Story | 23 Jun, 2017
TROSA: New trans-boundary water governance initiative aims to enhance regional cooperation
Over the last decade, IUCN has been working with governments, civil societies and academics in Asia on trans-boundary hydro-diplomacy through its initiatives in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) and Mekong river basins. Based on IUCN’s experiences and its long-term experience in the Mekong…
Story | 15 Jun, 2017
More effective waste management through engaged communities
To most, it’s just a giant landfill – holding approximately 60,000 tonnes of waste. But to some of the locals of Trat province, the Had Ploy Dang dumping ground, which is located in the Mairood Sub-district is known as the ‘golden mountain’. Why? Because, according to Mr Surasak Intaraprasert,…
Blog | 09 Jun, 2017
Blog: Connecting to people connected to nature
I pulled my phone out of my pocket to find a new message: I was out of service and increased data charges would apply. For the next six days, contact with the outside world would be limited to late evenings in the guest house: freedom.
Story | 08 Jun, 2017
Mexican World Heritage site is in danger as vaquita faces extinction, according to IUCN
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) recommends in-danger status for Mexico’s World Heritage-listed Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California, after a mission confirmed the vaquita – the smallest and most endangered species of porpoise – is at risk of imminent…
Story | 02 Jun, 2017
IUCN says Ivorian park should come off World Heritage ‘danger list’ as chimps make comeback
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) recommends withdrawing in-danger status from Comoé National Park in Côte d’Ivoire after seeing chimps and elephants return to the park. IUCN also recommends the Landscapes of Dauria in Russia and Mongolia to become a new World Heritage…
Story | 30 May, 2017
Tanguar Haor: A wetland in the hands of the people
After almost a century of exclusive ownership by wealthy elites, Tanguar Haor is finally back in the hands of the people who rely on it. A 10-year initiative of the government of Bangladesh, supported by IUCN and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, has recently drawn to a close.…
Story | 25 May, 2017
International Day for Biodiversity: Nature-based tourism integrated plan needed for Bangladesh
A well-managed ecosystem provides an important foundation for many aspects of tourism. Tourism revenue, in turn, can contribute to the maintenance, protection and conservation of key wildlife populations – which is why the theme of this year’s International Day of Biodiversity (IDB), announced…
Story | 25 May, 2017
Paper showing damage to natural World Heritage wins international award
A study revealing the extent of damaging activities and forest loss in Natural World Heritage Sites, led by the University of Queensland with a team of international experts, has won one of the most prestigious international publishing awards.
Story | 21 May, 2017
Banning vs. legalise and regulate in forest management
Two years ago, on a field survey in Bac Kan Province in Viet Nam, we heard about a farmer who needed 30 stamps to get a permit to harvest a single Styrax tonkinensis tree that was growing on his land. Even though the tree was on land that was designated as plantation forest and the farmer had a…
Story | 19 May, 2017
IUCN recommends listing key habitats for species conservation as World Heritage
The advisory body on natural World Heritage, IUCN - International Union for Conservation of Nature, recommends World Heritage status for three sites nominated for their outstanding natural value. IUCN also recommends danger-listing for the Cerrado Protected Areas in Brazil, and action to tackle…