Bhutan

Biodiversity within inland water ecosystems in the Eastern Himalaya region is both highly diverse and of great regional importance to livelihoods and economies. However, development activities are not always compatible with the conservation of this diversity, and the ecosystem requirements of biodiversity are frequently not considered in the development planning process.

This publication, which contains 23 papers selected from several regional and national meetings, including the 2003 Regional Preparatory Meeting held in Dhaka, tries to capture many pioneering works in participatory conservation in the region and also tries to identify gaps in ecosystem representation in South Asia. It brings out many contemporary issues related to conservation while pooling national experiences in managing protected areas.

This book draws on the papers presented and discussions held at two workshops of biodiversity planners from 15 Asian countries. It is, in essence, a snapshot of the NBSAP process in Asia, and although many practitioners may have moved on since this book was compiled, it serves as an important instrument to share experiences. As every NBSAP process is in a different stage of development, it is important to map the journey so that others may follow.

The report focuses on the harvest and trade controls for A. Malaccensis in key range countries, reviews available information on wider trade in agarweood and recommends actions required to tackle issues such as unsustainable harvesting and illegal trade.

The South Asian region can be considered a herpetofaunal "hotspot" with its high degree of species richness and diversity of amphibian and reptilian fauna. Unfortunately, high population density and population growth are putting enormous pressure on the region's natural resources and ecosystems, and as a result five amphibian species and 31 reptilian species from this region are listed as globally threatened in the 2000 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

The South Asia Regional Action Plan was prepared through a collective effort by all countries in the region, and represents an agreed view of regional priorities, addressing such topics as training, transboundary protected areas and community involvements in protected areas management. The plan begins with an overview of protected areas in the region, including numbers, coverage, policies and legislation, administration and threats.

Summarizes the proceedings of participatory workshop, organized by IUCN's Regional EIA Programme in Kathmandu from 15-18 September 1996. The workshop reviewed the existing systems of EIA in South Asian countries and examined the strengths and weaknesses of the current EIA system to formulate the strategies and priority action plans to strengthen EIA systems throughout South Asia

This directory provides details of measures taken to date to establish a system of protected areas in the region, which includes Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan, and parts of Pakistan, India, Burma, China and the former USSR. Each national system is reviewed and accompanied by a list and a map of protected areas. Over 100 individual properties are described in more detail.