Story | 06 Feb, 2017
Botanical Garden in Lao PDR: Generating awareness for biodiversity conservation
After seven years of preparations, the Pha Tad Ke Botanical Garden in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR opened to the public last month. The jungle of regrowth which almost obliterated the garden has given way to an extensive series of medicinal plants, lotus-filled ponds, bamboo and palm trees and a…
Story | 11 Jan, 2017
It started with ten farmers sitting around a fire: a tale of a community forestry enterprise
Nearly a decade has passed since a small group of farmers gathered around a fire to lament the increasing costs of their trade, and the toll that modern practices and inputs was taking on their land. As the embers of the fire settled, they resolved to take action to improve their farms,…
Story | 12 Dec, 2016
Value we see in trees: innovation and the exchange of ideas
Innovation is a key to improving the rights and livelihoods of farmers and small land holders while encouraging them to plant trees and effectively restore landscapes. During a regional knowledge exchange in Thailand, the Tree Bank offered one such innovation.
Story | 15 Sep, 2016
Thailand: Where mangrove (trees) thrive, birds prosper
Mangroves are a sign of resilience and resistance and are critical in maintaining the health of local fishing industries and in protecting vulnerable coastlines from natural disasters. They provide spawning and nursery areas for fish, food and other products for local livelihoods, and they offer…
Story | 02 Aug, 2016
IUCN has launched a call for proposals for the management and delivery of the Project Preparation process for the ‘Sustainable Management of Peatland Ecosystems in Mekong Countries’ project. Approved by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Council in April 2016, the project will be…
Story | 22 Jul, 2016
Asia Protected Areas Partnership gathers pace as Steering Committee meets in Bangkok
“APAP has made tremendous progress. It has greatly expanded its membership, and is now becoming truly regional in scope; it has a clearer identity and a much higher profile; and most importantly, it has started to fulfil its vision of being a platform for sharing best practices in…
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 | 07 Jul, 2016
IUCN Asia shares insights at capacity building workshop in Thailand
IUCN Asia participated in a five-day capacity building workshop from June 27 to July 1 organised by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The event is part of a series of workshops being organised through…
Story | 10 Jun, 2016
Wildlife trade and dams putting natural World Heritage at risk – IUCN
Natural World Heritage sites face major threats, such as commercial logging, poaching, gillnet fishing and dams, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In its recommendations to the World Heritage Committee, which meets in July, IUCN has advised that three…
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…