Newsletter August-September 2005 Monthly newsletter for WWF Caucasus and CEPF mutual effort for conservation in the Caucasus In this issue: Conserving Ajara-Shavsheti Floristic Region s endemic plant species CEPF contribution to Shikahogh Reserve Protection Helping the Otter to Survive Eco-Pulse raised among public servants Eco-tourism development in Kazbegi New Art Essay Prize Third Regional Council for Biodiversity Conservation in Khopa, Turkey Shavsheti, West Lesser Caucasus Corridor. Photo by Z.Manvelidze. July 2005. 1
Conserving Ajara-Shavsheti Floristic Region s endemic plant species Establishing the current conservation status of endemics in the Ajara-Shavsheti floristic zone is one of NGO Mta-Bari s main objectives in their project, financed by the WWF/CEPF mutual effort Small Grants Fund. Scientists will identify IUCN categories for each endemic plant, and develop plans for in situ conservation of vulnerable and threatened endemic species on the basis of ecological and demographic Z.Manvelidze and expedition members working in the field. July, 2005, Shavsheti, Turkey. Photo by Mta-Bari. risk assessment. Project deliverables will include recommendations for updates to the IUCN Red List which will be presented to IUCN for consideration. A seed and natural plant collection will be created at Batumi Botanical Garden as part of the in situ conservation component. The first expeditions Galantus. Shavsheti floristic region were made to the Ajara-Shavsheti floristic region in July, 2005. 15 endemic species habitats were photographed and studied. Four endemic species natural plants were brought (Epigaea gaulteriodes (Boiss. Et Bal) Takht., Galantus krasnovii Khokhr., Muscari alexadrae Khokhr., Rhododendron ungernii Trautv.) to the Batumi Botanical Garden of Academy of Science of Georgia. For more information contact Zurab Manvelidze, coordinator, zurab58@yahoo.com. CEPF and WWF Caucasus contribute to Shikahogh Reserve protection As you may remember from our earlier issues, an alternative to the highway planned to cut across Armenia s Shikahogh reserve was successfully accepted thanks to the energetic and insistent efforts of Armenian civil society. WWF Caucasus PO Armenian office gathered support from NGOs and worked closely with government bodies. Our Small Grants Fund also supported the efforts of local NGO Ecolur in conducting a media campaign to promote an alternative to the highway. Environmental activists conducted meetings involving all potential stakeholders in the campaign local and international media, tourist and timber businesses representatives, local administration of Siunik region, representatives of central government and National Parliament, as well as international organizations. Journalists were brought on a media tour of the reserve and the surrounding Meghri region. Informative leaflets and brochures were published and distributed. A documentary made by a number of NGOs detailed the potential risks to the delicate habitat of the forests in the reserve and played a key role in informing government opinion as to possible alternatives. For more information contact Karen Manvelyan kmanvelyan@wwfcaucasus.am 2
Helping the Otter to Survive Otter (Lutra lutra) research in the Lencoran region of Azerbaijan close to the Iranian border has been undertaken under the Sumgait Center for Environmental Rehabilitation project supported by WWF Caucasus and CEPF s joint initiative. Rich with small forest brooks, rivers and other water reservoirs, many otter tracks were found on the Vasharuchai and Istiruchai rivers in the area. The main threats facing the otter in this region are water poisoning, and the use of explosives and electricity for fishing which severely damage otter forage reserve. Poachers hunting for otter fur are another danger menacing the species. Hyrcan National Park, officially opened Otter tracks in Agrichai river surroundings. August, 2005. Photo by E.Askerov, WWF Cau PO by the President Ilham Aliev on September 8, 2005, will cover these territories and help to save otter ecosystems. Another territory covered by the project and interesting for otter researchers lies in the north-west of the country by the Azerbaijan-Georgia border. Two summer expeditions revealed otter habitats mainly in two big rivers, the Alazani and Agrichai. A survey of the local population and meetings with hunters and taxonomy specialists Vasharuchai river, Hyrcan Corridor, August 2005. Photo by E.Askerov, WWF Cau PO showed that annually 5-7 animals are caught by poachers. During warm seasons, otters frequent the Alazani, while in winter when water reservoirs around the river are frozen, otters move to warmer forest rivers and are easily caught with traps. But as long as there is a state border between Georgia and Azerbaijan, the territory of otter reproduction is strictly protected and poachers access there prevented. Sumgayit Center for Environmental Rehabilitation will encourage local communities and relevant local authorities to protect otters, emphasizing threats coming in winter, through training and special interactive seminars. For more information contact Tahir Aydinov zootair@rambler.ru Eco-Pulse raised among public servants Since the public outcry in Georgia against poverty, corruption and crime two years ago, all public servants have become more attentive to the country s laws and regulations. For local authorities working to protect the environment, knowledge of relevant international conventions and agreements ratified by parliament is critically important Thankfully, public servants in 8 regions of the country are benefiting from NGO Eco-Pulse Association s project, Support Government Conservation Agencies in the implementation and 3
reinforcement of International Conventions and Agreements related to biodiversity conservation and sustainable use. Training and seminars are being held in cooperation with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Protection of Georgia. Training sessions in Akhaltsikhe, Telavi, Kutaisi, Ambrolauri, Ozurgeti, Zugdidi and Batumi have been held by the NGO. A special 82 page publication, including a Georgian translation, of all the international conventions and agreements on conservation and environment protection adopted in the country was prepared and distributed to participants in the training sessions. This brochure will be delivered free to NGOs and other international organizations as well. The interactive format of the event raised a number of questions concerning the local implementation of international conventions and cooperation with central government. The final meeting with central government representatives and NGOs will take place in Tbilisi in October, 2005. Conventions and International Agreements for public employees cover page. Photo WWF Cau PO For more information contact Ana Rukhadze coordinator, anarukhadze@yahoo.com. Meeting with Kutaisi local authorities. August, 2005. Photo by A. Rukhadze Eco-tourism heralds first results from Greater Caucasus investment Four months after the first grants were made by the WWF Caucasus CEPF joint initiative, concrete results are being seen in the Caucasus Hotspot. An eco-tourism base has been built in the village of Juta in the Kazbegi region of the Greater Caucasus biodiversity corridor. To attract local and foreign tourists to this beautiful place, blessed with natural and historical monuments, local people needed some basic facilities. Now Juta village can receive up to 300 guests every season, running from the beginning of June to the end of September. Juta village, tents for eco-tourists. July, 2005. On offer to tourists are Photo by B.Barkalaia comfortable tents and trained horses, an eating area, kitchen and guiding services. A special promotional brochure will be published in the autumn in English and Georgian to help spread the word about Juta and the Chaokhi massif in the Caucasus and abroad. Three local families who participated in the construction will manage the tourist point during the summer months and care for its safety in winter. Alternative sources of income for the local population will help conserve the beautiful Kazbegi region for future generations. Eating area and kitchen for tourists in Juta, July, 2005. Photo by B. Barkalaia 4
Fall Conservation Diary Children s essay prize New Art an NGO working for youth development is conducting an international literature contest for Georgian speaking kids. Up to 900 essays were received not only from Georgia, but other countries as well. Half of the topics in the contest focused on environmental protection and nature. Kids have written essays, poems and stories about how they see the problem and what the environment means for them. The final award ceremony is scheduled for 10 th of October. A number of environment activists like as Regional Environment Center and WWF have participated as cosponsors. A contribution from the Small Grants Fund financed the printing of the winners diplomas. All diplomas and certificates will hold CEPF and WWF names and logos. Project staff will deliver a presentation for children about conservation in the Caucasus and WWF cooperation with CEPF in the hotspot. Third Meeting of the Regional Council for Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Resource Use in the Caucasus Ecoregion One of the main joint activities of CEPF and WWF in the Caucasus Hotspot is the creation and support of the Regional Council for Biodiversity Conservation. The Council meets twice a year and works on vital conservation problems in the Hotspot. Each of the six countries sends one representative from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection and one from a civil society organization. The third bi-annual meeting will be held 3-8 of October in Khopa, Turkey, West Lesser Caucasus corridor. This time environmentalists will discuss the establishment of the Caucasus Biodiversity monitoring network, the current status of leopard conservation, ECP (Eco-region Conservation Plan) implementation and other vital issues. At the end of 2005, the Council s first annual report will be published. For more information contact Kety Rogava krogava@wwfcaucasus.ge. 11, M. Aleksidze Str. Tbilisi 0193 Georgia Tel.: + 995 32 330154/55 Fax: + 995 32 330190 Lana Ghvinjilia Communications Officer lghvinjilia@wwfcaucasus.ge Mob.: +995 32 77450739 Nugzar Zazanashvili Conservation Director, Regional Coordinator nzazanashvili@wwfcaucasus.ge How to Contact Us Maka Bitsadze Georgia mbitsadze@wwfcaucasus.ge Tel.: + 995 32 330155 Karen Manvelyan Armenia kmanvelyn@wwfcaucasus.am Tel.: + 3741 0 260224 Elshad Askerov Azerbaijan easkerov@wwfcaucasus.az Tel.: + 994 12 974973 Yildiray Lise Turkey ylise@wwf.org.tr Tel.: + 90 312 3103303 Vladimir Krever Russia vkrever@wwf.ru Tel.:+70957270938 www.panda.org/caucasus/cepf 5