The Babbler 8

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BirdLife International in Indochina

The Babbler December, 2003 Number 8 Welcome Features *Launch of "Saving Asia's Threatened Birds" *Summary *Indo-Burmese Forest Regional News

*Vulture death mystery explained? *Vietnam's Environment in the news *Office launch Rarest of the rare Project updates *Pink-headed Duck survey in the Hukaung Valley, Myanmar *Strengthening site support groups to conserve critical biodiversity *Stake-holder-based conservation of Che Tao forest, Vietnam Staff News Profile Recently Published Book Review From the Archives

BirdLife International in Indochina #4, Lane 209, Doi Can Hanoi, Vietnam Tel: + 84 4 722 3864 Fax:+ 84 4 722 3835 E-mail: birdlife@birdlife.netnam.vn www.birdlifevietnam.com

BirdLife International in Indochina Welcome to the latest edition of the Babbler.

In this issue, we feature "Saving Asia's Threatened Birds", an important new publication from BirdLife. Below be the reproduced part of the Foreword by Dr Micheal Rands, Director and Chief Executive of BirdLife International: ...Threatened Birds of Asia was a monumental study of the plight of bird species in the world's most heavily populated and fastest-developing region. This new strategy draws on that work and brings together every crucial element in it for the conservation of Asia's threatened birds. It identifies all the important actions that need to be taken, and it does this in a way which is clear and accessible to its users. It is also a vital tool for the monitoring of progress towards the many and various targets and goals it identifies.

Three primary issues highlighted by this strategy fire my determination. First, the lowland dipterocarps rainforests of Sunderland-Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo-are among the very richest in biodiversity on earth, but they are disappearing so fast that we scarcely have time to draw breath. This strategy demands true sustainability and real corporate responsibility in the region in order to prevent any further destruction of habitats that are vital not just to birds but to thousands of species of animal and plant, and indeed to the long-term welfare of the indigenous and local peoples of the region.

Second, it is imperative that the governments and NGOs of Asia take new steps towards improving the gaps in their protected area coverage. Every acknowledges that parks and reserves are crucial guarantors of biodiversity on this planet but, as this strategy makes very plain, there are still many critically important areas which remain outside the formal systems of protection that Asia currently possesses. This situation must change.

Third, the dimension of the bird trade in Asia can no longer be countenanced. This problem affects sites and habitats as much as it does species, and much of it is beyond the control of international regulation. New vigor, and new rigor, are needed to enforce the many existing national and international laws on wildlife trafficking, and this must be accompanied by a sustained and well-targeted series of advocacy and educational campaigns to reduce demand.

Details are in this strategy...

Babbler is now compiled and edited by Nguyen Thi Ngoc Ha. If you have any contribution or suggestion for the next issue, please contact ha@birdlife.netnam.vn by 15 March.

The Babbler, December 2003

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BirdLife International in Indochina

Features BirdLife's latest publication Saving Asia's threatened birds was launched in December at an event held in Tokyo, Japan. It was co-hosted by BirdLife together with the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF), who had given funds towards the publication.

Here are some images from the launch and features of the book.

HIH Princess Takamado of Japan, Honorary Patron of BirdLife's Rare Bird Club, launched the publication with a keynote speech.

Noritaka Ichida (BirdLife Asia Director) gave a presentation summarizing the results of the publication.

The Asia Division staff were able to toast the launch of the book and begin to relax a little.

The Babbler, December 2003

Asia: birds, habitats and people

SUMMARY ASIA: BIRDS, HABITATS AND PEOPLE (pp.3–17) Asia has a great diversity of habitats, ranging from Arctic tundra to tropical forests, and including the highest mountains in the world. This is reflected in the region’s immense richness in birds and other wildlife. Asia also has a very large and rapidly growing human population, and many of the world’s most dynamic economies. As a consequence, the region is experiencing rapid environmental change and many of its habitats and the biodiversity that they support are under great pressure. Every country in Asia has populations of threatened birds, and needs to take action for the conservation of these species and their habitats.

THREATENED BIRDS OF ASIA (pp.18–19) Threatened Birds of Asia The BirdLife Intern

ational Red Data

Book

Birds Threatened of Asia Data Book The BirdLife

International

Red

Front c Back co Euro Illustrat

BirdLife International has been documenting the conservation status of the world’s birds since the 1970s, in partnership with IUCN–The World Conservation Union, in a series of regional Red Data Books and global checklists of threatened birds.

The most recent of these, Threatened birds of Asia: the BirdLife International Red Data Book, was completed by the BirdLife Asia Partnership in 2001. It covers more then 300 threatened bird species, and contains many thousands of recommendations for the conservation of these birds, and their habitats and key sites. These proposals for conservation action are synthesised and further developed in the current review.

KEY HABITATS FOR ASIA’S THREATENED BIRDS (pp.19–24)

Asia’s threatened birds and their habitats

Figure 4. Key forest regions

for threatened birds in Asia.

ARCTIC

Analysis of the distributions and habitat requirements of Asia’s threatened birds has identified nine major forest regions, three grassland regions and 20 wetland regions as priority areas for conservation. There is also a group of threatened seabirds. Many of these habitat regions correspond closely to one or more of Conservation International’s 25 global Biodiversity Hotspots, BirdLife’s 218 Endemic Bird Areas and WWF’s Global 200 Ecoregions. The recommendations made for threatened birds, sites and habitats in the forest, grassland and wetland regions are relevant to all people working in these priority areas for the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainability in the use of natural resources.

OCEAN

RUSSIA

F01

Boreal and northern temperate forests (pp.43–48)

F02 F03 F04

Japanese forests (pp.49–54) South-east Chinese forests (pp.55–60)

F05 F06 F07 F08 F09

BERING SEA

SEA OF OKHOTSK

Sino-Himalayan mountain forests (pp.61–68)

Indian peninsula and Sri Lankan forests (pp.69–74) Indo-Burmese forests (pp.75–82) Sundaland forests (pp.83–92) Wallacea (pp.93–102) Philippine forests (pp.103–112)

F01 MONGOLIA

SEA OF JAPAN NORTH KOREA JAPAN

F04 CHINA

YELLOW SEA

F04

F02

F03

PAKISTAN

EAST CHINA SEA

NEPAL BHUTAN

F04

INDIA TAIWAN

BANGLADESH

BAY OF BENGAL

F05

MYANMAR

PACIFIC OCEAN

SOUTH CHINA SEA

LAOS

F09 THAILAND

F06

PHILIPPINES

CAMBODIA

VIETNAM BRUNEI

SRI LANKA MALAYSIA

F07 SINGAPORE

INDIAN

F08

OCEAN I N D O N E S I A

TIMOR-LESTE (EAST TIMOR)

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POLICY APPROACHES TO BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION (pp.25–30) The current review focuses primarily on the direct pressures on Asia’s threatened birds and their habitats, and on how these should be addressed. However, in the longer term the underlying and indirect causes of biodiversity loss, for example rising consumption, undervaluation and perverse subsidies, will need to be tackled. Ultimately, fundamental changes in landuse and resource utilisation are needed, through policy and planning, and social, political and economic reform. Specifically, the value of area-based approaches to conservation policy is explored, covering Important Bird Areas and other networks of key sites for biodiversity, and how these can be used to achieve conservation on the ground.

1

Asia: birds,Summary habitats and people Int onal agreements and other Table 3. Participation in internati Asia region. mechanisms by countries in the Country Bangladesh Bhutan Brunei Cambodia China India Indonesia Japan North Korea South Korea Laos Malaysia Maldives Mongolia Myanmar Nepal Pakistan Philippines Russia1 Singapore Sri Lanka Thailand Timor-Leste Vietnam

CP–C

CP (1)

CBD: Convention on Biological

K

CON

Th 199

Convention ha WHC UNCCD MAB obj CBD Ramsar CITES CMS NC CP bio CP (3) CP CP–p CP (2) an CP CP CP–C of CP CP ap CP NC (1) CP (1) CP Pa (3) CP CP–C CP NC (22) (28) CP th CP CP–C CP (21) NC (3) CP hi (23) CP CP CP–p CP (19) CP sp NC (6) CP (6) CP CP CP–C CP (2) to (4) NC CP CP (11) CP–C CP (13) CP e (1) NC CP n CP CP NC (2) CP (7) l CP CP–C CP (2) CP p CP (2) CP–p NC c CP CP (2) CP (4) CP CP–C t NC CP CP CP–C f (4) NC CP CP CP CP CP–C CP (6) NC CP CP CP CP NC CP CP (4) CP CP–C CP (1) CP NC (1) CP (6) CP CP–C CP (19) CP CP NC (2) CP (5) CP CP CP–C CP (4) CP CP (4) CP–C CP (14) CP CP CP CP–C CP NC (2) (7) CP CP CP CP–C CP (2) CP NC (4) (4) CP CP (10) CP S CP

CP

CP (4)

CONVENTIONS AND RELATED MECHANISMS (pp.30–36) Various international conventions and other mechanisms are relevant to the conservation of threatened species (e.g. the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species), sites (e.g. the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands) and habitats (e.g. the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification). Implementation by contracting parties is currently patchy, and guidance is provided to governments and civil society on what immediate action might be taken to advance these mechanisms for the benefit of threatened birds in the Asia region.

NC (2)

CP–C = Contracting Diversity (CP = Contracting Party; CP p = NBSAP leted; ( SAP)

PRIORITIES TO PREVENT THE EXTINCTION OF ASIAN BIRDS (pp.36–40) Remarkably few birds are proven to have become extinct in the Asia region in historical times, but more than one hundred species are now Critical or Endangered. Several of these have not been recorded in recent decades, and may already have disappeared. The issues that are driving these species towards extinction include forestry mismanagement and illegal logging, and conversion for agriculture and plantations, particularly in the tropical forests of Indonesia, the Philippines and mainland South-East Asia. Urban, industrial and infrastructural development is affecting natural habitats in many parts of Asia, including major dam and irrigation projects and the construction of roads into previously inaccessible areas. Planned large-scale reclamation of coastal wetlands could have a huge impact on the migratory waterbirds of the East AsiaAustralasia flyway. This section identifies the issues that could cause birds extinctions in Asia, and highlights the priority conservation actions that must be taken to prevent this.

ACTION FOR ASIA’S KEY BIRD HABITATS (forests: pp.43–112,

Myanmar plains

W16 Threatened species once hugely and Sittang valleys were HE Irrawaddy, Chindwin as Spotfor large waterbirds such important breeding grounds crashed in Adjutant, but their populations billed Pelican and Greater destruction of because of the wholesale the early twentieth century recent information used to nest. There is little the forests where they waterbird species from threatened other and on the status of these rivers still that the sandbars on these Myanmar, but it is possible that and Skimmers of Indian Fish-eagle support breeding populations of birds such as Pallas’s significant breeding populations swamps, while Baer’s around large lakes and Duck, a and Sarus Crane occur substantial numbers. Pink-headedin the Pochard may winter in survive be extinct, could possibly species which may now also supports of Myanmar. This region which poorly known wetlands ed and Slender-billed Vultures, their in populations of White-rump declines given the recent rapid may prove to be important, subcontinent (see G03).

Indian the in numbers cultivation wetlands on riverine plains, ■ Key habitats Freshwater and other open habitats.

Myanmar.

■ Countries and territories

CR EN VU

T

of Myanmar during have been found in several parts Small populations of Sarus Cranes BRIGGS recent surveys. PHOTO: ELEANOR

2

Total Key:

Total

3

—

5

8

—

—

—

—

—

1

2

3

3

1

7

11

= breeding in this wetland = passage migrant. = non-breeding visitor.

region.

is within Conservation The Myanmar plains region Hotspot (see pp.20–21).

International’s Indo-Burma

213

grasslands: pp.113–136, wetlands: pp.137–234, seabirds: pp.235–240) Each regional account documents and maps the groups of threatened bird species that it supports, and the habitats and sites that are critical for their survival. Most crucially, the accounts focus on the major land-use issues affecting the habitats of threatened birds, as well as any direct threats to the birds themselves. Proposals are made on how to reduce or eliminate the negative impacts of activities causing habitat loss and degradation.

Important gaps in coverage of threatened bird species by national protected areas networks are identified, with proposals on where new parks and reserves might be established. Unsustainable exploitation is identified as a major problem for certain threatened birds, and recommendations are made for its control. The conservation of many threatened Asian birds is hindered by incomplete data, and surveys or ecological studies are identified to address the most important gaps in knowledge.

Indo-Burmese forests

F06 F06 Threatened species

T

HE Indo-Burmese region includes the moist tropical and subtropical forests which extend from north-east India and southern China across the lowlands and isolated mountains of South-East Asia, as well as the Andaman and Nicobar islands. The forests in this region support 24 threatened bird species, 18 of which breed nowhere else; the other six include four which also occur in the Sundaland forests (F07) and two from the South-east Chinese forests (F03). Seven threatened species are relatively widespread within this region (Table 2), and 17 are confined to one of the region’s six Endemic Bird Areas and two Secondary Areas. Nine species of this region are Endangered, including three low-density species which inhabit forested wetlands, and six restricted-range species affected by deforestation.

■ Key habitats Lowland evergreen and semi-evergreen tropical rainforest, moist deciduous forest and hill evergreen forest, and associated wetlands.

■ Altitude 0–2,400 m.

■ Countries and territories China (Yunnan, Hainan); India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Andaman and Nicobar islands); Bhutan; Bangladesh; Myanmar; Thailand; Laos; Cambodia; Vietnam.

CR EN VU Total Key:

Total

—

7

11

18

—

2

3

5

—

—

1

1

—

9

15

24

= breeds only in this forest region. = also breeds in other region(s). = non-breeding visitor from another region.

The Indo-Burmese forests region corresponds closely to Conservation International’s Indo-Burma Hotspot (see pp.20–21).

Much of the original forest in Thailand has been cleared, and most of the remaining forests are inside protected areas such as Nam Nao National Park. PHOTO: MIKE CROSBY/BIRDLIFE

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Indo-Burmese forests

Green Peafowl is widespread in mainland South-East Asia, but it is now very thinly distributed because of deforestation and other pressures.

PHOTO: SMITH SUTIBUT

F06

Table 2. Threatened birds of the Indo-Burmese forests.

Species

Distribution and habitat

White-bellied Heron Ardea insignis

EN

Forested rivers and swamps at up to 1,500 m in India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland), Bhutan and Myanmar, non-breeding birds sometimes in non-forest habitats

White-winged Duck Cairina scutulata

EN

In this region, widespread but very local in forested wetlands at up to 1,400 m from north-east India to mainland South-East Asia

Crested Argus Rheinardia ocellata

VU

In this region, found in lowland and hill forests from the level lowlands to 1,900 m in Vietnam and adjacent parts of Laos

Green Peafowl Pavo muticus

VU

In this region, widely but thinly distributed in open forest, mainly in lowlands but sometimes above 2,000 m, from north-east India and Yunnan to mainland SouthEast Asia

Masked Finfoot Heliopais personata

VU

In this region, widely but thinly distributed in forested wetlands in the lowlands, from north-east India to mainland South-East Asia

Pale-capped Pigeon Columba punicea

VU

Widespread but very local and irregular in forest at up to c.1,600 m, from north-east India and southern China to mainland South-East Asia

Silver Oriole Oriolus mellianus

VU

Non-breeding visitor to evergreen forest at c.450–1,300 m in Thailand and Cambodia

Narcondam Hornbill Aceros narcondami

VU

ANDAMAN ISLANDS (EBA 125) Confined to the forests on tiny Narcondam island (6.82 km2)

The Data Deficient Andaman Crake Rallina canningi is known only from forested wetlands on Middle and South Andaman islands

Nicobar Megapode Megapodius nicobariensis

VU VU

Nicobar Bulbul Hypsipetes nicobariensis

VU

Nicobar Sparrowhawk Accipiter butleri

NICOBAR ISLANDS (EBA 126) Forest, only definitely known from Katchall (in the Nancowry group) and Car Nicobar Occurs throughout the forests of the Nicobars (other than Car Nicobar), but concentrated near the coast Found in forest and man-modified habitats only in Nancowry group of islands

The Data Deficient Nicobar Scops-owl Otus alius is known only from coastal forest at a single locality on Great Nicobar

White-eared Night-heron Gorsachius magnificus Hainan Partridge Arborophila ardens Hainan Leaf-warbler Phylloscopus hainanus

EN VU VU

HAINAN (EBA 142) Forest in the hills in the centre of the island Forest in the hills in the centre and south of the island Forest in the hills in the centre and south of the island

Edwards’s Pheasant Lophura edwardsi

EN

ANNAMESE LOWLANDS (EBA 143) Tropical evergreen forest up to c.600 m, found to the south of the core range of Vietnamese Pheasant

Vietnamese Pheasant Lophura hatinhensis

EN

Tropical evergreen forest up to c.300 m, in the northern part of the EBA

Imperial Pheasant Lophura imperialis, which is known only from the Annamese lowlands, is currently listed as Data Deficient, but new research has shown it to be of hybrid origin, and it will therefore be removed from the 2004 Red List. = breeds only in this forest region;

= also breeds in other region(s);

= non-breeding visitor from another region.

... continued

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Indo-Burmese forests

F06

Table 2 ... continued. Threatened birds of the Indo-Burmese forests.

Species

Distribution and habitat KON TUM PLATEAU (SA 0841) Recorded in primary evergreen forest at 2,000–2,200 m on Ngoc Linh massif and Mt Ngoc Boc

Golden-winged Laughingthrush Garrulax ngoclinhensis

VU

Chestnut-eared Laughingthrush Garrulax konkakinhensis2

VU

Recently described species recorded in evergreen forest above c.1,000 m on Mt Kon Ka Kin and Mt Ngoc Boc

Black-crowned Barwing Actinodura sodangorum

VU

Evergreen forest at c.1,000–2,400 m, known from Ngoc Linh massif in Vietnam and the Dakchung plateau in Laos

1 2

The description of the three restricted-range species listed in the table means that the Kon Tum plateau now qualifies as an EBA, according to the criteria used by Stattersfield et al. (1998).

This species was described by Eames and Eames (2001) after the publication of the Threatened birds of Asia; its status was subsequently evaluated, and it was added to the 2002 IUCN Red List as Vulnerable.

Orange-necked Partridge Arborophila davidi

EN

Germain’s Peacock-pheasant Polyplectron germaini

VU

Collared Laughingthrush Garrulax yersini Grey-crowned Crocias Crocias langbianis

EN EN

Chestnut-headed Partridge Arborophila cambodiana

EN

= breeds only in this forest region;

= also breeds in other region(s);

Tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen forest at 0–1,200 m or higher, widespread in southern Vietnam and recorded in eastern Cambodia DA LAT PLATEAU (EBA 145) Dense undergrowth in evergreen forest at 1,500–2,300 m Closed-canopy evergreen forest at 900–1,700 m THAILAND-CAMBODIA MOUNTAINS (SA 085) Evergreen forest above c.400 m

= non-breeding visitor from another region

OUTSTANDING IBAs FOR THREATENED BIRDS (see Table 1) Seventeen IBAs have been selected, which together support populations of all of the region’s threatened forest birds, and include some of the largest and richest forests that remain. Several of these IBAs are unique, as they support the only (or by far the largest) known populations of one or more threatened species, for example Narcondam Island Wildlife Sanctuary for Narcondam Hornbill and Ke Go Nature Reserve (together with Khe Ket forest) for Vietnamese Pheasant. Several of the more widespread species in this region occur at low densities and are migratory or nomadic, such as Masked Finfoot and Palecapped Pigeon, and require extensive networks of sites to ensure their survival. Many other forest sites with significant populations of these and other threatened forest birds will be documented during BirdLife’s ongoing IBA Project.

CURRENT STATUS OF HABITATS AND THREATENED SPECIES Vast expanses of lowland and hill rainforest once extended from north-east India and southern China to most of mainland South-East Asia. However, extensive forest loss and degradation has occurred in this densely populated region, particularly in recent decades, through logging, conversion to agriculture, development and overexploitation of forest products. The remaining forests (and their populations of threatened birds) are highly fragmented, and under great pressure from conversion and exploitation, as well as hunting. Many protected areas have been established, including some that are large and relatively well protected, but also many that are small, isolated and gradually being eroded by illegal encroachment. The following sections give an overview of the status of lowland and hill forests throughout the region; although the

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SOUTH VIETNAMESE LOWLANDS (EBA 144) Forest and secondary habitats on low hills (of up to 400 m), very small known distribution in Vietnam and eastern Cambodia

condition of forests is generally poor, there are still some large unprotected areas that remain intact and available for conservation.

China: The area of natural tropical forest has decreased considerably on Hainan. Estimates of the extent of this decline are from 16,920 km2 of forest in 1943 to 3,000 km2 in 1994, or from 8,630 km2 (25.7% of the island) in 1949 to about 2,420 km2 (7.2%) in 1991. Much of the remaining forest is disturbed and unlikely to support many threatened forest birds, but some blocks of higher-quality forest are protected in nature reserves. In Yunnan, forest cover declined from c.55% to c.30% between the early 1950s and 1975; subsequent loss of habitat in China has, if anything, been even more rapid, but logging was banned in 1998 (see F03: South-east Chinese forests). However, some tracts of lowland and hill forest are protected in nature reserves.

India: The plains and foothills of north-east India originally had extensive tracks of rainforest, but most plains forest was lost during the nineteenth century, and in recent years the foothill forests have been rapidly cleared, at a rate of at least 1,000 km2 annually during the 1970s and 1980s.

However, some relatively large areas survive with important populations of several threatened birds, and logging and timber export was recently banned in Arunachal Pradesh and other north-east Indian states. Forests on the Andaman and Nicobar islands have been widely logged, but remain relatively intact, although a few islands have suffered significant forest loss and degradation through unsustainable commercial logging and conversion for agriculture and plantations.

Bangladesh: The forests of Bangladesh are now reduced to a few small, mostly highly disturbed fragments, as a result of logging and conversion to agriculture and settlements. By the 1960s, only c.16 km2 of primary forest remained in Sylhet, previously one of the strongholds of forest in the country, and virtually no primary forest now remains in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Indo-Burmese forests

CONSERVATION ISSUES AND STRATEGIC SOLUTIONS (summarised in Table 3) Forest loss and degradation â– FORESTRY AND ILLEGAL LOGGING

Commercial clear-felling and selective logging have been major factors in the loss of large areas of lowland forest in this region, but logging has now ceased in many areas.

Excessive timber extraction was a major problem on Hainan until, in 1994, logging of primary forest was officially banned, although some illegal logging is reported to continue. A national logging ban was enacted in China in 1998. In north-east India, logging has depleted forests over much of lowland Assam; however, logging and timber export was recently banned in north-east Indian states, although some illegal logging takes place and it is still legal to cut timber for local plywood and veneer factories. Largescale logging operations continue in Myanmar, to produce timber for export to Thailand and China (where logging is now banned). In Cambodia, despite a total ban on the export of sawn logs and timber in 1995, there are major logging operations (including in national parks), illegal trade continues and most forest remains under concession.

Commercial timber extraction is also a threat at lower altitudes elsewhere in Indochina.

Given the massive reduction in lowland forest in this region, existing bans on logging should be enforced (and similar bans promoted elsewhere), and reforestation programmes (using native species of trees) adopted. Where legal logging continues, sustainable forestry practices need to be promoted, including allowing natural regeneration,

Together with nearby Ke Go Nature Reserve, the forests at Khe Net are vital for the survival of the endemic Vietnamese Pheasant.

PHOTO: J. C. EAMES

F06

Myanmar: In the 1980s the rate of forest clearance in Myanmar was estimated at up to 6,000 km2 per annum, one of the highest deforestation rates in the world. By the early 1990s, the area of forest remaining was estimated to cover 47.4% of the country, 39.1% being intact forest and 8.3% degraded forest. Much of the remaining forest is montane, although some extensive areas of lowland and hill forest suitable for the birds of this region may remain.

Thailand: Forest cover apparently fell from an estimated 70–80% of total land area in the 1940s to well under 30% in the 1980s. Logging was officially banned in 1989, but forest has continued to be rapidly cleared and degraded through conversion to plantations and illegal logging.

Laos: Although level lowland forest has been cleared in most parts of the country, relatively large areas of foothill and hill forest remain, notably in Xe Pian NBCA. However, the remaining forests are under intense pressure from commercial logging operations, and some large areas of forest are scheduled to be submerged by hydropower projects.

Cambodia: Large areas of forest in Cambodia have been degraded or cleared in recent decades because of unsustainable logging and conversion to agriculture. Some vast tracts of lowland dry-deciduous forest remain in the north of the country, and support populations of Whitewinged Duck and Green Peafowl, as well as a selection of threatened waterbirds (see W18).

Vietnam: More than 80% of the original area of closedcanopy forest in Vietnam has been cleared. There is some evidence that the rate of loss of natural forest has slowed in the past decade, but the quality of that which remains continues to decline. Absolute forest cover may be increasing because statistics include plantations of exotics for pulp and commodity tree-crops like coffee and cashew as well as natural forests.

lower timber quotas and preservation of old-growth patches, and low-impact logging practices to reduce structural damage to the forest and allow more rapid regeneration. Measures are needed to minimise illegal logging, particularly in protected areas and other sites of high biodiversity value, and to control illegal trading of timber. â– CONVERSION TO AGRICULTURE AND PLANTATIONS

The clearance of forest for cultivation and plantations is a continuing threat, linked to human population growth and the movement of people into formerly remote regions. In north-east India areas of forest are being converted to tea gardens, paddyfields and teak plantations, and on the Nicobar islands forests have been converted into rice paddy and plantations (including cashew nut, coconut and rubber). In Vietnam, forest is being lost to plantations of cash crops, such as coffee and cashew, even inside Cat Tien National Park (where conversion to fishponds has posed an additional threat), which stems in part from politically motivated settlement programmes. The large areas of open dry deciduous forest habitat that remain in Dak Lak province are likely to suffer from agricultural development, as it has the highest immigration rate of any province in Vietnam.

There is a general need to control encroachment into forest for agriculture and plantations in protected areas and at other key sites for threatened birds and other biodiversity.

This means investigating the underlying causes behind the movements of people into forest areas and forest conversion to cash crops, including the effects of global commodity prices; the conservation community needs to influence these policies, to minimise the pressures to convert natural forests.

The establishment of new nature reserves may be required at some key sites, with effective legislation and patrolling to prevent encroachment. The development of more efficient agriculture (through the introduction of improved and

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Indo-Burmese forests

F06

Local people use forests as a source of timber and other products, but management is required to prevent forest degradation.

These should be promoted through conservation awareness work, stressing the ecological services that forests provide, for example maintenance of water supplies.

PHOTO: GERRY GOMEZ/BIRDLIFE

■ DEVELOPMENT (URBAN, INDUSTRIAL, ETC.)

appropriate techniques) to help alleviate poverty, if carefully implemented, also has the potential to reduce the pressure on remaining areas of natural habitat. Plantation managers should retain forest patches along streams and in peripheral areas, and minimise their use of agrochemicals.

These measures should be promoted through conservation awareness work, stressing the ecological services that forests provide (e.g. maintenance of water supplies) as well as their value for biodiversity.

■ SHIFTING AGRICULTURE

The habitats of some of the region’s higher-altitude species, such as the species endemic to the mountains of Vietnam, are affected by shifting agriculture (see F04 for further details). This is increasingly causing forest degradation, as the numbers of shifting cultivators increase and the area of forest decreases. Measures to control unsustainable shifting agriculture could include: provision of sustainable economic alternatives to shifting cultivation, including improved agricultural practices and agro-forestry, enabling farmers to settle in established clearings; rehabilitation of abandoned land, including through the development of community forestry plantations; and projects at selected key sites that integrate conservation and land-use development, and work in collaboration and participation with the local people.

■ EXPLOITATION OF FOREST PRODUCTS

The forests of this region face increasing pressure from exploitation as human populations grow and natural habitat diminishes. The areas around many reserves are densely populated; for example, over 100,000 people live in the buffer zone of Cat Tien National Park in Vietnam, and a large town separates Cat Loc (stronghold of Orange-necked Partridge) from the other sectors. Local people use forests as a source of timber, fuelwood (including charcoal) and rattan; these activities cause severe degradation, and disturbance to wildlife. Human access to and exploitation of forests need to be controlled in protected areas and other important sites for threatened birds. Some reserves may need to be redesigned, with broad buffer zones to absorb human needs, and rigorously patrolled core areas to prevent forest exploitation. The establishment of community forests should be promoted, to provide a sustainable source of forest products for local people, and their management improved through training in forestry techniques. At some sites, alternative livelihoods could be developed (e.g. fishfarming, ecotourism, floriculture, cultivation of medicinal plants, etc.) to reduce local dependence on forest products.

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Habitat is threatened by the region’s expanding network of new roads, which allow access by loggers and settlers to once-remote regions, and often result in near-total forest loss. For example, the ongoing construction of the Ho Chi Minh highway in Vietnam, and the associated human settlement, are causing habitat loss and placing increased pressure on forest products at numerous key sites for threatened birds, including Khe Net and Phong Dien / Dakrong. Numerous hydropower developments are planned for South-East Asia, for example in the Mekong catchment, especially in Yunnan and Laos; these dams threaten enormous stretches of riverine forest, especially in the Mekong basin (see W18), and cause a suite of problems by improving access for loggers and hunters, and displacing people from inundated areas. The Andaman and Nicobar islands are also threatened by development. Forest is being lost through the establishment and expansion of settlements with associated roads, airstrips and defence installations, as well as a hydroelectric project. The most alarming threat lies in a proposal to develop Great Nicobar as a free-trade port and to create a dry dock and refuelling base for international shipping at the mouth of the Galathea river.

Environmental impact assessments should be conducted for development projects that have the potential to damage forested areas, with appropriate mitigation plans. Wherever possible, new developments should be avoided near protected areas and other sites of high biodiversity value.

The proposed developments on the Andaman and Nicobar islands need to be assessed with particular care, because of the vulnerably of the endemic biodiversity on these often small oceanic islands.

■ DISTURBANCE

This region has a large and rapidly growing human population, with a high proportion of these people live in rural areas, meaning that most natural habitats are affected by human disturbance. Lowland forests and their accessible valleys and waterways are particularly susceptible. Species such as White-winged Duck, Green Peafowl and Masked Finfoot are strongly tied to pools and rivers within or near forest, and it is precisely these areas that are cleared and colonised first, or visited most frequently by people; they are seriously threatened with extinction in many areas as lowland wilderness disappears. Networks of protected areas need to be developed and managed, through the modification of existing reserves and the establishment of new areas, to protect extensive river systems and networks of forest pools from human disturbance, habitat loss and other threats. Some potentially suitable large areas of relatively intact forest wetlands still exist, for example in Assam and Cambodia.

Protected areas coverage and habitat management ■ GAPS IN PROTECTED AREAS SYSTEM

Many protected areas have already been established, but there are some important gaps in their coverage of threatened birds; new reserves and the modification of existing ones, are urged by country below. It should be noted that some species are wide-ranging and generally occur at low densities, including ones which make migratory or nomadic movements such as Masked Finfoot and Pale-

Indo-Burmese forests

lowlands, establish and consolidate Lo Go Xa Mat National Park and Bu Gia Map Nature Reserve, and expand Cat Tien National Park to encompass the surrounding old forestry enterprises; on the Kon Tum plateau, upgrade three contiguous sites—Ngoc Linh (Kon Tum) Nature Reserve and Ngoc Linh (Quang Nam) and Song Thanh proposed nature reserves—to a national park, ensure that management regimes in the forest areas between Kon Ka Kinh and Kon Cha Rang Nature Reserves are consistent with the maintenance of habitat corridors, and maintain forest cover between Ngoc Linh, Ngoc Boc and Kon Ka Kinh.

Current protected areas networks do not adequately cover forested rivers and wetlands, with riverine species particularly poorly represented because of their linear distributions. For species such as White-winged Duck and Masked Finfoot, improved reserve design and management is necessary, involving: (1) use of ridges rather than rivers to delimit protected areas; (2) conservation programmes targeting entire river systems and networks of pools, which aim to protect and manage forest wetlands both inside and outside the protected areas. Education campaigns are needed to promote these proposals, particularly to highlight the importance of natural river systems, for example as spawning grounds for fish.

■ INADEQUATE LEGISLATION

In several countries the laws designed to protect habitats are weak or ambiguous, or newly introduced and unfamiliar to the officials who must enforce them. National Protected Areas in Laos, for example, had their legal status clarified

Table 3. Conservation issues and strategic solutions for birds of the Indo-Burmese forests.

Conservation issues

Strategic solutions

Forest loss and degradation ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

FORESTRY AND ILLEGAL LOGGING CONVERSION TO AGRICULTURE AND PLANTATIONS SHIFTING AGRICULTURE EXPLOITATION OF FOREST PRODUCTS DEVELOPMENT (URBAN, INDUSTRIAL, ETC.) DISTURBANCE

➤ ➤ ➤ ➤ ➤ ➤ ➤ ➤

Maintain logging bans in Hainan and north-east India, and support similar bans if they are required elsewhere Promote sustainable forestry, including low-impact logging practices and replanting with native tree species Develop measures to control illegal logging and trading of timber Investigate the underlying causes of forest conversion to cash crops, and seek to reduce this pressure by influencing relevant government policies Promote sustainable forms of upland agriculture in the mountains of Vietnam that do not result in net loss of natural forest Reduce local dependence on forest products by establishing sustainable community forests and developing alternative livelihoods Assess the environmental impact of development projects in forested areas, and minimise development at key sites for threatened birds Reconsider proposed development projects on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Protected areas coverage and management ■ GAPS IN PROTECTED AREAS SYSTEM ■ INADEQUATE LEGISLATION ■ WEAKNESSES IN RESERVE MANAGEMENT

➤ Establish new reserves, and modify existing reserves, to fill gaps in coverage of threatened species in China, India,

Myanmar and Vietnam ➤ Develop conservation programmes for selected river catchments ➤ Review and improve protected areas legislation in Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia ➤ Strengthen reserve management through improved funding, infrastructure and staff training

Exploitation of birds ■ HUNTING AND TRAPPING

➤ Improve enforcement of hunting laws, including through education programmes, control of gun ownership and

more effective patrolling of protected areas ➤ Survey wildlife markets to monitor hunting pressure on threatened species

Gaps in knowledge ■ INADEQUATE DATA ON THREATENED BIRDS

➤ ➤ ➤ ➤

Locate and survey lowland forests in Myanmar, to identify priority sites for conservation action Survey poorly known species in the Andaman and Nicobar islands Continue surveys in the Kon Tum plateau of Vietnam and adjacent parts of Laos Study the movements of Masked Finfoot and Pale-capped Pigeon

Other conservation issues ■ INTRODUCED SPECIES

➤ Investigate the impact on Nicobar Bulbul of competition with Red-whiskered Bulbul, to help develop a strategy for

its conservation ➤ Completely eradicate feral goats from Narcondam Island

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capped Pigeon; protected areas alone cannot guarantee the survival of these species, which also require habitat protection and management at the landscape level. China: In Yunnan, the existing protected areas support only small numbers of Green Peafowl, and new reserves are required to protect the largest populations, for example in the area where Chuxiong city meets Shuangbai and Lufeng counties. India: The protection of the important White-winged Duck populations in eastern Assam needs to be improved through a network of specially protected and managed sites, including gazettement of Upper Dihing (west block) and the adjacent forests of Joypur and Dirok as a new protected area. In the Nicobar islands, protected areas should be established on Camorta and/or Katchall islands. There are two national parks on Great Nicobar, but their boundaries need to be revised to address the following three weaknesses: (1) the coastal forests important for Nicobar Megapode are relatively unprotected and thus most vulnerable; (2) the central road across Great Nicobar and the gap between national parks leaves the habitat open to fragmentation; (3) the current buffer zone covers large tracts of land that are uninhabited, and as such should be fully protected. Myanmar: Effective new protected areas need to be established for major areas of lowland forest (and associated wetlands), following surveys to locate suitable sites. Vietnam: Proposed changes to the protected areas system include: in the Annamese lowlands, support the establishment of the proposed Phong Dien and Dakrong Nature Reserves, and create a new nature reserve at Khe Net (165 km2) in Quang Binh province; in the South Vietnamese

Indo-Burmese forests

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only in June 2003. Protected areas in both Myanmar and Cambodia lack strict protective legislation. For reserve networks to be successful they need to be supported by welldefined laws and the manpower (with high-level political support and motivation) to enforce them.

■ WEAKNESSES IN RESERVE MANAGEMENT

Many of the region’s protected areas receive little or no active management, and increased resources are required to ensure their long-term security, through improved management planning and training of reserve staff, and hence patrolling, boundary demarcation, etc. Special management is required for the threatened species in some protected areas, for example planting of native fig trees and provision of nest-boxes for Narcondam Hornbill in Narcondam Island Wildlife Sanctuary, and the retention of large old trees and vegetation along the banks of rivers in reserves with nesting White-winged Duck. Governmental departments responsible for habitat conservation in this region often suffer from a shortage of skills, funding and motivation. These issues need to be addressed through exchange programmes and training, supported by appropriate injections of funding.

Exploitation of birds ■ HUNTING AND TRAPPING

Hunting with both snares and firearms is extremely common in the Indo-Burmese forests. In China, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, some larger-bodied birds have almost been hunted out, and snaring has reduced many forest-floor species to very low densities. The collection of eggs and chicks of birds for food is also frequent. The widespread threatened species include several which are a quarry of hunters because of their size, such as White-winged Duck, Crested Argus and Green Peafowl, and Pale-capped Pigeon is susceptible to hunting when it congregates at fruiting trees. Green Peafowl is often sold in markets for food, and live or dead birds are even traded internationally for their meat and feathers. Nicobar Megapode is subject to heavy hunting and egg collection.

The impact of hunting on forest birds is generally poorly understood, but this appears to be the principal threat to several threatened birds in this region. Protected areas need to be patrolled more effectively, to intercept hunters and remove snares, backed up by firm enforcement

PHOTO: MARK EDWARDS/BIRDLIFE

In some areas, larger-bodied birds have almost been hunted out, and snaring has reduced many forest-floor species to very low numbers.

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of existing hunting laws. Surveys of wildlife markets should monitor (and provide the basis for control of) hunting pressure on threatened species. The governments of China, Laos and Vietnam are controlling gun ownership, a measure that in Vietnam has apparently already benefited populations of larger-bodied bird species, and this measure could be applied in other countries, particularly near important protected areas. These efforts to reduce hunting need to be promoted through public education programmes concerned with forest conservation, threatened species and the hunting laws.

Gaps in knowledge ■ INADEQUATE DATA ON THREATENED BIRDS

In recent decades intensive survey work has improved knowledge of the status and distribution of habitat and threatened birds in many parts of the Indo-Burmese region.

The most important exception is Myanmar, for which there is little current information, as this country could be found to support significant populations of several of the more widespread threatened species, such as White-bellied Heron, White-winged Duck, Green Peafowl and Masked Finfoot. It is therefore a priority to pinpoint any extensive stands of forest in lowland Myanmar, and to determine which of these deserve conservation attention. As an example, the wooded swamps of the Myitmaka river north of Yangon formerly held a large breeding population of Masked Finfoot, but recent information is not available. On the Andaman and Nicobar islands, there is a need to improve understanding of the status and conservation requirements of the poorly known Nicobar Sparrowhawk, and the Data Deficient Andaman Crake and Nicobar Scops-owl. In Vietnam, recent surveys in the Kon Tum plateau have led to the discovery of three bird species, all of which are considered to be threatened, and further surveys are required there and in the adjacent mountains in Laos to improve understanding of their status and to look for any more undescribed species. A study is underway to investigate whether Edwards’s Pheasant and Vietnamese Pheasant, both of which are confined to the Annamese lowlands EBA, are conspecific. Two widespread species, Masked Finfoot and Pale-capped Pigeon, are migratory or nomadic and research is required (perhaps using satellitetracking) to improve understanding of their status and movements, and their tolerance of habitat change.

Other conservation issues ■ INTRODUCED SPECIES

Alien species in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelagos might be affecting some of the threatened species. The Redwhiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus was introduced to the Nicobar islands in the late nineteenth century and has subsequently flourished in the Nancowry group (i.e. throughout the range of Nicobar Bulbul). The population of Nicobar Bulbul appears to have declined substantially on most islands, and it is possible that competitive exclusion is occurring. This needs study, and a strategy to minimise the effects of any competition on the numbers of Nicobar Bulbul. On Narcondam Island, police staff introduced a small population of goats in the 1970s, growing by 1998 to 130–150 domestic animals in the police camp and over 250 feral animals in the forest. As a result, there was very little natural woodland regeneration, posing a serious long-term threat to the Narcondam Hornbill. Most of the goats were recently removed from the island, but this programme should be continued until they are completely eradicated.

NDUP WORLD ROUNDUP WORLD ROUNDUP WORLD ROUNDUP W

Vulture Rescue

Tim Loseby

An exciting development in the search for the reason why vultures belonging to the Gyps genus have declined by more than 90% in parts of South Asia (see e.g. World Birdwatch 20(4): 6; 24(1) 14–15) in the last 10 years was announced at a meeting of raptor biologists in Hungary recently.

Lindsey Oaks, from Washington State University working with The Peregrine Fund, presented information on the causes of death of several vultures from three colonies in Pakistan.

Autopsies on dead birds found they were frequently suffering from gout – like the human condition, caused by uric acid crystallising in the body. Oaks found that birds with gout had high levels of an antiinflammatory painkilling drug, diclofenac, in their kidneys, whereas dead vultures without gout had undetectable levels. It appears that this drug, used for human medicine for decades, has recently been introduced as a veterinary medicine in India and Pakistan.

Whilst these results could explain vulture deaths in the studied Pakistani colonies, many issues require explanation if diclofenac is responsible for vulture declines in India, where the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS, BirdLife in India) has been working with the RSPB (BirdLife in the UK) and the Institute of Zoology (London) to investigate the phenomenon, funded by the UK Government’s Darwin Initiative.

Debbie Pain, Head of International Research at RSPB commented “Whilst diclofenac could be the breakthrough we’ve been waiting for, we can’t yet assume that it is responsible for the vulture declines in India. Much investigation needs to be done, and we are working on this with BNHS and IoZ as a matter of urgency.”

Vibhu Prakash, Principal Scientist at

Vulture Rescue

Vulture death mystery explained?

White-backed Vultures Gyps bengalensis, once a common sight in India, are increasingly rare. (Inset) A sick vulture at the Vulture Care Centre displays the classic neck-drooping symptom.

BNHS outlined some of the anomalies under investigation “The experimental results from Pakistan suggest that diclofenac has a rapid effect on birds, with death following several days after exposure.

Observations from the field and from our recently opened Vulture Care Centre in India document the birds experiencing a state of prolonged illness before death, often lasting for several weeks.

Additionally, lesions more characteristic of infectious disease than a contaminant have been found in several vulture carcasses in India. Diclofenac is thought to be excreted by mammals within a few days. A high proportion of cattle across India would therefore have to be treated shortly before death for vultures to be exposed and to decline on such a large scale. Diclofenac is also considered toxic to certain other bird species and to dogs. However, of all the scavenging species present at cattle carcasses, only populations of Gyps species appear to be severely affected and dog

populations have increased noticeably at sites where Gyps vultures have declined.”

BirdLife is very concerned that should the declines in India prove to be caused by an infectious disease and not diclofenac, it could spread through migratory Griffon Vultures Gyps fulvus to other vulture populations across the Middle East, Europe and Africa. Should diclofenac prove to be an important factor in India, however, spread is unlikely, as long as the drug’s use in veterinary medicine can be prevented. Until this is shown to be case – and results of tissue sample analysis from dead Indian birds are keenly awaited – BirdLife is keeping an open mind on the matter.

Additional information can be found in: Prakash et al. (2003). Biological Conservation 109(3): 381–390; Pain et al.

(2003) Conservation Biology 17 (3): 661–671; Cunningham et al., (August 2003) Animal Conservation in press.

Susanne Shultz

UK Environment Minister, Elliot Morley (right) at the opening of the Vulture Care Centre in northern India, in February 2003. The Centre is a joint initiative by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS, BirdLife in India), the Haryana State Government, the RSPB (BirdLife in the UK) and the Institute of Zoology (IoZ London), with help from the National Bird of Prey Trust and funded by the UK Government’s Darwin Initiative and Haryana State Government. The Centre is being used to house sick vultures to study the illness, and to investigate possible causes of the declines. (Left to right: Vibhu Prakash (BNHS), Debbie Pain (RSPB), Andrew Cunningham (IoZ), Mr Jakati (Haryana State Government) and Elliot Morley).

World Birdwatch September 2003 25.3

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VIETNAM'S ENVIRONMENT IN THE NEWS Submitted by Education for Nature-Vietnam Illegal Timber Exploitation Phu Yen Province - On the 1st December, rangers from the Krong Trai Nature Reserve intercepted a vehicle with fake number plates transporting 1m3 of rare timber. A group of 15 loggers attempted to set fire to the vehicle and its contents, attacking the rangers. The group fled the scene after rangers fired warning shots.

A day later a truck was stopped by rangers in the same district for illegally transporting over 7m3 of precious Group 1 timber. The timber was hidden in rice husk bags as it was taken from Gia Lai Province to Phu Yen Province. No arrests were made as the driver escaped. (Youth Newspaper issue 285, date 4 Dec 2003) Loggers and Rangers at War Binh Phuoc Province - On the 11th December 2003 local provincial rangers were attacked by a group of 12 loggers carrying knives and bush-hooks. The rangers were guarding a holding area that was used for storing confiscated timber and trucks at Bu Gia Map National Park in Phuoc Long District. Local police were informed of the incident and quickly appeared on the scene. The group dispersed without report of any serious injury. (People’s Police Newspaper issue 1174, date Dec 12, 2003) Illegal Logging Case Re-opened Gia Lai Province - The Provincial Police Force Investigation Bureau have reopened a 12-yearold case into an illegal logging incident in Chu Prong Commune. The decision follows the recent arrest of repeat offender Nguyen Thi May in Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province who is believed to be responsible for falsifying the certification of 900m3 of illegal timber in 1992. The case was left open when Nguyen Thi May reportedly set fire to the timber, destroying the evidence and fled the scene. (Labor Newspaper issue 351 date Dec 17,2003) Big Logging Case Gia Lai Province - The State Police Force have prosecuted 25 people and 19 more are in custody for allegedly taking part in an illegal logging operation in Kon Ka Kinh National Park. Over 2,400m3 of timber is believed to have been illegally cut down in the operation since February 2003. Some of the suspects held positions responsible for forest protection whilst the illegal activity was taking place. The case has moved forward rapidly since being taken over by the State Police Force's special investigation division in October 2003.

Police stated that the logging operation began when the Director of Mang Den Farm used the company permit to cut down 2,000m3 of timber in the park then went on to sub-contract his quota and divide it amongst Tan Lap Farm and six other private enterprises. Local rangers and management officials were bribed to allow the same permit to be used repeatedly, each subcontract using 10-20% more than their quota at a time. The case continues. (Labor Newspaper issue 350, date Dec 16, 2003, Pioneer Newspaper issue 250, date Dec 16, 2003, Vietnam News issue 4430, date Dec 16, 2003) Confiscating Illegal Timber Binh Thuan Province - In the last two months authorities in Binh Thuan Province have uncovered 58 cases of wildlife trading. As many of those arrested were repeat offenders the authorities made the decision to confiscate 60 trucks involved in the cases rather than issuing the standard fines. (Labor issue 350, date Dec 16, 2003)

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Regional News OFFICE LAUNCH Welcome to our new office at no.4, lane 209, Doi Can, Ba Dinh, Hanoi. An office launch was held on December 16 to celebrate this event. Here are some images of the launch.

BirdLife staff and doctor Nguyen Cu, a close friend of the office

The beautiful house

Thanks for coming...

...Cheers

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Rarest of the rare White-winged duck Cairina cutulataThis forest duckThis forest duck qualifies as Vietnam, and Cambodia., 150 on Sumatra Indonesia and 170 in India (chiefly Assam and Arunachal Pradesh) and Myanmar.

Whilst recent surveys, particularly in northeast India, suggest the population may be higher, it continues to decline throughout its range, and is probably extinct in Malaysia and on Java

This forest duck qualifies as Endangered because it has a very small, rapidly declining, severely fragmented population as a result of deforestation, wetland drainage and exploitation

Identification: 66-81 cm. Large, dark, forest duck with contrasting whitish head and upper neck. Males have mostly dull yellowish bill, blackish mottling on head and upper neck, white lesser and median coverts and inner edges of tertials and bluish-grey secondaries. In more densely mottled head and upper neck. Juvenile is duller and browner. Similar spp. Female Comb Duck Sarkidomis melanotos has mostly whitish under-parts and all dark wings. Voice Flight call is series of vibrant honks, often ending with nasal whistle, Also single, short, harsh honks. Hint Very secretive, often feeds only at night.

Range: 370,000 km2 Population: 450 Altitude: 0-1,400m Habitats: Forest, wetland Threats: Habitat loss and degradation, exploitation, human disturbance Range and population: Cairina scutulata was historically widely distributed from north-east India and Bangladesh, through South-East Asia to Java and Sumatra, Indonesia. It has undergone a dramatic decline such that, in 1997, its population was estimated at 450 individuals, comprising 130 in Laos, Thailand,

Ecology: It inhabits stagnant or slowflowing natural and artificial wetlands, within or adjacent to evergreen, moist, deciduous or swamp forests, on which it depends for roosting and nesting, usually in tree-holes. Although lowlands (below c.

200m) provide optimum habitat, it occurs up to 1,400m, especially on plateaus supporting sluggish perennial rivers and pools.

Although essentially sedentary, some birds make short dry-season movements in response to low water-levels.

Threats: Its decline is largely attributable to widespread lowland deforestation, compounded locally by drainage and conservation of wetlands. The resultant small, fragmented populations are vulnerable to extinction from stochastic environmental events, loss of genetic variability, disturbance, hunting and collection of eggs and chickens for food or pets.

Hydro-power development, inappropriate forest management, and pollution are more localized threats.

Conservation: In 1993, 21 protected areas were known to support populations. DibruSaikhowa National Park, Assam, was established because of its importance for this species. Conservation awareness materials depicting it have been widely distributed in Laos and Cambodia.

Targets: *Conduct further surveys to clarify its distribution and status

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*Instigate regular monitoring of selected key populations *Promote strict enforcement of hunting regulations and minimize encroachment, disturbance and habitat degradation in all protected areas supporting populations

*Campaign for increased protection of peat-swamp forest in Sumatra *Campaign against pesticide and oil pollution at key sites in north-east India *Promote widespread conservation awareness campaigns in and around key protected areas.

ck qualifies as Endangered because it has a very small, rapidly declining, severely and

Project updates PINK-HEADED DUCK SURVEY IN THE HUKAUNG VALLEY, MYANMAR During November, staff from BirdLife and the Bird Enthusiasts and Nature Conservation Association (BENCA) undertook a survey of wetlands in Kachin State organized by Wildbird Adventure Travels and Tours (WATT). The main objective of the survey was an attempt to rediscover the enigmatic Pink-headed Duck Rhodonessa caryophyllacea which has not been recorded Masked Finfoot Heliopais personata is common on ox-bow lakes in the in Myanmar since Hukaung valley. Photo: J. C. Eames.

1910.

Traveling During the survey the team recorded the along the Ledo Road west from Mytkyina, Endangered White-winged Duck Cairina the team began its boat-based survey at scutulata almost daily, with a total of ten Tanai on the Chindwin River. The team birds recorded in total, including a flock of then surveyed the numerous ox-bow lakes four together on 18 November. The Masked found along the river both ups and down Finfoot Heliopais personata was also stream from Tanai. The survey was common with a total of seven birds conducted in the both the newly designated recorded. Green Peafowl was very common Hukaung Valley Wildlife Sanctuary and being seen in flocks of up to eight birds on further south beyond the boundary. During the sandy banks of the Chindwin River. the survey the team received credible reports Other common ox-bow lake inhabitants from two fishermen, who independently of included the Lesser Fish Eagle one another, claimed to have seen and Ichthyophaga humilis, Oriental Darter hunted the species at the same ox-bow lake.

Anhinga melanogaster and Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus. More unexpectedly the team recorded Black-necked Stork

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BirdLife International in Indochina

The ox-bow lake from which Pink-headed Duck Rhodonessa caryyophyllacea was reported.

Photo: J. C. Eames.

Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus, and flocks of migrating Black Storks Ciconia nigra and Comon Cranes Grus grus.

Although the team did neither observe or find material evidence of the species we believe there is a high probability that the species still occurs in Kachin State, based on reports received during this and the previous survey undertaken last March. We base this belief on the fact that the area still supports extensive tracts of undisturbed lowland semi-evergreen forest, riverine, oxbow lakes

and emergent aquatic vegetation, including grassland, combined with low human impacts on the landscape. Therefore the reasons cited for the decline of the species elsewhere, particularly landscape level agricultural conversion of natural habitat do not appear to apply to Myanmar. The historical occurrence of the species further west and east also suggests the species should occur in the area. BirdLife hopes to undertake further surveys in the area during 2004. This project is supported by the Asia Bird Fund.

STRENGTHENING SITE SUPPORT GROUPS TO CONSERVE CRITICAL BIODIVERSITY During the period from October to November, a Socio-Economic and Threats Assessment was conducted for three weeks in the two planned project provinces of Quang Binh and Quang Tri. The main objectives of this assessment were: (i) to understand the socio-economic conditions of the buffer zones of the Khe Net Proposed Nature Reserve and Dakrong Nature Reserve (ii) to identify the threats and

problems around these areas and (iii) to look for the solutions to improve the natural resources conservation and management practices of local community.

The outputs of this assessment will be described in the report prepared by the team members and to be completed by December 2003.The project was funded by John D. & Catherine T. Mac Arthur Foundation.

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STAKEHOLDER-BASED CONSERVATION OF CHE TAO FOREST, VIETNAM A team of ten members have been selected to be Site Support Group members from three project communes. Materials and necessary equipment were provided to these members after the needs assessment.

As planned, a training on awareness raising skills was delivered to all SSG members and relevant project stakeholders. After a two day in-house training, the SSG members went to the field for practice. An action plan was developed by SSG members to carry out the awareness raising activities in all selected villages of the project communes for two months from October to November. The signing of agreement for natural resources protection, particularly not

hunting the hornbills and gibbons, was integrated to the awareness raising activities.

An internal review of the awareness activities was done by project staff to evaluate the recognition of local community on the importance of forest protection and biodiversity and the effectiveness of the awareness raising activities. Although there are big gaps in knowledge, customs and languages the SSG members have done great jobs in awareness raising activities that has improved environmental awareness and convinced them to commit to forest protection through the signing of agreements.

Staff News The Vietnam Programme is delighted to welcome Gina, Chris Mill from BirdLife UK and Phala, from the Cambodia programme to work and train in our office in November.

Here are some features of their activities in Hanoi.

Last day of Chris Mills in Hanoi

Phala, Gina and Vietnam Programme staff after lunch

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Gina enjoys the beautiful scenery at Halong bay, November 2003

Phala (of Cambodia office) and Chris (of Cambridge Secretariat) enjoy the Vietnamese hospitality and delicious cuisine, November 2003

Profile Le Trong Trai, Programme Officer

Jonathan Eames, chief representative (left) & Le Trong Trai, programme officer (right)

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Trai is curently leading a multi-disciplinary team who are conducting baseline biodiversity survey in forest areas adjacent to Ba Be National Park and Na Hang Nature Reserve as part of the PARC project.

Le Trong Trai was formerly the senior project officer on the collaborative BirdLife– Forest Inventory and Planning Institute (FIPI) project Expanding the Protected Areas Network in Vietnam for the 21st Century. This European Union-funded project provides support for the implementation of the Government of Vietnam's policy commitment to expand the national network of protected areas. Prior to this, he was project officer on the project entitled: The Conservation of Biodiversity in the Annamese Lowlands and the Da Lat Plateau, Vietnam, which was also funded by the European Union.

Trai's work has concentrated on biodiversity surveys and monitoring the wildlife resources of Vietnam. He is now recognized as one of Vietnam's leading field ecologists. He has discovered an undescribed taxon of muntjac and re-discovered Roosevelt's Muntjac. He was also involved in the discovery three new species of birds – the Black-crowned Barwing, the Golden-winged Laughingthrush and an undescribed form of laughingthrush from Mount Kon Ka Kinh, in central Vietnam. He has published extensively on the fauna of Vietnam. He also has extensive experience of protected areas planning, and production of feasibility studies and investment plans for the establishment of protected areas in Vietnam. Trai has recently co- authored Vietnam's first Vietnamese-language bird field guide Chim Viet Nam. Trai has a B.Sc. in Biology and has worked at FIPI since 1981.

Recently Published Butterflies of Vietnam "Butterflies of Vietnam" was published by BirdLife in November.

The text is written by Alexander L. Monastyrskii and Alexey L. Dvyatkin, translated by Khuat Dang Long. This is the first annotated checklist of the butterflies of Vietnam, and includes a series of color plates featuring the type specimens of new butterfly taxa described by the authors. This is an attractive publication by the World's leading authorities on butterflies of Vietnam. This checklist is an essential reference for any serious student of South East Asian butterflies. It is available from the senior author or from the BirdLife office in Hanoi.

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Birds of Myanmar Just published at the end of the year, this attractive field guide is the first bird guide in Burmese. Aimed at the general interest reader, this attractive book illustrates about half the birds species found in Myanmar. Written by acknowledged authorities on the birds of Myanmar, BirdLife hopes it will become a standard text fro all those interested in birds. This book is available from BirdLife in Hanoi or in Yangon.

Environmental protection and sustainable aquaculture, by Vu Thi Minh Phuong & BirdLife project officers.

"Environmental protection and sustainable aquaculture" was the outcome of the cooperation between the Department of Environment and Front cover Back cover Resources of Quang Ninh province, the people committee of Yen Hung district and BirdLife International with the financial support of DGIS. The book was published in Vietnamese, December 2003. This manual introduces the site support group (SSG) models in Hanam and SSG activities in the region. It also includes information of black-faced spoonbill, a species found in Hanam and Xuan Thuy. The book is available from BirdLife office in Hanoi.

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Book Review A Conflict of Interests The uncertain future of Burma's forests This new publication from Global Witness provides an insight into logging in Myanmar. Drawing on original research and informed reliable sources, it details how the current government uses resources from logging and how it is related to conflict and civil unrest in Myanmar. Essential reading for all with an interest in natural resource management and conservation in Myanmar. Available from Global Witness: Email: mail@globalwitness.org Website: http://www.globalwitness.org

The Vanishing Tiger, by Vivek R. Sinha This wonderful book documents the history and the lifestyle of the tiger, with stunning photographs of the Bengal tiger taken in the wild that have never before been published.

It is a wonderful record of a species in danger, and will be essential reading for all those concerned about the future of the wildlife of our planet. The book also features a superb portfolio of Indian wildlife including many rarely photographed species.

A Salamander book, published by Salamander book Ltd, The Chrysalis Building, Bramley Road, London W10 6SP, UK. The Tonle Sap Great Lake: A Pulse of Life,

by Renaud Bailleux The text of this large format “coffee table” book provides an in-depth introduction to Cambodia’s Tonle Sap Lake, the largest inland water body in South-East Asia and one of the most productive in the world. Its nine chapters describe the reverse water-flow flooding regime that has given rise to this extraordinary natural phenomenon, its fishery (one of the mainstays of Cambodia’s economy) and peoples, the characteristic flora and fauna, conservation issues and the ecosystem’s increasing fragility as pressures on its natural resources reach

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unprecedented proportions. It has been well researched, and is written in an accessible style, laced with local anecdotes, frequent reference to historical context, and illustrated with several clear, informative maps.

The book’s most eye-catching feature is its lavish decoration with a unique collection of photographs by some of the best-known photographers of Cambodian life. Many are large and stunning, but if I were to have one criticism, it would be leveled at the reproduction quality and choice of some. This, however, is a relatively minor gripe. Retailing at approximately $30, with all proceeds from its sale going to supporting environmental education within Siem Reap Province, especially on and around the Tonle Sap, it is an essential reference for anyone with an interest in the region’s natural resources and development.

(Pete Davidson)

From the Archives

Over the Langbian Plateau

This picture, entitled “Over the Langbian Plateau” was published in On and off duty in Annam,

by Gabrielle M. Vassal and published in London by William Heinemann in 1910. The photograph, also taken by the author, is a southerly view of a mountain whose appearance will be familiar to many. What is interesting is that both the foreground and the mountain appear to be deforested and the vegetation to consist only of short grass. This is confirmed by the author who wrote, “The plateau is so peaceful and soothing, no steep slopes, no impenetrable tangles of undergrowth, only pine groves in the gorges between the hillocks.” The grassland is almost certainly a fire-climax resulting from regular burning by indigenous people. Although the mountain appears deforested, this cannot actually be the case because numerous bird collectors

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trapped in the forests during the first two decades of the 20th century and since the photograph was probably taken around 1890 this would have been too short a period for evergreen forest to have grown.

The same view taken today would reveal patches of pine woodland (also a fire-climax), market gardens and human habitation. All of which indicates that the current landscape around Da Lat is merely a phenomenon of the last 100 years.

Gabrielle Vassal was the British wife of a French Army Doctor in whose honor the endemic White-cheeked Laughingthrush Garrulax vassali was later named.

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The Babbler, December 2003