 C T Hanashiro
The Okinawa Rail Gallirallus okinawae (Endangered) is confined to Yambaru, Japan, where it is declining because of habitat loss.
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Over half of Asia's IBAs inadequately protected
18-11-2004
The first comprehensive inventory of Asia's Important Bird Areas (IBAs) reveals that more than half have no legal designation, or are only partially protected by law.
Important Bird Areas in Asia, published today by BirdLife, took eight years to complete, involving hundreds of ornithologists, volunteers and government staff in 28 countries and territories across the region. For example, BirdLife's Partner in India, The Bombay Natural History Society, developed and co-ordinated an impressive group of over 800 individuals, 70 NGOs and government institutions to form the Indian Bird Conservation Network (IBCN). The IBCN identified over 450 IBAs included in the new publication.
The book identifies 2,293 sites, covering 7.6% of the region's total land area. 43% of these are completely unprotected, and a further 14% have only partial protection. If nothing is done to adequately protect and manage these areas, one in eight of the region's 2,700 birds could be threatened with extinction.
"The major threat affecting IBAs in Asia is the loss or degradation of habitat. Other threats – pollution, introduced species and wild bird trade – all increase the pressure for these precious areas and their wildlife." —Noritaka Ichida, Director, BirdLife International Asia Division
One of the most important sites in the region is Pegunungan Sahendaruman, a tiny patch of forest on the small island of Sangihe in eastern Indonesia. This IBA supports three Critically Endangered species that are found nowhere else – Caerulean Paradise-flycatcher Eutrichomyias rowleyi, Sangihe Shrike-thrush Colluricincla sanghirensis and Sangihe White-eye Zosterops nehrkorni. In addition two Endangered species are also confined to the island – Sangihe Hanging-parrot Loriculus catamene and Elegant Sunbird Aethopyga duyvenbodei. BirdLife Indonesia has a project to work with local communities to improve the conservation prospects of the site.
Another important IBA is Yambaru in northern Okinawa, Japan. The forests there are only partially protected, despite the fact that they support two bird species that are found nowhere else, the Critically Endangered Okinawa Woodpecker Sapheopipo noguchii and the Endangered Okinawa Rail Gallirallus okinawae. The Wild Bird Society of Japan (BirdLife in Japan) has been working for the conservation of this IBA since 1970, including by purchasing land to establish small private wildlife reserves, and by working with the Ministry of the Environment of Japan to encourage the designation of this site as a new national park.
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"BirdLife believes the Asian IBA inventory provides a sound basis for the development of national conservation strategies and protected areas programmes, and highlights areas that should be safeguarded through wise policies and land-use planning." —HIH Princess Takamado of Japan, Honorary President, BirdLife International
A key BirdLife strategy to address the conservation needs of Asia's IBAs is to develop a grass-roots community of Asian conservationists through its Site Support Group (SSG) network. This consists of local people with a commitment to local sites and habitats and a willingness to work with NGOs and other agencies to ensure sites are managed in a mutually beneficial way for people, birds and other wildlife.
For instance, the BirdLife Vietnam Programme has facilitated the establishment of an SSG at a key wetland in the Red River Delta. The SSG involves representatives of the local community, local authorities and private aquaculture businesses. Awareness-raising materials have been prepared, a local decree has been passed, prohibiting the hunting of waterbirds, and its enforcement has been supported and monitored by the SSG members.