FIRE FIRE EVERYWHERE - NEPAL

Fire engulfed over 174 hectares of forest in Okhaldunga District, east Nepal, and property worth NRS 20 million was gutted as fire broke out in Bhutaha VDC of Sunsari District, east Nepal. Meanwhile, around 200 hectares of forest were ravaged by fire in Dhunche of Langtang National Park.
1, 5 May
Republica,The Himalayan Times, Kantipur

TODAY AT MACOUN MARSH- CANADA

Here are some images taken today!

Painted turtle

Baltimore Oriole male

Mike Leveille with an Eastern Comma butterfly

Red admiral butterfly

TIGER COUNTRIES MUST SHUT BREEDING CENTRES

Credibility of international programme hangs in the balance

DELHI, INDIA: Tiger Range Countries meet in Delhi, India next week to evaluate progress of the Global Tiger Recovery Programme (GTRP) in what will be a true test of their national commitment to end the tiger trade.

The GTRP was signed into existence in November 2010 in St Petersburg, Russia, with the common objective of doubling the world’s wild tiger population by 2022.

The agenda for the Delhi meeting, from May 15-17, includes issues which to date have received too little attention in this forum – demand reduction and effective enforcement.

With final preparations for the meeting underway, the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) today warned that concrete action is needed to shut down tiger breeding operations and destroy their stockpiles of tiger skins and bones if the GTRP is to retain serious credibility.

EIA lead campaigner Debbie Banks said: “Successful demand reduction will be dependent on the closure of operations that breed tigers for trade in their parts and derivatives, and those that provide the living specimens to stock such operations.”

Operations in Thailand, Laos and Vietnam have been implicated in the illegal international trade; in China, breeders are allowed to sell farmed tiger skins on the domestic market.

“This trade simply serves to perpetuate demand, undermining enforcement efforts and sending mixed messages to consumers,” added Banks.

Tiger farming was hotly debated in 2007 at the 14th Meeting of the Conference of Parties to the UN Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), where the majority of Parties voted against domestic and international trade in parts of farmed tigers and called for a phasing out of such operations.

No country has yet reported on what action is being taken to fulfil the CITES decision.

While there have been recent high profile seizures and arrests in Thailand, and Vietnam has prosecuted at least one tiger farm owner, there is no report of action against tiger farmers in Laos; China stated in March 2011 that it had inspected tiger breeding operations, but it has not shared information on any convictions of those found selling tiger bone and products.

China also allows tiger breeding operations to maintain freezers full of tiger carcasses, instead of destroying them as urged by CITES. While tiger bone trade is currently prohibited, China has a scheme for registering, labelling and selling the skins but refuses to disclose how many skins have entered the scheme.

“How can these stockpiles possibly be justified?” asked Banks. “Maintaining stockpiles serves no conservation purpose; it only creates confusion and speculates that one day these parts may be traded for profit. That runs completely counter to a commitment to end tiger trade and totally undermines efforts at demand reduction.

“For the credibility of the GTRP, we need to see unequivocal and emphatic action to shut down all commercial tiger breeding operations and to transparently destroy the stockpiles.”

GYBN Kick-Off Meeting

The deadline for the application for the GYBN Kick-Off Meeting is approaching quite fast. So please don't miss this opportunity and apply until May 10th! www.naju.de/english/gybn

The focus of the Kick-Off Meeting will lie on the establishment of the Global Youth Biodiversity Network and the preparation of youth participation at COP11. The goals of the conference are to determine e.g. the structure, mandate and coordination etc. of GYBN and to develop plans and political targets for meaningful youth participation at COP11.

The idea behind GYBN is to create a global youth network that unites young people and youth organizations from all parts of the world and all walks of life through one common goal: To halt the loss of Biodiversity as soon as possible!

MACOUN MARSH- SPRING TRANSFORMATION (CANADA)

Tree swallow

Mating pair

Red admirals are unusually common this year.

Painted turtles

Images by Mike Leveille

Visit the NEW White Lion Exhibit at the Toronto Zoo- Canada

May 4, 2012 Toronto, Ontario

We are very excited to be welcoming the return of white lions to our collection! Toronto Zoo introduces new white lions, which will be on exhibit in a variety of combinations, as a permanent addition to our African Savanna family. Unique to the Timbavati region of South Africa, these rare and beautiful cats have not been seen in the wild in over 15 years. The first reintroduction of white lions into the Timbavati area occurred in 2003. They carry the recessive gene known as a colour inhibitor of the Kruger subspecies of lion (Panterha leo krugeri). With lion populations dwindling, they are now classified as a vulnerable species. Come see our new white lions, catch a daily Keeper Talk and help the Zoo bring awareness to the plight of the African lion in the wild.

"White lions are not albinos but a genetic rarity that is endemic to the Timbavati region of South Africa and Southern Kruger Park. As an entity, white lions are critically endangered and are a symbol of community conservation, protection, and restoration efforts in the region," says Dr. William Rapley, Executive Director of Conservation, Education and Wildlife, Toronto Zoo. "Being a vulnerable species, the Zoo is committed to the conservation of African lions. We will offer Keeper talks, events and programs to educate our visitors on this popular and interesting animal. The white lions have returned to the Zoo after 17 years, and we are certain this exhibit will be a real favourite for our visitors.

 

GOVERNMENT SCHEMES FOR SMALL TEA GROWERS- INDIA

Considering the contribution of small tea growers in the ever growing tea industry, the Tea board has earmarked Rs 3 billion for their development. Government will also provide 40 percent financial assistance for setting up factories, transport subsidy and skill development training. They account for 25 percent of the total production (1,000 million kg) annually. To build digital database, small tea growers in Assam will be issued smart cards.
29 April
http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=apr2912/at05