advantage of the the importance of conserving biological opportunities for multi-country and multi- resources effectively, as well as the significance organization collaboration. of effective watershed management to ensure reliable supplies of clean water. The delegates stressed the need for accurate and relevant data to support forest management Based on the discussions, the Commission planning and decision making. The Commission recommended that: acknowledged the value and usefulness of the · member countries take further action to information disseminated under the Global implement internationally agreed upon Forest Assessment, the Asia -Pacific Forestry actions related to forests, especially the Sector Outlook Study, and the State of Forestry IPF/IFF proposals for action; in Asia and the Pacific – 2003. FAO was · FAO expedite its efforts to help countries requested to regularly collect and disseminate build capacity for sustainable forest such information in collaboration with APFC management, especially by facilitating member countries. Member countries also interaction among countries and by agreed to continue promoting the development organizing workshops and training sessions and use of criteria and indicators for sustainable at the regional, sub-regional and national forest management and requested FAO to levels; support this work. Further, the delegates noted · member countries and FAO explore new the positive advances of many member countries avenues for obtaining financing for in formulating and implementing national codes sustainable forest management, including of practice for forest harvesting, consistent with through partnerships with the private sector; the Code of Practice for Forest Harvesting in · member countries increase collaboration in Asia -Pacific developed by APFC. Finally, the dealing with illegal logging and associated delegates acknowledged the importance and illegal trade of forest products, and FAO relevance of the international dialogue on forests was urged to provide additional technical for its member countries, but observed that support and to assess the costs and impacts many countries were unable to fully participate of illegal logging; due to limited resources and capacity. · FAO continue promoting conservation of biological resources; and On the basis of the above clarification and · FAO continue providing sound information interventions from the delegates, the on relationships between forests and water, Commission made the following observations including flooding, and on successful and recommendations: watershed management approaches. · It acknowledged the relevance of recent APFC and FAO-supported activities in the Forestry activities of interest to the region region and noted with appreciation the follow-up actions that had been taken on the The Commission reviewed APFC and FAO- recommendations of the nineteenth session. supported forestry activities carried out during · It stressed that despite much positive work the past two years, including follow-up to initiated by member countries to develop recommendations of the nineteenth session of and implement national forest programmes, the Commission. The activities generally there is further need to develop and concentrated on four areas: a) ensuring implement the programmes. FAO and the

2 Forest News National Forest Programme Facility were In search of excellence: exemplary forest requested to increase their support. management in Asia and the Pacific · FAO should continue efforts to enhance national capacities for conducting forest During a special in-session seminar, the resource assessments, including assessment Commission reviewed preliminary results from of tree resources outside forests. an APFC initiative to identify instances of · The seven thematic areas of sustainable exemplary forest management in the region. The forest management, as acknowledged by the In Search of Excellence initiative has resulted in International Conference on Criteria and more than 170 nominations of forests considered Indicators in Guatemala (February 2003), to be well managed, covering 20 countries. The the fifteenth session of the Committee on nominations represent a broad range of forest Forestry (March 2003) and further discussed types, management objectives, scale of at the recent FAO/ITTO Expert Consultation operations and ownership patterns, reinforcing in the (March 2004), should be the premise that there is no single definition of used as globally agreed criteria for exemplary forest management. Common sustainable forest management, for elements contributing to excellence include harmonizing purposes. societal consensus on management objectives · FAO should develop practical guidelines for and approaches, attention to livelihoods for the sustainable use of non-wood forest forest-dependent people, application of best products, and work to improve marketing of management practices, and strong commitment such products. to attaining excellence. · FAO should continue providing support for the implementation of codes of practice and The delegates noted the potential for the the application of improved forest initiative to help counter the preponderance of harvesting. negative publicity on forestry and to serve as a catalyst in motivating further improvements in The Commission endorsed the establishment of forest management. They recognized that the the Asia -Pacific Forest Invasive Species initiative had stimulated healthy debate among Network, under the auspices of APFC. It urged stakeholders on what constitutes good forest FAO and member countries to support the management and how to achieve it, and they network as a mechanism for sharing information acknowledged the potential to transfer lessons on existing and potential forest pests and and experiences from case study forests to approaches for combating such pests. FAO was similar situations throughout the region. requested to work with member countries to Delegates also recognized the common elements mobilize funds to effectively manage the of good forest management which could guide network. forest management in a variety of contexts.

FAO was further commended for its leadership The Commission appreciated the approach and in supporting the work of the Consultative process used in undertaking the initiative, Partnership on Forests (CPF). The Commission particularly the emphasis on recognizing and urged FAO to continue providing strong support accentuating positive experiences in forest for the CPF. The Commission encouraged FAO management. Delegates noted that strong bonds and other CPF members to further simplify tend to link exemplary forest managers to their reporting in to reduce the burden on forests. They further recognized the importance countries and to continue efforts to harmonize of discernable “champions” in promoting concepts, terminology and definitions used in excellence in forest management. An additional assessing, monitoring and reporting on key to successful management relates to sustainable forest management. ensuring the extensive involvement of all stakeholders in establishing the parameters and goals for forest management, especially at local levels.

Forest News 3 A publication featuring the 28 case studies and Considering all the challenges and the potential supporting analysis will be brought out in the opportunities for securing financing, the near future. The Commission recommended that Commission encouraged FAO to: the results of the In Search of Excellence · strengthen its work with donor countries and initiative be widely distributed and promoted financial institutions to help facilitate the through media briefings, workshops, and the efforts of developing countries to achieve preparation of materials to help managers of sustainable forest management; nominated forests to promote a common · continue providing information and advice message. The Commission also suggested that related to potential sources of financing for FAO consider organizing a side meeting at the sustainable forest management; next session of the Committee on Forestry · facilitate the exchange of information and (COFO) to feature the initiative. experience related to the economic valuation and development of markets for non-wood Financing sustainable forest management forest products, environmental services and ; The Commission considered the challenges of · continue raising awareness of the securing adequate financing for sustainable contributions that forests make to the forest management. Several member countries environment, rural development, poverty shared their experiences in developing alleviation and other economic sectors; innovative funding approaches to support forest · maintain efforts to ensure that sound management and conservation. Some have scientific knowledge on the actual benefits established special funds that are financed by provided by forests and trees is readily voluntary contributions, taxes and fees, donor available to decision makers; and grants and other sources. Others are testing · distribute information on guidelines for mechanisms for compensating the provision of assessing the magnitude of environmental environmental services and developing markets services provided by forests and the impacts for previously non-marketed goods and services. of unsustainable forest management and forest . The costs of fully implementing sustainable forest management were recognized to be Alternative forest management models significantly above current expenditure levels. However, the delegates did point out that During a special in-session seminar, the countries with valuable commercial forest Commission focused on alternative forest resources could potentially finance sustainable management models to achieve sustainability. forest management by improving prices and Five resource speakers from the region spoke taxation systems, strengthening measures for about decentralization, devolution, privatization collecting royalties and fees, and controlling and the model forest approach compared to the illegal activities. Success depended on effective approaches currently carried out by government policies and a supportive legal system. agencies.

Delegates also acknowledged the potential to The delegates noted that member countries were generate income and employment from non- increasingly testing and applying innovative wood forest products, environmental services forest management models in an attempt to deal (e.g. carbon sequestration, provision of clean air more effectively with the pressures being and water) and ecotourism. The actual exerted on forests from population growth, realization of such benefits is currently limited, agricultural expansion, increasing demand for however, and their significance as a source of forest products, industrial development and funding for forestry is still to be determined. rapid economic growth. Promising models typically transfer forest management authorities and responsibilities to local governments, civil society and the private sector. Increased

4 Forest News involvement of stakeholders, secure resource applying the model forest approach, FAO tenure, innovative partnerships, increased equity should continue discussions with donors to and application of landscape approaches to secure funding for a proposed regional management are common elements of success. model forest network in Asia and the Pacific. · FAO should review the changing needs, The participants reviewed experiences with demands and expectations placed on forestry decentralization and devolution of forest manage - agencies in reorienting, retraining and ment, community-based forest management, the restructuring as appropriate. model forest approach to sustainable forest · FAO should continue to monitor management and transfer of management roles experiences in implementing alternative to the private sector. Delegates pointed out that forest management models, disseminate extensive experience had been gained with some information on such experiences and support approaches, such as community forestry, while efforts to strengthen capacities for effective others, such as the model forest approach, had implementation. been introduced only recently. Delegates agreed that none of the alternative Delegated noted that the processes of devolution forest management models eliminated the need and decentralization of forest management had for government forestry agencies. Rather, the not always been smooth, and at times had stalled roles of forestry agencies may be altered under as a result of conflicts between local the new modalities, and the skills needed to governments and forest users. Moreover, facilitate these new approaches may differ from foresters had sometimes been perceived as being those needed in the past. reluctant to participate in, or lead, the process of devolution and decentralization, or had even Forest conventions, treaties and more: are been perceived as being opposed to these trends. regional agreements the way to go?

Delegates confirmed an increasing trend in the The Commission considered recent region to involve the private sector in forest developments related to global, regional and management through long-term lease bilateral forest-related agreements and arrangements, management concessions and arrangements. Delegates expressed their views privatization of forest resources. While the about the value and feasibility of various options benefits of such approaches may be substantial for international and regional approaches, in the long term, privatization in some cases may including legally and non-legally binding have negative social and environmental options. implications in the near term. Acceptable risk is essential for success, and this is heavily The Commission recommended that member influenced by the operating environment within countries actively participate and provide countries. forestry expertise in the intergovernmental negotiations related to forests, especia lly the The Commission appreciated the positive United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) and experiences of several countries in implementing the conventions on biological diversity, the model forest approach to sustainable forest desertification and climate change. management, with support from FAO and donors. The Commission recognized the need for thorough regional preparations prior to the fifth The Commission made the following session of UNFF in 2005, which will decide on recommendations: future international arrangements on forests. The · Considering that existing model forests in Commission requested FAO to examine the the region still require financial support to possibility of organizing an inter-sessional achieve their full potential, and that several meeting for this purpose, or to provide other additional countries were interested in mechanisms to assist countries’ preparations.

Forest News 5 The Commission recognized the value and Pacific Forest Invasive Species Network, practical benefits of existing regional forest- created under the aegis of APFC, is a related agreements and initiatives and urged significant achievement. member countries to strengthen their · The supply and use of fresh water has become commitment to implement them. FAO and other globally significant, and the complex international organizations were requested to linkages between forests and water are often continue their support for the effective poorly understood. FAO has been asked to implementation of these regional mechanisms. continue providing sound scientific inform- ation on relationships between forests and Regional issues identified by the Commission water, including flooding, and on successful for the attention of COFO watershed management approaches. · Progress has been made by many member The Committee on Forestry (COFO) has countries in the region in formulating and expressed a desire to see regional forestry implementing national codes of practice for commissions strengthened. In this respect, the forest harvesting, consistent with the Commission wished to bring to the attention of regional code developed under the auspices COFO the renewed vitality of the APFC, as of APFC. The approaches and experiences demonstrated by the large number of important of Asia -Pacific countries in developing and inter-sessional activities in the past two years implementing such codes of practice could and the record level of participation at the provide a useful model for other regions. twentieth session. The Commission also · The In Search of Excellence initiative has emphasized that these activities were achieved been highly successful, resulting in more largely as a result of the commitment and than 170 nominations of forests throughout contributions of member countries themselves. the region considered to be well managed. Further, the Commission would like to bring to The initiative helped showcase positive the attention of COFO a number of issues, experiences of forest management and including the following: heightened consideration of what constitutes · FAO and other CPF members have good management. The activities under the continued to support member countries in initiative are to be continued, results further implementing the IPF/IFF proposals for disseminated, possibly including through a action through effective national forest side meeting at the next session of COFO. programmes, consistent with the · There is widespread interest in the potential recommendations of COFO. The important to generate income and employment from role of the National Forest Programme non-wood forest products, providing Facility was highlighted as well. environmental services and ecotourism. · Cognizant with the global concern over FAO has been asked to facilitate the illegal logging and associated trade, FAO exchange of information and experience has been requested to provide additional related to the economic valuation and the technical support to help member countries development of markets for these products control such activities, and assess their costs and services. and impacts. · Forest management approaches are evolving · FAO has been requested to examine the rapidly throughout the world, including potential strengths and weaknesses of through the use of criteria and indicators to regional and global arrangements on forest assess, monitor and report progress toward fires, including the feasibility of developing the achievement of sustainable forest and implementing a global agreement on fire. management. FAO has been asked to review · Awareness needs to be raised on the serious the changes, the new skills and capabilities threats from invasive species, and the need needed, and assist the forest agencies in to build capacities for dealing with such reorienting, retraining and restructuring threats. The establishment of the Asia - them as appropriate.

6 Forest News Other business international wildland fire agreements. Several bilateral and regional agreements exist to Two workshops were he ld before the main facilitate cooperation in managing and APFC session: 1) the Regional Workshop on combating wildland fires, including the ASEAN Implementing IPF/IFF Proposals for Action Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution. through National Forest Programmes: Strategies, These issues, including options for developing a Initiatives and Tools; and 2) the Workshop on global fire agreement, can be discussed at the Developing an Action Plan for Addressing sixteenth session of COFO in 2005. The same Forest Invasive Species in Asia and the Pacific. can be taken up further at the Ministerial Reports on both workshops were presented to meeting the Director-General intends to convene the Commission (see also below in this issue of at the time of COFO. Forest News). The Commission encouraged member countries The report on the First Meeting of the Asia - and FAO to intensify regional collaboratio n on Pacific Forestry Commission Executive combating and preventing forest fires, and Committee was presented to the Commission. provide strong support for the effective The Executive Committee had conducted an implementation of existing fire agreements. It analysis of APFC’s strengths, weaknesses, requested FAO to assist member countries in the opportunities and threats, and made formulation and implementation of effective recommendations related to the following: a) training programmes to prevent, control and enhancing the profile of APFC; b) enhancing the manage forest fires. FAO was also asked to involvement of member countrie s in APFC examine the potential strengths and weaknesses activities; c) increasing the participation of the of regional and global arrangements on forest private sector and NGOs in APFC activities; d) fires, including the feasibility of developing and increasing funding support for APFC activities; implementing a global agreement on forest fires, e) streamlining and clarifying the way APFC taking into account the lessons learned from the functions; f) increasing the roles and development and implementation of existing responsibilities of the Executive Committee; and bilateral and regional arrangements. g) strengthening the APFC Secretariat. The Commission endorsed the report of the meeting The Commission was informed of the outcomes and its recommendations. It recognized the of the XII World Forestry Congress, and noted valuable contributions of the Executive that the Asia -Pacific region had been well Committee in reviewing and guiding the work of represented at the Congress, with more than 250 the Commission and recommended that regular participants and a high number of written meetings of the Executive Committee be contributions. convened between the main sessions of the Commission, giving due consideration to budget implications. Date and place of the next session

Information items Offers to host the twenty-first session of the APFC (to be convened in 2006) were made by Forest fires remained a key concern of member the delegations from India, Philippines and Viet countries. The Commission was informed of the Nam. outcome of the International Wildlife Fire Summit, convened in Sydney, , in October 2003, and recent developments related to the establishment and implementation of

Forest News 7

PRE-SESSION ASIA-PACIFIC FORESTRY COMMISSION WORKSHOP “IMPLEMENTING IPF/IFF PROPOSALS FOR ACTION THROUGH NATIONAL FOREST PROGRAMMES: STRATEGIES, INITIATIVES AND TOOLS”

The Regional Workshop on Implementing the IPF/IFF PAs and the use of criteria and IPF/IFF Proposals for Action through National indicators for sustainable forest management Forest Programmes: Strategies, Initiatives and would adequately address the activities of the Tools was organized by FAO and hosted by the CBD’s Expanded Programme of Work on Forest Government of Fiji, 16 to 17 April in Nadi, Fiji. Biological Diversity, as well as its Ecosystem It was held in conjunction with the twentieth Approach to managing natural ecosystems. session of the Asia -Pacific Forestry Commission. The workshop was co-sponsored by the U.S. The keynote address was followed by three Department of State/USDA Forest Service, the introductory papers, as follows: German Agency for Technical Cooperation · Implementing national forest programmes: (GTZ) projects in Fiji and Indonesia, and the small steps for big changes – S. Appanah & National Forest Programme Facility. It brought E. Mansour (FAO, Bangkok and Rome, together 67 experts from various countries, respectively) members of the Collaborative Partnership on · Addressing priority cross-sectoral issues in Forests (CPF) and other international, regional the Asia -Pacific region to support national and sub-regional organizations, including non- forest programme implementation – J. governmental organizations. Rodgers and A. Sisifa (Fiji) · Strengthening local stakeholder participation The keynote address was given by H.C. Thang in national decision making – P. Walpole (Malaysia) on “Implementation of the IPF/IFF (Philippines) Proposals for Action at the national level.” His principal position is that each country should The three presentations discussed how forest design its own national approach for assessing policies are being made more holistic and and integrating the IPF/IFF Proposals for Action cyclical in approach with the implementation of (PA). Only through this means it is possible to the national forest programmes, cross-sectoral address issues of common concern of all considerations in executing forestry plans, and stakeholders from the private sector, non- how governments’ planning is currently being governmental organizations and governments. influenced from bottom-up processes ongoing in Next, not all PAs are relevant to all countries, many countries in the region. and so a useful first step would be to analyze which Proposals are relevant and prioritize them Following the introductions, the workshop held for action. Implementation of the IPF/IFF PAs three working groups, on the following topics: should serve as a process to assist countries to · Stakeholder participation – Case studies adopt policies and strategies for a holistic and from Australia (E. Jimenez) and Indonesia cross-sectoral approach to the management, (Agus Justianto) on how stakeholders conservation and sustainable development of participate effectively in national forest forest resources, and as a means to progress programme processes; towards the attainment of sustainable forest management. In addition, the implementation of

8 Forest News · Cross-sectoral cooperation – Case studies implement the Proposals for Action, especially from (Vu Van Me) and Bhutan through the national forest programmes. It also (Dechen Dorji); and provided an opportunity to inform experts about · Forests and poverty reduction – Case studies recent support initiatives, and the developments from India (K. Balasubramaniam) and in international forest dialogues, especially the (Liu Jinlong). United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF).

The three groups formulated recommendations Many participants described increasing efforts to on how countries can enhance multi-stakeholder categorize, assess, prioritize and implement the participation, increase linkages between forestry relevant Proposals for Action, despite the limited and other sectors using the national forest capacity to implement them and to report on programme process, and strengthen the progress, partially due to overwhelming contribution of forests to poverty alleviation. reporting requests by international processes. They recommended that countries should work The final session explored effective approaches on boosting the implementation, effective and knowledge sharing tools for implementing stakeholder participation, cross-sectoral Proposals for Action. Presentations were made on: cooperation, and increase the contribution of · National assessment of Vanuatu’s progress in forests to poverty alleviation. implementing the IPF/IFF Proposals for Action – a tool to assist countries to measure Participants recommended that countries should, progress and establish priorities for for instance, develop procedures and modalities sustainable forest management – P. Lawrence for effective stakeholder participation in the and H. Tate (Australia & Vanuatu); national forest programme process, including · The National Forest Programme Facility – T. clearly identifying the roles of stakeholders and Enters (FAO, Bangkok; means to account for their inputs; establish high- · Implementing the IPF/IFF Proposals for level, cross-ministerial collaboration mechanisms, Action in Indonesia – 5 years of experience extend devolution of forest management from – Agus Justianto (Indonesia) degraded forest areas to production forest areas, · Implementing proposals for action to review methods of valuing forest goods and promote SFM in New Zealand – J. Eyre services, and help the poor to organize (New Zealand) themselves.

The session’s speakers highlighted the They also recommended that FAO and other opportunities available for countries to CPF members should continue to facilitate the implement national forest programmes, tools to implementation of the Proposals for Action and measure progress, and how even in the absence assist countries in sharing experiences and of specific national forest programmes, the building capacity for effective participation in proposals for action can still be incorporated and international forest-related deliberations. In implemented in practice. addition, the participants stressed the importance of including forestry expertise in the national The workshop served as a forum to exchange delegations that attend the negotiations. country experiences and to catalyze efforts to

“Nature does not complete things. She is chaotic. Man must finish, and he does so by making a garden and building a wall.” -- Robert Frost --

Forest News 9

ASIAN FORESTERS PLAN FOR COMBATING INVASIVE SPECIES

Experts from 14 countries met in conjunction 2. Stock-tak ing of national activities with the twentieth session of the Asia -Pacific Forestry Commission (APFC), in Nadi, Fiji, 17- The Network will complete a stock-taking 18 April 2004, to design a collaborative plan of exercise of national activities currently being action to help combat the threats posed by implemented on forest invasive species. A invasive species in the region. The costs of starting point will be the review of country invasive species in the region total hundreds of reports prepared for the Asia -Pacific Forest billions of dollars each year, in terms of Invasive Species Conference to identify gaps treatment measures, environmental impacts and potentially requiring capacity building. The lost production – with the costs to forestry Network will prepare guidelines to assist in constituting a significant proportion of this total. standardizing the information reported in the original country reports and during national The workshop on Developing an Action Plan for stocktaking exercises. Addressing Forest Invasive Species in Asia and the Pacific reviewed the list of potential activities 3. Awareness raising prepared during the Asia -Pacific Invasive Species Conference held in Kunming, China, in August The Network will collaborate in the 2003 – adding to these, deleting as appropriate, development of a regional awareness strategy and identifying priority areas. for forest invasive species. The strategy will include an outline of objectives and identify The workshop validated the recommendation target audiences and measures that can be made by the Kunming conference to establish an implemented to raise regional awareness about Asia -Pacific Forest Invasive Species Network forest invasive species. under the auspices of APFC. A consensus also emerged on five high priority areas for action: 4. Capacity building

1. Organizational structures to support the Opportunities for collaboration on specific network capacity-building activities will be identified through national stocktaking exercises. The As an APFC-sanctioned initiative, the Network Network will also implement other specific will be supported by the APFC secretariat. capacity-building opportunities identified and deemed appropriate by member countries. Country- nominated focal points will be important links in the functioning of the 5. Database and information sharing Network. Focal points will also be responsible for coordinating Network activities within The national focal points will a key role in countries, and for facilitating the timely facilitating the exchange of information on exchange of information. To date, 21 countries forest invasive species among Network members. have designated their focal points. The country Several mechanisms could be developed to focal points will also provide linkage between facilitate information exchange including the Network and other regional and global forest website development, newsletters and/or a invasive species initiatives. regional forest invasive species listserver.

10 Forest News The Chinese Academy of Sciences has development of a forest invasive species commenced work on developing a forest database (work led by the Chinese Academy of invasive species database, which will provide a Sciences). It is anticipated that focal points will system for collating, storing and readily play a key role in facilitating the exchange of accessing information gathered by the national information and coordinating other activities focal points from the region. The database will within countries. be further developed in collaboration with Network members, cognizant of cross-sectoral The second day of the workshop in Fiji boundary issues. encompassed a wider audience of APFC delegates and focused on raising awareness of The workshop discussed these priority activities issues related to forest invasive species. in detail and identif ied specific actions to be completed prior to the next session of the Asia - Mr. Hosny El-Lakany, FAO Assistant Director- Pacific Forestry Commission in 2006. The General for Forestry, used the occasion to activities will comprise elements of a regional formally announce the establishment of the action plan. Among the most significant is the Asia-Pacific Forest Invasive Species Network.

ONLINE HELP AND ADVICE ON OBTAINING FUNDING FOR FORESTRY RELATED PROJECTS

(English) http://www.fao.org/forestry/site/17261/en (French) http://wwww.fao.org/forestry/site/1726/fr

The above links lead to fora that have been set- skills on how to go about soliciting funding for up by the Collaborative Partnership on Forests’ their projects. Representatives of grant-making CPF-Sourcebook and the National Forest bodies are also invited to post news and advice Programme Facility to allow people to share for potential applicants. information, ideas and experiences on funding for forestry related projects – forestry, forest For more information and guidance on how to products, forest management and forest post messages see the following URL: sustainability projects. The online help is aimed http://www.fao.org/forestry/foris/webview/page at assisting fund seekers to further and enhance view.jsp?pageId=25608&langId=1 their funding search as well as increasing their

“You can’t stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes.” -- Pooh’s Little Instruction Book, inspired by A.A. Milne --

Forest News 11

WHAT WERE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FORESTRY SECTOR IN ASIA-PACIFIC IN 2003?

At the beginning of 2004, FAO conducted an e- Responses: mail survey to ascertain what people involved in forestry in the region considered to be the most Australia important developments in forestry in their own § Development of the Australian forest country, and in the region as a whole in 2003. certification standard Comments were received from more than 65 § Large wildfires in early 2003, which led to a individuals, providing a range of perspectives. review of the organization of fire control, the management of prescribed burning Two themes were emphasized: practices and the planning of plantation • Illegal logging and governance issues layouts • Decentralization and devolution of § Public debate over water use by plantations forest management and the extent to which plantatio n expansion should be regulated Illegal logging was the most frequently § Controversy about logging of Tasmanian mentioned issue at the regional level. This is old-growth forests interesting since illegal logging is usually § Approval/release of National Plantations considered to be a national issue, yet very few Strategy to 2020 respondents indicated that it was important for their own country over the past year. Several Brunei initiatives are currently being undertaken to § The drafting of the “Forest Act and Forest address illegal logging in the region. Rules” subsequently submitted to the Attorney General for further review and Many respondents indicated that approval decentralization and devolution (in various forms) were significant developments in their particular country over the past year. This § Passage of the Community Forestry Sub- matches with the ongoing trends throughout the Decree region towards the devolution of responsibilities § Increasing role of commune (smallest unit of and rights to local communities. government) in land-use planning § Appointment of SGS as the new forest The results of the survey are summarized below. monitor, replacing Global Witness They are not listed in any particular order, nor do they necessarily reflect the views of FAO or China Forest News editors. § Implementation of the six key national forestry programs: 1. What was the most significant issue, • Natural forest protection program development or event that occurred in your • Program for conversion of cropland country in 2003 that had (or will have) to forest and grass land significant impact on forests or forestry? • Program to combat desertification in Beijing and Tianjin • Shelterbelt development program for the middle and lower reaches of theYangtze river

12 Forest News • Wildlife conservation and building including an increase of carbon sinks of nature reserves program through sustainable forest management • High yield timber plantation § “Green Recruitment Program” initiated to development program increase the number of skilled forest workers by providing local governments and India forest cooperatives with financial assistance § The international conference on - Quality for employment and training Timber Products of from Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) in Kerala Korea (December 2003) § Entering into force of the new Forest Land § Formation of the National Forestry Management Law Commission § Revision of the 4th forest development plan § Greater role of the National Medicinal (the national forest plan for the period 1998- Plants Board in the conservation, 2007) development, marketing and exports of § Establishment of the “Act for the Protection medicinal plants in the country of the Baekdoo Mountains” § Diminishing role of foresters in biodiversity § The damage wrought on Korean forests by conservation giant typhoon “Maemi” § Creation of two categories of private § Reform of the Korea Forest Service protected areas, community reserves and § The presidential election in 2002 conservation reserves, which recognize and § Nation-wide survey of mountain villages in legitimize private conservation initiatives Korea

Indonesia Lao PDR § “There were no significant developments § Limited acknowledgement of forestry in the (business as usual) – the reform process National Poverty Eradication Programme stopped” published in 2003, reflecting poor § Launching of the National Social Forestry recognition of the opportunities for forestry Programme to contribute to poverty reduction § Launching of the National Rehabilitation § Debate and approval of national “Forest Programme (of watershed management Strategy 2020” areas) § Inclusion of forest-related crimes in the anti- Malaysia -laundering law § Implementation of criteria and indicators for § Increasing attention on illegal logging and assessing and monitoring sustainable forest how to combat it management at the forest management level § Reduction of the AAC from approximately § Reduction in the loss of forest biological 12.1 million m3 to 6.89 million m3 diversity and damage to the environment § Discussions on agrarian reform and natural during forest harvesting, and an increase in resource management the extent of protected areas § Reforestation declarations by the § DNA analysis for tree tracking government responding to the many natural disasters in Indonesia during the year – especially floods and landslides § Increase in awareness and interest in “community forests” Japan § Initiation of Bago Yoma Greening § Development of the Sustainable Green (reforestation) Project Ecosystem Council for forest certification § National economic policy for the § Development of an action plan and approval controversial expansion of agriculture and of a budget to support the international fisheries commitments under the Kyoto Protocol, § Construction of dams and reservoirs

Forest News 13 § Increased export of teak logs § Release of controversial report on logging § Jailing of the chairman of the National and natural resource exploitation by Global Forest Board for “contempt of court” for Witness (London) , which was refuted by the refusing to pay customary resource owners government “timber royalties” for trees taken from customary land New Zealand § Purchase of significant forests (Central Pakistan North Island Forest Partnership and Fletcher § Institutional and legal reforms in the Forest Challenge Forests) by US pension funds Department § Dramatic increase in bulk shipping costs § Widespread and continuing death of one of from New Zealand to East Asia and the the most valuable and extensively planted Pacific (60 percent increase) reducing log tree species in Pakistan, Dalbergia sissoo. prices, stumpage margins and profits for New Zealand forest owners Philippines § Government announced polic y on climate § Revision of the Philippine Forestry Master change, including a decision not to devolve Plan forest-based carbon sink credits and their § Development and testing of Environmental associated liabilities for the first Users Fees (EUF), to transfer payments commitment period, under the Kyoto from lowland water users to upland Protocol communities for watershed management and § The discovery and containment of new pest rehabilitation threats (the fall webworm, gum leaf § A nationwide assessment of community- skeletoniser, Asian gypsy moth) and the based forest management to move towards quarantining of pine pitch canker, as part of more effective implementation on-going surveillance for protecting New § Burgeoning eco-tourism projects in many Zealand’s forests from alien invasive species upland and mangrove areas, particularly § The UNFF intersessional meeting on “The those under community-based management Role of Planted Forests in Sustainable § Increasing role of barangay (smallest unit of Forest Management”, Wellington, (March) government) in natural resource manage- § The loss of value of exported forest products ment as a result of the appreciation of the New § Increasing conflict between indigenous Zealand dollar relative to the US dollar cultural communities/indigenous peoples and the government, related to management Nepal of natural resources within ancestral domain § Government policy to tax the surplus sales areas, based on “national interest” of Shorea robusta and Acacia catechu from § Debate on the constitutionality of the community forests at 40 percent ancillary rights of mining concessionaires § Government's continued policy to pilot over surface natural resources such as timber collaborative forest management in the § Suspension of resource use permits issued to region of Nepal, rather than expand the community-based forest management community forestry model agreement holders § Initiation of district-level multi-stakeholder forestry coordination committees in 11 Terai Thailand districts of Nepal - District Forest § Restructuring of the Royal Forest Coordination Committees Department § Ongoing Maoist insurgency and political § Increase in area of national parks uncertainty § Increasing role of tambon (smallest unit of government) in watershed management

14 Forest News Viet Nam § Clarification of forestry issues eligible for § Revision of the Land Law to provide legal credits under the Clean Development recognition to communities in forest Mechanism management § Desertification in Northeast Asian countries § Acknowledgement of the role of communes such as China and Mongolia , and the and districts in supporting community forest ensuing sandstorms management § Growing importance of decentralization and attention to building capacity of local government units (e.g. tambon, barangay, 2. What was the most significant issue, commune) for engaging in forest development or event that occurred in the management Asia-Pacific region in 2003 that had (or is § Increased articulation of forest-water likely to have) significant impact on forests linkages or forestry? § Better understanding of cloud forests § Greater focus on assisted natural regeneration Responses: § Convening of the World Social Forum in Mumbai (January 2004) , which highlighted § Asia Forest Partnership (launched at WSSD) forests and forestry and the impacts of forest § Ongoing debate and encouragement towards degradation good forest governance and tackling of § Increased availability of forest-related data corruption within the forestry sector in Asia § declaration on illegal logging § Convening of the international conference § Increasing (international) attention to the on “Eucalypts in Asia ” in Zhanjiang, China issue of illegal logging (April) § Negative impact of illegal logging on the § Continuing decline in forest area and the timber market in East and Southeast Asia failure of reforestation to match these losses § Increasing emphasis on the role of local § Development of the ASEAN regional communities in forest management criteria and indicators and launching the Pan § Emergence of forest management based on ASEAN timber certification initiative an ecosystem approach to produce multiple § Slow pace of establishing firm programmes forest goods and services simultaneously linking forestry and poverty alleviation § Development of national codes of practice § Resurgence of the Thai economy and for forest harvesting in the region resulting strain on natural resources of the § China joining the World Trade Organization region § Continuing rise of China as a mega-importer § Expanding adoption of joint forest of forest products management, in various forms, throughout § Continuing constraints on the availability of the region financial resources for forestry resulting § Convening of the Asia-Pacific Forest from the economic downturn of the late Invasive Species conference in Kunming, 1990s and early 2000s China, and establishment of Asia -Pacific Forest Invasive Species Network

“Nature knows no pause in progress and development, and attaches her curse on all inaction.

-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe --

Forest News 15 FAO ASIA-PACIFIC FORESTRY CALENDAR

21-23 July 2004. Hangzhou, China. Regional Seminar on Forest Certification in China: Latest Developments and Future Strategies. Contact: Mr. Simmathiri Appanah, National Forest Programme Advisor (Asia Pacific), FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Maliwan Mansion, 39 Phra Atit Road, Bangkok 10200, Thailand; Tel. (662) 697-4136; Fax: (662) 697-4445; E-mail: [email protected]

20-24 September 2004. Lin’an, China. Regional Workshop on Strategic and Operational Work Planning and Regional Model Forest Network Meeting for Enhancing Regional Networking Opportunities Between Model Forests. Contact: Mr. Brian Bonnell, Senior Program Officer, Asia, International Model Forest Network Secretariat, PO Box 8500, 250 Albert Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1G 3H9, Canada; Tel: 613-236-6163 ext 2114; Fax: 613-234-7457; E-mail: [email protected]

14-18 March 2005. Rome, . 17th Session of the Committee on Forestry. Contact: Doug Kneeland, Programme Coordinator, Programme Coordination Unit, FAO Headquarters, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00100 Rome, Italy; Tel: 39-06-570-53925; E-mail: [email protected] mid-2005. Kota Kinabalu, , Malaysia. Symposium on Tropical Rainforest Rehabilitation & Restoration – Existing Knowledge and Future Directions. Co-organized by: FAO RAP, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Yayasan Sabah and the Sabah Forestry Department. Contact: Patrick Durst, Senior Forestry Officer, FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Maliwan Mansion, Phra Atit Road, Bangkok 10200, Thailand; Tel. (662) 697-4139; Fax: (662) 697-4445; E-mail: [email protected]

FOREST NEWS is issued by the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific as part of TIGERPAPER. This issue of FOREST NEWS was compiled by Patrick B. Durst, Senior Forestry Officer, FAO/RAP.

16 Forest News A NEW RECORD ON HABIT AT OF THE PROBOSCIS MONKEY (Nasalis larvatus) AND ITS PROBLEMS IN SOUTH KALIMANTAN, INDONESIA

by M. Arief Soendjoto

The proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus) is a (Hevea brasiliensis), cempedak (Artocarpus large, sexually dimorphic , arboreal colobine integer) and cempedak banyu (A. teysmanii), that is endemic to Born eo island. In Indonesia, the leaves of alaban (Vitex pubescens), and it is protected by the Act of Conservation of fruits of tuu (a kind of rattan). According to Biological Resources and Its Ecosystem the local community, the proboscis monkey (No.5/1990), the Agricultural Ministry Decree has lived in these areas for more than 40 years No.327/Kpts/Um/7/1972, and the Government and it frequently raids gardens for Regulation No.7/1999. In South Kalimantan fruits. Province, the long-nosed primate was chosen as the provincial fauna mascot. Problems to be solved

A New Record The author identified four factors that threaten the sustainability of proboscis monkey, i.e. The behavior of this primate has been habitat conversion, , the intensively studied in some habitat types, such presence of the monkey in non-prot ected as mangrove, fresh water peat swamp and (cultivated) areas, and poor treatment. riverine forests, of either natural or protected areas (Jeffrey, 1979; Bismark, 1980; Salter & Conversion of the habitat occurs daily. This is Aken, 1983; Salter et al., 1985; Bennett & not a problem if the process is to convert Sebastian, 1988; Yeager, 1989; and critical land to productive land. However, the Boonratana, 2000). However, in 2000-2003, in local community also converts forest and some sub-districts of South Kalimantan natural land into places of human activity such Province the author found that the proboscis as for resettlement, mining and industrial sites. monkeys live in three different habitat types. These legally and illegally converted areas can This could be a new record which is not range from 10 ha to thousands of ha., known by many people. consequently reducing the appropriate habitat for the survival of proboscis monkeys. In Marabahan sub-district (part of Barito Kuala district), this primate inhabits swamp Fragmentation of habitat often follows habitat forest dominated by galam Melaleuca cajuputi. conversion. It commonly occurs when roads In 8 out of 10 sub-districts of Tabalong district, are built to access isolated areas. For example, it inhabits rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) forest or in Tapin district a new 52 km road was traditional rubber plantations. In Muara Uya, constructed to connect the highway of Haruai and Jaro sub-districts of Tabalong, it Banjarmasin (South Kalimantan) – Balikpapan was found in limestone hill forests. () and the coal loading port of Sungai Putting. The 12 m wide road fragments In galam swamp forest, the diet of the the swamp forest. In Tabalong district, a new 2 monkeys includes leaves of galam, piai km road was constructed to connect the (Acrostichum aureum), and kelakai highway of Tanjung (South Kalimantan) – (Stenochlaena palustris). In limestone hill Balikpapan and the road of Muara Uya – forest this primate consumes the leaves and Simpung Layung. This 5 m wide road fruits of kariwaya (Ficus sp.). In rubber forest, fragments the rubber forest. it consumes the leaves and flowers of rubber Tigerpaper Vol.31:No.2 April -June 2004 17 Both the swamp forest and the rubber forest Reserve, . Report are two appropriate habitat types for the No.357, Forest Research Institute of proboscis monkey, but because of the roads, Agricultural Dept., Bogor, Indonesia. (in the forests are broken up, which disturbs Indonesian with English summary) primate behavior. If populations are isolated, may increase. Boonratana, R. 2000. A short note on vigilance exhibited by proboscis monkey In general, rubber forests are categorized as (Nasalis larvatus) in the Lower cultivated areas and their owners are members Kinabatangan, Sabah, Malaysia. of the community. The activities conducted in Tigerpaper 27(4):21-22. FAO Regional the forests are profit-oriented. Members of the Office for Asia and the Pac ific, Bangkok. community can convert the forests at will and consequently land functions change rapidly. Jeffrey, S.M. 1979. The proboscis monkey, Although protected animals concurrently some preliminary observations. inhabit the forests, maintaining their Tigerpaper 6(1):5-6. FAO Regional Office sustainability is likely to be of lesser priority. for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok.

The hunting and killing of monkeys is carried Salter, R.E. and K.N. Aken. 1983. The out for several reasons. Some farmers put out proboscis monkey in Bako National poison for the proboscis monkey because they Park, . Tigerpaper 10(3):6 -8. consider it a pest that raids their crops. One FAO Regional Office for Asia and the community in South Kalimantan uses the Pacific, Bangkok. monkey as a resource. Others kill the animals and use their body parts to trap Salter, R.E., MacKenzie, N.A., Nightingale, N., and snakes that have a high market value, or to Aken, K.M. and P.K. Chai. 1985. Habitat feed to caged . The flesh costs about uses, ranging behaviour and food Rp4.000 per kg. habitats of the proboscis monkey, Nasalis larvatus (van Wurm b), in References Sarawak. Primates 26(4):436-451.

Bennett, E.L. and A.C. Sebastian. 1988. Social Yeager, C.P.1989. Feeding ecology of the organization and ecology of proboscis proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus). Int. monkeys (Nasalis larvatus) in mixed J. Prim. 10(6):497-530. coastal forest in Sarawak . Int. J. Prim. 9(3):233-255. The author is a Doctoral Candidate at Program Pascasarjana, Bogor Agricultural Bismark, M. 1980. Behavior and population University. His address is: Jl. Cendana II D density of proboscis monkey (Nasalis No.84 A RT 44 Kayutangi, Banjarmasin 70123, larvatus) at Tanjung Putting Indonesia.

18 Tigerpaper Vol.31:No.2 April -June 2004 VANISHING WETLANDS OF KERALA, INDIA

by Manjula Menon

Wetlands are ecosystems with specific ecological characteristics, functions and values. They are The need for wetland protection was given among the most productive ecosystems of the serious consideration at the global level in the world and are essential life-supporting systems early 1960s. A series of conferences and providing a wide array of benefits to human kind. technical meetings, held mainly under the It is not surprising that the first signs of auspices of the International Waterfowl and civilization have been traced to wetland areas. Wetland Research Bureau (IWRB), U.K., Once wetlands were considered useless and culminated in the Convention on Wetlands of waterlogged unproductive areas, and sometimes International Importance, especially as water as deleterious ecosystems. Today, opinions have fowl habitat. Better known as the Ramsar changed about the value of wetlands; but Convention, this inter-governmental treaty was unfortunately, these ecosystems are rapidly signed in Ramsar, in 1971 and provides the declining and deteriorating in various parts of the framework for international cooperation for the world, including India. conservation of wetland habitats.

Wetlands are famous the world over as waterfowl India acceded to the convention in October 1981, habitats and cover 6.4% of the earth’s area. India and designated Chilka Lake (Orissa) and Keoladeo has about 4.1 million ha of wetlands, of which 1.5 Ghana National Park (Rajasthan) as Ramsar Sites. million ha are natural and 2.6 million ha are Four additional sites were designated in March man-made (Ministry of Environment and Forest, 1990: Wular Lake (Kashmir), Harike Lake Government of India, 1990). Their high (Punjab), Loktak Lake (), and Sambhar productivity places wetlands among the richest Lake (Rajasthan). Wetlands are designated in this and most biologically diverse ecosystems in the convention based on international significance in world. Most of the wetlands in India are host to terms of ecology, botany, zoology, limnology or rare, threatened and endangered species of flora hydrology. Millions of birds representing 318 and fauna. Many species of wetland flora and species, including a large number of migratory fauna show extreme sensitivity to any birds, are believed to be associated with Indian deterioration in the quality of their environment. wetlands and about 101 species (Nameer, 1996) These can act as early warning systems, are reported from the wetlands of Kerala. The indicating the failing health of their habitats. Kole wetlands, spread over an area of 11,000 ha Dragonflies and other odonates are extremely in Thrissur and Malappuram districts and sensitive to polluted environments and show a Vembanad Lake, harbor about 85% of the birds visible decline as a result of habitat degradation. and provide habitat for globally threatened species. Among the avifauna, the Indian skimmer is These important wetlands are under great threat extremely sensitive to contaminated waters, and due to various land use practices, and the findings its disappearance is a sure sign of surface water of a study conducted in the area put forth the pollution. One of the most valuable functions of recommendation that the Kole lands of Thrissur wetlands is the cleansing and detoxification of be declared a . The uncontrolled polluted waters. Wetland plants are very efficient urban development in the backwaters of Kerala in removing nutrients from polluted waters, thus have also added to the plight of the wetlands. The minimizing eutrophication of the aquatic habitat. same is true in the case of Mangalavanam wetland Wetlands have proved to be inexpensive in Kochi, which has become the dumping ground alternatives to conventional sewage treatment of many industries. Periyar Lake has become plants. almost toxic due to the waste discharged by

Tigerpaper Vol.31:No.1 Jan.-Mar.2004 19 adjoining factories and now cannot be used for spp.) and pitcher plants (Sharitz and Gibbons, drinking water by the nearby villages. The 1982); microcrustaceans (Mahoney et al., 1989); wetlands in Malapuram face similar problems. and aquatic insects (Kondratieff and Pyott, 1987; Azhinhillam w etland has been degraded due to the Sharitz and Gibbons, 1982; Gaddy, 1994). spread of various exotic weeds. This illustrates the plight of large wetlands in Kerala, but can we In Kerala, vast areas of wetlands have been taken ignore the smaller ones that have immense over by agricultural practices. Many hectares of diversity and can be lost without notice? wetlands have already been reclaimed for cultivation and the conversion process continues. The state of Kerala was once home to a large Direct human intervention has totally obliterated number of small wetlands that added to the some wetlands by drainage and reclamation for immense diversity found in these habitats. But agriculture, paddy cultivation, fishing, collection today, these small wetlands have almost of reeds and other economically important plants, disappeared and there is an urgent need for the and urban construction. The mining of wetland rehabilitation of these water bodies before there is soils for peat, the construction of dams, levees a drastic decline in the ground water resources. and dykes for flood control, and and sewage discharge also add to wetland loss and A study conducted by Semlitsch and Brodie degradation. Other threats include increased (1998) concluded that the majority of natural sedimentation due to dam construction, damaging wetlands are small but rich in species, land use practices in the catchments, and land serving as an important source of juvenile recruits. subsidence due to the excessive extraction of Small wetlands are valuable for maintaining ground water, oil and gas. Added to these are the biodiversity and their loss causes a direct natural causes such as eutrophification, erosion, reduction in the linkages between the remaining storm damage, drought or biotic interference species populations. The existing and also the (other than by man) that have led to the recently proposed legislation are inadequate for destruction of wetlands. maintaining the biodiversity of the flora and fauna. The size of the area is not the important factor; Wetlands are dynamic and an understanding of the number of individual wetlands is more the varied communities supported by wetlands important for their abundance and distribution. and how they are affected is a prerequisite to managing them. Complexes of small, seasonal Amphibians constitute the greatest biomass and semi-permanent wetlands must be preserved among the in many ecosystems in order to avoid drastic declines in populations of (Burton and Likens, 1975) and are of global flora and fauna. They are also important in concern due to reported declines and extinctions maintaining the food web of the biotype. Kadlec in their populations (Wake and Morowitz, 1991; and Kadlec (1978) suggested in their review of Blaustein et al., 1994; Pounds and Crump, 1994). wetlands and water quality that every water Large wetlands tend to be more permanent and quality parameter can be altered by passage thus contain predatory fish, and perhaps a greater through a wetland ecosystem. The concentration variety or abundance of them prey on of nutrients (various forms of , invertebrates (Morin, 1983; Wilbur, 1987; phosphorous, potassium and micronutrients), Semlitsch et al., 1996). Small wetlands may be of heavy metals, and other chemical significant biological importance, especially in constituents, organic matter, man-made producing a greater number of metamorphosizing chemicals, dissolved oxygen and other suspended juvenile amphibians and potentially in maintaining solids, and other pathogens can all be the diversity of the regional amphibian fauna. affected. Wetlands appear to perform all of the Such wetlands are also of general importance biochemical transformations of waste water because they harbor a large number of species of constituents that take place in conventional other taxa that are perhaps less mobile than birds wastewater treatment plants, in septic tanks and or mammals, and therefore are more strongly their drainage fields, and in other forms of land affected by the loss of small wetlands. These treatment (Brinson and Westall, 1993). include wetland plants such as sundews (Drosera

20 Tigerpaper Vol.31:No.1 Jan.-Mar.2004 Burning or , or a combination of the two, bay-like depressions in the western will be required to maintain wetlands in the best coastal of South Carolina. Report of condition for most bird species. There are many the U.S. Forest Service, Savannah River instances where these forces seemed to benefit Forest Station. Aiken, South Carolina. the productivity of prairie wetlands and increase their use by breeding and migrant birds. The Kadlec, R.H. and J.A. Kadlec. 1978. Wetlands benefits are due to the decrease in the extent of and water quality (theme paper). In: P.E. monotypic stands of emergent vegetation and the Greeson, J.R. Clark and J.E. Clark (Eds.) creation of openings that allow greater biological Wetland functions and values: The state of productivity within shallow water zones and our understanding. AWWA, Minneapolis, allowing the free movement of birds. MN. p.436-56.

Unfortunately, the current trend is clearing almost Kondratieff, B.C. and C.J. Pyott. 1987. The all the available wetlands in Kerala, which will anisoptera of the Savannah River Plant, have an adverse impact on the avifauna that South Carolina, U.S.A., thirty years later. inhabits them. Appropriate conservation Odonatologica 16:9-24. strategies should be implemented to preserve this natural heritage. But whatever strategy is put into Mahoney, D.L., Mort, D.A. and B.E. Taylor. action must have the support of the local 1989. Species richness of calanoid population if it is to succeed. Awareness of the copepods, cladocerans and other importance of these delicate ecosystems must be developed among the people. The wetlands still branchiopods in Carolina Bay temporary remain unprotected and a holistic approach is ponds. American Midland Naturalist needed for the conservation of this ecosystem. 123:244-258.

Morin, P.J. 1983. Predation, competition and References the composition of larval anuran guilds. Ecological Monograph 53:119-138. Anonymous. 1992. India’s wetlands, mangroves and coral reefs. WWF, for the Nameer, P.O. 1996. An overview of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, wetlands of Kerala and their conservation. Government of India. Proceedings of the Salim Ali Centenary Seminar. Blaustein, A.R., Wake, D.B. and W.P. Sousa. 1971. Amphibian declines: judging Pounds, J.A. and M.L. Crump. 1994. Amphibian stability, persistence and susceptibility of declines and climate disturbance: the case populations to local and global extinctions. of the golden toad and harlequin frog. 8:60-71 Conservation Biology 8:72-85.Semlitsch, R.D. 2000. Size does not matter. The Brinson, M.M. and F.R. Westall. 1983. value of small isolated wetlands . The Application of waste water to wetlands. National Wetlands Newsletter. RPT.No.5, Water Research Inst., University of North Carolina, Raleigh, N.C. 26 pp. Semlitsch, R.D. and J.R. Brodie. 1998. Are small isolated wetlands expendable? Burton, T.M. and G.E. Likens. 1975. Conservation Biology 21(5):1129-1133. Salamander populations and biomass in the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, Semlitsch, R.D., Scott, D.E., Pechmann, J.H.K. New Hampshire. Copeia 1975:541-546. and J.W. Gibbons. 1996. Structure and dynamics of an amphibian community: Gaddy, L.L. 1994. The ecology of seven rare evidence from a 16-year study of a wetland species in Carolina bays and natural pond. In: M.L. Cody and J.A.

Tigerpaper Vol.31:No.1 Jan.-Mar.2004 21 Smallwood (Eds.) Long -term studies of phenomenon? Alytes 9P33-42. communities. Academic Press, San Diego, California. Wilbur, H.M. 1987. Regulation of structure in complex systems: experimental Sharitz, R.R. and J.W. Gibbons. 1982. The temporary pond communities. Ecology ecology of southeastern bogs 68:1437-1452. (pocosins) and Carolina bays: a community profile. FWS/OBS -82/04. U.S. Author’s address: c/o C. Muraleedharan, AE, Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, D.C. E/M, c/o GE (I), R and D (East), C.V. Raman Nagar, Bangalore-93, Bangalore, India; E-mail: Wake, D.B. and H.J. Morowitz. 1991. Declining [email protected] amphibian populations: a global

WILDLIFE POTENTIAL IN RAWALPINDI DISTRICT, PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

by M. Anwar Maan, A. Aleem Chaudhry, Muhammad Sajid Nadeem and Agha Ezaz Ibrahim

Introduction The study was carried out with the following objectives: 1) to conduct surveys for wildlife The mountainous tract in Rawalpindi district is a potential in Rawalpindi district; 2) to monitor the diversified habitat for important wildlife species. population status of species; 3) to determine The mountainous tract supports dry sub-tropical habitat preference and the distribution pattern of forests dominated by Olea ferruginea, Acacia species; 4) to conduct socio-economic surveys to modesta, Carissa opaca and Dodonaea viscose. identify incentives for active involvement of local The vegetation extends up to temperate community in management activities; 5) coniferous forests through sub-tropical chi pine determine the overall diversity of wildlife species; forests having an understory composed of 6) raise the awareness of the local community Berberis lyceum, Rosa moschata and Carissa about the importance of wildlife; and make opaca. recommendations in the form of management plans.

22 Tigerpaper Vol.31:No.1 Jan.-Mar.2004 No work has been carried out in Pakistan 300 km2. Animals and birds flushed during the regarding the density, habitat preference and survey were noted. Indirect clues such as calls, distribution patterns of species. Roberts (1991) droppings, scratches on the ground and roosting described biology, general status and distribution sites were searched out. Socio-economic surveys range of mammals and birds in Pakistan. were conducted according to a pre-designed However, density, habitat preference and format for interviewing the public and the staff of distribution patterns have not been documented. the Wildlife and Forest Departments. The present study was of a preliminary nature and Identification of species followed Roberts’ designed to describe density per km2, habitat method (1991). Data was analyzed following preference and distribution patterns in 11 standard statistics (Davis and Goldsmith, 1984). important wildlife species and participation of local community for sustainable use of natural Distribution patterns were determined according resources. to Odum (1971). The value of the Dispersion Index (D.I)<100, indicated a group-forming trend Materials and methods and the concentration of species in patches of habitat. A value of D.I=100 indicates a random The habitat was surveyed to determine the distribution of species and D.I>100 indicates populations of important wildlife species uniform distribution in a species. following the strip census method (Tanner, 1978). The habitat preferences of 11 species were Results determined by Chi square method (Davis and Goldsmith, 1984). In all, 74 transects (4 km long The results of the study are summarized in Tables and 100 m wide) were studied over a total area of 1 and 2.

Table 1: Density (per km2) and estimated population of some important wildlife species

Common Scientific Names Density per km2 Estimated population

Kaleej Lophura leucomelana hamiltoni 0.905±0.112 237-305 Black Fracolinus francolinus 0.827±0.106 216-279 Goshawk Accipiter gentiles 0.028±0.019 2-14 Barking deer Muntiacus 0.246±0.058 56-91 Yellow-throated marten Martes flavigula ` 0.060±0.030 9-27 Rhesus monkey Macaca mulatto 0.386±0.073 93-137 Flying squirrel Eupetaurus cinereus 0.028±0.019 2-14 Jackal Canis aureus 0.156±0.046 33-60 Fox Vulpes vulpes 0.025±0.018 2-12 Common leopard Panthera pardus 0.018±0.016 1-10 Porcupine Hystrix indica 0.160±0.047 33-62

Note: Nine chicks of Kaleej pheasant (4 females) were also observed during the study period.

The 11 species observed were studied for their throughout the habitat range. This factor habitat preference, following chi2 statistics. highlights the adaptability of these species to Non-significant value of chi2 at n-l d. f. and 95% different sets of ecological conditions, ranging C.I indicated that species were less determined in from Olea phulai scrub to temperate coniferous habitat selection and were widely distributed forest. Tigerpaper Vol.31:No.2 April-June 2004 23 Table 2: Habitat preference and distribution of important wildlife species

Species ?2 Dispersion Index

Kaleej pheasant 4.440 31.40 (Aggregated) Black partridge 4.440 16.23 (Aggregated) Goshawk 0.224 180.00 (Uniform) Barking deer 12.639 16.41 (Aggregated) Yellow throated marten 2.982 62.85 (Aggregated) Rhesus monkey 4.462 652.00 (Uniform) Flying squirrel 0.224 81.82 (Aggregated) Jackal 4.490 79.36 (Aggregated) Fox 4.510 160.00 (Uniform) Common leopard 6.760 100.00 (Random) Porcupine 4.840 135.00 (Uniform)

Non-significant values of ?2 indicated that species sustainable utilization aspect. are less determined in habitat selection. The Dispersion Index indicated that only the leopard Sixty-two people were interviewed in two had random distribution, while other species have socio-economic surveys (32 in the first survey aggregated and uniform patterns of distribution and 30 in the second). The respondents were within the habitat range. categorized as follows: students (6.6%); civil servants (18.3%); businessmen (23.3%); farmers The popula tion distribution is an important (26.6%); and laborers (25.2%). According to the biological parameter from the management point responses, 66.7% raised cows, and of view. It reflects the flow of population from buffaloes; 13.3% had only poultry birds; and 20% breeding sites into habitat and likewise had no livestock at all. 66.6% grazed their management activities for different species will be livestock in the forest area; 29.6% had the animals based on the distribution pattern of the species. graze in their own land; and 3.8% did not reply to the question. 73.3% of those surveyed said that Discussion they cut wood from the forest for domestic use; 8% claimed that there is a ban on wood cutting; Eleven species were observed during the survey. and 18.7% claimed that they were not involved in Barking deer was recorded in four areas with a any illegal activities. All of the local people density of =1.0 per km2. Similarly, in four areas, interviewed were aware of the types of wildlife in the density per km2 of Kaleej pheasant was =1.0 the area. and in other areas the density was =1.0. Among most of the species, the density was less than one Regarding hunting, 53.6% were of the view that bird/animal per km2. However, the per km2 hunting is limited; 43.4% said no hunting; and 3% density of Black partridge was encouraging, practiced unlimited hunting. 33.6% did not indicating that more than two birds per km2 indicate any specific species for hunting; 43% survive in some patches of habitat. It was indicated mixed hunting. 43.4% stated that the observed that in some areas, there was good hunters were local people; 6.6% blamed outsider potential for the survival of wildlife species, but in hunters. 43.5% believed that the hunters used most of the areas the estimates were not guns; 3% said nets; 3.5% claimed gun-net encouraging. According to Roberts (1991), hunting; and 50% did not know. habitat exploitation was the major factor affecting the populations of important wildlife species in the 14.7% stated that hunting is practiced in groups area. In the present study, the estimated while 30% believed it was single hunters. 93.3% populations of the 11 species in the available of those surveyed believed that there is no control habitat of 300 km2 were also low from the on hunting by the Wildlife Department. 24 Tigerpaper Vol.31:No.2 April-June 2004 · Strict enforcement of the Wildlife and Forest 90% of the people surveyed were willing to Acts. cooperate in wildlife conservation measures; 31.5% recommended a complete ban on hunting References and 40% recommended protection from fire during the burning season. 15.5% wanted Davis, L.O. and P.L. Goldsmith. 1984. protection by the Wildlife Department and 13% Statistical Methods in Research and recommended arrangements to supply artificial Production. 4th Ed. Longman, London and feed for wildlife species. New York.

Recommendations Odum, E.P. 1971. Fundamental of Ecology. W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia. 574 pp. · Foster awareness and active involvement of the community in conservation efforts Roberts, T.J. 1991. The Mammals of Pakistan. · Fix criteria for commercial hunting Oxford University Press. · Promote revenue generation through commercial hunting Roberts, T.J. 1991. The Birds of Pakistan. · Improve the welfare of the community Vol.1 & Vol.2, Oxford University Press. through the proceeds of commercial hunting · Recognize wildlife as an important natural Tanner, J.T. 1978. Guide to the Study of resource that benefits the community Animal Populations. University of · Use public awareness to protect livestock Tennessee Press, Knoxville. from leopard predation

· Put strict controls on habitat degradation Authors’ addresses: M. Anwar Maan, A. Aleem · Put strict controls on hunting, particularly in Chaudhry and Agha Ezaz Ibrahim, c/o Punjab the breeding season Wildlife Department, 2-Sandaha Road, Lahore, · Discourage commercialization in the Pakistan; Muhammad Sajid Nadeem, c/o community in order to protect the habitat Zoology Department, New Campus Punjab University, Lahore, Pakistan.

Tigerpaper Vol.31:No.2 April-June 2004 25 POPULATION ESTIMATES OF FALCONS IN SINDH

by Haroon Rashid, Muhammad Saeed Akhtar and Aleem Chaudhry

Introduction with binoculars. Once a team member spotted the bird, coordinates of the particular location were Falcons are birds of prey which are distributed recorded. In another method, three persons were throughout the world and found on every dropped off at a 3 km distance. Each person continent (Cramp and Simmons, 1983). A traveled 1 km by foot, scanning both sides with number of species found in Pakistan are largely binoculars. Thus, in a single sample, 9-12 km2 resident and throughout the mountain tracts, could be explored. The statistical regression used with some winter migration to the and to determine the density of the species was as semi-desert areas in Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan follows: and NWFP (Ali and Ripley, 1968-72). A number Y = a+bx of species migrate to Pakistan in winter from Where a = y-bx Central Asia and China (Nawaz, 1987). And b + n.Sxy-Sx.Sy n.Sx2 - (Sx)2 Some species, such as Saker Falcon and Peregrine Falcon are most popular with falconers x = In (area scanned) (Following the method in for hunting Houbara bustards due to their size, “Statistics for Ornithologist” by Jim Fowler and speed, stamina and they are easier to train (Roger, Louis Cohen.) 1995). Large-scale trapping of these species is rapidly decreasing their population over their Trapping of falcons entire range (Nawaz, 1988). With regard to the status of falcons in Sindh, it was largely unknown The trappers encountered during the survey were how many species visited or were captured by interviewed regarding falcon trapping activities. trappers annually. Results Materials and methods The estimated number of species is a number Population density whose natural logarithm is 2.89 (i.e. antilog 2.89), namely 18. Therefore, it could be concluded that During the survey, slow-moving vehicles were 18 falcons belonging to 8 falcon species were used to traverse the habitats visited by falcons, present in 500 km2 of the habitat visited by the scanning 200 to 300 m of the surrounding areas species in Sindh.

Table 1: Estimated number of falcon species in Sindh

Study Areas Area Scanned In (area) No. of Falcons In (falcons) (km2) Seen

Thatta 300 5.7 32 3.46 Thar 1000 6.9 193 5.29 Dadu 500 6.21 6 1.79 Larkana 200 5.29 2 0.69 Shikarpur 250 5.52 3 1.09 Jacobabad 300 5.7 5 1.6 Kishmor 300 5.7 7 1.94 Sukkur 200 5.29 6 1.79

26 Tigerpaper Vol.31:No.2 Apr.-Jun.2004 Khairpur 250 5.52 11 2.39 Noshero Feroz 50 3.9 2 0.69 Shah 300 5.7 7 1.94

Total 3650 61.43 274 22.64 a = 5.417; b = 1.433; Y = a + bx; Y = 5.417 + (1.33 x In 500) = 2.89

Table 2: Summary of different falcon species observed in different areas of Sindh in 1999

Study Areas Falcon Species

Saker Peregrin Kestra Merlin Laggar Hobby Sooty Barbary Tota e l l

Thatta - 19 6 3 - 2 1 1 32 Thar 3 2 31 35 120 - 2 - 193 Dadu - 2 1 1 1 1 - - 6 Larkana 1 1 ------2 Shikarpur - 3 ------3 Jacobabad 2 3 ------5 Kishmor 1 6 ------7 Sukkur - 4 2 - - - - - 6 Khairpur 8 3 ------11 Noshero Feroz - 2 ------2 Nawab Shah 1 6 ------7

Total 16 51 40 39 121 3 3 1 274

Trapping of falcons Falcons. After stitching closed the eyes of a Laggar Falcon, a ball made of feathers is tied to Three different methods were used by the the Laggar’s feet to be used as a decoy. As soon trappers. Two of them involved setting traps with as a Peregrine or Saker Falcon comes into sight, a pigeon staked out as a lure tied to a nail in the the Laggar is released into the air. Because of its center. restricted vision, it flies in circles with the ball of feathers attached to its claws. The Method 1: A number of tall sticks were driven into Saker/Peregrine Falcons try to snatch the decoy the ground around the pigeon. The tall sticks from the Laggar Falcon and in this way gets supported a net may of thin nylon threads. As entrapped. With the feet entangled, both birds are soon as the Peregrine Falcon swoops down to unable to fly and fall to the ground where the take the pigeon, it is caught in the net. trapper captures the prize.

Method 2: A V-shaped trap was set up almost like Discussion a cricket practice net. This type of trap was also efficient in entangling a swooping falcon. In this It was generally observed that there was a very case, a black pigeon was used with a red ribbon low population of falcons in Sindh. There are 290 tied to its leg. This gives the appearance of an falcon species distributed throughout the world injured pigeon that increases the interest of the except in Antarctica. Among these, 52 species are Peregrine Falcon. found in Pakistan. However, only 8 species were recorded during the survey, i.e. Laggar (121), Method 3: This procedure was used in Peregrine (51), Kestrel (40), Merlin (39), Saker Nagarparkar to capture Peregrine and Saker (16), Hobby (3), Sooty (3) and Barbary (1).

Tigerpaper Vol.31:No.2 Apr.-Jun.2004 27

Trapped Sarker Falcon

28 Tigerpaper Vol.31:No.2 Apr.-Jun.2004 Trapped Peregrine Falcon Acknowledgments The overall population of falcon species distributed in Sindh (3,650 km2) was found to be The authors are grateful to the Falcon 18 birds/500 km2. The population density of Foundation International Pakistan (FLIP) for Peregrine and Saker Falcons was 0.01 birds/km2 their generous funding, without which the study and 0.004 birds/km2 respectively. The major could not have been carried out. Special thanks to reason of the decline of these two species is due Brig Mukhtar Ahmad, President, FLIP for his to falconry (Roger, 1995). It was observed that extraordinary cooperation. We would also like to there were a number of trappers in Sindh, most thank Hussain Bux Bhaaget, Deputy Conservator of them carrying valid Falcon Trapping Licenses Sindh Wildlife Department, (ZWD) Sukkur; (FTLs). According to Dawn, (21-Sep. Ghulam Rasool Channa, Deputy Conservator 2000), the Sindh Wildlife Department (SWD) ; Ahmad Hussain Nizamani, Assistant issued 9 FTS and one dealership permit. The next Conservator ZWD Badin; Lajpat Sharma, Game year, there was a 100% increase in FTLs, i.e. 18, Officer (ZWD) Mithi, Ghulam Mohammad and 5 dealership permits were issued (26-Nov. Gaddani, Game Officer (ZWD) Mirpur Mathelo; 2001, Dawn, Karachi). The present density of and Riaz Ahmad, District Forest Officer, Thatta Peregrine and Saker Falcons signals that there for a variety of assistance in the field. should be an immediate and absolute 5-year ban imposed on their trapping in Sindh. References

Trappers interviewed during the survey revealed Ali, S. and S.D. Ripley. 1968-72. Handbook of that there were a good number of Saker/Peregrine birds of India and Pakistan. Vol.2. Oxford Falcons in Sindh over the last 30 years, but their University Press. numbers have now greatly declined. They Cramp, S. and K. Simmons. 1983. A hand book attribute this to illegal trapping, lack of awareness of the birds of , the Middle East among the local people sharing the falcon habitat, and North Africa. The birds of the and lack of communication between Western Paleartic. Vol.II. Oxford conservationists and trappers for the management University Press, Oxford. and future survival of the species. James, H.E., William, H., Lloyd, K. and M.

Clayton. 1995. Population changes in The author considers the decline to be due to the North American Peregrines. Trans. 60th following factors: No. Am. Wildlife. and Natural Resource · lack of facilities, particularly means of Conference 1995. (p.142-158). communication and transportation available Kenward, R.E., Pfeffer, R.H., Bragin, E.A., Levin, to the wildlife staff in the region, which is undergoing massive illegal trapping in the A. and A.F. Kovshar. 1995. The status of remote areas; Saker falcon in Khazakhstan. Proceedings · increased use of insecticides/pesticides in of the specialist workshop. Abu Dhabi, agricultural lands, which have harmful United Arab Emerites, 14th-16th November effects when eaten, affecting small birds, 1995. (p.131-138). rodents and insects; Nawaz, M. 1987. Status and distribution of · extensive cultivation and urbanization which Falcons (Falconidae) in Pakistan. has destroyed the falcon habitat; Tigerpaper 14(3):18-20. · lack of a scientific approach and unanswered Nawaz, M. 1988. Falcon Trapping – its decline questions about the origins of wintering birds in the province of Balochistan, Pakistan. and the methodology to be adopted to study Tigerpaper 15(1):31-32. the population differentiation of falcons Roger, U. 1995. Arab classification of shaker wintering in Pakistan; and falcon. Proceedings of specialist workshop, · lack of a Falcon Rehabilitation Center in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 14th-16th Pakistan, which could reduce the number of November 1995 (p.114-116). falcons that die each year.

Tigerpaper Vol.31:No.2 Apr.-Jun.2004 29 REVIVAL OF TIGER POPULATION BY STRINGENT HABITAT PROTECTION: A CASE STUDY FROM ORISSA

by S.K. Chadha

Introduction - 2B/c3 – Orissa Semi-evergreen Forest II. Sub-Group C – Northern India Tropical The last tiger disappeared from the Berbera Moist Deciduous Forests forests in the 1970s. It was never imagined - 3C/Cl(d) – Peninsular (Coastal) Sal that this animal would set foot again in this Forests beautiful, undulating landscape in the - 3C/2SL – Northern Secondary Moist catchment of the world -famous Chilka Lake in Mixed Deciduous Forest the eastern state of Orissa, India. There was at III. Sub Group 5B – Northern Tropical Dry time when permits were issued to kill tigers in Deciduous Forests the area, until reckless persecution pushed the - 5B/C1 Co-Dry Peninsular Sal Forests species to the state of . Things started to change after the promulgation of the Dominant flora and fauna Indian Wildlife Act, 1972, which listed the tiger in Schedule I, prohibiting its killing in the Flora: There is a wide variety of flora, ranging wild. Gradually, the enforcement agencies from orchids to Gnetumula. Some important shifted from the colonial mindset of ‘shikar’, tree species found in the forest are: Shorea but not much changed for the tigers in Berbera. robusta, Terminalia sp., Pterocarpus marsupium, Anogeissus latifolia, Adina The habitat came under intense biotic pressure cardifolia, Michelia champaca, Scheleichera after 1975 when urbanization started in nearby oleosa, Mangifera indica, Bombax ceiba, towns in Bhubaneshwar and Cuttack. Syzygium cumuni, Boswellia serrata, Organized timber gangs operated without fear Dalbergia latifolia, Strychnos nuxivomica, S. of reprisal, leading to large-scale degradation potatorum, Xylia xylocarpa and Bridelia of the habitat. Steps were taken by the State retusa. Three species of canes present in the Government for the protection of this habitat area are Calamus viminalis, C. guruba and C. and the area has shown a lot of resilience, and latifolius. so has the tiger by appearing again – 25 years after the last sighting. Fauna : There are more than 35 major species, about 150 species of birds, and some Land, vegetation and prey base 30 species of reptiles reported from the area. Important mammal species include: tiger The Berbera forests of Khurda Forest Division (Panthera ti gris), leopard (P. pardus), in Orissa are one of the richest wildlife areas elephant (Elephas maximus) (seasonal), in eastern India. It is a stretch of about 350 sambar (Cervus unicolor), barking deer km2 of mixed deciduous forests with pockets (Muntiacus munjtak ), (Bos gaurus), wild of semi-evergreen forests spread throughout boar (Sus scrofa), giant squirrel (Ratufa the area. There is a rich assemblage of indica), jungle cat (Felis chaus), common species and three large predatory langur (Presbytis entellus), among others. carnivores, i.e. tiger, leopard and . Management history Forest types The scientific management of these forests The forests are categorized into the following was initiated by the British during the late types, as per Champion and Seth: 1870s. The forests were demarcated and I. Sub Group 2 B – Northern Tropical Semi- notified as government-owned reserved forests. evergreen Forests The Forest Department concentrated on

30 Tigerpaper Vol.31:No.2 April -June 2004 replacing the natural mixed vegetation with in the country, even though it is not notified as teak on the foothills. Teak was introduced a wildlife sanctuary or national park. from Burma on the foothills of Rajin, Tamna, Bankad, Katual and Mal forests. The planting b) Fire control of teak plantations continued even after Fire has been a major cause of worry for the independence in 1947. There was no wildlife habitat. Concerted efforts have been implementation of wildlife protection laws and made by the Forest Department for the last the intensity of hunting increased. During five years to prevent fires in the core areas of interviews the local tribal population recalled Rajin, Tamna, Bankad and Mal forests. This that the population of animals declined even has been done through motivation and the after the promulgation of the Wildlife active involvement of the villagers, staff and Protection Act, and continued until the late tribals using these forests for transit from 1980s. The infrastructure of the Forest Nayagarh District. Fire lines have been Department was not equal to the task of maintained in these forests and there have combating the organized onslaught on the been no major fires in the area since they were forest by the timber interests. put in place.

Significant management interventions c) Improvement of the water regime There is an acute shortage of water during the Due to the manifold increase in biotic pressure summer and the streams of the Salia River dry in the past three decades, the area suffered up during the peak summer season. Only a few degradation. The situation became more waterholes remain and the wild animals precarious due to the acute shortage of trained concentrate in these areas. More waterholes manpower in the field, and the lack of a have been dug in Rajin and Tamna forests to sufficient enforcement infrastructure. Some provide water for the animals during summer , important management interventions have and the presence of a significant number of been carried out in the past decade and the animals has been noticed. A permanent water results have started to become apparent. These hole has been created at Mahulia and one near interventions include the following: Rajin forest camp has been renovated.

a) Strengthening of enforcement d) Communication and patrol camps This is the only forest area in the country A communication network in the form of where the Central Reserved Police Force improved roads has been created and remote (CRPF) has been deployed on a long-term places like Rajin, Mahulia, Mahisagotha, basis. The CRPF is a paramilitary force that Betuli and Sankhajodi can now be reached volunteered to adopt these troubled forests. even during the rainy season. Patrol camps One company has been deployed since 1994, have been established at these remote areas with headquarters at Berbera and outposts at with a permanent detachment of forest Dhunanali, Baguda and Bhatpada. The CRPF personnel and deployment of CRPF jawans. jawans (forest guards ) protect these forests All these posts are connected through a together with the staff of the Forest modern VHF network and the mobile parties Department and have even braved extreme and foot patrols are provided with VHF sets. malaria conditions in order to protect the CRPF jawans have been provided with forests and wildlife. The jawans patrol vehicles, motorcycles and bicycles for better sensitive areas on foot along with Forest enforcement capability. Thus, areas otherwise Department staff and often carry out ambushes remote and difficult to communicate with can and search-and-raid operations. Local tribals now be contacted in minutes. are motivated and provided employment throughout the year to ensure the support of Impact on animal populations the populace in conservation efforts. The achievements have restored the sagging One of the significant impacts of the morale of the forest depar tment staff and have management policies and stringent made this patch the most protected forest area enforcement of regulations concerning the

Tigerpaper Vol.31:No.2 April -June 2004 31 habitat is that there are now more frequent years after the staff was trained. Round-the- sightings of animals. Encounters with , year reports from foot patrols have also been packs of and large herds of ungulates incorporated in the data to determine trends of are not uncommon anymore, except in the teak population, movement, habitat occupancy, etc. plantations, where sightings remain only Tigers that had left the area a few decades ago occasional. have made a comeback in a small way. The first sighting of tiger in recent years was The ungulate population varies according their reported from Khairapalli beat of Berbera location. The forests close to well protected section in the year 2000. Thereafter, tiger camps contain higher populations due to better pugmarks have confirmed their presence, protection. The moist patches near Rajin, along with sightings by villagers on a number Mahisagotha, Mahulia and Betuli have higher of occasions . biomass densities of ungulates (e.g. gaur, sambar, wild boar ) compared to drier patches. The number of leopards is higher than that of The population density is about 7,600 kg/km 2 tigers. Conservation interventions have in moist, well protected areas, whereas it is enhanced the carrying capacity of the area and much lower (1,800-2,100 kg/km2) in with a strong prey base available in the area; monoculture teak plantations. the chances are good of establishing a small tiger population, provided the present stringent Systematic censuses of cats and their prey enforcement continues and hunting pressure is species were carried out for three consecutive kept at bay.

Results of the tiger censuses in the Berbera Forests

Year Royal Total Leopard Total 1989 ------4 1993 - - - - 2 4 - 6 1998 - - - - 8 3 - 11 2000 1 - - 1 5 6 2 13 2002 1 2 1 4 6 7 1 14

Conclusions 6. Increased patrolling and enforcement has increased the confidence level of animals The following conclusions can be drawn from in the area and sightings have increased. the results of the on-going conservation efforts: 7. The training and capacity of the Forest 1. The moist forests occurring in remote Department staff to deal with organized patches support higher densities of timber interests has improved significantly. ungulates. 2. Teak plantations have reduced the densities of ungulates. References 3. The under story in the forests has improved due to the reduction in fire Chadha, S.K. Tigers on the Brink – an incidents, thereby benefiting the ungulates. Orissa story. p. 76. 4. The creation of waterholes has benefited Sharma, J.D. Working Plan of Puri Forest both the herbivores and the carnivores. Division. 5. The tiger population can be revived in areas that have been severely affected by Author’s address: Sanjeev Kumar Chadha the organized cutting of trees and (AIG), Research & Training Division, Room poaching of animals, through systematic No.538, Paryavaran Bhawan, CGO Complex, management interventions and stringent Lodhi Road, New – 110003, India. enforcement over a period of time.

32 Tigerpaper Vol.31:No.2 April -June 2004 FOREST NEWS

Vol.XVIII:No.2

ASIA-PACIFIC FORESTRY COMMISSION CONSIDERS REGIONAL FORESTRY ISSUES

Representatives from 29 member countries, State of forestry in the region along with observers and representatives from 7 international organizations and 5 international Delegates concurred with FAO’s Report on the non-governmental organizations, met in Nadi, “State of forestry in the region.” They Fiji, 19-23 April 2004, to consider possible acknowledged many of the common threats to actions to deal with critical issues facing the the region’s forests, including continued forestry sector in the region. The twentieth deforestation and degradation of natural forests, session of the Asia -Pacific Forestry Commission illegal and uncontrolled logging, invasive (APFC) was organized by FAO and the Fijian species, forest fires, unmanaged recreation and Ministry of Fisheries and Forests. The 29 competition from alternative land uses. The countries participating eclipsed the record set for delegates further stressed that the countries were an APFC session two years ago in Mongolia. tackling these problems through a variety of measures, but were sometimes constrained by His Excellency Konisi T. Yabaki, Minister of weak institutional capacity, insufficient Fisheries and Forests, Government of Fiji, budgetary resources and inadequate political will. presided over the meeting as Chairperson. N.K. Joshi (India), Sohn Chan-Joon (Republic of Nevertheless, several countries reported that Korea) and Thang Hooi Chiew (Malaysia) were deforestation had been curbed or even reversed, elected Vice Chairpersons for the session. David although the loss and degradation of natural Rhodes (New Zealand) served as Rapporteur. forests were continuing. Countries generally reported increased use of criteria and indicators, While several ongoing international dialogues certification, reduced impact logging, and are addressing forest-related issues at the global participatory approaches in forest management. level, forestry experts at the APFC session A number of countries also expressed concern focused on regional initiatives and cooperation over declining investments in the forestry sector. among Asia -Pacific countries. The following On the positive side, the delegates further paragraphs summarize the conclusions and reported on the increased regional and bilateral recommendations related to specific agenda cooperation in addressing illegal logging and topics discussed in the Nadi session. Copies of associated illegal trade of forest products. the full report of the APFC session are available from the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Based on the presentations and the interventions Pacific (see also: hhtp://www.apfcweb.org/events). from the delegates, the Commission concluded

Forest News 1 that members were making progress toward sustainable supplies of wood and fiber; b) sustainable forest management as a result of continuous improvement in forest management; reorientation of policies, decentralization and c) devolution of forest management devolution of forest management, application of responsibilities; and d) cross-cutting initiatives. best management practices, expansion of The Secretariat clarified that many regional protected areas, acceleration of plantation activities supported by FAO were carried out development and rehabilitation of degraded within the framework of the Asia -Pacific areas. The Commission further acknowledged Forestry Commission to take advantage of the the importance of conserving biological opportunities for multi-country and multi- resources effectively, as well as the significance organization collaboration. of effective watershed management to ensure reliable supplies of clean water. The delegates stressed the need for accurate and relevant data to support forest management Based on the discussions, the Commission planning and decision making. The Commission recommended that: acknowledged the value and usefulness of the · member countries take further action to information disseminated under the Global implement internationally agreed upon Forest Assessment, the Asia -Pacific Forestry actions related to forests, especially the Sector Outlook Study, and the State of Forestry IPF/IFF proposals for action; in Asia and the Pacific – 2003. FAO was · FAO expedite its efforts to help countries requested to regularly collect and disseminate build capacity for sustainable forest such information in collaboration with APFC management, especially by facilitating member countries. Member countries also interaction among countries and by agreed to continue promoting the development organizing workshops and training sessions and use of criteria and indicators for sustainable at the regional, sub-regional and national forest management and requested FAO to levels; support this work. Further, the delegates noted · member countries and FAO explore new the positive advances of many member countries avenues for obtaining financing for in formulating and implementing national codes sustainable forest management, including of practice for forest harvesting, consistent with through partnerships with the private sector; the Code of Practice for Forest Harvesting in · member countries increase collaboration in Asia -Pacific developed by APFC. Finally, the dealing with illegal logging and associated delegates acknowledged the importance and illegal trade of forest products, and FAO relevance of the international dialogue on forests was urged to provide additional technical for its member countries, but observed that support and to assess the costs and impacts many countries were unable to fully participate of illegal logging; due to limited resources and capacity. · FAO continue promoting conservation of biological resources; and On the basis of the above clarification and · FAO continue providing sound information interventions from the delegates, the on relationships between forests and water, Commission made the following observations including flooding, and on successful and recommendations: watershed management approaches. · It acknowledged the relevance of recent APFC and FAO-supported activities in the Forestry activities of interest to the region region and noted with appreciation the follow-up actions that had been taken on the The Commission reviewed APFC and FAO- recommendations of the nineteenth session. supported forestry activities carried out during · It stressed that despite much positive work the past two years, including follow-up to initiated by member countries to develop recommendations of the nineteenth session of and implement national forest programmes, the Commission. The activities generally there is further need to develop and concentrated on four areas: a) ensuring implement the programmes. FAO and the

2 Forest News National Forest Programme Facility were In search of excellence: exemplary forest requested to increase their support. management in Asia and the Pacific · FAO should continue efforts to enhance national capacities for conducting forest During a special in-session seminar, the resource assessments, including assessment Commission reviewed preliminary results from of tree resources outside forests. an APFC initiative to identify instances of · The seven thematic areas of sustainable exemplary forest management in the region. The forest management, as acknowledged by the In Search of Excellence initiative has resulted in International Conference on Criteria and more than 170 nominations of forests considered Indicators in Guatemala (February 2003), to be well managed, covering 20 countries. The the fifteenth session of the Committee on nominations represent a broad range of forest Forestry (March 2003) and further discussed types, management objectives, scale of at the recent FAO/ITTO Expert Consultation operations and ownership patterns, reinforcing in the Philippines (March 2004), should be the premise that there is no single definition of used as globally agreed criteria for exemplary forest management. Common sustainable forest management, for elements contributing to excellence include harmonizing purposes. societal consensus on management objectives · FAO should develop practical guidelines for and approaches, attention to livelihoods for the sustainable use of non-wood forest forest-dependent people, application of best products, and work to improve marketing of management practices, and strong commitment such products. to attaining excellence. · FAO should continue providing support for the implementation of codes of practice and The delegates noted the potential for the the application of improved forest initiative to help counter the preponderance of harvesting. negative publicity on forestry and to serve as a catalyst in motivating further improvements in The Commission endorsed the establishment of forest management. They recognized that the the Asia -Pacific Forest Invasive Species initiative had stimulated healthy debate among Network, under the auspices of APFC. It urged stakeholders on what constitutes good forest FAO and member countries to support the management and how to achieve it, and they network as a mechanism for sharing information acknowledged the potential to transfer lessons on existing and potential forest pests and and experiences from case study forests to approaches for combating such pests. FAO was similar situations throughout the region. requested to work with member countries to Delegates also recognized the common elements mobilize funds to effectively manage the of good forest management which could guide network. forest management in a variety of contexts.

FAO was further commended for its leadership The Commission appreciated the approach and in supporting the work of the Consultative process used in undertaking the initiative, Partnership on Forests (CPF). The Commission particularly the emphasis on recognizing and urged FAO to continue providing strong support accentuating positive experiences in forest for the CPF. The Commission encouraged FAO management. Delegates noted that strong bonds and other CPF members to further simplify tend to link exemplary forest managers to their reporting in order to reduce the burden on forests. They further recognized the importance countries and to continue efforts to harmonize of discernable “champions” in promoting concepts, terminology and definitions used in excellence in forest management. An additional assessing, monitoring and reporting on key to successful management relates to sustainable forest management. ensuring the extensive involvement of all stakeholders in establishing the parameters and goals for forest management, especially at local levels.

Forest News 3 A publication featuring the 28 case studies and Considering all the challenges and the potential supporting analysis will be brought out in the opportunities for securing financing, the near future. The Commission recommended that Commission encouraged FAO to: the results of the In Search of Excellence · strengthen its work with donor countries and initiative be widely distributed and promoted financial institutions to help facilitate the through media briefings, workshops, and the efforts of developing countries to achieve preparation of materials to help managers of sustainable forest management; nominated forests to promote a common · continue providing information and advice message. The Commission also suggested that related to potential sources of financing for FAO consider organizing a side meeting at the sustainable forest management; next session of the Committee on Forestry · facilitate the exchange of information and (COFO) to feature the initiative. experience related to the economic valuation and development of markets for non-wood Financing sustainable forest management forest products, environmental services and ecotourism; The Commission considered the challenges of · continue raising awareness of the securing adequate financing for sustainable contributions that forests make to the forest management. Several member countries environment, rural development, poverty shared their experiences in developing alleviation and other economic sectors; innovative funding approaches to support forest · maintain efforts to ensure that sound management and conservation. Some have scientific knowledge on the actual benefits established special funds that are financed by provided by forests and trees is readily voluntary contributions, taxes and fees, donor available to decision makers; and grants and other sources. Others are testing · distribute information on guidelines for mechanisms for compensating the provision of assessing the magnitude of environmental environmental services and developing markets services provided by forests and the impacts for previously non-marketed goods and services. of unsustainable forest management and forest clearing. The costs of fully implementing sustainable forest management were recognized to be Alternative forest management models significantly above current expenditure levels. However, the delegates did point out that During a special in-session seminar, the countries with valuable commercial forest Commission focused on alternative forest resources could potentially finance sustainable management models to achieve sustainability. forest management by improving prices and Five resource speakers from the region spoke taxation systems, strengthening measures for about decentralization, devolution, privatization collecting royalties and fees, and controlling and the model forest approach compared to the illegal activities. Success depended on effective approaches currently carried out by government policies and a supportive legal system. agencies.

Delegates also acknowledged the potential to The delegates noted that member countries were generate income and employment from non- increasingly testing and applying innovative wood forest products, environmental services forest management models in an attempt to deal (e.g. carbon sequestration, provision of clean air more effectively with the pressures being and water) and ecotourism. The actual exerted on forests from population growth, realization of such benefits is currently limited, agricultural expansion, increasing demand for however, and their significance as a source of forest products, industrial development and funding for forestry is still to be determined. rapid economic growth. Promising models typically transfer forest management authorities and responsibilities to local governments, civil society and the private sector. Increased

4 Forest News involvement of stakeholders, secure resource applying the model forest approach, FAO tenure, innovative partnerships, increased equity should continue discussions with donors to and application of landscape approaches to secure funding for a proposed regional management are common elements of success. model forest network in Asia and the Pacific. · FAO should review the changing needs, The participants reviewed experiences with demands and expectations placed on forestry decentralization and devolution of forest manage - agencies in reorienting, retraining and ment, community-based forest management, the restructuring as appropriate. model forest approach to sustainable forest · FAO should continue to monitor management and transfer of management roles experiences in implementing alternative to the private sector. Delegates pointed out that forest management models, disseminate extensive experience had been gained with some information on such experiences and support approaches, such as community forestry, while efforts to strengthen capacities for effective others, such as the model forest approach, had implementation. been introduced only recently. Delegates agreed that none of the alternative Delegated noted that the processes of devolution forest management models eliminated the need and decentralization of forest management had for government forestry agencies. Rather, the not always been smooth, and at times had stalled roles of forestry agencies may be altered under as a result of conflicts between local the new modalities, and the skills needed to governments and forest users. Moreover, facilitate these new approaches may differ from foresters had sometimes been perceived as being those needed in the past. reluctant to participate in, or lead, the process of devolution and decentralization, or had even Forest conventions, treaties and more: are been perceived as being opposed to these trends. regional agreements the way to go?

Delegates confirmed an increasing trend in the The Commission considered recent region to involve the private sector in forest developments related to global, regional and management through long-term lease bilateral forest-related agreements and arrangements, management concessions and arrangements. Delegates expressed their views privatization of forest resources. While the about the value and feasibility of various options benefits of such approaches may be substantial for international and regional approaches, in the long term, privatization in some cases may including legally and non-legally binding have negative social and environmental options. implications in the near term. Acceptable risk is essential for success, and this is heavily The Commission recommended that member influenced by the operating environment within countries actively participate and provide countries. forestry expertise in the intergovernmental negotiations related to forests, especia lly the The Commission appreciated the positive United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) and experiences of several countries in implementing the conventions on biological diversity, the model forest approach to sustainable forest desertification and climate change. management, with support from FAO and donors. The Commission recognized the need for thorough regional preparations prior to the fifth The Commission made the following session of UNFF in 2005, which will decide on recommendations: future international arrangements on forests. The · Considering that existing model forests in Commission requested FAO to examine the the region still require financial support to possibility of organizing an inter-sessional achieve their full potential, and that several meeting for this purpose, or to provide other additional countries were interested in mechanisms to assist countries’ preparations.

Forest News 5 The Commission recognized the value and Pacific Forest Invasive Species Network, practical benefits of existing regional forest- created under the aegis of APFC, is a related agreements and initiatives and urged significant achievement. member countries to strengthen their · The supply and use of fresh water has become commitment to implement them. FAO and other globally significant, and the complex international organizations were requested to linkages between forests and water are often continue their support for the effective poorly understood. FAO has been asked to implementation of these regional mechanisms. continue providing sound scientific inform- ation on relationships between forests and Regional issues identified by the Commission water, including flooding, and on successful for the attention of COFO watershed management approaches. · Progress has been made by many member The Committee on Forestry (COFO) has countries in the region in formulating and expressed a desire to see regional forestry implementing national codes of practice for commissions strengthened. In this respect, the forest harvesting, consistent with the Commission wished to bring to the attention of regional code developed under the auspices COFO the renewed vitality of the APFC, as of APFC. The approaches and experiences demonstrated by the large number of important of Asia -Pacific countries in developing and inter-sessional activities in the past two years implementing such codes of practice could and the record level of participation at the provide a useful model for other regions. twentieth session. The Commission also · The In Search of Excellence initiative has emphasized that these activities were achieved been highly successful, resulting in more largely as a result of the commitment and than 170 nominations of forests throughout contributions of member countries themselves. the region considered to be well managed. Further, the Commission would like to bring to The initiative helped showcase positive the attention of COFO a number of issues, experiences of forest management and including the following: heightened consideration of what constitutes · FAO and other CPF members have good management. The activities under the continued to support member countries in initiative are to be continued, results further implementing the IPF/IFF proposals for disseminated, possibly including through a action through effective national forest side meeting at the next session of COFO. programmes, consistent with the · There is widespread interest in the potential recommendations of COFO. The important to generate income and employment from role of the National Forest Programme non-wood forest products, providing Facility was highlighted as well. environmental services and ecotourism. · Cognizant with the global concern over FAO has been asked to facilitate the illegal logging and associated trade, FAO exchange of information and experience has been requested to provide additional related to the economic valuation and the technical support to help member countries development of markets for these products control such activities, and assess their costs and services. and impacts. · Forest management approaches are evolving · FAO has been requested to examine the rapidly throughout the world, including potential strengths and weaknesses of through the use of criteria and indicators to regional and global arrangements on forest assess, monitor and report progress toward fires, including the feasibility of developing the achievement of sustainable forest and implementing a global agreement on fire. management. FAO has been asked to review · Awareness needs to be raised on the serious the changes, the new skills and capabilities threats from invasive species, and the need needed, and assist the forest agencies in to build capacities for dealing with such reorienting, retraining and restructuring threats. The establishment of the Asia - them as appropriate.

6 Forest News Other business international wildland fire agreements. Several bilateral and regional agreements exist to Two workshops were he ld before the main facilitate cooperation in managing and APFC session: 1) the Regional Workshop on combating wildland fires, including the ASEAN Implementing IPF/IFF Proposals for Action Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution. through National Forest Programmes: Strategies, These issues, including options for developing a Initiatives and Tools; and 2) the Workshop on global fire agreement, can be discussed at the Developing an Action Plan for Addressing sixteenth session of COFO in 2005. The same Forest Invasive Species in Asia and the Pacific. can be taken up further at the Ministerial Reports on both workshops were presented to meeting the Director-General intends to convene the Commission (see also below in this issue of at the time of COFO. Forest News). The Commission encouraged member countries The report on the First Meeting of the Asia - and FAO to intensify regional collaboratio n on Pacific Forestry Commission Executive combating and preventing forest fires, and Committee was presented to the Commission. provide strong support for the effective The Executive Committee had conducted an implementation of existing fire agreements. It analysis of APFC’s strengths, weaknesses, requested FAO to assist member countries in the opportunities and threats, and made formulation and implementation of effective recommendations related to the following: a) training programmes to prevent, control and enhancing the profile of APFC; b) enhancing the manage forest fires. FAO was also asked to involvement of member countrie s in APFC examine the potential strengths and weaknesses activities; c) increasing the participation of the of regional and global arrangements on forest private sector and NGOs in APFC activities; d) fires, including the feasibility of developing and increasing funding support for APFC activities; implementing a global agreement on forest fires, e) streamlining and clarifying the way APFC taking into account the lessons learned from the functions; f) increasing the roles and development and implementation of existing responsibilities of the Executive Committee; and bilateral and regional arrangements. g) strengthening the APFC Secretariat. The Commission endorsed the report of the meeting The Commission was informed of the outcomes and its recommendations. It recognized the of the XII World Forestry Congress, and noted valuable contributions of the Executive that the Asia -Pacific region had been well Committee in reviewing and guiding the work of represented at the Congress, with more than 250 the Commission and recommended that regular participants and a high number of written meetings of the Executive Committee be contributions. convened between the main sessions of the Commission, giving due consideration to budget implications. Date and place of the next session

Information items Offers to host the twenty-first session of the APFC (to be convened in 2006) were made by Forest fires remained a key concern of member the delegations from India, Philippines and Viet countries. The Commission was informed of the Nam. outcome of the International Wildlife Fire Summit, convened in Sydney, Australia, in October 2003, and recent developments related to the establishment and implementation of

Forest News 7

PRE-SESSION ASIA-PACIFIC FORESTRY COMMISSION WORKSHOP “IMPLEMENTING IPF/IFF PROPOSALS FOR ACTION THROUGH NATIONAL FOREST PROGRAMMES: STRATEGIES, INITIATIVES AND TOOLS”

The Regional Workshop on Implementing the IPF/IFF PAs and the use of criteria and IPF/IFF Proposals for Action through National indicators for sustainable forest management Forest Programmes: Strategies, Initiatives and would adequately address the activities of the Tools was organized by FAO and hosted by the CBD’s Expanded Programme of Work on Forest Government of Fiji, 16 to 17 April in Nadi, Fiji. Biological Diversity, as well as its Ecosystem It was held in conjunction with the twentieth Approach to managing natural ecosystems. session of the Asia -Pacific Forestry Commission. The workshop was co-sponsored by the U.S. The keynote address was followed by three Department of State/USDA Forest Service, the introductory papers, as follows: German Agency for Technical Cooperation · Implementing national forest programmes: (GTZ) projects in Fiji and Indonesia, and the small steps for big changes – S. Appanah & National Forest Programme Facility. It brought E. Mansour (FAO, Bangkok and Rome, together 67 experts from various countries, respectively) members of the Collaborative Partnership on · Addressing priority cross-sectoral issues in Forests (CPF) and other international, regional the Asia -Pacific region to support national and sub-regional organizations, including non- forest programme implementation – J. governmental organizations. Rodgers and A. Sisifa (Fiji) · Strengthening local stakeholder participation The keynote address was given by H.C. Thang in national decision making – P. Walpole (Malaysia) on “Implementation of the IPF/IFF (Philippines) Proposals for Action at the national level.” His principal position is that each country should The three presentations discussed how forest design its own national approach for assessing policies are being made more holistic and and integrating the IPF/IFF Proposals for Action cyclical in approach with the implementation of (PA). Only through this means it is possible to the national forest programmes, cross-sectoral address issues of common concern of all considerations in executing forestry plans, and stakeholders from the private sector, non- how governments’ planning is currently being governmental organizations and governments. influenced from bottom-up processes ongoing in Next, not all PAs are relevant to all countries, many countries in the region. and so a useful first step would be to analyze which Proposals are relevant and prioritize them Following the introductions, the workshop held for action. Implementation of the IPF/IFF PAs three working groups, on the following topics: should serve as a process to assist countries to · Stakeholder participation – Case studies adopt policies and strategies for a holistic and from Australia (E. Jimenez) and Indonesia cross-sectoral approach to the management, (Agus Justianto) on how stakeholders conservation and sustainable development of participate effectively in national forest forest resources, and as a means to progress programme processes; towards the attainment of sustainable forest management. In addition, the implementation of

8 Forest News · Cross-sectoral cooperation – Case studies implement the Proposals for Action, especially from Vietnam (Vu Van Me) and Bhutan through the national forest programmes. It also (Dechen Dorji); and provided an opportunity to inform experts about · Forests and poverty reduction – Case studies recent support initiatives, and the developments from India (K. Balasubramaniam) and China in international forest dialogues, especially the (Liu Jinlong). United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF).

The three groups formulated recommendations Many participants described increasing efforts to on how countries can enhance multi-stakeholder categorize, assess, prioritize and implement the participation, increase linkages between forestry relevant Proposals for Action, despite the limited and other sectors using the national forest capacity to implement them and to report on programme process, and strengthen the progress, partially due to overwhelming contribution of forests to poverty alleviation. reporting requests by international processes. They recommended that countries should work The final session explored effective approaches on boosting the implementation, effective and knowledge sharing tools for implementing stakeholder participation, cross-sectoral Proposals for Action. Presentations were made on: cooperation, and increase the contribution of · National assessment of Vanuatu’s progress in forests to poverty alleviation. implementing the IPF/IFF Proposals for Action – a tool to assist countries to measure Participants recommended that countries should, progress and establish priorities for for instance, develop procedures and modalities sustainable forest management – P. Lawrence for effective stakeholder participation in the and H. Tate (Australia & Vanuatu); national forest programme process, including · The National Forest Programme Facility – T. clearly identifying the roles of stakeholders and Enters (FAO, Bangkok; means to account for their inputs; establish high- · Implementing the IPF/IFF Proposals for level, cross-ministerial collaboration mechanisms, Action in Indonesia – 5 years of experience extend devolution of forest management from – Agus Justianto (Indonesia) degraded forest areas to production forest areas, · Implementing proposals for action to review methods of valuing forest goods and promote SFM in New Zealand – J. Eyre services, and help the poor to organize (New Zealand) themselves.

The session’s speakers highlighted the They also recommended that FAO and other opportunities available for countries to CPF members should continue to facilitate the implement national forest programmes, tools to implementation of the Proposals for Action and measure progress, and how even in the absence assist countries in sharing experiences and of specific national forest programmes, the building capacity for effective participation in proposals for action can still be incorporated and international forest-related deliberations. In implemented in practice. addition, the participants stressed the importance of including forestry expertise in the national The workshop served as a forum to exchange delegations that attend the negotiations. country experiences and to catalyze efforts to

“Nature does not complete things. She is chaotic. Man must finish, and he does so by making a garden and building a wall.” -- Robert Frost --

Forest News 9

ASIAN FORESTERS PLAN FOR COMBATING INVASIVE SPECIES

Experts from 14 countries met in conjunction 2. Stock-tak ing of national activities with the twentieth session of the Asia -Pacific Forestry Commission (APFC), in Nadi, Fiji, 17- The Network will complete a stock-taking 18 April 2004, to design a collaborative plan of exercise of national activities currently being action to help combat the threats posed by implemented on forest invasive species. A invasive species in the region. The costs of starting point will be the review of country invasive species in the region total hundreds of reports prepared for the Asia -Pacific Forest billions of dollars each year, in terms of Invasive Species Conference to identify gaps treatment measures, environmental impacts and potentially requiring capacity building. The lost production – with the costs to forestry Network will prepare guidelines to assist in constituting a significant proportion of this total. standardizing the information reported in the original country reports and during national The workshop on Developing an Action Plan for stocktaking exercises. Addressing Forest Invasive Species in Asia and the Pacific reviewed the list of potential activities 3. Awareness raising prepared during the Asia -Pacific Invasive Species Conference held in Kunming, China, in August The Network will collaborate in the 2003 – adding to these, deleting as appropriate, development of a regional awareness strategy and identifying priority areas. for forest invasive species. The strategy will include an outline of objectives and identify The workshop validated the recommendation target audiences and measures that can be made by the Kunming conference to establish an implemented to raise regional awareness about Asia -Pacific Forest Invasive Species Network forest invasive species. under the auspices of APFC. A consensus also emerged on five high priority areas for action: 4. Capacity building

1. Organizational structures to support the Opportunities for collaboration on specific network capacity-building activities will be identified through national stocktaking exercises. The As an APFC-sanctioned initiative, the Network Network will also implement other specific will be supported by the APFC secretariat. capacity-building opportunities identified and deemed appropriate by member countries. Country- nominated focal points will be important links in the functioning of the 5. Database and information sharing Network. Focal points will also be responsible for coordinating Network activities within The national focal points will play a key role in countries, and for facilitating the timely facilitating the exchange of information on exchange of information. To date, 21 countries forest invasive species among Network members. have designated their focal points. The country Several mechanisms could be developed to focal points will also provide linkage between facilitate information exchange including the Network and other regional and global forest website development, newsletters and/or a invasive species initiatives. regional forest invasive species listserver.

10 Forest News The Chinese Academy of Sciences has development of a forest invasive species commenced work on developing a forest database (work led by the Chinese Academy of invasive species database, which will provide a Sciences). It is anticipated that focal points will system for collating, storing and readily play a key role in facilitating the exchange of accessing information gathered by the national information and coordinating other activities focal points from the region. The database will within countries. be further developed in collaboration with Network members, cognizant of cross-sectoral The second day of the workshop in Fiji boundary issues. encompassed a wider audience of APFC delegates and focused on raising awareness of The workshop discussed these priority activities issues related to forest invasive species. in detail and identif ied specific actions to be completed prior to the next session of the Asia - Mr. Hosny El-Lakany, FAO Assistant Director- Pacific Forestry Commission in 2006. The General for Forestry, used the occasion to activities will comprise elements of a regional formally announce the establishment of the action plan. Among the most significant is the Asia-Pacific Forest Invasive Species Network.

ONLINE HELP AND ADVICE ON OBTAINING FUNDING FOR FORESTRY RELATED PROJECTS

(English) http://www.fao.org/forestry/site/17261/en (French) http://wwww.fao.org/forestry/site/1726/fr

The above links lead to fora that have been set- skills on how to go about soliciting funding for up by the Collaborative Partnership on Forests’ their projects. Representatives of grant-making CPF-Sourcebook and the National Forest bodies are also invited to post news and advice Programme Facility to allow people to share for potential applicants. information, ideas and experiences on funding for forestry related projects – forestry, forest For more information and guidance on how to products, forest management and forest post messages see the following URL: sustainability projects. The online help is aimed http://www.fao.org/forestry/foris/webview/page at assisting fund seekers to further and enhance view.jsp?pageId=25608&langId=1 their funding search as well as increasing their

“You can’t stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes.” -- Pooh’s Little Instruction Book, inspired by A.A. Milne --

Forest News 11

WHAT WERE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FORESTRY SECTOR IN ASIA-PACIFIC IN 2003?

At the beginning of 2004, FAO conducted an e- Responses: mail survey to ascertain what people involved in forestry in the region considered to be the most Australia important developments in forestry in their own § Development of the Australian forest country, and in the region as a whole in 2003. certification standard Comments were received from more than 65 § Large wildfires in early 2003, which led to a individuals, providing a range of perspectives. review of the organization of fire control, the management of prescribed burning Two themes were emphasized: practices and the planning of plantation • Illegal logging and governance issues layouts • Decentralization and devolution of § Public debate over water use by plantations forest management and the extent to which plantatio n expansion should be regulated Illegal logging was the most frequently § Controversy about logging of Tasmanian mentioned issue at the regional level. This is old-growth forests interesting since illegal logging is usually § Approval/release of National Plantations considered to be a national issue, yet very few Strategy to 2020 respondents indicated that it was important for their own country over the past year. Several Brunei initiatives are currently being undertaken to § The drafting of the “Forest Act and Forest address illegal logging in the region. Rules” subsequently submitted to the Attorney General for further review and Many respondents indicated that approval decentralization and devolution (in various forms) were significant developments in their Cambodia particular country over the past year. This § Passage of the Community Forestry Sub- matches with the ongoing trends throughout the Decree region towards the devolution of responsibilities § Increasing role of commune (smallest unit of and rights to local communities. government) in land-use planning § Appointment of SGS as the new forest The results of the survey are summarized below. monitor, replacing Global Witness They are not listed in any particular order, nor do they necessarily reflect the views of FAO or China Forest News editors. § Implementation of the six key national forestry programs: 1. What was the most significant issue, • Natural forest protection program development or event that occurred in your • Program for conversion of cropland country in 2003 that had (or will have) to forest and grass land significant impact on forests or forestry? • Program to combat desertification in Beijing and Tianjin • Shelterbelt development program for the middle and lower reaches of theYangtze river

12 Forest News • Wildlife conservation and building including an increase of carbon sinks of nature reserves program through sustainable forest management • High yield timber plantation § “Green Recruitment Program” initiated to development program increase the number of skilled forest workers by providing local governments and India forest cooperatives with financial assistance § The international conference on - Quality for employment and training Timber Products of Teak from Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) in Kerala Korea (December 2003) § Entering into force of the new Forest Land § Formation of the National Forestry Management Law Commission § Revision of the 4th forest development plan § Greater role of the National Medicinal (the national forest plan for the period 1998- Plants Board in the conservation, 2007) development, marketing and exports of § Establishment of the “Act for the Protection medicinal plants in the country of the Baekdoo Mountains” § Diminishing role of foresters in biodiversity § The damage wrought on Korean forests by conservation giant typhoon “Maemi” § Creation of two categories of private § Reform of the Korea Forest Service protected areas, community reserves and § The presidential election in 2002 conservation reserves, which recognize and § Nation-wide survey of mountain villages in legitimize private conservation initiatives Korea

Indonesia Lao PDR § “There were no significant developments § Limited acknowledgement of forestry in the (business as usual) – the reform process National Poverty Eradication Programme stopped” published in 2003, reflecting poor § Launching of the National Social Forestry recognition of the opportunities for forestry Programme to contribute to poverty reduction § Launching of the National Rehabilitation § Debate and approval of national “Forest Programme (of watershed management Strategy 2020” areas) § Inclusion of forest-related crimes in the anti- Malaysia money-laundering law § Implementation of criteria and indicators for § Increasing attention on illegal logging and assessing and monitoring sustainable forest how to combat it management at the forest management level § Reduction of the AAC from approximately § Reduction in the loss of forest biological 12.1 million m3 to 6.89 million m3 diversity and damage to the environment § Discussions on agrarian reform and natural during forest harvesting, and an increase in resource management the extent of protected areas § Reforestation declarations by the § DNA analysis for tree tracking government responding to the many natural disasters in Indonesia during the year – Myanmar especially floods and landslides § Increase in awareness and interest in “community forests” Japan § Initiation of Bago Yoma Greening § Development of the Sustainable Green (reforestation) Project Ecosystem Council for forest certification § National economic policy for the § Development of an action plan and approval controversial expansion of agriculture and of a budget to support the international fisheries commitments under the Kyoto Protocol, § Construction of dams and reservoirs

Forest News 13 § Increased export of teak logs Papua New Guinea § Release of controversial report on logging § Jailing of the chairman of the National and natural resource exploitation by Global Forest Board for “contempt of court” for Witness (London) , which was refuted by the refusing to pay customary resource owners government “timber royalties” for trees taken from customary land New Zealand § Purchase of significant forests (Central Pakistan North Island Forest Partnership and Fletcher § Institutional and legal reforms in the Forest Challenge Forests) by US pension funds Department § Dramatic increase in bulk shipping costs § Widespread and continuing death of one of from New Zealand to East Asia and the the most valuable and extensively planted Pacific (60 percent increase) reducing log tree species in Pakistan, Dalbergia sissoo. prices, stumpage margins and profits for New Zealand forest owners Philippines § Government announced polic y on climate § Revision of the Philippine Forestry Master change, including a decision not to devolve Plan forest-based carbon sink credits and their § Development and testing of Environmental associated liabilities for the first Users Fees (EUF), to transfer payments commitment period, under the Kyoto from lowland water users to upland Protocol communities for watershed management and § The discovery and containment of new pest rehabilitation threats (the fall webworm, gum leaf § A nationwide assessment of community- skeletoniser, Asian gypsy moth) and the based forest management to move towards quarantining of pine pitch canker, as part of more effective implementation on-going surveillance for protecting New § Burgeoning eco-tourism projects in many Zealand’s forests from alien invasive species upland and mangrove areas, particularly § The UNFF intersessional meeting on “The those under community-based management Role of Planted Forests in Sustainable § Increasing role of barangay (smallest unit of Forest Management”, Wellington, (March) government) in natural resource manage- § The loss of value of exported forest products ment as a result of the appreciation of the New § Increasing conflict between indigenous Zealand dollar relative to the US dollar cultural communities/indigenous peoples and the government, related to management Nepal of natural resources within ancestral domain § Government policy to tax the surplus sales areas, based on “national interest” of Shorea robusta and Acacia catechu from § Debate on the constitutionality of the community forests at 40 percent ancillary rights of mining concessionaires § Government's continued policy to pilot over surface natural resources such as timber collaborative forest management in the Terai § Suspension of resource use permits issued to region of Nepal, rather than expand the community-based forest management community forestry model agreement holders § Initiation of district-level multi-stakeholder forestry coordination committees in 11 Terai Thailand districts of Nepal - District Forest § Restructuring of the Royal Forest Coordination Committees Department § Ongoing Maoist insurgency and political § Increase in area of national parks uncertainty § Increasing role of tambon (smallest unit of government) in watershed management

14 Forest News Viet Nam § Clarification of forestry issues eligible for § Revision of the Land Law to provide legal credits under the Clean Development recognition to communities in forest Mechanism management § Desertification in Northeast Asian countries § Acknowledgement of the role of communes such as China and Mongolia , and the and districts in supporting community forest ensuing sandstorms management § Growing importance of decentralization and attention to building capacity of local government units (e.g. tambon, barangay, 2. What was the most significant issue, commune) for engaging in forest development or event that occurred in the management Asia-Pacific region in 2003 that had (or is § Increased articulation of forest-water likely to have) significant impact on forests linkages or forestry? § Better understanding of cloud forests § Greater focus on assisted natural regeneration Responses: § Convening of the World Social Forum in Mumbai (January 2004) , which highlighted § Asia Forest Partnership (launched at WSSD) forests and forestry and the impacts of forest § Ongoing debate and encouragement towards degradation good forest governance and tackling of § Increased availability of forest-related data corruption within the forestry sector in Asia § Bali declaration on illegal logging § Convening of the international conference § Increasing (international) attention to the on “Eucalypts in Asia ” in Zhanjiang, China issue of illegal logging (April) § Negative impact of illegal logging on the § Continuing decline in forest area and the timber market in East and Southeast Asia failure of reforestation to match these losses § Increasing emphasis on the role of local § Development of the ASEAN regional communities in forest management criteria and indicators and launching the Pan § Emergence of forest management based on ASEAN timber certification initiative an ecosystem approach to produce multiple § Slow pace of establishing firm programmes forest goods and services simultaneously linking forestry and poverty alleviation § Development of national codes of practice § Resurgence of the Thai economy and for forest harvesting in the region resulting strain on natural resources of the § China joining the World Trade Organization region § Continuing rise of China as a mega-importer § Expanding adoption of joint forest of forest products management, in various forms, throughout § Continuing constraints on the availability of the region financial resources for forestry resulting § Convening of the Asia-Pacific Forest from the economic downturn of the late Invasive Species conference in Kunming, 1990s and early 2000s China, and establishment of Asia -Pacific Forest Invasive Species Network

“Nature knows no pause in progress and development, and attaches her curse on all inaction.

-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe --

Forest News 15 FAO ASIA-PACIFIC FORESTRY CALENDAR

21-23 July 2004. Hangzhou, China. Regional Seminar on Forest Certification in China: Latest Developments and Future Strategies. Contact: Mr. Simmathiri Appanah, National Forest Programme Advisor (Asia Pacific), FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Maliwan Mansion, 39 Phra Atit Road, Bangkok 10200, Thailand; Tel. (662) 697-4136; Fax: (662) 697-4445; E-mail: [email protected]

20-24 September 2004. Lin’an, China. Regional Workshop on Strategic and Operational Work Planning and Regional Model Forest Network Meeting for Enhancing Regional Networking Opportunities Between Model Forests. Contact: Mr. Brian Bonnell, Senior Program Officer, Asia, International Model Forest Network Secretariat, PO Box 8500, 250 Albert Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1G 3H9, Canada; Tel: 613-236-6163 ext 2114; Fax: 613-234-7457; E-mail: [email protected]

14-18 March 2005. Rome, Italy. 17th Session of the Committee on Forestry. Contact: Doug Kneeland, Programme Coordinator, Programme Coordination Unit, FAO Headquarters, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00100 Rome, Italy; Tel: 39-06-570-53925; E-mail: [email protected] mid-2005. Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. Symposium on Tropical Rainforest Rehabilitation & Restoration – Existing Knowledge and Future Directions. Co-organized by: FAO RAP, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Yayasan Sabah and the Sabah Forestry Department. Contact: Patrick Durst, Senior Forestry Officer, FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Maliwan Mansion, Phra Atit Road, Bangkok 10200, Thailand; Tel. (662) 697-4139; Fax: (662) 697-4445; E-mail: [email protected]

FOREST NEWS is issued by the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific as part of TIGERPAPER. This issue of FOREST NEWS was compiled by Patrick B. Durst, Senior Forestry Officer, FAO/RAP.

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

For copies, please write to: Forestry Section, FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Maliwan Mansion, Phra Atit Road, Bangkok 10200, Thailand.

1. Leucaena Psyllid in the Asia Pacific Region: 21. Regional Strategy for Implementing the Code of Implications for its Management in Africa (RAPA Practice for Forest Harvesting in Asia-Pacific Publication 1994/13) 22. Trees Commonly Cultivated in Southeast Asia - An 2. Asia-Pacific Tropical Forestry: Ecological Disaster or Illustrated Field Guide 2nd Edition. (RAP Sustainable Growth? (RAPA Publication 1994/18) Publication 1999/13) 3. Workshop Report: Reform of the Forestry Sector: 23. Decentralization and Devolution of Forest Towards a Market Orientation in China, , Management in Asia and the Pacific (RAP Publication Mongolia, Myanmar, and Vietnam (RAPA 2000/1 - RECOFTC Report No.18) Publication 1995/4) 24. Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission Fifty Years (RAP 4. Beyond Timber: Social, Economic and Cultural Publication 2000/2 Dimensions of Non-Wood Forest Products in Asia 25. Development of National-level Criteria and and the Pacific (RAP Publication 1995/13) Indicators for the Sustainable Management of Dry 5. A Guide to the Identification of Diseases and Pests Forests in Asia: Workshop Report (RAP Publication of Neem (Azadirachta indica) (RAP Publication 2000/07); Background Papers (RAP Publication 1995/41) 2000/08) 6. Non-Wood Forest Products in Bhutan (RAP 26. Forests Out of Bounds: Impacts and Publication 1996/6) Effectiveness of Logging Bans in Natural 7. Asia-Pacific Agroforestry Profiles: Second Edition Forests in Asia-Pacific (RAP Publication (APAN Field Doc. No.4/RAP Publication 1996/20) 2001/08); Executive Summary (RAP Publication 8. The Khao Kho Story: Reclaiming the Barren Hills of 2001/10) Thailand's Central Highlands (RAP Publication 27. Regional Training Strategy: Supporting the 1996/27) Implementation of the Code of Practice for 9. Reports Submitted to the Regional Expert Forest Harvesting in Asia -Pacific (RAP Consultation on Eucalyptus - Vol.II (RAP Publication 2001/15) Publication 1996/44) 28. Trash or Treasure? Logging and Mill Residues 10. Forests and Forest Management in Mongolia (RAP in Asia and the Pacific (RAP Publication Publication 1997/4) 2001/16) 11. Non-wood Forest Products: Tropical Palms (RAP 29. Proceedings of the International Conference on Publication 1997/10) Timber Plantation Development 12. Gone Astray: The Care and Management of the Asian 30. Monograph on benzoin (Balsamic resin from Elephant in Domesticity (RAP Publication 1997/16) Styrax species) (RAP Publication: 2001/21) 13. Directory of Selected Tropical Forestry Journals 31. Applying Reduced Impact Logging to Advance and Newsletters (2nd Edition) RAP Publication Sustainable Forest Management (RAP Publication: 1997/17 - FORSPA Publication No.19/1997. 2002/14 14. Forest Dependent Survival Strategies of Tribal 32. Report of the Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission 19th Women: Implications for Joint Forest Management in Session (RAP Publication: 2002/21 , India (RAP Publication 1997/24) FO/APFC/2002/REP) 15. Labor-Intensive Harvesting of Tree Plantations in the 33. Communities in Flames: Proceedings of an Southern Philippines (RAP Publication 1997/41) International Conference on Community Involvement 16. Ecotourism for Forest Conservation and Community in Fire Management (RAP Publication: 2002/25) Development (RAP Publication 1997/42 34. Giants On Our Hands (RAP Publication: 2002/30) 17. Leasing Degraded Forest Land: An Innovative Way to 35. Community-based fire management: case studies Integrate Forest and Livestock Development in Nepal from China, The Gambia, Honduras, India, the Lao (RAP Publication 1998/4) People’s Democratic Republic and . (RAP 18. Carbon Dioxide Offset Investment in the Asia-Pacific Publication 2003/08) Forestry Sector: Opportunities and Constraints 36. State of Forestry in Asia and the Pacific - 2003: (RAP Publication 1998/9) Status, changes and trends (RAP Publication 19. Asia-Pacific Forestry Towards 2010 - Executive 2003/22) Summary: The Asia-Pacific Forestry Sector Outlook Study (RAP Publication 1998/22) 20. Asia-Pacific Forestry Towards 2010 - Report of the Periodicals Asia-Pacific Forestry Sector Outlook Study • Tigerpaper/Forest News • APANews •