WWF - Publication & Resources

Boletín Galápagos & Pacífico Oriental

2013-08-01

Estamos muy complacidos de presentarles el nuevo diseño de nuestro Boletín. Adjunta encontrarán la novena edición de nuestro Boletín Galápagos y Pacifico Oriental que producimos dos veces al año en inglés y español. Esta edición resume algunos de los logros con los que hemos contribuido durante este período.

En esta edición puede leer sobre:

- Carta a los lectores
- Lecciones del Solitario Jorge
- Ecoturismo y Reducción de la Huella Humana
- Avances en el Manejo de Desechos en la Isla Isabela
- Tiempo de Actuar a Favor del Atún Patudo
- CDB Enfocado en la Conservación de Alta Mar
- Resultados de "Luces para Tortugas en Redes de Enmalle"
- Alianzas son Clave para el Manejo del Atún en el OPO

WWF Dinaric Arc Sustainable Hydropower Initiative Factsheet

2013-05-15

Safeguarding freshwater ecosystems in the Dinaric Arc region
Encompassing Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and Albania, the Dinaric Arc region is a paradise for endemic freshwater plant and animal species. The region's wetlands are of key significance for people and nature – filtering ground water, offering natural protection from flooding, providing natural resources and ensuring rich habitats for birds. Around 30% of the major rivers in the Dinaric Arc remain almost or entirely untouched. This rare heritage needs to be protected from unsustainable hydropower development. WWF and partners are working to strengthen collaboration with governments, financing institutions, citizens and experts in order to achieve the most sustainable hydropower solutions for the Dinaric Arc.

Sustainable Hydropower in the Dinaric Arc

2013-05-10

This newsletter provides information on the latest developments of the Dinaric Arc Sustainable Hydropower Initiative (DASHI) as well as further news on freshwater and hydropower in the region. This newsletter provides information on the latest developments of the Dinaric Arc Sustainable Hydropower Initiative (DASHI) as well as further news on freshwater and hydropower in the region.

EWS-WWF Annual Report 2012

2013-05-07

The 2012 EWS-WWF Annual Report is now available in English and Arabic. The Annual Report contains updates and achievements on all EWS-WWF projects in the year 2012, and is a valuable publication for those who would like to keep updated with our work and our projects.

Putting People and Planet First

2013-05-03

WWF is working with Concord and the Beyond 2015 campaign in Europe to promote an ambitious vision of sustainable development for the future post-2015 development framework (to succeed the current Millennium Development Goals). Our vision is for a just, equitable and sustainable world in which every person can realise their human rights, fulfil their potential and live free from poverty.

The post-2015 development framework should be a single, integrated and comprehensive framework with sustainable development at its heart in order to address the global challenges facing the world today. Climate change, biodiversity loss, increased pressure on natural resources and our current unsustainable models of consumption and production are just some of the issues that need to be tackled if the planet is to support us now and in the future. Fulfilling the rights to food, water and health, for example, as well as securing the energy needs for a growing population in a sustainable manner demand a radically different approach to growth and development in the post-2015 period.

Ecosystems in the Greater Mekong: past trends, current status, possible futures

2013-05-02

The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS: Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and Yunnan and Guangxi in China) is undergoing unprecedented changes. Many of these are positive, reflecting political stabilization and economic growth following decades of poverty and conflict. But the rate and type of development is also threatening critical natural resources, particularly native forests, the Mekong River and its tributaries, and many wild plant and animal species. The GMS faces a critical choice: it can either continue with unsustainable development and see many of its unique natural resources disappear forever or switch policies and choose a more sustainable path into the future. This report gives an overview of what is happening, and provides key recommendations for how natural resource management can be made more sustainable.

The core of the report is a series of maps, developed by WWF, describing the historical trends, current status and future projections of forests in the GMS excluding China. Future projections for the period 2009 to 2030 contrast two scenarios; an unsustainable growth scenario, which assumes deforestation rates between 2002 and 2009 continue, and a green economy scenario, which assumes a 50 per cent reduction in the annual deforestation rate relative to the unsustainable growth scenario, and no further losses in key biodiversity areas.

Forests
Recent changes: between 1973 and 2009, the GMS (excluding China) lost just under a third of its forest cover (22 per cent in Cambodia, 24 per cent in Laos and Myanmar, and 43 per cent in Thailand and Vietnam) according to WWF's analysis. In official statistics for tree cover across the whole of the GMS, these losses are partially masked by large-scale plantation establishment in Vietnam and China, where there has been a gradual replacement of natural forests by monoculture plantations. Myanmar accounted for over 30 per cent of total forest loss in the GMS over this period. At the same time, forests became far more fragmented: large areas of intact forest (core areas) declined from over 70 per cent of the total in 1973 to only about 20 per cent in 2009.

Projections: by 2030, under the unsustainable growth scenario, another 34 per cent of GMS forests outside China would be lost and increasingly fragmented, with only 14 per cent of remaining forest consisting of core areas capable of sustaining viable populations of wildlife requiring contiguous forest habitat. Conversely, under the green economy scenario, core forest patches extant in 2009 would remain intact, although 17 per cent of GMS forests would still be converted to other uses. Regardless of scenario, deforestation "hotspots" include the margins of large forest blocks remaining in Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. The model suggests that deforestation in Vietnam will be distributed in small pockets across the country, although the greatest losses are anticipated in parts of the Central Highlands and northern provinces. This report also contains a map, constructed from historical patterns, of likelihood of conversion of any particular forest block, based on the distances from roads, non-forest areas, water, cities, and new and planned mines, along with elevation and slope.

Freshwater
The Mekong river basin contains one of the most productive and diverse river systems on Earth. Its connectivity and natural variability of flows support exceptional productivity, while sediments and nutrients sustain the landforms, agriculture, and marine fisheries of the Mekong Delta. The Mekong river system supports the world's largest known fish migration. Thirteen unique, yet connected, ecosystems exist. Despite long-term intensive human use, the freshwater system has maintained connectivity between 11 of the 13 ecosystems in about 60 per cent of the system by area. The growing need for energy in the GMS has led to an unprecedented rate of dam building, impacting on freshwater ecosystems, the river's connectivity and flow, and the people that rely on these. Eleven dams are planned on the Mekong main stem. Main stem dams:
●Cause ecosystem collapse and biodiversity loss;
●Hinder movements of fish up and down the river system to grow or spawn;
●Harm wild fisheries in Laos, Thailand and Cambodia;
●Reduce sediments and nutrients that build and feed the delta's productivity;
●Degrade the functionality of the whole interconnected ecosystem.

Other major river systems in the region face similar challenges, but there are opportunities to benefit from lessons learned from experience in the Mekong basin.

Wild species
The report maps the enormous decline in range of several important and iconic species of the region: the tiger, elephant, Irrawaddy dolphin and endemic saola, along with the historical range of the Javan rhino, now extinct in mainland SE Asia since April 2010. All the species described face the same fate as the rhino unless conservation becomes more effective.

Drivers of change
WWF identifies four key drivers of change of the region's ecosystems:
1.Human population growth and increasing population density, along with worsening income inequality;
2.Unsustainable levels of resource use throughout the region, increasingly driven by the demands of export-led growth rather than subsistence use;
3.Unplanned and frequently unsustainable forms of infrastructure development (dams, roads and others);
4.Government policies, along with lack of integrated planning, poor governance, corruption and wildlife crime on a massive scale.

Recommendations
The report outlines ten recommendations, which WWF believes will enable GMS countries to achieve their aspirations of building greener economies:

1.Halt impacts to ecological patterns and processes that are at their breaking point. Key actions in this regard include:
•Preventing further conversion of primary forest in the GMS;
•Preventing the construction of dams on the main stems of major rivers, and supporting only sustainable hydropower projects on select tributaries;
•Implementing species-specific conservation and recovery actions for endemic species; and
•Ceasing the illegal wildlife trade.
2.Significantly increase the level of integration, the spatial scale, and the timeframe of planning.
3.Commit sufficient and sustainable financing for conservation.
4.Incorporate the values of ecosystems and the services they provide into decision-making.
5.Insist on greater responsibility of companies operating in or purchasing from the GMS.
6.Improve regional and international consultation and cooperation.
7.Empower communities and civil society to more significantly and effectively participate in decision-making.
8.Enforce existing laws, policies, and regulations.
9.Ensure effective and representative protection of the region's natural heritage.
10.Restore natural capital in strategic areas.

WWF Fish Campaign newsletter - May 2013

2013-05-02

As part of WWF's campaign for a future sustainable Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), we have created a newsletter aimed at raising awareness of our campaign activity and to inform stakeholders and decision-makers about the different aspects of the reform proposal and our key asks.

The newsletter is available in English, French, Spanish, German and Polish.

WWF European Policy Office Annual Review 2012

2013-04-30

WWF European Policy Office Annual Review 2012: Working with the network to deliver results

Our 2012 Annual Review gives an outline of the work WWF European Policy Office and our colleagues from across the network have been involved with. These include: overfishing, Europe's water policy, climate change, illegal logging and the European budget which includes development issues.

The review also shows how influencing the European Union's Institutions can have a global impact. With a population of 500 million, the EU can both be a positive environmental actor or a negative force when protecting biodiversity, global warming and encouraging sustainable development.

When the WWF network speaks as one it makes itself heard to at a highest level.

Hariyo Ban Program, E-newsletter, Issue 6, April 2013

2013-04-29

Restoring forests and adapting to climate change – one step at a time

"I was ill, I have even had heart surgery, and my health was deteriorating because of the smoke while cooking," shared Laxmi Rana, who is very happy to have installed biogas in her home with the help of the Hariyo Ban Program. Rana is from Jumdanda, one of the least developed regions in Bandipur Village Development Committee, in Tanahun District in the mid-hills of Nepal, where most women are tied to home and hearth. Today 25 households in Jumdanda have installed biogas. Rana says, " Now since less time is needed for gathering firewood, cooking, and cleaning, I have spare time to do other work."

Currently Rana is using some of the time saved from household chores to act as the vice president of Jum Dada Jhapri Community Forest Users Group (CFUG), and today there are also many other women members in the CFUG committee. One of them is Sugmaya Thapa.

READ MORE

Safeguarding rhinos through ID based monitoring

The birth of a rhino calf in the Sauraha block of Chitwan National Park is an exciting event, helping to increase the population of this endangered species. Rhino with ID number two, named Lumsi Pothi, gave birth to a new calf which is now over three months old.

Like all other wild rhinos in the ID based monitoring program, Lumsi Pothi was given an ID number and her distinctive features were documented. Individual identification of rhinos helps in monitoring the rhino population and reducing the risk of poaching. This process also immediately helped identify the presence of the new calf. Babu Ram Lamichhane, Conservation Officer, National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), says, "We take particular care to record the individual features of each rhino such as sex, shape of its horns, scars or marks on its body, etc. Then, an ID profile is built up for each animal along with a photo, which we maintain in a database."

READ MORE

Power fencing: Helping people help wildlife

"Our relief cannot be expressed in words," says Bishnu Rijal, a resident of Bhimapur-6, Bardia. "Earlier, elephants and rhinos frequently raided our village, often coming across the border from India, and we lost wheat crops worth Rs 5-8 million each year. This spelled disaster for poor families who own only a few square meters of land. But since the electric fence has been installed we sleep soundly at night, as our lives and valuables are safe." Ganga Ram Tharu from Bhimpaur-5 adds, "We had no protection except sticks and stones. Now, the fence keeps the animals away. Last week an elephant loosened a pole, but could not get past the fence."

These statements reflect the views of most Bhimapur residents, where a 15 km long electric fence was inaugurated on March 11, 2013. The Bhimapur Electric Fence Installation Management Committee erected the fence with Hariyo Ban support through NTNC's Bardia Conservation Program (BCP). It will benefit 1,031 households (6,755 people) by protecting 2,700 hectares of land near the Karnali River, where the communities cultivate paddy, wheat and sugarcane.

READ MORE

VIDEO CORNER

Click Here to watch a video where Laxmi Rana from Jumdanda shares her experience after Hariyo Ban Program interventions.

Earth Day, April 22

On Earth Day, the Hariyo Ban Program organized a media workshop entitled "Earth Matters: Changing the Lens on Environmental Reporting". The 2-day workshop of discussions and 4 days of field research aimed to encourage established Nepali journalists to produce environmental news with more in-depth analysis and connect the dots on why earth matters to Nepal's socio-political dialogue.

Twelve participant journalists will share their work produced from the 4 days of field research on World Environment Day, June 5.

Look out for our next month's newsletter for the journalists' stories.

Find out more about the workshop and the speakers HERE

Major updates this month

On the occasion of World Wildlife Week, U.S. Ambassador Peter W. Bodde visited Terai Arc Landscape to understand Hariyo Ban Program work in Chitwan, particularly the support provided to the Government of Nepal in tiger survey and initiatives to mitigate human-wildlife conflict. Find out more
Hariyo Ban Program supports celebration of Earth Hour. Read more
Skill based training provided for Sisnu powder production in Gorkha (Follow us for the full story next month).
Iron poles distributed to 120 households in Chhekampar VDC of Manaslu Conservation Area to support prayer flags. An additional 280 households will receive iron poles in the near future; this activity is expected to directly protect 400 pine trees.
Chitwan Annapurna Landscape climate change vulnerability assessment conducted in Pokhara.
Laliguras community learning and action center established in Makwanpur.
Forest fire control trainings provided in Chitwan,Tanahu, Lamjung, Gorkha, Rautahat, Dhading, Syangja and Parsa.
Training of trainers on integrated climate vulnerability and capacity assessment and participatory monitoring, evaluation, review and learning provided in Chitwan.
Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) and climate change sensitization workshops conducted in Dang, Dhangadhi, Parbat, Tanahu and Syangja.
Community based anti-poaching training provided in Lamki.
Good governance, biodiversity conservation, and gender and social inclusion trainings carried out in Lamjung and Nawalparasi.
Training of trainers on public hearing and public auditing organized in Nawalparasi.

^{_{Disclaimer: The Hariyo Ban Program is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of this website are the responsibility of WWF and its consortium partners and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.}}

El Filtro de Riesgo de Agua

2013-04-26

El agua, o la falta de ésta, puede afectar directamente la rentabilidad de las empresas, y, a su vez, la confianza de los inversores. En los peores casos, la mala gestión del agua puede forzar el cierre o la reubicación de las operaciones de la empresa.

Sin embargo, muchas empresas no entienden las temáticas del agua y pocas de ellas han evaluado su exposición a los riesgos relacionados con el recurso. Con frecuencia, los riesgos de agua están "escondidos" en las cadenas de suministro, y por lo tanto es difícil ocuparse de ellos. El Filtro de Riesgo de Agua, desarrollado en colaboración entre WWF y la institución financiera alemana DEG, es una herramienta en línea práctica que no sólo ayuda a los usuarios a evaluar sus riesgos de agua y ubicarlos sobre un mapa, sino que también proporciona pasos prácticos para mitigarlos. La herramienta usa los mejores datos globales, así como información específica sobre la compañía proporcionada por el usuario, para ir más allá de problemas obvios de escasez y analizar todos los indicadores de riesgo de agua pertinentes

Newsletter of the WWF Mediterranean Programme • Issue 12

2013-04-20

This issue: Earth Hour celebrated for the first time in Tunisia
plus the latest news on progress towards achieving the Mediterranean Initiative goals: protecting and reversing the loss of outstanding Mediterranean landscapes; securing the freshwater ecosystems that provide water to Mediterranean communities; safeguarding marine ecosystems; and ensuring that Mediterranean ecosystems are equipped to adapt to climate change.

Los Felinos y la Gente de la Serranía de La Lindosa: Compartiendo el Territorio

2013-04-19

Los felinos siempre han generado fascinación y temor en los seres humanos a lo largo de su historia y en todos los lugares del planeta donde cohabitan. Alrededor de ellos se han tejido gran cantidad de mitos, leyendas e historias, algunas de ellas alimentadas por los comportamientos especiales de estos animales y otros como resultado de la imaginación. Indudablemente representan símbolos de poder, agilidad y fuerza y es un común denominador dentro de las culturas indígenas asociarlos a guerreros o chamanes.

Estas especies cohabitaron sin mayores problemas con los seres humanos en la Orinoquia y Amazonía, hasta la década de los años cincuenta, cuando fueron masivamente cazados para comercializar sus pieles en mercados extranjeros. Fueron necesarias casi cinco décadas para empezar a ver una recuperación en sus poblaciones, pero el ser humano y sus actividades los están poniendo nuevamente en peligro. La destrucción de los hábitats naturales, la disminución de sus presas por caza indiscriminada y las retaliaciones por conflictos por ataques ocasionales al ganado ponen el futuro de estas especies y en particular del jaguar en una situación incierta.

Esta cartilla es el resultado de uno de los esfuerzos que actualmente hace el Gobierno a través de la CDA y ONG como las Fundaciones Omacha y Panthera para mostrar que sí es posible la convivencia de felinos y los seres humanos, esta vez en la Serranía de la Lindosa en el departamento de Guaviare, Colombia, uno de los relictos de naturaleza más importante para estas especies en la región transicional Orinoco-Amazonas.

Fernando Trujillo, Ph.D.

Director Científico Fundación Omacha

Factsheet: Phase III, Establishing a Sustainable Production System for Rattan Products in Cambodia

2013-04-05

In Phase III of WWF's efforts to strengthen sustainable rattan harvest and production, WWF's Rattan Project, funded by Ikea, intends to expand the existing sustainable rattan supply and production chain with the aims of supplying 1,500 tons of sustainably managed raw material for production by 2014.

WWF's rattan project in partnership with the Goverment of Cambodia, NGOs, and communities,works towards this goal by establishing rattan nurseries, planting rattan in natural forest, assisting communities in creating sustainable rattan management plans, and working towards rattan policy in order to facilitate trade.

Learn more about this project through reading the Phase III Rattan project factsheet.

April E-news

2013-04-04

Discover this year's Earth Hour impact, find out about our new Choose Wisely partnership, and encourage your children to take the Be'ati Watani quiz!

March E-news

2013-04-04

In this issue:

Learn about the upcoming Earth Hour, learn of a new discovery in Wadi Wurayah and read the latest news on environmental education.

WWF-Greater Mekong leaflet

2013-03-27

The Greater Mekong spans Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and Yunnan province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in southern China. Woven together by the mighty Mekong, Chao Phraya and Irrawaddy rivers, the contrasting landscapes of this vast area support incredible biodiversity and are home to people from nearly 100 ethnic groups.

In spite of impressive economic growth, the Greater Mekong remains relatively poor. Sustainable use of natural resources – and equitable sharing of the gains – will be crucial for maintaining and furthering development.

WWF-Greater Mekong works with government, industry and civil society partners to ensure that, as the region develops, it doesn't squander the natural riches that so many depend on and that drive the region's economic future. We aim to support the countries of the region in realizing their shared vision of a poverty-free and ecologically-rich Greater Mekong.

Find out more about our work. Download our leaflet now.

Hariyo Ban Program, E-newsletter, Issue 5, February 2013

2013-03-21

In harmony with nature

Having just travelled six hours from his village in Palpa to Pokhara to take part in a song competition, 22-year-old Toya Biswakarma had every reason to be exhausted. But a smile played on his lips, and he expressed happiness at being given the platform to display his singing talents. Biswakarma, who has been visually challenged since birth, is determined to focus on his singing. This made him enter his name for the song competition organized by the Hariyo Ban Program. After emerging as the winner from over 30 participants in Gulmi and Palpa Districts, he managed to clinch the second place in the landscape level song competition held on February 24 in Pokhara.

"This is a very good platform," said Biswakarma, content even after missing the first position, "The subject matter set for this competition is quite apt, too. We all need to understand that the absence of forests means extinction of our existence." As for handing over leadership roles to women, the major theme of the competition, he opined, "Women should definitely be promoted to decision-making levels. With their sensitivity and gentleness, they will add a new dimension to conservation."

READ MORE

Saga of the three conservation heroes

Risking her life for conservation

With her hands on her lap Nanda Devi Kuwar waits quietly and as her name is announced to recognize her bravery and courage, she walks slowly amid the echo of applause, holding her hands that are still recovering from injury.

On International Women's Day, 2013 Hariyo Ban Program recognized three individuals for their remarkable work as change agents in conservation and women's leadership promotion. They are from the two landscapes where Hariyo Ban Program works - Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) and Chitwan Annapurna Landscape (CHAL). Nanda Devi Kuwar from Kailali was given a special recognition for her bravery, and Durga Gole from Makwanpur and Ek Bahadur Budhathoki Magar from Gorkha were honored as outstanding female and male change agents respectively. Find out about their inspiring struggle and accomplishments.

READ MORE

Relocated blackbuck thriving in Shuklaphanta

Along with the arrival of spring, there is another reason to rejoice at Hirapur Phanta in Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve – the birth of three blackbuck fawns in the last month. The first of the fawns was born on February 9, followed by two others on February 14 and February 17. Three other blackbuck are due to give birth soon. The upcoming two months, March and April, are the peak season for blackbuck births in the wild.
After the first relocation of blackbuck from Nepalgunj Mini Zoo to Hirapur Phanta, Hariyo Ban also supported Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation to translocate six blackbucks from the Central Zoo. Ganga Jung Thapa, NTNC, says, "Prior to translocation, NTNC's Suklaphanta Conservation Program office conducted community consultation with locals from Jhalari, the village adjoining Hirapur Phanta, regarding the government's plan to reintroduce blackbuck. The locals were receptive to this, and also suggested conducting development activities in the buffer zone area."

READ MORE

Major updates this month

•Finale of a campaign "Amplifying voices of women's leadership in conservation and climate change" held on International Women's Day, 8 March, 2013
Please click to view more pictures
•Hariyo Ban Program supports tiger survey work in the Terai Arc Landscape
•Community Based Anti-Poaching Unit (CBAPU) Day celebrated in Bardia on 10 March, 2013
•ID-based rhino monitoring initiated to update profiles and monitor rhinoceros in Chitwan National Park
•Community Based Anti-Poaching Operation (CBAPO) Training held in Terai Arc Landscape, Kailali
•Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI) Training conducted to enhance capacity of women and socially excluded groups in Dalla, Bardia
•Electric fencing effort in Bhimapur VDC, Bardia inaugurated
•Training on Climate Change Adaptation Plan Preparation provided in Malekhu, Dhading
•Wildlife monitoring training given to Citizen Scientists in Tikapur, Kailali and Khata corridor, Bardiya
•Community Forest Users Group (CFUG) members coached on bamboo plantation in Brahmadev Corridor, Kanchanpur
•Training of Trainers (TOT) provided to facilitate Community Learning and Action Centers (CLACs) in Bode, Bhaktapur
•Forest fire fighting sensitization provided in Ghorahi, Dang
•Rapid assessment for water source protection initiated in Terai Arc Landscape

Answer to last month's question:

According to the community forest development guideline 2065 BS, what proportion of a community forest users committee members should be women?

50% of community forest users committee members should be women.

Participate in Earth Hour
Earth Hour is being celebrated on 23 March 2013 in Pokhara, Nepal.
Time: 6:00 PM onwards

What is Earth Hour?
Earth Hour is a global event that brings together communities from across the world to raise awareness about the need to take action on climate change by encouraging households and businesses to turn off lights for one designated hour.

^{_{Disclaimer: The Hariyo Ban Program is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of this website are the responsibility of WWF and its consortium partners and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.}}

Peces de los Andes de Colombia

2013-03-19

Este es el primer libro sobre peces de agua dulce de Colombia que el Instituto Alexander von Humboldt y WWF publicaron junto con sus instituciones socias en el año 2005. La Guía es una clara muestra del trabajo interinstitucional para la conservación de los peces y sus ecosistemas acuáticos y se ha constituido en pieza estratégica para el fomento de la ciencia nacional. Un año después de su publicación varios ictiólogos nacionales actualizaron las listas con la riqueza de especies de los ríos andinos Magdalena, Cauca, Patía y Atrato. Así, la Guía de Peces de los Andes de Colombia es una obra de excelente calidad, en la cual se han sintetizado una enorme cantidad de información, que va desde lo taxonómico hasta la presentación de los nombres comunes bajo los cuales podemos reconocer una riqueza de especies. Igualmente aporta elementos claves en la curatoría de peces y su estudio en laboratorio y museos de ciencias naturales.

La gran variedad en formas, tamaños y colores que podemos apreciar en las ilustraciones a color de las especies que se presentan en el texto, son un claro ejemplo de la belleza de estos organismos considerados el mejor indicador de la salud de los ecosistemas acuáticos andinos y de los cuáles teníamos pocos referentes. Actualmente, este libro sigue siendo un importante referente para los investigadores que trabajan en el área de la Ictiología y también para todas aquellas personas interesadas en estos recursos; desde los pescadores que ven en los peces su única forma de subsistencia hasta aquellas personas aficionadas a éste grupo de vertebrados. Con su apoyo a la publicación de esta Guía, el Dr. Fernando Gast demostró su convicción "de que conocer es el primer paso para valorar y conservar nuestra enorme Biodiversidad"

ประเทศไทยมีศักยภาพในการเอาชนะวิกฤตอาชญากรรมต่อสัตว์ป่าในระดับโลกได้

2013-03-17

ผู้ลักลอบฆ่าและค้าผลิตภัณฑ์จากสัตว์ป่า กำลังปล้นชีวิตสัตว์ที่เป็นสัญลักษณ์และมีเสน่ห์ดึงดูดที่สุดของเราไปจากโลก ตัวอย่างที่ชัดเจนคือ ในแต่ละปีจะมีช้างป่าแอฟริกาถูกฆ่ามากถึง 30,000 ตัว พวกมันถูกสังหารเพื่อสนองตอบต่อการลักลอบค้างาช้างในเอเชีย ที่ซึ่งต้องการงาช้างอย่างมากเพียงเพื่อนำมาทำเครื่องประดับ และเป็นเครื่องแสดงสถานะทางสังคม

แต่ทว่าอาชญากรรมต่อสัตว์ป่านั้น มีการเชื่อมโยงที่มากกว่าแค่ฆ่าสัตว์ป่า การลักลอบค้างาช้างและผลิตภัณฑ์จากสัตว์ป่าข้ามชาตินั้น เป็นขบวนการอาชญากรรมที่มีขนาดใหญ่มาก โดยมีมูลค่ารวมมากถึง 570,000 ล้านบาทต่อปี อาชญากรเหล่านี้ใช้อาวุธปืน AK-47s บุกป่าแถบแอฟริกลางอย่างอุกอาจ คุกคามชุมชน บ่อนทำลายเศรษฐกิจท้องถิ่น และทำลายเสถียรภาพของรัฐบาล ในบางพื้นที่เงินที่ได้จากการล่าสัตว์ป่ายังนำไปเป็นทุนสนับสนุนกลุ่มก่อความไม่สงบ วิกฤตลักลอบล่าสัตว์ป่าไม่ได้เป็นเพียงภัยคุกคามต่อสัตว์ป่าเท่านั้น แต่ยังสั่นคลอนเศรษฐกิจและความมั่นคงของชาติด้วย

ในประเทศเคนย่า ดร. จูเลียส มุยอา หัวหน้าสภาเศรษฐกิจและความมั่นคงแห่งชาติ ระบุว่า เคนย่าจะประกาศให้การลักลอบล่าสัตว์ป่าและการค้างาช้างและนอแรด เป็นวิกฤตของประเทศ ภาคธุรกิจท่องเที่ยวของเคนย่า ซึ่งสร้างรายได้ร้อยละ 12 ของผลิตภัณฑ์มวลรวมภายในประเทศ ต้องพึ่งพาสัตว์ป่าสายพันธุ์เดียวกันกับที่ถูกกลุ่มลักลอบล่าสัตว์ปล้นฆ่าไป

เคนย่าเป็นเพียงแค่ตัวอย่างเดียวเท่านั้น โดนัลด์ คาเบอรูกา ประธานธนาคารเพื่อการพัฒนาแอฟริกาประกาศว่า "การจัดการกับขบวนการอาชญากรรมอย่างเช่นการลักลอบค้าสัตว์ป่านั้น มีความสำคัญต่อการเติบโตทางเศรษฐกิจอย่างยั่งยืนในทวีปนี้" เขากล่าวอีกว่า วิธีการนั้น "จะต้องอยู่ในระดับเดียวกับความรุนแรงของปัญหา ซึ่งหมายถึงคนที่อยู่ในระดับสูงสุดของรัฐบาล จะต้องให้ความสนใจในเรื่องนี้"

ตลอดสองสัปดาห์ที่จะถึงนี้ ตัวแทนจาก 77 ประเทศ จะร่วมประชุมที่กรุงเทพฯ เ เพื่อหารือเกี่ยวกับเรื่องนี้ คือข้อกำหนดว่าด้วยการค้าสัตว์ป่าใกล้สูญพันธุ์ระหว่างประเทศ

สมาชิกการประชุมอนุสัญญาว่าด้วยการค้าระหว่างประเทศซึ่งชนิดสัตว์ป่าและพืชป่าที่ใกล้สูญพันธุ์ หรือ CITES ที่จัดขึ้นทุกสามปีนี้ มีโอกาสที่จะสร้างความเปลี่ยนแปลง เพียงแต่ต้องลงมือเดี๋ยวนี้ ก่อนที่ทุกอย่างจะสายเกินไป

ที่สำคัญคือ สมาชิก CITES จะต้องใช้อำนาจในการประกาศคว่ำบาตรทางการค้าต่อประเทศที่มีส่วนเกี่ยวข้องมากที่สุดในการลักลอบค้างาช้างผิดกฎหมาย ซึ่งตลอดทศวรรษที่ผ่านมา ไนจีเรียและสาธารณรัฐคองโก เป็นสองประเทศที่ล้มเหลวอย่างชัดเจนและต่อเนื่อง ในการป้องกันการไหลบ่าเข้าไปในประเทศของงาช้างผิดกฎหมาย

วันนี้ ประเทศไทย ซึ่งเป็นเจ้าภาพการประชุม CITES ก็เป็นหนึ่งในปลายทางของการลักลอบค้างาช้างผิดกฎหมายที่ใหญ่ที่สุดของโลก กฏหมายของไทยอนุญาตให้มีการขายงาช้างบ้านในประเทศ และผลก็คือมีงาช้างแอฟริกาจำนวนมากถูกฟอกผ่านร้านค้าในประเทศไทย

ทางออกเดียวที่จะเป็นผลดีต่อประเทศไทยและเพื่อช้างแอฟริกา คือการสั่งห้ามค้างาช้างในประเทศทันที หากประเทศไทยไม่สามารถสั่งห้ามการค้างาช้างได้ในอนาคตอันใกล้ ประเทศไทยก็อาจต้องเผชิญกับการบังคับใช้มาตรการจำกัดทางการค้า เราต้องตระหนักว่าระหว่างการประชุม CITES ประเทศที่ลงนามในข้อตกลงต่างมีอำนาจที่จะหยุดยั้งการค้าสัตว์ 35,000 สายพันธุ์ภายใต้อนุสัญญาฯ ซึ่งในกรณีของไทย การคว่ำบาตรอาจส่งผลกระทบรุนแรงทางเศรษฐกิจที่เกี่ยวข้องกับอุตสาหกรรมกล้วยไม้และหนังสัตว์เลื้อยคลาน

WWF ได้ยื่นคำร้องถึงมือของนางสาวยิ่งลักษณ์ ชินวัตร นายกรัฐมนตรีไทย ด้วยรายชื่อของผู้คนมากกว่าครึ่งล้านจาก 227 ประเทศและเขตปกครอง และจากคนไทยมากกว่า 27,000 คน ที่ร่วมส่งเสียงเรียกร้องไปยังผู้นำประเทศ ให้ยกเลิกการค้าและให้โอกาสแก่ช้างได้ต่อสู้เพื่อโอกาสในการรอดชีวิตของพวกมัน

ระหว่างรับคำร้องนายกรัฐมนตรียิ่งลักษณ์ ตอบรับถึงความสำคัญของช้างที่มีต่อวัฒนธรรมไทย และสัญญาที่จะ "พิจารณาในประเด็นนี้อย่างจริงจัง" ก่อนหน้าที่การประชุม CITES ที่ประเทศไทยจะเริ่มต้นขึ้น

ขณะนี้ทุกสายตาของนานาชาติ ต่างจับจ้องไปที่นางสาวยิ่งลักษณ์ และรัฐบาลประเทศต่างๆ ที่จะมารวมตัวในกรุงเทพฯ พวกเขาจะต้องลงมือทำ หากว่าต้องการที่จะปกป้องช้าง แรด และเสือ รวมทั้งชุมชนที่อยู่ร่วมกับพวกมัน ยังมีอนาคตที่มั่นคงต่อไป

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จิม ลีป (@jimleape)
ผู้อำนวยการ WWF สากล

การประชุมชาติสมาชิกอนุสัญญาว่าด้วยการค้าระหว่างประเทศซึ่งชนิดสัตว์ป่าและพืชป่าที่ใกล้สูญพันธุ์ หรือ CITES ครั้งที่ 16 จัดขึ้นที่กรุงเทพมหานคร ระหว่างวันที่ 3-14 มีนาคม 2556 www.cites.org

WWF Briefing paper: Re-energising Europe – The case for post-2020 renewable energy targets and support

2013-03-12

Given the current economic turbulence in the EU, policy makers are understandably focused on the need to ensure that European businesses remain globally competitive.

Since 1990 the EU has become increasingly exposed to the structurally rising cost of energy, and the related drag on competitiveness, due to a growing dependence on energy imports.

However, the adoption of the "20-20-20" targets and measures on energy efficiency, renewable energy, and greenhouse gas cuts, this briefing paper argues, are expected to first stabilise, and then reduce fossil fuel imports to the EU.

This trend will continue and accelerate, saving the Union hundreds of billions of euros a year, if domestic sources of energy are maximised. To meet decarbonisation targets, these sources must be renewable.