India

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 Himal region - the Hindukush-Karakorum-Himlayas (HKH)- is the world's largest mountain region extending 3,500km from Myanmar in the east to Afghanistan in the west, from the Tibetan plateau in the north to the Indo-Ganges basin in the south. To develop an IUCN Bangladesh mountain programme for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in this region, a two-day workshop was organized.

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.