WWF International

There is today a growing awareness that many wetlands are more valuable in their natural, or only slightly modified state, than if drained, dyked or built upon. Past neglect of wetlands has meant that there is insufficient material available on policy guidance, planning techniques, or management methodologies for their conservation and sustainable use in different regions.

There is today a growing awareness that many wetlands are more valuable in their natural, or only slightly modified state, than if drained, dyked or built upon. Past neglect of wetlands has meant that there is insufficient material available on policy guidance, planning techniques, or management methodologies for their conservation and sustainable use in different regions.

The workshop was hosted by WWF Caucasus Programme Office and was held in Tbilisi, Georgia, 31 May – 2 June 2008. During the three day workshop, the participants agreed on a long-term vision for the conservation of the leopard in the Caucasus ecoregion as: “Leopards and all wildlife prosper in natural habitats across the Caucasus ecoregion in harmony with people”.

Over the last few years, two key environmental issues, closely related, have been on the top of the environmental agenda: climate change and deforestation. Forest is a subject for these two concerns. Deforestation, estimated at above 13 millions hectares a year, or an area roughly equivalent to the size of Greece, has immediate consequence in terms detraction of livelihoods for people, increased carbon emissions, and loss of biological diversity to mention few.

Shortly after the 2002 conclusion of the TRAFFIC surveys the Viet Nam Government prohibited the use and exploitation of wild marine turtles with Government Decree 48/2002/ND-CP.

Since 1997, TRAFFIC has been carrying out country surveys of trade in ivory and, in some cases, live elephants. In 2006/2007, TRAFFIC set out to compile existing and new information on the trade in elephants and elephant products in Thailand in consultation with relevant experts and stakeholders, including carvers, traders, retailers and government regulators.