Uncategorized – Page 32 – Snow Leopard Network

Project Snow Leopard Launched

Project Snow Leopard Launched 20 January 2009

Innovative Conservation Project for Indian High Altitudes

Project Operational in Five Himalayan States viz. Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh

Thiru S. Regupathy said that Project Snow Leopard is a manifestation of the Government of India’s resolve to conserve biodiversity with community participation. To give it the same status of importance in the high altitude as that of Tiger in the terrestrial landscape, the ministry is launching the Project Snow Leopard in the country from today. Releasing a document on Project Snow Leopard here today, Mr Regupathy said that Snow Leopard is globally endangered species as well as the most important flagship species of the mountain region. They are at the apex of ecological pyramid suffer the most on account of relatively smaller population size and also because of man-animal conflict. This situation further gets aggravated by the hostile landscape forming its habitat. Referring to its globally endangered species status as well as the most important flagship species of the mountain region, the Minister informed that Snow Leopard has been included in the list of species under Recovery Programme to be funded through the umbrella scheme of integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats. Giving details of there habitat, Sh S Regupathy said there are more than 26 protected areas in the Himalayan landscape where snow leopard is reported. However, areas outside protected areas are equally important for a long range species like Snow Leopard.

Considering these facts, Sh Regupathy added that India is endowed with the unique wildlife assemblage of global importance in Himalayan and Trans Himalayan zones. Thus, implementation of Project Snow Leopard will give an opportunity for the conservation of this unique biodiversity. Stressing on active involvement of local communities, the Minister said application of landscape for conservation, capacity building of staff research on wildlife and human dimension in Snow Leopard habitat, adoptive management of project developing, grazing and management policies along with promotion of conservation and education awareness initiatives etc would require for conservation in these areas.

The biodiversity of the Himalayans includes at least 350 species of mammals, 1200 species of birds, species of amphibians and reptiles, and numerous plants including many with medicinal properties. Over 335 species of wild relatives of cultivated crops are also found in the region. There are numerous biologically important wetlands that form breeding grounds for waterfowl. These areas also provide vital ecosystem services that are important for the dense human populations downstream and in the Indo-Gengetic plans.

The project will be operational in five Himalayan States viz. Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh with active support from wildlife institute of India and the Mysore based Nature Conservation Foundation.

The project stresses on a landscape approach to conservation wherein smaller core zones with relatively conservation values will be identified and conserved with support and the larger landscape will be managed in such a way that it allows necessary development benefits to the local communities. The project thus places greater importance to careful and knowledge-based management planning of the landscapes. The adaptive management planning will involve participation of all key stakeholders so that action is taken by incorporating local wisdom and support. For facilitating effective planning and action, the project will set up enabling administrative mechanisms from the village duster level to the Central Government. At the Central level, a Steering Committee chaired by Director General of Forests & Special Secretary to the Government of India will help guide the project. Each State will have a State Snow Leopard Conservation Society that will coordinate work by the Landscape-level Implementation Committees, which in turn will coordinate work by the village Wildlife Conservation Committees.

The Project Snow Leopard is an Innovative project that would help to arrest species declines in the Indian high altitudes and would lead to conservation based on sound scientific plans and local support. Species such as Snow Leopard, Asiatic Ibex, Tibetan Argali, Ladakh Urial, Chiru, Takin, Serow and Musk Deer will particularly benefit from this project.

http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=46855

Seminar Announcement: The Challenge of Development in Energy-related Projects and Climate Change Adaptation Strategies in the Cold Regions of Asia

In partnership with the GTZ (German Technical Cooperation), the European Union, ADEME (French Environment and Energy Management Agency) and Fondation Ensemble, GERES (Group Renewable Energy, Environment and

Solidarity), an international French NGO specialised in energy and climate change issues, is organising a regional seminar on ‘The Challenge of Development in Energy-related Projects and Climate Change Adaptation Strategies in the Cold Regions of Asia’, to be held from April 21 to 24 2009 in Leh, Ladakh, Jammu&Kashmir, India. Should you wish to contribute(abstracts will be received until 2 February 2009) or participate, kindly visit our website on http://india.geres.eu/seminar.php for more details and registration.

If you need any financial support, you may request it and your demand will be reviewed by the organizing committee during the month of February.

For more information:

http://india.geres.eu/seminar.php

Download the official brochure

http://india.geres.eu/docs/seminar.pdf

Mr. Vincent Stauffer

v.stauffer@geres.eu

Country Representative

Dr. George Schaller honored with the China Environment Prize

American Biologist Honored With China Environment Prize

NEW YORK, New York, December 19, 2008 (ENS) – Dr. George Schaller, a world reknowned field biologist and conservationist, has been awarded the China Environment Prize for his efforts to study and protect China’s giant pandas, Tibetan antelope, and China’s wild places.

Schaller is a senior conservationist with the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Asia Programs and has worked with the Bronx Zoo-based organization for more than 50 years. He has worked in China for much of the last 28 years.

The $70,000 prize was established in 2000 by the China Environmental Protection Foundation to honor and encourage individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the cause of environmental protection in China. The foundation was the first nonprofit organization in China dedicated to environmental protection.

“George Schaller has been and continues to be a role model and driving force for conservation,” said Dr. Steven Sanderson, president and CEO of the Wildlife Conservation Society. “After more than 50 years of groundbreaking field research on some of the world’s best-known wildlife, George continues to define the field of conservation biology and works tirelessly to preserve our natural heritage.”

One of the first foreign experts to work with the Chinese on conservation issues, Schaller’s conservation work within China began in the 1980s with his seminal research on giant pandas in the bamboo forests of China‘s Wolong Mountains.

Schaller helped the Chinese government establish the massive Chang Tang Wildlife Preserve in Tibet – one of the world’s largest protected areas – in order to protect the plateau’s unique assemblage of wildlife, including wild yak, Tibetan argali sheep, and Tibetan brown bear.

Schaller’s research on Tibetan antelope helped reveal that the rare animal is in fact the source of “shahtoosh,” the world’s finest wool, which is smuggled by poachers into Kashmir, India. He has lobbied to shut down the trade and protect critical habitat in China for this antelope species.

His recent work includes efforts to establish a trans-boundary protected area along the mountainous borders of China, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan that is inhabited by Marco Polo sheep, ibex, and snow leopard.

Schaller’s reputation in the conservation field was established long before his work in China.

His field work as a graduate student in northern Alaska in the 1950s led to the creation of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and Schaller remains an advocate for permanent protection of the refuge. He has expressed the hope that the incoming administration will safeguard this pristine and ecologically rich part of America‘s landscape.

Schaller initiated the first scientific study of mountain gorillas in Africa‘s Virunga Volcanoes in 1959. Since 2001, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Agency for International Development have invested over $15 million towards conservation of great apes in Africa and Asia, with an additional $14 million coming from private donors and conservation organizations such as the Wildlife Conservation Society.

Schaller also pioneered behavioral examinations of big cats, with the first ever ecological studies of tigers in India and lions in East Africa. His work resulted in a successful popular work, “The Serengeti Lion: A Study of Predator-Prey Relations,” which won the National Book Award in 1973. He has also studied jaguars and other cat species.

Schaller’s work over the years on several species listed by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species has helped raise awareness on the growing rates of global illegal wildlife trade.

His studies have been the basis for his numerous scientific and popular writings, including several books such as The Stones of Silence, The Year of the Gorilla, and The Last Panda. In addition to the China Environment Prize, Schaller has received numerous national and international awards for conservation, including the International Cosmos Prize from Japan and the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement in the United States.

Dr. Schaller is now working primarily in Iran and Tajikistan, but he will be in New York on February 26, 2009 to keynote a daylong conference devoted to his work.

He will be the featured speaker at the Fairfield Osborn Memorial Conference and Lecture at Rockefeller University. The conference, titled George Schaller: Practicing the Art of Conservation, will celebrate his conservation work over the past 50 years.

http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/dec2008/2008-12-19-01.asp

Dr. Ablimit Abdukadir nominated for the prestigious Wildlife Conservation Society International “Chinese Frontier Wildlife Bodyguard Award”

On December 13, 2008, WCS International organized a present reward ceremony of “the Chinese Frontier Wildlife Bodyguard Award” take place Beijing, the big hall of literature information center of Chinese Academy of Science. Ablimit Abdukadir，IUCN/CSG and SLN member, Professor of the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography，Chinese Academy of Science honored to obtained “the Chinese Frontier Wildlife Bodyguard Award” and prize. Chinese major wildlife conservation cabinets and leaders came from to attend the award ceremony such the State Forestry Bureau, the State Environmental Protection Department, the State Natural Ecology Protection Department, the Chinese Environment Culture Promotion Agency, the Forest Police Staff at State Forestry Bureau, the CITES Office at Beijing, People’s Republic of China. And to Dong Hongyu (Heilongjiang, Harbin), Ablimit Abdukadir (Xinjiang CAS, Urumqi),Liu Jinxu (Yunnan, Xishuangbanna), Qiangba Ceren (Tibet, Ali district),Wang Lifan (Guangxi, Guilin) so on 12 winners and comes from Bureau and Sub-bureau of the Anti-smuggle Inner Mongolian Customhouse, the Bureau Second Customs of Anti-smuggle ant-poaching Tibet, Administrative Bureau of the Xishuangbanna Dai Nationality Autonomous Region’ State-level Nature Protected Area, the CITES Office at Kunming and Jilin province and the People’s Liberation Army 65811 and so on are honored to obtained the collective represents award.

This award “the Chinese Frontier Wildlife Bodyguard” item, has been through repeatedly the application, the network public shows with the voting, the expert appraisal and so on a series of links, is domestic first in view of the Chinese frontier area wild biological shield and the law enforcement award item. This award item is for the purpose of driving positively participates in the personnel in the Chinese frontier area who and supports the wild biological law enforcement work, conservation any wildlife, the commendation attacks the robber to hunt for, the control wild biology transnational illegal trade, makes the important contribution for the China wild biological shield the collective and individual, promotes the frontier area correlation personnel in the wild biological shield and the law enforcement work exchange, enhances the wild biological shield and law enforcement ability. On December 13, altogether have 12 prizes to represent the frontier area which works from them to come to Beijing, the attendance award ceremony. At the award ceremony, the scene audience and the honored guest understands the bodyguards in the remote frontier area protection wild animal’s touching fact, also deeply their this kind of selfless offer mental move. At the award ceremony, Mr. Dong Zhiyong, former vice-minister of Ministry of Forestry, the People’s Republic of China; Mr. Dong Zhi, office Director of the endangered species import and export; Mr.Chen Ze, Deputy Secretary-General Assistant of the Chinese Environment Culture Promotion agency; Mrs. Zhang Ping, Forest Police staff Assistant at State Forestry Bureau Commissioner and all other department heads with countryside Chinese representative as the promulgation honored guest to promulgate and to make the speech. In addition, the WCS International chief – scientist Dr. George B. Schaller also attended this award ceremony, has carried on the introduction to the current international on frontier area protection of wild animals and the law enforcement situation.

Xinjiang is an typical area biggest provincial in China, also is a country boundary line longest provincial area, it with Mongolia, Russia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India is neighboring, the boundary line long amounts to 5600 kilometers, the wild animal resources are rich, approximately 700 species of wild vertebrate and 3000 species of vascular plants, in which very multiple wants the species to include especially “National Key Protection Wild animal Name list” and the listed into CITES appendix as endangered wild fauna and flora. Xinjiang has 27 passes which opens with the neighboring country with two kind of ports continental and air, including the Alataw port, the Kashigar aviation port, Kashigar Khonjirab pass, the Urumqi international and domestic port, the Chuguchak international border trade city port and so on many differences channel-like traffic pass and ports. Because with peripheral aspects and so on country and area in language and writing, religious belief, life custom is extremely close, Xinjiang has the advantageous superiority in the frontier trade development, and also be same advantageous space in the frontier animal smuggling, poaching and transiting illegal. As a result of is unceasing with the Xinjiang neighboring many country chaos caused by war, the country and the international laws and regulations are quite imperfect, these national biological shield is at the anarchy, many unlawful element uses “the green channel” carries on is endangered species smuggling and the poaching for. In Xinjiang, some unlawful elements and overseas trade the smuggling wild animal and the product criminal offender collude with, use each kind of channel, the tool and the method capture and kill the wild animal, the purchase, the sale, the transportation, the smuggling wild animal and the product, non-card import and export wild animals and plants for example a live animal or body, horns, skin, bone, skeletons of saiga Antelope, saker Falcon, Gazelle, Tiger, Snow Leopard, Bear, Deer, Argali Sheep, Ibex, Turtles, Wolf, Fox, Marmot etc. These behaviors have become the most main threatened which the Xinjiang frontier area wild animal, causes the wild biological shield work to be more complex and to be difficult. Under this situation and the background, Professor Ablimit Abdukadir be invite a special expert for to determine, identify and sorting of different species which smuggled, poached and threatened illegal in countryside and frontier area of western China by CITES of Beijing and Urumqi, China, Chinese Endangered Species Conservation Scientific Committee, the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region forest public security and China is close to managed in surveillance, the law enforcement and department responsible for the work’s and so on Urumqi office association examines expert and the biological species appraisal expert, participates in the attack smuggling illegal act with his unique way. For many years, Ablimit Abdukadir has assisted Xinjiang all levels of wildlife conservation departments and so on control section, forest public security as well as customs industry and commerce develops coordinated in every way works, to investigates the wild animal and the wild animal product which as well as treats requests authorization carries on the appraisal. From 2001 to 2008, the protection of wild animals law enforcement association which he participation examines the involved criminal case to have 50, in which involved the living specimen animal, the animal organ, the fur, the angle, even was the small pill and so on.

As short content of in Chinese, the news just reported the web: http://www.egi.ac.cn

May also click to find short text and photos: http://www.egi.ac.cn/manager/show.php?id=2081

Note: Wrong and mistake words in this English it can be as possible as correct and short-cut if re-report or publish.

Commercial Hunting Endangers Rare Central Asian Sheep Species: Wildlife researchers say Marco Polo sheep under threat of extinction

Published 2008-12-12
Edited by Rich Bowden

Wildlife researchers are concerned a rare sub-species of Central Asian sheep known as Marco Polo sheep (Ovis ammon polii) is under threat of extinction because of widespread commercial hunting in Central Asian states such as Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

Found in the Pamir Mountains, on the border region of China, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tajikistan, and named after the famed traveler Marco Polo who encountered them on his journeys in the region, experts estimate that only a fraction of the original number of the species remain. The species’ decline can be linked to regional political and economic factors and the activities of several commercial hunting businesses, they say.

The hunting operators have used the Marco Polo sheep as a lucrative commercial opportunity and have in the process, driven the sheep to the edge of extinction. According to George Schaller, vice president of the Science and Exploration Program of the Wildlife Conservation Society, the species can now be numbered to little more than 10,000.

The population of Marco Polo sheep has declined rapidly in Central Asia since 1980 due to political disturbances and economical factors in the region. This includes a long, unresolved war in Afghanistan which acts as an important habitat for these species.

However trophy hunters originating mostly from western Europe and North America, have shown great interest in signing up for Marco Polo sheep hunting adventures, ignoring the species’ endangered status.

Rick Herscher, owner and operator of Alaska Hunting Safaris in Anchorage, AK, describes hunting for the Marco Polo sheep as an adventure and joyful experience. The company runs hunts in the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan for a fee of US$35,000 and Herscher said in a telephone conversation that authorities in Central Asian states can be notoriously corrupt where the issuing of a license for hunting can be a gold mine.

It is alleged that the corruption of officials in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, along with the increasing demand of trophy hunters around the world, is the main factor in the rapid development of the commercial hunting of the iconic sheep. Despite the fact that Marco Polo sheep have been officially recognized by the Agency of the Environment Protection of Kyrgyzstan as an endangered species, the hunting of the sheep continues to be legal in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

Herscher said that with limited hunting permits available, planning on the safaris begins one year prior to the actual hunt. The official permit fee for hunting on Marco Polo sheep in Kyrgyzstan‘s Environment Government Agency is $6.80 per sheep and hunters take the opportunity to acquire them in the time available.

Unfortunately the plight of the Marco Polo sheep serves only to remind how we as a human society need to understand better how important the issue of conserving and protecting endangered species such as the Marco Polo sheep is for the future of our planet. Even in the 21st century it appears we are still unable to protect our endangered fauna for the benefit of future generations. History teaches us that what we lose will not return and that acting now is our only chance for preservation.

The example of the Marco Polo sheep is salient as we know that the world will lose this unique species if nothing is done to prevent irresponsible hunting in the abovementioned Central Asian states. Wealthy trophy hunters from around the globe, who apparently know that this species is under threat of extinction, appear to suffer no remorse.

http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.asp?no=384389&rel_no=1

Bhutan Designated Their Second Largest Park

From Kuensel, Buhutan’s National Newspaper – Bhutan

15 December, 2008 – It was a tribute to the Wangchuck dynasty for a century of visionary leadership in conservation of Bhutan’s rich natural heritage. And for once, it was the only protected area comprising of all four national symbols-flower, animal, tree and bird.

Prime Minister Lyonchhoen Jigmi Y Thinley inaugurated the second largest protected area in the country, Wangchuck Centenary Park (WCP) in Nasiphel village of Choekhar gewog, Bumthang on December 12.

Covering about 3,736 km sq of north-central region of the country, WCP connected Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Park in the west and Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary in the east.

Adding to its special features was also the park area being a source of Punatsangchu, Mangdechu, Kurichu, and Chamkharchu, the rivers, which would power hydropower projects.

Lyonchhoen Jigmi Y Thinley said that the declaration of WCP for the conservation of species and unique ecosystems in the country was a humble tribute to the Monarchs, who placed environmental conservation at the heart of development.

“Today we are adding another jewel to our existing network of protected areas,” he said.

The park was also expected to uplift local communities through community tourism and home-stays.

“The park has a huge potential to promote ecotourism in water related recreational sports such as boating, skiing, fishing and canoeing,” said an official from nature conservation division, adding that the famous Dhur tsachu (hot spring) located in the park would attract tourists.

Locals agree. Kuenga, 28, from Nasiphel village, the farthest village in the gewog, said the park had given them road. “Eco-tourism would benefit us even more,” she said.

Meanwhile the park is not short of challenges.

Chief forest officer, Sonam Wangyel Wang, said that with the institution of the new park management, they also had to look at the livelihood of about 10,000 people who are directly depended on park resources.

“The Park will not restrict people from using forest resources but ensure them to use it in a sustainable manner,” he said.

The zone was a host to about 242 species of plants belonging to 51 families, 23 species of mammals and 135 species of birds. Endangered mammals such as tigers, snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, Takin and Tibetan Wolf also inhabit the park.

By Tashi Dema
t_dyel@kuensel.com.bt

http://www.kuenselonline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=11631

Dr. Charudutt Mishra, Snow Leopard Trust Science and Conservation Director, awarded the 2009 Khoshoo Memorial Award in Conservation

SLN Member and Snow Leopard Trust Science and Conservation Director Dr. Charudutt Mishra was recently recognized for his excellence in conservation work by the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment (ATREE) in India. He was awarded the 2009 Khoshoo Memorial Award in Conservation, peer-level recognition of his achievements named after Dr. Triloki Nath Khoshoo, the first Secretary for the Department of Environment in the government of India.

Congratulations! For more information on this prestigious award, please see: http://www.atree.org/tnk_ma_08.html

Video footage of two snow leopards hunting a Dzo

From: Matthew Millan [mailto:ashearer30@yahoo.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 11, 2008 7:20 PM
Subject: Very Rare Footage of Two snow Leopards hunting a Dzo

Hello All,

While climbing Stok Kangri Glacier in Ladakh, India in the late spring of 2004, I encountered two snow leopards in the middle of killing a dzo that was at least five times their weight. Since then, I put together a short 7-minute documentary chronicling the events. This is the first time I have released this very rare footage.

I met with Rodney Jackson of the Snow Leopard Conservancy, who wanted to see the apparently odd behavior of two leopards hunting together. Likely, he said, that one of the leopards was the juvenile son just hanging around until the mother chased him off.

Anyway, I would appreciate it if you reviewed the film and gave me your feedback. Thank you.

Please click on the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVJxupw-2m4&fmt=18
or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVJxupw-2m4

Sincerely,

Matthew Millan

Handbook for Species Conservation Strategies

The Species Conservation Planning Task Force chaired by Robert Lacy (Conservation Breeding SG) has published a handbook to provide guidance to Specialist Groups on how and when to prepare and promote Species Conservation Strategies (SCSs). The handbook includes advice on how to:

* conduct a thorough status review of a species or species group

* develop, through broad consultation with stakeholders, vision and goals for the conservation of a species or species group

* set objectives for achieving the vision and goals

* address those objectives through geographically and thematically specific actions

The Handbook describes recommended methods for creating successful SCSs, brief case studies or examples of aspects of SCSs, and references to sources of additional help and guidance. Download the
<http://www.iucn.org/dbtw-wpd/edocs/2008-047.pdf> handbook here (123 pages, 7MB)

A much shortened version has been produced as an overview – download this <http://www.iucn.org/dbtw-wpd/edocs/2008-048.pdf> overview here. (34 pages, 3MB)

These documents can also be found on the IUCN website by searching the publications database under Resources pdf

ICIMOD Hosts International Mountain Biodiversity Conference in Kathmandu: Immediate action urged to combat loss of biological diversity in the Himalayas

Press release from 17 November 2008: Urgent need for biodiversity data for the Himalayan Region

The two-day workshop “Linking Geodata with Biodiversity Information in the Himalayas” organised by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and the Global Mountain Biodiversity Programme (GMBA) concluded on Sunday 16th November with a call to create a mountain biodiversity information network in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan region for mutual benefit and transboundary cooperation. The workshop was organized as a precursor to the ongoing International Mountain Biodiversity Conference and was attended by representatives from ICIMOD’s regional
member countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan. The workshop emphasised the increasing need for geo-coded information in the inventory and assessment of biodiversity that are essential for management strategies and conservation interventions as well as for developing and testing scientific hypotheses.

Dr. Andreas Schild, Director General of ICIMOD welcomed the participants and emphasised the importance of geo-coded information in understanding the rapid environmental changes that are taking place in mountain ecosystems. He highlighted the significant role that ICIMOD can play to promote regional approaches and a methodology for filling the data gap in the Himalayas. Professor Christian Körner, chair of the Global Mountain Biodiversity Programme, stressed the biophysical characteristics of the mountains which are endowed with immense biodiversity. Locational information is not only fundamental for understanding biodiversity but also helps us to explore the evolutionary process of species. There is a need to build a corporate community for making mountain biodiversity information available to a wider scientific community and policy-makers.

ICIMOD and GMBA shared their experiences in developing GIS-enabled biodiversity portals as a gateway for biodiversity information and demonstrated the benefit of geo-referenced biodiversity data for integrated analysis and spatial visualisation of biodiversity information in relation to climate, land use, physiography, and other important parameters. The workshop participants deliberated on ways of improving the
biodiversity database at the national and local levels, the need for standardisation and harmonisation for data exchange, and providing a way to facilitate easy and open access to geo-coded biodiversity information. The workshop participants emphasised the role of ICIMOD as a regional knowledge hub on biodiversity by linking with global level initiatives and customising relevant international knowledge and experience, and thereby
transferring the necessary technology to the member countries. The participants stressed the importance of creating a mountain biodiversity information network in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan region for mutual benefit and transboundary cooperation.

For further information contact:

Mr. Basanta Shrestha
Division Head
Mountain Environment and Natural Resources’ Information System/ICIMOD
Khumaltar, Lalitpur, GPO Box 3226, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: +977-1-5003222, Fax: +977 1 5003299
Email: bshrestha@icimod.org
Web: www.icimod.org

Press release from Kathmandu, 16 November 2008

Globalisation and climate change are threatening biodiversity in even the most remote parts of the Himalayan mountains. As rain patterns change and the temperature increases, the unique plants that grow in this harsh environment may die out, threatening the animals and insects that depend on them, and the livelihoods of the mountain people who use them. There are many stories of change, and anecdotal evidence is abundant, but in this vast region there is very little hard scientific information, information that is urgently needed so that appropriate actions can be planned to combat and limit the coming problems. A key problem is the alarming lack of systematic data for the Himalayan region, so much so that recently the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) the world’s foremost authority on this subject, called the entire Himalayan region a
‘white spot’ on the global climactic map, an area where there was so little systematic information available that scientists and planners had to ‘guess in the dark’ when making predictions and planning for the future.

ICIMOD together with International Union for Conservation of Nature – World Commission on Protected Areas (IUCN-WCPA), World Wide Fund–Nepal (WWF-NP), Global Mountain Biodiversity Assessment (GMBA) and UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere (UNESCO-MAB) is now bringing together scientists and planners from across the world at a meeting in Kathmandu to discuss ways to fill this gap and tackle the problems of biodiversity conservation by looking at how climate change is affecting mountain biodiversity, how biodiversity can best be managed for economic goods and ecosystem services from the mountains, and how to achieve long-term continuity in mountain research programmes from the many different organisations involved — from government to NGOs.

The International Conference on Mountain Biodiversity is taking place from 16-18 November 2008 at the ICIMOD Headquarters in Khumalatar, Lalitpur, in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal. Some 75 renowned biodiversity, climate change, and conservation experts, representatives of global programmes, and representatives of the eight countries that share the Himalayan region — from more than 20 countries in all — will meet to discuss ways of systematically gathering and sharing the information needed, developing a reliable picture of the present situation, and formulating approaches to respond. The aim is to provide a forum where world-renowned experts andrepresentatives of global programmes can discuss issues with the countries of the Himalayan region to develop a common future strategy for mountain biodiversity conservation. The Conference is accompanied by two pre-conference workshops on Mountain Transboundary Protected Areas (10-14 November 2008), and Linking Geodata with Biodiversity Information (15-16 November 2008), and a post-conference workshop on a Research Strategy on Global Change in Mountain Biosphere Reserves (19 November 2008) which will provide opportunities to discuss and agree special aspects of this important topic.

The Hon’ble Minister Ganesh Shah, Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology of the Government of Nepal, was the Chief Guest at the opening of the conference. A special message sent by the Executive Secretary of the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Dr. Ahmed Djoghlaf, emphasised the importance and timeliness of the meeting. Dr Djoghlaf called on all governments to start preparations for the International Year of Biodiversity in 2010, at which time the Programme of Work on Mountain Biological Diversity would be reviewed by the 10^th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the CBD. The contributions of ICIMOD and the galaxy of international organizations such as the Global Mountain Biodiversity Assessment, Mountain Partnership, Mountain Forum, and Mountain Research Initiative have been and will be critical. Says Dr. Andreas Schild, Director General of ICIMOD, “The loss of biological diversity in these ecologically sensitive areas poses a threat to the security of the Himalayan region and endangers the world’s global genetic heritage. Himalayan biodiversity is disappearing at an alarming rate and the time to act is now.”