SPECIAL REPORT - ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

The ASEAN Centre for BiodiversityConserving Southeast Asia’s Biodiversityfor Human Development and SurvivalThe ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) is anintergovernmental regional centre of excellence thatfacilitates cooperation and coordination among theten ASEAN Member States and with relevant nationalgovernments, regional and international organizationson the conservation and sustainable use of biologicaldiversity, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefitsarising from the use of such natural treasures.ACB’s goals are:• To serve as an effective coordinative body tofacilitate discussion and resolution of cross-countrybiodiversity conservation issues;• To provide a framework and mechanism for sharinginformation, experiences, best practices and lessonslearned for efficient access of ASEAN MemberStates;• To implement a pro-active approach in monitoringand assessing biodiversity conservation status as astrategic approach towards identifying critical issuesand future trends;• To deliver/facilitate conduct of capacity-buildingservices and technology transfer through engagingrelevant and appropriate expertise;• To enhance common understanding of biodiversityconservation issues, strengthening ASEAN regionalpositions in negotiations and in compliance withrelevant multilateral environmental agreements;• To promote public awareness to develop championsand enhance support at different stakeholder levelson biodiversity concerns; and• To undertake innovative resource generationand mobilization measures to pursue highimpactactivities that will enhance biodiversityconservation in the region.ACB supports ASEAN Member States in thefollowing thematic concerns that are of global andregional importance: Agriculture and food security,including food certification and biodiversity; Accessto, and fair and equitable sharing of benefits frombiological and genetic resources; Climate changeand biodiversity conservation; Ecotourism andbiodiversity conservation; Payment for ecosystemsservices and valuation of biodiversity; Wildlifeenforcement; Managing invasive alien species;Peatland management and biodiversity; Support to theGlobal Taxonomy Initiative; Support to the Conventionon Biological Diversity’s (CBD) Programme of Workon Protected Areas; Managing biodiversity informationand knowledge; and Business and biodiversity.For more information, log on towww.aseanbiodiversity.org.ACB Headquarters3/F ERDB Building, Forestry CampusCollege, Laguna 4031, PhilippinesTelephone/Fax: +6349 536-3989 / +6349 536-2865

CONTENTSVOL. 10 • NO. 2 • MAY - AUGUST 201177 1624 29Forests for peoplePhoto by Angie MetinThe ASEAN region is losing itsforests at alarming levels. Keymeasures must be taken to saveforests now. Otherwise, nothingwill be left for future generations.SPECIAL REPORTS6 Messages for the InternationalYear of Forests7 World focuses attention onforests9 Forests: how valuable arethey?11 Southeast Asia’s forestecosystems: a rich naturalheritage16 The status of ASEAN’s forestbiodiversity and solutions toforest biodiversity loss20 Forestry cooperation in theASEAN region24 Reducing Emissionsfrom Deforestation and ForestDegradation27 Watershed and biodiversity29 New global study shows highreliance on forests among ruralpoor30 New publication outlinesbiodiversity elements fordesign and implementation ofREDD-PlusSPECIAL SECTIONS32 ASEAN Champions ofBiodiversity announced33 HSBC Brunei: Investingin biodiversity conservationmakes sound business sense36 Green Community: Initiatinglittle activities withextraordinary impacts39 Born to be Wild: Championingbiodiversity through television42 Taking care of Indonesia’swildlife43 Arresting illegal wildlifetraffi cking44 ARREST Program launchedin Bangkok45 Laos launches new lawenforcement task force tocombat wildlife crimeFEATURES46 The President of thePhilippines launchesthe United Nations Decade onBiodiversity for Southeast AsiaMAY - AUGUST 2011 • ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 3

SPECIAL REPORTMessages for the International Year of ForestsBAN KI-MOONSecretary-General, United NationsBy declaring 2011 as the International Year of Forests, the United NationsGeneral Assembly has created an important platform to educate the globalcommunity about the great value of forests – and the extreme social, economicand environmental costs of losing them.Forests are vital to our well-being. They harbour 80 percent of land-basedbiodiversity, and store more than 1 trillion tons of carbon.Greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation account for more than thoseby the world’s entire transportation sector.At the recent climate change conference in Cancun, Mexico, governmentstook an important step towards building a low-emissions, climate-resilientfuture. The balanced package of measures on which they agreed includedprogress on the conservation and sustainable management of forests.The decision to move forward with REDD Plus will provide tangible resultsfor the planet and the more than 1.6 billion people who depend on forests forsustenance and livelihoods.Let us build on this promising initiative so that present and future generationscontinue to benefit from the rich diversity of forests.Nearly two decades ago, at the Rio Earth Summit, concern about forestmanagement led to the establishment of the United Nations Forum on Forests.In this International Year, and as we look ahead to the Rio+20 conferencein 2012, we have a chance to agree on how best to realize the full potentialof forests — for sustainable development, economic stability, the fight againstpoverty, and our efforts to ensure future prosperity for all.AHMED DJOGHLAFExecutive Secretary, Convention on Biological DiversityBiodiversity is life. Biodiversity is our life. This was the slogan of theInternational Year of Biodiversity.Biodiversity is life and forests have more than 80 percent of biodiversityof our land. The unprecedented rate of loss of biodiversity is thereforecompounded by the unprecedented loss of forests. And therefore, in Nagoya,at the summit on biodiversity, the 193 Parties to the Convention on BiologicalDiversity have adopted an overarching comprehensive strategy for 2011 up to2020 called the Aichi Targets with 20 targets including several on forests – (1)to at least halve deforestation, and where feasible bring it close to zero; (2) tomanage all areas under forestry sustainably; (3) to conserve at least 17 percentof terrestrial and inland water areas; and (4) to restore at least 15 percent ofdegraded forest ecosystems, thereby contributing to climate change mitigationand adaptation and to combating desertification.These Aichi Targets need now to be translated as a national priority throughnational strategies and action plans, and pay tribute to the General Assemblyfor having declared 2011 as the International Year of Forests. This will allowus to raise public awareness and engage the public as a whole to protectbiodiversity, to protect life and, of course, to protect forests.6ASEAN BIODIVERSITY • MAY - AUGUST 2011www.aseanbiodiversity.org

SPECIAL REPORTParticipants to the High-Level Segment of the Ninth Session of the United Nations Forum on ForestsPhotos courtesy of UNWorld focusesattention on forestsCountries all over the world are celebrating2011 as the International Year ofForests (Forests 2011). Launched onFebruary 2, 2011 during the High-Level Segmentof the Ninth Session of the United NationsForum on Forests (UNFF) in New York,Forests 2011 was declared to raise awarenesson sustainable management, conservation andsustainable development of all types of forests.The celebration, with the theme “Forests forPeople,” is serving as a global platform to celebratepeople’s action to sustainably managethe world’s forests.The declaration comes at a critical time whenthe world’s forests are facing immense pressuresand challenges.The global launch was led by Joseph Deiss,President of the 65th session of the UN GeneralAssembly. Apart from Deiss, other speakerswere UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon(through a video message), UN Under-Secretary-Generalfor Economic and Social AffairsSha Zukang, and ministers from Croatia, Rwanda,Canada and Mexico. Nobel Peace PrizeLaureate Wangari Maathai, UNFF Director JanMcAlpine, Global Environment Facility Chief ExecutiveOfficer and Chair Monique Barbut, andmany other experts shared their views on thecelebration.At the launch, environmental experts andworld leaders joined hands in calling for thesustainable management of forests in the interestof human development.“We have a chance to agree on how best torealize the full potential of forests – for sustainabledevelopment, economic stability, the fightagainst poverty and our efforts to ensure futureprosperity for all,” Secretary-General Ban Kimoonsaid.“We have to eradicate poverty, but not theforests. Each minute that we spend on thisplanet breathing in and breathing out, about 25hectares of forests are lost. Ultimately, as historyreminds us, in the past, entire civilizations collapsedue to deforestation,” Mr. Deiss stressed.For Mr. Deiss, it is important to involve peoplefrom various levels and sectors to achievethe goal of protecting forests for people.“It is my hope that this Year of Forests willraise high political awareness and galvanize ac-MAY - AUGUST 2011 • ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 7

SPECIAL REPORTA young delegate talks about the importance of growing treesSpeakers at the forumThe Forests 2011 logoForests 2011 has a logo which was designed toconvey the theme of “Forests for People” celebratingthe central role of people in the sustainablemanagement, conservation and sustainable developmentof our world’s forests.The iconographicelements in the designdepict some of the multiplevalues of forestsand the need for a 360-degree perspective:forests provide shelterto people and habitatto biodiversity; are asource of food, medicineand clean water;and play a vital role inmaintaining a stable global climate and environment.All of these elements, taken together, reinforce themessage that forests are vital to the survival and wellbeingof people everywhere, all seven billion of us.For the use of the FORESTS 2011 logo, please logon to http://www.un.org/en/events/iyof2011/index.shtml for the documentary requirements.tivities from the grassrootsup so that the interlinkedchallenges of biodiversityloss, climate change anddesertification can be effectivelytackled for the benefitof sustainable development,”Mr. Deiss said.He expected that “in2011 and beyond, everycountry and each citizen ofour planet will take actionin favor of forests and bringthis message across: weare all dependent on forestsas much as forests are de-Panelists discuss key issues on forest conservationpendent on us.”In Southeast Asia, theASEAN Centre for Biodiversity(ACB) issued a statementof support for Forests2011.“The ASEAN regionplayed a very visible role inthe global celebration of theInternational Year of Biodiversity2010. This 2011, wewill show the same enthusiasmand support for FOR-EST 2011 as this celebrationwill enable us to continuehighlighting the values ofbiodiversity through conservationand protection ofour forests,” Mr. Rodrigo U.Fuentes, executive directorof ACB, said.He invited governments,schools and youth, civicorganizations, business,media, conservation organizations,and individualsto participate in the worldwidecelebration of Forests2011.“We need all hands ondeck to ensure that thewell-being and survival ofhumans and all forms oflife relying on trees and forests,”Mr. Fuentes said.For more informationon the International Yearof Forests 2011, log onto http://www.un.org/en/events/iyof2011/. •8ASEAN BIODIVERSITY • MAY - AUGUST 2011www.aseanbiodiversity.org

SPECIAL REPORTForests:how valuable are they?Photo courtesy of Felix MirasolBy providing food, medicine, timber, asource of livelihood and many otherproducts and services, forests play acrucial role in sustaining lives of billions of people.According to the Convention on BiologicalDiversity (CBD), in the past, timber productionwas regarded as the dominant function of forests.However, in recent years this perceptionhas shifted to a more multi-functional and balancedview. Other forest functions and services,such as recreation, health and well-being,biological diversity, maintenance of ecosystemservices and the mitigation of climate changeare increasingly recognized as integral componentsof sustainable forest management andforest biological diversity as both a complexand unique element.A single mature tree can release enoughoxygen back into the atmosphere to supporttwo human beings. It can absorb 4.5 kilos ofair pollutants, including 1.8 kilos of ozone and1.4 kilos of particulates. Trees store carbon andhelp slow human-caused climate change. Treecanopies and leaf litter protect the soil surfacefrom the erosive power or rain. Trees purify ourair and water and provide us with food, timberand medicine.Over a 50-year lifetime, a tree generatesUS $31,250 worth of oxygen, provides US$62,000 worth of air pollution control, recyclesUS $37,500 worth of water, and controls US$31,250 worth of soil erosion. All these ensurethe well-being and survival of humans and allforms of life relying on trees and forests.Forests feed rivers and are essential to supplyingwater for nearly 50 percent of the world’slargest cities. Forests create and maintain soilfertility, as well as help regulate the devastatingimpact of storms, floods and fires.MAY - AUGUST 2011 • ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 9

SPECIAL REPORTForests are home to 300million people around theworld and to 80 percent ofour terrestrial biodiversity.The livelihoods of over 1.6billion people depend onforests. Some 30 percent offorests are used for productionof wood and non-woodproducts. In 2001, globaltrade in forest productswas estimated at US $327billion.Forests are one of themost biologically rich terrestrialsystems. Together,tropical, temperate andboreal forests offer diversesets of habitats for plants,animals and micro-organisms,and harbor the vastmajority of the world’s terrestrialspecies. Furthermore,forest biodiversityis interlinked to a web ofother socio-economic factors,providing an array ofgoods and services thatrange from timber and nontimberforest resources tomitigating climate changeand genetic resources. Atthe same time, forests providelivelihoods for peopleworldwide and play importanteconomic, social, andcultural roles in the lives ofmany indigenous communities.Therefore, forests andforest biological diversityare innately linked to ecosystemand human well-being.“Ensuring that forestsare conserved is, therefore,crucial for human well-being.From simple activitiessuch as the planting andnurturing of trees to themore complex process ofcurbing illegal logging, wemust encourage everyoneto contribute their share inconserving our forests,” Mr.Rodrigo U. Fuentes, executivedirector of the ASEANCentre for Biodiversity(ACB), said. •Young ASEAN Biodiversity Champion Adeline Suwana leads amangrove planting activity in Indonesia.Photo courtesy of Sahabat Alam10ASEAN BIODIVERSITY • MAY - AUGUST 2011www.aseanbiodiversity.org

SPECIAL REPORTForests harbor a treasure trove of plants and animals crucial to keeping the ecological balance.Southeast Asia’sforest ecosystems:a rich natural heritageBy Dr. Monina T. Uriarte and Rhia C. Galsim*Forests are very important ecosystems.The vast forests support ecologically,economically and scientifically valuableplants and animals. Forests are the largest terrestrialecosystem, cover about 30 percent ofthe earth’s surface, and harbor an estimated 75percent of all terrestrial biodiversity to includeboth flora and fauna. With an estimated 2,400Gt of stored carbon, they account for almosthalf the terrestrial carbon pool.Forests underpin the livelihood of more than1.6 billion people. More than 2,000 groups ofindigenous peoples live in forest ecosystems,which satisfy their basic needs, such as food,energy and health. Over three percent of allglobal trade is in forest products, which are val-ued at more than US $ 300 billion per year.Every year, 13 million hectares of forests aredestroyed; deforestation contributes approximately17 to 20 percent of global annual greenhousegas emissions, which is approximately5.8 Gt of carbon dioxide equivalent per year;and, 97 percent of all emissions from deforestationoccur in the tropics and sub-tropics (VonScheliha et al., 2009).These facts show how important our forestsare. In line with the International Year of Forests(IYF), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations(ASEAN) supports national initiatives and campaignsin raising the importance and profi les of forestsand continues to enhance efforts in addressingforest and forest-related issues in the region.MAY - AUGUST 2011 • ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 11

SPECIAL REPORT12,00010,000area(sq.km)8,0006,0004,0002,0001990 2000 2005 2010Figure 1. Trends of forest area in the ASEAN region, 1980-2007Forests in the ASEANForests in the ASEANregion may be categorizedaccording to functions: protection,production, recreational,conservation andprotected areas. Ecologically,they may be classifiedas mangroves, freshwaterswamps, peat swamps,mixed dipterocarps andmontane or evergreen forests.More intact forestsare found in protected orconservation areas likethe ASEAN Heritage Parks(AHP). Mostly terrestrialforests, AHPs are specialprotected areas that are ofhigh conservation importancebecause they harborspectacular biodiversity.Forest cover in theASEAN region has decreasedconsiderably notonly due to natural calamitiesbut also due, amongothers, to destructive andillegal logging, conversionfor agriculture and humansettlement. Figure 1 showsthe trends of forest area inthe ASEAN region for theperiod 1980-2007.Products and servicesprovided by ASEANforestsMillions of people, especiallylocal communitiesand indigenous peoples,are very much dependenton forests for their food,shelter and livelihood. Forestsare important sourcesof forest products for localcommunities like fuel wood,bamboo, rattans, honey,resin and medicinal plants.Likewise, forests, especiallythose under sustainable forestmanagement, contributeto combating desertifi cation;conserving biodiversity;Provisioning Services Cultural Services Regulating Services Supporting ServicesFood crops, fiber cropsand fuelGenetic resourcesBiochemicalsFreshwaterSpiritual resources andreligious valuesKnowledge systemEducation andInspirationRecreational andaesthetic beautyPollination and seeddispersalClimate regulationPest and diseaseregulationNatural hazardsprotectionTable 1. Different goods and services provided by forestsLocal communities depend on the vast resources offered byforests.Photo courtesy of Nilo RiveraErosion regulation/soilstabilizationProtect water resources(infiltration, purificationand flow control)Primary productionProvision of habitatNutrient cyclingSoil formation andretentionProduct of atmosphericoxygenWater cyclingPhoto courtesy of Nonie Reyes, BusinessMirror12ASEAN BIODIVERSITY • MAY - AUGUST 2011www.aseanbiodiversity.org

SPECIAL REPORTmitigating climate change;producing goods; protectingsoil; providing water andother environmental services,providing socio-economic-socio-culturalservicesand livelihood support; andcontributing to poverty alleviation.Table 1 shows thedifferent goods and servicesthat forests provide us.International agreementson forestsASEAN Member Statesare parties to a number ofinternational agreementson forests. These includethe United Nations FrameworkConvention on ClimateChange (UNFCCC),Convention on BiologicalDiversity (CBD) and UnitedNations Forum on Forests(UNFF).• The UNFCCC invitesparties to furtherstrengthen and supportongoing efforts toreduce emissions fromdeforestation and forestdegradation on avoluntary basis.• The CBD’s Programmeof Work on Forest BiologicalDiversity (DecisionVI/22) developscoordinated responsestrategies and actionplans at the global,regional and nationallevels; promotesmaintenance and restorationof biodiversityin forests to enhanceASEAN Heritage Parks and forests in Southeast AsiaASEAN MemberStateBruneiProfile / DescriptionForestsBrunei is 78 percent forestedand mangrove forests cover fourpercent of the total area. Forestsare categorized as protection,production, recreational,conservation and national parks.Ecologically, they are classifiedas mangroves, freshwaterswamp, peat swamps, mixeddipterocarps, kerangas andmontane.ASEAN Heritage ParksTasek Merimbun Heritage Park. Visitors can walk under the rainforest canopy or strollalong the beautiful lakeside walkways. They can also join the different ethnic groups incelebrating the Adau Gayoh festival to celebrate the spirit of unity, uphold the ethnicgroups traditions and cultural identity, and express their gratitude for good harvest.CambodiaCambodias forests are dividedinto protected areas (nationalparks, wildlife sanctuaries,community protected areas andprotected landscapes), multipleusearea and protection forests.Preah Monivong (Bokor) National Park. The park is predominantly covered with moisttropical evergreen forests to dwarf montane on the top of a mountainous plateau. Otherforest types include virgin lowland forest, dry dipterocarp and mixed deciduous in thenorth. Activities include protection, monitoring of wildlife and community outreachprograms.Virachey National Park. Dense semi-evergreen lowland and montane forests, andoccasional patches of mixed deciduous forests dominate the Parks vegetation. Themost widespread habitat is the tropical evergreen rainforest, most of which are inpristine condition.In both parks, visitors can go bird watching, mountain climbing and trekking.IndonesiaGeologically, the country hassnow and tundra in themountain peaks of Papua, andtropical rainforest in Sumatraand Kalimantan. There areconservation, preserved, limitedproduction, fixed production andconversable production forests.Forests are also classified astropical rainforest andmonsoonal tropical forests.Kerinci Seblat National Park. The park is home to Asias oldest tropical rainforest. It isthe highest mountain in Sumatra and the second highest in Indonesia. It has lowland,hill, sub-montane, lower montane, mid-montane, upper montane and the sub-alpineforests. Many visitors from all over the world climb Gunung Kerinci where the view atthe top is awesome.Gunung Leuser National Park. The park is the core of Sumatras tropical rainforestheritage and includes lowland evergreen dipterocarp forest, lower and upper mountainrainforest, peat swamp forest, forest over limestone and sub-alpine meadows. Touristscan go mountain climbing, rafting, kayaking, canoeing and caving.Lorentz National Park. The park is Asias largest single protected area with snowcappedmountains and glaciers. It has two distinct zones: swampy lowlands, virginforests and the high mountain and snowfields area of the Central Cordillera. The parkhas very rich biodiversity and cultural community.Lao PDRForests are classified based onaltitude, rainfall, kind anddominance of tree species andthe types of plant communitiespresent. These include lowlandforests (wet evergreen, semievergreen,mixed deciduous,deciduous dipterocarps andlowland pine woodlands),montane (evergreen and hillevergreen), and azonal habitats(zonal communities).Nam Ha National Protected Area. Most of the area is covered by mixed deciduousforest. Along the top of the mountain ranges are dry evergreen forests. Tropical andsub-tropical forest types include evergreen gallery forests, semi-evergreen forests,sub-tropical, sub-montane and limestone forests. With its spectacular views, caves,and waterfalls and several minority groups, the park has high cultural, ecological andnature tourism potential.MAY - AUGUST 2011 • ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 13

SPECIAL REPORTASEAN Heritage Parks and forests in Southeast Asia (continuation)ASEAN MemberStateMalaysiaProfile / DescriptionForestsApproximately, 60 percent of thetotal area is forested, classifiedas permanent reserved forests,state land forests, nationalparks, and wildlife and birdsanctuaries.ASEAN Heritage ParksGunung Mulu National Park. The parks second highest mountain peak in Sarawakcharacterized by gigantic limestone caves and tropical forests. Geological formationsinclude a large sandstone mountain and two smaller limestone mountains. The parkhas one of the most extensive and spectacular limestone cave systems on earth. Thereare four show caves developed for visitors: Deer Cave, Langs Cave, Wind Cave andClearwater Cave. Visitors can also experience jungle trekking and nights walks; andview the plant life while on the canopy skywalk.Kinabalu National Park. The park stretches from the lowlands to the peak of thehighest mountain in Borneo. This range includes hill dipterocarp forests, sub-montaneforests and stunted upper montane heath rhododendron. The granitic massif of Mt.Kinabalu offers a range of opportunities for hikers, scramblers and rock climbers.Likewise, it is known for its intimate connection with the folklore and local traditions ofSabah.Taman Negara National Park. The park is the first and oldest protected area ofMalaysia. It is generally hilly and mountainous. Lowland dipterocarp forests dominatethe area and comprise about 57 percent of plants in the park. The most popularactivities include river cruising and jungle trekking. The park also has the longestrainforest canopy walk.MyanmarMyanmar is endowed withstrikingly different forestsincluding snow-cappedmountains that are over 6,000meters high.About 50 percent of the countryis covered with forests, of which24 percent are reserved andprotected public forests.Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park. Its forests are classified according to elevation:moist upper mixed deciduous forests, dry upper mixed deciduous forests, lower mixeddeciduous teak forest, indaing dry dipterocarp forests and pine forests on higherridges. The park offers excellent opportunities for study and recreation.Indawgyi Lake Wildlife Sanctuary. This is an inland lake dominated by moist uppermixed deciduous and semi-evergreen forests on the mountainous terrain.The park offers excellent opportunities for study and recreation. Visitors can participatein or view traditional fishing practices. They can also see famous pagodas.Hkakaborazi National Park. This is Myanmars largest park and highest mountain. It isalso the highest snow-capped mountain in Southeast Asia. The dominant forestsinclude evergreen, hill, and moist upper mixed deciduous forests. Many outdoorenthusiasts climb the challenging Mt Hkakaborazi and other nearby mountain ranges.The park also provides insights into the traditional culture and customs of the KachinHill Tribe.Lampi Marine National Park. The Park is comprised of seas, coral reefs, beaches,mangroves and an inhabited lowland tropical evergreen which is very rare andprecious. Visitors will enjoy the jungle walks, great fishing, kayaking and a chance toencounter the Moken Sea Gypsies.Meinmhala Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary. The Park has some natural mangrove forestsgenerally used for research.PhilippinesThe countrys forest isapproximately 24 percent of itstotal area. It consists ofdipterocarp/lowland rainforests,mossy/montane/cloud forests,coastal and mangrove forests,pine and sub-marginal forestsand peat swamp forests.Mount Apo Natural Park. This is the countrys highest mountain. Its distinct forestformations include lowland, low montane, high montane summit or scrub forests. Mt.Apo is a very popular recreation area for hiking and sightseeing. It has hotsprings andorchid farms and gardens.Mts. Iglit-Baco National Park. The large reserve contains montane forest on the mainpeaks. The eastern portion is composed of multi-strata evergreen forests and dryseason deciduous forests. Interesting activities include bird and tamaraw watching andmountain climbing.Mount Kitanglad Range Natural Park. This is one of the few remaining rainforests inthe Philippines classified as lower montane, upper montane (mossy). The park offersopportunities for mountain climbing, hiking, camping and bird watching.SingaporeThe country is home to BukitTimah Nature Reserve whichcontains the largest tracts ofprimary rainforests in thecountry. Most of the trees in theReserve are rare and of specialinterest.Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. This is the first and only wetland reserve inSingapore and is home to many tropical flora and fauna. Mangroves are dominant inthis area. The Reserve has patches of secondary forests and is managed forconservation, education, recreation and research.14ASEAN BIODIVERSITY • MAY - AUGUST 2011www.aseanbiodiversity.org

SPECIAL REPORTASEAN Heritage Parks and forests in Southeast Asia (continuation)ASEAN MemberStateThailandViet NamProfile / DescriptionForestsThailand has four naturalregions: mountains and forestsin the north side, vast rice fieldsin the central plains, semi-aridfarm lands in the northeastplateau, and the tropical islandsand long coastline in peninsulasouth.Forests in Viet Nam range fromclosed evergreen to deciduous,needle, limestone, mangrovesand bamboo.ASEAN Heritage ParksKaeng-Krachan Forest Complex. This is comprised of three national parks and onewildlife sanctuary. The complex forms part of a continuous forest complex. Eightypercent of the park is covered by dry dipterocarp, mixed deciduous and evergreenforests. Popular destinations include waterfalls, caves and several areas with wonderfulnatural landscape or scenery.Khao Yai National Park. The Park has dry evergreen, dry deciduous, tropical moistevergreen and hill evergreen forests. It has the most-developed trails for visitors. Thepark also offers great opportunities to admire the great variety of landscapes,vegetation and wildlife.Tarutao National Park. The park has semi-evergreen forests covering over 60 percentof the island. The dominant vegetation type is moist evergreen forest. Other types aredry evergreen, mixed deciduous, mangrove, secondary, and beach and scrub forests. Anumber of nature trails lead to panoramic views and superb beaches. Visitors can alsoenjoy boat rides, kayaking, spelunking, bird watching and island hopping.Ba Be National Park. This is dominated by limestone mountains covered with thickforests. Typical habitats are freshwater lakes, limestone and lowland evergreen forests.Aside from its beautiful natural landscapes, the park offers opportunities for boat ride,trekking and visits to local communities.Chu Mom Ray National Park. The park has two major forest types: the lowlandevergreen and the lower montane evergreen forests. There are many interesting sightsand hill tribe villages in the fringes of this park.Hoang Lien Sa Pa National Park. The park has three types of forests: sub-montanedry evergreen forest, tropical montane deciduous forests, and sub-alpine forest. Withits various natural landscapes, the park hosts community-based tourism.Konh Ka Kinh National Park. A large range of montane evergreen forests can be foundin elevation above 700 meters. Other forests include mixed coniferous and broadleafforest. The park offers scenic landscapes and other natural features for visitors.Popular activities are trekking and bird watching.their capacity to resistand recover fromand adapt to climatechange; and promotesforest diversity conservationand restorationin climate change mitigationand adaptationmeasures.• The CBD’s Programmeof Work on ProtectedAreas and on IncentiveMeasures (DecisionVII/28) encouragesthe establishmentand maintenance ofcomprehensive, effectivelymanaged, andecologically representativenational andregional systems ofprotected areas (2010for terrestrial, and by2012 or marine areas);and the creationof incentives for integrationof biodiversityfor all sectors.• UNFF 4 Global Objectiveson Forests hasObjective 1 – to reversethe loss of forestcover worldwidethrough sustainableforest management,including protection,restoration, afforestationand increase effortsto prevent forestdegradation.Some challenges andopportunities to be considered,among others,include forests for people,community-based livelihoodfor local communitiesand indigenous peoplesin the forests, and povertyeradication. Billionsof people are very muchdependent on the servicesprovided by the forests.Policies and governanceshould be reviewed, enhancedand attuned to thepresent needs, integratingclimate change and otherenvironmental issues.Communication, educationand public awareness activitiesshould be enhancedand consciousness buildingshould be promotedat all levels. Environmentaleducation should be at thecommunity level and conductof information campaignin communities andschools in the restorationand safeguarding of forestsshould be encouraged. •*Dr. Monina T. Uriarte and Ms.Rhia C. Galsiam are CapacityDevelopment Specialist andCapacity Development Officer,respectively, at the ASEANCentre for Biodiversity.References1. ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity,2010. The ASEANHeritage Parks: A Journeyto the Natural Wonders ofSoutheast Asia. Los Banos,Laguna, Philippines. 310pages.2. ASEAN Biodiversity Outlook,2010. ASEAN Centrefor Biodiversity.3. http://bim.aseanbiodiversity.org/biss/index.php?option=com4. Regional and SubregionalInputs to UNFF9. Preparedby ASEAN Secretariat.January 2011.5. Von Scheliha, S., B. Hecht& T. Christopherson. 2009.Biodiversity and Livelihoods:REDD Benefits.Published by GTZ andSCBD.6. www.fao.org/forestry/icam7. www.fao.org/forestry/mangrovesMAY - AUGUST 2011 • ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 15

SPECIAL REPORTA gibbon perched on a tree branch in Lao PDR• Photo courtesy of Animo Ltd.The Status of ASEAN’sForest Biodiversityand Solutions to ForestBiodiversity LossBy Dr. Filiberto A. Pollisco, Jr. and Norman Emmanuel C. Ramirez*Introduction / Overviewropical forests are the richest terrestrialTecosystems (FAO, 2011) in terms of biologicaldiversity. Covering a vast area ofthe earth’s surface and supporting abouttwo-thirds of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity,forests suffer the most widespread formof conversion and degradation. Owing to themultiple uses and benefits derived from forestecosystems, anthropogenic actions have modifiedmuch of the landscape. Many considerthe modification of the forest ecosystems asone of the defining features in the progressionof human societies. Perhaps this is where themost conspicuous threat posed by human activitieson biodiversity is reflected (ACB, 2010).Species richness and diversity in forest ecosys-View of Southeast Asia with its remainingforest cover16ASEAN BIODIVERSITY • MAY - AUGUST 2011www.aseanbiodiversity.org

SPECIAL REPORTtems are acknowledged asvital resources. They havebeen used by humans sincetime immemorial, providinga range of goods such aswood, food and medicine(FAO, 2011).Southeast Asia has oneof the most diverse forestecosystems in the world.Several types of forests arespread all throughout theregion, the characteristicsof which vary from countryto country (ACB, 2010). Anumber of endemic plantand animal species that aredependent on the healthof forest ecosystems arelocated in the region butthey are at risk owing tothe pressure exerted on itshabitat. The hotspot countriesof Indonesia, Malaysiaand the Philippines harbormore endemic speciescompared to the rest ofAsia that includes China,India, Japan, and Korea.But they also have a considerablenumber of threatenedspecies of amphibians,birds, mammals andreptiles (ACB, 2010).In 2010, the InternationalUnion for Conservationof Nature (IUCN) reportedthat the Philippineshad the highest number ofcritically endangered andendangered native species.Indonesia has the highestnumber of vulnerable nativespecies, followed byMalaysia and Viet Nam. Interms of threatened nativeplant species, the ASEANranks third in Asia, withChina and Japan being firstand second, respectively(ACB, 2010).The transformation of forestsin the region has beenquite extensive over thelast 50 years. Almost 8,000years ago, the entire regionwas covered by forests. Asof 2000, only 47 percent ofthe ASEAN region was forested,with Brunei Darussalam,Cambodia, Indonesia,Malaysia and Myanmarhaving more than 50 percentof their total land area underforest cover. By 2007, the forestcover of the entire regionwas down by four percentagepoints, at 43 percent.Between the period from1980 to 2007, the ASEANforests have decreased by atotal of 555,587 square kilometers,an area roughly thesize of Thailand; or by an annualaverage rate of 20,578square kilometers, an areaalmost 29 times the size ofSingapore (ACB, 2010).The Global BiodiversityOutlook 3 noted theincreasing proportion ofland surface designated asprotected areas. This trendis also manifested in theASEAN region. Since 1950,the designated protectedareas have increased by98 percent in terms of areaand by 89 percent in termsof number. The Philippines,Indonesia and Malaysiahave the most number ofprotected areas. In terms ofcoverage, Indonesia, Thailandand the Philippineshave the most expansiveareas. The ASEAN regionhas also met the target ofhaving ten percent of itsterrestrial land declared asPAs, having established13.2 percent for such pur-pose. Six ASEAN MemberStates have exceeded the10-percent target; and ofthe six, Brunei Darussalam,Cambodia and Thailandhave set aside more thanone fifth of their total landarea for protection andconservation.Initiatives that supportconservation of forestbiodiversity in theASEAN regionThe key to addressingthe issues of forest ecosystemsdepends largelyon effective governancefocused on three majorareas, namely: the effectiveenforcement of bindinglaws and forest policies,engagement of public (particularlycommunities andlocal government units) andprivate stakeholders, andcomprehensive programsfor the capacity buildingof institutions involved inthe enforcement of laws.There exist efforts beingpursued under conventionalprograms such as reforestationand afforestation,Southeast Asiahas one of themost diverseforestecosystemsin the world.Several typesof forests arespread allthroughoutthe region, thecharacteristicsof which varyfrom countryto country.Mt. Apo National Park in Southern Philippines.Photo courtesy of http://enthusiastichiker.wordpress.com/MAY - AUGUST 2011 • ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 17

SPECIAL REPORTsocial forestry and community-basedforest management.The establishmentof more conservation areasand better forest managementpractices are criticalinitiatives in saving forestecosystems in the region.While current respectivenational responses are consideredto be sufficient indesign, two key programsmerit support: the implementationof forest certificationprograms under theambit of sustainable forestmanagement (SFM) and theAction Plan on Forest LawEnforcement, Governanceand Trade (FLEGT).Sustainable forest managementand the formulationof a forest certificationprogram are initiatives thatinvolve close partnershipsbetween government andthe private sector.The ASEAN Centre forBiodiversity (ACB), as aninitiative of the ASEAN,maintains its active involvementin international discussionswhich deliberateon thematic areas suchas payment for ecosystemservices, economic valuationof biodiversity, taxonomy,invasive alien species,wildlife enforcement, climatechange, ecotourism,and access and benefitssharing, among others. Itadvocates a holistic approachto biodiversity conservationthat emphasizesthe importance of synergyamong all components ofthe natural environment.The ACB supports andparticipates in local andinternational fora related toReducing emissions fromdeforestation and forestdegradation and the role ofconservation, sustainablemanagement of forests andenhancement of forest carbonstocks in developingcountries (REDD-plus), TheEconomics of Ecosystemsand Biodiversity (TEEB)and PES to facilitate theactive involvement of AMS.The ACB strives to ensurethat the AMS have a commonunderstanding of currentand emerging issuesfrom a regional standpointfor policy development andimplementation.The establishment ofprotected areas (PAs) remainsone of the key cornerstonesof biodiversityconservation. They areestablished as ASEANHeritage Parks (AHPs) togenerate greater awareness,pride, appreciation,enjoyment and conservationof ASEAN’s rich naturalheritage, through a regionalnetwork of representativeprotected areas, and togenerate greater collaborationbetween AMS in preservingtheir shared naturalheritage. AHPs are definedas “Protected areas of highconservation importance,preserving in total a completespectrum of representativeecosystems ofthe ASEAN region” (ACB,2010). At present there are30 AHPs. The ACB servesas the Secretariat of theAHP Committee, with representativesof the 10 AMSserving as its members.Invasive alien species(IAS) are either plants, animalsor microorganisms thathave been introduced outsidetheir natural area, andwhich exhibit rapid growth,reproduction and dispersalthat they are highly competitiveto native species,destructive and difficult tocontrol, particularly if thenew ecosystem lacks thepredators or pathogens oftheir own native range. Thecost of damage caused byIAS globally is estimated atUSD1.4 trillion per annum.The Golden Apple Snail, Pomacea canaliculata, invades rice fields and attacks young rice plantsThe globalization of tradeand industry has facilitatedthe mobility of people andgoods over the past decades.Its effect is the increasedassociated transportof animals, plants andmicro-organisms. Shipping,for one, is a major pathwayfor the unintentional introductionof aquatic invaderswhen, for instance, somespecies get carried eitherin the ballast water or otherparts of a vessel.In the ASEAN region, invasivealien species are becominga threat to biodiversityand the economy. Theyare a major driver of environmentalchange in the region,placing considerableconstraints on environmentalconservation, economicgrowth, and sustainabledevelopment. The Conventionon Biological Diversity(CBD) calls on Parties to“prevent the introductionof, control or eradicatethose alien species whichthreaten ecosystems, habitatsor species (Article 8h).”It has also developed aset of guidelines to assistcountries with the implementationof this article.With fi nancial assistancefrom the European Union,the ACB implemented theJoint Research/Initiativeson Biodiversity Programmefrom 2008 to 2010. Throughthis programme, the ACBprovided technical and fi nancialaid in the implementationof high quality researchprojects aimed at addressingpriority problems in thefi eld of biodiversity conservationin the ASEAN regionand at promoting regionalbridging of institutions andindividuals. From September2009 to June 2010,Viet Nam implemented theproject “Research on Solutionsto Control the Spreadof Mimosa pigra in Viet Namand ASEAN Countries”,which thoroughly describedthe characteristics and distributionof Mimosa pigra in18ASEAN BIODIVERSITY • MAY - AUGUST 2011www.aseanbiodiversity.org

SPECIAL REPORTViet Nam, and the proposedsolutions for the preventionand control of spread of theIAS.Lessons learned andways forwardTo manage and conserveforests effectively and to addressthe causes of deforestationand biodiversity loss,forest management andconservation are continuouslyevolving. Forest conservationis becoming morecomplex as conservationistsattempt to understand andaccommodate the needsand rights of people wholive in and around forests(FAO, 2011).There is a need to providethe ASEAN HeritageParks with continued supportso that countries candemonstrate that they caneffectively manage theparks. This could encouragemore partners to supporton-the-ground projectsthat will benefit theparks directly.One of the key challengesin halting biodiversityloss is the involvement ofthe larger stakeholder basebeyond environment andconservation practitioners.Awareness campaignsmust also target not onlythe general public, but alsothose outside of the environmentsector, primarilythe economic developmentsectors.Biodiversity must bemainstreamed outside ofthe environment domaininto all relevant and sectoralpolicies and plans. Asthe economic sector beginsto embrace biodiversityand adopt sustainablestrategies, direct impact onbiodiversity is reduced andecosystems services areenhanced.The implementation ofNational Biodiversity Strategiesand Action Plans(NBSAPs) must occur at allsectors and integrate biodiversityinto national policiesOne of the keychallenges inhalting biodiversityloss is theinvolvementof the largerstakeholderbase beyondenvironment andconservationpractitioners.and programs on fisheries,forestry and trade; and intonational poverty and developmentplans, includingMillennium DevelopmentGoals (MDG) strategies.A better understandingof the value of biodiversitycan boost political supportto effect changes in the waywe do things and furthermobilize financial resourcesto address the threats anddrivers of biodiversity andecosystems loss. The Economicsof Ecosystems andBiodiversity 2009, whichpromotes the value of naturalwealth from ecosystemsservices, must continue toearn recognition and understandingat the highestpolitical level and amongthe economic sectors.There is a great potentialfor raising revenues fromREDD in Indonesia andCambodia. There is, however,a need to undertake majorimprovements in the institutionalcapacities of REDDcountries for such potentialrevenues to be realized.In recent fora, the AMShave acknowledged theneed to implement currentcommitments on forests,biodiversity and climatechange; develop nationalinformation sharing networks;and foster greatercapacity building on technicalissues. There is alsoa need to integrate forest-related commitments intonational development plansand strategies; integrateand harmonize multi-sectoralapproaches; encouragemechanisms for benefitsharing; and promotegreater synergy betweenthe work of CBD, the UnitedNations Forum on Forests(UNFF) and the UnitedNations Framework Conventionon Climate Change(UNFCCC). (SCBD, 2009).Biodiversity contributesto business and development.Engaging the businesscommunity and theprivate sector in promotingbiodiversity and businessinitiatives has been one ofthe emerging key strategiesto halt the loss of biodiversity.Business thriveson biodiversity – pharmaceuticals,petroleum, biotechnologyor manufacture– all are in one way or another,beneficiaries of thecomponents of biodiversity.Big companies engagingon CSR investments, suchas support to rehabilitationof degraded ecosystems,must be acknowledgedand promoted. The TEEBfor Business (2010) has reaffirmedthat the businessopportunity for biodiversityand the natural ecosystemsis getting stronger.Biodiversity capturesmedia coverage and publicawareness and gainsthe attention of leadershipsprimarily when driven byunusual and extraordinaryevents. Sustained and concertedcampaigns necessaryto reducing ecosystemsand biodiversity lossare sorely lacking.The ASEAN region isnot only home to biologicallysignificant speciesand ecosystems, but alsoto globally significant andworthy individuals andgroups who can championthe cause of conservation.The ACB heralds thoselittle but worthwhile initiativesthat civil society or-ganizations, the youth, andregular individuals are ableto do to impact on societyat large. •*Dr. Filiberto A. Pollisco, Jr.and Mr. Norman EmmanuelC. Ramirez are ProgrammeDevelopment Specialist andProgramme ManagementOfficer, respectively, at theASEAN Centre for Biodiversity.References:ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity.2010. ASEAN Biodiversity Outlook.Philippines. 208 pages.ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity.2010. The ASEAN HeritageParks: A Journey to theNaturalWonders of Southeast Asia.Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines.310 pages.Food and Agriculture Organizationof the United Nations.Forest Biodiversity accessedon 12 September 2011 atftp://ftp.fao.org/paia/biodiversity/forest_biod_en.pdf.Secretariat of the Conventionon Biological Diversity. 2009.Report of the Sub-RegionalCapacity Building Workshopon Forest Biodiversity and ClimateChange. 2-5 September2009, Singapore.Secretariat of the Conventionon Biological Diversity.2010. Fact Sheet on ForestBiodiversity accessed on 12September 2011 at http://www.cbd.int/iyb/doc/prints/factsheets/iyb-cbd-factsheetforest-en.pdf.Secretariat of the Conventionon Biological Diversity. 2011.Report of the Asia-PacificRegional Consultation andCapacity Building Workshopon Reducing Emissions fromDeforestation and ForestDegradation in DevelopingCountries (REDD-Plus), Includingon Relevant BiodiversitySafeguards. 15-18 March2011, Singapore.World Bank. Biodiversity andForests at a Glance accessedon 12 September2011 at http://siteresources.worldbank.org/ESSDNETWORK/64158610-1111583197441/20488129/BiodiversityAndForestsAtAGlance.pdfMAY - AUGUST 2011 • ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 19

SPECIAL REPORTResearchers inspect trees at a protected area.Forestry cooperationin the ASEAN regionRecognizing the need to conserve itsforest ecosystem, the Association ofSoutheast Asian Nations (ASEAN) hasin place a policy framework for forestry cooperation.Policy coordination and decision-makingon regional cooperation in the forest sector isthe task of the ASEAN Senior Officials on Forestry(ASOF) guided by the ASEAN Ministers onAgriculture and Forestry (AMAF).The AMAF is the highest body which handlesthe ASEAN Cooperation in Food, Agriculture andForestry. It is supported by the Senior OfficialsMeeting (SOM-AMAF). Under the SOM-AMAFseveral permanent subsidiary bodies (Board,Sectoral Working Group, Committee) are incharge of the respective cooperation sectors.The permanent subsidiary bodies establish taskforces, expert and working groups, e.g., theASEAN Experts Group on International ForestPolicy Processes (AEG-IFPP) and the ASEANWorking Group on a Pan-ASEAN Timber CertificationInitiative (AWG-C), to undertake planningand implementation of specific activities withina specific time-frame.The ASOF are responsible for policy coordinationand decision-making in regional cooperationin the forest sector. Under the ASOF,seven experts as well as working groups wereestablished to implement programs and activities,of which the AEG-IFPP and the AWG-C areof special interest for forest policy: 1) ASEANExperts Group on International Forest Policy20ASEAN BIODIVERSITY • MAY - AUGUST 2011www.aseanbiodiversity.org

SPECIAL REPORTProcesses (AEG-IFPP). TheAEG-IFPP deals with issuessuch as Sustainable ForestManagement (SFM), nationalforest programs (NFP),Forest Law Enforcementand Governance (FLEG),and Reducing Emissionsfrom Deforestation andDegradation (REDD); 2)ASEAN Working Group ona Pan-ASEAN Timber CertificationInitiative (AWG-C).Understanding forest andtimber certification as animportant tool for promotingSFM and in view of the increasingdemand for SFMcertifiedtimber worldwide,the Ad-Hoc Working Groupon a Pan-ASEAN TimberCertification Initiative (AWG)was created in 2002 to exploreconcrete measuresfor regional cooperation intimber certification betweenASEAN Member States;3) ASEAN Experts Group(AEG) on CITES (Conventionon International Tradein Endangered Species ofWild Fauna and Flora); 4)ASEAN Wildlife EnforcementNetwork (ASEAN-WEN); 5) ASEAN SocialForestry Network (ASFN);6) ASEAN Experts Group(AEG) on Research and Developmentfor Forest Products;and 7) ASEAN ExpertsGroup (AEG) on Herbal andMedical Plants.ASEAN cooperationASEAN cooperationin the agricultural sectorstarted as early as 1968,including food productionand supply. In 1977, thescope of cooperation wasbroadened to cover thegreater area of agricultureand forestry as the needshave increased. Currently,the specific areas underthe ASEAN cooperation infood, agriculture and forestryincludes food security,food handling, crops,livestock, fisheries, agriculturaltraining and extension,agricultural cooperatives,forestry and jointcooperation in agriculture,and forest products promotionscheme.The basic objective ofthe ASEAN Cooperation inFood, Agriculture and Forestryis to formulate andimplement regional cooperationactivities to enhancethe international competitivenessof ASEAN’s food,agriculture and forestryproducts as well as furtherstrengthen the food securityarrangement in theregion and joint position ininternational forums.The ASEAN Socio-CulturalCommunity (ASCC)Blueprint ensures environmentalsustainability. Thisincludes, among others, intensifiedregional cooperationon global environmentalissues, conservation ofbiological diversity, as wellas promotion of sustainableforest management(SFM) and eradication ofunsustainable practicesincluding combating illegallogging and its associatedtrade. In order to addressenvironmental issues effectively,the ASCC Blueprintcalls for a holisticapproach in regional cooperation.In forest policy, ASEANMember States have beenpursuing a comprehensivepolicy approach by implementingthe concept ofNFP. In order to achieveSFM, the NFP has been theframework for the work ofthe ASOF and their expertand working groups.Further basic policy documentsinclude the ASEANVision 2020, released inPhoto courtesy of Green CommunityASEAN RegionalKnowledgeNetworksThe ASEAN RegionalKnowledge Networks(ARKNs) on FLEG andREDD were establishedbased on the decisionsof the Eleventh Meetingof the ASOF, held inKuala Lumpur, Malaysiaon July 31 - August 1,2008, to promote theuse of regional knowledgenetwork, amongothers, to broadenthe ASEAN base ofknowledge in forestry.The main objective ofthese Networks is tosupport ASOF and theAMAF in decision-makingand implementationprocesses by providingspecific policy-orientedand focused researchand policy analysis.December 1997, which underlinesthe region’s commitmentfor a common understandingto “promote theforestry sector as a modelin forest management,conservation and sustainabledevelopment”. ThisVision is further elaboratedthrough the adopted Declarationof ASEAN Concord II(Bali Concord II) in October2003 where ASEAN underscoredits commitmentto the Johannesburg Planof Implementation of theWorld Summit on SustainableDevelopment (WSSD).The ASEAN Vision 2020calls for the promotion offorestry as a model for sustainabledevelopment byharmonizing environmental,social, and economic policiesamong the ten MemberStates. Creating conditionsfavorable to SFM - an entrypoint for governance reform- is a key national and regionalpublic managementchallenge.MAY - AUGUST 2011 • ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 21

SPECIAL REPORTASEAN ForestClearing-HouseMechanismThe ASEAN ForestClearing-House Mechanism(CHM) is a regional learningplatform to facilitateforest policy coordinationand policy learning amongthe ASEAN Member Statesand beyond. It is designedto promote networking andholistic knowledge managementbetween ASEANstakeholders, processesand institutions. The toolis managed by the ASEANSecretariat and serves asan institutional hub of thenew networked and knowledge-basedASEAN. It isan essential instrument ofinformation and knowledgesharing and communicationfor forestry-related ASEANmechanisms, such asASEAN expert and workinggroups and the ASEANknowledge networks, andhelps organizing exchangeof experiences as well aslearning processes amongthem.The CHM is also a toolto enhance communicationand interaction with otherASEAN stakeholders andthe broader public. Sinceits first launch in 2004, theCHM has been evolvingfrom managing data and informationtowards capturingknowledge (e.g. seriesof ASEAN-German ReFOPBriefing Papers, ARKNBriefing Papers) and translatingknowledge into applicationand innovation. Thelatter includes the CHM’srole as a communicationplatform for the ASEAN RegionalKnowledge Networks(ARKN) on forest policy prioritiesin the region whichare FLEG and forests andclimate change, in particularREDD. The ARKNs providepolicy-oriented research tobetter inform policy decision-makingand implementationby the AMAF/ASOF.The ASEAN Secretariatmanages the interface betweenthese complementaryformal and informalmechanisms, among others,through the CHM.In this context, the CHMsignificantly contributesto oversee the complexityand interconnectednessof forest policy issues andprocesses. In the currentphase of development, focuswill be on the humandimension of KM, e.g., capturingtacit knowledge (e.g.,policy briefs by ARKN members,lessons learned) andmanaging exchange andnetworking among ASEANstakeholders.The CHM provides all usersaccess to work-relatedinformation and knowledgeand enables them to makecontact with the respectivesources. While managed bythe ASEAN Secretariat, theASOF community, membersof the regional knowledgenetworks, ASEAN partnersand other ASEAN stakeholdersare responsible foractively producing, uploadingand maintaining their respectiveproducts retainingfull responsibility and ownershipof their inputs intothe CHM. This custodianshipis important becauseit places the responsibilityfor timelines, maintenance,access and other issuessquarely where it belongs,on the initial producer orprovider. However, equallypertinent is a mechanismof quality control and standardizationto be overseenby the ASEAN Secretariat.Sustainable ForestManagementSustainable Forest Management(SFM) aims toensure that products andsocial, cultural, and environmentalservices providedby forests meet the needsof the current generation,while at the same timemaintaining their availabilityfor the development needsof future generations. Despitea long history of forestconversion and forest degradationdue to unsustainablelogging practices, thenatural forests of SoutheastAsia still constitute an immenserenewable resourceand provide vital contributionsto the economic andsocial development of theregion. Invariably, the countriesof the region are committedto the principle ofSFM, as expressed in theirrespective forest policiesand/or sector strategies. Inline with international policydebates (e.g., UNCED,1992: Rio Declaration andForest Principles) the definitionof SFM applied bythese countries has graduallyevolved from a focus onsustained timber productionto sustainable forest managementthat embracesthe full range of economic,environmental and socialaspects.ASEAN Criteria andIndicators for SustainableManagement of TropicalForestsCriteria and indicatorsfor sustainable forestForests provide a host ofproducts such as woodenfurniture.22ASEAN BIODIVERSITY • MAY - AUGUST 2011www.aseanbiodiversity.org

SPECIAL REPORTmanagement were developedto provide countrieswith a framework for definingsustainable forestmanagement and assessingprogress towards thisgoal. They are tools to helpidentify trends in the forestsector and the effects offorest management interventionsover time, andto facilitate decision makingin national forest policyprocesses. The ultimateaim of these tools is topromote improved forestmanagement practicesover time, and to foster thedevelopment of a healthierand more productive forestresource base.A total set of seven criteriafor monitoring and assessingsustainable managementof tropical forests in ASEANwere identifi ed, as well as 59indicators. These indicatorscover a range of forestry aspectsrequired to attain sustainableforest management,from economic and institutionalframeworks; descriptionof resource base andconservation and protectionprocedures; areas damagedby human activities andnatural causes; resourceassessment and planningprocedures for forest harvesting;species and geneticdiversity; managementguidelines for reduced/lowimpact logging; the protectionof soil productivity anddownstream catchment values;and endangered, rareand threatened species, includingprocedures for theirmonitoring and evaluation;utilization of wood and nonwoodforest products; andemployment; to communityparticipation.Monitoring, Assessmentand Reporting Formatfor Sustainable ForestManagement in ASEANAchieving sustainablemanagement of forest isthe ultimate goal of anyforest management practices.All forest organizationsand forest owners,especially those directly involvedin the management,conservation and developmentof forest resourcesare responsible to carryout effective monitoring,assessment and reportingon the forest managementpractices implemented,based on the principles ofsustainable forest managementthrough the use ofagreed criteria and indicators.They are tools to helpidentify trends in the forestsector and the effects offorest management interventionsover time, andto facilitate decision makingin national forest policyprocesses.National ForestProgramsIn order to address environmentalissues effectively,the ASCC Blueprint callsfor a holistic approach inregional cooperation. In forestpolicy, ASEAN MemberStates have been pursuinga comprehensive policy approachby implementingthe concept of national forestprograms (NFP). Theconcept is based on the“Forest Principles”, agreedat the UN Conference onEnvironment and Developmentin 1992 in Rio asthe first global consensuson the management, conservationand sustainabledevelopment of all types offorests.An NFP constitutes aparticipatory, holistic, inter-sectoraland iterativeprocess of policy planning,implementation, monitoringand evaluation atnational and subnationallevel with the objective ofSFM as a contribution tosustainable development.NFPs are country-specific,though following specificprinciples: nationalsovereignty and countryleadership with a clearcommitment to SFM andassuming responsibilityfor global concerns whilestrengthening coordinationof international support toadvance the country-drivenNFP process; consistencywithin and beyondthe forest sector addressingdecentralization anddevolution efforts as wellas integrating SFM intooverarching processes atthe national level such asnational strategies for sustainabledevelopment, relevantnational action plansand poverty reductionstrategies; and partnershipand participation with aview of finding consensusamong stakeholders, resolvingconflicts and buildingalliances, paired withtransparency and publicaccountability.NFP processes are flexiblein integrating new challengesand policy agendasderiving from the internationaldiscussion, such asFLEGT and REDD. Theycombine protection andsustainable use of naturalresources with economicand social development,thus reflecting key intentionsof the ASEAN Charterand the ASEAN Declarationon Environmental Sustainability.Forest and TimberCertificationIn view of the worldwideincreasing demand for certifiedtimber, and understandingforest and timbercertification as an importanttool for promoting SFM, anumber of ASEAN MemberStates embarked during the1990s on the developmentof national forest and timbercertification schemes.Several national standardsfor forest certification ofnatural and planted forestswere created, taking intoaccount the design of IT-TOs C&I for SFM of naturaltropical forests and/orFSCs Principles and Criteriafor forest. On ASEANlevel, Regional Criteria andIndicators for SustainableManagement of NaturalTropical Forests were publishedin 2000.ASEAN Working Groupon a Pan-ASEAN TimberCertification Initiative(AWG-C)Within the ASEAN MemberStates, the enablingconditions and the situationin the context of forestcertification vary significantly.This led to theestablishment of the TechnicalWorking Group on aPan-ASEAN Timber CertificationInitiative (AWG-C),entrusted with the developmentof a regional guidelinefor a Phased-approach toForest Certification (PACt).The guideline or regionalpolicy framework shall supporta step-by-step processto achieve SFM withineach member state. Theworking group ranked thedevelopment of a regionaltimber legality standard asthe first phase of the PACt.In this context, the groupagreed on six elements tobe included in the regionaltimber legality standard,and currently drafts the relatedcriteria and indicatorsof the standard, to be furtherinterpreted on memberstate level.The AWG currently developsthe criteria and indicatorsof the ASEAN timberlegality standard (based onthe agreed upon six elements)and drafts a regionalguideline on Chain-of-Custody(CoC). National interpretationsof the regionaltimber legality standardshall follow. The AWG conductedseveral capacitybuildingactivities on certification,legality verificationand changing requirementsof international timber markets.•Reference:http://www.aseanforestchm.orgMAY - AUGUST 2011 • ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 23

SPECIAL REPORTReducing Emissions fromDeforestation andForest DegradationForests are home to nearly 90 percentof the world’s biodiversity (World Bank2004). Local communities depend onforests as a source of fuel, food, medicines andshelter. It directly supports the livelihoods of 90percent of the 1.2 billion people living in extremepoverty (World Bank 2004). Forests also provideessential ecosystem services such as watershedprotection, water fl ow regulation, nutrient cycling,rainfall generation and disease regulation(Global Canopy Foundation 2009). Old growthforest absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere,offsetting man-made emissions.Previous approaches to reduce emissionshave been unsuccessful. A new framework, ReducingEmissions from Deforestation and ForestDegradation (REDD), was conceptualizedwith the basic idea being that “countries thatare willing and able to reduce emissions fromdeforestation should be financially compensatedfor doing so”.REDD is primarily about emission reductions.The UNFCCC (2007) COP13 reports that tomitigate climate change, REDD should includethe following: policy approaches and positiveincentives on issues relating to the reduction ofemissions from deforestation and forest degradationin developing countries; and the roleof conservation, the sustainable managementof forests, and enhancement of forest carbonstocks in developing countries.More recently, the “Plus” in REDD-Plus hasattracted increasing attention towards activitiesrelated to the conservation and enhancementof carbon stocks. This could address climatechange and rural poverty while conserving biodiversityand sustaining vital ecosystem services.During the ASEAN Conference on Biodiversityin October 2009, it was acknowledged thatdeforestation leads to loss of species, as wellas the increase of greenhouse gas emissions to24ASEAN BIODIVERSITY • MAY - AUGUST 2011www.aseanbiodiversity.org

SPECIAL REPORTthe atmosphere. The conferenceparticipants generallyagreed to pursue REDDas a key strategy to climatechange adaptation andmitigation efforts, as wellas biodiversity conservationin the region, provided thatthe approach be appliedto all ecosystems and noton terrestrial ecosystemsalone; and that it should befocused more towards regionalperspectives ratherthan mainly at the countryand local levels. Numerousissues surrounding REDDremain under negotiation.Significant messages thatcame out of the conferencewere:• The definition of “forest”must be reviewedin light of the UNFCCCdefinition, which considers“plantations”of any tall growingmonoculture (e.g. oilpalm) as “forest.”• REDD+ has to pursuelong-term goals withambitious targets, thatis: to halve the grossdeforestation/forestdegradation by 2010and halt it by 2030.Its long-term approachshould includeall land uses; but forthe short- to mediumterm:to review andimplement the previousagreements onREDD before expandingits scope further.• REDD mechanismsmust begin by havingfirm agreements at thesmallest-scale andmost local level beforeit is elevated to higherground.• Communication andpublic awareness activitieson REDD mustbe enhanced; moreinvolvement and participationfrom keystakeholders, includingindigenous peoplesand the businesssector, must be encouragedon climatechange and other environmentalagenda.• Financing mechanismsand schemesmust be studied thoroughlyto determinewhether to continueunder governmentsupport or move towardsself-financing.• A general frameworkis needed – flexibleenough to meet thedifferent countries’needs.The ASEAN region showcasessome successfulREDD initiatives, specifi callyin Cambodia and Viet Nam.CambodiaThe REDD project in theSeima Biodiversity ConservationArea (SBCA) isthe second REDD pilot sitein Cambodia, but the fi rstone in a conservation area.The area used to be a loggingconcession prior tothe creation of the SBCA in2002. It is inhabited by theBunong minority, an indigenouspeoples group thatis described as having lowliteracy, small in numbersand of weak political clout.In determining the successof a REDD project, accuratepredictions of deforestationrates must be determined.This can provide sound estimatesof tons of carbon thatcan be saved. Furthermore,the REDD management systemmust be able to providestrong additionality, and lawenforcement activities andcommunity incentives forforest protection must beincluded in the strategy. Theproject offi cially began inOctober 2008. The fi rst activitiesincluded staff training,actual data collectionfor carbon stock surveys,and baseline analysis to recordand project deforestationrates. Fundraising forimplementation is ongoing,along with the writing andcertifi cation of the ProjectDesign Document. In sixto twelve months, the fi rstcredits will be ready to bebrought to market.Viet NamIn Viet Nam, there existsthe potential and willingnesson the part of governmentto include REDDas part of its strategy onclimate change response.A national framework hasbeen developed, particularlyin linking it with the existingpolicy on PES. Start-upNew publication outlines biodiversity elementsfor design and implementation of REDD-Plusnew report from the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity(CBD), REDD-Plus and Biodiversity (CBD Technical Series No. 59),Aprovides technical and scientific information on the ways to ensure that thedesign and implementation of REDD-plus policies support the objectivesof the CBD.REDD-Plus refers to policies for reducing emissions from deforestationand forest degradation, conservation of forest carbon stocks, sustainablemanagement of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developingcountries that are promoted under the United Nations FrameworkConvention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).The REDD-Plus and Biodiversity report aims to: outline potential benefi tsof REDD-Plus for biodiversity and indigenous and local communities; demonstratethe importance of biodiversity and indigenous and local communityco-benefi ts for the long-term success of REDD-Plus; outline possible risksof REDD-Plus for biodiversity and indigenous and local communities, witha view to contributing to the development or improvement of appropriatepolicy recommendations; outline ways in which the CBD can contribute tothe success of REDD-Plus, and in turn, outline the potential ways in whichREDD-Plus can contribute to the objectives of the CBD; and present varioustools for achieving multiple benefi ts in planning and implementing REDD-Plusactivities. •MAY - AUGUST 2011 • ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 25

SPECIAL REPORTMajestic treesactivities include partneringwith international donoragencies in reviewing REDDmethodologies and settingup national institutionalmechanisms. Capacitybuilding activities are beingundertaken, from technicalworkshops to public awareness-raisingand the establishmentof public-privatepartnerships.Prospects are bright forREDD to be established inthe country. However, thereare a number of challengesand constraints that needto be overcome in order toPhoto courtesy of Nonie Reyes, BusinessMirrormeet Viet Nam’s REDD targets.In terms of implementationissues, for instance,purchases are made at theglobal level, making monitoringmuch harder and morecomplex. There are also issueson co-benefi ts, how toput proper systems in placeto allow the proper assessmentof benefi ts, and wherecarbon sequestration effortscan be undertaken to optimizeco-benefi ts within thecountry. Agencies primarilyresponsible for REDD haveto be established. There isalso the need to establishgovernance mechanismsthat will allow proper measurementand the equitabletransfer of payments fromthe buyers to all stakeholders.REDD activities may leadto losses or costs in otherconservation programs orareas, thus resulting in leakage.One way to avoid thisis to establish a national accountingsystem to take allbenefits and costs into account.Viet Nam is interestedin cooperating with itsneighbors to start work onan international accountingsystem in order to avoidleakage at the internationallevel. •ASEAN Biodiversity OutlookASEAN Biodiversity magazine onlineFor in-depth information and news on biodiversity across SoutheastAsia, check out the ASEAN Biodiversity Newsmagazine, the quarterlyinternational publication of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB)!ASEAN Biodiversity features special reports on biodiversity-relatedthemes in the ASEAN context, such as climate change, ecotourism,transboundary protected areas, and ASEAN Heritage Parks. Profi les onprotected areas provide information on the status of habitats and wildlife,and interesting activities in the parks. A pull-out section on specifi cspecies can be interesting reference materials for researchers andstudents. The magazine also features ongoing programs and activities ofACB that assist ASEAN Member States in addressing various biodiversityconservation issues.ACB welcomes contributions from volunteer writers and photographerswho want to help popularize biodiversity. Interested parties may contactMr. Rolando Inciong, Editor-in-Chief of ASEAN Biodiversityat rainciong@aseanbiodiversity.org, or Ms. Leslie Castillo atlavjose@aseanbiodiversity.org, or call ACB at (+632) 928-3210and (+632) 929-4147.For more information visit the ACB website atwww.aseanbiodiversity.org.26ASEAN BIODIVERSITY • MAY - AUGUST 2011www.aseanbiodiversity.org

SPECIAL REPORTWood and plant debris after floodPhoto by IsmailWatershed and biodiversityBy Ega Denaswidhi*Biodiversity is defined as total diversity notonly in the species and genetic levels,but also in diversity in the level of ecosystemsand habitats as a result of the interactionbetween living things with the physicalenvironment where they live.Watershed as an ecosystem is part ofEarth’s biodiversity. There are ecosystems inwatershed areas. These include forest ecosystem,river stream ecosystem, lake or pond ecosystem,farmland ecosystem in downstream ofriver, where all are influenced and connectedby biophysical condition of watershed.When a watershed is good condition, thismeans that the relationships among all componentsincluding biotic and abiotic factors suchas flora, fauna, topographic condition, slope,rock and soil type, climatic condition, and humanactivity, are balanced. A healthy watershedis one that is able to maintain natural biodiversity.Sustainability can also be determined fromthe watershed’s physical condition. Indicatorsof good physical condition include vegetationcover, water flow continuity, erosion and sedimentationon river body or river banks.A healthy watershed provides priceless environmentalservices and benefits for humansand their livelihood. Watershed can ensure theavailability of fresh potable water, maintain waterfor farmland irrigation, control flood, producefresh air for humans to breathe, and keepsoils fertile in order to maintain the productivityof farms. Watershed can also be used for educationalpurposes like research and recreation.Biodiversity can be well protected in a healthywatershed environment. Watershed provides acomfortable habitat for many plant and animalspecies.A degraded watershed is characterized byextreme erosion and sedimentation, drought indry season, and extreme and muddy streamsin wet season. Degradation results in sedimentationand reduced vegetation cover in theupstream side. Such condition can no longersupport animal and plant populations. Habitatdestruction in watershed areas will haveMAY - AUGUST 2011 • ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 27

SPECIAL REPORTSediment in downstream, sometimes use as fishpondsfar-reaching effects. Dueto degradation, watershedwill lose its ability to catchwater, contributing to theeffects of drought, flood,landslides and loss of soilfertility. Biodiversity mayalso decrease in qualityand quantity owing to thelack of water supply fromthe watershed. In the end,this will be detrimental tohuman life.The drivers of watersheddegradation include landuse transformation fromforest land to farmland orcommercial plantation andfrom forest to settlementand construction; landtenure problems; populationgrowth; and climatechange. The expansion ofcultivated area for agricultureand plantations, sometimesignoring conservationrules, accelerate land deg-Bare land for farmland and plantationPhoto by IsmailPhoto by Ega Denaswidhiradation in watershed areas.This also contributes to rapidsoil erosion, resulting in adecline in soil nutrition andproductivity. The expansionof cultivated land also leadsto a decline in biodiversityat the species level whenthe diversity of forest plantsis transformed into one ortwo commercial plantationcrops. In addition, plantationcrops do not contributeto soil fertility.One example is theUtan Watershed, one ofthe small watersheds inSumbawa Island, WestNusa Tenggara Province,Indonesia. Located in thewestern part of SumbawaIsland, the watershed covers19,254.84 hectares,administratively throughtwo District areas and eightvillages and a river calledBrang Utan. The Utan Watershedarea is covered byprimary forest as protectedforest and limited productionforest zone. The mainforest vegetations includeKetemis, Telutu, Beringin(Ficus benjamina L) andAsem (Tamarindus indica).According to Bird Life International(2001), SumbawaIsland is an endemic birdsarea for several birds speciessuch as Burung madumentari (Nectarinia solatis)and pergam punggung hitam(Ducula lacernulata).Land use transformationis evident in the middle anddownstream of the UtanWatershed, dominated bydryland agriculture, plantations,shrubland, and somesavana’s. Grazing cattleand goats usually can beseen in the area, since amajority of the residentsare farmers. Further downstream,one can encountermore and more paddyfield (sawah) and shrublandwhich are poor in biodiversity.Human intervention inthe area’s land managementhas resulted in thedecline of biodiversity atthe species level.While human activity hasa number of negative influenceon watersheds, humanscan also have positivecontributions when theyact as planners and implementersof conservationin watershed areas. Manyland and forest rehabilitationprograms are establishedto restore watershedcondition. These programsare also used to improveecosystems as biodiversityat the habitat level.Governments must takethe lead in promoting cooperationamong the publicand private sectors, localgovernment, indigenouspeoples and non-governmentorganizations and allthose involved in exploitingforest and watershedresources. Reforestationprograms such as PeopleSeeds Garden, Social Forestry,Seed for People, OneMan One Tree and One BillionIndonesia Tree for theWorld are just some of theprograms initiated by theIndonesian government inthe framework of land andforest rehabilitation.Some sectors believethat these programs cannotreach the target of rehabilitatingforests as speciesthat are being used forreplanting are not alwaysthe same type of vegetationthat used to cover degradedforests. In suchsituation, the decrease inbiodiversity at species levelwill continue. But wide andmassive-scale planting ofeven just one type of speciesin watershed ecosystemsmay still promote thereturn of normal river ecosystem,including the restorationof hydrological functions.This could provideopportunities for endemicspecies to return and live insuch habitat.Land and forest rehabilitationmovements muststart now, because onetree felled may result in tendisasters. •*Mr. Ega Denaswidhi, S.Siis a Forest EcosystemController with DodokanMoyosari WatershedManagement Agency.28ASEAN BIODIVERSITY • MAY - AUGUST 2011www.aseanbiodiversity.org

SPECIAL REPORTNew global study showshigh reliance onforests among rural poorThe size ofenvironmentalincomes,e.g., wood,game, plants,and otherresourcesharvestedfrom the wild,has until nowbeen poorlydocumented,and is notobviousto mostpolicymakers.IPhoto courtesy of Animo Ltd.ncome from forests and other naturalenvironments makes a significant contributionto the livelihoods of millions ofpeople in developing countries, according to asix-year global study that has documented forthe first time on such a scale the role that theenvironment plays in poverty alleviation.“The results underscore the importance ofsustainably managing forests and other naturalenvironments in developing countries becausethey provide income to many of the world’spoorest people,” said Frances Seymour, DirectorGeneral of the Center for International ForestryResearch (CIFOR), which carried out thestudy.The size of environmental incomes, e.g.,wood, game, plants, and other resources harvestedfrom the wild, has until now been poorlydocumented, and is not obvious to most policymakers.Many existing tools for assessingpoverty and income – such as poverty reductionstrategy plans, poverty surveys, the WorldBank’s Living Standard Measurement Survey,and national income accounting systems – fallshort of capturing the importance of the incomefrom natural resources, so that its true value inthe livelihoods of the world’s rural poor remainslargely invisible.The Poverty and Environment Network (PEN)study consists of data from more than 8,000households from 60 sites in 24 countries.Among those surveyed, forest income – onaverage – constitutes more than one-fifth oftotal household income, while environmentalincome (forest and non-forest) makes up morethan one fourth, according to the preliminarynumbers that come out of the study’s globaldata base.Another surprising finding of the PEN study isthat forests do not play a primary role as safetynets among the households in the survey.“Households respond to shocks mostly throughother coping strategies, such as reduced consumption,temporary employment, or seekingexternal assistance. Forests also seem tohave a less than expected role in terms of fillingseasonal income gaps, e.g., between crop harvests,although they may serve a role as a seasonalgap filler at some of the research sites,”said Sven Wunder, Principal Scientist at CIFOR,who has also been leading the study.Typically, all members of a household – men,women, and children – participate in the collectionand processing of forest products. Contraryto what has been claimed, men bring as muchor more forest products to the households aswomen, although there is a clear pattern ofwomen being more involved in subsistence usesand men in cash-earning activities. CIFORMAY - AUGUST 2011 • ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 29

SPECIAL REPORTNew publication outlinesbiodiversity elements fordesign and implementationof REDD-PlusAnew report from the Secretariat of theConvention on Biological Diversity(CBD), REDD-plus and Biodiversity (CBDTechnical Series No. 59) provides technicaland scientific information on the ways to ensurethat the design and implementation ofREDD-plus policies support the objectives ofthe CBD.REDD-plus refers to policies for reducingemissions from deforestation and forest degradation,conservation of forest carbon stocks,sustainable management of forests and enhancementof forest carbon stocks in developingcountries that are promoted under the UnitedNations Framework Convention on ClimateChange (UNFCCC).Photo courtesy of ZulkarnainIt is a growing conclusion that climatechange, land degradation and biodiversity areinterconnected, not only through the effects ofclimate change on biodiversity and land management,but also through the changes in biodiversityand ecosystem functioning that affectclimate change.Observed changes in climate have alreadyadversely affected biodiversity at the speciesand ecosystem levels, with further changesin biodiversity being inevitable with furtherchanges in climate. The degradation of manyecosystems is in turn significantly reducingtheir carbon storage and sequestration capacity,leading to increases in emissions of greenhousegases.30ASEAN BIODIVERSITY • MAY - AUGUST 2011www.aseanbiodiversity.org

SPECIAL REPORTREDD-plus may be partof the solution to simultaneouslycombat climatechange and save biodiversity.If well designed andimplemented, REDD-pluscan decrease emissions ofgreenhouse gases and provideconsiderable benefitsfor biodiversity and livelihoods.This potential has beenrecognized by the Parties tothe CBD, who invited Parties,other Governments,and relevant internationaland other organizations toensure that REDD-plus actionsdo not run counter tothe objectives of the CBD,but support the implementationof the program of workon forest biodiversity, andprovide biodiversity benefi tsfor forests, and, where possible,to indigenous and localcommunities (Decision IX/5).The REDD-plus and Biodiversityreport aims to: outlinepotential benefi ts of REDDplusfor biodiversity and indigenousand local communities;demonstrate the importanceof biodiversity and indigenousand local community co-benefits for the long-term successof REDD-plus; outline possiblerisks of REDD-plus forbiodiversity and indigenousand local communities, witha view to contributing to the“If we are going toachieve sustainabledevelopment, andavoid some ofthe devastatingimpacts ofclimate changeon biodiversity,it is imperativethat the globalcommunity findways to harmonizethe implementationof all three Rioconventions.”development or improvementof appropriate policy recommendations;outline ways inwhich the CBD can contributeto the success of REDD-plus,and in turn, outline the potentialways in which REDD-pluscan contribute to the objectivesof the CBD; and presentvarious tools for achievingmultiple benefi ts in planningand implementing REDD-plusactivities.The publication is also intendedto contribute to theachievement of the globalStrategic Plan for Biodiversity2011-2020, approvedat the most recent meetingof the Conference of theParties to the CBD, in October2010 in Japan. Of the20 targets to be achievedby 2020, agreed in Nagoya,the following four are mostrelevant in the context ofREDD-plus: Target 5 - toat least halve deforestation,and where feasible bringit close to zero; Target 7 -to manage all areas underforestry sustainably; Target11 - to conserve at least 17percent of terrestrial and inlandwater areas; and Target15 - to restore at least15 percent of degradedecosystems, thereby contributingto climate changemitigation and adaptationand to combating desertification.Mr. Ahmed Djoghlaf,Executive Secretary of theCBD, said: “If we are goingto achieve sustainable development,and avoid someof the devastating impactsof climate change on biodiversity,it is imperative thatthe global community findways to harmonize the implementationof all three Rioconventions. REDD-plusoffers such an opportunity.The Secretariat is pleasedto provide this detailedguidance, as a contributionto the ongoing discussionson the sustainable use offorest biodiversity.”The publication also contributesto a broader seriesof regional consultations andcapacity-building workshopsin 2011 and 2012, includingwith the participation of indigenousand local communities,as a means to consulteffectively with Parties andobtain their views on theapplication of relevant safeguardsfor biodiversity andother aspects of biodiversitywithin REDD-plus.This includes the identificationof possible indicatorsto assess the contributionof REDD-plus toachieving the objectives ofthe CBD, and to assess potentialapproaches to monitorimpacts on biodiversityfrom these and other ecosystem-basedactivities forclimate change mitigation.The advice on biodiversityaspects of REDD-plusdeveloped on the basis ofthese workshops and viewsreceived from Parties willbe presented to the COPfor approval at its eleventhmeeting, scheduled to takeplace in India in fall 2012.The document and theother activities of the CBDSecretariat in relation toREDD-plus are being undertakenwithout any intentionof pre-empting any futuredecisions taken underthe UNFCCC.This document and otherresults of the CBD processto develop advice on relevantbiodiversity safeguardsof REDD-plus, and otherinformation on biodiversityco-benefi ts of REDD-plus,will be made available to theUNFCCC through appropriatemeans, including to itsSubsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice(SBSTA) in the contextof its work on REDD-plussafeguards.The REDD-plus and Biodiversityreport is availableat: www.cbd.int/ts. •MAY - AUGUST 2011 • ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 31

SPECIAL SECTIONASEAN Champions ofBiodiversity announcedFrom mobilizing studentsto educatetheir fellow youth onthe values of biodiversity tosupporting forest researchto gather information on theimpact of climate change onforests, the winners of the fi rstASEAN Champions of Biodiversityawards are championingthe web of life in theirown spheres of infl uence.HSBC Brunei, the GMANetwork,s Born to be Wildtelevision program in the Philippines,and Green Communityyouth organization fromIndonesia are the winnersin the Business, Media andYouth categories, respectively,of the inaugural ASEANChampions of Biodiversity, theASEAN Centre for Biodiversity(ACB) announced.The announcement followedthe launch of the UnitedNations Decade in SoutheastAsia in Malacanang and formspart of the celebration of theInternational Day for BiologicalDiversity 2011 and the InternationalYear of Forests.Supported by the ASEANFoundation, the EuropeanUnion, GIZ, the Governmentof Japan through the Japan-ASEAN Solidarity Fund, theSecretariat of the Conventionon Biological Diversity, UNES-CO and the Asian Institute ofJournalism and Communication,the ASEAN Championsof Biodiversity is a recognitionprogram for ongoing projectson biodiversity conservationand advocacy in the ASEANregion. The award is aimed atgenerating greater leadership,public and media awarenessof the problems facing the region’srich but highly threatenedbiodiversity and the need for aconcerted effort in biodiversityconservation and advocacy.Mr. Boon Teck Lim, representing Business Sector Champion HSBC Brunei; Mr. Dhita PrasiscaMutiatari, representing Youth Sector Champion Green Community; and Mr. Kiko Rustia,representing Media Sector Champion Born to be Wild; with awards organizers Dr. AhmedDjoghlaf, executive secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity; Ms. Arantzazu Acha,project officer for environmental science unit of UNESCO-Jakarta, Mr. Rodrigo U Fuentes,executive director of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity; Dr. Berthold Seibert, project managerof the ACB-GIZ Climate Change Project; Dato Misran Karmain, ASEAN deputy secretary-generalfor ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community; and Dr. Makarim Wibisono, executive director of theASEAN Foundation.The champions from thebusiness, media and youthcategories received theiraward at a ceremony andforum held in the Philippines.HSBC Brunei was recognizedfor being the fi rst corporationto support the Heart of Borneo(HoB) Initiative and foradvancing climate change researchin the forests of Brunei.Born to be Wild topped theMedia Category for effectivelybridging the gap between scientistsand the public and forgoing the extra mile in assistingviewers in implementingtheir own conservation initiatives.The study group GreenCommunity won for its effortsto introduce young studentsto conservation at an earlyage and bringing the resultsof their biodiversity inventoryactivities to communities inSemarang, Indonesia.PTT Public Company Ltd.of Thailand and Chevron Philippines,Inc. won second andthird place in the BusinessCategory, while The BruneiTimes and the Philippines’BusinessMirror ranked secondand third in the Media Category.The second and third spotin the Youth Category werebagged by Sahabat Alam ofIndonesia and the ArchitecturalStudents’ Association ofthe Philippines – University ofthe Philippines Diliman Chapter(ASAPhil-UP).“The global target of significantly reducing biodiversityloss remains unmet. However,rather than dwell on this grimreality, the best approach is tomove forward and continue totake action. Now more thanever, biodiversity is in urgentneed of champions that peoplefrom various sectors canidentify with – modern-day heroeswho can inspire them totake action and conserve biodiversity.Through the ASEANChampions of Biodiversity, wewere fortunate to be acquaintedwith individuals and organizationswho are working toconserve the web of life,” Mr.Rodrigo U. Fuentes, executivedirector of ACB, said.32ASEAN BIODIVERSITY • MAY - AUGUST 2011www.aseanbiodiversity.org

SPECIAL SECTIONAccording to Dr. MakarimWibisono, executive directorof the ASEAN Foundation, thewinners truly exemplify a cadreof champions who will serveas ambassadors of goodwillfor biodiversity conservationand advocacy in the ASEANregion. “The ASEAN Championsof Biodiversity addressesthe lack of awareness ofASEAN especially among theyouth as well as the dearth ofinformation about biodiversityin the region. We hope ourChampions and their commitmentto biodiversity conservationwill inspire others togive importance and supportvarious efforts in preservingthe region’s rich biodiversity,”he said.For Dr. Ahmed Djoghlaf,executive secretary of theConvention on Biological Diversity,recognizing and promotingwork in biodiversityconservation is one of thebest ways to get biodiversityto the forefront of the internationalconsciousness. Hesays that this is particularlytrue for Southeast Asia, whichis home to almost a fi fth of allplant and animal species aswell as to a large proportion ofthe world’s population – overhalf a billion people.“Allow me to appeal togovernments, NGOs, themedia, businesses, youthand civil society to continuesupporting the ASEAN Centrefor Biodiversity and theChampions project. The actionsthat we take in the nextten years will determine thefuture of biodiversity for thenext centuries, if not millennia.Let us celebrate andemulate the work of Championsof Biodiversity, and, inso doing, realize a future oflife in harmony with nature,”he said.For more information onthe ASEAN Champions ofBiodiversity, log on to www.aseanbiodiversity.org or www.aseanfoundation.org. TheSecretariat may be reachedvia e-mail at champions@aseanbiodiversity.org.•1stPLACEBusiness Sector Champion: 1st PlaceNominated by: Ms. Noralinda Ibrahim, Senior ForestryOfficer, Forestry Department, Brunei DarussalamHSBC BruneiInvesting in Biodiversity ConservationMakes Sound Business SenseDeposits, withdrawals,loans, credit cards,investments, bills paymentand internet banking– all these come to mindwhen the word “bank” ismentioned. In the caseof HSBC in Brunei Darussalam,however, thebusiness of banking isnot confined to managingaccounts and handlingday-to-day transactions.With its climate changemitigation and biodiversityconservation activities inthe Heart of Borneo, theglobal bank is showingBruneians and the rest ofthe world that investing inthe environment makessound business sense.Supporting the Heartof Borneo InitiativeKnown for its uniquewildlife and pristine tropicalrainforests, the Heartof Borneo spans 22 millionhectares stretchingacross the territories ofHSBC staff help tag and measure trees.“As the leading globalfi nancial institutionwith 7,500 offi ces in87 countries, HSBCrecognizes the direct linkbetween the well-beingof the environment andthe sustainability of ourbusinesses.”– Mr. Vincent HoCEO, HSBC BruneiBrunei Darussalam, Indonesiaand Malaysia. Therainforest has more than15,000 species of floweringplants, including 3,000species of trees. It is alsohome to 13 different primates,including orangutansand proboscis monkeys.The Heart of Borneoprovides a habitat to 44endemic mammals suchas the rhino and dwarf elephants,and cradles 39endemic bird species, 160species of fish, 100 endemicamphibian species,47 lizards, and 41 snakes.This richness, however,is threatened by unsustainablelogging practices. Inthe mid-1990s, Borneo’sforest cover was calculatedat 75 percent. By 2005,only 50 percent remained.Borneo lost an average of850,000 hectares of annuallywithin that 15-yearperiod.Realizing the importanceof the Heart of Borneo,HSBC Brunei decided tolend its support to the conservationof the transbound-MAY - AUGUST 2011 • ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 33

SPECIAL SECTIONary ecosystem. For the bank,the Heart of Borneo representsthe only place remainingin Southeast Asia whereforests, biodiversity and itsecosystem services can stillbe conserved on a very largescale.“HSBC was the first corporationto support the initiativeback in April 2005when the Ministry of Industryand Primary Resources,aided by WWF, hosted anexploratory internationalworkshop to look into optionsfor joint conservationand sustainable developmentof a forested landscapeby the three Borneancountries. This led to theendorsement of the importanceof the Heart of BorneoInitiative at the ASEANand BIMP-EAGA Leaders’Summit in Kuala Lumpurin December 2005 and thehistoric Heart of BorneoDeclaration by the governmentsof Brunei, Indonesiaand Malaysia in February2007,” Dato’ Dr. Mikaail Kavanagh,Special Adviser toBrunei, WWF Heart of BorneoInitiative, said.According to Mr. BoonTeck Lim, HSBC Brunei’sManager for Corporate Sustainability,the bank’s supportfor the Heart of BorneoInitiative stems from its commitmentto the environment.“Borneo has one of the richestbiodiversity in the world,with many endemic species.Because of its forest cover,Borneo is also often beencalled the ‘third lung’ of theworld. Thus, conservingBorneo’s forest carries local,regional and global signifi -cance,” he said.Apart from supporting theworkshop in 2005, HSBC isalso helping the governmentof Brunei establish a “Heartof Borneo Center” which willoversee the implementationof Heart of Borneo-relatedactivities in the country.Signifi cant resources havebeen allocated to completethe center.A manager from the Centre of Tropical Forest Science briefs HSBC Climate Camp participantson collection methodology.An HSBC staff recordsdetails of a leafClimate Change ResearchFocusing on climatechange, HSBC committedUS$330,000 to supportresearch being conductedby the Centre ofTropical Forest Science(CTFS) of the SmithsonianTropical Research Institute.“Through the supportof HSBC, the University ofBrunei and international researchpartners establisheda 25-hectare long-term forestresearch plot in KualaBelalong. The research willprovide critical informationon the impact of climatechange on the forests ofBrunei, one of the most biodiverseforests in the world.The results will provide essentialinformation for forestHSBC and Brunei’s Forestry Department partnered for theGreen Wave tree planting campaign.management, contributingto crafting of policies thatwill help preserve the richbiodiversity of Brunei’s forests,”Mr. Stuart Davies, Directorof CTFS, said.Through the research,scientists aim to map, tag,identify and monitor over160,000 trees. “Work onthe plot is progressing well.So far, it is estimated thatwe have completed 40 percent,”Mr. Lim said.According to Mr. Davies,the bank’s contribution goesbeyond fi nancial sponsorship.“Through an innovativeprogram of employee engagement,HSBC staff workingas ‘citizen scientists’ haveparticipated in fi eld work tohelp scientists collect fi elddata. HSBC uses this opportunityto educate employeesabout the relationship amongclimate change, environmentaldegradation and biodiversityloss.”HSBC has a ClimateCamp, a two-day offsiteprogram that enables employeesto experience scientificresearch first-hand.Lectures and excursionshelp bank employees gaina better appreciation ofthe importance of preservingBrunei’s forests. Theprogram is organized byHSBC’s Climate Champions– employees who haveundergone an intensivetwo-week training programon climate change at theEarthwatch Institute.34ASEAN BIODIVERSITY • MAY - AUGUST 2011www.aseanbiodiversity.org

SPECIAL SECTIONReducing CarbonFootprintChanges are being madein the way HSBC Bruneiconducts business. In 2009,the bank implemented anew energy managementprogram which reduced itsenergy consumption by 22percent or 280 tons of carbondioxide emission. Thebank actively shares its carbonfootprint managementinitiatives to many companiesin Brunei.The bank undertook anintensive review of its operationsin a bid to reduce itspaper consumption. Oversix tons of paper or 640trees are saved annually.In 2010, it became the firstand only company in Bruneito use paper certified by theForest Stewardship Council(FSC). While a more costlyoption, FSC paper pulpscome from certified sustainablesources where theinterests of biodiversity andthe environment are protected.HSBC also saw a 42-percent reduction in its fleetfuel consumption and carbonemission when it useda hybrid car fleet.With these initiatives,HSBC Brunei was recognizedby the ASEAN Centrefor Energy as one of thecompanies with the bestenergy management practicesin Southeast Asia. Thecompany was second runnerup in the 2009 ASEANEnergy Awards.Working with theGovernmentIn partnership with Brunei’sForestry Department, HSBCsupported the Green Wave,a global tree planting campaignthat seeks to educatechildren and youth about theimportance of biodiversity. In2010, the company and theForestry Department organizedtree planting activitiesin 40 schools nationwide involvingover 4,000 students.Apart from leading the treeplanting activities, HSBCemployees also prepared apresentation on the value ofbiodiversity.Another governmentprogram supported by thebank is the Princess RashidahYoung Nature ScientistAward (PRYNSA), anannual competition thatrecognizes outstandingresearch proposals fromsecondary students. Thecompetition is a means ofboosting students’ competenceto become sciencebasedprofessionals whowill eventually lead Brunei inconservation efforts.HSBC also pioneered theEarth Hour Movement inBrunei as part of its effortsto engage its employees andthe general public in conservingthe environment.Sustaining ConservationEffortsFor HSBC Brunei, sustainabilityis key to successfulconservation programs.Investing in environmentaleducation for employeesand the general public andengaging various stakeholdersare the tools thatHSBC uses to ensure sustainability.“At HSBC, we understandthe intricate link betweenthe well-being of theenvironment and the sustainabilityof our business.As such, making positivecontribution to the developmentof the communityand environment is a globalmandate for HSBC officesaround the world. All operatingareas including HSBCBrunei are required to setaside annual budget to beused for community andenvironment developmentprojects,” Mr. Boon TeckLim said.He added that the bankhas two full-time staff whooversee the implementationof its Corporate SustainabilityStrategy. “To ensuresenior management commitmentand oversight, theManager for Corporate Sustainabilityreports directly toour country CEO and is amember of the senior managementteam.”HSBC Brunei takes anactive role in partnering withkey stakeholders. Accordingto Ms. Noralinda Ibrahim,Senior Forestry Officerfrom Brunei’s Forestry Department,a good exampleof such working relationshipis the Forest DynamicResearch Project wherescientific expertise comesfrom CTFS and UBD, whileHSBC provides financialsupport and employee participation.She noted thestrong partnership that thebank has formed with thegovernment.Measuring the distance of treesHSBC officer accepts recognition at the 2009ASEAN Energy AwardsMore ConservationProjects in the PipelineThe bank is set to supportnew initiatives such asthe environmental educationfield trips for SecondarySchool Students andthe Blue Flag Beach Certificationproject by a localnon-government organization.It also plans to beefup existing projects suchas the Green Wave, ClimateCamp and Nature Camp.“We are continuing to focuson the environment educationwith the hope thatmore youth and individualwill be inspired to adopt amore sustainable lifestyle,”Mr. Lim said.All these made HSBCBrunei a true ASEAN Championof Biodiversity. •MAY - AUGUST 2011 • ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 35

SPECIAL SECTION1stPLACEYouth Sector Champion: 1st PlaceNominated by: Prof. Dr. Sudijono Sastroatmojo,M.Si, Rector, Semarang State UniversityGreen CommunityInitiating Little Activities with Extraordinary ImpactsIn 2006, a group of Biologystudents from Indonesia’sSemarang State University(SSU) trooped to MountPrau in the Batang-WonosoboDistrict for a day ofmountain climbing. Littledid they know that the tripwill be a life-changing experience.What they expected tobe a lush and green forestaround the mountain turnedout to be a wasteland owingto massive deforestation,land clearing and illegalburning activities by locals.Their close encounter withthe sorry state of what wasonce a rich forest served asan eye-opener. They thoughtabout the impact of thisdamaged habitat to the speciesthat live in that forest.“What can biology studentslike us do to helpsave the environment?”they asked. Shortly after thetrip, they established GreenCommunity. In 2008, it becamea formal students’association. By 2009, itwas appointed by SSU tobecome a member of theCampus Conservation DevelopmentTeam.“Green Community is astudy group which focuseson the conservation of biodiversityand wildlife habitat.Our vision is to promote thesustainable management ofnatural resources and savebiodiversity through simplebut high-impact activities,”Mr. Dhita Prasisca Mutiatari,director of Green Community,said.Young PeopleTaking ActionComposed of 50 memberswho are between 19and 26 years old, GreenCommunity seeks to involvestudents in conservationinitiatives. Members areexpected to form a cadre ofenvironmentalists who willspread the word of conservation.According to Mr. Mutiatari,all members are studentsof SSU’s Department“Local action is animportant step towardhaving harmony betweenhuman and nature. Whilewe realize that this isnot a simple thing, wewill make it come trueby strengthening ourefforts. Our dream is forconservation to be a wayof life.”– Dhita Prasisca Mutiatari,Director, Green Communityof Biology. “Some memberswho have graduated are stillvery dedicated to the causeand help in various activitiesas much as they can,”he said.Educating Young PeopleBelieving that childrenshould be introduced toconservation at an earlyage, members of GreenCommunity conduct environmentaleducation activitiesamong school childrenin Semarang City. “This activityis intended for childrento understand their role inprotecting the environmentincluding flora and fauna,”Prof. Dr. Sudijono Sastroatmojo,M.Si, Rector of SSU,said. Field trips and gamesare employed to ensure thatthe children will enjoy thelearning experience. Facilitatorsfrom Green Communityintroduce the kidsto various animals, the importanceof gardening, therole of birds and butterfliesas pollinators, and the lifecycle of plants.The group believes thatengaging young people likethem is crucial to protectingthe environment. “Wetry to influence and encourageother students from theDepartment of Biology andother departments to volunteerin our activities. Now,we also receive invitationsfrom various agencies tohold partnership activities.Getting people to partnerStudying frogs under the Ungaran Conservation ProjectPlanting mangroves36ASEAN BIODIVERSITY • MAY - AUGUST 2011www.aseanbiodiversity.org

SPECIAL SECTIONGreen Community members take school children to a field trip to Isriati.Lectures are conducted by Green Community members.Coastal clean-upwith us is part of our successas an organization,”Lutfian Nazar, a member ofGreen Community shared.Among its partners areNGO People School PAT-TIRO Kendal, SemarangCity’s Department of Marineand Fisheries, WoodpeckerBird Community, HeliasterDiponegro University,Semarang Bird Community,and Kendal District’s Officeof Environment.Conducting Inventoryof Plants and AnimalsUsing their knowledgeand skills as students ofbiology, members of GreenCommunity periodicallyconduct “Flora and FaunaInventory” activities in theSSU campus, nearby coastalareas such as Rejo TuguSemarang, the UngaranMountain and other conservationareas. Informationgathered is used to developa database of plants andanimals. The students believethat by studying thevarious species and knowingtheir status, organizationsand individuals candesign effective conservationinitiatives. The datathey have, for example, aretaken into consideration inSSU’s development plans.Exploration activitieswere also conducted inKarimunjawa (2008), SempuIsland (2010) and GebuganNatural Reserve (2006-2010) to collect data for thebiodiversity database.From its various explorationactivities sprang theUngaran ConservationProject which seeks toempower communities inEmpowering LocalsAccording to Prof. Dr.Sastroatmojo, one of GreenCommunity’s noteworthyactivities is its partnershipwith the locals of BanyuwinduLimbangan Village inthe Kendal District. The studentsvisit the village regularlyto provide guidanceto the locals on developingLimbangan as a tourismconservation village.Training activities onsimple but useful conserthemountainous area byteaching them how to sustainablymanage biologicalresources.In these exploration activities,Green Communitysighted the endemic frogPhilautus jacobsoni whichwas last seen in 1912. Forthis achievement, GreenCommunity was recognizedby the Amphibian SpecialistGroup of the InternationalUnion for Conservation ofNature.Project partners laudthe organization’s data collectionefforts. “When weworked with Green Communityat Kelompok KerjaMangrove Kota Semarang(KKMKS), they helped inidentifying the various biodiversityresources foundin the area. The data theycollected were submittedto the stakeholders in theCity of Semarang so that itcan be used as a guide inimplementing developmentactivities in Semarang withoutdamaging the biodiversityfound in the area,” IdaPurnomowati of Dinas KelautanDan Perikanan KotaSemarang said.MAY - AUGUST 2011 • ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 37

SPECIAL SECTIONvation methods such asusing various wastes asfertilizer are conducted.Lectures on the importanceof conserving thevillage’s natural resourcesare well-received by thelocals who are keen on attractingtourists to generateincome.To inspire their fellowyouth to contribute theirshare in protecting the environment,the biology studentsalso teach the youngvillagers how to collect dataon species found in Limbangan.Protecting CoastalEcosystemsWitnessing the severedamage to the coastalareas in nearby Kendal,Green Community membersdecided to involvethemselves in the managementof coastal ecosystemsin areas near the university.This initiative uses a threeprongedapproach whichincludes conducting research,promoting communityawareness and plantingmangroves.The biology majors studythe socio-economic conditionsof communities livingin the coastal areas andhow their activities affectthe coastal ecosystems inthose places. Regular educationalactivities are alsoheld to inform the localsabout the extent of damagesuffered by the bodiesof water near their communitiesand the speciesthey contain. After this, thestudent lecturers highlightthe many services offeredby coastal ecosystems tocommunities such as foodand livelihood in hopes ofinspiring locals to protecttheir “source of life.”Another key activityunder this project is theplanting of mangroves witha number of partners suchas the Go Green Movementand the PRENJAK YouthGroup. Young people areencouraged to participatein mangrove reforestationactivities. Prior to planting,participants are educatedabout the role played bymangroves in ensuringthe integrity of coastal resources.Green Communitymembers highlightthe fact that mangrovesprovide nursery groundsfor fish, prawns and crabs,and support fisheries productionin coastal waters.They also protect coastalareas from storm surges,waves, tidal currents andtyphoons.Little Activities,Big ContributionsFor Prof. Dr. Sastroatmojo,Green Community’ssuccess lies in its abilityto transform little activitiesinto extraordinary feats byinvolving various stakeholderssuch as the local communities,fellow students,and non-government organizations.He added that bysharing the results of theirexploration activities tocommunities, the organizationis able to bring scientificinformation to a broaderaudience.These successes have notgone unnoticed. Unlike fi veyears ago when Green Communitygot its funds fromcollecting and selling paper,plastic bottles and otherwastes, the organization nowreceives funding from SSU. In2011, it also received fundsfrom the Directorate Generalof Higher Education. A numberof its members have alsoparticipated in study visitsand internships at BirdLifeIndonesia, Wildlife ConservationSociety and KutilangFoundation.With its simple but highimpactactivities, GreenCommunity is championingbiodiversity among communitiesin Semarang. Forits members, being youngdoes not hinder them tobecome ASEAN Championsof Biodiversity. •38ASEAN BIODIVERSITY • MAY - AUGUST 2011www.aseanbiodiversity.org

SPECIAL SECTION1stPLACEMedia Sector Champion: 1st PlaceNominated by: Dr. Theresa Mundita Lim, Director, Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau,Department of Environment and Natural Resources, PhilippinesBorn to be WildChampioning Biodiversity through TelevisionEvery Wednesday night,millions of Filipinos tunein to GMA-7, one of the Philippines’largest televisionnetworks, as they eagerlywatch Born to be Wild, aTV show that features biodiversity.The weekly programshowcases various speciesand environments found inthe Philippines and othercountries in Southeast Asia.In one episode, programhost Dr. Ferds Reciofinds himself in Ho ChiMinh City, Viet Nam, wherethe sounds of anguishedbears are muffled behindthe urban noise. Asiaticblack bears are capturedand trapped in suffocatingcages for their bile which isbelieved to have medicinalvalue. An estimated 3,000bears live in these horribleconditions in different bearfarms across Viet Nam. Becauseof the trauma frombile extraction, some bearsalready manifest signs of insanity,banging their headsagainst cages and biting offtheir body parts. Doc Ferdsparticipates in a missionto rescue bears in captivity,and helps to rehabilitatethese animals.After watching thisepisode, blogger TobbieCadhit posted this insighton his blog, “Last night, Iwondered what will happenif the bears were thepredators and us humanswere the prey. Everyday,the bears would try tocatch one of us and put usin small cages. During bileharvesting, we will be shotwith tranquilizers and pulledlike rugs onto the floor.They’ll remove our clothingand with the help of an ultrasound,locate where ourgall bladder is. Then for anhour or so they will extractour bile. Once the processis finished, they will leaveus to salivate, tremble andwail in anguish. Interestingpicture and we’ll say itis barbaric and unacceptable.But why do people doit to animals? Because wefeel we own this world andhave dominion above allcreatures? Last night I feltashamed of being humanfor such cruelty and inhumanityto animals.”To awaken viewers tothe harsh realities of humanactions against biodiversityis one of the reasons whyGMA-7 launched Born tobe Wild in 2007.“Born to be Wild is GMANetwork’s response to thegrowing clamor for environmentalawareness. Environmentaldocumentarieslike Al Gore’s An InconvenientTruth became relevantat the time. That is why in2007, a show dedicatedentirely to the environment,wildlife and biodiversity wascreated by GMA’s Newsand Public Affairs division,”Ms. Angeli Atienza, programmanager of Born tobe Wild, said.ShowcasingPhilippine Biodiversity“Television is known tobe one of the most powerfulmass media used todisseminate information.However, even if televisionhas a wide range of audience,not much topics onthe environment has beenaired. Thanks to GMA-7,we now have Born to beWild, a pioneer televisionprogram that has been influentialin promoting biodiversityconservation,”Dr. Theresa Mundita Lim,Director of the Philippines’Department of Environmentand Natural Resources– Protected Areas andWildlife Bureau, said. Sheunderscored that throughthe weekly program, peopleare now more aware ofthe current state of the environment.The Story behindthe StoriesStories for the showare selected based on rel-Born to be Wild’s hosts take viewers on various adventures every week.MAY - AUGUST 2011 • ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 39

SPECIAL SECTIONevance, timeliness, andappeal to mass audience.“We want our topics to beinformative but also engaging.In terms of relevance,we also produce specialson hot topics related tothe environment. For example,we’ve aired storieson the predicted depletionof marine resources,drought, climate changeand other current issues.On the wildlife front, we alwaysmake sure we are thefirst to share news of newlydiscovered species andother information that promotepride in the country’sbiodiversity,” Ms. Atienzashared.Producing the showinvolves a long and meticulousprocess – from researchingtopics, confirmingdata, gathering expertopinions, and the experiencesand stories of localresidents and organizationsat the grassroots level. Accordingto Ms. Atienza, “Ittakes a lot of time for us toapprove a topic. There aremany considerations – Is itrelevant? Is it feasible? Isthis the right season to dothis? What is the conservationmessage?”When a story finally getsthe green light, an evenmore meticulous processfollows. “What our viewerssee is the final product – thebeautiful places, the wildlifemoments. But behind thescenes, nature and wildlifefilmmaking can be reallytough. You are always atthe mercy of the elementsand you can never tell yoursubject to show up at thetime you prefer. You alwayshave to be patient; waitingis part of the work. But inthe process, we also learn alot. After a while, it’s amazinghow our teams almosthave a sixth sense for nature.They kind of acquirean understanding of hownature works after yearsof being in the field,” Ms.Atienza said.Bridging the Gap betweenScientists and the PublicTo ensure accuracy ofinformation presented inthe show, the program researchersseek the expertiseof scientists. Accordingto Born to be Wild ExecutiveProducer Richelle Figureoa,“Before airing a story, wesee to it that the facts andinformation presented aredouble checked. Throughthe help of experts like herpetologistArvin Diesmos orornithologist Aldrin Mallari,for example, we are able toidentify species which areunfamiliar to us. We alsoconfirm with experts aboutthe behavior of a particularspecies. We are fortunateand glad that expertsare very willing to help andshare their expertise to theprogram for the benefit ofthe public.”The show is often laudedfor bridging the gap betweenscientists and thegeneral public. “The programis a breakthrough forPhilippine conservation. Ithelps research and conservationgroups translate ouradvocacy to Filipino public– volunteerism, conservationand environmentaleducation. The show becomesa bridge that helpsdeliver science-basedresearch to the community,”Ms. Cynthia AdelineLayusa, program managerof Isla Biodiversity Conservation,Inc., said. The Bornto be Wild team and Ms.Layusa worked together atthe 2010 Humpback WhaleResearch and ConservationProject in the Philippines’Babuyan Group of Islands.Offering SolutionsApart from presenting astory, Born to be Wild raisespossible solutions to biodiversity-relatedproblems.Ideas are often based onwhat researchers, scientists,experts and non-governmentorganizations have studied.According to Ms. Atienza, “InExamining a rescued pythonMeeting a whale shark A baby sea turtleTeaching school kids about biodiversity conservation40ASEAN BIODIVERSITY • MAY - AUGUST 2011www.aseanbiodiversity.org

SPECIAL SECTIONour own little way, we try tobecome part of the solution.For example, when the PawikanConservation Center inBataan expressed the needfor tourists to be educatedabout these endangeredspecies, our host Kiko Rustiaand the team producedan on-the-spot audio-visualDVD to help the tourists becomemore informed aboutmarine turtles.”One of the TV’s hosts, Dr.Ferds Recio, regularly visitswildlife centers which arein need veterinarians. “Heoffers his services to treatendemic or endangeredanimals being cared for inthese centers. He has alsoparticipated in a numberof wildlife rescue missions,responding almost on-callto wildlife-saving missions,”Ms. Figueroa said.When the CamerasAre Not Rolling“Off camera,” Ms. Atienzashares, “Born to be Wildalso promotes green effortslike recycling. Even whenthe cameras aren’t rolling,what many don’t know isthat our staff works overtime to assist viewers who,for example, want to turnover endangered species toproper authorities. The networkas a whole supportscampaigns for the environmentsuch as Earth Hour.“GMA Network also hasa program called Kapusong Kalikasan which involvesforging partnerships withenvironmental organizations.One project calledRoad to 2020 is conductedwith conservation groupHaribon Foundation. Theproject is aimed at restoringone million hectaresof rainforests using nativetree species by 2020,” Ms.Figueroa said.Promoting environmentaleducation, GMA Networkalso produces documentarieslike Signos which discussedclimate change, Planet Philippineswhich showcased thePhilippines’ rich biodiversity,and Wildlife for Sale whichtackled the global problem ofillegal wildlife trade.Touching ViewersAmong evidences thatBorn to be Wild has had animpact on the general publicare the countless callsand letters from viewerswho report illegal wildlifetrade or viewers who wantto surrender illegally keptspecies. All these demonstratethe program’s impacton public awareness of thevalues of biodiversity.“In many places, we hearof groups and individualswho have taken action, forexample, towards reducingwastes and plastics becauseof what they saw onthe show. We get calls frompeople asking us to helpthem in their recycling initiativesand the team assistsin any way it can. During offcamera, we visit schools andcommunities to help themkick start environmental initiatives,simple things likesegregating and collectingplastics and used bottles forrecycling,” Ms. Atienza said.The show’s annual “BornProject” has drawn manyvolunteers for various projects– from caring for rescuedand injured animalsat the Protected Areas andWildlife Bureau to gatheringpledges from communitiesto safeguard their forestsand marine reserves.Probationary SecondLieutenant Ronnel Almazan,an environmental scienceinstructor at the PhilippineMilitary Academy, summarizedBorn to be Wild’sachievement, “The programhas helped us to understandthe impact of theloss of biodiversity, raisedconcern among its viewers,and encouraged us to takeaction and contribute tobiodiversity conservation.”Indeed, Born to be Wildwas born to be an ASEANChampion of Biodiversity. •MAY - AUGUST 2011 • ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 41

SPECIAL SECTIONTaking care ofIndonesia’s wildlifeBy Rolando A. InciongGuarding and protectingIndonesia’s biodiversityand wildlife is a tremendouschallenge.Imagine these riches! Indonesiacovers a mere 1.3percent of the earth’s surface,yet it harbors ten percentof all flowering plants,12 percent of the world’smammals, 16 percent ofthe world’s reptiles andamphibians, 17 percent ofall birds, and more than aquarter of all marine andfreshwater fish. This wealthcan be attributed to thefact that Indonesia spanstwo major biogeographicalrealms: Indo-Malaya andAustralasia, and is dividedinto seven distinct biogeographicregions.The 17,000 islands of thearchipelago support a widerange and variety of habitatsfrom lowland rain forestsand mangroves to savannagrasslands, swampforests and limestone hills;from montane forests to alpinemeadows and snowtoppedmountains. Thesevaried habitats support adiverse flora and fauna.In terms of species diversity,55 percent are endemicplants. Based onthe results of a taxonomicassessment in 2007 carriedout by the ResearchCentre for Biology of theIndonesian Institute of Sciences,31,746 differentspecies of vascular plantshave been recorded anddescribed. For fauna diversity,about 515 speciesof mammals may be foundin Indonesia, 781 speciesof reptiles, 35 species ofprimates, 1,595 species ofbirds, and 270 species ofamphibians.Indonesia is a key playerin global biodiversity,counting as one of the 17countries with the richestbiodiversity, or what is alsoknown as megadiversity.Such magnitude of naturalheritage requires vigilantlaw enforcement to ensureprotection of wildlife.In the thick of Indonesia’swildlife protection effortsis Ms. Santi, an officialat the Ministry of Forestry.She is one of the cadres ofwildlife law enforcers facingthe challenge of protectingthe archipelago’sbiodiversity.Ms. Santi studied computerscience but her lovefor nature and the outdoorsmade her decide to join theMinistry of Forestry in 1999where she was trained as aforest police, specifically incase investigation. In 2006,she underwent 45 days ofrigorous training to becomea member of Satuan KhususPolisi Kehutanan ReaksiCepat (SPORC) - a quickresponse forest police unit.Wildlife law enforcers at workMs. Santi, wildlife law enforcerSPORC has 19 femalemembers.SPORC is an elite unit ofrangers trained to confrontillegal loggers. The firstbatch of SPORC personnelwere recruited from existingforest rangers and underwent38 days of specialtraining in shooting, selfdefenseand ambush skills.In addition to their rapidresponse duties, SPORCpersonnel also undertakepatrol duties to detect anddeter illegal logging, poachingand illegal trade. Somemembers of SPORC aredeployed to guard postsat the entry and exit pointsto protected areas and onthe rivers that fl ow through42ASEAN BIODIVERSITY • MAY - AUGUST 2011www.aseanbiodiversity.org

SPECIAL SECTIONmany forest areas. SPORCunits are often involved in theconfi scation of animals or timberthat is possessed or beingtraded illegally. They respondto information received fromlocal people, NGOs and othersources.“On top of my role as a caseinvestigator, I also do patrollingassignments. This is mostchallenging especially whenwe do foot patrolling in roughterrains,” Ms. Santi said.Recently, Ms. Santi wasthe only female participantin the PROTECT (ProtectedArea Operational and TacticalEnforcement ConservationTraining) EnforcementRanger Training Course heldfrom August 20 to September4 at the Khao Yai NationalPark in Thailand. Thecourse was organized bythe Freeland Foundation inpartnership with the ASEANCentre for Biodiversity. Freeland’swork in Asia is fundedby the United States Agencyfor International Developmentthrough the ARREST(Asia’s Regional Responseto Endangered Species Trafficking)Program.Other government agenciesin Indonesia share theresponsibility or authority toenforce Indonesia’s wildliferelatedlaws, including Customs,the Forest Department,the police, the military policeand the Quarantine Servicebut the agencies with primaryresponsibility for suchwork are the Directorate ofBiodiversity Conservation,Directorate General of ForestProtection and NatureConservation and the Ministryof Forestry, also oftenknown as the Department ofForestry.The Forest Departmenthas an Animal ProtectionUnit (APU). There is a generalwildlife crime unit andfour species-specific unitsfor the protection of tigers,elephants, rhinos and orangutanswithin the APU. •Arresting illegal wildlife traffickingThe multi-billion-dollarillegal wildlife tradethreatens Asia’sunique ecosystems androbs people of the benefi tsthey provide. It also undermineslaw enforcement,strengthens criminal syndicates,and raises people’srisk of exposure to diseasestransmitted from animals tohumans. Illegal wildlife traffickers are well-organized:they prey on endangeredspecies, transport themacross borders, and sellthem around the world.Addressing this challengerequires a regionaleffort that targets eachaspect of wildlife crime.USAID’s efforts to addressillegal wildlife traffickingbegan in 2005 with the establishmentof the ASEANWildlife Enforcement Network(ASEAN-WEN).Since then, the networkhas shown impressive resultsthat include: morethan 2,000 officials trainedin anti-poaching operationsand wildlife crime investigations;arrests andseizures of illegal wildlifeincreased ten-fold by 2009;a fully functioning secretariatestablished in Bangkok;nearly every ASEAN countryhas created a NationalTask Force to combat wildlifecrime (www.asean-wen.org).ASEAN governmentshave also committed thenecessary financial and humanresources to enforcelegislation governing theconservation, trade andsustainable use of wild faunaand flora. Likewise, theyhave also agreed to implementregional commitmentsto ASEAN-WEN, includingcross-border collaborationon wildlife crime cases.ARRESTUSAID is now buildingon ASEAN-WEN’s successesand sharing its lessonswith China and South Asiathrough the new ARREST(Asia’s Regional Responseto Endangered SpeciesTrafficking) program. Implementedby the FREELANDFoundation, ARREST willfight trafficking in illegalwildlife in Asia in three ways:reduce consumer demand;strengthen law enforcement;and strengtheningregional cooperation andanti-trafficking networks.ARREST unites the effortsof the member statesof ASEAN, China and SouthAsia, NGOs, and privatesector organizations. Together,these dedicatedpeople and organizationsare helping Asia respond tothe challenge of protectingits unique wildlife.ApproachConsumption ReductionCampaigns. ARREST willuse its extensive media andadvertising resources tosupport campaigns in China,Vietnam and Thailandthat eliminate the consumptionof protected wildlife.Where monitoring showsthese efforts are successful,the program will expandthem.Mainstreaming WildlifeCrime in Law Enforcement.ASEANWEN’s activitieshave already placed wildlifecrime on the agenda of majornational and regional lawPhoto courtesy of FREELAND FoundationH.E. Linglingay F. Lacanlale, Philippine ambassador to Thailand, inspects rescued wildlife.•MAY - AUGUST 2011 • ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 43

SPECIAL SECTIONenforcement organizations,such as INTERPOL andASEANAPOL. ARREST willhelp police chiefs acrossAsia include cross- borderwildlife enforcement cooperationin their work plans.Law Enforcement CapacityBuilding. ARRESTwill work with the region’slaw enforcement trainersand institutions to improveregional and nationalcourses and materials onthe following subjects: Prevention— protected areaenforcement and management;Detection — naturecrime investigation, forensics,and border inspection;and Prosecution — judicialawareness.Developing Law EnforcementManagers. ARREST willalso build law stronger enforcementcapacity by focusingon law enforcement leadersand training managers tolead front line staff in reducingwildlife crime. This shouldPhoto courtesy of FREELAND FoundationA Malaysian sun bear cub rests after being rescued byThailand’s Nature Crime Task Force at a raid at the Bangkokairport in May 2011. Since 2005, USAID support has helpedtrain Asian task forces, increasing arrests and seizures ofillegally trafficked wildlife ten-fold.put large areas of biologicallysignifi cant habitat under improvedmanagement.Sustaining the ASEAN-WEN Secretariat. ARRESTwill mentor ASEAN-WENProgram Coordination Unitstaff and promote new technology.This should help theSecretariat become a stronger,more independent, andservice-oriented institutionthat connects directlywith enforcement agenciesin each ASEAN MemberState.Promoting Regional Cooperation.Through regionalprogram events - includingexchanges, regional investigationmeetings and trainingcourses - officers fromthe new South Asian WildlifeEnforcement Network(SAWEN), and China’s TaskForce will join ASEAN-WENto learn from each other,exchange information, intelligence,and best practices.PartnersARREST has the followingpartners: ASEAN-WEN,FREELAND Foundation,ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity,ACRES, AsiaWorks TV,Conservation InternationalChina Program, Educationfor Nature Vietnam (ENV),GreenEyes China, IFAW,INTERPOL, JWT, NationalGeographic, MTV-Exit,Wildlife Alliance, US Departmentof State, US Departmentof Justice, US Fishand Wildlife Service, andthe US Forest Service. •ARREST Program launched in BangkokOn July 22, 2011, implementingpartnersof the USAID’s new Asia’sRegional Response toEndangered SpeciesTrafficking (ARREST) Programgathered in Bangkokto publicly introducethe program. Delegationsfrom the US and Asianembassies in Bangkok,the press, and other regionalstakeholders all attendedthe event.Speaking at the ceremony,U.S. AmbassadorKristie Kenney hailed effortsto address wildlifecrime as vital to protectingthe world’s fragileecosystems and encouragedcontinued cooperationon the issue.Honorable AntonioCuenco, the SecretaryGeneral of the ASEAN Inter-ParliamentaryAssemblyspoke on ASEAN leg-Officials at the ARREST Program launchislators’ interest to supportthe goals of the program.The $8 million, fi ve-yearprogram is managed byFREELAND Foundationand builds on the progressachieved through theASEAN-Wildlife EnforcementNetwork (ASEAN-WEN) instrengthening wildlife lawPhoto courtesy of FREELAND Foundationenforcement capacity;reducing consumer demand;and strengtheningregional learning networks.•44ASEAN BIODIVERSITY • MAY - AUGUST 2011www.aseanbiodiversity.org

SPECIAL SECTIONLao PDR is strengthening its fight against illegal wildlife trade not only by launching Lao-WEN, but also by holding a workshop onlegal process for wildlife crime prosecution.Laos launches new law enforcementtask force to combat wildlife crimeThe Government ofLao PDR is kickstartingits newLaw Enforcement TaskForce to Combat WildlifeCrime named “Lao-WEN”.Lao-WEN is a national effortto stop poaching, traffickingand illegal trade of protectedflora and fauna. On May 20,2011, the Inaugural Meetingof Lao-WEN was heldin Vientiane to begin a processof strengthening wildlifelaw enforcement, partof a broader regional effortcalled the ASEAN-WildlifeEnforcement Network(ASEAN-WEN). Representativesfrom the ASEAN-WEN Program CoordinationUnit (PCU), Vietnam-WildlifeEnforcement Network (VN-WEN) and Cambodia-WildlifeEnforcement NetworkCoordinating Unit (CWCU)observed the event to sharebest practices.During the launch, theMinistry of Agriculture andForestry document titled:Forestry Strategy to theYear 2020 for the Lao PDRwas released to guide thedevelopment of the forestrysector within LaoPDR. One recommendationcontained within theForestry Strategy was toenhance the existing legalframework in support of anew law enforcement andgovernance process.Leading Lao-WEN is theDepartment of Forest Inspection(DOFI) which wascreated to inspect and investigatesuspected violationsof the new Forest Law,the Wildlife and Aquatic, theNational Penal Code andother subsidiary laws. DOFIworks in close collaborationwith the Department of ForestResource Conservationand other government departmentson a wide varietyof environmental protectioninitiatives to address thesehigh expectations.In September 2010, theMinister of Agriculture andForestry announced the Laogovernment’s implementingmechanism to operationalizenational commitments tothe ASEAN-Wildlife EnforcementNetwork (ASEAN-WEN). On May 20, Lao-WEN’s Inaugural Meetingin Vientiane commited LaoPDR to the international effortagainst wildlife crimein partnership with otherSoutheast Asian Nations.The Minister of Agricultureand Forestry, His ExcellencySitaheng Rasphonesaid, “We are pleased towelcome representativesof the Lao PDR Governmentand government departments,internationalnon-government organizations,sponsoring agencyrepresentatives, local communitygroups and privateindustry to the inauguralmeeting of the Lao WildlifeEnforcement Network. Thesuccess of Lao-WEN will involvecollaboration betweenboth national and internationalpartners. The Departmentof Forest Inspectionwill work hard to meet ourcommitments to ASEANand the high expectationsrequired through membershipin ASEAN-WEN.”Mr. Phoumy Phoumanivong,Director-General ofthe Department of ForestInspection said, “This inauguralmeeting of “Lao-WEN”is a practical example of ourcommitment as a partner tothe ASEAN Wildlife EnforcementNetwork. We look forwardto working with theASEAN law enforcementcommunity and our localcommunity groups. Togetherwe will develop programsand strategies that prevent,detect and suppress wildlifecrime that endangers notonly our rich biodiversity,but also national securityand human health“Mr Manop Lauprasert,Senior Officer of the Bangkok-basedProgram CoordinationUnit of ASEAN-WENadded that, “The ASEAN-WEN PCU is pleased tosee the networking progressin Lao PDR. A verypositive step in ensuringthat wildlife crime doesnot flourish in this region.Let it be stressed that weare not merely protectingendangered plant and animalspecies in the ASEANregion. We are protectingthe sustainability of ourown future. The illegal wildlifetrade weakens naturalecosystems, supports organizedcrime, and is recognizedto increase the riskof transmitting emerginginfectious diseases such asavian pandemic influenzaand severe acute respiratorysyndrome (SARS).”— ASEAN-WEN PCUMAY - AUGUST 2011 • ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 45

FEATUREThe President of the Philippineslaunches the United Nations Decadeon Biodiversity for Southeast AsiaThe President of thePhilippines BenignoS Aquino III haslaunched the United Nations(UN) Decade on Biodiversityfor Southeast Asia and hasissued a Presidential Proclamationdeclaring a NationalDecade.The event took place on 30May 2011 at the MalacanangPalace with the participationof the diplomatic corps fromBrunei, Cambodia, Indonesia,Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar,Singapore, Thailand and VietNam; high level governmentoffi cials; and representativesof media, conservation organizationsand business community.In support of the UN Decade,President Aquino’sproclamation of 2011-2020as the National Decade onBiodiversity in the Philippinesrecognized the UNcelebration as an excellentopportunity to increase publicawareness of the values ofbiodiversity and promote actionsat the national, regionaland local levels to conserveand sustainably manage thenation’s rich natural heritage.The Philippines’ EnvironmentSecretary Ramon Pajehanded over a copy of thePresidential Proclamation toDr. Ahmed Djoghlaf, ExecutiveSecretary of the Conventionon Biological Diversitywith President Aquino witnessingthe presentation.As a further demonstrationof his country’s commitmentto the objectives of theDecade, the President declared“the strangler fi g tree,known in the Philippines asBalete, located in front of thishallowed hall, as our HeritageTree. This balete tree, whichis more than 100 years old,has been a mute witness toPhilippines President Benigno S. Aquino III hands over to Dr.Djoghlaf a copy of the Presidential Proclamation declaring2011-2020 as National Decade on Biodiversity in the Philippines,in support of the UN Decade. Witnessing the handover wasEnvironment Secretary Ramon Paje. “We will use the Decadeon Biodiversity as an excellent opportunity to increase publicawareness of the values of biodiversity and promote actionsat the national, regional and local levels to conserve andsustainably manage the nation’s rich natural heritage,” ThePresident said.the unfolding of the Philippines’rich history.”“In declaring the Balete asa Heritage Tree, we will constantlybe reminded of ourPrior to the Southeast Asialaunch of the UN Decade onBiodiversity, President Aquinolaunched a National GreeningProgram which aims to plant1.5 billion trees in more than1 million hectares of landacross the Philippines from2011 to 2016. The programwas part of the Philippineslaunch of the InternationalYear of Forests 2011.The ceremony took placefollowing the successfullaunch of the UN Decade forAsia and Pacifi c held in NewDelhi, India on 23 May, aswell as the national launch bythe Republic of Korea held inSangjo on 20 May.Following his meeting withthe President, Mr AhmedDjoghlaf stated, “Respondingto the biodiversity challengescalls for the full engagementof all stakeholders without exception.Last week in Seoul,I had the immense privilegeof meeting H.E. Lee Myungobligationsas citizens of thisplanet to protect, conserveand sustainably use our biodiversityresources,” PresidentAquino said.Dr. Djoghlaf meets the President of the Philippines, H.E. Benigno S. Aquino III (at centre) atthe Malacanang Palace, 30 May 2011, during the launch of the UN Decade on Biodiversity inSoutheast Asia. The President reaffirmed his country’s commitment to achieve the new globalbiodiversity targets set at the Nagoya biodiversity conference in 2010. In photo are: (left to right)Director Rodrigo Fuentes of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, Dr. Djoghlaf, the President,Environment Secretary Ramon Paje, and Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Antonio Rodriguez.46ASEAN BIODIVERSITY • MAY - AUGUST 2011www.aseanbiodiversity.org

FEATUREDr. Djoghlaf and Philippines President Benigno S. AquinoIII unveil a marker declaring a century-old Balete (stranglerfig) at the grounds of the presidential palace as a HeritageTree to commemorate the Southeast Asia launch of the UNDecade on Biodiversity. “In making the Balete a Heritage Tree,it will constantly remind us of our obligations to nature, bothas citizens of this country and as stewards of this planet,”President Aquino said.bak, the President of Korea.Today, I had the unique privilegeof meeting the Presidentof Philippines, H.E. BenignoS Aquino III. My meetingswith these two tremendoussupporters of sustainable developmentdemonstrated tome that leaders are taking upthe challenge.”The Southeast Asialaunch of the UN Decadeon Biodiversity coincidedwith the week-long celebrationin the Philippines of theInternational Day for BiologicalDiversity, 22 May and theawards ceremony for theASEAN Champions of Biodiversity.The winners areHSBC in Brunei (business),“Born to be Wild” PhilippinesTV program (media), andGreen Community of Indonesia(youth). The ASEANChampions of Biodiversityrecognized the outstandingbiodiversity conservation andadvocacy initiatives of business,media and youth organizationsin Southeast Asia.The awards were organizedby the ASEAN Centre forBiodiversity and supportedby the ASEAN Foundation,European Union, UNESCO,GIZ of Germany and Secretariatof the CBD,Mr. Rodrigo Fuentes,Executive Director of theASEAN Centre for Biodiversitysaid the launch of the UNDecade on Biodiversity in thePhilippines and the awardingof ASEAN Champions of Biodiversitywere very timely.“The Philippines is one ofthe world’s 17 mega diversecountries while SoutheastAsia, occupying only threepercent of the earth’s surface,boasts of globally significant terrestrial and marinebiodiversity that include anastonishing 18 percent of allspecies assessed by the InternationalUnion for Conservationof Nature (IUCN). It isbut fi tting that Southeast Asiaand the Philippines play amajor role in global conservationefforts and celebrations,”Director Fuentes said.Information on the Decade,including the logo can befound on the offi cial websiteof the United Nations Decadeat www.cbd.int/2011-2020 •Message from H.E. PresidentBenigno S. Aquino III on theoccasion of the launch of theUN Decade on Biodiversityand International Year ofForests in Southeast AsiaRizal Ceremonial Hall, Malacañang, PhilippinesMay 30, 2011Biodiversity is much more than what wethink it means. The United Nations definesit as the web of life and the foundation of humanliving, meaning, it is more than the coralreefs we protect so we can have fish for dinner.It is more than the forests we nurture sowe can produce clothing and shelter, amongother things.Biodiversity means the air we breathe; theebb and flow of the oceans; the mountains andthe valleys that evoke from us inspiration, awe,and an awareness of our own smallness in theface of the world. Biodiversity is the delicatethread connecting every organism that lives andthrives on this planet; it is everything that we callhome.Suffice it to say, the launching of the “UnitedNations Decade on Biodiversity and InternationalYear of Forests in Southeast Asia” is ahistoric occasion, and we are honored to hostit. We thank the United Nations Convention forBiological Diversity and its Executive Secretary,Dr. Ahmed Djoghlaf, for the honor of having thePhilippines as its launching site.We are fully aware of the need to sustainablymaintain the balance of our biodiversity.At least 40 percent of the world’s economy and80 percent of the needs of the poor depend onContinued, next pageMAY - AUGUST 2011 • ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 47

FEATUREMessage from H.E. President Benigno S. Aquino III... Continuationbiological resources. And it is our role as occupantsof this world to make certain that we are able to completelyand sustainably utilize the resources we haveat hand.Although occupying only three percent of the earth’stotal surface, the ASEAN region is the habitat of morethan 18 percent of all known plant, animal, and marinespecies, making us one of the world’s wealthiest biologicalhavens.The Philippines alone is a highly diverse country. Weare ranked fifth for having the most number of plantspecies in the world, around 7,500 of which are endemicto our country, not to mention the many rare speciesof reef fishes, birds, and corals.All these resources make the Philippines and theASEAN region crucial components to the global sustainabilityand stability of the environment. This is oneof our main competitive advantages as a region. Unfortunately,there are those who still see the environmentas nothing more than a means to make an easyand quick profit without regard for the long-term consequences.Last week, it came to my attention that a coral reefcomplex almost twice the size of Manila was decimatedby environmental plunderers, all for a quick profit.They took more than 21,000 pieces of sea fan blackcorals and indiscriminately murdered 161 endangeredturtles—from 80-year olds to 4-year olds—to stuff andsell. Not to mention taking 196 kilograms of sea whipblack corals as well. Sadly, this single act of environmentalpillage is only symptomatic of a larger problem.Our region is on the brink of losing a significant numberof endangered species due to multiple cases of deforestation,wildlife hunting, climate change, pollution, andpopulation growth.If it was not clear before, then it is as clear as daynow: we need to act. We need to act now. Our administrationhas already begun a number of programs topreserve vulnerable species and habitats.Earlier this month, during the 18th ASEAN Summit inIndonesia, I personally urged our neighbors to continuesupporting the operations of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity,which aims to facilitate cooperation among theASEAN Member States and concerned organizations.Aside from hosting the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity,we have also committed to incorporating biodiversity inthe national development process.Our administration will continue pursuing biodiversityconservation efforts in the region, such as theCoral Triangle Initiative, the Greater Mekong Program,the Heart of Borneo Initiative, and the ASEAN HeritageParks.Just last week, our Department of Environment andNatural Resources launched a project to expand theterrestrial protected areas in the country, beginning withnine key biodiversity areas.I also just recently launched the National GreeningProgram, which aims to plant 1.5 billion trees in 1.5million hectares of land across the country from 2011to 2016. This program complements an earlier directiveI issued, Executive Order No. 23, which calls fora total logging ban in our natural and residual forestsand establishes an Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force toenforce the campaign. This aims, ultimately, to end exploitativeand long-entrenched practices that have severelydamaged our ecology, only for the benefit of apowerful few.It is important for us to continue down this path ofpreserving the biodiversity. Therefore, in support of theUnited Nations, I declare 2011-2020 as the NationalDecade on Biodiversity in the Philippines.Some of you may have noticed the towering treerooted just outside this palace. This balete tree, whichis more than a hundred years old, has been a mute witnessto Philippine history. And now, as a fitting symbolof our commitment to the United Nations Decade onBiodiversity, I hereby proclaim the balete tree locatedin front of this hallowed hall as our Heritage Tree. Inmaking it a Heritage Tree, it will constantly remind us ofour obligations, both as citizens of this country and asstewards of this planet.I know that we have made several initiatives to curbthese threats to our biodiversity, and I know how hardmany of us have worked for this cause. It gets tiring,especially when it would be much easier to surrenderunder the difficulties of protecting what many peoplepay little attention to, and what some people want todestroy for temporary gain.Many of us are dissatisfied with the way things aregoing. I myself am itching to see the fruits of our efforts.But if there is one thing I have learned from facing themany challenges that confront a president, it is that,especially during difficult times, we must put our footdown and hark back to why we are doing what we aredoing in the first place: why we choose to act outsideof our comfort zones, when we can easily sit back andwatch the world, along with its cycle of problems, spinby.The answer is simple: we want to change the waythings are; we want to make life better, not only for Filipinos,but ultimately, for the citizens of the world; notonly for those who are here now, but more importantly,for those who will come tomorrow.This is not the first time a group of strong-willedpeople tried to change the world. This has happenedbefore, and though some may have faltered, many havesucceeded. And this is what ties us all together; thecollective will to persevere in the face of the seeminglyimpossible. This is the root from which the enduringtree of humanity has grown.So in this spirit, together, let us celebrate the NationalDecade of Biodiversity from 2011-2020 and theInternational Year of Forests 2011 and let us constantlywork towards everything it promises.Thank you and good day! •48ASEAN BIODIVERSITY • MAY - AUGUST 2011www.aseanbiodiversity.org

FEATUREWorld Migratory Bird Day, May 14By Dr. Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary, Convention on Biological DiversityAll life on the planetis inter-connected.On World MigratoryBird Day, we are remindedthat changes onthe land mean changes inthe skies.Human activities on land,through for example forestry,agriculture, miningand urban expansion, leadto land degradation such asdeforestation and wetlandloss. This change in the useof land leads to fragmentationof habitat. Migratorybirds rely on consistent andsecure networks of habitatsalong their annual migrationpaths. Changes to these,can have devastating consequences.We know the results. Asreported in Global BiodiversityOutlook 3, the situationof birds is not good.Farmland bird populationsin Europe have declinedby on average 50 percentsince 1980. Of the 1,200waterbird populations withknown trends, 44 percentare in decline. A study inthe central Amazon regionof Brazil found that forestfragments of less than onesquare kilometer lost halfof their bird species in lessthan 15 years. Salt marshes,important as naturalstorm barriers and as habitatsfor shorebirds, havelost some 25 percent of thearea they originally coveredglobally, and current ratesof loss are estimated to bebetween one and two percentper year.Governments are makingstronger commitmentsto stem this loss. At theNagoya Biodiversity summit,governments agreedto the Global Strategic Planfor Biodiversity and its AichiBiodiversity Targets. Overthe next ten years, thisframework will provide thebasis for a new relationshipbetween humanity and nature,including actions thatcan help migratory species.Under the Plan, ImportantBiodiversity Areaswill be protected throughan increase in effectivelymanaged protected areas.Complete legal protectionis currently given to only26 percent of ImportantBird Areas (IBAs). Of nearly11,000 IBAs in 218 countries,on average only some39 percent of their area isincluded in protected areas.Similarly, only 35 percent ofsites holding the entire populationof one or more highlythreatened species are fullycovered by protected areas.While the proportion ofboth of these categories ofsites under legal protectionhas increased significantlyin recent years, more needsto be done.Another Aichi Target includesreducing habitatloss and degradation, by asmuch as half, through suchmeasures as broad-scaleland-use policies that incorporatebiodiversity concerns.A commitment to moresustainable agriculture, forestry,fisheries and aquaculturewill include policies thatlead to biodiversity-friendlypractices that reduce theimpact of these activities onmigratory species and thehabitats they rely upon.In some cases, restorationwill be the best way toensure that migratory birdshave the habitat they need.Governments have committedto restoring some 15percent of degraded ecosystems,as a contributionto ecosystem resilience andother benefits.In order to ensure thatthese commitments arehonored, the United NationsGeneral Assembly hasdeclared 2011-2020 to bethe United Nations Decadeon Biodiversity. This decadewill be an opportunity toraise awareness about theimportance of biodiversityand the impacts of humanactivities on the species andecosystems of our planet.Through raising awarenessof the plight of groupsof species, such as migratorybirds, greater supportfor policies that will conserveand protect their habitatcan be realized.On this World MigratoryBird Day, I invite you to notonly look around you, butalso to the skies, and toreflect and take action thatpreserves the vital habitatof migratory species. •50ASEAN BIODIVERSITY • MAY - AUGUST 2011www.aseanbiodiversity.org

World Environment Day, June 5World EnvironmentDay (WED) is anannual event that isaimed at being the biggestand most widely celebratedglobal day for positive environmentalaction. Variousenvironmental activitiesoften take place all yearround but globally WED iscelebrated on June 5 everyyear.WED was first celebratedin 1972 and has grown tobecome one of the mainvehicles through which theUnited Nations and nationalgovernments stimulateworldwide awareness of theenvironment and encouragespolitical attention andaction. WED is also a dayfor people from all walks oflife to come together to ensurea cleaner, greener andhealthier environment forpresent and future generations.This year, the UnitedNations Environment Programme(UNEP) spearheadsthe celebration of WED withthe theme Forests: Natureat Your Service, in line with2011 as the InternationalYear of Forests.Forests cover one third ofthe earth’s landmass, performingvital functions andservices around the world.Around 1.6 billion peopledepend on forests for theirlivelihoods.According to the ASEANCentre for Biodiversity,forests play a key role inthe battle against climatechange, releasing oxygeninto the atmosphere whilestoring carbon dioxide.They feed rivers and are essentialto supplying waterfor nearly 50 percent of theworld’s largest cities. Forestscreate and maintainsoil fertility, as well as helpregulate the devastating impactof storms, floods andfires.Forests are the mostbiologically diverse ecosystemson land, and arehome to more than half ofthe terrestrial species ofanimals, plants and insects.They also provide shelter,jobs and cultural relevancefor people who depend onforest resources. They arethe green lungs of the earthand are vital to the survivalof people everywhere.Knowing the significanceof forests to the Earth andthe survival of all forms ofFEATURElife, it is devastating to notethat global deforestationcontinues at an alarmingrate. Every year, 13 millionhectares of forest are destroyed.Massive and illegallogging, clearing of land foragriculture, major industriesand housing, miningand other factors are majorcauses of deforestation.This in turn has caused biodiversityloss, species extinction,and the loss of vitalecosystem services.Every day is an opportunityto show that all isnot lost, that everyone cancontribute to environmentalconservation. WED providesan opportunity to createmore green lifestyles,behavior, products and industriesthat can revitalizeand strengthen the environment.A green economyfocusing on renewable energy,a smaller carbon footprint,environment-friendlyproducts and clean technologywill also be vital toensuring a sustainable environmentand economy inthe future.Everyone is a stakeholderin the environment, and canthus contribute to environmentalconservation. Thesmallest and most personalact of conservation, suchas closing a running faucetor turning off lights whennot in use, can multiply intomassive energy saving initiatives.Joining mass actionscan also push governmentsand businesses toinvest in green industries.It is essential for everyoneto realize that forestsprovide vital services thatare essential to people’squality of life. As conservationinitiatives and actionscontinue to grow, opportunitiesto contribute to theprotection of nature havebecome widely available,and there is simply no excusefor non-participation.Plant a tree. Conservewater and electricity. Minimizeuse of plastic products.Reuse and recycle.Use mass transport to saveon gas. Join critical massmovements that supportenvironmental causes. Votefor political candidates witha green agenda. Big orsmall, make a contributionand save forests and biodiversityon World EnvironmentDay! •MAY - AUGUST 2011 • ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 51

FEATUREWorld Oceans Day, June 11World Oceans Day,celebrated everyJune 11th, is anopportunity to reflect onthe importance of oceansto humankind’s sustainabledevelopment. It is also atime to recognize the manysevere challenges relatedto oceans. These rangefrom depleted fishery resources,the impacts ofclimate change, and thedeterioration of the marineenvironment to maritimesafety and security, laborconditions for seafarersand the increasingly importantissue of migrationby sea.UN Secretary-GeneralBan Ki-moon said some ofthese concerns have arisensince the adoption of theUnited Nations Conventionon the Law of the Sea.The progressive developmentof the law of the seathrough the Conventionand related instruments ismeant to contribute to thesustainable developmentof the oceans and seas aswell as to the strengtheningof international peaceand security, the equitableand efficient utilization ofocean resources, the protectionand preservationof the marine environment,and the realization of a justand equitable economicorder. As such, the law ofthe sea provides a flexibleand evolving frameworkfor adapting to new challenges.“The ecosystem functionsthat oceans provide,and their importance to theglobal economy, deserveparticular attention as welook ahead to next year’sRio +20 United NationsConference on SustainableDevelopment. For that reason,the theme of this year’sobservance is Our oceans:greening our future”, Mr.Ban Ki-moon said.The UN Secretary-Generalsaid all activities andpolicies related to oceansand the marine environmentneed to acknowledge andincorporate the three pillarsof sustainable development:environmental, socialand economic.“Only then can weachieve the developmentobjectives set by the internationalcommunity. On thisyear’s World Oceans Day,I urge governments and allsectors of society to embraceour individual and collectiveresponsibility to protectthe marine environmentand manage its resourcesin a sustainable manner forpresent and future generations,”Secretary-GeneralBan Ki-moon said. •Biodiversity information at your fi ngertips!Check out our website for information materials on biodiversity conservation in ASEAN! The ASEANCentre for Biodiversity produces a number of public awareness materials on biodiversity in the region,including the quarterly newsmagazine ASEAN Biodiversity, as well as profi les of ASEAN HeritageParks and endangered species.Proceedings on workshops organized by ACB focusing on issues such as marine gapanalysis, multilateral environmental agreements, and business and biodiversity, amongothers are already available. The Policy Brief Series focuses on ASEAN actions andrecommendations on issues such as community conserved areas, ecotourism, andinvasive alien species.Visitors can access the Biodiversity Information Sharing Service (BISS) to check species listsand protected area network data in ASEAN. Links to biodiversity information in other ASEANMember States can be accessed here as well.ACB has also produced videos on ACB and its work in ASEAN, as well as the values and the needto protect our treasured natural resources.For more information log on to www.aseanbiodiversity.org.52ASEAN BIODIVERSITY • MAY - AUGUST 2011www.aseanbiodiversity.org

FEATUREWorld Population Day, July 11People rarely look atthe numbers, but ina steadily shrinkingworld, a population of sevenbillion is a staggering figure.When the global populationreaches that numberat the end of 2011, sevenbillion people all over theworld will require shelterand habitation, need food,income and employment,necessitate healthcare, andutilize the world’s water, energyand other natural resources.World Population Day,which is observed annuallyon July 11, seeks to focusattention on the urgencyand importance of populationissues. This year, theUnited Nations PopulationFund seeks to highlight thepopulation issue with 7 BillionActions. 7 Billion Actionsis a global movementopen to every organizationand individual committed toaddressing the most challengingissues of our time.It emphasizes the fact thateveryone has a unique roleand an inherent calling tohelp one another to makethe world a better place.Every organization has aresponsibility to help solvethe problems larger thanany one person can tacklealone.7 Billion Actions alsoaims to highlight organizationsand individuals thathave been making significantimpacts and creatinginnovative solutions in sevenkey areas:• Poverty and Inequality:Breaking the Cycle.Reducing poverty andinequality also slowspopulation growth.• Women and Girls: Empowermentand Progress.Unleashing thepower of women andgirls will accelerateprogress on all fronts.• Young People: Forgingthe Future. Energeticand open to newtechnologies, history’slargest and most interconnectedpopulationof young peopleis transforming globalpolitics and culture.• Reproductive Healthand Rights: The Factsof Life. Ensuring thatevery child is wantedand every child birth issafe leads to smallerand stronger families.• Environment: HealthyPlanet, Healthy People.All seven billion ofthe global population,and those who will follow,depend on thehealth of our planet.• Aging: An UnprecedentedChallenge.Lower fertility and longerlives add up to anew challenge worldwide:providing foraging populations.• Urbanization: Planningfor Growth. Thenext two billion peoplewill live in cities, so weneed to plan for themnow.As the population continuesto grow at exponentialrates, the strugglefor existing resources willcontinue to create morehealth and environmentalchallenges. A greaterpopulation will increasinglystress shrinking forests aspeople require more spacefor homes and industries,agricultural space forcrops and livestock, woodfor shelter, as well as accessto minerals to fueleconomies. They will needaccess to safe and cleandrinking water, which is becomingincreasingly scarcedue to deforestation, pollution,and climate change.Biodiversity of wild plantsand animals will continueto be compromised withthe increased demand forfood and there is a greaterneed to mass produce certaincrops and livestock tofeed a growing population.Dependence on existingenergy resources that relyheavily on fossil fuels willalso cause greater air pollution,which area alreadycausing major respiratoryconcerns among the currentgeneration.The world at seven billioncalls for 7 Billion Actions.While all the key issuesthat highlight World PopulationDay 2011 are interconnected,the drive for ahealthy environment shouldbe a major component toensure a safe world for allof humanity. Governmentsshould strive for a greeneconomy that focuses oncarbon neutrality, energyeffi ciency and renewableresources; industries thatemphasize sustainable productionand biodiversityconservation; businessesthat practice clean technology,recycling, and harmonywith the environment;and civic movements thatstrengthen environmentalconservation. Everyoneneeds to act and no contributionis too small to ensurea safe environment for theworld’s population.For more information onWorld Population Day 2011,log on to www.unfpa.org. •MAY - AUGUST 2011 • ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 53

FEATUREInternational Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, August 9Indigenous peoples: stewards of biodiversityBy Sahlee Bugna-BarrerAn the occasion ofthe International Dayof Indigenous Peoples,August 9, the worldcommunity pays tributeto the indigenous peoples(IPs) for their contributionsto knowledge, innovationsand practices in the conservationof biodiversity onEarth.In its preamble and articles,the Convention onBiological Diversity (CBD)recognizes the pivotal roleof IPs and local communitiesand their traditionalknowledge in the conservationof life on Earth.The traditional knowledgeof IPs is related to their customarypractices, specifi callyrecognized in Article 10(c)of the CBD which stipulatesthat Parties shall “protectand encourage customaryuse of biological resourcesin accordance with traditionalcultural practices thatare compatible with conservationor sustainable userequirements.”The Conference of theParties (COP) to the CBDhas adopted a new majorcomponent of work on sustainableuse of biodiversitywith a focus on customarysustainable use (DecisionX/43). IPs practice customarysustainable use to maintaintheir cultures, in order torealize their cultural expressions– their arts, musicalinstruments, foods, medicine,designs, costumesand shelter.Customary use is guidedby customary regulations,ethical standards, and targetedsanctions to help promotesustainability. Theseregulations may include:recognition of mutual respectof nature, avoidanceof overharvesting, protectionof sacred species andrespect for previous and futuregenerations.In the past, IPs wereamong the most marginalizedsectors in society, andreceived little recognition fortheir contribution to history,culture, environment, andthe community. Efforts ofindigenous peoples’ organizationshave fortunatelyborne fruit, and there hasbeen growing appreciationfor indigenous groups andtheir signifi cance, resultingin greater awarenessamong the general publicand increased governmentsupport.While contributions tohistory, language, artsand culture are closely associatedwith IPs, thesecommunities also have aprofound knowledge andunderstanding of the environment.As a communitythat works closely with natureand its resources, theircontributions to biodiversityconservation and their understandingof the naturalworld should prove invaluableto conservation organizations.Many indigenous and localcommunities live in territoriesthat are biologicallyoutstanding on a globalscale. Traditional indigenousterritories have beenestimated to cover up to 24percent of the world’s landsurface and contain 80 percentof the earth’s remaininghealthy ecosystems andglobal biodiversity priorityareas. Centuries of interactionwith nature have endowedIPs with traditionalecological knowledge thatencompasses an awarenessof species behavior,diversity, breeding, migrationpatterns, seasonalchanges, plant growth andcrop production, and medicinalproperties of fl oraand fauna, among others.Photo by Rolando A. InciongAn Aeta tribesman showing his skill in archeryMany examples of traditionalecological knowledgeare now being acknowledgedas signifi cant to biodiversityconservation. InSabah, Malaysia, the tagalsystem has been recognizedby the governmentas a good strategy for conservingand ensuring thesustainability of decliningand depleting river resources.Under the unique system,practiced by the IPsof Sabah, fi shing is allowedonly once a year in certainrivers to allow the fi sh tomature. The tagal system isenforced under the NativeCustomary Law of Sabahand under Sections 35, 36and 37 of the Freshwaterand Aquaculture FisheriesEnactment 2003. TheMalaysian Government hasannounced plans to employthe tagal system to promotebiodiversity conservationand rural tourism, as wellas increase the income ofrural people from sales offreshwater fi sh. The strategycould also be extendedto sea cucumber habitats toconserve its resources.Indigenous knowledgealso includes an intimateunderstanding of the diversityof the plant species andecological balance that contributeto general health andwell-being. In a study byMervin Gascon on the TraditionalEcological KnowledgeSystem of the MatigsalugTribe in Mitigating the Effectsof Dengue and MalariaOutbreak, he narrates thevarious plants used by theMatigsalug Tribe in MarilogDistrict, Davao City, Philippinesduring dengue feverand malaria outbreaks.The Matigsalugs livealong the side of River Salugthat runs from Arakan-Cota-54ASEAN BIODIVERSITY • MAY - AUGUST 2011www.aseanbiodiversity.org

FEATUREbato, Bukidnon and Davaomountain areas. The tribe,once part of the big Obo-Manobo tribe of Davao-Bukidnon, got its name onlyduring the 1970s when theybegan to call themselves theriver people. Matig means“from” while Salug meansRiver Salug. During denguefever and malaria outbreaks,the Matigsalugs keep deathslow by using different medicinalherbs such as mayana(Coleus scutellarioides), lagundi(Vitex negundo L.),tawa-tawa (Euphorbia hirtalinn), anonang (Anana reticulatalinn), kugon hilbas (Meuthaarvensis linn), and gabon(Synsepalum dulcifi cum).The knowledge and skillson the curative applicationof any of the given herbalmedicines has been handeddown from generation togeneration. Depending onthe type of plant, juice canbe extracted from the leavesor a decoction can be preparedfrom the leaves, barkor bulbs, which are takenby people affl icted with denguefever or malaria. Mostof these herbal plants, especiallylagundi, hilbas andmayana, are planted in theirbackyards to ensure enoughsupply for use whenever theneed arises.The Matigsalugs also usemedicinal oils and oil-basedmixtures to cure certain minorailments. These includelemongrass with pure coconutoil, madre de cacao(Gliricidia sepium) plus purecoconut oil, pure coconutoil with “36 roots from theforest”, and tubli (Derris ellipticabenth) plus coconutoil, which are liberally appliedto affected body parts.Lemongrass is also widelyused to keep mosquitoes atbay. Lemongrass leaves areburned, or used as householdimplements such asbroom, polisher or wax.When scrubbed on the fl oor,the lemongrass leaves awaxy secretion that makesthe fl oor shiny and leavesa scent similar to citronellaoil, which repels mosquitoes.The Matigsalugs alsocommand their children notto play with or kill frogs asthese, they know, eat mosquitoesvoraciously. Theysaid that increasing frog’spopulation in their surroundingscould decreasetheir chance of being bittenby mosquitoes.In a study on TraditionalNatural Resource Use andDevelopment in NortheastThailand, villagers expressedtheir regret with mono-cropping,particularly of jasminerice, which marked the beginningof the end of indigenousseeds and the disappearanceof indigenousrice varieties. Today, onlyan estimated 27 of over 180varieties of rice native to thePhoto by Rolando A. Inciongarea are grown. These varietiesrepresent more thandifferent food choices andbiological diversity sinceoften a certain type of ricewas used for a tradition,ceremony, or ritual, suchas the building of houses,marriage, and during plantingand harvest season. Therice seeds form a signifi cantpart of local culture, so theirdisappearance affected traditionalcultural practicesas well. Different varietieswhere planted accordingto geographic areas andamount of rainfall so therewere different planting andharvest seasons among differentcommunities. Wheneveryone began plantingthe same crop, communitydynamics and interactionwere also affected.These examples andvarious studies highlight thesignifi cance of IPs in differentaspects of natural resourcemanagement, frombiodiversity conservation toclimate change mitigation.A report by the World Banksupports the contentionthat engaging IPs more effectivelyin biodiversity conservationrepresents a winwinsituation, particularly inthe following issues:• Expanding beyondnational parks - manyor most of the world’smajor centers of biodiversity,which maynot be part of nationalparks, coincide withareas occupied orcontrolled by indigenouspeople.• Tapping on ancestralknowledge – the effectiveparticipation ofindigenous people inbiodiversity conservationprograms as expertsin protecting andmanaging biodiversityand natural resourceswould result in morecomprehensive andcost- effective conservationand managementof biodiversityworldwide.• Addressing the climatechange agenda – preservinglarge extensionsof forests wouldnot only support theclimate change objectives,but it wouldrespect the rights ofIPs and conserve biodiversityas well. Someancestral territoriesoften provide excellentexamples of alandscape design thatcan resist the negativeseffects of climatechange. IPs have alsodeveloped geneticvarieties of medicinaland useful plants andanimal breeds with awider natural range ofresistance to climaticand eco- logical variability.Indigenous communitieshave long been responsiblefor the preservation andmaintenance of traditionalknowledge and practicesthat are highly relevant forthe sustainable use of biodiversity.This presents bothan enormous opportunity aswell as a challenge for conservationefforts even beyondprotected areas. Thismakes it imperative that therights, interests and livelihoodsof indigenous communitiesare respected andreinforced in biodiversityconservation efforts. •MAY - AUGUST 2011 • ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 55

PROFILESSaola• Lao PDRNakai-Nam TheunProtected AreaEstablished on 29 October 1993, theNakai-Nam Theun (NNT) conservationarea in Khammouane Province representsLao PDR’s largest and most diverse natural forestarea. The park covers 3,710 square kilometersof the Annamite mountains and the adjacent NakaiPlateau in the provinces of Khammouane andBolikhamxay.LAO PDR56ASEAN BIODIVERSITY • MAY - AUGUST 2011www.aseanbiodiversity.org

PROFILESHabitatsThere is a complexrange of habitats in theprotected area, whichinclude evergreen forest,montane fagaceous forest,cloud forest, riverine forestand everwet forest.The evergreen foresthas plant families andgenera typical for otherparts of Southeast Asia.Commonly found in thearea are Dipterocarpusand Shorea in theDipterocarpaceae, andspecies of Myristicaceae,Annonaceae, Rutaceae,Sapindaceae, andFabaceae, among otherspecies.Undisturbed montanefagaceous forest generallyoccurs at higher elevations.Ridges above 950 meterstoward the Viet Namborder in the southernpart of the NNT PA havescattered and smallpopulations of Fokieniahodginsii, a commerciallyvaluable cypress-likeconifer.Cloud forest occurs onmountains south of BanNameo and is dominatedby the Ericaceous species,particularly Rhododendroncf. veitchianum Hooker,which grows up to sevenmeters.Riverine forest is theonly habitat where a treespecies of Poikilospermum(Urticaceae) was seen.The habitat protects alarge variety of herbs. Inthe Nam Sot area whereriverbanks are shallowand many areas appear toflood regularly, componentspecies of habitat floraremain unknown.One of the uniquefeatures of the NNTprotected area is theoccurrence of the highlyrestricted ‘everwet forest’.This occurs only in narrowbands where there are lowelevation saddles in the SaiPhou Louang (Annamite)chain. These saddles allowthe Vietnamese northeastmonsoon to penetrateacross the border andconsequently these areasreceive rain for up to tenmonths of the year. It isprobable that the faunaand flora assemblages inthe area are unique as thehabitat occurs nowhereelse in Lao PDR.WildlifeThere are 530 recordedvertebrates in theprotected area, including377 species of birds, 100species of mammals, 45species of bats, eightspecies of rodents, and53 species of reptiles andamphibians. The NakainamTheun ProtectedArea is home to some ofthe world’s most recentlydiscovered species,including the saola, smalldark muntjac and giantmuntjac. The Indochinesewarty pig was recentlyrediscovered in the areaafter being consideredextinct. At least ninespecies of primates occurincluding pygmy loris, douclangur, Francois’ langurand white-cheeked gibbon.Many rare cat speciescan also be found in thearea, such as fishing cat(Prionailurus viverrinus),golden cat (Catopumatemmincki), marbled cat(Pardofelis marmorata),clouded leopard (Pardofelisnebulosa) and tiger(Panthera tigris). TheNakai Plateau also holdssignificant populations ofmany mammals includingan estimated100-150 AsianElephants.Nakai-Nam Theunis also known for thediversity of avian speciesin the area. Slow-flowingrivers and adjacent foreston the Nakai Plateauprovide habitats forscarce species such as(Cairina scutulata), lesserfish-eagle (Ichthyophagahumilis), pied falconet(Microhierax melanoleucos)and river lapwing (Vanellusduvaucelii). Lowland semievergreenforest supportspopulations of red-collaredwoodpecker (Picus rabieri),pale-headed woodpecker(Gecinulus grantia),Indochinese green magpie(Cissa hypoleuca), whitewingedmagpie (Urocissawhiteheadi) and rufousthroatedfulvetta (Alcipperufogularis). The fagaceousforest provides habitat forcoral-billed ground cuckoo(Carpococcyx renauldi),green cochoa (CochoaElephantDouc langurMAY - AUGUST 2011 • ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 57

PROFILESEcotourismWhile the area offersspectacular forests andrivers, difficult access andlack of accommodationor services limit tourismactivities. Access tothe park requires entryby boat or on foot, andalso requires significantamounts of time. Thereis increasing discussionhowever of developingthe ecotourism potentialof Nakai-Nam Theun,particularly for birdwatching due to the richvariety of bird species inthe park.Whiskered yuhinaviridis), and red-tailedlaughingthrush (Garrulaxmilnei), among manyothers.The beautiful nuthatch(Sitta formosa) is usuallyfound on the boughs ofFokienia hodginsii, whilespectacled fulvetta (Alcipperuficapilla), whiskeredyuhina (Yuhina flavicollis)and chestnut-tailed minla(Minla strigula) are confinedto cloud and elfin forestclose to the summits ofthe highest peaks. The‘everwet’ forests area stronghold of shorttailedscimitar-babbler(Jabouilleia danjoui) andcrested argus (Rheinardiaocellata).ThreatsMain threats to theprotected area includethe poaching of wildlifeand non-timber forestproducts (NTFP). Manyof the species thatare illegally traded arespecies used in traditionalmedicine, including turtlesand pangolins. NTFPsbeing harvested includerattan, keesee, kaysena,pine resins, bamboo andthe leaves of fan palms.Occasionally, the stemsof a woody climber locallyknown as ‘hairm’ havebeen gathered and soldas a malaria cure by localresidents.Another majorthreat to biodiversity inthe protected area isclearance of forest forshifting cultivation dueto the increase of humansettlements in the park.There is also a certainamount of logging at theedge of the Nakai Plateau.Logging of the cypressforests has also beenreported.Conservation ProgrammeTo strengthen parkmanagement, a numberof training programs havebeen provided includingcapacity building onparticipatory assessmentand planning, land-useplanning, and wildlifemonitoring techniques.Joint-patrollingprogrammes have beenplanned with Provincialand District securityforces to minimize theextent and impact ofwidespread poaching inthe park. Protected areamanagement also plansto continue participatoryconservation activities bystrengthening cooperationwith existing guardianvillages and establishingnew guardian villagesin critical habitat areas.These activities shouldinclude both villageconservation monitoringgroups, community naturalresources management,and support fordevelopment activities.Other project activitiesinclude the developmentof a comprehensiveforest/land-use planningand appropriate livelihooddevelopment programmefor the entire PA; boundarydemarcation; assessmentof threats and managementconsiderations for theNakai elephant population;and supplementary surveyson flora and reptiles andamphibians; among others.Getting thereThere is only one mainroad which enters the heartof the protected area, andit is via Route 8B (aroundBan Kengdaeng, KhamkeutDistrict) to Ban Thamuang(on the Nam Sot) to BanNavang (on the Nam Mon).The Nakai Plateau canalso be accessed fromThakek via Route 12 andthen Route 8 B to NakaiDistrict Town and the NakaiPlateau. •References:BirdLife International.Important Bird Areas inLao PDR (http://birdlifeindochina.org/birdlife/iba_laos/pdf/la025_nakainam_theun.pdf)Ecotourism Laos (http://www.ecotourismlaos.com/nakainamtheun.htm)Timmins, R.J. and T.D. Evans.1996. Wildlife and HabitatSurvey of the Nakai-NamTheun National BiodiversityConservation Area. TheWildlife Conservation Society.Vientiane, Lao PDR.Tobias, Joe; Pete Davidsonand William Robichaud.1998. Nakai-Nam Theun:can development saveone of South-East Asia’slast wildernesses? in OBCBulletin 28, November1998. Oriental Bird Club(http://www.orientalbirdclub.org/publications/bullfeats/nakainam.html)58ASEAN BIODIVERSITY • MAY - AUGUST 2011www.aseanbiodiversity.org

PROFILES• PhilippinesMt. Hamiguitan RangeWildlife SanctuaryMt. Hamiguitan is located in DavaoOriental, Philippines and straddlesthree municipalities, namely Mati,Governor Generoso, and San Isidro. The wildlifesanctuary covers 6,834 hectares and wasdeclared a protected area under Republic Act9303 on 30 July 2004. Mt. Hamiguitan RangeWildlife Sanctuary (MHRWS) is being managedby the Protected Area Management Board andthe Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau of thePhilippines’ Department of Environment andNatural Resources. The highest point in thePHILIPPINESsanctuary is Mt. Hamiguitan, which stands at 5,345 feet above sea level.Noted for its rich biodiversity, the protected area has also been identifiedas one of the country’s Key Biodiversity Areas.MAY - AUGUST 2011 • ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 59

PROFILESHabitatsMt. Hamiguitan hasbeen found to have fivevegetation types, namelyagro-ecosystem (75-420meters above sea level),dipterocarp (420-920meters above sea level),montane (920-1,160meters above sea level),typical mossy (1,160-1,350 meters above sealevel) and mossy-pygmyforest (1,160-1,200 metersabove sea level). Each ofthese forest types harborsendemic, threatened, rareand economically importantspecies of flora and fauna.Trees within the mossypygmyforest have anaverage height of only 1.4meters with a diameter of 8centimeters. Two dominantspecies that can only befound in this forest type areLeptospermum flavescensand Wendlandia nervosa.Other species includeTristaniopsis micrantha,Dacrydium elatum,Calophyllum blancoi,Symplocos polyandra,and Agathis philippinensis(almaciga) which has theTwin fallshighest average height ofonly 2.4 meters.The headwaters ofdifferent major rivers are alsofound on Mt. Hamiguitan,such as the Bitaogan River,Maua River, Dumagoocand the Tibanban Riverand several creeks withdischarge points to theDavao Gulf on the west andthe Philippine Sea on theeast. The Dumagooc andthe Tibanban Rivers are themajor water sources of themunicipality of GovernorGeneroso.WildlifeMt. Hamiguitan RangeWildlife Sanctuary is theonly protected forest notedfor its unique bonsai fieldor ‘pygmy’ forest of 100-year-old trees on ultramaficsoil. It is also known asa sanctuary of the worldfamous Philippine eagle(Pithecophaga jefferyi),as well as other endemicspecies of flora and fauna.FloraInventory of flora speciesin each vegetation typerevealed that the montaneforest has the highestspecies richness of plantswith 462 species, followedby dipterocarp forest with338 species. Mossy andagro-system have thelowest species richnessvalue of 246 each.Assessment of theconservation status of 477identified species revealedthat 163 species (18.56percent) are endemic, 35species (3.99 percent)threatened, 33 species(3.75 percent) rare and 204species (23.23 percent)economically important.Eight (8) species, namely,Elaeocarpus verticillatus,Patersonia lowii, Astronialagunensis, Nepenthesargentii, N. mira,Schizaea inopinata andS. malaccana, have beenfound to be new recordsin Mindanao and one(1) species, Nepenthesmaxima, as a new record inthe Philippines.FaunaRecorded speciesin MHRWS include 14species of mammalsand 53 species of birds.Endemic mammalsinclude the golden-crownflying fox (Acerodonjubatus), Philippinetarsier (Tarsius syrichta),Philippine warty pig (Susphilippinensis), Philippinebrown deer (Cervusmariannus), Philippinemossy-pygmy fruit bat(Haplonycteris fischeri),Philippine monkey (Macacafasciularis), Philippinepalm civet (Paradoxurusphilippinensis), Philippinetree squirrel (Callosciurusphilippinensis), Philippinecommon field rat (Rattusmindanensis) andMindanao wild pig (Suscelebensis).Endemic bird speciesinclude the Philippineglossy starling (Aplonispanayensis), Philippineflowerpecker (Dicaeumaustrale austral),Philippine turtle dove(Streptopelia bitoquatadusumieri), Philippinecoucal (Centropusviridis viridis),Philippine hawk-eagle(Spizaetus philippensis),Mindanao bleedingheart(Gallicolumbacrinigera), Philippinecockatoo (Cacatuahaematuropygia) andPhilippine dwarf kingfisher(Ceyx melanurus). Otherrecorded bird speciesinclude the Japanesenight-heron, spot-billedPelican, giant scops-owl,blue-capped kingfisher,and rufous-loredkingfisher.In 2006, a yellowbrownrodent wasdiscovered in the pygmyforests of Mt. Hamiguitanand identified as a newspecies. The discoveryof the Hamiguitan hairytailed rat reinforces the richbiodiversity of the wildlifesanctuary and strengthensthe need for the effectiveconservation of theprotected area.60ASEAN BIODIVERSITY • MAY - AUGUST 2011www.aseanbiodiversity.org

PROFILESNepenthes micramphoraMt. HamiguitanCloud ratPhilippine cockatooThreatsThreats to MHRWSinclude timber poaching,soil erosion, gatheringand collection of wildliferesources, and illegal entryand occupation of informalsettlers.EcotourismVisitors can enjoy anumber of recreationalpursuits in Mt. Hamiguitan.Some of the local attractionsinclude the Tinagong Dagator Hidden Lake, which has anarea of about fi ve hectares.The bonsai fi eld or pygmyforest is located southeastfrom Mt. Hamiguitan andcovers an estimated areaof 100 hectares. The arealooks like a ricefi eld from adistance. Plant species foundin the pygmy forest includealmaciga, cedar, lokinai, yakal,dapdap and bitanghol. Onthe southern portion of thebonsai fi eld are springs whichrun into two creeks. Visitorscan also visit Licub Falls andseveral other waterfalls on theheadwaters of the DumagoocRiver. The more adventuroustourist can also opt to climbMt. Hamiguitan. There arealso tremendous opportunitiesfor bird watching, trekkingand camping in the wildlifesanctuary.Getting thereThe protected area isaccessible on the westernside via three routes.The first route, which isfrequently used, is via SitioMahayag of BarangayLa Union, the startingpoint of the travel, whichis accessible by landtransportation and is about25 kilometers from SanIsidro Proper.Another route is viaPurok 8 of Barangay SergioOsmeña River upstreamfrom Purok 4, the startingpoint of the hike. Purok 4is accessible by any landtransport and is aboutseven kilometers from thetown proper of GovernorGeneroso.The third route, whichis via Sitio Magum ofMacambol, is not frequentlyused due to its diffi cultterrain. Sitio Magum is about45 minutes by pump boat(motorized banca) fromMacambaol, which is alsoabout 45 minutes by pumpboat from the port of Mati. •References:National GeographicNews (http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/02/090219-hairyrat-picture.html)Philippine Clearing HouseMechanism for Biodiversity(http://www.chm.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=170%3Afeatured-protectedarea-mt-hamiguitan-rangewildlife-sanctuary-mhrws-&catid=47&Itemid=73)UNESCO (http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5487/)MAY - AUGUST 2011 • ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 61

PROFILES• MALAYSIAGunung Gading National ParkGunung Gading NationalPark covers 4,104 hectaresand is located in the LunduDistrict, southwest of Sarawak. TheMALAYSIAPark features four mountain peaks — Gunung Gading (900 meters),Gunung Perigi, Gunung Sebuloh and Gunung Lundu - as well aswaterfalls in the upper reaches of Sungai Lundu, which have become apopular recreational destination for both local and foreign visitors.62ASEAN BIODIVERSITY • MAY - AUGUST 2011www.aseanbiodiversity.org

PROFILESGunung Gading NationalPark has a very special starattraction - the Rafflesia,the world’s largest flower- and the park is one of thebest places in Asia to viewthe Rafflesia’s spectacularblooms. Gunung Gadingwas gazetted as apark on 1 August 1983primarily to provide aconservation zone for theprotection of the Rafflesia.However, after extensiveenvironmental impactstudies, the National ParksDepartment decidedthat Gunung Gading is atreasure that should beshared and it was thusopened to the public in1994.WildlifeGunung Gading’s mostfamous resident is theworld’s largest flower, theRafflesia, which is Bungapakma in Malay. There arethought to be 17 speciesof Rafflesia, some of whichmay already be extinct.Three species are foundin Sarawak - the Rafflesiapricei, Rafflesia arnoldiand Rafflesia tuan-mudae,which is actually a type ofArnoldi. Only one species,R. tuan-mudae, is foundat Gunung Gading. TheRafflesia tuan-mudae wasdiscovered by the 19thcentury Italian botanist,Odoardo Beccari, andnamed in honour of thesecond White Rajah, TuanMuda Charles Brooke.Gunung Gading is hometo a range of speciesincluding wild boar, civetcat, small deer, porcupine,monkey, giant squirrel,great argus, grey-andbuffwoodpecker, Diard’strogon, black broadbill,yellow broadbill and brownfulvetta. However, as thepark is surrounded byvillages, Gunung Gadingis not an easy place forspotting wild animals. Mostwildlife stay deep in thejungle on the upper slopesof the park’s mountains,and therefore visitors whoopt for a summit trek aremore likely to see some ofthe park’s wildlife.The RafflesiaThe Rafflesia is aparasitic plant found onlyin Southeast Asia, andthen only in sub-montanehilly forests at elevationsbetween 400 and 1,300meters. Sir StamfordRaffles and Dr. JosephArnold were the firstEuropeans to discoverthe Rafflesia in 1818 on afield trip near the town ofBencoolen (Bengkulu) inSumatra. The specimenthey discovered measured97 cm in diameter and waslater named the Rafflesiaarnoldi. At full bloom theRafflesia can measure upto one meter in width.Much of the flower’sbiology remains a mysteryto this day. It has nospecific flowering seasonand it has no roots, leavesor stem. The Rafflesiadepends on a host vine -the tetrastigma, a memberof the grape family. Thechoice of tetrastigma ashost and the process ofgermination remain unclear.Threads of tissue spreadout within the vine, absorbnutrients, and after 18months a small dark brownbud appears. However,even when a bud formsthere is no guarantee that itwill mature into a Rafflesiaflower. A bud takes ninemonths to mature, andstudies have shown that ahigh percentage of budsdo not survive, as theyare susceptible to bothdrought and heavy rain.After nine months thebrown ‘leaves’ of thecabbage-like bud open,revealing the undersideof the petal-like lobes. Ittakes several hours for aflower to open fully. Thereare usually five thick andfleshy red-coloured petals,covered in lighter colouredspots, warts and blotches.The Rafflesia only bloomsfor three to five days,before it starts to blackenand rot. Although it is quitecommon for a number ofbuds to occur in a clusterat the same site, it is rarefor two plants of the samecluster to bloom at thesame time.Rafflesia flowers areeither male or female, andtherefore cannot self-MAY - AUGUST 2011 • ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 63

PROFILESRafflesiapollinate. For pollination totake place, a male and afemale flower must bloomat the same time andpollen must be transportedover considerabledistances. In the Rafflesia’scase pollination is carriedout by carrion flies, sowhile in full bloom theRafflesia gives off a foulsmell of decaying flesh toattract them. Seeds arethought to be dispersedby rodents and other smallmammals.Conservation ProgrammeGunung Gading NationalPark was establishedas a strict conservationzone to ensure thesurvival of the Rafflesia.With other endangeredspecies it is possible toimplement a range ofconservation measuressuch as translocationand the establishment ofnurseries. However, thesemeasures are not possiblewith the Rafflesia due toits very high degree ofspecialisation. GunungGading’s status as aprotected area will thusprevent habitat loss, andguarantee the presence ofthe tetrastigma vine, theRafflesia’s host.Gunung Gading NationalPark is closely monitoredby the National ParksDepartment to ensure thatvisitors will get the bestopportunity to view theflowering Rafflesia withoutcausing any damage tothe young buds and otherflora in the park. Plankwalks have been built closeto where the Rafflesia arecommonly found, makingviewing possible when aplant is in bloom.EcotourismThe Rafflesia is arare flower with a shortflowering period so visitorsshould check with parkheadquarters if a Rafflesiais in full bloom. Visitorscan easily view Rafflesianear park headquartersthrough plank walks. Parkwardens also take visitorson guided walks to flowersthat are blooming deeperin the forest. Visitorsshould take notice of thewarden’s instructions andtread carefully, to avoiddamaging any buds onthe forest floor. Bloomsare more common duringthe wetter months and arealso more commonly foundon the lower slopes of thepark’s mountain peaks.Visitors can also hikethe many jungle trails inthe park. Since the parkfeatures rugged mountainpeaks, most of the jungletreks involve a significantamount of hill walking andrequires a reasonable levelof fitness. The summittreks are for serious hikerssince these may take upto 7 to 8 hours of hiking.Official trekking guidesare necessary as GunungGading is a conservationzone, and only smalltrekking groups areallowed. Some of the trailsin the park are:• Waterfall Trail – theeasiest and shortesttrail in the park. Thetrail follows a riverand passes sevenwaterfalls, althoughnot all of the waterfallsare accessible.The whole trailpasses through somegreat jungle scenerybefore reaching thefinal waterfall, and aperfect dip pool surroundedby forest.• Batu Berkubu – anoptional trek fromthe Gunung Gadingsummit, this is fairlyeasy but takes an additionaltwo to threehours round trip.• Gunung Gading SummitTrail – the summitwas the location ofa British army campduring the communistinsurgency of the1960s. Hikers will stillsee remnants of thecamp, including ahelicopter pad, watertank and barbed wirefencing.• Plank Walk Trail – theplank walk providesaccess to nearbyRafflesia and formsa loop, which takesabout one hour tocomplete, allowingtime to enjoy the forestscenery along theway.Aside from seeing theRafflesia and hiking thejungle trails, visitors canswim in the jungle streams,walk in the Park and visitthe beaches and the wholeof Lundu.Getting thereThe Park is just fiveminutes drive from Lundutown or about two hour’sdrive from Kuching.You can take SarawakTransport Company, LunduExpress Bus or Bus No. 2Bfrom Kuching City to Lundutown centre. From there,take a Pandan bus and askto be dropped off at thepark. Alternatively, Kuchingtour operators offer guidedtours to the park. •References:Sarawak Forestry Department(http://www.forestry.sarawak.gov.my/forweb/np/np/gading.htm)Sarawak Forestry Corporation(http://www.sarawakforestry.com/htm/snp-np-gading.html)Sarawask Tourism Board(http://www.sarawaktourism.com/content.cfm/id/A11791D1-C03D-41C3-970326BBD2DAD057)Virtual Malaysia.com (ttp://www.virtualmalaysia.com/destination/gunung%20gading%20national%20park.html)World Wildlife Adventures(http://www.world-wildlifeadventures.com/directory/malaysia/wildlife-park.asp?sanctuary=Gunung+Gading+National+Park&state=Sarawak)64ASEAN BIODIVERSITY • MAY - AUGUST 2011www.aseanbiodiversity.org

BOOKMARKSResults of the 2011 PhilippineBiodiversity Expedition revealedFROM April 26 to June 10, 2011, 31 American expeditionteam members along with local botanists, entomologists,herpetologists, mammalogists and marine biologistsfrom the University of the Philippines (UP), De La SalleUniversity, University of Batangas, the Protected Areasand Wildlife Bureau of the Department of Environment andNatural Resources, the Bureau of Fisheries and AquaticResources of the Department of Agriculture, and theNational Museum of the Philippines, explored the shallowwaterreefs, deep sea, and terrestrial and freshwaterecosystems of the country for new life or discoveries neverbeen recorded.Among the places included in the expedition wereLake Taal, Anilao, the Verde Island Passage in Batangas,Mt. Makiling in Laguna, Mt. Banahaw in Quezon, Mt.Malarayat in Batangas, and Mt. Isarog in the Bicol region.The 2011 Philippine Biodiversity Expedition was thelargest expedition undertaken by the California Academyof Sciences (CAS). It was the first expedition that involveda comprehensive survey of both terrestrial and marinediversity, which took place in the Philippines, a megadiversecountry with over 7,100 islands.Participants included the California Academy ofSciences’ Dean of Science and Research Collections,Dr. Terry Gosliner and Director of Teacher and YouthEducation, Dr. Meg Burke. Gosliner has worked withresearchers, educators, and community leaders in thePhilippines, where he has also been active in conservationefforts for the country’s marine biodiversity. Burke on theother hand has been very active in sharing knowledgeon Philippine biodiversity with the Filipino-Americancommunity in San Francisco, U.S. but also with somecounterparts in the Philippines.The team from the University of Philippines was ledby Dr. Edwino Fernando of the UP Los Baños College ofForestry and Natural Resources and Dr. Perry Ong of theInstitute of Biology.“Our country is remarkably rich in biodiversity, fromcoral reefs to forests, rivers and lakes. Conservation ofthese resources is most critical to species survival, stableecosystems and economic development on the Philippinesand the world as well,” said Dr. Ong.With the completion of the scientific researches,the preliminary results and conservation challengeswere presented through a symposium titled “The 2011Philippine Biodiversity Expedition” held on June 8,2011 at the National Institute of Geological SciencesAuditorium, University of the Philippines, Diliman,Quezon City. The symposium was attended by scientists,researchers, academicians and policy makers. It servedas a venue for the scientific community, national andlocal government units and the general public to beaware and knowledgeable of the current state of thecountry’s ecosystems and appreciate its unique but highlythreatened biodiversity.Highlighted in the presentations were the discoveries ofnew species in the Philippines from the top of the highestmountains to the depths of the sea. The conservationchallenges for its unique flora and fauna and discussionstoward developing effective strategies to mitigate thegrowing impacts of climate change and education andawareness-raising on the values of biodiversity were alsogiven emphasis, especially during the panel discussionseries and open forum.Dr. Sheila G. Vergara, director of the BiodiversityInformation Management Unit of the ASEAN Centre forBiodiversity (ACB), presented the regional challenges onbiodiversity. She stated that biodiversity conservationis progressivelyacknowledged bySoutheast Asiangovernmentsas particularlyimportantfor humandevelopment. Thisis manifested byvarious effortstaken by thenational and localgovernmentsacross the region tohelp conserve thedwindling biologicalresources.However, thereare still numerousissues yet tobe effectivelyStarfishNembrotha nudibranchPhotos courtesy of California Academy of Sciencesaddressed such as the need for common informationplatforms, recognition of connectivity between and amongecosystems and their threats and drivers, awareness ofthe values of biodiversity, useful knowledge products, andsustained collaboration, management and support.“It is a challenge to improve presentations by whichbiodiversity knowledge, the science base and technologiesrelating to biodiversity, its values, functioning, status andtrends, and the consequences of its loss, are stored,improved, widely shared and transferred, and applied,”Dr. Vergara emphasized. “The data exist in a number ofcountries, but they are not standardized or harmonized.There is no global baseline yet nor a global repositoryfor the data,” she added reiterating the importance ofbiodiversity information and knowledge management.ASEAN taxonomists form networkTAXONOMISTS from Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia,Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam haveformed a taxonomic information network to promotesystematic information sharing, dissemination, andinstitutionalization of taxonomic knowledge in theeducational and public awareness systems. The networkwas organized during a workshop on “Capacity-buildingand Orientation on Species and Protected Areas DatabaseInterfaces” held in Manila on June 22, 2011.The workshop was part of a project on “TaxonomicCapacity Building and Governance for Conservation andSustainable Use of Biodiversity” being implemented by theASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), supported by theEast and Southeast Asia Biodiversity Information Initiative

BOOKMARKSstaff Herbarium Bogoriense, Indonesia; Dr KosonhXayphakatsa, deputy director, Biotechnology Division,Science and Technology Research Institute, Lao PDR;Dr Pan Khang Aun, researcher, Forest Research Division,Forest Research Institute, Malaysia; Dr. Edwino Fernando,professor, College of Forestry and Natural Resources,University of the Philippines; Nguyen Thi Van Ah, official,Biodiversity Conservation Agency, Viet Nam EnvironmentAdministration; Dr Cai Yikiong, senior biodiversity officer,National Biodiversity Center, National Parks Board,Singapore; and Mr. Panuat, senior environmental official,Biological Biodiversity Center, Office of Natural Resourcesand Environmental Policy and Planning, Thailand.Workshop participants(ESABII) of Japan and funded by the Japan-ASEANIntegrated Fund.The taxonomists serve as ASEAN Member States’National Focal Points for the Program of Work of theGlobal Taxonomy Initiative (GTI) under the Convention onBiological Diversity (CBD). The new network also includesChina, Japan and Korea as members of the ASEAN+3.Dr. Filiberto Pollisco, Jr, ACB policy research specialist,said the taxonomic information network for ASEAN+3countries is vital to the achievement of GTI objectives:assessing taxonomic needs and capacities at national,regional and global levels for the implementation of theCBD; building and maintaining human resources, systemsand infrastructure needed to obtain, collate and curatethe biological specimens that are the basis for taxonomicknowledge; facilitating an improved and effectiveinfrastructure/system for access to taxonomic informationto ensure that countries of origin gain access toinformation concerning elements of their biodiversity; andincluding key taxonomic objectives to generate informationfor decision-making in conservation and sustainable use ofbiological diversity.Director Clarissa Arida of ACB’s Program Developmentand Implementation Unit said the workshop oriented theASEAN taxonomists on the GTI program of work; introducedthem to the Darwin Core database as a platform forbiodiversity information sharing Service; and familiarizedthe participants with ACB’s “Friends of Biodiversity” as adatabase for taxonomists in Southeast Asia.Director Sheila Vergara of ACB’s Biodiversity InformationManagement Unit said the use of the Darwin Coredatabase will contribute to the inter-operability of data forbiodiversity conservation planning and decision making.ACB is working to increase the taxonomic capacitiesof ASEAN Member States with the help of China, Japanand Korea as ASEAN dialogue partners. According to ACBExecutive Director Rodrigo Fuentes, “Taxonomy is a keycomponent of biodiversity conservation but, unfortunately,we only have a few practicing taxonomists in SoutheastAsia. Lack of scientific information on biodiversity in theASEAN region is a crucial issue in the assessment andprediction of biodiversity changes, caused mainly by thelack of taxonomic capacity in data collection and analysis.Having a network of taxonomists will leverage the limitedexpertise available in the region.”Key people who attended the Manila workshopincluded: Dr Dedy Darnaedi, plant taxonomy and seniorASEAN and Japan sponsor plants andcoral taxonomy internship programTAXONOMISTS from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar,Thailand and Viet Nam participated in a one-monthinternship program on terrestrial plants and coraltaxonomy, respectively in Bangkok and Phuket, Thailand.The internship program, part of a project on “TaxonomicCapacity Building and Governance for Conservation andSustainable Use of Biodiversity”, was hosted by Thailandthrough the Royal Forestry Herbarium and the PhuketMarine Biological Center.The project, being implemented by the ASEAN Centrefor Biodiversity (ACB) and funded by the Japan-ASEANIntegration Fund, aims to develop and enhance capacitiesin taxonomic knowledge for strengthening scientific basisin decision making vital for environmental governance,business and technological developments, as well ascollaboration, among ASEAN Member States and theEast and Southeast Asia Biodiversity Information Initiative(ESABII) of Japan.“Taxonomy is a key component of biodiversityconservation but, unfortunately, we only have a fewpracticing taxonomists in Southeast Asia. Lack of scientificinformation on biodiversity in the ASEAN region is a crucialissue in the assessment and prediction of biodiversitychanges, caused mainly by the lack of taxonomic capacityin data collection and analysis,” Dr. Filiberto Pollisco, Jr,project coordinator for ACB-ESABII and policy researchspecialist of ACB, explained.The taxonomy internship from May 31 to June 30 inThailand developed and enhanced the capabilities ofInterns discuss lessons on plant taxonomy.66ASEAN BIODIVERSITY • MAY - AUGUST 2011www.aseanbiodiversity.org

BOOKMARKSTaxonomy interns at workTaxonomists from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailandand Viet Namthe ASEAN + 3 (China, Japan and South Korea) in theunderstanding, analysis and applications of taxonomicknowledge in the context of sustainable biodiversityconservation and management provide opportunities tofurther enhance expertise on plants and corals taxonomy.The internship program also enhanced the participants’awareness and understanding of advancements intaxonomy through hands-on approach. At the end ofthe one-month internship, the participants produced adetailed taxonomic account of their focus of study andwrite a publishable scientific article of their selectedspecies of study.The Royal Forestry Herbarium and the Phuket MarineBiological Center, as host institutions, provided and madeavailable the necessary equipment, facilities, and materialsfor the internship program.These institutions provided access to mounted and livespecimens in their respective laboratories. They orientedand trained the interns on the nuances of taxonomy andtheir database system; provided access to specimenstocks, laboratory facilities, and outdoor aquaria; andprovided technical input and assistance to the interns,especially in practical and hands-on taxonomy.SM’s Green Retail Agendahighlights sustainability“The Philippines is a biodiversity hotspot and businessis an integral part of the solution to biodiversity loss.Investing in biodiversity conservation makes soundbusiness sense.” This was stressed by Rodrigo Fuentes,Executive Director of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity,in his presentation on Synergies that Works: Biodiversityand Sustainability during the Green Retail Agenda, anenvironmental conference annually organized by the SMPrime Holdings, Inc. and SM Supermalls.With its theme, Empowerment by Sustainability, theevent showcased SM’s initiatives as a steward of theenvironment and emphasized the social, economic, andenvironmental benefits of engaging into green retail. Theconference encouraged every mall tenant and retaileracross all SM Supermalls to cultivate sustainable methodsand sound ecological strategies beneficial to commerceand trade.The event was held at the SMX Convention Centre onJune 22, 2011 and attended by over 500 tenants, retailersand partners of SM Supermalls. Leading environmentaladvocates, representatives of government andinternational organizations, as well as business leadersshared information and experiences on establishing anenvironment-friendly, ecologically sound and profitablebusiness system. The conference also highlightedpresentations on tenant preparedness, sustainableappetites, sustainable design and energy efficiency, andbest practices.Atty. Byron San Pedro, representing MuntinlupaCity, talked about his city’s zero plastic policy; Mr.Mark Woodward of The World Bank discussed greenprocurement; and Mr. Fuentes explained how business islinked to biodiversity.SM Prime Holdings, Inc. President Hans T. Sy andSM Supermalls President Annie S. Garcia welcomedthe participants while Architect Fides Garcia, AssistantVice-President of SM Supermalls Environmental Program,introduced SM Supermalls Environmental Program andGreen Retail Design.Atty. Felipe Gozon, Chief Executive of GMA Network,Inc. and Vice-President for the Environment of thePhilippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, introducedthe SM Supermalls’ environmental thrusts.Guests of honor included Secretary Ramon Paje ofthe Department of Environment and Natural Resources,(DENR) who explained the National Greening Program;H.E. US Ambassador Harry Thomas, Senator MiguelZubiri, and H.E. UK Ambassador Stephen Lillie, whoACB Executive Director Rodrigo U. Fuentes discusses the roleof business in curbing biodiversity loss.MAY - AUGUST 2011 • ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 67

BOOKMARKSdelivered inspirational messages. Puerto Princesa CityMayor Edward Hagedorn gave a video presentation on theUnderground River of Palawan.Other speakers were Ms. Reese Fernandez ofRags2Riches, Miss Earth Foundation Executive DirectorCathy Untalan, and Illac Diaz of My Shelter Foundation,who presented their environmental advocacy and currentecologically sound projects.The Green Retail Agenda, a program implementedby SM Supermalls in partnership with the DENR, TheWorld Bank, Epson, Firefly Lighting, MERALCO, NARUTechnology Inc. and National Geographic, is directed tomake green businesses possible through discussionson new trends, materials, policies, and energy efficientpractices.School kids watch a video on biodiversity at ACB’s SyenSayabooth.SyenSaya 2011 features climatechange and biodiversityHOW climate change contributes to biodiversity losswas one of the topics exhibited at the SyenSaya fair onJuly 28, 2011 in celebration of the National Science andTechnology Week in Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines.The exhibit was produced by the ASEAN Centre forBiodiversity (ACB), who joined 20 other members of theLos Baños Science Community Foundation, Inc. (LBSCFI)in celebrating the annual Los Baños science festival.SyenSaya is a contraction of Filipino syensya (science)and masaya (fun) to refer to science as fun and thereforeshould be enjoyed not only by young individuals but byadults as well.This year’s theme Nasa Syensa ang Pag-asa (InScience There is Hope) underscored the role of scienceand technology (S&T) in the economic development of acountry. The event was launched in line with the openingof a science discovery exhibit, dubbed Wonderama, at theBaker Hall in UP Los Baños. Showcased in Wonderamawere various research inventions and technology andknowledge products of LBSCFI in three components,namely, basic science principles, science appreciation andS&T application.The basic science component highlighted 26 interactiveexhibits on basic science principles. Among them werebluetooth controlled mobile robot, insect robot, trafficlight controller, different types of telescopes, space-timecurvature, planets and constellations, magic blue bottle,bioluminescence, DNA extraction, and quantum science.The science appreciation component featured scienceand technology experiments that were conducted byselected high school students who have received bothlocal and national recognitions.The S&T application component presented exhibitsaddressing issues on climate change, food and agriculturalproduction, energy and the environment.“Since SyenSaya was started in 2008, it has been ashowcase of the strong science culture of the Los Bañoscommunity,” Dr. Luis Rey I. Velasco, UP Los BanosChancellor, said in his welcome remarks during theopening ceremony. He mentioned that science, as gearedtoward economic growth, poverty reduction and humandevelopment, should be able to help in the decisionmakingof the country’s leaders.According to Mr. Roberto Cereno, SyenSaya 2011coordinator, “it was the first time science tourism wasused in the Philippines as well as in Southeast Asia.Busloads of elementary, high school and college studentsfrom the provinces of Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Quezonand Rizal, as well as Metro Manila visited Los Baños andwitnessed the science festival.Dignitaries who attended the event includedCongressman Angelo B. Palmones, AGHAM Party ListRepresentative; Undersecretary Fortunato T. Dela Peñaof the Department of Science and Technology; and LosBanos Mayor Anthony F. Genuino.UNDP workshop discussesvalue of communicationin biodiversity conservationCOMMUNICATION, as well as education and publicawareness areamong the keys to successful biodiversityconservation. This was stressed during a Workshop onCommunication, Education and Public Awareness (CEPA)for Conservation and Sustainable Management of Timor-Leste’s Biodiversity conducted by the United NationsDevelopment Programme (UNDP) on May 23, 2011at theCatholic Relief Services building in Dili.The workshop, part of the UNDP-ASEAN Centre forBiodiversity (ACB) Second Project Mission to prepareTimor-Leste’s National Biodiversity Strategy and ActionPlan (NBSAP), was attended by 21 participants fromgovernment institutions, non-government organizations,media, and the education sector.Resource speaker Rolando Inciong, HeadofCommunication and Public Affairs of ACB,explained thatTimor-Leste, as a party to the Convention on BiologicalDiversity, is mandated to prepare an NBSAP thatreflects its overall strategy to conserve and sustainablemanage its biodiversity resources. An effective CEPAstrategy is needed to support the implementation of theNBSAP, especially in mobilizing multi-sectoral support toconservation.Through the lectures, the participants learned how toprepare a CEPA strategy, including determining CEPAobjectives, desired outcomes, target audiences, messages,communication media to be used, and CEPA activities.During the group discussions, the participants identifiedongoing CEPA activities in Timor-Leste; key sectors that68ASEAN BIODIVERSITY • MAY - AUGUST 2011www.aseanbiodiversity.org

BOOKMARKSneed to be targeted by CEPA; the strategies for deliveringbiodiversity messages to the general public and priorityaudiences, as well priority CEPA activities to generateinvolvement by media, the youth, and the businesssector in conservation advocacy; communicating Timor-Leste’s NBSAP to stakeholders; and CEPA strategies forprotected areas. The participants agreed to constitute thefirst batch of Timor-Leste’s CEPA Network.In a related development, Mr. Inciong, accompaniedDr. Filiberto Pollisco, Jr., Policy Research Specialist ofACB;and Mr. Augusto Pinto, Timor-Leste’s national focalpoint for the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, metwith Mr. Etelvino Mousaco, Acting Chief Executive Officerof the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Timor-Lesteat the Chamber’s headquarters.During the meeting, Mr. Inciong explained to Mr.Mousaco the crucial role of the business sector in thebiodiversity arena, citing that irresponsible businesspractices worldwide have contributed to biodiversityloss. He briefed Mr. Mousaco on the global Businessand Biodiversity (B and B) Initiative and suggested thatTimor-Leste’s business get involved with B and B. Mr.Inciong cited that business is also part of the solutionto biodiversity loss as the sector has more resourcesthan governments to contribute to biodiversityconservation.ASEAN workshop discusses investingin natural capital for green growthGOVERNMENT officials and private sector representativesfrom Southeast Asia and the Pacific responsiblefor economic development, land management andenvironmental protection, water supply and hydropowerdevelopment, regional and local development, ecotourism,non-timber forest products, and energy intensive sectorsmet in Banda Aceh, Indonesia to discuss ways to “investin natural capital for green growth”.The meeting, held on June 12-14, 2011, was third in aseries of workshops on payment for ecosystem services(PES) organized by the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity(ACB), Asian Development Bank-Environment OperationsCentre (ADB-EOC), USAID Asia Regional BiodiversityConservation Programme, and the United NationsEconomic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific(ESCAP). The Banda Aceh workshop was supportedby the ACB Biodiversity and Climate Change Projectfunded by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für InternationaleZusammenarbeit (GIZ) of Germany.The workshop was also be attended by regionalinstitutions that support governments to achieve nationaland regional environmental and economic policy goalsincluding multilateral finance organizations, and UNand other international regional organizations; NGOs,international organizations and others involved in PESrelatedcapacity-building and other types of support togovernments in Southeast Asian countries and the GreaterMekong Subregion.ACB Executive Director Rodrigo U. Fuentes said manyAsian countries are currently doubling their nationaland regional development efforts. “We’ve seen theconstruction of hydropower systems, roads, and largescaletourism infrastructure. Plantation agriculture venturesare expanding. In most cases, these developments arein areas serving as critical habitats to globally significantendangered, endemic and wide-ranging species. Theyoperate in sites associated with ecosystem connectivityand habitat functions that sustain the highest levels ofecosystem services,” Director Fuentes said.The top biodiversity official in Southeast Asia stressedthat without development of sufficient, tangible economicincentives to mitigate economic pressures, fragmentationof natural landscapes, large losses of habitat andecosystem functions, further deterioration of environmentalservices, and increased costs to both rural and urbaneconomies are expected.“Strengthening emerging environmental servicesmarkets offers great potential for addressingsuch issues. These are among the reasons whyimplementation of PES is important in our region,”Director Fuentes pointed out.“PES is still in its infancy stage in the Southeast Asia.While the creation of markets for ecosystem services hasbeen theoretically recognized in the region, the benefits ofpromoting biodiversity conservation and supporting locallivelihoods are yet to be implemented and documentedon the ground. Clearly, much has to be done in so far aslaying the groundwork for PES in the region is concerned.These include the mobilization of policy makers, privatesector representatives, and various institutions involved inPES-related capacity building initiatives, as well as relatedskills and expertise,” the ACB Director said.Viet Nam has successfully implemented a PESmechanism. Through support from the USAID-funded AsiaRegional Biodiversity Conservation Program (ARBCP),Vietnam has become the first Southeast Asian countryto develop a national pilot PES policy. Under the PESmechanism in Vietnam, two hydropower facilities havecommitted to paying $2.8 million to over 2,000 forestdwellinghouseholds to help protect the watersheds thatsupply water to the power plants. As these paymentsare being transferred to the communities, incomes forthese mostly ethnic minority households are expected toincrease substantially. At the same time, the operatingcosts of the hydropower plants will be reduced by millionsof dollars.Through USAID’s pilot initiative, Vietnam hasdemonstrated that mobilizing financial investments throughthe development of environmental services marketscan help conserve biodiversity and reverse the trend ofenvironmental degradation.ACB Executive Director Fuentes said his institutionfully supports the implementation of PES in the ASEANregion. “We recognize that the creation of legal andpolicy-enabling conditions is a crucial initial step towardjumpstarting PES in ASEAN Member States and in othercountries. We also recognize the need to mobilize policymakers, private sector representatives, and variousinstitutions involved in PES-related capacity buildinginitiatives, as well as related skills and expertise. Withthe benefits generated through the PES scheme asdocumented in Viet Nam, the ASEAN Member Statesnow recognize that this is the most opportune time tolearn from the lessons of Viet Nam and other countries,”Director Fuentes emphasized.MAY - AUGUST 2011 • ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 69

BOOKMARKSACB Communication and Public Affairs Head Rolando A.Inciong oversees a youth camp session.Youth camp discusses role of schoolchildren in biodiversity conservationABOUT 100 elementary students, parents and teachersfrom 11 schools belonging to the San Francisco Districtparticipated in a Youth Environmental Camp held onAugust 17, 2011 at the Don Enrique Bautista ElementarySchool in San Pablo City, Laguna, Philippines. TheASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) facilitated theevent sponsored by the San Pablo City Lions EducatorsClub and supported by the Seven Lakes Lions Club,Congresswoman Ivy Arago of the Third District of Lagunaand Atty. Hizon Arago, president of the San Pablo City BarAssociation.“With Schools as Champions of Biodiversity as thetheme, the environmental camp empowered schoolchildren by making them aware of the values ofbiodiversity and their role in biodiversity conservation.The children are members of the Youth for Environmentin Schools Organization (YES-O), a nationwide schoolmovement initiated by the Department of Education,” saidMs. Florian Alimagno, president of the San Pablo CityLions Educators Club, the only Lions Club in the worldwhose members are mainly school teachers.The youth camp featured lectures on biodiversity andits importance to human survival, the International Year ofForests 2011, the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity2011-2020, and San Pablo City Government’s wastemanagement program.Rolando Inciong, head of ACB’s Communication andPublic Affairs Unit, explained to the participants thatecosystem services such as food, water, clean air, shelterand medicine come from forests and their biodiversity. Heemphasized that protecting the remaining forests of theplanet is a concern for many reasons. “Without the naturalresources which we depend on, we cannot survive. Thus,biodiversity conservation is really important.”In her presentation on the UN Decade on Biodiversity2011-2020, Christmas de Guzman, ACB’s communicationand public affairs associate, explained that the Decadeaims to highlight the importance of biodiversity andreaffirm the significance of raising public awareness,particularly for the youth, on biodiversity-related issues.She stressed that students can contribute in achievingthe goals of the Decade in their own little ways – be itthrough tree-planting, turning off lights when not in use, orrecycling and waste segregation.Angela Crissie Metin, ACB’s communication and publicaffairs assistant, briefed the children on the InternationalYear of Forests 2011. She explained the theme of thecelebration, Forests for People, and highlighted theadvantages of an environment with healthy forests overdegraded forests or without forests. “Forests providemultiple benefits to people as trees and plants storecarbon and help slow down human-caused global climatechange. Plant and grow trees, they will protect us from theimpacts of climate change,” Ms. Metin emphasized.Engr. Ruelito Dequito, head of San Pablo City’s SolidWaste Management Office, lectured on sustainable solidwaste management practices. He said that if cleanlinessis maintained, more tourists will visit San Pablo. He alsourged the participating students, parents and teachers tosupport the implementation of city ordinances prohibitingthe use of plastic bags and styrofoam specifically instores, food chains and restaurants. He encouraged themto make waste segregation, recycling and re-using a habit.After the lectures, the participants held a workshopwhere they listed down the activities they will do intheir schools and communities to promote biodiversityconservation. District Supervisor Nory Alcantara of the SanFrancisco District - Division of City Schools of San Pablo,said the youth camp served as a great opportunity for theparticipants to be educated on environmental issues and theessentials of biodiversity conservation.“It was the first time that students, their parents andteachers from 11 primary schools in San Pablo City weregathered to learn about biodiversity, its values, the threatsit currently faces, and more importantly, the solutions thatpeople can take in conserving the dwindling biologicalresources,” Ms. Alcantara said.Workshop highlights importanceof conserving ecosystems andbiodiversity for human prosperityTHE United Nations states that the loss of biodiversitycould damage world economy as humans basically geteverything, from food to shelter, from biodiversity. MostSoutheast Asian countries heavily depend on naturalresources.With this background, a workshop on the Economics ofEcosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) was held in Viet Namon June 28-30, 2011 to introduce the main concepts,Resource persons at the TEEB workshop70ASEAN BIODIVERSITY • MAY - AUGUST 2011www.aseanbiodiversity.org

BOOKMARKSMagazine features taxonomy concernsBreathing life into taxonomyTAXONOMY used to be anobscure branch of sciencethat has long been ignored formore exciting and lucrativefields. Taxonomy is essentiallythe science of namingliving things. It is importantsince taxonomy does notjust provide the names oforganisms, but explains howspecies are related. This canhelp people identify patternsin nature and decide howbest to protect the individualspecies that are part of the world’s biodiversity.In the past few decades, there has been a growingimpetus to breathe life into taxonomy primarily becausescience has identified merely a fraction of all living thingson Earth. The urgency of identifying the world’s speciesis compounded by the fact that we are losing hundredsof species at an alarming rate. The threat of extinctionbefore species are even identified has strengthenednational and global commitments to support taxonomicinitiatives, including the Global Taxonomy Initiative of theConvention on Biological Diversity.The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity supports theseefforts with the latest issue of the ASEAN BiodiversityMagazine with the theme “From Linnaeus to GTI: WillTaxonomy Survive?” The publication traces the rootsof taxonomy, provides insights into regional and globalinitiatives in taxonomic research, and profi les a taxonomistand his efforts to strengthen taxonomy in Thailand.Will taxonomy survive? It must, since taxonomy is anessential component of biodiversity conservation andis integral to the survival of humanity and all species onEarth.The ASEAN Biodiversity Magazine may bedownloaded from the Publications and KnowledgeProducts Section of the ACB website: www.aseanbiodiversity.org.elements and strategies of the TEEB approach, exchangeexperiences from existing initiatives on economic valuationand instruments for biodiversity and ecosystem inSoutheast Asia, and identify ways forward and concreteinitiatives for integrating biodiversity and ecosystemservices into development planning in the region.Hua Duc Nhi, Deputy Minister of Agriculture andRural Development of Viet Nam, said the TEEB studymarks the relationship between the growing loss ofbiodiversity and ecosystem degradation and the benefitsof conservation and sustainable use. “It aims to promotea better understanding of the true economic value ofecosystem services. TEEB also seeks to offer economictools and develop policies that properly take this value intoaccount,” he added.The workshop was highlighted by presentations fromkey speakers on TEEB concept, elements, methods,examples and experiences as well as the integrationof TEEB and Green Economy into policy and planningprocesses.Dr. Yyotsna Puri from the United Nations DevelopmentProgramme-United Nations Environment ProgrammeProperty Environment Initiative said the primary messageof the green economy was the close connection betweenenvironmental and financial poverty.He stressed that some of the Millennium DevelopmentGoals might not be attainable because most of thebenefits of biodiversity are not indicated in national andlocal budgets. They tend not to be considered relevantin economic and financial planning or properly reflectedin the policies, prices and markets that people encounterevery day.Mr. Rodrigo Fuentes, Executive Director of the ASEANCentre for Biodiversity, presented the regional view ofthe values of biodiversity and ecosystem services forlivelihoods, economic growth and development in theSoutheast Asian region, as well as options to integrateTEEB in policy development and planning processes.Participants to the workshop included local andnational government planners, policy-makers anddecision-makers; academicians, researchers andrepresentatives from NGOs and other organizations;managers and environmental staff from national andinternational companies and businesses related to theuse of biodiversity and ecosystem services; developmentcooperation partners; and technical staff from bilateral andmultilateral donor agencies, international organizations andinvestment banks working in the region.ACB and GIZ cooperate onbiodiversity and climate changeGERMANY’S developmentcooperation arm GIZ andthe ASEAN Centre forBiodiversity (ACB) areworking together to enhancecapacities of ASEAN Member States to mitigate climatechange through biodiversity conservation.GIZ, Germany’s development cooperation arm, andACB are working together to enhance capacities ofASEAN Member States to mitigate climate changethrough biodiversity conservation. Through the ACB-GIZBiodiversity and Climate Change Project (BCCP), GIZis strengthening ACB’s role as a promoter of ASEANwidecooperation on biodiversity related issues andraising its profile as the ASEAN organization dealing withregional and global policy dialogue in the sector. Theproject specifically aims to strengthen ACB’s capacity indeveloping and implementing strategies and instrumentsin the field of biodiversity and climate change.“At this stage of the cooperation in the framework ofthe BCCP, there is an emerging need to determine thefeasibility and the degree to which the ASEAN structuregiven its particularities, governing and coordinatingMAY - AUGUST 2011 • ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 71

BOOKMARKSGIZ country director visits ACB. Mr. Robert Kressirer, countrydirector of GIZ in the Philippines, receives ACB publications fromMs. Clarissa Arida, ACB director for policy and program developmentof ACB. Mr. Kressirer visited the ACB headquarters in Los Banos,Philippines to discuss the ongoing collaboration between the twoinstitutions.requirements and practices are prepared to allow ACBto play a prominent role in the overall ASEAN regionalintegration process,” Mr. Rodrigo U. Fuentes, executivedirector of ACB, said.He added that “It is also necessary to determinethe institutional consequences for ACB in terms ofpersonnel, budget and institutional structure that wouldallow the Centre to play this certainly significant role inregional policy, besides continuing to be a think tank onbiodiversity and related issues.”To discuss these issues, GIZ and ACB hosted a “Dialoguefor Promoting Climate Change and Biodiversity Linkagesin the ASEAN Regional Integration Process” on July 13-14, 2011 in Manila. High level offi cials who attendedthe dialogues included Dr. Orlando S. Mercado, formerPhilippines Senator, Defense Secretary and PermanentRepresentative of the Philippines to the ASEAN; and Dr. GilSaguiguit, director of the Southeast Asian Regional Centerfor Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture.Dr. Berthold Seibert, BCCP project manager, said thatwhile it is recognized that there are existing processesfor discussing and charting actions through the ASEANWorking Group Meetings, the dialogue workshop isintended to chart ways on how to strengthen theseASEAN processes, and ensure that they support theregional integration objective as explicitly laid out in theRoadmap for an ASEAN Community (2009-2015).“It is particularly the interface between the value ofnatural resources and environmental services to ASEANsocieties that provides a rationale and entry point for thestrengthening of ACB’s role, enhanced even more throughthe promising decisions taken in COP10 on Biodiversity andCOP16 on Climate Change, in 2010. Member States wouldhave to rely on agreed negotiation and decision mechanismson these and other relevant or surging issues in order todefi ne and forward their positions,” Dr. Seibert explained.The interconnection of global climate change andbiodiversity loss is now widely recognized. The effectsof climate change on biodiversity have negative impactson the well-being of people. Biodiversity, through theecosystem services it supports, also makes significantcontribution to both climate change mitigation andadaptation.Biodiversity management is an important means forhelping slow down climate change and its impacts.Missing awareness and knowledge, however, hamper thecomprehensive appreciation of the interaction betweenbiodiversity and climate change.The recent ASEAN Biodiversity Outlook report by ACBhas observed that the current management structure ofgovernment and non-government stakeholders for theconservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in theASEAN region, either fails to appropriately take climatechange into account, or is insufficient to stop biodiversityloss. Many causes of biodiversity loss, as well as theirnegative consequences, are felt beyond the borders of theindividual ASEAN Member States.The challenge is to have adequate policies, instruments,and the capacity to tackle issues on biodiversity andclimate change. The ACB-GIZ Biodiversity and ClimateChange Project hopes to respond to this challenge byenabling ACB to provide ASEAN Member States withadvisory services on strategies and instruments forbiodiversity conservation-related intervention measures onclimate protection and adaptation to climate change.The project targets to benefit the vulnerable populationof ASEAN Member States who depend on the ecosystemservices and biodiversity resources for their subsistence.It is in line with the ASEAN Vision 2020, the ASEANBlueprint 2008-2015, and the 2007 Regional Action Planfor ASEAN Heritage Parks and Protected Areas. Theproject supports regional initiatives such as the Heart ofBorneo, the Coral Triangle, and Greater Mekong Sub-Region, as well as the UN Conventions on BiologicalDiversity and Climate Change.GEF establishes the NagoyaProtocol Implementation FundTHE Global Environment Facility (GEF), the world’s largestpublic financer of global environment issues, will operatea new landmark fund to help developing countries toratifyand implement a key international agreement to conserveand sustainably use biodiversity.On May 26, 2011, the council of the GEF approved therole of the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity(SCBD) as the operator of the fund, withthe Governmentof Japan reaffirming its pioneer contribution of 1billion Yen (about US$ 12 million).Japan’s commitment was joined by additionaldeclarations of financial support to the fund of 1 millionEuros (about US$1.4 million) from the Government ofFrance, with additional contributions from theGovernmentsof Norway and Switzerland.The establishment of the fund comes less than fourmonths after the Nagoya Protocol on Access toGeneticResources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing ofBenefits Arising from their Utilization wasopened for72ASEAN BIODIVERSITY • MAY - AUGUST 2011www.aseanbiodiversity.org

BOOKMARKSParticipants in informal consultations on complianceGovernments establish basis forimplementation of Nagoya Protocolon Genetic ResourcesTHE first meeting of the Intergovernmental Committeefor the Nagoya Protocol on Access to GeneticResources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing ofBenefits Arising from their Utilization (ABS) of theConvention on Biological Diversity (CBD) came to aclose in Montreal, Canada on June 10, 2011. During themeeting, Governments from 108 countries discussedthe implementation of the Nagoya Protocol and agreedon the way forward on information-sharing, capacitydevelopment, awareness-raising and the developmentof cooperative mechanisms for compliance, with a viewto ensuring that the agreement achieves its objectives.Speaking at the closing session, Co-Chair Janet Lowesaid: “This baby, born in Nagoya, is alive and growing.If it is ever to walk, it will have to take its first stumblingsteps. This meeting shows that the baby has picked itselfup and is making the effort, with your support.”“The work of Governments during this meetingdemonstrates a commitment to the implementation of theProtocol. I congratulate Parties on the spirit of collaborationand compromise that will serve us all in the years to come.The world looks forward to the ratifi cation of the Protocoland its early entry into force in time for the Eleventh Meetingof the Conference of the Parties (COP11),” said AhmedDjoghlaf, Executive Secretary to the CBD.The Intergovernmental Committee for the NagoyaProtocol (ICNP) is the interim body charged withpreparing for the first meeting of the governing bodyof the new treaty. The Nagoya Protocol was agreed byworld Governments in October 2010 at the Nagoyabiodiversity summit and will enter into force 90 daysafter receipt of the 50th instrument of ratification. TheProtocol will enter into force before COP11, to be heldin Hyderabad, India, in October 2012.signature at the United Nations Headquarters in NewYork.The GEF, as the financial mechanism of the Conventionon Biological Diversity (CBD) and other internationalenvironment agreements, will manage the new fund andencourage additional contributions. The World Bank willParticipants at the opening plenaryUnder the guidance of Co-Chairs Fernando Casas ofColombia and Janet Lowe of New Zealand, delegatesconcluded discussions on four main areas:• Governments agreed to establish a pilot phasefor the ABS Clearing-house as soon as possible,based on guidance discussed at the meeting. TheClearing-house will provide relevant information forthe implementation of the Nagoya Protocol, andsupport capacity-development activities.• Participants acknowledged the importanceof awareness-raising activities for successfulimplementation of the treaty. To this end,they agreed to the drafting of elements of anawareness-raising strategy based on submissionsof lessons learned and experiences from aroundthe world.• The meeting discussed cooperative proceduresand institutional mechanisms to promotecompliance and address cases of non-compliancewith the Protocol. They agreed to submit views onthe elements and options available and also askedfor an expert meeting to take place in advance ofthe next ICNP.• Capacity-building was recognized as an importantelement in implementation of the Protocol, andthe need to develop a strategy on the basis ofdomestic needs and priorities. Parties agreed to anexchange of views on this for further considerationat the next meeting.The meeting was made possible through thefinancial support of the governments of Denmark,Finland Germany and Norway. The next meeting of theIntergovernmental Committee on the Nagoya Protocolwill take place in Hyderabad, India, in April 2012. Thefinal report and results of the meeting will be circulatedshortly, while the in-session documents discussedduring the meeting can be found at: www.cbd.int/absicnp1/insession/.– SCBD News Releaseserve as the trustee of the fund.At the Tenth Meeting of the Conference of the Partiesto the CBD held in October 2010 in Nagoya, Japan,193 countriesapproved, after years of negotiations,a global agreement called the Nagoya Protocol. TheProtocolestablishes the ground rules for how nationsMAY - AUGUST 2011 • ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 73

BOOKMARKSshould cooperate to access and to share the manybenefits thatcome from the sustainable utilization ofgenetic resources of all living organisms. The Conferenceof theParties also determined that the GEF will be thefinancial mechanism of the Protocol.The Government of Japan, acting as the Presidentof the Conference of the Parties to the CBD, lastyearproposed the establishment of a new voluntary fund atthe GEF to help developing countries build theircapacity toengage in both the ratification and implementation of theProtocol.“We see this as a groundbreaking opportunity to addeconomic and social value to biodiversity andgeneticresources, in particular to local and indigenouscommunities who have in the past not benefited astheyshould,” said Mrs. Monique Barbut, CEO and Chairpersonof the GEF.“With the leadership of Japan, the GEF is proud tohost this new fund, and provide timely support to thedeveloping countries toratify and implement the NagoyaProtocol.”The fund is specifically designed to support countrieslooking to build enabling activities to ratify theprotocolas well as finance projects at the national and regionallevels that will promote technologytransfer, private sectorengagement, and the conservation and sustainableuse of genetic resources. Thefund will also help Partiesbuild capacity to ensure appropriate access and use oftraditional knowledgeassociated with genetic resources.Resources will also be used to heighten awareness forthe Protocol,including through the use of new knowledgemanagement tools.“Japan appreciates GEF’s support to jump-start anew fund that will rapidly bring developing countriestobuild their capacity to ratify as well as conserveand utilize their valuable genetic resources,” saidtheJapanese Environment Minister, Mr. Ryu Matsumoto,who played a key role in facilitating the signing oftheagreement in Nagoya. “We also expect that the privatesector will become a key partner and funder tothismechanism”.The framework under the Nagoya Protocol on Accessand Benefi t Sharing holds the promise to ultimatelycreate alevel playing fi eld between the biodiversity-rich developingcountries and those that holdtechnological advantages inadding economic value to genetic resources.Mr. Ahmed Djoghlaf, CBD Executive Secretary,added: “We applaud Japan not only for theiroutstandingleadership in bringing internationalstakeholders together around the new Protocol agreed inNagoya, butalso for providing the needed seed funding forits implementation.”“As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the GEF, thisnew fund represents another historical moment forthefinancial mechanism of the CBD, which is demonstratingcontinued responsiveness to COP guidanceas well asrevealing its ability to incorporate new instruments withinthe realm of global environmentalfinancing. I call onother donors to provide additional financial contributionsto ensure the early entry intoforce and speedyimplementation of this historical new legal instrument atthe service of sustainabledevelopment”.SCBD News ReleaseIndonesia bans new forest concessionsINDONESIA has taken a step toward cutting its carbonemissions by issuing a presidential decree banning newconcessions in primary forests and on peatlands, but morestringent measures may be needed if the country is tomeet its ambitious targets for cuts in greenhouse gases,the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)said.The two-year moratorium, which started May 20, 2011,is part of a bilateral agreement with Norway signed on May26, 2010, in exchange of potentially US$1 billion, pendingverified emission cuts in Indonesia, which is the world’sthird-largest emitter of greenhouse gases due to the country’shigh rate of deforestation.“This is a positive development,” said Daniel Murdiyarso,a senior scientist at CIFOR. “This is a win not only for climatechange, but also the preservation of the incredible biodiversitythese forests hold, including orangutans, Sumatrantigers, rhinos and other endangered species. Importantly, itwill prevent the loss of livelihoods of local people who dependon forests. This will see a large area of natural forestprotected from being cleared and it will help preserve thecountry’s carbon-rich peatlands.”The ban on new concessions in peatland is importantbecause new research has shown that converting peatlandsinto plantations produces much more carbon emissionslong-term that come from turning forests on regularmineral soil into plantations. Indonesia is home to one ofthe world’s largest areas of peatland globally. More than100,000 hectares of peatlands in Southeast Asia are currentlybeing converted every year into plantations for palmoil and pulpwood.The moratorium also bans new concessions on “primaryforests,” which are forests still intact, having never beensubjected to commercial logging condition. About 64 millionhectares of primary forests remain in Indonesia.However, of significance, the moratorium does not barnew concessions on so-called “secondary forests,” whichare forests that may have had some trees removed for timberor other uses. While they can no longer be consideredas dense rainforest, many are still used by local communitiesfor their daily living, rich in biodiversity, thick with flora,and relatively carbon-rich. Some 36 million hectares of forestsare classified this way in Indonesia.The omission of secondary forests from the moratoriumraises concerns about Indonesia’s ability to meet its statedtarget to cut the country’s greenhouse gasses by 26 percentfrom a 2020 business-as-usual baseline. Indonesianauthorities in the past have suggested that the target couldbe reached partially by massive tree planting programs.“Significant reductions in forestry emissions in Indonesiathrough tree planting alone would not be feasible as thenumber of trees needed to fully achieve emission reductiontargets would require a land area twice the size of the entirecountry,” said Louis Verchot, CIFOR’s principal climatechange scientist. “Instead, emission reduction efforts needto focus on keeping existing forests as forests.”While the moratorium will prevent the issuance of newforestry concessions in much of the country, it will not necessarilystop, or perhaps even slow, the rate of deforestationin the short-term. Large numbers of concessions have beenissued in recent years that have not yet been developed.74ASEAN BIODIVERSITY • MAY - AUGUST 2011www.aseanbiodiversity.org

BOOKMARKSSome palm oil and pulp companies have criticized themoratorium, claiming it will hurt their businesses and maylead to a loss of jobs for thousands of Indonesians employedin the sector. However, Verchot says this is unlikelyto happen.“Many of these companies are sitting on several largeconcessions that they have not developed,” he said. “Thiswill not put much of a crimp on the industry.”However, there are many essential elements necessaryfor the moratorium to work, including clear delineations oflands no longer eligible for concessions, an effective mechanismto control illegal logging, and a transparent systemfor monitoring deforestation and forest degradation.“While we have a long road ahead of us and manyenormous challenges remain, this announcement is apositive first step,” Verchot said. CIFORInflatable shark among300 new Phl speciesA GROUP of scientists that recently conducted abiodiversity expedition in Luzon discovered 300 new landand marine species, including a shrimp-eating shark thatpuffs up to frighten other predators.A report on LiveScience.com said the team founddozens of new insects and spiders, more than 50 colorfulnew sea slugs, and corals which protect themselves fromnibbling fish by growing large, spiky plates.The team, which conducted a 42-day expedition inLuzon, was composed of researchers from the CaliforniaAcademy of Sciences and the University of the Philippines.Other new species discovered include a cicada thatmakes a “laughing call,” a crab with pincers lined withneedlelike teeth, and a worm-like pipefish that hidesamong colonies of soft coral.The so-called swell shark pumps water into its stomachto swell up and look formidable to other predators. Unlikeits relatives, it possesses a distinctive camouflagedpattern.Terrence Gosliner of the California Academy ofSciences, who headed the expedition, was quoted in thereport as saying that a number of species in places rarelyvisited by people have avoided detection, many of thesebecause of their diminutive size, such as goblin spiders.Photo taken by the California Academy of Sciences showsa pair of swell sharks, a new species discovered in thePhilippines.He said that in the steep upper slopes of Mount Isarog, aprimitive plant called a spikemoss is still found.Because of these findings, Gosliner said the Philippinesis “one of the hottest hotspots for diverse and threatenedlife on Earth.”The report said the researchers are sharing the resultsof the expedition with Philippine agencies and internationalgroups to formulate strategies for the protection of newspecies.These include the expansion of marine protectionareas, identification of locations for reforestation, andreduction of plastic waste.“We are hoping the findings will result inrecommendations that will translate into policies thatwill produce a more sustainable future for Filipinos whilesimultaneously protecting the unique biodiversity,” Goslinerwas quoted in the report as saying.The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) noted thatonly 1.7 million species of plants and animals havebeen catalogued and that scientists estimate that thereare some 17 million species lying or spread around thecountry’s biodiversity areas.Rhodina Villanueva (The Philippine Star)UN organizations launch ScientificTask Force on Wildlife DiseasesEMERGING infectious diseases are appearing worldwideand pose an increasing threat to wildlife, livestock andpeople. They consist mainly of viruses and bacteria thathave increased their capacity to trigger disease, allowingthem to appear in new hosts in different parts of theworld. Changing ecological, agricultural, and climaticconditions have the potential to increase health risks towildlife, livestock and people through the infectiousness ofgerms, which cross into new species. In order to combatthis increasing threat, the United Nations EnvironmentProgramme Convention on the Conservation of MigratorySpecies of Wild Animals (UNEP/CMS) and the Food andAgriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)- Animal Health Service have convened a Scientific TaskForce on Wildlife Diseases to seek an integrated approachto manage the health of ecosystems, wildlife, livestock andpeople within a ‘One Health’ framework.At the meeting in Beijing, China, which took placeat the end of June 2011, UN agencies, professionalassociations, research organizations, including the MaxPlanck Institute for Ornithology, and governmental bodiesfrom the United States, Australia and Mongolia agreedto enhance research on diseases that have an impacton both domestic and migratory wildlife, and that are ofgreatest concern with regard to food security, sustainablelivelihoods and conservation.The ‘One Health’ approach is a framework toaddress the wildlife/livestock/human disease interface,integrating different disciplines and involving UN agencies,governments, conservationists, health professionals andprofessional associations. Epidemics and pandemicsaffecting domestic livestock, migratory animals and peopleoccur increasingly frequently, which makes it necessary toplace diseases in the broader context of development, foodsecurity, natural resource management and ecosystemservices to achieve wildlife and ecosystem health.MAY - AUGUST 2011 • ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 75

BOOKMARKSThe understanding of migration ecology is thereforekey to prevent and address the spread of disease and toprovide early warning systems. Some migratory speciescan be excellent indicators in this respect. The emergenceof H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) resultedin the deaths of hundreds of people, caused millions ofdollars of damage to trade and local livelihoods, led to thedeaths of hundreds of millions of domestic poultry, whileat the same time killed tens of thousands of wild birds,including 6,000 wild water birds during a major outbreakat Qinghai Lake in China in April - July 2005.The influenza pandemic of 2009, commonly known as‘swine flu’, consisted of virus strains from people, pigs andbirds that threatened both animals and humans. Spreadingrapidly and affecting global economies, it requiredemergency planning with a coordinated and collaborativeinternational response.In May 2010 the critically endangered Saiga antelopesuffered mass mortalities of 12,000 animals due to theinfectious disease pasteurellosis. It shows how importantit is to have in place emergency mechanisms to provide anadequate response.Another example occurred in October 2010, whenMongolian gazelles were infected with foot-and-mouthdisease with outbreaks in both livestock and wildlifein Mongolia. In addition this outbreak had significanteffects on livelihoods and trade. Migratory species canact as natural reservoirs for disease and help spread thepathogens during their seasonal movements. At the sametime they can be victims of disease due to their closeproximity and interactions with livestock and people.The Scientific Task Force on Wildlife Diseases ismodeled after the Task Force on Avian Influenza and WildBirds established in 2005, which was highly successful inproviding a voice for the wildlife with technical papers andrecommendations on how to cope with avian influenza.The Scientific Task Force on Wildlife Diseases willwork on identifying diseases that have an impact on bothdomestic and migratory wildlife with major implications forfood security, sustainable livelihoods and conservation;and finding ways to bridge the gaps between wildlifemanagers and health practitioners.The Task Force’s ‘One Health’ approach will promoteinformation sharing among government sectors, wildlifemanagers, NGOs and relevant United Nations agenciessuch as UNEP, FAO, the World Health Organization(WHO), the United Nations Educational, scientific andCultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations Children’sFund (UNICEF) and United Nations High Commission forRefugees. A mechanism will be created for CMS and FAOmember states to respond to the threat of transboundaryanimal health crises by reporting wildlife morbidity andmortality events. UNEP News ReleaseState of the World 2011: Agricultureinnovation is key to reducing povertyand stabilizing climateTHE Worldwatch Institute hasreleased its report State of theWorld 2011: Innovations thatNourish the Planet. The reporthighlights successful agricultural innovations and featuresmajor successes in preventing food waste, buildingresilience to climate change, and strengthening farming incities.Drawing from the world’s leading agricultural expertsand from hundreds of innovations that are already workingon the ground, the State of the World 2011 provides aroadmap for increased agricultural investment and moreefficientways to alleviate global hunger and poverty.Worldwatch Institute President Christopher Flavin saidthe report provides governments, policymakers, nongovernmentorganizations, and donors with a roadmap forexpanding or replicating the highlighted success stories.The State of the World 2011 is based on hundreds ofcase studies and first-person examples to offer solutionsto reducing hunger and poverty. These include:• In 2007, some 6,000 women in The Gambiaorganized into the TRY Women’s Oyster Harvestingproducer association, creating a sustainable comanagementplan for the local oyster fishery toprevent overharvesting and exploitation. Oysters andfish are an important, low-cost source of protein forthe population, but current production levels haveled to environmental degradation and to changesin land use over the last 30 years. The governmentis working with groups like TRY to promote lessdestructivemethods and to expand credit facilitiesto low-income producers to stimulate investment inmore-sustainable production.• In Kibera, Nairobi, the largest slum in Kenya, morethan 1,000 women farmers are growing “vertical”gardens in sacks full of dirt poked with holes, feedingtheir families and communities. These sacks havethe potential to feed thousands of city dwellers whilealso providing a sustainable and easy-to-maintainsource of income for urban farmers. With more than60 percent of Africa’s population projected to live inurban areas by 2050, such methods may be crucialto creating future food security. Currently, some 33percent of Africans live in cities, and 14 million moremigrate to urban areas each year. Worldwide, some800 million people engage in urban agriculture,producing 15–20 percent of all food.• Pastoralists in South Africa and Kenya are preservingindigenous varieties of livestock that are adaptedto the heat and drought of local conditions—traitsthat will be crucial as climate extremes on thecontinent worsen. Africa has the world’s largest areaof permanent pasture and the largest number ofpastoralists, with 15 to 25 million people dependenton livestock.• The Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources PolicyAnalysis Network (FANRPAN) is using interactivecommunity plays to engage women farmers,community leaders, and policymakers in an opendialogue about gender equity, food security, landtenure, and access to resources. Women in sub-Saharan Africa make up at least 75 percent ofagricultural workers and provide 60 to 80 percentof the labor to produce food for householdconsumption and sale, so it is crucial that theyhave opportunities to express their needs in localgovernance and decision-making. This entertaining76ASEAN BIODIVERSITY • MAY - AUGUST 2011www.aseanbiodiversity.org

BOOKMARKSand amicable forum makes it easier for them tospeak openly.• Uganda’s Developing Innovations in School Cultivationprogram is integrating indigenous vegetable gardens,nutrition information, and food preparation into schoolcurriculums to teach children how to grow local cropvarieties that will help combat food shortages and revitalizethe country’s culinary traditions. An estimated33 percent of African children currently face hungerand malnutrition, which could affect some 42 millionchildren by 2025. School nutrition programs that don’tsimply feed children but also inspire and teach themto become the farmers of the future are a huge steptoward improving food security.The State of the World 2011 report is accompaniedby other informational materials including briefingdocuments, summaries, an innovations database,videos, and podcasts, all of which are available at www.NourishingthePlanet.org.Illegal trading of gecko posesthreat to environmentILLEGAL trading of geckos, known as tuko in thePhilippines, is currently estimated at running up to millionsof dollars. A 300-gram gecko can be traded for roughlyUS$1,200 in a lucrative Asian market. Wildlife traders arefeasting on the belief of people who accept that geckosprovide the cure for severe human illnesses that cannot betreated by modern medicine.What do we know about gecko or tuko and how valuableis this species to our environment? Will it matter if the tukobecomes extinct due to illegal trading?Tuko is a reptile. Reptiles are cold-blooded vertebratesof the class Reptilia, which include crocodiles, tortoises,turtles, snakes, alligators, and lizards (geckos). In thePhilippines, according to the Department of Environmentand Natural Resources-Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau(DENR-PAWB), there are 34 species of geckos distributedthroughout the country and 26 of these are endemic.Geckos are nocturnal wild fauna representing the largestfamily of lizards (Gekkonidae). The Gekko gecko, also knownas Tokay Gecko, is the largest species in the family and thesecond largest gecko in the world.Unique characteristicsTokay Geckos are highly vocal and are capable ofproducing many different sounds. Their body size is 11 to15inches in length and weigh from 150 to 300 grams. They areterritorial and solitary except during the breeding season;reach sexual maturity at nine to12 months and could beproductive for fi ve to eight years; and with a life span ofseven to ten years.With a length of around 35 centimeters, the body of aTokay Gecko is cylindrical, squat and fl attened on the upperside. The limbs are well defi ned and uniformly developed.The head is large and set off from the neck, and the eyesare prominent with vertically slit pupils. The eyelids are fusedtogether and transparent.Tokay Geckos are famous for their sticky footpads thatallow them to climb vertical surfaces, including glass. Theyhave soft, granular skin that feels velvety to the touch.Known to be the only reptiles to use their voice for socialinteraction, they live in tropical rainforests and are tree- andcliff-dwellers.The appearance of a Tokay Gecko with regard to coloris very important to its lifestyle. The skin is usually gray withseveral brownish-red to bright red spots. To camoufl ageitself in the environment or be less noticeable to otheranimals, this peculiar species can lighten or darken thecoloring of its skin.Another impressive characteristic is their ability to selfdetachtheir tail at the slightest touch or bite from one ofmany predators. In terms of eating habits, they are voraciouseaters, feeding on a variety of insect prey that includescrickets, grasshoppers, cockroaches and mosquitoes.Gecko’s role in the ecosystemGeckos play a critical role in population control of smallanimals like insects and worms. Larger species feed onsmall birds and rodents. “A healthy population of geckosis needed to regulate pests and maintain the balance of afragile ecosystem,” the Philippines’ Environment SecretaryRamon Paje said.“In the web of life, geckos are important like all otherspecies of animals and plants in keeping the ecologicalbalance. If they suddenly become decimated from the foodchain, there could be trouble,” warned Executive DirectorRodrigo Fuentes of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity.From a different perspective, geckos, like otheramphibians and reptiles, refl ect the relative health of theecosystem where they live in. They are good bio-indicatorsof both biodiversity and environmental change.In a study by Fletcher, et al (2005), the role of geckos asbio-indicators of mining pollution was explored. Moreover,geckos may be sensitive and useful bio-indicators of theenvironmental impacts of some atmospheric pollutants (J. L.Read, 1998).Gecko tradeAmong the major threats to biodiversity are urbanization,deforestation, invasive alien species and illegal wildlife trade.Illegal wildlife trade is a serious conservation problem.During the past years, geckos were not included amongthe list of commonly traded species. The fast-increasingdemand for geckos in Southeast Asia started only inMay 2011. This could have been triggered by Internetadvertisements that geckos’ saliva and organs can curevarious human disorders and illnesses. Tokay Geckos arereportedly sought after and exported to Malaysia, China andSouth Korea, where they are used as aphrodisiacs and asMAY - AUGUST 2011 • ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 77

BOOKMARKStraditional medicine for asthma, acquired immune defi ciencysyndrome (AIDS), cancer, tuberculosis and impotence. Itis believed that the reptile’s tongue can cure AIDS whileits blood and bile suppresses tumors in cancer patients.However, there is no scientifi c evidence proving such claims.In the Philippines, there is ongoing widespread collectionof geckos without appropriate permits from the DENR-PAWB. Geckos are being caught in the wild for gaming orsold as exotic pets while there are speculations that they arealso being used for medicinal purposes.“Before it’s too late, we are implementing precautionarymeasures to stop the collection, buying and selling ofgeckos,” said Dr. Theresa Mundita Lim, director of theDENR-PAWB and chairperson of the ASEAN-WildlifeEnforcement Network (ASEAN-WEN). The ASEAN-WENis mandated to implement national laws to combat illegalwildlife trade in the national level.Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservationand Protection Act mandates that, “Any person or personscaught in the trading of wildlife, collecting, hunting orpossessing wildlife, their by-products and derivatives,maltreating and/or infl icting other injuries and transportingwildlife, will be meted with the corresponding fi nes andpenalties.” Anyone caught transporting geckos will bepenalized with imprisonment of fi ve to 10 days and a fi ne ofP200 to P1,000, and for collecting, hunting undocumentedwildlife, a penalty of 10 to 30 days and a fi ne of P1,000 toP5,000, according to Lim.ACB Executive Director Fuentes said illegal wildlife tradein Southeast Asia remains to be a threat to biodiversityas it causes the loss of species. The sudden gecko trademay lead to the depleting population of the species andmay even endanger the survival of other species. “ASEANMember States must adopt effective legislation on wildlifelaw enforcement, implement the laws strictly, conductresearch and capacity building on conservation of speciesand sustainable management of biological resources, andconduct public education and information campaigns if weare to save our geckos and other important species for thesurvival of humankind,” Director Fuentes stressed.Christmas de GuzmanAsia builds capacity andstrategies to save biodiversityGERMANY’S 21 Asian countries, including members ofthe ASEAN, met in Xi’an, China from May 9 to 16, 2011 todevelop the way forward in creating and implementing thenational strategies needed to save biodiversity,and to ensurethat these form part of the ten-year global effort towardsbuilding a sustainable future.The meeting was organized by the Secretariat of theConvention onBiological Diversity (CBD) with fundingsupport from the Japan Biodiversity Fund and incooperation with the Ministry of Environmental Protection ofChina,Shaanxi Province, the City of Xi’an and the ExecutiveCommittee for the 2011 Xi’an InternationalHorticulturalExpo.The six-day interactive workshop brought togetherparticipants from ministries of planning,environment andothers in a capacity-development exercise designed toensure that biodiversity isplaced at the heart of nationaldevelopment processes, and strategies for its integrationwould include theactive participation of a variety of relevantactors. The event also served as an opportunity for theMinistry of Environmental Protection of China to promote theUnited Nations Decade of Biodiversity and thedevelopmentof local biodiversity strategies and action plans.The workshop guided Governments on ways theirpolicies can contribute to the achievement of the StrategicPlan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and its focal areas.Economic approaches and tools have an important role toplay in achieving this. In cooperation with the InternationalUnion for Conservation of Nature and with fi nancial supportprovided by theMercuria Energy Group, the workshopalso trained the participants on how the economic valueofbiodiversity and ecosystem services can be used tocommunicate and mainstream biodiversityconservationto such economic sectors as agriculture, forestry, mining,transport, and energy. Apresentation on the work carriedout in China illustrated how spatially explicit valuation caninformmanagement and land-use planning.The workshop also addressed the economic valueof biodiversity through a module on the needsforimplementation of the Nagoya Protocol on Access toGenetic Resources and the Fair and EquitableSharingof Benefi ts Arising from their Utilization to the CBD. TheNagoyaProtocol, when it enters into force, will facilitate thecreation of a transparent legal framework to ensurethe fairand equitable sharing of benefi ts arising from the use ofgenetic resources.The Xi’an event was the latest in a series of regional andsub-regional capacity-building workshops tostrengthennational capacities for the development, implementation,reviewing, updating, andcommunication of nationalbiodiversity strategies and action plans (NBSAPs). Regionalmeetings havebeen organized for the Southern AfricaDevelopment and Educational Centre in Kasane, Botswana,from14 to 20 March 2011; for European countries on theIsle of Vilm, Germany, from 15 to 19 April 2011; andinBeirut, Lebanon, from 2 to 7 May 2011, for members ofthe Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia.More meetings are planned throughout 2011 and 2012 aspart of the overall process forrevising NBSAPs that will bereported to the eleventh meeting of the Conference of theParties to theCBD in India in 2012. The schedule for regionalworkshops being held in2011 and 2012 can be accessedat: www.cbd.int/nbsap/workshops2/schedule.NBSAPs are one of the core tools that Parties to theCBD use to ensure implementation of the provisionsof theConvention. While many countries have created these,few of them have been updated to refl ectnew biodiversitychallenges and the latest tools in biodiversity managementand engagement of thebroader public.The capacity-development program for NBSAP is one ofthe main planks of the Strategic Plan forBiodiversity 2011-2020that was approved by Governments of the world lastyear at the Aichi-Nagoyabiodiversity summit.The Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 setsout a ten-year program of goals, targets andinstrumentsdesigned to ensure that human activity, including economicdevelopment, does not harm theability of the planet’secosystems to deliver crucial services that are needed byhuman society and indeedlife itself. SCBD78ASEAN BIODIVERSITY • MAY - AUGUST 2011www.aseanbiodiversity.org

BIODIVERSITY NEWS SOUTHEAST ASIA• Brunei DarussalamBrunei working withSingapore to update plantdatabase. Brunei Darrusalam’sForestry Department is lookingforward to pairing with Singaporeanauthorities in updating theSultanate’s database of plantspecies. Brunei last inventoried itsflora database, under the “Chief Listof Flowering Plant and Gynosperm”,in 1996 with the help of the UnitedKingdom’s Royal Botanic Gardens.It was estimated that Bruneiwas home to around 5,000 plantspecies. To date, 3,955 specieshave been documented (including3,567 “higher plant” species).The herbarium known as BRUNis located at the Brunei ForestryCentre in Sg Liang and currentlyhouses about 30,000 specimens.Brunei has already started using anOxford University-developed onlineplatform for the herbarium, knownas the Botanical Research andHerbarium Management System(BRAHMS).Asia OneJASTRE eyes more youthsto promote environment. TheDepartment of Environment, Parksand Recreation (JASTRE) is on thelookout for more youths to join theBrunei Darussalam EnvironmentYouth Envoy (EYE) programme, aninitiative that hopes to nurture youngpeople into “agents of change”in addressing the country’s greenagenda. Launched in 2008 andaimed at teaching the youngergeneration to be environmentallyconscious and responsible throughparticipation in environment-relatedactivities, the EYE programmeuses peer interaction to spread itsmessage and recruit more EYEs.Some of the activities conductedPhoto by BT/Ubaidillah MasliYouth participants at a JASTREeco-race.under the programme include ecoracesand environmental talks andseminars. Active participants aresometimes sent abroad to learnabout what other countries and nongovernmentorganizations are doingin terms of environmental activities.The Brunei TimesBoat caught fishing illegally in BruneiOver $13m in fisheriesresources lost to illegalfishing. Brunei Darussalamhas lost about $13 million dollarsin fisheries resources over thelast decade as a result of illegal,unreported and unregulated(IUU) fishing. The valuation of lostresources was based on statisticsof vessels caught for illegallyoperating in the Sultanate’s waters,factoring in details such as the sizeof vessels, their crew and fishingnet capacity. Most illegal fisherscome from surrounding countries.Foreign encroachment may be dueto the lack of Bruneian presencein certain areas, and overfishingin their own waters. Illegal fishersmay also not be discouraged by thefines imposed for infringing Brunei’slaws. If found guilty of violatingthe Fisheries Order, the owner andmaster of a ship may face a fine notexceeding $100,000, imprisonmentfor a term not exceeding five years,or both. Meanwhile, each memberof the crew can be fined not more$2,500, imprisonment for a term notexceeding one year or both, if foundguilty. Even with the punishment,it is still economically lucrative forillegal fishers to enter Bruneianterritory. The Brunei TimesNo plastic bag drive toinclude Fridays. BruneiDarussalam will include Fridaysto the “No Plastic Bag Weekend”campaign, said the head of theEnvironmental Planning andManagement Division under thePhoto by BT/SaifulizamTrash at Jerudong Beach in BruneiDarussalam.Ministry of Development. Theeffort is being made to encouragemore Bruneians to reduce theiruse of plastic bags. As part of thecampaign, the ministry inked dealswith 18 stores to cut down on theuse of plastic bags.The Brunei Times• CambodiaCambodians rally to saveone of the region’s last greatrainforests. Two hundredCambodians rallied in PhnomPenh to protest the widespreaddestruction of Prey Lang, one ofSoutheast Asia’s last intact lowlandrainforests. Located between theMekong and Stung Sen River, nearlyhalf of Prey Lang has never beenlogged, making it an incrediblerarity in Southeast Asia. Tigers,Asian elephants, banteng, gaur, andAsiatic black bears are all still foundin its 200,000 hectares of forest. Upto 50 endangered mammals, birds,and reptiles may live in the forest.In addition to its wildlife, the largelyunprotected forest is also home to aquarter of a million people who arelargely dependent on its renewableresources, many of whom are fromthe Kuy indigenous group. Thevillagers also delivered a petitionopposing land concessions in PreyLang signed by 30,000 people toCambodia’s National Assembly. Thepetition calls on the Cambodiangovernment to rescind any currentpermits and establish Prey Lang asa protected area. mongabay.comCambodian monks helpprotect rare turtles. A center forthe endangered Cantor’s giant softshellturtle has been set up on thegrounds of a temple near the centraltown of Kratie on the Mekong river,MAY - AUGUST 2011 • ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 79

BIODIVERSITY NEWS SOUTHEAST ASIAwith support from ConservationInternational, to help save one of theworld’s rarest and largest freshwaterturtles from extinction. Capable ofgrowing up to 50 kilograms (110pounds), the turtle was thoughtto be nearly extinct until it wasrediscovered on an isolated stretchof the river in 2007. At the openingceremony for the center, a monkblessed a female Cantor’s turtleweighing 18 kilograms (40 pounds)and released her into a large pondinside the temple complex. Thecenter is also home to nearly 100baby turtles that were moved fromtheir nests for their own protection.The animal spends 95 percent ofits life hidden in sand or mud, andis listed as endangered under theConvention on International Trade inEndangered Species. AsiaOneCambodia hosts 3rd GMSenvironment ministers’meeting. The Ministers ofEnvironment of the six GreaterMekong Subregion (GMS) countriesmet in Cambodia to decide on theprogram framework for continuedregional environmental cooperation.The GMS countries have engagedin regional environmentalcooperation since 2006 throughthe Core Environment Program andBiodiversity Conservation CorridorsInitiative, a US$30-million-programthat is expected to end in December2011. During the meeting, seniorgovernment officials presentedprogress on the first phase andthe strategic framework for thefollow-on phase to be implemented2012-2016. The GMS is one of themost economically robust subregionsof the world with mostcountries posting impressive growthrates exceeding five to 10 percentin the past two decades. The GMScountries consist of Cambodia,China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailandand Viet Nam. Xinhua NewsSand for sale; environmentravaged. In Cambodia’s TataiRiver, lush jungle hills give way toa flotilla of dredgers operating 24hours a day, scooping up sand andpiling it onto ocean-bound barges.The sand is bound for wealthycountries that seek to expand theirterritory by reclaiming land fromthe sea. According to villagers,Dredgers scoop up sand from the Tatai River in Cambodiathe churned-up waters and fueldischarges have decimated thefish population, riverbanks arebeginning to collapse, and the noiseand pollution are killing a promisingecotourism industry. The NatureTourism Community of Tatai said270 families along the river haveseen an estimated 85-percent dropin catch of fish, crab and lobstersand were being forced to eke outa living from small garden plots.Tourists have all but vanished.Armed with a petition, villageleaders, tourism operators and awildlife group met with governmentofficials who promised to reduce tostop sand mining in October.Asian Correspondent• IndonesiaIndonesia seizes haul ofpangolin meat bound forViet Nam. Indonesia’s customsoffice found 309 crates eachcontaining between six to 10 adultand baby pangolins, weighing atotal of 7.5 tonnes, at the country’sbiggest port in Jakarta, foiling aneffort by smugglers to ship themeat to Viet Nam. Also found were65 kilograms of pangolin scales.Pangolins, or scaly anteaters, aremeant to be a protected species inIndonesia. The exporting companyhad covered up the illegal shipmentwith frozen smelly fish, but customsreceived a tip-off and X-rayed thecontainer to discover pangolinshapes. ReutersScientists urge Indonesiato stop road constructionin Kerinci Seblat NationalPark. The Association for TropicalBiology and Conservation (ATBC)has drafted a resolution urgingPhoto by APthe Indonesian government tocancel plans to build four 40-footwide roads through the country’soldest national park, Kerinci SeblatNational Park. ATBC states thatthe road building would imperil theparks’ numerous species—many ofwhich are already threatened withextinction—including Sumatra’smost significant population oftigers. ATBC added that increasedroad access to isolated areassuch as Kerinci Seblat NationalPark increases forest loss anddegradation through illegal loggingand smallholder encroachment andsubsequent human-wildlife conflicts.Located in west-central Sumatra,the park’s famed biodiversity has ledto its recognition as an ImportantBird Area, ASEAN Heritage Parkand UNESCO World Heritage Site.The 1.4-million hectare park is thelargest in Sumatra. The park is alsothe location of the rediscovery of theSumatran muntjac, a type of smalldeer, after having gone unrecordedby science for 78 years.mongabay.comPhoto by Rhett A. Butler.Sumatran tiger in captivity80ASEAN BIODIVERSITY • MAY - AUGUST 2011www.aseanbiodiversity.org

BIODIVERSITY NEWS SOUTHEAST ASIAParticipatory map vital forIndonesia’s environmentplans. Indonesia’s ambitious forestconservation and emission reductionplans depend crucially on howsoon it can develop a ‘participatorymap’ in which all stakeholdersfigure. Participatory maps includenot only topographical data butalso details like customary forestuse by communities living nearthe forests. Existing maps show72 million hectares of primary andpeatland forest, but these do notshow degraded areas or indicate thecondition of the forests. The mapsalso do not have any informationon customary use of forests. Themapping process is bound toshow up the seriousness of theIndonesian government in factoringin customary usage of forestland.Currently, the government controlsover 70 percent of some 190million hectares spread over avast archipelago. Governmentrepresentatives said the country’svast forest estates would bemapped using satellite technology,but complemented by handwrittenmaps drawn up in consultationwith communities living close to theforests. IPSThe green way to seeSumatra’s orangutans. Effortsto protect Sumatra’s orangutansmean visitors are now educatedon conservation issues and wildlifeviewing etiquette when they visitBukit Lawang. Bukit Lawang islocated 86 kilometers from Medan,the largest city in Indonesia’sNorthern island of Sumatra, atthe entrance to Gunung LeuserNational Park, the last sanctuaryof the Sumatran orangutan. Whilethe tourist dollar is an importantconservation tool that highlightsthe issues of deforestation andwildlife conservation, and providesjobs for local communities, thedilemma is how to ensure that thenegative effect of tourism on theorangutans is minimized throughsustainable ecotourism standards.At Bukit Lawang, it is forbidden totouch and feed orangutans sinceorangutans are susceptible tomany human diseases, and feedingthem undermines rehabilitation bydiscouraging semi-wild orangutansthat have been released into theOrangutan at Bukit Lawangarea from reducing their dependencyon humans. A feeding platform wasthus built that is open to tourists,providing an opportunity for a closejungle encounter with the semi-wildorangutans. Tourism standardsand visitor protocols were set inplace to protect the remainingorangutan population. This includesnot just educating tourists butempowering local people who livenear orangutan habitats to becomeguardians of the forest, as well asproviding appropriate training andaccreditation for tour guides.The Jakarta Globe• Lao PDRLao PDR opens its doors toecotourists. Nam Ha ProtectedArea is a 220,000-hectare nationalpark where elephants, gibbons andleopards roam among giant bamboonear villages perched on the banksof a tributary of the Mekong river.The park is currently at the forefrontof efforts by Lao PDR to become aleading ecotourism destination - aneffort that appears to be payingoff. Lured by the wild beauty andcultural riches of the numerousethnic minorities, almost 250,000tourists visited northwest LuangNamtha province in 2010, up from20,000 in 1999. It is the fruit ofyears of planning to attract moreforeign visitors while preservingits cultural heritage. The Laotiangovernment attempted to managethe explosion in tourism to avoidqueues of coaches or rows ofconcrete hotels. Several dozenvillages have signed agreementswith local trekking agencies tosupply guides, maintain paths, sharetraditional cuisine, and offer a rooffor the night. The Nam Ha nationalpark, with help from a partnershipwith UNESCO dating back to1999, has served as a model ofdevelopment for ecotourism aimedat benefitting local communities.AFPLao PDR announcescrackdown on illegal logging,timber smuggling. LaoPDR Prime Minister ThongsingThammavong ordered authoritiesto crack down on illegal loggingand timber trafficking in the midstof accelerating forest loss. Hethen directed the police and theMinistry of Agriculture and Forestryto set up inspection teams onroads that run to China and VietNam, the destination of mostsmuggled timber from Lao PDR.Immigration authorities will also stepup border vigilance, which calls forimprove coordination between themilitary, police, officials, and localcommunities in protecting forests.Forests in Lao PDR have declinedsteadily in recent decades, fallingfrom 64 percent cover in 1960 to41 percent in 2005. Primary forestsnow cover less than 10 percentof the country according to UNdata. Deforestation in Lao PDR hastraditionally been driven by smallscaleagriculture, but in recent yearsrubber and timber plantations haveconsumed large areas of nativeforest. mongabay.comLao PDR exports first greenrattan products to EU market.The first sustainable rattan basketsmade by local communities in LaoPDR are heading to Switzerlandthrough Da Nang seaport in VietNam. WWF’s rattan project, cofundedby the European Union,IKEA and DEG has been promotingsustainability and market linkssince 2009. The main objective ofthe project is to set up sustainablerattan forest management modelsin Cambodia, Lao PDR and VietNam to engage rattan small andmedium enterprises (SMEs) towardsa cleaner production mechanism. Incollaboration with the Lao NationalChamber of Commerce and Industry(LNCCI), WWF has been supportingLao rattan SMEs to participatein both regional and internationaltrade fairs. The fairs have been aMAY - AUGUST 2011 • ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 81

BIODIVERSITY NEWS SOUTHEAST ASIAgreat opportunity for SMEs to learnmore about international marketrequirements and design trends.Furthermore the rattan processorsand buyers could meet and geta first impression of the productportfolios. Sourcing rattan fromvillages that apply sustainableforest management is important toensure that natural resources willbe available in the long-term. Apurchase order was done in March2011 via Leudnilan AgriculturePromotion Co., Ltd. that engagedwith seven villages to produce2,640 sets of sustainable rattanbaskets. Leudnilan is the only rattancompany in Lao PDR that holds aForest Stewardship Council Chainof-Custody(FSC CoC) certificate.Leudnilan hired 120 villagers toproduce these rattan baskets andexported them under supervision ofLNCCI. WWFPhoto by PromsouvanhSustainable rattan baskets fromLao PDRAssessing the economic,social and environment costsand benefits of investment inLao PDR. IUCN Lao PDR andpartners presented the results ofthe project “Baseline Assessmentof Economic, Social andEnvironmental Costs and Benefitsof Investment in Savannakhet andSaravan Provinces, Lao PDR”.The assessment provides baselineinformation for the developmentof provincial investment strategiesand assists in further buildingthe capacity of the authorities toanalyze and monitor investments.The project was funded by UNDPand UNEP’s Poverty-EnvironmentInitiative (PEI) and carried outby IUCN in partnership with theNational Economic ResearchInstitute (NERI) between May 2010and January 2011. The projectinvolved two research components:1) an overview assessment of theeconomic, social and environmentalimpacts of investments in thetwo provinces; and 2) four casestudies on the impacts of specificinvestment projects on thesurrounding communities. Theproject also included working withNERI and provincial authorities todevelop an “investment checklist”laying out factors for provincialinvestment committees to considerwhen determining whether or not toapprove an investment project. Thefinal project component involveddevelopment of six “issue briefs”that analyze key issues related toinvestment in hydropower, mining,plantations biofuels, and forestry,in the country as a whole, as wellas the gender-specific impacts ofinvestment. IUCN• MalaysiaMalaysia unveils plan to buildgreen economy. Malaysia islaunching a plan to build a greeneconomy with the help of anadvisory council that includeseconomist Jeffrey Sachs andRajendra Pachauri, chairman ofthe Intergovernmental Panel onClimate Change. The initiative ispart of economic reforms institutedby Prime Minister Najib Razak,aimed at pushing the Malaysiatowards developed-nation statusby 2020. His administrationhas already promised majorinfrastructure projects andfinancial market liberalization toattract foreign investment andboost growth. Malaysia’s visionof a green economy would seeit moving beyond its status as amanufacturing hub, and establishlow carbon emissions, highlyefficient use of resources, and ahealthy, well-educated populace.AFPSabah applies for heritagestatus for rainforestreserves to block politicalexpropriation. Sabah, theeastern-most state in MalaysianBorneo, has applied for WorldHeritage status for three rainforestareas. Maliau Basin, Danum Valleyand Imbak Canyon contain a varietyof forest types and house rareand endangered wildlife like thePhoto by Joanna Ross and Andrew Hearn ofOxford University’s WildCRUThe mysterious Borneo bay catBorneo bay cat, Borneo cloudedleopard, Bornean orangutan, pygmyelephants and Hose’s civet. They arealso part of the larger contiguousforest concession area belongingto the Sabah Foundation. Thearea as a whole is vital because ithas different forest types such aslowland and highland and supportsa number of different species. Thelisting of the three areas as WorldHeritage Sites will also protect themfrom political expropriation andboost ecotourism in Sabah.mongabay.com10-point Sabah Charter toaddress the challenges inwetlands. The Asian WetlandSymposium ended in Sabah,Malaysia with a 10-point declarationtagged “Sabah Call for Action”.These represent strategies that theregional community should take asa united front to address challengesthat are getting bigger and moreintense. It will be presentedat the Asia Regional Ramsarmeeting in Jakarta in November,the 11th Meeting of Conferenceof the Contracting Parties tothe Convention on Wetlands inRomania and the 11th Meeting ofthe Conference of Parties to theConvention on Biological Diversityin India, in June and October 2012,through the Malaysian Governmentand the Ramsar Secretariat. Thesechallenges include increasing82ASEAN BIODIVERSITY • MAY - AUGUST 2011www.aseanbiodiversity.org

BIODIVERSITY NEWS SOUTHEAST ASIApressures on water quality andquantity caused by continuingdegradation and loss of wetlands,and emerging new challengessuch as climate change. The AsianWetlands symposium representsa regional effort to enhance thesynergy in implementing theConvention on Biological Diversity,the Ramsar Convention, plus otherinitiatives such as the UNESCO Manand Biosphere (MAB) Programmeand the Non-legally BindingInstrument of All Types of Forests,deemed critical to achieving theAichi Biodiversity Targets and theMillenium Development Goals. Toachieve these goals, the participantsstress that integration of theinitiatives at the local, nationaland regional levels must improveand innovative approaches forsustainable development, financing,human wellbeing and biodiversityconservation, must be found.Daily ExpressMalaysia plans green palm oilcertification scheme. Malaysia,the world’s No. 2 palm oil producer,will come up with a certificationscheme to ensure the tropical oil isgrown without clearing forests anddestroying wildlife. Malaysia joinstop palm oil producer Indonesia thatis set to issue its own certificationfor planters in 2012. The MalaysianPalm Oil Council stated that theMalaysian scheme will emulatethe one by Indonesia, which ismandatory and where offenderscould be punished by law. Reuters• MyanmarMyanmar crucial toconservation of raresandpiper. The Biodiversity andNature Conservation Association(BANCA) and BirdLife Internationalare hoping their conservationefforts in Myanmar can help pullthe spoon-billed sandpiper fromthe brink of extinction. The spoonbilledsandpiper (Eurynorhynchuspygmeus) has been designatedas critically endangered on theInternational Union for Conservationof Nature Red List of ThreatenedSpecies. Spoon-billed sandpipersbreed on the coastal tundra ofeastern Russia, migrating alongthe Pacific seaboard of Asia towintering sites in Southeast Asia,including Viet Nam, Myanmar,Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia andthe Philippines. The species is indecline because of poaching andchanging weather conditions duringthe long migration. BANCA, BirdLifeInternational and their partners haveconducted surveys at the Gulf ofMartaban (in southern Myanmar)and Nanthar Island (in RakhineState), which show that in 2008,48 spoon-billed sandpipers werecounted in the Gulf of Martaban and36 on Nanthar Island. The numbersdropped to 47 and 14 respectively in2009, but 2010 saw a big recoveryin the gulf with 75 counted in thatarea. The number at Nanthar Islandalso rose to 16. The surveys showthat Myanmar holds the largestpopulation of wintering spoon-billedsandpipers in the world. BANCA andBirdLife are currently conductingmore studies to support efforts toproclaim the sites as protectedareas as well as educate locals tostop hunting the birds.Myanmar TimesYCDC to plant more treesthis wet season. The YangonCity Development Committee’sDepartment of Garden andPlayground Parks will plant more than91,660 shade trees, 33,912 fl oweringplants and 50,000 toddy palms inthe Yangon Region this monsoonseason, including 100,000 teaktrees at Hlawga Wildlife Park. Mostof the fl owers will be planted alongmedian strips and on roundabouts,while new shade trees such as starfl ower trees, mahogany, almond androsewood would be planted in mosttownships. In 2010, YCDC plantedabout 200,000 trees and fl oweringplants across the city as part ofefforts to replace the large number oftrees felled by Cyclone Nargis in May2008. YCDC is also encouraging highschools to get involved in the treeplantingcampaign to boost interest inenvironmental issues.Myanmar TimesIrrawaddy dolphins tripled inprotected area. A recent surveyhas found the number of Irrawaddydolphins living in a protected areaon the Ayeyarwady River has almosttripled in the past eight years. TheIrrawaddy Dolphin Protected Areawas established in December 2005,spanning a 74-kilometer stretchof the river near Mandalay, fromKyaukmyaung and Singu townshipsin the north to Mingun in the south.Regular patrols are conducted inthe area where a team conductseducational outreach activities andresearch on dolphin behavior andfisheries, enforces the prohibitionon illegal fishing techniques, andmonitors the status of the dolphinsand threats to their conservation.Several hundred more Irrawaddydolphins have also been found incoastal areas. Many were found in‘no fishing areas’ defined by localmonks, who order residents not tocatch fish within 300 meters of thecompound of a monastery situatedon the bank of a river. The Irrawaddydolphin is one of 32 dolphin speciesglobally and one of seven found inMyanmar. It is considered criticallyendangered. The dolphins live notonly in Myanmar, but also in otherareas of South and Southeast Asia,particularly the murky waters ofrivers and estuaries. Myanmar TimesIllegal wildlife trade on therise. The Ministry of Forestrystated that trade in endangered orrare animals rose despite strongerenforcement of Myanmar’s antitraffickinglaws. About half of theconvictions made under antiwildlifetrafficking laws involve thesmuggling of rare and endangeredturtles and tortoises but trade insnakes and elephant parts wasalso common. The increase hasbeen attributed to higher demand,especially from China, whereanimal parts are used for food andmedicine. Other species targeted bywildlife traffickers include the Javanrhinoceros, Asian elephant, Asiangolden cat, Bengal tiger, leopard,pangolin and brown antlered deer,and some types of orchid. Underthe Protection of Wild Animals,Wild Plants and Conservation ofNatural Areas Law promulgatedin 1994, it is illegal to kill, hunt orillegally possess protected animalsor plants, and those convicted ofviolating the law face up to sevenyears imprisonment and a fine ofK50,000. The government calledfor more regional cooperation tostem the illegal wildlife trade, andis currently negotiating with theMAY - AUGUST 2011 • ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 83

BIODIVERSITY NEWS SOUTHEAST ASIAChinese government and otherASEAN countries to control the illegalmarket. Myanmar Times.• PhilippinesDepartment of Environmentand Natural Resources(DENR) expands protectedareas system. The DENR throughthe Protected Areas and WildlifeBureau (PAWB) has expanded theconservation of 109 threatenedspecies in about 400,000 hectaresof conservation sites nationwide.The five-year New ConservationAreas in the Philippines Project(NewCAPP) aims to expand theprotected areas system to recognizenew conservation areas, such asthose managed by indigenouspeoples, local communities, andlocal government units. NewCAPP,led by PAWB with assistance fromthe United Nations DevelopmentProgramme and the GlobalEnvironment Facility (GEF), waslaunched as part of the nationalcelebration of International Dayfor Biological Diversity (IDBD) andin line with declaration of 2011 asInternational Year of Forests (IYF)by the United Nations. The GEF hasprovided US$3.5 million grant forthe project’s implementation. Thepilot sites are Balbalan-BalbalasangNational Park in the CordilleraAdministrative Region (CAR),Zambales Mountains in Regions 1and 3, Mts. Irid Angelo and Binuangin Region 4A, Polilio Group of Islands,also in Region 4A, Mts. Iglit BacoNational Park in Region 4B, Nugas Lantoy in Region 7, Mt. Nacolodin Region 8, Mt. Hilong-hilong inRegion 13, and Tawi-tawi Island inthe Autonomous Region in MuslimMindanao (ARMM).Manila BulletinSeven new mice species foundin Philippines. The Department ofEnvironment and Natural Resources(DENR) reported that seven newspecies of mice have been foundby local and U.S. scientists inthe mountains of the Philippines.Documented by the Field Museumof Natural History in Chicago, thediscovery showcases the country’svast, but threatened biodiversity.The mice were found in heavilyforested mountain ranges on theNew species of mice in the Philippinesmain Philippine island of Luzon. Themice were recorded to actively avoidhumans and rarely cause any harm,and prefer to eat earthworms andseeds on the forest floor. The DENRwarned that the habitats of many ofthe new species were not protectedareas, making them vulnerable tologging and illegal mining. AFPPhilippine President wantsenvironmental security forFilipinos. For President Aquino,environmental security is the highestform of national security, statedDepartment of Environment andNatural Resources (DENR) SecretaryRamon J. P. Paje. He added that themarching order given to the DENRand the other agencies comprisingthe Cabinet cluster on ClimateChange Adaptation and Mitigationwas to “prioritize the welfare of thepoor and future generations”. Pajechairs the Climate Change cluster,whose membership includes 11government agencies, includingthe National Housing and UrbanDevelopment Coordinating Counciland the Metro Manila DevelopmentAuthority, with the Climate ChangeCommission as the secretariat.Based on Executive Order (EO) No.43 issued by President Aquino inMay 2010, the cluster shall takethe lead in pursuing measures toadapt to, and mitigate the effectsof, climate change in the country.The government’s environmentalprograms are designed with multifacetedobjectives to combat climatechange, improve the socio-economiccondition of communities in therural and upland areas, and ensurefood and water supply security. TheDENR chief appealed to Filipinosto stop doubting the governmentin implementing programs for theenvironment and the poor, and urgedthem to support these to ensure theirsuccess. Department of Environmentand Natural ResourcesPhilippine fishing villageembraces ecotourism. Afishing community in the Philippinesthat once used dynamite to catchfish now advocates ecotourism.The pristine Uacon Lake, locatedin the northern part of Zambales,Philippines, has been the source ofincome for thousands of fishermenand their families living nearby. Butdamage to the ecosystem, causedby indiscriminate fishing, threatenedto wipe out their livelihood. Withthe help of NGOs like Mercy Reliefand SIKAT, the community hastransformed it into Pantal Paradise.Together, they advocate ecotourism84ASEAN BIODIVERSITY • MAY - AUGUST 2011www.aseanbiodiversity.org

BIODIVERSITY NEWS SOUTHEAST ASIAand rehabilitation of the lake. Bytransforming Uacon Lake into anecological park, fishermen and theirfamilies can now look forward to amore sustainable livelihood. Futureplans for the park include addingkayaking and zipline activities thatwill hopefully attract more touriststo come to the area. Fishermenwill acts as guides and tourists canlisten to lectures on the eco-trails,go bird watching, and take part inmangrove planting activities.Channel News Asia• SingaporeSingapore industrial parkawarded for its greenleadership. Industrial propertydeveloper JTC Corporationannounced that it won threeseparate green building awardsfrom Singapore’s Building andConstruction Authority (BCA),including the first ever PlatinumAward for a new parks scheme,developed to encourage innovative,sustainable development of civiclandscape areas. The award is ajoint initiative between BCA andSingapore’s National Parks Board(NParks) and JTC has won forits “Green Core” – a park that isintegrated with the buildings of itsCleanTech Park. JTC’s Green Core,located at the 50-hectare CleanTechPark under development at NanyangAvenue, will act as a recreationspace and pedestrian networkwithin the industrial park. It is alsodesigned to preserve the biodiversityof the area and will act as a greencorridor that allows the area’swildlife, including the native Sundapangolin and harlequin butterflies,to move safely between connectednatural areas. The designers choseto incorporate a rare tropicalfreshwater wetland forest that willinclude endangered tree speciesnative to Singapore. These species,combined with fruit and nectarproducingplants, are expected toattract wildlife back into the parkafter development. JTC will plantmore than 100 percent of the treesremoved for development. Othersustainability features of the projectinclude the use of environmentallyfriendlybuilding materials andconstruction practices, wastereduction and recycling, on-site foodwaste treatment, and an advancedbuilding monitoring system tomonitor the building’s environmentalperformance. Eco-BusinessCelebrating World EnvironmentDay with the Little Green DotResearch Grant. Eleven teamsof secondary and junior colleaguestudents celebrated WorldEnvironment Day with the news thatthey have been awarded grants tocarry out research on biodiversityand ensure a cleaner and greenerSingapore. These students appliedfor the inaugural Little Green DotStudent Research Grant, whichis a joint collaboration by IKEASingapore, WWF Singapore andNature Society (Singapore). Theprogram aims to encourage younginspiring environmentalists to learnabout the natural environmentthrough direct discovery and playan active part to help Singaporebecome a “little green dot” on theplanet. The teams comprising 2 to4 members will receive grants of upto $5000. Funding from the grantcomes from proceeds collected fromthe sale of IKEA Singapore’s “NoMore Free Plastic Bags” campaign.The theme for this year’s research ismarine and freshwater conservationin Singapore. The students willhave six months to carry out theirresearch and will be mentored bywell-known environmentalists. Uponcompletion of their research, thegroups will also have the opportunityto share their findings with thepublic. WWF SingaporeSingapore Biodiversity: Anencyclopedia of the naturalenvironment. The RafflesMuseum of Biodiversity Researchsuccessfully launched the newbook, “Singapore Biodiversity:An Encyclopedia of the NaturalEnvironment.” A cumulative effortof over 65 contributors, the bookis a celebration of Singapore’sbiodiversity, as pockets of wildlifestill persist in the country’s parks,forests and shores. In addition,the biodiversity of Singaporecontinues to astonish researcherswith new species and new recordsof animals. Part 1 of the book is acollection of essays focusing on aseries of topics from the history ofbiodiversity research in Singaporeand ecosystems, to public policiesand biodiversity education. Part 2 isa comprehensive list of organismsfound in Singapore, ordered from Ato Z. Raffles Museum NewsAsian EnvironmentalJournalism Awards 2012. TheSingapore Environment Councillaunched The Asian EnvironmentalJournalism Awards to recognizethe important role of the mediain educating the public aboutenvironmental issues. The awardswill be open to journalists andstudents who report on Asian andSingapore environmental news andcurrent affairs, for foreign or locallyowned media, (or schools anduniversities) recognizing all mediaplatforms, TV, radio, newsletters,magazines, web and social media.Entries submitted would need tobe published or broadcast betweenJuly 2011 and April 2012. Theinaugural Asian EnvironmentalJournalism Awards will be presentedin 2012 at SEC’s SingaporeEnvironmental Achievement Awardsceremony.Singapore Environment Councill• ThailandThailand jungles masksurprise rise in tigernumbers. Working with foreignconservationists, rangers have beengathering evidence from cameratraps over the past two years thatsuggests that Thap Lan nationalpark in Thailand may have moretigers than China. Thap Lan, withits spectacular forests of saw-MAY - AUGUST 2011 • ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 85

BIODIVERSITY NEWS SOUTHEAST ASIAbladed plan palms, is an oasis ofbiodiversity amid expanding humandevelopment. Elephants, cloudedleopards, spotted linsang, boarand deer thrive below the canopy,which is filled with the song ofmyna, lapwings, laughing thrushesand other exotic birds. Locals havelong insisted that tigers also prowlin this area. Camera traps haveyielded a treasure trove of imagesof bears, leopards, itinerant monks,as well as tigers and – worryingly– armed poachers. Rangers havealready confirmed eight tigers andpark managers are optimistic moreanimals will be found. Thailand isthought to be home to between 250and 300 wild tigers, but they arevulnerable. The biggest threat is aloss of habitat. Although nominallyprotected, Thailand’s national parksare being encroached upon byhuman development, particularlymonoculture plantations, roadsand second homes. Many localsalso subsidize their incomes bypoaching and illegally loggingaloe and tropical hardwood. Parkmanagers and police are worriedthat poachers and illegal traderswould target the tigers once newsgets out about their numbers in thearea. guardian.co.ukEndangered Madagascarwildlife on sale in Thailand.Conservation group TRAFFICuncovered nearly 600 Madagascarreptiles and amphibians on sale inThai markets, including endangeredspecies and those banned for saleby the Convention on InternationalTrade in Endangered Species ofWild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Theanimals, representing 24 reptilespecies and nine amphibians, arebeing sold for the internationalpet trade. While the sale ofMalagasy chameleons is legal,TRAFFIC’s report found a numberof discrepancies in paperwork. Anumber of species were indisputablyon sale illegally, including theAntsingy leaf chameleon (Brookesiaperarmata), which is banned outrightby CITES. TRAFFIC also uncoveredthe illegal sale of hundreds ofturtles representing three CriticallyEndangered species, each bannedby CITES: the radiated tortoise(Astrochelys radiata), spidertortoise (Pyxis arachnoids), andPhoto by M. Todd/TRAFFICPanther chameleon from Madagascar that was found in Saraburi City, Thailand.ploughshare tortoise (Astrochelysyniphora). Despite being almostwiped out in Madagascar, theradiated tortoise was the mostfrequent animal encountered duringthe survey. Surveyors also found12 lesser Madagascan tenrecs(Echinops telfairi) in a shop inBangkok. Tenrecs are bizarre smallinsectivores about the size ofhedgehogs, though more closelyrelated to elephants, hyraxes, anddugongs. mongabay.comRevoke Preah Vihear asWorld Heritage Site. NaturalResources and Environment MinisterSuwit Khunkitti has called on theWorld Heritage Committee to revokethe registration of Preah Vihear asa World Heritage Site in a bid toresolve the border conflict betweenThailand and Cambodia. He statedthat Thailand has always insisted tothe committee that the border issuemust be resolved before registeringPreah Vihear Temple as a WorldHeritage Site. UNESCO and thecommittee have asked Thailandto carefully consider its futurecourse of action in respect to theconvention and to continue to bean active participant in internationalcooperation for the protection of theworld’s outstanding heritage. Suwitsaid consideration of whether tocontinue to participate in the WorldHeritage Convention would takeplace after Thailand and Cambodiaresolved the border conflict.The NationBang Rakam water planfast-tracked. After visitingflooded areas in Thailand, it ishoped that the Bang Rakam model,an integrated water-managementsolution, would be implemented asearly as 2012. The Bang Rakammodel will be an integrated solutionto tackle both floods and droughtvia efficient water management.Information technology would beused to closely monitor water levelsand analyze water-related situations.In the event of floods, assistanceand compensation will be givenquickly to the affected people. Ahighlight of the plan was to createthe Bang Rakam Water-RetentionArea, which will cover over 160,000rai of land in Phitsanulok andSukhothai, with a budget of Bt5billion. Although the new waterretentionarea would leave morethan 10,000 families faced withflooding for a certain period duringthe year, none would need torelocate because the floodwaterwouldn’t be too high. The BangRakam Water-Retention Area, oncecreated, will be able to hold 50million cubic meters of water. It isexpected to help ease flooding anddrought in the Yom Basin.The Nation86ASEAN BIODIVERSITY • MAY - AUGUST 2011www.aseanbiodiversity.org

BIODIVERSITY NEWS SOUTHEAST ASIAViet Nam looks to Lao PDRfor further collaboration onillegal wildlife trade control.The Viet Nam Administrationof Forestry and other relevantauthorities hosted two workshopswith government counterpartsfrom Lao PDR to build on recentbilateral efforts to monitor theillegal cross-border trade of wildlife.The workshops brought togetherenforcement authorities fromSavannakhet and KhammouaneProvinces in Lao PDR and borderingQuang Tri and Quang Binh Provincesin Viet Nam. The organization ofthese workshops is one of thepriorities under the CollaborationPlan on protecting forests,monitoring and halting illegal timberand wildlife trade and smuggling inthe period 2009-2012 signed by theViet Nam Administration of Forestryand Lao Department of Forestryin 2009. The aim is to develop aplan for improved collaboration andinformation exchange to halt illegalhunting and trafficking of wildlifealong the border in those provinces.Education for Nature-VietnamHanoi takes drastic measuresto rescue polluted river. Theefforts made by the Hanoi authoritiesto rehabilitate the To Lich River withbiological products have broughtthe desired effects. Nearly two yearsago, the Hanoi People’s Committeedecided to invest 1300 billion donginto environment improvementprojects, including 600 billion dongto clean the To Lich River, whichbecame the “city’s biggest openwastewater sewer”. In SeptemberThe polluted To Lich river2010, a campaign was launched bythe Hanoi Department for NaturalResources and the Environment infour wards of districts located on ToLich riverhead, where householdswere given environment-friendlybiological products derived frommineralization and microorganism.The biological products were usedto treat the wastewater in homesbefore the wastewater goes to theTo Lich River. Water samples latertaken from different areas of the ToLich River have shown considerableimprovement in water quality.Vietnam BridgeRare gibbon communityfound in Viet Nam. Thelargest population of a “criticallyendangered” gibbon species hasbeen discovered in Viet Nam.A new census of the northernwhite-cheeked crested gibbonby Conservation International (CI)scientists has found a populationof 455 - living in 130 groups - in PuMat National Park. The discoveryrepresents over two-thirds of thetotal number of the species left inViet Nam, and is the only confirmedviable-population of this species leftworldwide. CI president Russell A.Mittermeier says all of the world’s25 different gibbon species areunder threat from extinction, butnone more so than the whitecheekedgibbon. Population datawas collected using “auditorysurveying” – a technique, whichuses the species’ loud morning calls– for identification and to determinegroup numbers. But the remote,high-altitude forests, which havefostered the gibbons thus far isunder threat from road development,which will not only cut through theirhabitat but also encourage furtherdangers. The major issue will behunting of these gibbons that werepreviously protected by the harshterrain. Without direct protection inPu Mat National Park, it is likely thatViet Nam will lose this species in thenear future. CNNViet Nam’s carbon forestmarket roused. After theinitial success from the firstcarbon forest project (forest toabsorb carbon), Vietnam CarbonExchange (VCE) and its partnerVoluntary Credits Limited (VCL)Photo by Terry Whitaker.Northern white-cheeked gibbons.from Australia have roused theVietnamese potential carbon forestmarket. The field research phaseof the REDD project (reducingemission from deforestation andforest degradation) at the BachMa National Forest has beencompleted, while the experts ofthe companies have entered theperiod of designing the project. Itis expected that the REDD projectin Bach Ma will benefit 63,000local residents and help protectthousands of animal and plantationvarieties at the national forest.The project has been scheduledto last 30 years and is expectedto absorb 15,500 tons of livingmass every year. The total volumeof carbon to be collected duringthe project lifetime would be about0.36 million tons. Another projectby VCE and VCL has also beencarried out at the Tam Dao NationalForest, which is expected to absorb50,000-60,000 tons of living massevery year, and about 40-50,000tons of carbon. As such, the totalvolume of carbon to be collectedfrom the 30-year project would be1.2-1.5 million tons. Kicked off in2009, the project includes 32,000hectares of the natural forestslocated on three provinces of VinhPhuc, Thai Nguyen and TuyenQuang and will benefit 200,000local residents. Unlike other carbonprojects in Viet Nam which relateto afforestation activities, the REDDat Bach Ma and Tam Dao aim topreserve and promote the biologicaldiversification value of the naturalforests in Viet Nam. VCE andVCL are currently conducting thefieldwork for two similar projects atthe Xuan Son National Forest in PhuTho province and Ba Be in Bac Kan.Vietnam Bridge.Net.MAY - AUGUST 2011 • ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 87

FOCUSAlmaciga(Agathis philippinensis)arkive.comAlso known as kauri, the almaciga is a tall, straighttree with a thick greyish-brown bark. The bark fl akesoff the tree in places in rounded pieces, leaving apattern of irregular scars that looks like a jigsawpuzzle. The smooth, narrow leathery leaves are fourto fi ve centimeters long, around two centimeters wide,and rounded at the top. The leaves, as well as thecones, are produced from branches that radiate fromthe crown of the tree. The wood of the almaciga isfi ne-grained and dense, and produces abundant resin.The almaciga is endemic to the Philippines, but isalso distributed in Fiji, Indonesia, Malaysia and PapuaNew Guinea.Agathis species have a preference for growing onwhat might be considered second-rate sites, such asmountains and poor soils in the lowlands. They canbe found at altitudes between 150 and 2,200 meters,and is one of the few species of conifers that cangrow in the humid tropics.The cones of the almaciga take two years to mature.The larger female cones can be fertilized by pollenfrom the same tree, or from another tree nearby.Eventually, the female cone will shatter on the treeand the fertilized seeds will fl oat away from theparent tree on the wind.Almaciga is exploited for its high quality timber, whichis popular with commercial foresters due to their largeyield of timber per hectare. The wood has been usedextensively for boatbuilding, interior works, decorativeplywood and veneers, paneling, and furniture. It is alsoknown for its resin known as Manila copal, which isvalued around the world and is used in the manufactureof varnishes and linoleum. Manila copal is also used formaking incense. Extensive tapping of the almaciga, incombination with the destructive methods sometimesused, has greatly reduced its population. The almacigahas been granted protected status in the Philippinesand logging is currently banned.References:ARKive (http://www.arkive.org/kauri/agathis-philippinensis/image-G28678.html#text=FactsThe Indi Journal (http://www.indi-journal.info/archives/1507)The Wood Explorer (http://www.thewoodexplorer.com/maindata/we51.html#Scientifi c_Name)MAY - AUGUST 2011 • ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 89

FOCUSarkive.comMolave(Vitex parvifl ora Juss.)Molave is a medium- to large-sized tree reaching aheight of 25 to 30 meters and a diameter of 100to 150 centimeters. In exceptional cases, it reachesa height of 35 meters or more and a diameter of200 centimeters. Generally, it has an irregular, short,crooked and fl uted bole with thick, low, medium tomoderately large buttresses. The leaves are typicallyopposite or whorled and deciduous. It partially orentirely sheds its leaves during the later part of the dryseason. The fruit is either dry, separating at maturityinto two to four nutlets, or a drupe containing thenutlets. The average number of seeds per fruit rangesfrom one to three. Molave is propagated by seedsand planted trees start fl owering fi ve to six years afterplanting.Molave occurs most commonly in comparatively dryregions in lowland forest, often in deciduous forest onrocky ground, on grassy slopes and on dry limestonesoils, but sometimes also in littoral rain forest or hillforest. It is usually found in regions with distinct wetand dry seasons. The species often occur gregariouslyin secondary forest and primary forest. The species isdistributed throughout the Philippines and Indonesia.Leaves of the molave have been used as fodder andthe tree is a source of fi rewood and timber. The woodis hard and durable and is resistant to fungal, termiteand Lyctus beetle attack. The timber is used for highgradeconstruction, interior fi nishing, fl ooring, housebuilding, shipbuilding, railway sleepers and carving. Thebark and wood of the molave have been used in localmedicine as a styptic, emetic, antitoxic and to treatjaundice and dropsy. An infusion or a decoction of thewood is an antidote to poisoning. A decoction of thebark is used for diarrhea. The wood and bark havealso been used to treat wounds.References:AgroForestry Tree Database (ttp://www.worldagroforestrycentre.org/sea/Products/AFDbases/af/asp/SpeciesInfo.asp?SpID=17969)Department of Environment and Natural Resources. 2002.DENR Recommends Volume 11. Forest Tree Species withMedicinal Uses. Compiled by Maximo V. Lanting, Jr. andConcepcion M. Palaypayon. September 2002.90ASEAN BIODIVERSITY • MAY - AUGUST 2011

FOCUSarkive.comThailand Rosewood(Dalbergia cochinchinensis)The Thailand rosewood or Siamese rosewood is amedium-large sized tree that grows up to 30 meterstall and up to 1.2 meters in diameter. It sheds itsleaves in the dry season. Naturally it occurs inmixed deciduous and dry evergreen forest mixedwith Syzygium spp., Hopea ferrea and Pterocarpusmacrocarpus. The species is shade tolerant as asapling and becomes light demanding when mature.Natural regeneration is often poor. Flowering is inApril to June and fruiting in September to December.Thailand rosewood is considered a “fi rst class primetimber”. Its wood is hard, durable, easy to workand resistant to termites. The distinctive darkredto almost black heartwood is very valuableand attractive and is used for furniture, interiordecoration, plywood, carving, musical instrumentsand sewing machines.The wood from the stumps and roots is also usedfor making handicrafts. The species is nitrogenfi xing and suitable for agroforestry systems and soilimprovement.Thailand rosewood grows on altitudes of up to1,000 meters, but is mainly concentrated at 400 to500 meters. The species grows on many soil types,but prefers fertile and deep sandy clay or calcareoussoils along streams. The tree is also droughttolerant.The tree can be found in Cambodia, Lao PDR,Thailand and Viet Nam. The Thailand rosewood isbecoming increasingly rare due to the high rateof exploitation of the species. It is classifi ed asvulnerable on the IUCN Red List.References:Lao Tree Seed Project. Species Monograph No. 21.Dalbergia cochinchinensis. Nam Souang Forest ResearchCentre. Vientiane, Lao PDR.Dalbergia cochinchinensis (http://www.biotik.org/laos/species/d/dalco/dalco_en.html)MAY - AUGUST 2011 • ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 91

FOCUSTualang(Koompassia excelsa)The tualang tree is a majestic emergent tree of theSoutheast Asia rainforests best known for the diskshaped honeycombs, which hang from its horizontalbranches. Towering above the canopy, the tualangcan grow up to 250 feet.Tualangs are a member of the legume family and arerelated to peas. Their leaves are pinnate with four tofi ve leafl ets growing alternately along a central rib.They create a bright green, feathery crown. Theirseeds are contained within large pods. The trunkshave a smooth, silvery bark. The slippery surfacediscourages sun bears (Helarctos malayanus) fromclimbing up into the tree to reach the honeycombs ofthe Asian rock bees (Apis dorsata). The bees preferthe tualang because it doesn’t branch until almost100 feet up. Huge buttresses support the tree at itsbase and keep the giants from toppling over. The sapis irritating to the skin and produces a rash.These trees can be found growing in the lowlandforests of southern Thailand, peninsular Malaysia,northeastern Sumatra, Borneo, and Palawan. Theirhabitat is the primary tropical rainforest. They preferdamp locations along rivers, in valleys, and the lowerslopes of hills.The tualang tree is common locally, but is not anabundant tree. There are no great forests of tualangsto be found. Instead solitary trees are often foundstanding alone in open areas because the wood ishard to cut and local people value the tualang forits honey. A standing tualang is more valuable for itshoney than felled for its timber since the immensehoneycombs can be 6 feet across and can containas many as 30,000 bees. One tualang tree cancontain more than 100 nests.The wood is brittle and often splinters when it is cutdown. The wood is also incredibly hard and containssilica, making cutting it down a diffi cult process.With the decline of more accessible hard woodshowever, tualangs are being cut down for timber, andare being sold under the name of Mangaris wood.The tualang is protected under Sarawak’s WildlifeProtection Bill of 1990.Reference:Blue Plant Biomes (http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/tualang.htm)Rainforest Outdoors (http://www.rainforestoutdoor.com/2010/06/tualang-tree-koompassia-excelsa.html)92ASEAN BIODIVERSITY • MAY - AUGUST 2011