Promotion of the Network Activities for the Biodiversity Observation in Nepal and Region Mangal Man Shakya & Swechha Lamichhane Wildlife Watch Group

Wildlife Watch Group: An Introduction Established in October 1993 as an informal group In May 2002, it was registered as NGO In 2011, as a non profit organization Member of IUCN, SSN, ITC, GTI, IPPL, Satoyama Initiative WWG a watchdog in the context of biodiversity conservation Nepal’s first wildlife trade related NGO that monitors the implementation of CITES Monthly publication of magazine ‘The Wildlife Times’ which is an anthology of all the information on wildlife

WWG proposed to become N-BON during ‘Preparatory Workshop for 2012 Jeju World Conservation Congress’. A motion ‘Establishment and Promotion of the AP-BON’ successfully passed by AP- BON of which WWG is a co- sponsor.

Highlights of the motion Acknowledging that biodiversity is very important for economic, social and sustainable development Acknowledging that observation and monitoring of the status of nature in biodiversity and ecosystem services are among the key tools in designing and implementing successful interventions toward conservation and sustainability Acknowledging the integration of current activities on biodiversity observation in the Asia-Pacific region as one of the key activities in valuing and conserving biodiversity Understanding that regional BON is being integrated from the national level BON activities including such countries as Japan (J- BON), the Republic of Korea (K-BON), Nepal (N-BON) and Bangladesh (B-BON) and that establishments of similar BON activities are being encouraged in other countries in Asia-Pacific Region

WWG’s N-BON Activities WWG along with IUCN Nepal and Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation of Nepal performed biodiversity observation in form of assessing climate change impact on flora and fauna in PAs of Nepal those lie within Langtang Himalayan Range. They were Parsa Wildlife Reserve in lowland, Shivapuri-Nagarjuna National Park in mid hill and Langtang National Park in highland by interacting with people of buffer zone area. Some of the observation highlights: o Decrease in crop production upto 75% o Native plants displaced o Migratory birds visiting this area noticeably decreased o Shift in frequency of faunas from lowland to upland

Future biodiversity observations Proposed protected areas for this initiation include international convention enlisted sites like Ramsar sites and World heritage sites Study in remaining PAs: 8 National Parks, 2 Wildlife Reserves, 5 Conservation Areas and 1 Hunting Reserve along with 9 Ramsar sites of which 5 are inside the National Parks and 3 World Heritage sites, making a total of 24 sites

Extension of AP-BON Prof. Eun-Shik Kim of Kookmin University, Korea visited Nepal in November 2012 Discussion on extension of AP-BON and promotion of N- BON A draft proposal prepared on Promotion of the Network Activities for the Biodiversity Observation in Asia-Pacific Region

Kazakhstan- Central Asia Mongolia- East Asia Jordon- West Asia Papua New Guinea- Pacific Region

The region of Asia-Pacific consists of many sub-regions which include the regions of Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, West Asia, and the Pacific, with more than 50 countries It is needed to observe the biodiversity by country and by sub-region.

Major Activities Suggested 1. Gap Analysis for the AP-BON countries - Gap Analysis in the sub-regions and the countries - Evaluation of Current Status in Activities 2. Networking of AP-BON by sub-region and by country - Establishment of Bylaws of the AP-BON - Establishment of sub-regional Networks - Establishment of National Networks of the sub-regions - Holding sub-regional Network Meetings - Holding Regional Network Meeting

3. AP-BON Reports by sub-region and by country - AP-BON Reports of sub-regional Networks - AP-BON Reports of National Networks of the sub-regions 4. Strategic Action Plan and Road Maps 5. Promotion of AP-BON Activities - Promotion of AP-BON activities in the sub-regions - Promotion of AP-BON activities in the countries