N e w s L e t t e r ISSUE No. 15 March 2006 NEF NEWSLETTER ISSUE No.15 March 2006 Nagao Natural Environment Foundation (NEF) Founded in 1989, the Nagao Natural Environment Foundation (NEF) is a non-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting nature conservation in developing countries. The NEF pursues its objectives through two main schemes: Research Grant Scheme and Scholarship Scheme. The Research Grant Scheme provides financial support to creative and committed local scientists and other concerned people, allowing them to undertake research and related activities within the scope of nature conservation in their respective countries. The Scholarship Scheme provides financial support to local university students who intend to study courses relevant to nature conservation in their respective countries, so as to work in this fi eld in the future. ������������������������ ������������������������������������ ��������������������� ������������������������������� ��������������������� ��������������������� ������������������ ������������������ 2 Photo:Jeremy Holden NEF NEWSLETTER ISSUE No. 15 March 2006 Profi le Contents Name: Nagao Natural Environment Foundation (NEF) Nagao Natural Environment Foundation (NEF)..... 2 Address: 3-10-10, Shitaya, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-8676, Japan Tel: +81-3-5824-0771 1 Outlines of the new projects in FY2005............ 4 Fax: +81-3-5824-0772 (1) Research Grant ........................................... 5 Website: http://www.jwrc.or.jp/NEF/ (2) Publication Grant ....................................... 6 E-mail: [email protected] ...................... (3) Conservation Activity Grant 7 Date established: 21 November 1989 Jurisdiction: Ministry of the Environment, Japan 2 Progress of the projects in FY2004 ..................... 8 (1) Research Grant............................................ 9 Hellen Kurniati .............................................. 9 Craig Morley .................................................12 Apinya Chaitae .............................................14 David Li .........................................................16 Sendgeuan Wayakone ...................................18 Khamleck Xaydala ........................................20 Sopon Thangphet .........................................22 Theresa Aquino .............................................24 (2) Small-scale Research Grant ........................26 Joie Matillano ................................................26 Janak Raj Khatiwada......................................28 (3) Conservation Activity Grant ......................30 Ritu Gurung ..................................................30 Sanjeevani Yonzon ........................................32 Scholarship Programme .........................................34 3 NEF NEWSLETTER ISSUE No.15 March 2006 1 Outlines of the new projects in F Y 2 0 0 5 In FY2005, NEF funded 19 projects in eight countries including 10 new projects and nine continued projects (as of Feb. 2006). Outlines of the newly approved projects are shown in the following pages. 4 N F E (1) Research Grant Indigenous forest management: A case study of sacred forest "common pool resource" Research Grant Souksompong Prixar National University of Laos (NUOL), Lao PDR 620,000 Japanese yen The villages surrounding the Dong Khaibokhan sacred forest in Bolikhamxay Province of Laos were anecdotally established in 1914. People have used the natural resources in this forest for many decades, governed by traditional regulations. People follow these regulations strictly and carefully to use these resources in a sustainable way. It is very important to study how the regulations work to control use of the forest and to conserve the approach. This study plans to trace the indigenous forest management system and codify how local people establish local institutions to control the use of forest resources in this sacred forest. Research area: Dong Khaibokhan sacred forest, Bolikhamxay Province Workshop on taxonomy assessment and identification of priorities in Indonesia towards 2010 target Research Grant Elizabeth Widjaja Research Center for Biology, Indonesian Institute of Science (LIPI), Indonesia 950,000 Japanese yen As one of the world’s largest biodiversity countries, Indonesia has to take full account of taxonomic capacities in achieving the goals of the Convention of Biological Diversity, and support taxonomic activities toward the 2010 target. A network and collaboration between the herbaria is needed to compile the information for listing and assessing endemic and endangered species within the country. This project plans to hold a workshop in order to: help identify the flora of Indonesia for implementing the CBD's Strategic Plan; provide the rationale for the operational targets chosen, with opportunities indicated for further elaboration of the program of work; and serve as a guide for all biodiversity stakeholders on specific objectives toward which they can contribute individually or collectively, at the local, national, or international level. Conservation of gaur (Bos gaurus) and banteng (Bos javanicus) in Cat Tien National Park and Ea So Nature Reserve Research Grant Nguyen Manh Ha Vietnam National University of Ha Noi, Vietnam 1,000,000 Japanese yen The bovid (Bovidae) family in Vietnam includes four genera with six species. Among them, gaur Bos gaurus and banteng Bos javanicus are the most globally threatened wild cattle due to loss of habitat and extensive hunting (Vietnam Red Data Book). It is thus imperative to assess the status of and threats to these cattle, as well as to provide a long-term conservation plan for the species. This study plans to: investigate the current status of gaur and banteng; specify the local distribution of gaur and banteng in Cat Tien and Ea So; identify the causes of threat posed to gaur and banteng; and make recommendations for the conservation plan for gaur and banteng. Research area: Cat Tien National Park (73,878 ha. Located in Dong Nai, Binh Phuoc, and Lam Dong Provinces in southeastern Vietnam), and Ea So Nature Reserve (22,000 ha. Located in Dak Lac Province in the Central Highlands) 5 NEF NEWSLETTER ISSUE No.15 March 2006 Risky aquaculture in vulnerable mangrove ecosystem: environmental monitoring and suggested biological solutions for sustainable development Research Grant Phan Nguyen Hong Vietnam National University of Ha Noi, Vietnam 850,000 Japanese yen A coastline of 3,260 km, favourable natural conditions, abundant labour, and government support policies have promoted the development of lucrative aquaculture in Vietnam, particularly shrimp (Penaeus spp.) farming for exports. Such development, however, has adversely affected the mangrove ecosystem of high biodiveristy due to its conversion to aquaculture ponds and the resulting water environmental pollution. The overall goal of this project is to conserve the coastal mangrove environment in risky aquaculture areas by mitigating pollution. The research plans to: assess environmental pollution inside and outside laboratory and in the field. N Research area: Giao Thuy District, Nam Dinh Province F E (2) Publication Grant "Butterflies of Bogor Botanical Garden, Indonesia: their importance and significance" Dewi M. Prawiradilaga Publication Division of Zoology, Research Center for Biology, Indonesian Institute of Science (LIPI), Indonesia 980,000 Japanese yen Contrary to the occurrence and diversity of butterflies in Indonesia, there has been no affordable guidebook on Indonesian butterflies. This project aims to publish a guidebook on butterflies in Bogor Botanical Garden in both English and Indonesian languages. The objectives are to: provide users with basic knowledge about butterflies; offer an easy and affordable guide on local species; inform workers in nature reserves about the existence of butterflies and rich biodiversity in those areas; and increase public knowledge about this natural environment and public participation in environmental conservation. Research area: Bogor Botanical Garden (87 ha) Publication on "Guidebook on the Birds of Lore Lindu National Park, Central Sulawesi" Djunijanti Peggie Publication Museum Zoology Bogor, Research Center for Biology, Indonesian Institute of Science (LIPI), Indonesia 980,000 Japanese yen Lore Lindu National Park is located in central Sulawesi. The park was established in 1977 and covers an area of 217,991 ha at an altitude of 200 to 2356 m. Lore Lindu National Park has the richest biodiversity, and 267 bird species (70%) out of the total 384 bird species in Sulawesi can be found in the area. Moreover, 71% of endemic species or 15 out of 16 endemic genera inhabit this park. On the other hand, 60 Sulawesi threatened bird species including 23 globally threatened species that should be monitored also live there. A complete guidebook for the island of Sulawesi has not been available until now, while Lore Lindu National Park has become a focal point for various biodiversity research studies and biological monitoring, as well as a destination for ecotourism. Therefore, there is an urgent need to provide guidebooks on biodiversity in the area including a bird guidebook. The Lore Lindu Bird Guidebook will provide an excellent tool for bird monitoring by local NGOs and park rangers, while promoting conservation awareness and visitor education. Research area: Lore Lindu National Park (217,991ha) 6 Publication of "Contributions to the Terrestrial Mammals of the West Indies" Publication Rafael Borroto-Paez Instituto de Ecologia y Sistematica, Cuba 700,000 Japanese