Story | 26 Dec, 2016
Representatives of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam recently met in Bangkok to discuss the objectives and work plan of the newly established Indo-Burma Ramsar Regional Initiative (IBRRI). IBRRI was approved by the 52nd meeting of the Ramsar Convention Standing Committee (SC 52)…
Story | 20 Sep, 2016
Conserving the natural wealth of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot
The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) in the Indo-Burma region continues to gather momentum with the launch of two new calls for proposals, the organisation of capacity building events and discussions on the grant-making mechanism’s plans for the future.
Story | 14 Jul, 2016
Rising illegal wildlife trade threatens natural World Heritage sites, warns IUCN
The rise in demand for products derived from animals and plants, such as elephant tusks or precious wood, is causing an increase in illegal logging and poaching in natural World Heritage sites. The World Heritage Committee, which holds its annual meeting this week in Istanbul, today discussed…
Story | 14 Jul, 2016
New plant survey finds unique flora in karst hills of southeast Cambodia
In June, a team led by American botanist Andrew McDonald set out into the karst hills of southeast Cambodia to survey the rare and endemic plants that grow in this unique environment. The team has already identified at least one plant species previously unknown to science belonging to the…
Story | 10 Jul, 2016
Flooded forest fires: a major threat to the Tonle Sap
The Tonle Sap is described by Cambodians as the heart of their culture and national economy. Globally, it is known as the heart of Cambodia’s freshwater fisheries, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and one of the most productive wetland areas in the world. The flooded forests and…
Story | 08 Jul, 2016
Drought and illegal fishing in Balot: addressing new challenges
In late June, IUCN met the Balot community protected area (CPA) committee (located in the Boeung Chhmar Ramsar site) to discuss progress with the EU-funded IUCN/FACT project to strengthen community fisheries in three sites in the Tonle Sap. The meeting raised two new challenges: extreme weather…
Story | 07 Jul, 2016
CEPF launches new call for proposals in the Indo-Burma hotspot
The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) has launched a call for proposals for small grant projects in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, Viet Nam and parts of Southern China. A separate call for proposals for large grant projects in Myanmar has also been issued…
Story | 05 Jul, 2016
Tourism and sustainable financing of community fisheries in Kampong Phluk
In early June, IUCN and FACT organized a regular monthly meeting with the community fisheries (CFi) committee and commune council in Kampong Phluk, 25 km from Siem Reap, one of three sites where the EU-funded project to strengthen management of fish conservation areas (FCAs) is intervening in…
Story | 21 Jun, 2016
Blog: Sustainable financing of a Fish Conservation Area in Beoung Periang
In December 2015, as part of a workshop on sustainable financing of fish conservation areas (FCAs), I visited a deep lake in the Tonle Sap called Beoung Periang, located in Chreav commune about 12 km from Siem Reap. The workshop was organised by the Fisheries Action Coalition Team (FACT) and…
Story | 30 May, 2016
IUCN recommends five World Heritage listings
IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, recommends World Heritage status for five sites nominated for their outstanding natural values. The advisory body on natural World Heritage, IUCN also recommends action against major threats in listed natural sites and danger-listing for two…