International Conference on Conservation in Conflict

Background
The conservation of natural resources is a global responsibility. While the human efforts have set several good examples in conservation movements, the armed conflicts are posing challenges to these successes. In fact, the armed conflicts not only bring sufferings and cause loss of human life, but also wreak devastating harm on the environment and damage biodiversity.

With an objective to provide an international milieu to discuss and share experiences about the negative impacts of armed conflict on the environment, and promote strategies for mitigating impacts where possible, during and after conflict, Wildlife Watch Group (WWG), with the Embassy of Finland, WWF Nepal Program, The Mountain Institute, and The World Conservation Union is organizing an International Conference on Conservation in Conflict.

About 50 participants representing about 25 countries covering South Asia, Central Asia, Mekong region, Balkans, Central and South America, Arabia and Africa are participating the conference. Beside the organizing partners, international organizations such as United Nations Environment Program, Convention for Biological Diversity, International Center for Integrated Mountain Development and universities concerned with the issue are also sending their representatives in the conference.

Date and Venue
The conference is scheduled from September 5 to 7, 2006 at Hotel Himalaya, Kopundol, Kathmandu.

Conference Objective
To identify and raise awareness about the negative impacts of armed conflict on wildlife and natural resources, and to develop strategies to mitigate impacts during and after conflict.

Specific Objectives:

• To bring together global experiences of conservation management in areas affected by armed conflict from various parts of the world to better understand the challenges.
• To review negative impacts of armed conflict on conservation organizations and their efforts.
• Analyze a wide range of practical experiences in reducing these impacts during and after conflict.
• To come up with resolutions to strengthen international legal framework and improve enforcement of existing international conventions in protecting environment.

Keynote Address and Special Lectures

Mr Javed Jabbar, Pakistan
Vice President, IUCN- The World Conservation Union

Ms Judy Ogelthrope, USA
Director WWF- USA

Dr Asif Zaidi
United Nations Environment Program, Afghanistan

Session Plan

The conference will include Inaugural session, Technical sessions, Workshops, Plenary session and Valedictory session. The conference will be inaugurated on September 5 amidst a special gathering of academics and field experts, policy and opinion makers, conservation and environment activists. A book based on reports of effects of armed conflict on conservation in Nepal will be released in the program. Following the inauguration, invited speakers will deliver keynote address.

Four technical sessions have been planned for presentations: one for Nepal case study, two for international best practice, and one for perspectives of international organizations. Each country and invited representatives of international organizations will make a presentation. Each technical session will be followed by a brief question-answer break for clarity. A workshop to discuss and come up with resolutions is also planned during the field visit to Chitwan. On the final day of the conference, the Valedictory session will adopt Kathmandu Declaration.

Program Outline

September 5, 2006 Tuesday
Time: 17:30 Hrs
Venue: Hotel Himalaya, Kopundol, Lalitpur

Registration and Exhibition

INAUGURAL SESSION
Chief Guest: Hon'ble Mr. Gopal Rai, Minister of State for Forests and Soil Conservation, Government of Nepal
Guest of Honour: Mr. Pauli Mustonen, Charge d' Affairs, a.i. Embassy of Finland
Chair: Mr Mangal Man Shakya, Conference Director and Chairman, WWG

PROGRAMME
* Welcome and conference introduction by Mr. Mangal Man Shakya, Conference Director and Chairman, WWG
* Inauguration of the conference jointly by the Chief Guest and Guests of Honour

REMARKS
* Mr. Brian Peniston, Himal Program Director, The Mountain Institute
* Dr. Chandra P Gurung, Country Representative, WWF Nepal Program
* Mr. Prabhu Budhathoki, Country Representative, IUCN Nepal
* Dr. T.M. Maskey, AsRSG South Asia Co-chair, Asian Rhino Specislist Group

KEYNOTE ADDRESS
*Mr. Javed Jabbar, Vice President, IUCN

INAUGURAL SPEECH
* Mr. Pauli Mustonen, Charge d' Affairs, a.i. Embassy of Finland
* Hon'ble Mr. Gopal Rai, Minister of State for Forests and Soil Conservation

VOTE OF THANKS
* Mr. Anil Chitrakar, Organizing Committee, ICCC
18:30 COCKTAIL DINNER
MC: Ms. Maiya Twayanabasu
Note: Registration desk will be opened from 15:00 – 17:15 Hrs for conference participants.
 

September 6, 2006 Wednesday
08:30 - 10:30 SESSION I:
Nepal Case Study
Chair: Sandra Valenzuela de Narvaez, WWF Colombia
Global overview on conservation and conflict by Judy Oglethorpe, WWF US

PRESENTATIONS:
* M.M. Shakya and A. Chitrakar
* Shyam Bajimaya, DNPWC, Government of Nepal
* WWF Nepal Program
* IUCN Nepal

Observation and Analysis by: Pralad B.Yonzon and Dinesh R. Bhuju, Resources Himalaya Foundation

DISCUSSION
10:30-10:45 Tea/Coffee Break
10:45-12:00 SESSION II:
International Best Practices: South America and Africa

Chair: Ms. Hannah Williams, Latin America Program Coordinator, WWF UK

PRESENTATIONS:
1. Bernardo Peredo-Videa, Conservation International, Bolivia
Title: “Conservation in conflict and their root causes in Bolivia : A history of armed, social and continuous conflict based on the country's richness in natural resources and biodiversity.”
2. Sandra Valenzuela de Narvaez, WWF Colombia
3. Robert Howard, Fauna and Flora International, Liberia
Title: “The presentation will include overview of Liberia as it relates to conservation (History and effect of conflict)”
4. Arthur Mugisha, East African Wildlife Society , Kenya
Title: “Armed conflicts and efforts to conserve mountain gorillas in Vurunga Mountain Ranges – Uganda , Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)”

DISCUSSION
12:00 -13:00 Lunch Break
13:00 - 14:15 SESSION III:
International Best Practices: East Europe and Middle East

Chair: Dr. Arthur Mugisha, East African Wildlife Society , Kenya

PRESENTATIONS:
1. Rizah Hajdari, Ministry of Environment, Kosovo
Title: Current situation with conservation of protected areas and biodiversity in Kosovo (territory under interim UN administration)
2. Ayman Abdel Nour, Al Shark Think Tank, Syria
Title: “The Golan Heights ' Environment under the Crisis”
3. Dr. Peter Smallwood, University of Richmond , USA
Title: “Post war environmental issues in Iraq ”

DISCUSSION
14:15 - 15:30 : SESSION IV:
International Best Practices: South East Asia

Chair: Ms. Nikhat Sattar, Cluster Group Head, IUCN Asia

PRESENTATIONS
1. Matt Fox, Fauna and Flora International, Cambodia
2. Zao Noam, Image Asia Environment Desk , Thailand
Title: “Conservation and ethnic conflict in Burma : Working towards selective environmental engagement”
3. J.P. Alipio, Cordillera Conservation Trust (Coordinator)
Title: “Natural resource conflicts in the Philippine Cordillera Mountains”

DISCUSSION
15:30 -15:45 Tea/Coffee Break
15:45 -17:15 SESSION V:
International Best Practices: South Asia

Chair: Matt Fox, Fauna and Flora International, Cambodia

PRESENTATIONS:
1. Sadeequllah Ahmadzai, National Environment Protection Agency, Afghanistan
Title: “Rich biodiversity and impact of armed conflict in Afghanistan since 1979”
2. Biplob Chakma, A.I.M.S., Bangladesh
Title: “Culture, conflict and conservation of wildlife in Chittagong Hill Tracts: An observation through the eyes of a non professional citizen”
3. Dr. Bibhab K. Talukdar, Aaranyak , Assam , India
Title: “Retrospection on impact of armed conflict on wildlife conservation in North East India ”
4. Ajanta Perara, Ashoka Fellow , Sri Lanka
Title: Protection of environment in the midst of human conflict:Lessons learned from Sri Lanka ”

DISCUSSION
18:30 Dinner hosted by IUCN Nepal

September 7, 2006 Thursday
08:30 - 09:00 Chair: Post conflict conservation agenda Dr. Asif Zaidi, UNEP Afghanistan
09:00 - 10: 00 Group Division and Workshop
10:00 - 10:15 Tea/Coffee Break
10:15 - 12:15 Workshop and Group Recommendation Preparation
12:15 - 13:15 Lunch Break
13:15 - 14:15 Group Presentations
14:15 - 14:30 Tea/Coffee Break
14:30 -16:00 Draft Committee Meet and Draft of Resolution
16:00 -17:00 Valedictory Session
Chair: Dr. Tirtha B. Shrestha
 

Remarks by: Group Leaders

Pauli Mustonen, Charge de' Affairs, Embassy of Finland

PRESENTATION OF RESOLUTION
17:00 - 18:00 Meet the Press
18:30 Closing Dinner

September 8, 2006 Friday
Departures

Kathmandu Declaration
The International Conference on Conservation in Conflict is expected to come up with a Kathmandu Declaration. The declaration, while reiterating the concerns shown in conservation by international best practices, will emphasize on raising public voice for conservation even in critical situations of armed conflict and to develop strategies to mitigate impacts during and after conflict.

Brief Notes on Nepal
Location: 26°12” - 30°27 N; 80°4 - 88°12 E
People: 40 ethnic groups and 70 spoken languages
Population: 23 million
Topography: Lowest 50m asl; Highest Mt Sagarmatha (8848m asl)
Visa: Available at Royal Nepalese Embassues and Royal Nepalese Consulates abroad or on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu ( www.welcomenepal.com)
Time: Nepal Time is 5 Hours and 45 Minutes ahead of GMT
Currency: Nepali Rupee (US$ 1 = NER 72.00)
Transfer from Airport: Airport taxis are available at reasonable rate (about NER 300.00)
Visa Fee: US$ 30 for single entry, (4 passport size photographs needed for those who is seeking visa on arrival at the airport.

Kathmandu
Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, is one of the three historic cities in the valley. Almost conjoint are two other ancient cities: Patan and Bhakapur. Each of them consists of enchanting urban works of art filled with sypas, temples, and medieval palaces. Over the centuries, the valley’s indigenous Newar inhabitants developed a refined civilization, based on a unique synthesis of Buddhist and Hindu philosophies. The cultural heritage is so rich that the Kathmandu Valley contains eight of the monuments that have been designated as World heritage Sites by UNESCO.

The weather in Kathmandu (altitude: 1300m asl) during April is expected to be cool and pleasant with clear sky. The maximum temperature in the month is about 30°C and the minimum about 8.6 °C with relative humidity AM: 66. %.
 

Click for Kathmandu, Nepal Forecast

Important Telephone Numbers
Country code: 977 ; Kathmandu : 1
Police: 100
Telephone Inquiry: 197
Ambulance Red Cross: 4229344
Night Taxi: 4244485
Bir Hospital: 4248694
Teaching Hospital: 4412707

In case of emergency

Contact persons
Mangal Man Shakya: 9851038143
Lal Tamang: 9851064105

Advisory Committee

Mr. Pauli Mustonen: Charge d' Affairs a.i. Embassy of Finland , Kathmandu
Dr. Chandra P. Gurung: Country Representative, WWF Nepal Program
Mr. Prabhu Budhathoki: Country Representative, IUCN Nepal
Mr. Brian Peniston: Himalayan Program Director, The Mountain Institute(TMI)
Dr. Tirtha Man Maskey: AsRSG Co-chair, South Asia , Kathmandu
Dr. Dinesh Bhuju, General Secretary, Resources Himalaya Foundation
Mr. Anil Chitrakar: Mentor , Wise-Use House
Mr. Mangal Man Shakya: Chairman, Wildlife Watch Group (WWG)
Dr. Damodar Prasad Parajuli, Invitee, Acting Secretary, Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation, Government of Nepal
Mr. Laxmi Manandhar, Invitee, Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Government of Nepal
Mr. Jay Pal Shrestha, Invitee, US Embassy, Kathmandu
Dr. Tirtha Bahadur Shrestha: Invitee, Life Member , Nepal Academy

Conference Core Team

Ms. Anu Karvinen: Embassy of Finland , Kathmandu
Mr. Anil Manandhar: WWF Nepal Program
Dr. Dinesh R. Bhuju: General Secretary, Resources Himalaya Foundation
Mr. Anil Chitrakar, Mentor , Wise-Use House
Mr. Mangal Man Shakya, Conference Director and Chairman, Wildlife Watch Group (WWG)