IUCN

Sri Lanka has one of the oldest traditions of irrigation in the world. The economy and human settlements of early Sri Lankan society were organized around the ancient water tank (water storage reservoir) irrigation systems. These traditional tank systems thus form a vital component of both the natural and manmade landscape in Sri Lanka.

The socio-economic development plan for Sekong mentions increasing forest cover as one of its major objectives. This study focuses on natural regeneration (NFR) forests and what it would cost the country if NFR schemes were not undertaken. In a country where poverty alleviation is of prime importance, estimating the contribution of NTFP harvesting for sustaining livelihoods would demonstrate the importance of NFR schemes in achieving its poverty alleviation goals.

Sri Lanka holds great potential for developing payment for environmental services (PES) and environmental service markets. However, this is a relatively new concept, and improving awareness and building institutional capacity remain a top priority and challenge.

Wetlands are vital to the livelihoods of hundred of millions of people residing in the Lower Mekong region, and particularly to the food security of many of the rural poor. This document reports on a study whose aim was to provide guidance on the use of environmental economic assessment methodologies to support wetlands management for poverty alleviation.

The report "Dams in Nepal: Ensuring Compliance" summarises findings of a study on ensuring compliance conducted by WAFED-Nepal. The study has reviewed the existing domestic and international policy and legal provisions, institutional mechanisms and available remedies applicable related to hydropower development in Nepal, including those of the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and Japan Bank for International Cooperation.

This paper presents the findings of a series of biodiversity assessments conducted in the Anawilundawa wetland sanctuary from September 2003-January 2004. Based on these finding, recommendations have been made on how to manage the water in the wetland, establish a biodiversity monitoring programme, implement awareness raising activities and to promote regulated ecotourism in the area, in close collaboration with the local communities.

This publication, which was prepared in Sinhala, provides a general introduction to an intergovernmental treaty, known as the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), which aims to conserve terrestrial, marine and avian species.

This publication will serve as a concise guide to the Sinharaja rainforest, by providing tips and advice to visitors, and information with regards to its cultural importance. Descriptions and checklists have also been provided for some of the plant and animal species found in this rainforest.

Taxonomic research on the faunal groups of Sri Lanka has undergone tremendous growth since the 1990s, resulting in the discovery and scientific description of several new species. This publication is intended to collate and present updated information on the status of taxonomy, research and conservation of different groups of fauna in Sri Lanka in order to facilitate and enhance research, education, awareness and conservation activities.

At the occasion of the 9th Conference of Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (8-15 November 2005), Uganda took great pride in sharing its experiences in wetland management with the world. These experiences are based on a partnership between the Government of Uganda, the World Conservation Union (IUCN) and the Royal Netherlands Embassy, who collaborated for more than ten years to develop policies, build institutions and financing mechanisms, implement management approaches and em