World Bank WCC Contact:
Kristyn Ebro; 66-1-250-0515
kebro@worldbank.org
In Bangkok:
Kimberly Versak; 66-1-875-5064
kversak@worldbank.org
Tinnakorn Sareenun; 66-2-256-7792; x 711
tsareenun@worldbank.org BANGKOK, November 23, 2004¾The 'Silent Forest Syndrome' – or forests with decreasing populations of wildlife – afflict many parts of East and South East Asia, caused by heavy and unsustainable trade in wildlife because of its use in the region, for example, as exotic food and for supposed medicinal properties. Signaling a new commitment to combating this problem, the governments of both the Lao PDR and Vietnam tomorrow will exchange copies of an Action Plan, signed by their respective national Directors of Forestry, during the IUCN World Conservation Congress being held in Bangkok, November 17-22, 2004. “Wildlife trade undermines the investments that agencies such as the World Bank, other donors, and governments make in conservation activities,” said Teresa Serra, Director of Environmental and Social Development at the World Bank, East Asia and Pacific Region. "While individual actions and political will within countries is important, unless real efforts are made at stopping the border trade, the problem will not be resolved.” The World Bank noted that since early 2004, in the context of the preparation of the proposed Nam Theun 2 Hydropower Project in Lao PDR (see www.worldbank.org/laont2), the World Bank has been working with the national and provincial governments of both Lao and Vietnam to address the wildlife trade issue in and around the watershed of the proposed dam, encompassing two provinces in Lao PDR and two in Vietnam. This area contains not just the Nakai-Nam Theun National Protected Area, the largest and arguably most important protected area in SE Asia and the protected forests which links it to its two adjacent protected areas, but also other significant protected areas with boundaries along the border between the two countries. Although the decision as to whether or not the Bank will finance the project is still pending, the preparation process has already helped to strengthen management of these protected areas. This part of SE Asia area harbors a rich diversity of flora and fauna, with high numbers of endangered and endemic species. Notable among these species are Douc Langur, Clouded Leopard, Tiger and Asian Elephant. The presence of both Saola and Large-antlered Muntjac – two large mammal species until recently unknown to science – highlight the conservation importance of the area. Provincial forestry and conservation officials, the NT2 Watershed Management Authority, border police, military, and local government personnel from Lao PDR’s to Bolikhamxay/ Khammouane provinces and Vietnam’s Ha Tinh/Quang Binh provinces made a series of trips to each other’s province in order to develop a Cooperative Action Plan, which is attached. The objectives of this Action Plan are threefold: 1. Restrain and progressively stop the illegal hunting, trading and transporting of wild fauna and flora in the border area; 2. Develop linkages and strengthen cooperation among localities and relevant agencies of the four provinces; 3. Raise awareness on biodiversity conservation in general and wildlife trade in particular among communities in the border areas of the four provinces, while working to improve local livelihoods. For each of these objectives the Plan details a number of actions with the responsible agency in Lao and Vietnam. “This is the first time a cooperative joint action plan to control the transboundary wildlife trade at the field level has been signed,” said Tony Whitten, Senior Biodiversity Specialist in the World Bank's East Asia and Pacific Region. "It thus represents an important contribution to the protection of natural resources and biodiversity of Lao PDR and Vietnam.” He noted that the plan recognizes the importance of establishing solutions for transboundary cooperation that take livelihoods into account. Ms. Serra added, “This action plan stands as a guiding document for managers at the grassroots level, strengthening cooperation and agreeing on actions necessary to combat the transboundary wildlife trade, promoting natural resource management and biodiversity conservation in this area, and contributing to sustainable development for local people.” “Simultaneously,” she continued, “it will help relevant agencies of the provinces and central governments of both countries to identify conservation targets and priority areas for program and project development. The action plan is, therefore, a framework for current actions as well as for future needs to which the international community can contribute.” For more information on the World Bank’s participation in the WCC, please see the website: www.worldbank.org/wcc And for more on the World Bank and the East Asia and Pacific Region, please see: www.worldbank.org/eap -###- |
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