Exchange visit of community-based hunting organizations of Kyrgyzstan to Tajikistan

Transcription

1 Exchange visit of community-based hunting organizations of Kyrgyzstan to Tajikistan Bishkek 2014

2 Justification: The international experience in environmental protection shows that tremendous monetary and moral efforts aimed at conservation of rare animals population finally turn out to be ineffective without involvement of local population. Poaching or illicit utilization of animals still remains one of acute and urgent problems of the real life. Basing on the principle of local community s right for the natural resources management, support is provided to the initiatives in the field of wildlife conservation in the Kyrgyz Republic with involvement of local communities within the frames of FLERMONECS Project funded by the European Union and implemented by GIZ. Local NGO Ak-Terek has been involved in implementation of these tasks, and works on planning of hunting entities at the community level for recovery and conservation of biodiversity by means of its sustainable management were continued by initiative of local communities from Chon-Kemin district of Chui region and Aksu district of Issyk-Kul region. NGO Ak-Terek has performed assessment of prospective model territories in 2010, and first prospective territory was established in Kemin, where the area of 15 thousand hectares was attached to the local community of Tarsu village at the beginning of Second prospective territory with an area of 70 thousand hectares was recently established in Aksu and attached to the local communities of several neighboring villages. Both territories are unique and have high potential for recovery and conservation of biodiversity with special focus to the mountain ungulates for sustainable utilization in the nearest possible future. Conservation of mountain ungulates also facilitates conservation of population of other species, including such rare species as the snow leopard. Both local communities managing territories attached to them have a legal status public organization. Members of both public organizations at present need some important theoretical and practical knowledge on effective management of wildlife. Part of members of the public organizations does not realize well how community-based hunting entity should function in practice. Seven community based hunting areas are actively functioning in Tajikistan with support of GIZ Regional Program since The GIZ project staff has transferred various knowledge and experience on wildlife management within several years. Monitoring and biotechnical activities, management and marketing of game resources were held every year. Foreign experts on communitybased hunting areas were invited to Tajikistan to make local organizations acquainted with the foreign experience. Pakistan and Namibia had especially good example for Tajikistan, because community-based hunting areas have shown its high effectiveness in biodiversity conservation by means of its sustainable utilization. Taking into account Tajik experience in wildlife management by the local communities it was decided to organize a reconnaissance tour for the representatives of community-based hunting entities of Kyrgyzstan. In addition, it is proposed that the representatives of State Agency for Environmental Protection and Forestry under the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic took part in the visit to Tajikistan. Within the frame of study tour to Tajikistan it is planned to visit some community-based hunting entities, various by organization type, geographic location and species composition of game animals populations. In addition, it is planned to meet the representatives of GIZ component Wildlife management and with other local experts on community-based organizations to get a foretaste of community-based hunting entities, multifaceted experiences in management of organization and wild life. Location: Tajikistan, Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province, hunting areas of public organizations Burgut, Ravmeddara, M-Saiyod, Mukhofiz, Darshaydara, Yuz-Palang.

3 Dates: December Logistics: Khalil Karimov (Kyrgyzstan)/Malika Farmonbekova (Tajikistan) Moderator: Khalil Karimov Participants: 1. Abykanov Urmat Chairman of Shumkar Tor Public Organization, Kemin district, Chui Region, Kyrgyz Republic 2. Abdykadyrov Temirbek member of Shumkar Tor Public Organization, Kemin district, Chui Region, Kyrgyz Republic 3. Mukanbet uulu Uchur member of Shumkar Tor Public Organization, Kemin district, Chui Region, Kyrgyz Republic 4. Zhursunov Tynchtyk member of Chunkur Tor Public Organization; Aksu district, Issyk- Kul Region, Kyrgyz Republic 5. Turdumatov Talant Specialist of Game Hunt Department of State Agency for Environmental Protection and Forestry, Kyrgyz Republic 6. Karimov Khalil independent expert 7. Johannes Keil Intern at GIZ, Kyrgyz Republic Objective: Acquire knowledge on development and running hunting entities with involvement of local population and game hunting species sustainable utilization approach. Tasks: Get acquainted with community-based organizations in Tajikistan and with their activity. Get acquainted with hunting areas monitoring techniques. Get acquainted with the history of public organizations development and hunting areas attached to them. Get acquainted with the results achieved by community-based hunting areas. Expected outcomes: Participants of visit have developed clear vision of community-based hunting entity and approach based on conservation by means of sustainable utilization. Participants of visit have got acquainted with scientific monitoring techniques. Participants of visit are ready to facilitate partial adoption of Tajik experience in running of community-based hunting entities. Detailed report on field visit and works performed is available.

4 Visit outcomes (Report and record) 1.) Work meeting with the members of public organization Burgut in Alichur: The meeting was successful, all tasks and objectives were achieved. The participants of visit: Got acquainted with the activities of Burgut Got familiar with the staff of Burgut Observed the area attached to Burgut Observed more than 30 species of argali in 15 minutes of field visit Observed ibex. Burgut has started its activities in December staff members are working for the organization. The area attached to Burgut is 96 thousand hectares. The main task of organization is to recover population of argali for sustainable game hunting. During first monitoring held in 2012 only 106 argali and 240 ibex were detected. In the course of work meeting in December 2012 the personnel of Wildlife management Component of GIZ Project Sustainable use of natural resources in Central Asia Munavvar Alidodov and Khalil Karimov have determined various problems, their reasons and consequences. (See Table No. 1 below) Problems Reasons Consequences 1. Eurotia grubbing Default power supply No alternative fuel sources 2. Poaching Weak protection Low living standard Corruption Meat demand 3. Unemployment Absence of positions Lack of education Low remuneration 4. Climatic changes Human influence Reduction of food reserves for wild animals and livestock Desertification and soil erosion Wild animals population decrease Environmental disasters Extinction of threatened species Ecological disturbance Poverty Migration of population Destruction of cultural and historical heritage Migration of population Natural disasters, water deficiency Fuel shortage

5 Local communities were provided with recommendations on possible remedies for the problems, and in 2013 they were supplied with uniforms and field equipment. In addition the component facilitated development of hotels for acceptance of tourists, developed travel brochures and information board. All this support positively influenced to the motivation of local community for work on conservation of biodiversity. According to the staff of Burgut, populations of wildlife significantly increased in one year of protection. This is mostly related to migration of animals from unprotected areas, where active poaching is still occurs, to the area of Burgut, as the poaching is almost stopped here and this factor of wildlife disturbance is brought to minimum. Fig.1 Observing argali in the territories of Burgut. Fig.2 Information board Burgut Fig.3 Staff of Burgut tell the participants about themselves. Acquaintance with Burgut undoubtedly provided useful knowledge to the participants of expedition, which could be adopted and applied in Kyrgyzstan.

6 2.) Work meeting with members of Parcham public organization in Ravmeddar: The meeting was successful, all tasks and objectives were achieved. The participants of visit: Got acquainted with the activities of Parcham Got familiar with the staff of Parcham Observed the area attached to Parcham Observed approximately hundred of ibex Got acquainted with mountain ungulates and other species monitoring techniques. Independently worked in the groups of monitors, detected animals and put the information down to questionnaires, used GPS. Parcham in its way is the first public organization in Tajikistan which started dealing with recovery of biodiversity with special focus to ibex. Since 2008 Parcham performs its activities on conservation of ibex. Total area attached to Parcham is 45 thousand hectares. The organization employed 12 local residents from two villages immediately located on the protected territory of Parcham. Most of Parcham staff was poachers in the past. With support of GIZ project the former poachers stopped poaching and started protecting ibex. Less than 50 species of ibex were detected in the course of field work in In the course of monitoring held in 2012 the number of ibex population was more than 400 species. The population of ibex has increased fourfold. Today it is easy to see several dozens of ibex. Parcham was provided with field uniforms and equipment in the form of tents, optics, sleeping bags, office equipment and other supplies required for independent functioning of organization with support of GIZ. Biotechnical activities were also held with support of GIZ. In 2012 Parcham has held the first foreign tourist hunting for ibex. The income from tourist hunting was allocated to environmental protection and social activities at the local level. In this year local community hosted more than hundred of tourists. Fig.4 Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan-Germany near the information board of Parcham

7 Fig.5 Joint monitoring by representatives of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Thus in the meeting with organization Parcham the participants of exchange visit have received valuable knowledge which can be used by community-based organizations of Kyrgyzstan for environmental protection activities. 3.) Work meeting with the staff of M-Saiyod in Darvaz district: The participants of visit: Got acquainted with the activities of M-Saiyod Got familiar with the staff of M-Saiyod Observed the area attached to M-Saiyod Observed approximately hundreds of markhoor M-Saiyod is legally registered as a private company, however in reality it functions as a public organization. Local residents of neighboring villages are working in the organization. Following species of mountain ungulates inhabit the territory: markhoor, ibex, urial, and wild hogs. M-Saiyod finds support from GIZ due to its activities on conservation of biodiversity and involvement of local communities in this activity, as well as because it invests all incomes from tourism and hunting into the social need of local communities. Field equipment and uniforms were transferred to M-Saiyod for enjoyment. M-Saiyod organizes foreign tourist hunting to ibex and wild hog and incomes from the hunting are allocated to the environmental protection and social activity at the local level. M- Saiyod puts much effort to protection of wildlife and habitat.

8 Undoubtedly the participants of expedition have got a foretaste of how many efforts you should invest to calmly observe pasturing markhoors from the distance of meters. In February 2014 M-Saiyod shall conduct the first official trophy foreign tourist hunting to markhoor. The Committee for Environmental Protection has issued six quotas for markhoor in three hunting entities, each hunting entity shall receive two quotas, one of such hunting entities is M-Saiyod, the other is Markhoor private company, and Mukhofiz public organization. Fig. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 at M-Saiyod

9 4.) Work meeting with the official of the Committee for Environmental Protection of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province of the Republic of Tajikistan, Mr. Farkhod Mamadnazarbekov, postgraduates of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan and scientists of Pamir Biological Institute and Institute of Zoology and Parasitology of the Republic of Tajikistan: Meeting of various institutes promoted multifaceted and interesting dialogue between Tajik and Kyrgyz parties. Thus, the representative of the Committee for Environmental Protection has described positive experiences of local population involvement in the environmental protection. In addition, Mr. Farkhod Mamadnazarbekov has told about the structure and challenges of the work of environmental protection, which they face in Tajikistan. Members of Academy and institutes are also shared their knowledge and impressions on works with local communities in Tajikistan. Amirov Zainidin, Kholmatov Ismoil, and Oshurmamadov Nuzar, biologists of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan have reported to the participants on the experience of community-based hunting entities in Tajikistan. They facilitate holding scientific monitoring in the hunting entities, including community-based ones. During dialog the parties expressed unilateral opinion that support and facilitation of GIZ to the local communities in environmental protection is very important and significant. Thanks to support by GIZ in all model territories the populations of wildlife species have increased by several times, people ceased poaching and started protecting wildlife and environment. Fig.11 Participants of exchange visit in the Pamir house with the officer of Committee for Environmental Protection and young scientists of Tajikistan.

10 5.) Work meeting with the staff of Wildlife management component of GIZ project in Tajikistan. The first meeting took place in Bartang, we were welcomed by Alidodov Munavvar (Biology Expert of Wildlife Management Component, specialist on community-based organizations). At the second day we have met the Component Leader Michael Fisher, he introduced the participants of expedition to the component activities in Tajikistan. In Khorog Malika Farmonbekova and Munavvar Alidodov introduced the participants to the works performed in the previous years. Participants of the expedition were offered printed reports, publications, booklets and other information materials developed within several years jointly with local communities in Tajikistan. 6.) Work meeting with members of Yokuti-Darshay public organization. As soon as we came to Yokuti-Darshay village, we were met with installed spyglasses, one of them was directed to the ibex, and the other one to urials. Members of Yokuti-Darshay represented by Munavvar Alidodov have told to the participants of expedition about the history of establishment of their public organization and about the efforts they put to achieve the goals. The aim was to increase number of wildlife and ensure sustainable utilization of game hunting speciesm as an additional source of income for local population. After 6 years of hard work these goals were achieved and currently sustainable population of ibex counting up to 500 species lives in the territory of Yokuti- Darshay, the snow leopards are also met very often. The organization holds ibex hunting for the second year and accepts dozens of tourists, which brings substantial income to the local community and motivates them for environmental protection activities. Fig.12 Near information board of Yokuti-Darshay

11 7.) Work meeting with members of public organization Yuz-Palang. Yuz-Palang is relatively young organization having only two years experience, however it has shown itself from the best side, and it was very useful to meet them and get acquainted with their activities. Thus, before the territory was attached to Yuz-Palang, the conflicts between livestock farmers wild predators were quite regular. Snow leopards and wolves attacked the livestock and farmers regularly shot them. After establishment of Yuz-Palang organization this problem was solved to the benefit of both these parties. The organization facilitated farmers in construction of livestock stands inaccessible by the predators. Conservation of snow leopard and its food reserve mountain ungulates attract tourists from all over the world to enjoy mountain landscapes and rich biodiversity of the country. The organization employed 14 people, all members of organization are local residents of neighboring villages. With support of GIZ the organization has received field equipment and uniforms. Yuz-Palang also closely cooperates with the other foreign environmental organizations and leads advocacy work among the local population on the importance of natural resources conservation.

12 Fig.13 Work meeting with Yuz-Palang Fig.14 Against Wakhan Corridor.

13 Conclusion The Trip to Tajikistan, undoubtedly, has benefited to the participants of expedition, as the experience obtained by the participants of expedition will mandatorily help them in their own startups in the field of nature conservation. The participants of expedition become convinced from the real example that nature conservation with involvement of local communities is one of the most effective ways of nature conservation. Every time when we met local organizations we saw a lot of wild animals, the population of which increases every year for several years already and delights the eyes of local communities. Plenty of foreign tourists and hunters are now interested with visiting these conservation areas of local communities. Local communities receive additional income from tourism, making pictures of animals, and game hunting, which supports their motivation and enthusiasm for natural resources conservation Farkhod Mamadnazarbekov officer of the Committee for Environmental Protection of the Gorno- Badakhshan Autonomous Province of the Republic of Tajikistan expressed a high opinion of the achievements of community-based hunting entities in Tajikistan. In addition he emphasized that the number of mountain ungulates has significantly increased in the territories protected by the local communities. Thanks to increase in number of mountain ungulates the population of snow leopard increases as well. In his statement Mr. Mamadnazarbekov has declared that the most important impulse for this was support of GIZ. If GIZ did not give hand the public organizations would not have any chance. GIZ has provided a lot of supplies to the public organizations (uniforms, sleeping bags, tents, insulating pads, boots, binoculars, spyglasses, primus stoves, horses). Monitoring of territories is annually held with financial support of GIZ, which involves specialists from the scientific and conservation institutes. Numerous trainings and seminars on conservation and sustainable utilization of natural resources were held with financial support of GIZ. Diotechnical activities were performed in the pilot territories with financial support of GIZ. All activities of GIZ strongly influenced to the positive development of affairs in the field of environmental protection. As a representative of the Committee for Environmental Protection of the Republic of Tajikistan I am grateful for invaluable assistance in conservation of the natural resources of Tajikistan. Khalil Karimov veterinary, since 2011work in the GIZ projects on conservation and sustainable utilization of natural resources in Central Asia. I can firmly state that thanks to GIZ in Tajikistan the state-of-the-art with wildlife significantly improved, particularly with such threatened species and markhoor and snow leopard. In 2010 a large-scale outburst of pleuropneumonia occurred among markhoor in Tajikistan, which resulted in mortality of several dozens of markhoor. The reason was in domestic goats, which are also pastured in the mountains. With financial support of GIZ it become possible to immediately go to the contamination zone and perform preventive activities to avoid further distribution of the disease. Alidodov Munavvar, Oshurmamadov Nuzar, Amirov Zainniddin, and Kholmatov Ismoil are postgraduates Pamir Biological Institute and Institute of Zoology and Parasitology under the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan: Thanks to GIZ projects on conservation and sustainable utilization of mountain ungulates, in the pilot territories in Tajikistan, where we conduct research work with financial support of the GIZ, number of wildlife species increased by several times. Thanks to GIZ we can better study biology of wild animals and their habitat. The GIZ project on wildlife management involves us every year to assist in holding scientific monitoring, biotechnical activities, etc.