Supporting Tajikistan to lead on Transboundary Cooperation on Snow Leopards
Snow Leopards, priority and CMS status Snow leopards (Uncia uncia) are listed as Endangered C1 by the IUCN Cat Specialist Group (http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/22732/0); populations are suspected to have declined by at least 20% over the past 16 years, and this decline is expected to continue without concerted effort. Snow leopards are threatened by poaching, loss of prey base, and habitat loss. Snow leopards and their fragile mountain habitats are also considered to be at particular risk from climate change. The snow leopard has been listed under Appendix I of the CMS since COP1 in 1985, and elevated to requiring Concerted Action in 2002 by Resolution 7.1 No CMS activities for snow leopards were reported by the Review of Concerted Action Species in 2004. A groundswell for transboundary cooperation in Central Asia Transboundary cooperation has been gathering momentum in recent years, strengthened greatly by the MoU on Bukhara Deer, which was signed by the range states, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan in 2002. In 2006, the Pamir-Alai Transboundary Conservation Area was identified, which bring together adjoining protected areas in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan to collaborate on issues of interest. In 2006, the first meeting on the Pamir Peace Park initiative was convened, which brought together Tajikistan, China, Afghanistan and Pakistan to discuss closer collaboration in the southern Pamir region, a snow leopard hotspot. This proposal has been further developed in late 2011, with several high-level meetings held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan to move this concept forward, encouraging cross-border collaboration on environmental protection, especially in relation to migratory species. In 2012, at COP10 of the CMS, the Argali (Ovis ammon) was added to Appendix II, following a joint proposal by Tajikistan and Kazakhstan, further demonstrating the leading role that Tajikistan is beginning to take in regional cooperation. Of particular relevance to snow leopard conservation in this region are the mountain ranges which form the borders between neighbouring range states, the Wakhan range in the south, and the Pamir-Alai mountains in the north, have snow leopard populations which migrate seasonally in response to prey species’ (including Argali) movements. FFI’s global work, and our focus on Central Asia FFI is the world’s oldest international conservation organisation, founded in 1903. FFI conserves threatened species & ecosystems worldwide, choosing solutions that are sustainable, based on sound science & take into account human needs. FFI works primarily through partnerships with local organisations in developing countries, where there are significant biodiversity and natural resources, but the means to conserve them is limited. FFI has always been a ground-breaker; it is renowned for its innovative, landmark programmes, many of which have come to be regarded as classic examples of conservation practice. The translocation of the Arabian Oryx in 1962, and its successful reintroduction ten years later, saved this species from extinction. The mountain gorilla project launched in Rwanda in the 1970s is regarded as one of the most successful ventures of its kind. FFI is the only international conservation organisation with a Eurasia Programme, and the only one with a presence in more than one Central Asian state. FFI has been working in Tajikistan since 2006, and is the only international conservation group with a presence in country. It has been officially registered as a Representative Office since 2008. We have achieved good progress in Tajikistan in recent years, including - Development of a National Conservation Training Programme, which has training over 200 people from across the country in a wide variety of topics, and left a legacy of skilled trainers with knowledge of modern conservation practice. - Working closely with the Forestry Agency to develop more sustainable natural resource management. - Working with communities to encourage increased sustainability in harvesting of non-timber forest products. - Support for Master’s students undertaking scientific research relevant for biodiversity conservation. - Capacity building of future leaders through the Conservation Leadership Programme. - Supporting and mentoring the Zorkul Nature Reserve to develop as a functional protected area, including scientific research, reserve management, training for rangers and enforcement, awareness and profile raising, and sustainable finances for the reserve. - Development of the Snow Leopard Action Plan, and official adoption of this at national level. - Surveys of threatened fruit-trees, and proactive conservation measures for threatened species of fruits, including the Tajik Pear tree. - Fuel-wood saving initiatives for communities living in a forest protected area. FFI has worked closely with Panthera on a number of projects across the Central Asia region since their inception in 2006, including in both Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. A recent camera-trapping survey of snow leopards in Zorkul reserve, Tajikistan, which resulted in 252 photographs of 5 individual snow leopards, was a joint activity between FFI and Panthera. FFI has worked in Kyrgyzstan for around 15 years on a number of programmes, and has excellent links across the country and with the government. In Kyrgyzstan, we have: - Facilitated the development of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan in 1998. - Implemented a highly successful small grants programme providing opportunities to some 192 Community Based Organisations in some 100 communtiies living in the Central Tien Shan Mountains to develop alternative livelihoods in ways that are sympathetic and supportive with the conservation of biodiversity and landscape. - Facilitated the only Central Asia regional snow leopard planning workshop bringing together key players from across the region to share knowledge and information on snow leopard conservation issues. - Built the capacity of the Sarychat-Ertash Reserve team to deliver conservation including improved capacity in anti-poaching, biodiversity and snow leopard surveying and monitoring, management planning and community outreach. - Expanded this protected area capacity-building work to the Naryn Reserve, another key snow leopard stronghold in the Central Tien Shan Mountain range. - In May 2012, initiated the development of the Kyrgyz National Snow Leopard Action Plan. CMS Mandates which this project will contribute towards This proposed project is directly relevant to a number of CMS Mandates: CMS Capacity Building Strategy 2012–2014 (UNEP/CMS/Conf.9.30, adopted as Resolution 10.6). Actions required include: d) Afford high priority to capacity building e) Provide financial contribution in particular to regional workshops f) Encourage international research projects CMS Recommendation 9.3 Tigers and Other Asian Big Cats: 1) urges parties and range states to enhance mutual transboundary cooperation for the conservation of Asian Big Cats, including Snow Leopards CMS Resolution 7.1 Concerted Actions for Appendix I species Addition of the snow leopards to the list of Appendix I species requiring Concerted Action. CMS Resolution 10.19 Migratory species conservation in the light of Climate Change 6) Improve resilience of migratory species at risk of climate change 8) Maintain networks to ensure resilience of migratory species 14) Pursue capacity building initiatives on the issue of climate change and migratory species CMS Recommendation 8.23 Central Eurasian Aridland Mammals 1) Establishment of the Central Eurasian Aridland Concerted Action and associated Cooperative Action 4) Urges non-party states to support the Action CMS Recommendation 9.1 Central Eurasian Aridland Mammals 1) Pursue both Concerted and Cooperative actions which cover all the threated migratory large mammals of the entire Central Asian Region. 1) action planning and status reports for Uncia uncia (along with 3 other threatened species) 3) Encourages efforts to bring into the Convention Range States of Central Eurasian fauna that are not yet Parties, and to liaise with other concerned Conventions to enhance synergies The Snow Leopard Network, the over-arching body which coordinates snow leopard conservation globally, held the International Conference on Range-wide Conservation Planning for Snow Leopards in 2008. The conference resolved, inter alia, to expedite the development of Snow Leopard Action Plans in all range states. The current Chair of the Snow Leopard Network, Dr David Mallon, is a key collaborator in FFI’s work in the region, and would be the main scientific advisor in this proposed work. Other priority species expected to benefit from the project A number of other priority species under the CMS are present in snow leopard habitat with Tajikistan, and would be expected to benefit from better coordination of conservation, and increased capacity for conservation management of migratory species: Appendix I, and requiring Concerted Action Ferruginous duck (Aythya nyroca) Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug) Appendix 1 White-headed duck (Oxyura leucocephala ) Lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni) Pallas's fish eagle (Haliaetus leucoryphus) Eastern Imperial eagle (Aquila heliaca) Appendix II Argali (Ovis ammon) Eurasian coot (Fulica atra) Eurasian stone-curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus) Pallas's gull (Larus ichthyaetus) Common tern (Sterna hirundo) In addition, a MoU on the Bukhara deer (Cervus elaphus bactrianus) has been signed by Tajikistan along with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
The snow leopard is listed on Appendix 1 of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), and is further designated for Concerted Action. It is also categorised as Endangered by the IUCN, and listed on Appendix 1 of the CITES convention. It ranges across 13 countries of Asia, of which only six are parties to the CMS. One of the CMS parties and key range-states, Tajikistan, has begun to take a leading role in snow leopard conservation within the region of Central Asia. Following a regional snow leopard coordination meeting in 2006 with other ex-soviet Central Asian states, Tajikistan developed a National Snow Leopard Action Plan, which has recently been submitted for official government adoption. Tajikistan has also begun to take a leading role in transboundary cooperation, including a recent joint proposal with Kazakhstan for the addition of Argali to Appendix II of the CMS, which was approved during COP10. FFI has been working in Central Asia for over 15 years, and has an enviable track record and excellent links and networks with government conservation agencies and scientific institutes. FFI, in collaboration with Panthera, has coordinated and supported the process of snow leopard conservation planning since the beginning. FFI previously coordinated the CBD National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan in several Central Asian states, and instigated the only Central Asian snow leopard coordination meeting in 2006. FFI has worked closely with Tajik government authorities to address snow leopard conservation across the country, including the National Academy of Sciences, the Committee on Environmental Protection, the State Agency for Forestry and Hunting (the National CMS Focal Point) and a wide range of other government and non-government stakeholders. Tajikistan holds an estimated 180–220 snow leopards in the Pamir Mountains, which form a key link between the Tien Shan mountains in the North, and the Hindu Kush in the South. The Tajikistan Snow Leopard Action Plan provides a framework for ongoing conservation activities in the country. It also suggests a number of important transboundary actions, with both Kyrgyzstan and Afghanistan, to ensure adequate conservation of snow leopards. These three countries constitute a crucial bottleneck in snow leopard distribution through the Mountains of Central Asia Biodiversity Hotspot. Kyrgyzstan, which neighbours Tajikistan to the north, held its first national workshop to develop a National Snow Leopard Action Plan in May 2012. The workshop was initiated by FFI and is being delivered with the financial support of FFI and Panthera, with key input from the Snow Leopard Network. Kyrgyzstan holds an estimated 150–500 snow leopards, though there are significant gaps in knowledge, and a more accurate assessment is likely to emerge from this May meeting. The Wakhan corridor region of Afghanistan, which forms a thin strip completely abutting the border with Tajikistan, is estimated to hold around 100–200 snow leopards. Recent camera trap research has shown surprisingly good populations in these areas, and the area holds strong potential for conservation. No national-level snow leopard planning has been carried out. Priority need for the project Tajikistan has started to take a leading role in coordinating transboundary conservation work, especially as it relates to the CMS, and there is now an urgent need to bring these countries together to coordinate activities on snow leopards and other migratory species which cross the borders between these states. It is therefore essential to have adequate communications and cooperation between relevant authorities on both sides of the border. Objectives The major objectives are to: - Coordinate existing and planned National Snow Leopard Action Plans, and help incorporate national action planning into the CMS framework. - Promote and stimulate increased cooperation and communication between neighbouring range states to enhance concerted actions for the conservation of snow leopards. - Build the capacity of range states — through training, mentoring and network development — to develop and implement species action planning. Proposed Activities In order to achieve improved cooperation between these three key range states, a number of activities are proposed: - A series of coordination meetings with key stakeholders will set the direction and appropriate coordination with relevant agencies. - Discussions with other international agencies with a regional presence, including UNDP and GIZ, and identifying links with other international conventions, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) - Initial collation of relevant information for national priority setting, and coordinating appropriate national and transboundary actions. - Identification of key stakeholders and relevant scientific and policy collaborators from the three countries. - The organising of a transboundary workshop to coordinate approaches and issues related to snow leopard conservation, especially as this applies to transboundary populations of snow leopards and their prey (including Argali, recently listed on the CMS Appendix II). - Follow-up report, recommendations, CMS action points and implementation of key coordination activities. CMS Mandates These activities directly relate to a number of CMS Mandates including: - CMS Resolution 7.1, which lists Snow Leopards as requiring Concerted Action - CMS Resolution 10.6 to deliver the CMS Capacity Building Strategy - CMS Resolution 10.19 on Migratory Species Conservation in the Light of Climate Change - CMS Recommendation 9.3 on Tigers and other Asian Big Cats - CMS Recommendation 9.1 on Central Asian Aridland Mammals More details of the components of these mandates are addressed below. Expected Results This project will promote collaboration and cooperation between key snow leopard range states, and encourage and facilitate the Tajikistan government to continue to play a leading role in regional coordination activities, and enhance cooperation to further the objectives of the Convention on Migratory Species. This collaboration will bring these countries into closer alignment and encourage further transboundary initiatives. It is also possible that collaboration will lead towards the designation of further CMS actions and agreements, and help non-parties see the benefits of involvement with the CMS. Timeline for completion Initial discussions and meetings can commence in September 2012, with more substantive coordination meetings and development in October 2012. The main transboundary cooperation meeting is intended for May 2013, with follow-up activities complete by August 2013
This project will promote collaboration and cooperation between key range states of the snow leopard, and encourage and facilitate the Tajikistan government to continue to play a leading role in regional coordination activities, and enhance cooperation to further the objectives of the Convention on Migratory Species. This collaboration will act to bring these countries into closer alignment and encourage further transboundary initiatives. It is also possible that collaboration will lead to the designation of further CMS actions and agreements, and help non-parties see the benefits of involvement with the CMS. The project also aims to build capacity for future management of key habitat within the country. Tajikistan holds a number of tentative World Heritage Sites, Ramsar Wetland sites, and Important Bird Areas. These areas have been recognised by international conventions and agreements to be particularly important to biodiversity. However, the capacity to appropriately manage these areas is weak, and this project, mentoring scientists and government agencies to develop improved transboundary cooperation, aims to benefit a number of other threatened species, including 12 species listed on the Appendices of the CMS.
Coordinate Existing and Planned Snow Leopard Action Plans CMS Mandate: Resolutions 7.1, 10.19, Recommendation 9.1, 9.3; Promote / stimulate increased cooperation and communication between neighbouring range states CMS Mandate: Resolution 7.1, 10.6, 10.19 Recommendation 9.1, 9.3, 8.23; Build the capacity of range states to develop and implement species action planning CMS Mandate: Resolution 10.6 Recommendation 9.3
S:\UNIT - Science\Small Grants Programme\SGP 2012\Winners 2012\TJ1
National Snow Leopard Action Plan for
Tajikistan officially adopted by government.
National Snow Leopard Action Plan for
Kyrgyzstan completed.
Transboundary actions listed in Snow
Leopard Action Plans coordinated, and
priority activities identified and concrete
implementation planned.
Concrete conservation activities ongoing,
especially as this applies to transboundary populations of snow leopards and their prey.
Coordination meetings with key stakeholders to set the direction of the project and develop appropriate coordination with relevant agencies.
National Snow Leopard Action Plans
coordinated and in harmony with CMS
mandates for conservation of Snow Leopards.
Frameworks for cooperation between
neighbouring range states.
Enhanced evidence base and collated
information on status and conservation of
snow leopards and their prey within these
range states.
Identification of key stakeholders and relevant scientific and policy collaborators from the three countries.
National Snow Leopard Action Plans
completed and actions coordinated.
Further species action plans underway for
CMS and other priority species.
A transboundary workshop to coordinate approaches and issues related to snow leopard conservation, especially as this applies to transboundary populations of snow leopards and their prey. Meeting follow-up report, including recommendations, CMS action po
Discussions and coordination with other international agencies with a regional presence, including UNDP, GIZ, etc.
Identifying links with other international conventions, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Initial collation of relevant information for national priority setting, and coordinating appropriate national and transboundary actions.
Mentoring, supporting and advising Range states and CMS parties on coordination and cooperation.
75% upon signature<br />
25% upon receipt of final report