<br><font size=3 face="sans-serif">Below, I'm forwarding the table of contents
for the last two FAO Non-Wood Forest Products Digests. These and
all back issues are available on the FAO website at: </font>
<br><font size=3 face="sans-serif"><</font><a href=http://www.fao.org/forestry/site/12980/en target=_blank><font size=3 color=blue face="Arial"><u>www.fao.org/forestry/site/12980/en</u></font></a><font size=3 face="sans-serif">>.
Note that they welcome submissions!</font>
<br><font size=3 face="sans-serif">-Patricia</font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Patricia S. De Angelis, Ph.D.<br>
Botanist - Division of Scientific Authority<br>
Chair - Plant Conservation Alliance - Medicinal Plant Working Group<br>
US Fish & Wildlife Service<br>
4401 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 110<br>
Arlington, VA 22203<br>
703-358-1708 x1753<br>
FAX: 703-358-2276<br>
Working for the conservation and sustainable use of our green natural resources.<br>
<www.nps.gov/plants/medicinal><br>
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">--------------------------------------------------------------------------</font>
<br>
<br><font size=4 face="Arial"><b>NWFP-Digest-L</b></font>
<br><font size=4 face="Arial"><b>No. 11/07</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Welcome to FAO’s NWFP-Digest-L, a free e-mail
journal that covers all aspects of non-wood forest products. Back issues
of the Digest may be found on FAO's NWFP home page: </font><a href=http://www.fao.org/forestry/site/12980/en target=_blank><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>www.fao.org/forestry/site/12980/en</u></font></a><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial">.
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">You can take part in contributing to the
continued success of this newsletter by sharing with the NWFP community
any news that you may have regarding research, events, publications and
projects. Kindly send such information to </font><a href="mailto:NWFP-Digest-L@mailserv.fao.org"><font size=2 color=#3366ff face="Arial"><u>NWFP-Digest-L@mailserv.fao.org</u></font></a><font size=2 face="Arial">:We
also appreciate any comments or feedback.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">==============================================================</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>IN THIS ISSUE</b>:</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><a href=#product><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><b><u>PRODUCTS</u></b></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">1.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#one><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Acai:
Can a smoothie really save the rainforest?</u></font></a><font size=2 face="Arial">
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">2.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#two><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Aquilaria:
Chemists move toward production of valuable essential oil</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">3.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#three><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Bamboo:
Pandas face hunger as bamboo approach end of lifespan</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">4.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#four><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Bark:
Bad breath beware</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">5.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#five><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Honey:
The frequent usage of manuka honey for eczema treatment</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">6.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#six><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Medicinal
plants: Ancient medicinal plant yields modern leukemia drug</u></font></a><font size=2 face="Arial">
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">7.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#seven><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Neem:
Rightly called the 'village pharmacy'</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">8.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#eight><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Seabuckthorn
(<i>Hippophae rhamnoides</u></i><u>): Ancient “wonder berry” taking root
in Saskatchewan</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">9.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#nine><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Seabuckthorn:
Are you ready for seabuckthorn wine?</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">10.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#ten><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Shea
nuts: Northern region produces 50,000 tonnes sheanuts</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">11.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#eleven><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Stevia:
US firm claims cheap, industrial stevia production</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">12.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#twelve><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Stevia:
PureCircle complete deal with Chinese agribusiness to produce stevia plant
extract</u></font></a><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">13.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#thirteen><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Truffle
prices up as Italian summer ruins crop</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">14.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#fourteen><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Truffles:
English farmers in attempt to cultivate truffles</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">15.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#fifteen><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Wildlife:extinction
threat growing for mankind's closest living relatives</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><a href=#COUNTRYINFO><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><b><u>COUNTRY
INFORMATION</u></b></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">16.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#sixteen><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Belize:
Fish that lives in trees found in Belize</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">17.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#seventeen><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Brazil:
Government to discuss endangered species list of Brazilian flora</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">18.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#eighteen><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Cameroon:
Scientist fears extinction of medicinal plants on Mt. Cameroon</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">19.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#nineteen><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Cameroon:
Exhibition of local, indigenous crops impresses population</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">20.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#twenty><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Denmark:
Fewer Christmas trees cost more</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">21.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#twentyone><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Fiji:
Minister eyes sandalwood boom</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">22.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#twentytwo><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Finland:
Study on Finns’ recreational habits to begin in 2008</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">23.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#twentythree><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Guyana:
Rainforest tribe establishes massive sustainable-use reserve</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">24.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#twentyfour><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>India:
Uttarakhand forests valued at $2.4 billion</u></font></a><font size=2 face="Arial">
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">25.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#twentfive><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Iran:
Honey production increased by 2.5 times in North Khorasan province</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">26.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#twentysix><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Kenya:
Government-owned ranch ventures into wildlife conservation</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">27.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#twentyseven><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Mexico
funds will protect butterflies</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">28.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#twentyeight><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Myanmar:
Promotion of standard of traditional medicine urged</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">29.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#twentynine><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Philippines:
DENR to tap bamboo for reforestation</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">30.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#thirty><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Rwanda:
Campaign to plant 100m trees</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">31.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#thirtyone><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Vietnam:
Medicinal mushroom first found in Vietnam</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><a href=#NEWS><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><b><u>NEWS</u></b></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">32.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#thirtytwo><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Africa:
Forestry policies, laws biased - FAO</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">33.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#thirtythree><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Amazon
rainforest children to get medicinal plant training from shamans</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">34.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#thirtyfour><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>By
saving gorillas, can Congolese save themselves?</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">35.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#thirtyfive><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Indigenous
people and forest care</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">36.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#thirtysix><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Japan
invests in Indian forestry</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">37.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#thirtyseven><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Natural
product discovery by Cleveland medical researchers</u></font></a><font size=2 face="Arial">
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">38.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#thirtyeight><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Scientists
receive $2.5 million to study Amazon forests and climate change</u></font></a><font size=2 face="Arial">
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">39.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#thirtynine><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Skin
whitening ingredient</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><a href=#RECENTEVENTS><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><b><u>EVENTS</u></b></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">40.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#forty><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>National
Workshop on Sustainable Management of NTFPs</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">41.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#fortyone><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Asia-Pacific
Forestry Commission - 22nd Session</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">42.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#fortytwo><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>11<sup>th</sup>
European Forum on Urban Forestry. ''Forest Recreation and Tourism serving
Urbanised Societies''</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">43.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#fortythree><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>International
Conference: Adaptation of forests and forest management to changing climate
with emphasis on forest health: a review of science, policies, and practices</u></font></a><font size=2 face="Arial">;</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">44.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#fortyfour><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>4th
World Congress on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants–Using Plants to benefit
people</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><a href=#request><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><b><u>REQUESTS</u></b></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">45.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#fortyfive><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Request
to complete a survey: The dilemma of dissemination in research</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><a href=#literature><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><b><u>LITERATURE
REVIEW AND WEB SITES</u></b></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">46.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#literature><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Other
publications of interest</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">47.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#websites><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Web
sites and e-zines</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><a href=#miscell><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><b><u>MISCELLANEOUS</u></b></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">48.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#fortyeight><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Nature
is the Best Medicine</u></font></a>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br><font size=4 face="Arial"><b>NWFP-Digest-L</b></font>
<br><font size=4 face="Arial"><b>No. 12/07</b></font>
<br><font size=4 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Welcome to FAO’s NWFP-Digest-L, a free e-mail
journal that covers all aspects of non-wood forest products. Back issues
of the Digest may be found on FAO's NWFP home page: </font><a href=http://www.fao.org/forestry/site/12980/en target=_blank><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>www.fao.org/forestry/site/12980/en</u></font></a><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial">.
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">You can take part in contributing to the
continued success of this newsletter by sharing with the NWFP community
any news that you may have regarding research, events, publications and
projects. Kindly send such information to </font><a href="mailto:NWFP-Digest-L@mailserv.fao.org"><font size=2 color=#3366ff face="Arial"><u>NWFP-Digest-L@mailserv.fao.org</u></font></a><font size=2 face="Arial">:We
also appreciate any comments or feedback.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Since this is the last issue of 2007, we
would like to wish all our readers a very happy and healthy 2008.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">====================================================================</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>IN THIS ISSUE</b>:</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><a href=#product><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><b><u>PRODUCTS</u></b></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">1.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#one><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Acorns:
Wildlife benefiting from abundant acorns</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">2.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#two><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Acorns:
Older oaks produce most acorns</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">3.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#three><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Argan
oil in skin care grows in popularity in USA</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">4.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#four><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Bamboo:
China builds world's first bamboo road bridge</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">5.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#five><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Bamboo:
Chinese scientists: Cloned bamboo genes may mean more food for people</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">6.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#six><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Bamboo
in India: Plague of rats hits Indian state</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">7.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#seven><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Bamboo
in India: Tribals thrive on fragrance, bamboo</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">8.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#eight><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Bamboo
in India: 21 234 ha brought under bamboo plantation</u></font></a><font size=2 face="Arial">
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">9.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#nine><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Bushmeat:
Bonobo ape – Congo preserve for man's closest relative</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">10.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#ten><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Christmas
trees: Opt for locally grown natural trees</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">11.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#eleven><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Cinnamon
in pictures: Sri Lanka's spice of life</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">12.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#twelve><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Cork:
The battle of cork continues to divide the Italian wine world</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">13.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#thirteen><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Cupuaçu:
The Today Show touts cupuaçu</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">14.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#fourteen><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Devil's
claw (<i>Harpagophytum procumbens</u></i><u>) harvesting benefits San people</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">15.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#fifteen><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Honey
in India: Businessman opens 'honey hut' in Shimla</u></font></a><font size=2 face="Arial">
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">16.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#sixteen><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Honey
in New Zealand: Imports must stop for good</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">17.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#seventeen><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Mushrooms:
Wild mushroom can fight prostate cancer: Israeli researchers</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">18.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#eighteen><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Sandalwood
in Australia: WA sandalwood set to dominate world trade</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">19.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#nineteen><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Sandalwood
in India: Smuggling has hit sandalwood production in the country</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">20.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#twenty><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Shea
nuts in Ghana– clarification of a recent article</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">21.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#twentyone><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Truffles:
Giant truffle sets record price</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><a href=#COUNTRYINFO><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><b><u>COUNTRY
INFORMATION</u></b></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">22.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#twentytwo><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Afghanistan:
Hope from honey</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">23.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#twentythree><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Bhutan:
Medicinal plants spell millions</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">24.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#twentyfour><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Brazil:
Getting back to nature: Brazil’s Natura uses plants to cut carbon</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">25.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#twentyfive><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Canada
saves the forest</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">26.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#twentysix><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Costa
Rica plants 5 million trees</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">27.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#twentyseven><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>India:
Patent rule change to aid biodiversity protection</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">28.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#twentyeight><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Indonesia:
An innovative forest project in Indonesia creates alternatives for illegal
loggers</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">29.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#twentynine><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Jamaica:
Young scientist of the year working to establish 'Jamaica-pharma'</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">30.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#thirty><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Philippines:
Pandan prop roots found suitable for handicrafts</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">31.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#thirtyone><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Philippines:
Malunggay in the city - Urban farmers can grow wonder tree</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">32.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#thirtytwo><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Rwanda:
The science behind moringa</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">33.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#thirtythree><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Sierra
Leone: Project saves Gola rainforest from logging</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">34.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#thirtyfour><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>South
Africa: Traditional medicines face threat</u></font></a><font size=2 face="Arial">
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">35.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#thirtyfive><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Uganda:
Local herbalists call for support</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">36.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#thirtysix><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Uganda:
Japan govt funds bark-cloth project</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">37.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#thirtyseven><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Uganda
plans to boost forest cover</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><a href=#NEWS><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><b><u>NEWS</u></b></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">38.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#thirtyeight><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>EU
study to explore economics of biodiversity loss</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">39.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#thirtynine><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Having
the climate cake and eating it, too</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">40.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#forty><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>New
study finds biodiversity conservation secures ecosystem services for people</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">41.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#fortyone><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Researchers
build new model of bio-exploration</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">42.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#fortytwo><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Traditional
knowledge: Village reps to discuss preserving traditional knowledge</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><a href=#RECENTEVENTS><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><b><u>EVENTS</u></b></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">43.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#fortythree><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Forest
insects as food: humans bite back. A workshop focused on Asia-Pacific resources
and their potential for development</u></font></a><font size=2 face="Arial">
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b> </b></font>
<br><a href=#literature><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><b><u>LITERATURE
REVIEW AND WEB SITES</u></b></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">44. </font><a href=#otherpubs><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Other
publications of interest</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><a href=#miscell><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><b><u>MISCELLANEOUS</u></b></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">45.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#fortyfive><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Amazon
being destroyed 'faster than predicted'</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">46.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#fortysix><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Good
News for the forests: First bible printed on FSC-certified paper</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">47.</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><a href=#fortyseven><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Indonesia:
Forest loss 'yields meagre financial benefits'</u></font></a>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>PRODUCTS</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>1.
Acorns: Wildlife benefiting from abundant acorns</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: PensacolaNewsJournal.com, FL,
USA, 8 December 2007</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Squirrels won't have to worry about finding
enough nuts to store this winter. It's a bumper year for acorns.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
To many, an abundant acorn crop means more debris to sweep off the sidewalk.
To the state's wildlife, however, lots of acorns on the ground spell good
fortune.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Some years, only a handful of acorns appear on each tree, but in other
years, oaks produce an exceptional abundance of acorns. When a tree produces
a ridiculously abundant crop of nuts, it is called a "mast" year.
This usage of the word "mast" comes from a Middle English word
for "meat" and suggests that Native Americans were not the only
humans for whom the acorn was a major dietary staple.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Mast years occur every four to seven years, but their timing is still a
mystery. Numerous theories exist about factors influencing the variability
in the mast ranging from weather to geography to the life cycles of predators.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
It has even been postulated that the cycles developed as a survival technique.
Low acorn production years lead to a decline in predator population. If
a low production year is immediately followed by a year with a big acorn
crop, the chances for acorn and seedling survival are enhanced.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The most likely reason for high production seems to be weather-related.
When spring weather at the time of oak flowering has been warm and dry,
the mast seems to be increased.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Mast years are important to wildlife.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Throughout the United States, almost 100 animal species rely on acorns
as a major food source. Acorns, which are highly digestible and rich in
carbohydrates, serve a wide range of animals in a variety of ways.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
In low crop years, the birth-rate for some species of wildlife, such as
gray squirrels, will decline the following year. Because of the increased
competition for food, some species have a tough time surviving.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
This year's crop means that more young are likely to be produced by animals
that forage for acorns.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Wildlife plays a big part in forest regeneration. Squirrels, blue jays
and other wildlife are crucial to oak regeneration. When acorns drop like
marbles out of the trees, many animals help distribute these seeds in the
forest. Squirrels can bury hundreds of acorns, at least some of which will
take root.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
For most gardeners, however, abundant acorns mean having to deal with the
oak seedlings in the spring. While not every acorn will sprout, many will.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For full story, please see: </font><a href="http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071208/LIFE/712080302/1004"><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071208/LIFE/712080302/1004</u></font></a>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>2.
Acorns: Older oaks produce most acorns</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: The Birmingham News - al.com,
AL, USA, 8 December 2007 </b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Because it takes so much energy to produce
a bumper crop, not even the strongest oak can accumulate enough food to
produce back-to-back large crops. Really strong acorn production happens
every 4-10 years. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
In a good year, the oak tree will have many flowers. With good weather,
tiny scale-covered acorns (called nubbins) begin to grow. They then mature
and become full grown and ripe acorns by late summer. The chances of one
acorn making it all the way to being a tree are very slim. For every 10,000
acorns, only one will become a tree. The reason for this varies. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Little insects called weevils like to plant their seeds inside acorns before
they mature. That larvae can take out 40 percent of the acorn crop. Other
culprits are well known, squirrels and birds (especially blue jays and
woodpeckers) hide them in the ground for winter feeding. This number tends
to be much smaller than what the oak tree itself hides by shedding its
leaves. These leaves end up covering most of the acorns, with most of these
rotting and/or moulding and therefore not becoming a source of food. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For full story, please see: </font><a href="http://www.al.com/living/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/living/119710567786370.xml&coll=2"><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>http://www.al.com/living/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/living/119710567786370.xml&coll=2</u></font></a>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>3.
Argan oil in skin care grows in popularity in USA</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: PR.com (press release), NY, USA,
3 December 2007</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><i> </i></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Argan Oil is extracted from the Argan Tree,
of which there is only one forest in the world. Located at the edge of
the Sahara desert in Morocco, it has been called "The Tree of Iron"
because of its existence for hundreds of years in such a harsh environment.
It also has been said to be the most medicinal plant on the planet. Because
of its multitude of medicinal and cosmetic properties, it has been used
as a natural, organic remedy for centuries in Morocco. From its fruit are
extracted this oil with marvellous cosmetic virtues.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Very rich in essential fatty acids, vitamin E, and more, Argan Oil is famous
for its pure natural hydrating and revitalizing properties, and an anti-wrinkle
product made by mother nature. It is ideal for dry skin, as it softens
and prevents aging due to extreme climatic conditions (sun, wind, cold,
pollution, and dry climates). It is also perfect for regenerating and nourishing
dry hair and strengthens nails.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
ArganBody.com is one of very few companies in the USA that imports and
distributes this special beauty treatment. Argan Oil can be applied directly
to the skin because it absorbs very quickly, or often argan oil is used
in cosmetic products</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For full story, please see: </font><a href="http://www.pr.com/press-release/62870"><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>http://www.pr.com/press-release/62870</u></font></a>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>4.
Bamboo: China builds world's first bamboo road bridge</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: China Daily, China, 13 December
2007</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Changsha -- An eight-ton truck passed over
a bamboo bridge in south China on Wednesday, marking the completion of
the world's first bamboo road bridge, claimed the designers.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The bridge, 3.4 meters wide and nine meters long, looks like a concrete
bridge from the top and side, but its nine bamboo girders can be seen from
beneath and it is covered by bamboo boards.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
It allows a maximum load of 90 tons with a service life of 20 to 30 years.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Fiberglass-reinforced plastics were also used in construction to ensure
safety, said Xiao Yan, dean of the college of civil engineering of Hunan
University, where the bridge was designed.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Villagers in Daozi town, Leiyang city, Hunan Province, were amazed by the
bamboo bridge that workers took less than 10 days to assemble. Parts of
the bridge were made in a workshop before being transported to the town,
said Dr. Shan Bo, a member of the design group.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Xiao Yan said bamboo could cut the cost of footbridges in cities and bridges
in the countryside by half.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For full story, please see: </font><a href="http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2007-12/13/content_6317257.htm"><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2007-12/13/content_6317257.htm</u></font></a>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>5.
Bamboo: Chinese scientists: Cloned bamboo genes may mean more food for
people</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: Xinhua, China, 6 December 2007</b></font>
<br><font size=2 color=#666666 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Beijing -- Scientists in east China said
that they had succeeded in copying some genes of the bamboo plant, a development
that they said could lead to better food supplies for people. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Genetic material extracted last week from bamboo plants could delay the
flowering and seeding phases of paddy rice, which could improve the crop
yields and pest-resistance of a staple food for China's 1.3 billion people,
the researchers said. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The experiment was the culmination of 10 years of research by Lin Xinchun,
associate professor of Zhejiang Forestry College, and his colleagues. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The trigger for bamboo flowering, which occurs as part of the plant's natural
life cycle every 60 to 120 years, has long confounded scientists. "Even
if a scientist starts studying bamboo the moment he is born, the chance
is rare for him to observe bamboo flowering," said Lin. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Bamboo plants are the sole food for China's endangered giant pandas. After
flowering, the bamboo dies. Unless there is another species of bamboo nearby
that the pandas will eat, the animals face starvation. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Lin and his team have built up a database of DNA related to bamboo flowering,
which they are trying to decode. This information could be used to cultivate
new types of bamboo with predictable flowering periods, taking the uncertainty
out of the pandas' food supply. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
If we achieve the goal, it would be a real blessing for our giant pandas,"
said Lin.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For full story, please see: </font><a href="http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-12/06/content_7209249.htm"><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-12/06/content_7209249.htm</u></font></a>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>6.
Bamboo in India: Plague of rats hits Indian state</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: BBC News – UK, 12 December 2007</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">The government in India's north-eastern state
of Mizoram has decided to increase wages and food grain supplies to villagers
hit by a plague of rats. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The state's heavy flowering bamboo crops attract hordes of rats, a phenomenon
known locally as Mautam. Not only do the rats thrive on the bamboo flowers,
they also then go on to destroy the farmers' crops. The Mizoram council
of ministers has doubled daily wage rates so that villagers can cope with
food shortages. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>
</b>"We have also decided to increase the weekly allotment of rice
to the villagers so that they have enough to eat," Mizoram Home Minister
Tony Tawnluia said after a meeting of the council. Every adult villager
is now getting 2kg of rice per week - with minors receiving half that amount.
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Mizoram has been reeling under an acute shortage of food grain because
of the wanton destruction of crops by rodents. The rat population has multiplied
several times because of the abundance of food created by the flowering
of bamboo crops. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The food crisis has been made worse by the massive destruction caused by
unprecedented monsoon downpours this year, which damaged hundreds of homes,
roads, fish ponds and paddy fields. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The state government has declared Mizoram a "disaster area",
and has asked the central government for extra cash to mitigate the suffering
of the people. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Most Mizo farmers have not sowed rice or corn this year, fearful that the
rats would eat all their crops. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>
</b>Plant Protection Officer James Lalsiamliana says that Mautam struck
the Mizo Hills in 1910-11 and again in 1958-59. He says that it is now
back with a vengeance. "It will affect more than 30% of Mizoram's
land area and much of the area where crops are grown," he said. "It
cannot be stopped, we can only do damage control." </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
A report by India's forest and environment ministry predicts that at least
5,100 sq km of Mizoram's forest area (out of a total of 6,446 sq km of
forest) will be affected by the Mautam in 2007. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
More than half of Mizoram's population of nearly 900,000 people are farmers.
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The Mizoram agriculture department anticipates a crop shortfall of at least
75% in 2007-2008 because of farmers not planting. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Desperate to control the rising rat population, the state government announced
a reward of one rupee for every rat killed. During 2006 alone more than
200,000 rats were killed. The killing continues but the rats keep coming
in hordes. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
It was in October 2005 that the initial heavy flowering of the bamboo was
first noticed at Chawngtlai bamboo forest in the southern district of Champhai.
It then spread rapidly in 2006 and the situation is now worsening.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For full story, please see: </font><a href=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7141067.stm><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7141067.stm</u></font></a>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>7.
Bamboo in India: Tribals thrive on fragrance, bamboo</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: Newindpress, Tamil Nadu, India,
24 November 2007 </b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Maredumilli: The incense stick and furniture-
making units introduced by the Forest Department’s AP Community Forest
Management (APCFM) under the ‘Livelihood Activity’ programme in the tribal
hamlets has yielded desired results and over 15,000 tribal families in
the State are earning their livelihood under the project.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Bamboo furniture is in great demand in European countries and the Forest
Department has taken up the ‘value addition programme’ under APCFM funded
by the World Bank, and has been training tribals in making various products
with bamboo.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
After the National Bamboo Mission (NBM) identified bamboo as one of the
major means of alleviating poverty in agency areas, the Forest Department
started raising bamboo to make incense sticks as many companies were purchasing
the splints from the tribals.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Later, the villagers started making household furniture, wall hangings
and other decorative items with splints and these have caught on in the
market.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Forest department officials said bamboo cultivation was taken up in many
tribal hamlets and the Vana Samrakshana Samithis (VSS) were asked to nurture
the plantation programme.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
In East Godavari district, tribal women started a Common Facility Centre
(CFC) at Maredumilli in Rampachodavaram division and have been selling
the splints to various incense stick-making companies,’’ the officials
said.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Chief Conservator of Forests (Rajahmundry circle) N Prateep Kumar said
the department had provided cross-cutting machines and slicers to the VSS
members for making splints which are supplied to Sankranthi Agarbathi Company,
Bangalore, Ambika Durbar, Eluru, Cycle Brand Agarbathi, Adoni and other
companies.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Rampachodavaram sub-DFO CV Satyanarayana, who is supervising the project,
said the tribals took up the activity at Pydiputta village two years ago.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Some 82 VSSes from Addara Veedhi, MM Valasa, Dorlapeta, Pamuleru, Santhapeta,
Valmikipeta and Kurthawada hamlets are eking out their livelihood through
the activity at present.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The local tribals also make culinary use of bamboo and savour ‘bamboo
soup’ and ‘bamboo chicken’ (chicken skewered on bamboo splints and roasted).</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
‘‘The men bring bamboo from the groves and cut them with machines. Each
bamboo is cut into eight or ten pieces. We prepare about 5 kg of these
per day, which costs about Rs 40,’’ said Dhuda Siromani of Maredumilli
village. Another tribal Gaddam Arogyamma added: ‘‘We cut the splints
at home, dry them and sell them to incense-stick manufacturers.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Each woman earns about Rs 1,200 per month. Some VSS members prepare furniture
and other products with bamboos. This is the third successive year we are
doing this work.’’</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For full story, please see: </font><a href="http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEA20071123231502&Page=A&Headline=Tribals+thrive+on+fragrance%2C+bamboo&Title=Southern+News+-+Andhra+Pradesh&Topic=0"><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEA20071123231502&Page=A&Headline=Tribals+thrive+on+fragrance%2C+bamboo&Title=Southern+News+-+Andhra+Pradesh&Topic=0</u></font></a>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>8.
Bamboo in India: 21 234 ha brought under bamboo plantation </b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: Press Information Bureau (press
release), India, 3 December 2007</b></font>
<br><font size=2 color=#6b3ad2 face="Arial"><b> </b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">The National Bamboo Mission of Department
of Agriculture & Cooperation has been implemented in 25 States in the
country with an objective to promote the growth of the bamboo sector through
area based regionally differentiated strategies and to increase the coverage
of area under bamboo in potential areas, etc. So far, an amount of Rs.98.93
crore has been released to various States and as per their initial reports,
an area of 21234 ha has been brought under bamboo plantation.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The partnership has been useful in setting up nurseries, raising bamboo
plantations and training of farmers/entrepreneurs in bamboo cultivation.
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
This information was given by Shri Kanti Lal Bhuria, Minister of State
for Agriculture in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For full story, please see: </font><a href="http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=33649"><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=33649</u></font></a>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>9.
Bushmeat: Bonobo ape – Congo preserve for man's closest relative</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: Xinhua, China, 23 November 2007</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Beijing -- The Congolese government is setting
aside more than 11,000 square miles of tropical rain forest for the endangered
bonobo -- a great ape most closely related to humans and found only in
Congo -- with help from conservation groups and U.S. agencies.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The area amounts to just over 1 percent of vast Congo — but that means
a park larger than the state of Massachusetts and only slightly smaller
than the entire country of Slovakia.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Environment Minister Didace Pembe said the area was denoted as a protected
reserve last week as part of the administration's goal of preserving 15
percent of its forest as protected area. The Sankuru announcement increased
the amount of protected land in Congo to 10 percent from 8 percent, he
said. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The Sankuru Nature Reserve aims to protect a section of Africa's largest
rain forest from the commercial bushmeat trade and from deforestation by
industrial logging operations in the central part of the country known
as the Congo Basin. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Sally Jewell Coxe, president of the Washington-based Bonobo Conservation
Initiation, said the group has been working to establish the reserve since
2005, when it started meeting with leaders in villagers that ring the area
to persuade them to stop hunting the ape. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Bonobos — often lauded as the "peaceful ape" — are known for
their matriarchal society in which female leaders work to avoid conflict,
and their sex-loving lifestyle. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The bonobo population is believed to have declined sharply in the last
30 years, though surveys have been hard to complete in war-ravaged central
Congo and estimates range from 60,000 to fewer than 5,000 living, according
to the World Wildlife Fund. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Startup funding has been provided through a grant of 50,000 U.S. dollars
from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and about 100,000 dollars from
private donors, Coxe said.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For full story, please see: </font><a href="http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-11/23/content_7133868.htm"><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-11/23/content_7133868.htm</u></font></a>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>10.
Christmas trees: Opt for locally grown natural trees</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: Belfast Telegraph, United Kingdom,
29 November 2007</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">One acre of Christmas trees gives off enough
oxygen to support 18 people. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
That's just one of the facts highlighted by the British Christmas Tree
Growers Association, which is urging people to opt for locally grown natural
trees. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The group says you can recycle your tree after Christmas by taking it to
the local council tip where it will be chipped and turned into compost.
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
"An artificial tree is not quite so easy to get rid of and is harmful
to the environment as it can take hundreds of years to decompose,"
a BCTGA spokesman said. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
"Tree farms provide habitat for wildlife and several species of birds.
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
"A British grown tree is even more environmentally sound - no long
haul transportation is involved and all members of the BCTGA subscribe
to a code of conduct which ensures their crops are sustainable and do not
cause damage to the local wildlife." </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The group said the Nordman Fir is the UK's favourite Christmas tree, representing
more than 50% of sales, due to its fresh scent and ability to hold its
needles. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The Serbian Spruce is a long-time favourite in Central Europe as its sleek
profile complements a modern minimalist space. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Meanwhile, many people will be opting for the Blue Spruce with its metallic
blue sheen and more unusual varieties of trees are becoming increasingly
popular. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For full story, please see: </font><a href=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/environment/article3207924.ece><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/environment/article3207924.ece</u></font></a>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>11.
Cinnamon in pictures: Sri Lanka's spice of life</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: BBC News, UK, 11 December 2007</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">While Sri Lanka's most famous export is tea,
historically the most important has been cinnamon. In fact, so strong is
the link between cinnamon and Sri Lanka that the botanical name of the
spice - <i>Cinnamomum zeylanicum</i> - is derived from the island's former
name, Ceylon.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For photos and full story, please see: </font><a href=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/picture_gallery/07/south_asia_sri_lanka0s_spice_of_life/html/1.stm><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/picture_gallery/07/south_asia_sri_lanka0s_spice_of_life/html/1.stm</u></font></a>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>12.
Cork: The battle of cork continues to divide the Italian wine world</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: WineNews, Montalcino, Italy, 10
December 2007</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b> </b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">The battle of the cork continues to divide
the Italian wine world: the Minster of Agriculture and sommelier defend
the “real” cork; Federvini and numerous producers defend synthetic corks.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
For some time now, the rest of the world has accepted synthetic wine corks,
which, to their advantage, do avoid the problem of “corked” wines or,
wines that have been tainted by the smell of cork-wood corks. In Italy,
though some producers do use synthetic corks, the Italian Wine Union (Uiv)
and Federvini have now requested that they be allowed for corking DOC Italian
wines as well.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
”The flexibility that we request is only for DOC wines and not DOCG”
– explained Federvini – “keeping in mind that these products can go
to consumers that are less connected to the traditions of the producing
countries. We think it is fair that this flexibility can find space in
the disciplinary. On the other hand, if we made everything flexible, even
the DOCG wines, which represent the category of highest qualification for
our wines, it would become even more complex in indicating to consumers
the various levels of the pyramid of controls”.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The Minister of Agriculture and the Head Office for the Quality of Food
Products have, however, given a negative opinion in response to the request.
“The only concession that we have been able to get” – reported Paolo
Castelletti, the General Secretary of Uiv – “is that of allowing alternative
corking for some types of DOC, with the exclusion of reserves and superior
quality”.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
”This position” – observed Ernest Abbona, President of Marchesi di Barolo
– “puts us at odds with global distribution, which is protesting over
our insistence on using cork-wood corks, a method that causes a discarding
of about 10 per cent due to a cork flavour”. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
It appears that there are more than a few interested parties hoping that
the disciplinary will give producers more freedom to decide which type
of cork to use because world markets demand synthetic corks. The use of
cork-wood penalizes, for example, Italy’s exports to countries like Britain
where it has become common use for wines to have screw-off tops. But, the
Italian Sommelier do point out that, “In Italy, wine has been bottled
traditionally with glass and cork-wood since the 1700’s”.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
It will now be up to the EU, whose presidency is currently in the hands
of Portugal (producer of over half of the EU’s total cork-wood supply),
to decide which is the right path to take.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For full story, please see: </font><a href="http://www.winenews.it/index.php?c=detail&dc=96&id=11772"><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>http://www.winenews.it/index.php?c=detail&dc=96&id=11772</u></font></a>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>13.
Cupuaçu: The Today Show touts cupuaçu</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: NPIcenter (press release), Ontario,
Canada, 28 November 2007</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Para, Brazil - Nestled in the basin of the
Amazon Rainforest grows a tropical tree whose fruit is high in antioxidants,
nutrients and minerals. A cousin to the cocao tree, Cupuaçu is often referred
to as the “pharmacy in a fruit”. In a recent segment featured on the
Today Show, Andrew Zimmern, noted food writer, host, chef and teacher praised
the many health benefits of Cupuaçu. Having been used for years by the
indigenous people of Brazil as both a culinary delicacy and an all healing
natural remedy, Cupuaçu had not made headway in the US. In fact according
to Zimmern, “you can’t even find it in New York and when you can’t find
something in NY you know it’s rare”. However, EarthFruits, one of the
world’s largest exporters of Brazil’s exotic fruits is also the primary
exporter of Cupuaçu, the fruit Zimmern calls “the next great superfood”.
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Located in the heart of the Amazon Rainforest, EarthFruits exports fruits
such as Acai, Camu Camu and Cupuaçu into Europe and the United States.
EarthFruits is committed to providing the latest in superfruit trends and
is the only company who currently harvests, processes and exports Cupuaçu
in both a powder and frozen puree. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
“Because of our location in Para, Brazil and the relationship we have
with the residents of the area, we are able to not only bring rare fruits
like Cupuaçu to the US but also provide a sustainable income for the people
living in the Rainforest,” explained Kevin Busby, EarthFruits General
Manager. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
EarthFruits specializes in providing tropical fruits from the Amazon to
the natural health and organic foods industries. The company partners with
local co-ops to obtain wild-harvested fruit from deep within the most pristine
parts of the Amazon Rainforest. EarthFruits works with a number of processors
in Brazil to deliver the finest quality pulps, purees, powders, and concentrates.
EarthFruits guarantees minimal processing to achieve the highest nutritional
profile for each batch of product. Each product is rigorously tested to
ensure the highest quality. For more information, visit </font><a href=http://www.earthfruits.com/><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>www.earthfruits.com</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For full story, please see: </font><a href="http://www.npicenter.com/anm/templates/newsATemp.aspx?articleid=19999&zoneid=22"><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>http://www.npicenter.com/anm/templates/newsATemp.aspx?articleid=19999&zoneid=22</u></font></a>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>14.
Devil's claw (<i>Harpagophytum procumbens</i></b>) <b>harvesting benefits
San people</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: </b></font><a href=http://www.namibian.com.na/><font size=2 face="Arial"><b><u>The
Namibian</u></b></font></a><font size=2 face="Arial"><b> (Windhoek), 29
November 2007</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Windhoek. The San communities, the most marginalised
in Namibia, are slowly starting to reap some benefits from natural resources
in the few remaining areas they are allowed to occupy, with the harvesting
of devil's claw plant improving.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
About 12 tonnes of the medicinal plant are expected to be collected this
year and earn N$228 000 for the San, says the latest annual report of Wimsa,
the Working Group of Indigenous Minorities in Southern Africa.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
In 2006, following a two-year ban on devil's claw harvesting resulting
from uncontrolled and unsustainable harvesting in previous years, the Na
Jaqna Conservancy east of Grootfontein implemented a new devil's claw scheme
under which 78 residents in the conservancy harvested and sold devil's
claw to an exporter. The ban was lifted following lengthy negotiations
with the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) and the Kung traditional
authority in Omatako village.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
It was agreed to put a detailed management and monitoring plan in place.
Devil's claw harvesting by-laws were laid down by the Na Jaqna conservancy
management and the traditional authority. This resulted in the issuing
of permits to conservancy members in 2006 and limited, conservancy-supervised
harvesting of close to two tonnes, generating about N$31 000.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
This year, in conjunction with Wimsa and the Namibian branch of the Centre
for Research Information in Africa (CRIAA), the San harvesters received
training to hone their skills. "A total of 89 people were trained
and 253 were given harvesting equipment consisting of 50-kilogram bags,
stainless steel knives and drying nets," the Wimsa report stated.
With 253 registered harvesters to date, and a quota of 50 kg per individual
for 2007, about 12,6 tonnes would be harvest by year-end, generating approximately
N$227 700 for the San. At Omega village in the Caprivi Region, which now
falls in the newly proclaimed Bwabwata National Park, the mainly Khwe-speaking
San harvesters also received training, equipment and transport.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The training, provided to Wimsa's extension officers by CRIAA and then
passed on by them to the community, focused on producing a high quality
devil's claw for export, but also on minimising the environmental impact
and ensuring sustainable harvesting. "The dried product was sold to
registered buyers for up to N$18 per kilogramme, whereas illegal roadside
buyers typically pay around N$6 per kilogramme," the Wimsa report
stated.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The San harvesters at Omega agreed that N$1,50 per kg would be paid into
a community fund. The community will decide how to spend this money in
the new season, possibly on equipment such as new drying nets.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Further training this year covered other villages in the area.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For full story, please see: </font><a href=http://allafrica.com/stories/200711290727.html><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>http://allafrica.com/stories/200711290727.html</u></font></a>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>15.
Honey in India: Businessman opens 'honey hut' in Shimla</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: Earthtimes, London, UK, 2 December
2007</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Shimla - A honey maker from Punjab has opened
a unique 'honey hut' in Shimla, the summer capital of India. 'We have come
up with a unique concept of honey huts for selling our honey and honey-based
products. This is our first honey hut outlet in the country,' said Jagjit
Singh Kapoor, owner of the venture. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
'The next such outlet will be opened in Chandigarh as we plan to open around
70 honey huts across the country, although we have been exporting our products
to at least 70 countries,' he added. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The outlet has been opened late Saturday in Shimla's down town Mall street.
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">'Besides honey, we are also selling honey-based
eatables such as honey tea, honey coffee, chocolates, cakes and even popcorns
with honey flavour,' said Kapoor. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
'Our Doraha-based honey farms in neighbouring Punjab are spread over 60
acres where we have around 20,000 colonies of honey bees producing high
quality honey,' he said. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">'We are also planning to open a bee keeping
research institute in Doraha,' he added.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For full story, please see: </font><a href=http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/151716.html><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/151716.html</u></font></a>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>16.
Honey in New Zeeland: Imports must stop for good</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: Press Release: Federated Farmers,
5 December 2007 (in Scoop.co.nz - New Zealand)</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Imports of Australian honey must be stopped
for good – that’s the clear message from an important Appeal Court decision
which will help keep harmful organisms out of New Zealand. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The judgment delivered yesterday found that honey or other bee products
from Australia containing a potentially harmful bacterium may not be imported
without both biosecurity clearance under the Biosecurity Act 1993, and
an approval granted for new organisms under the Hazardous Substances and
New Organisms Act 1996. At present there is no clearance under either law.
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
“This judgment is an important win for the bee industry and agriculture,”
said John Hartnell, chair of the Bee Industry Group of Federated Farmers.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
“The success of New Zealand’s horticultural and agricultural economy
is highly dependent on the honey bee for pollination, so it is vital that
we keep new diseases and organisms out of our bee industry. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
“The damage caused by the varroa mite over the past seven years clearly
demonstrates the potential for further damage to beekeeping and pollination.
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
“The bee industry also welcomes the continuance of a court-ordered temporary
ban on imports of honey and other bee products from Australia (excluding
Western Australia, where the existence of the bacterium has not been identified).
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
“Now we have this a judgment, the only sensible action is to reinstate
a complete ban on Australian honey imports as soon as possible. Only this
will ensure that we keep Paenibacillus alvei bacterium out of New Zealand
hives,” Mr Hartnell said. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For full story, please see: </font><a href=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0712/S00074.htm><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0712/S00074.htm</u></font></a>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>17.
Mushrooms: Wild mushroom can fight prostate cancer: Israeli researchers</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: AFP, 15 December 2007</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">JERUSALEM (AFP) — Israeli scientists claim
that a wild mushroom, used in traditional Chinese medicine for a century,
could treat prostate cancer, the University of Haifa said Friday.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Researchers at the university in northern Israel said they found molecules
in the <i>Ganoderma lucidum</i> mushroom, commonly known as the reishi,
which help suppress some mechanisms involved in the progression of prostate
cancer.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
"We already knew the mushroom could impede the development of cancer
by affecting the immune system. The in-vitro trials we have done show that
it attacks the cancer cells directly," chief researcher Ben Zion Zaidman
told AFP.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
"These results give rise to hope about developing medication to treat
prostate cancer," he said of research carried out to date only in
Petri dishes. The research still has to be tested on animals.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The reishi is found only in remote, wild areas, preferring a habitat of
rotting plum tree trunks, sometimes oak trees, in heavily forested mountain
areas.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The Chinese have tried to grow reishi mushrooms for centuries, but it was
only in the early 1970s that Japanese experts managed to cultivate them.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Prostate cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer among men, with
more than 543,000 cases diagnosed worldwide each year.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For full story, please see: </font><a href="http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jc7VL0Pd8V1sJnj5QCkF7QEP-JqQ"><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jc7VL0Pd8V1sJnj5QCkF7QEP-JqQ</u></font></a>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>18.
Sandalwood in Australia: WA sandalwood set to dominate world trade</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: ABC Online, Australia, 11 December
2007</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">The head of one of the world's leading fragrance
companies believes the Ord Valley in Western Australia will overtake India
as the major producer of Indian sandalwood.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The Ord has the only commercial crop of Indian sandalwood trees in the
world.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
With a global shortage, oil from the processed timber is currently worth
around $US1800 per kilogram.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Georges Ferrando, from Albert Vieille, says with a processing plant due
to be built in Kununurra next year, the region will become a world leader
within five years.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
"India is number one in supplying sandalwood oil, but I think very,
very quickly, Kununurra will become the supplier number one in the world,"
he says.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For full story, please see: </font><a href=http://www.abc.net.au/rural/news/content/2007/s2115503.htm><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>http://www.abc.net.au/rural/news/content/2007/s2115503.htm</u></font></a>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>19.
Sandalwood in India: Smuggling has hit sandalwood production in the country</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: Hindu, Chennai, India, 14 December
2007</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Bangalore: Sandalwood production in the country
— to which Karnataka and Tamil Nadu contribute 90 per cent — has fallen
to less than a fourth of the amount produced 50 years ago, said A.K. Verma,
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, speaking at a seminar on sandalwood,
organised by the Institute of Wood Science and Technology, here on Wednesday.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
“From 4,000 tonnes produced annually in the 1960s, the figure fell to
2,000 tonnes in the 1990s, and to just 1,000 tonnes now — which is half
the national demand,” he said. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Attributing this to smuggling, Mr. Verma said that a “unified law” is
needed to address the issue which goes beyond State boundaries. The price
of sandalwood ranges between Rs. 3,000 and Rs. 4,000 a kg. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
“India has been overtaken by Australia and Indonesia in the production
and export of sandalwood, and we cannot afford to have this happen,” he
added. </font>
<br><font size=2 color=red face="Arial">
</font><font size=2 face="Arial">The Forest Department will take special
steps to protect sandalwood trees from poachers in three areas in the State,
Hoskote, Bhadravati and Shikaripur, which have a large number of old, “high
girth-class” sandalwood trees that are susceptible to poaching, Mr. Verma
said. “These measures will include chain linking, fencing, gate locks
and strengthening of staff,” he said. The initiative will cover an area
of 1,000 hectares in these three regions, and work will begin in the next
fiscal. “Inventories are being prepared to assess the number of large
sandalwood trees, after which a detailed project proposal will be made,”
he said.</font>
<br><font size=2 color=red face="Arial">
</font><font size=2 face="Arial">The Forest Department has sought a grant
of Rs. 3 crore from the Union Government for planting sandalwood trees
in 1,000 hectares in Shimoga, Hassan, Uttara Kannada and Chikmagalur districts,
areas that correspond to the presence of artisans, Mr. Verma said. As much
as 22,000 kg of seeds have been collected, and 300 personnel will be recruited
for the planting operations next monsoon. Special stainless-steel “dibblers”
have been designed by the Forest Department for the purpose.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For full story, please see: </font><a href=http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/14/stories/2007121459010300.htm><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/14/stories/2007121459010300.htm</u></font></a>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>20.
Shea nuts in Ghana – clarification of a recent article</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>From: Dr Peter Lovett, </b></font><a href=mailto:savannahfruits@btopenworld.com><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><b><u>savannahfruits@btopenworld.com</u></b></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Following a recent article, reprinted in
NWFP-Digest-L, No. 11/07 on the sheanut industry in Ghana (Zoure, 2007),
the following clarifications are offered.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Based on information around the region (not necessarily from country export
figures), annual exports of sheanuts from the entire West Africa sub-region
are estimated to total between 200-250,000 tons of shea kernel equivalent
(to be exported as either kernels, butter or refined and finished products)
in the 2007-2008 season, of which at least 50,000 tons will be sourced
in Ghana (shea trees occur in about two-thirds of the land area of Ghana).
Approximately 90-95% of these exports will be used to produce shea stearin
of which the majority will be used in the formulation of speciality fats
for use in edible products such as confectionery. Although the components
of speciality fats are not all globally traded commodities; demand and
prices is primarily dictated by the demand for, and supplies of, cocoa
butter and palm oil.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Following discussions with a number of experts in the cocoa industry and
with European regulation, vegetable stearin is no longer viewed as a competitor
to cocoa, but is now recognised as a ‘helper’ in the chocolate industry.
Non-cocoa butters help to smooth the economics of chocolate production,
allow cheaper products for developing new markets for cocoa and can increase
use of the lower value cocoa powder. Studies show that the EU directive,
allowing the use of up to 5% non-cocoa fats in products traded as ‘chocolate’,
has had little to no effect on exports and demands of either cocoa or the
allowable non cocoa butter vegetable fats and any increased trade in both
cocoa and vegetable stearin can only be attributable to increased global
demand (LMC International Ltd., 2006).</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The growing interest, demand and use of shea butter in the personal care
sector, particularly in natural cosmetics is now attributed to the growing
knowledge base and demand for this product by the industry and its consumers.
As noted by a number of large buyers in the U.S. industry – availability
of supplies in terms of quality, volume and price, has dramatically improved
in recent years, and they are no longer restricted to purchasing from a
limited number of European based suppliers but can more easily source directly
from a wide range of international and African based producers and exporters.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Given this increasing demand, coupled with its existing and traditional
position in the rural economy, shea butter has the potential to play a
major role in Sahel and Savannah poverty alleviation. Shea is also one
of the major tree species protected and managed in the traditional farmed
parklands of these eco-zones. As international ‘climate change’ concerns
grow, its role in environmental protection is without equal in areas such
as Northern Ghana.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
To meet this demand, new strategies for sourcing shea butter are being
sought by international buyers across the region. These range from procurement
of nuts directly from women pickers, from local middlemen or international
traders – for factory extraction and refining in Africa or abroad – to
the direct purchase from rural processors of high quality shea butter.
For this latter approach to be economically competitive, and still ensure
maximum value-addition at the community level, there is need to confront
and solve many new challenges. Of critical importance to ensure women’s
economic empowerment is the need to develop a new “business-orientated
mindset” and encourage improvements to quality control and organisational
structure in order to meet the stringent demands of the international market.
The prospect of effectively achieving this goal has never been closer,
but the window of opportunity is narrow.</font>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>21.
Truffles: Giant truffle sets record price</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: BBC News, UK, 2 December 2007</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">One of the biggest truffles found in decades
has fetched $330,000 (£165,000) at an auction held simultaneously in Macau,
London and Florence. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
A Macau casino owner, Stanley Ho, made the record-breaking bid for the
white truffle, which weighed 1.5kg (3.3lb). </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Luciano Savini and his son found the highly-prized fungus after it was
dug up by his truffle dog near Pisa, northern Italy, last week. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
He said he was overwhelmed by the high price paid for his discovery. "The
biggest truffle of the century and the most expensive truffle of the century.
There are no more words to say - it is all very beautiful." </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
All proceeds from the auction were donated to charities.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For full story, please see: </font><a href=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7123414.stm><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7123414.stm</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>COUNTRY INFORMATION</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>22.
Afghanistan: Hope from honey</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: ReliefWeb (press release), Switzerland,
6 December 2007</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Both Sohaila Khan, 25, and Maa Begum, 50,
lived in extreme poverty in northern Afghanistan. It was a constant struggle
to feed themselves and their children. "There was no light at the
end of the tunnel," says Sohaila.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Until July 2006.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
"We didn't even have a small piece of land where we could grow food
for ourselves," says Maa Begum. For years her eldest son tried in
vain to provide for nine family members with a monthly income of merely
$54. He was the only one who was lucky enough to be able to find a job.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
A couple of months after Sohaila’s wedding, her husband, Ahmad Khan, was
forced to leave her to look for work in Iran.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The two families were considered some of the poorest and most vulnerable
in their villages. So when Mission East started the agriculture project
in Badakhshan in northern Afghanistan, the local councils recommended Sohaila
and Maa as participants.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
So, in July 2006, together with 18 other poor women, they were provided
with a beehive, protection gear and training in honey production.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
In just one year the honey has turned their lives around.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
"This year, because of the honey, I have earned enough to send my
children to school. It is a miracle. I had given up hope of ever earning
my own money and being able to provide for my children," says Sohaila.
Maa proudly adds: "We can now afford to buy uniforms and books and
pay fees for our children to go to school. We can also afford food items
and soap for washing our children."</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Because of their own hard work Sohaila and Maa has been able to expand
their production with more beehives. This year Sohaila harvested 87 kilos
of honey. She sold 72 kilos at the local market and the money she earned
pays for food, clothes and other necessities for her family.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
She is truly grateful for the help and is now looking forward to the future:</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">"I wish to have five more beehives.
And I want to help women in my village to support themselves – just as
I have been helped."</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
There is a great demand for honey in Badakhshan in the northern Afghanistan
where Maa and Sohaila live. So great that the few beekeepers in the area
can’t meet the demand. That leaves a good opportunity for more people
to work their way out of poverty if they are taught how to produce honey.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For full story, please see: </font><a href="http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/SSHN-79MHEG?OpenDocument"><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/SSHN-79MHEG?OpenDocument</u></font></a>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>23.
Bhutan: Medicinal plants spell millions</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: Kuensel, Bhutan, 17 December 2007</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Medicinal plants like chirata, pipla (<i>Piper
longum</i>) and tsoe (<i>Rubia cordifolia</i>) found in Bhutan’s forests
could soon find their way to markets in India, according to officials of
the agriculture marketing services. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Chirata, found mainly in Shingkhar Lauri in Samdrup Jongkhar, improves
appetite, fights worms and cures cough, anaemia, fever and gonorrhoea.
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Pipla, found mainly in Zhemgang, has special medicinal values to cure cold,
cough and fever, while tsoe, found in abundance across the country, is
useful in skin infections, ulcers, inflammations and other skin diseases.
It also has anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic action,
according to officials. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
“There are some companies in India, which have need of these plants to
produces ayurvedic medicines,” said the chief marketing officer of the
agricultural marketing services, Sangye Chewang. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Like cordyceps, export of these medicinal plants will enhance and facilitate
rural income generation, said Sangye Chewang. “Only communities in the
remote areas of Shingkhar Lauri and Zhemgang will be allowed to pick and
sell them to Bhutanese exporters, who will then export the plants to India.”
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Sangye Chewang said that, by January next year, about 15 metric tonnes
(MT) each of chirata, pipla and tsoe will be exported on a commercial scale
annually. “We’ve have chosen an exporter but have yet to visit the places
to help organise community groups and sell these plants.” </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Initial rates have been fixed at Nu 110 a kg for chirata, pipla at Nu 50
a kg and tsoe at Nu 10 a kg, depending on their abundance and difficulty
in obtaining from the wild. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
“It’s expected to generate more than Nu 2 million a year,” said Sangye
Chewang. “That amount is just to begin with, the market is huge, and the
question is whether our supply will meet the demand.” </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The companies require between 5,000 and 11,000 kg of these plants a month.
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Interested companies in India, Singapore and America have placed orders
for some 30 species of plants, some of which are still being identified
and assessed by the department of forest for sustainability. “They even
want rhododendrons, pepper (thengnye) and soap-nut, which are found in
our country,” he said. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Officials of the agricultural marketing services recently sent a sample
of star anise (Dhomlee shee), found in Dochula and Lamperi, to be studied
for a cure for Avian Flu as was deemed by scientists in America.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For full story, please see: </font><a href="http://www.kuenselonline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=9562"><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>http://www.kuenselonline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=9562</u></font></a>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>24.
Brazil: Getting back to nature: Brazil’s Natura uses plants to cut carbon</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: ClimateChangeCorp.com, London,
UK, 28 November 2007</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Brazilian cosmetics company Natura is investing
in forests and plant technology in its bid to become carbon neutral. Oliver
Balch reports.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Natura, Brazil’s largest cosmetics company, is set to become the first
large Latin American company to make its entire operations carbon neutral
from 2008. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Natura, known as “The Body Shop of Latin America” for its use of natural
products, estimates it can cut 33% of its current greenhouse gas emissions
(GHG) by 2012 and offset the rest. It hopes that investment in low-carbon
technologies will enable it to make further reductions from 2012. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The company’s current direct and indirect GHG emissions measure 270,000
tonnes of CO<sub>2</sub> equivalent per annum, according to a recent inventory
of its whole value chain by Fabrica Etica, an independent Brazilian environment
consultancy. It measured emissions from Natura’s supply of raw materials
through to the disposal of its products.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The findings, published earlier this year, showed a 12% increase in emissions
from 2005 to 2006, owing to increased production. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The majority of emissions came from extraction of raw materials (78,000
tonnes of CO<sub>2</sub> equivalent per annum). A large amount also came
from packaging (66,000 tonnes) and final product disposal (37,000 tonnes).
Direct suppliers contributed to 43,000 tonnes.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
“There is lots of talk about carbon dioxide reductions… but few companies
are talking about their total impact in the supply chain,” says Daniel
Gonzaga, Natura’s director of research and technology. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The GHG reduction measures forecast by Natura include: replacing non-renewable
materials with plant-based materials (responsible for a third of all anticipated
emissions cuts); increasing recycled materials in its packaging; developing
biopolymer packaging with lower CO<sub>2</sub> emissions, and reducing
packaging size. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The Sao Paulo-based company also intends to phase in ethanol-based fuel
for its vehicle fleet and to slim down its printed product catalogue.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
In addition, Natura is investing heavily in eco-efficient product development.
Mr Gonzaga, who oversees a team of four scientists dedicated exclusively
to designing new eco-efficient products, says the company has “dozens
of projects in the pipeline”. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
He concedes, however, that the constraints of existing technology will
not enable Natura to reduce its entire carbon footprint without offsetting.
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The company, which also operates in Argentina, Peru, Chile, Mexico, Venezuela,
Colombia and France, has ruled out carbon credits. “There are cleverer
ways to offset these emissions by selecting projects that have a stronger
social contribution instead of buying credits,” Mr Gonzaga says. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Sustainable forestry projects in Brazil have been chosen as one of the
main elements of Natura’s offset strategy. Such projects will typically
include the reforestation of native tree species, coupled with agricultural
initiatives using traditional technologies. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The company also aims to develop an accounting mechanism for carbon capture
in its forest conservation projects.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Natura has already experimented with a similar approach through its Ekos
range, launched in 2000. This uses organically produced materials such
as cupuaçu butter, pupunha seeds, açaí pulp and Brazil nuts, all of which
are sourced directly from local communities in the Amazon and other environmentally
rich biomes. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Renewable energy will represent the second principal focus of Natura’s
offsetting efforts. Using the shell of Brazil nuts to generate clean energy,
rather than simply disposing of them, is an example of the sort of initiative
the company hopes to sponsor. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
For any new project, Natura has committed to use similar guidelines to
those required for the purchase and sale of carbon credits in the mandatory
market. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
To do so, it has created an internal evaluation system to assess the innovative
potential of possible compensation projects as well as their socio-environmental
profile. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Karen Suassuna, Climate Change analyst with WWF-Brazil, commends Natura’s
approach to cutting emissions. As a large and profitable Brazilian company,
she says, Natura is sending "an important message to the Brazilian
government which says that having carbon caps harms company interests."</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Mr Gonzaga stresses that the decision to go carbon neutral comes after
a “long track record” of environmental management dating back to the
start of the company in 1969.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
In 1983, for example, Natura committed to using recycled materials in its
packaging. With year-on-year increases, such materials now amount to 28.7%
of all packaging. Twenty years ago, Natura also began to sell refills.
The average weight of each refill is almost 54% less than that of regular
packaging. Since then, 2,200 fewer tonnes of packaging have been used.
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
In 2006, meanwhile, it introduced a line of soaps made exclusively from
plant-based ingredients rather than mineral-based ones, which include petroleum
derivatives. This year the company also created a pilot project to encourage
sales staff to start collecting packaging from their clients and send it
to recycling cooperatives. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
“We have an educational role to teach and to help consumers to understand
and verbalise the environmental aspects of our products,” Mr Gonzaga says.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Natura is extending its inventory system to the climate change impact of
each individual product line. It expects to start carbon labelling in late
2008, stating the number of grams of carbon created by the life cycle of
each product.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The company has also pledged to publish its performance on the carbon neutral
commitment. The audited information will appear in its annual sustainability
report, which Natura already produces in accordance with the Global Reporting
Initiative (www.globalreporting.org). </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
According to Mr Gonzaga, “the 33% emissions reduction estimate was made
on existing technology”. Developing new low-carbon technologies represents
Natura’s principal challenge, he says.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Useful links:</font><a href=http://www.natura.net/carbononeutro target=_blank><font size=2 face="Arial"><u>www.natura.net/carbononeutro</u></font></a><font size=2 face="Arial">;
</font><a href=http://www2.natura.net/Web/Br/Home/src target=_blank><font size=2 face="Arial"><u>http://www2.natura.net/Web/Br/Home/src</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For full story, please see: </font><a href="http://www.climatechangecorp.com/content.asp?ContentID=5031"><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>http://www.climatechangecorp.com/content.asp?ContentID=5031</u></font></a>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>25.
Canada saves the forest</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: E-The Environmental Magazine,
4 December 2007</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Canada’s federal government last week announced
that it is setting aside some 25.5 million acres of boreal forest and tundra
in its remote Northwest Territories province as conservation land off-limits
to development and resource extraction. The move comes as the country looks
for more ways to meet targets for reducing its carbon footprint as set
forth under the Kyoto Protocol, an international agreement Canada signed
onto in 1998 that aims to stave off global warming by requiring its 172
signatory nations to limit emissions of greenhouse gases. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
As the largest intact forest remaining on the planet, Canada’s boreal
region is one of the world’s largest “sinks” storing carbon dioxide
in trees’ woody material and the surrounding soils. Major logging and
resource extraction efforts in the region would release untold amounts
of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, in turn exacerbating the greenhouse
effect. The two huge swaths set aside last week, which resource extraction
industries have been eyeing as a potential motherlode, constitute a land
mass area about 11 times bigger than Yellowstone National Park. Besides
storing a lot of carbon, the newly protected conservation areas (near the
East Arm of Great Slave Lake and around the Ramparts River and wetlands)
teems with wildlife like bears, wolves, ducks, geese and migratory songbirds.
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Environmentalists cheered the announcement. “This is one of the largest
conservation actions in North American history,” said Steve Kallick, Boreal
Conservation Director for the Pew Environment Group. “Canada’s boreal
forest is one of the most important ecosystems on the planet and it’s
been neglected recently by conservationists, and it’s been under tremendous
pressure from resource development.” </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For full story, please see: </font><a href=http://www.emagazine.com/view/?3988><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>http://www.emagazine.com/view/?3988</u></font></a>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>26.
Costa Rica plants 5 million trees</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: Reuters UK, 6 December 2007</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Costa Rica, a leader in eco-tourism and home
to some of the world's rarest species, planted its 5 millionth tree of
2007 on Wednesday as it tries to put a brake on global warming.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
President Oscar Arias shovelled dirt onto the roots of an oak tree planted
in the grounds of his offices, reaching the milestone in the Central American
nation's efforts to ward off what some experts say are the first signs
of climate change.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
By the end of the year, Costa Rica will have planted nearly 6.5 million
trees, which should absorb 111,000 tons of carbon dioxide a year, Environment
Minister Roberto Dobles said.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The country aims to plant 7 million trees in 2008 as part of the newly
launched program.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Along with other green-minded nations like Norway and New Zealand, Costa
Rica is aiming to reduce its net carbon emissions to zero, and has set
a target date of 2021.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
"I don't know if we will end up being carbon neutral in 2021 as we
have proposed, but the important thing is the audacity of the goal and
the work we have to do," Arias said.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Costa Rica is a magnet for ecology-minded tourists who come to visit the
lush national parks and reserves that cover more than a quarter of the
country and are home to almost 5 percent of the world's plant and animal
species including exotic birds and frogs.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Over the last 20 years forest cover in Costa Rica has grown from 26 percent
of the national territory to 51 percent, though environmentalists complain
that loggers continue to cut down old trees and that the national park
system is under funded.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Costa Rican authorities have blamed the loss of more than a dozen amphibian
species, including the shiny yellow "golden toad," on higher
temperatures caused by global warming.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For full story, please see: </font><a href=http://uk.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUKN05959120071206><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>http://uk.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUKN05959120071206</u></font></a>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>27.
India: Patent rule change to aid biodiversity protection</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: Livemint, Delhi, India, 26 November
2007</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Mumbai: An October proposal at the Council
of Trade-Related aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, or TRIPS, of
the World Trade Organization (WTO) that suggested compulsory declaration
by patent applicants worldwide of the source of origin of any data related
to natural resources is expected to substantially help India to protect
its vast biodiversity and traditional knowledge from being exploited by
private organizations that don’t share the benefits with local communities
where the products originated.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The proposal, mooted by Peru and supported by several countries, including
India, Brazil and Tanzania, has now led to an amendment to the TRIPS rule.
A deadline for the amendment has also been extended to end-2009 as it requires
the ratification of about 100 countries. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Aysha Shoukat, a patent lawyer and an intellectual property rights activist
in Chennai, says: “Though India has been vigilant in legislating for the
patent protection of traditional knowledge and biological related inventions,
many herbs and formulations that constitute the country’s traditional
medicine were appropriated by the Western pharma and nutraceutical industry
without adequate compensation to the communities, which originally discovered
them.”</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
She points to the Naga Jolokia pepper, which originates from the Naga tribal
community, as one such example. “Since it has been found valuable for
its medicinal properties, a genetic testing was conducted on it to isolate
the responsible gene by a foreign institute,” she claims. “However, no
news thereafter of follow up or benefit and compensation to the Naga tribal
community has been discussed yet.”</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Jeevani, an energy drink developed from a green plant grown in the Agastyar
hills of Kerala, is also another case in point, she added. “In this case,
despite the granting of a patent for the product to the Tropical Botanical
Garden and Research Institute at Thiruvananthapuram, there are loopholes
in the system that allow circumvention and misappropriation of the traditional
knowledge pertaining to this patent by others.”</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The traditional knowledge of Jeevani belongs to a tribal community. New
York-based Nutrisciences Innovations LLC holds a trademark for this product,
which is commercially very successful in the US and Europe.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Similarly, several products, which have their quality or designs associated
with geographical origins in India, had also been used by commercial organizations
elsewhere without sharing the benefits with the communities who developed
them originally. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Shamnad Basheer, an associate at Oxford University’s IP Research Centre,
notes: “Though India has built in this provision for disclosures into
its patent regime as far back as 2002, unfortunately, there are no provisions
in the rules telling us as to what level of ‘disclosure’ would be sufficient
in this regard.”</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
“I’m not sure how many patent applicants comply with this provision,”
he says. “To the best of my knowledge, no patent application has been
opposed or revoked on the ground that it doesn’t disclose ‘biological
material’ or ‘traditional knowledge’. Therefore, one is not sure at
this stage whether or not this provision is being complied with by patentees.
One is also not sure if the patent office in India is really enforcing
this provision and checking that every application claiming biological
material is disclosing the source and origin.” </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For full story, please see: </font><a href="http://www.livemint.com/2007/11/26013807/Patent-rule-change-to-aid-biod.html"><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>http://www.livemint.com/2007/11/26013807/Patent-rule-change-to-aid-biod.html</u></font></a>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>28.
Indonesia: An innovative forest project in Indonesia creates alternatives
for illegal loggers</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: World Bank Group, Washington,
DC, USA, 7 December 2007</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Geumpang, Aceh, Do you know how much an illegal
logger earns for a tree? He makes Rupiah 500,000 ($53) per tree, taking
up to a week to cut it manually. How much does an illegal log seller earn
in a month? He makes at least IDR 20 million (over $2,146) in a month.
That’s a small fortune in a country where the average annual income is
$1,410.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
This is the irony that underwrites the poverty of many places where illegal
loggers live in this richly-forested region of Aceh: the loggers remain
poverty stricken, the dealers cash in. In Geumpang, Pidie, there are six
villages surrounding the pristine Ulu Masen rain forest. About 1,330 households
or about 5,548 people live in the area, and <i>at least half of them depend
on illegal logging practices for their livelihoods.</i> This is the challenge
a World Bank-supported pilot project, the People- Based Forest Management
Program, is trying to address.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
In Aceh, logging is a traditional occupation which, according to the environment
CSO Walhi, accounts every year for a decrease in forest cover in Aceh of
20,796 hectares. In 2006 however, deforestation hit a high of 374,327 hectares
forcing the Aceh Governor, Irwandi Yusuf, a veterinary who is also a committed
environmentalist, to announce a total moratorium on logging in Aceh’s
forests on 6 June 2007, for a period of 15 years.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The Governor, together with the Governor of Papua Barnabas Seubu, signed
a historic MoU, facilitated by the World Bank in Bali earlier this year,
to prevent deforestation in their provinces which contain the bulk of Indonesia’s
remaining rain forest cover.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Says the head of Geumpang sub-district, Muhammad Sabim: “I have asked
the villagers not to cut down any more trees. Some of them hear me because
they are afraid of being caught by the police.” The punishment is stiff:
up to 15 years in jail and a steep IDR 1.5 billion ($160,00) in fines and
a penalty for environmental damage caused by illegal logging of 10 years
imprisonment and IDR 500 million ($54,000) in fines.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
There are many around him who need to find a substitute now for lost logging
incomes. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The World Bank–administered US$635m Multidonor Fund for Aceh and Nias
(MDF) took up this challenge as part of its efforts to preserve the environment
from the demands of reconstruction. The MDF, in partnership with the NGO
Flora & Fauna International (FFI) and Leuser International Foundation
is implementing the Geumpang project as part of the $ 17.5 million </font><a href="http://web.worldbank.org/external/projects/main?pagePK=64283627&piPK=73230&theSitePK=40941&menuPK=228424&Projectid=P098052"><font size=2 color=#204e84 face="Arial"><u>Aceh
Forest Environment Project</u></font></a><font size=2 face="Arial"> to create
public awareness of 2.3 million hectares Leuser and Ulu Masen forests,
the largest contiguous forest area in Southeast Asia. Those living in and
around the forests are also encouraged to know their rights to get optimal
use from forest resources.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">The People-Based Forest Management Program
focuses on two main projects: forest and village borders mapping and commercialization
of forest products.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The mapping clearly demarcates borders between forests and the six village
habitations to help monitor encroachments and create forest zoning. Mahdi
Ismail, of FFI says, “We help people to understand that they are not forbidden
to utilize the forests, but they must preserve it by not clearing new land
and they should plant a tree for every tree they cut.” </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Geumpang is famous both for its wood, and non-wood products such as rattan
grasses, honey, etc while the Ulu Masen forest is famous for its rich biodiversity
including the Sumatran tiger, elephants, and hundreds of species of birds.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Banta who helps FFI run the program as a facilitator said, “We support
this program; we now know that we are not forbidden to utilize the forest,
as long as we are not damaging it. We also know this is important if we
want to have clean water sources in the future.”</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Illegal logging practices in Aceh have long involved elements of the state’s
law enforcement bodies so, “This program involves the people, local governments,
the police, Army and an ex-combatant’s organisation in developing businesses
using forest products,” says the head of Geumpang Sub-District, Muhammad
Nur.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The challenge is enormous. According to Greenomics Indonesia and WWF estimates
Aceh needs 814,000 to 1.58 million m3 of round timber per year during the
five year reconstruction process. Doing this sustainably is challenging
when a legal log is sold at Rp 6-7million ($630-730) per cubic mt, whereas
an illegal log is sold for Rp 4-5 ($430-530) million per meter cubic.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
“We want to help the Acehnese preserve their forest,” said Mikko Ollikainen,
Environment Program Specialist, World Bank, Aceh. “Through this MDF-supported
program, we are creating awareness of the importance of forests for future
generations which should not be forgotten for the short-term needs of reconstruction,
however important they are,” he explained.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For full story, please see: </font><a href="http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/NEWS/0,,contentMDK:21576161~pagePK:34370~piPK:34424~theSitePK:4607,00.html"><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/NEWS/0,,contentMDK:21576161~pagePK:34370~piPK:34424~theSitePK:4607,00.html</u></font></a>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>29.
Jamaica: Young scientist of the year working to establish 'Jamaica-pharma'</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: Jamaica Observer, Jamaica, 2 December
2007</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Jamaicans have valued local plants for their
medicinal properties for hundreds of years. However, what the country has
been less successful at, despite this wealth of natural resources, is converting
the plants into pharmaceutical drugs.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Recently awarded the Scientific Research Council (SRC)/Jamaica Public Service
Company (JPS) Young Scientist of the Year, Seymour Webster is taking Jamaica
closer to realising a local pharmaceutical industry. The 39-year-old College
of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE) lecturer will apply for a
United States patent to protect his process to biosynthesise diapbenzyltrisulphide
(DTP) in a laboratory.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
But what is the significance of his work?</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
DTP is an extract of guinea hen weed, which according to ongoing testing
by the SRC's Dr Lawrence Williams, has anti-cancer properties and can boost
the human body's production of T-cells and Dendritic cells, which can help
the human immune system fight the HIV virus.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
"It's a very common plant throughout Jamaica," explains Webster,
picking some of the weed from the car park at the University of the West
Indies (UWI) Mona Biotechnology Centre. "People in the country have
been using it to make bush tea to treat headaches and colds for sometime
so we knew it had medicinal properties, which is why Dr Williams started
work on it."</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
However, when DTP is extracted from the plant itself, there are insufficient
quantities to make production of the drug commercially viable.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
"What has been inhibiting us from making chemicals from the plants
is how do you deal with the quantity issue? We are a country of samples
and the question for us is how we can get from that (samples) to actual
production," said Dr Sylvia Mitchell, Webster's doctoral supervisor
at the Biotechnology Centre.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Webster's biosynthesis is one answer to that problem. Having begun work
in 2004, his process can produce DTP at a quantity approximately 300 times
more than when extracted directly from the plant, which can help Williams
and his colleagues, University of Hohenheim in Germany, capitalise on their
discovery.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
William has been researching DTP for twenty years, but is yet to begin
human testing.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Webster is confident in the value of his discovery, given the billions
of US dollars spent worldwide each year, treating cancer and HIV patients.
He wants to start his own laboratory, should his discovery prove commercially
successful.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
"There is a new breed of patients who want drugs, but they want natural
drugs; the closest to being organic and they are willing to pay money for
that," he adds.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Funding has been an inevitable stumbling block and might have ended his
work altogether were it not for support from the SRC, Dr Williams and sponsorship
from Jamaica Broilers.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Jamaica's nascent pharmaceutical industry deserves more support, he believes,
pointing to the example of Dr Henry Lowe and research partner Dr Joseph
Bryant of the University of Maryland Institute of Human Virology (IHV),
who are negotiating with international pharmaceutical companies to produce
anti-cancer drugs based on compounds he found in two native plants.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Webster points to the example of the periwinkle plant, which was being
tested at UWI during the 1950s by researchers searching for a treatment
for diabetes.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
They sent samples to their research partners in Canada for further testing.
The Canadians conducted holistic test on periwinkle - the result being
that they earned patents for the anti-cancer drugs Vinblastine and Vincristine.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The discovery and profit were lost to Jamaica. Not again, hopes Webster.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For full story, please see: </font><a href="http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/Business/html/20071201T170000-0500_129956_OBS_YOUNG_SCIENTIST_OF_THE_YEAR_WORKING_TO_ESTABLISH__JAMAICA_PHARMA_.asp"><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/Business/html/20071201T170000-0500_129956_OBS_YOUNG_SCIENTIST_OF_THE_YEAR_WORKING_TO_ESTABLISH__JAMAICA_PHARMA_.asp</u></font></a>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>30.
Philippines: Pandan prop roots found suitable for handicrafts</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: Philippine Information Agency,
Philippines, 3 December 2007</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Quezon City -- Handicraft producers may now
use pandan prop roots for baskets - thanks to a study of the Department
of Science and Technology's Forest Products Research and Development Institute
(DOST-FPRDI). </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
"Of the 40 Pandanus species in the Philippines, those with specialized
prop roots can be tapped as an alternative material for handicrafts. These
species are sabotan (<i>Pandanus odoratissimus</i>) from Occidental Mindoro,
<i>Pandanus alasas</i> from Zambales and <i>Pandanus pangdan</i> from Ilocos
Norte. They are widely distributed in the country," says FPRDI researcher
Simplicia B. Katigbak. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Katigbak found that chemically treated prop roots from the three species
were highly resistant to the attack of fungi and powder-post beetles. Stripped
samples were dipped in 0.2% thiocyanomethylthio-benzothiozole (TCMTB) fungicide
and 0.1% Deltamethrin insecticide, and then dried to 18% moisture content.
The material was also pliable - it could be easily woven into a 23.40-cm
long, 17.78 cm-wide and 9.52-cm deep jewellery box costing PhP 38.28 on
a laboratory scale. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The Philippines is one of the world leaders in handicraft production, with
exports averaging US$676,832,244M from 2001-2002. Our handicrafts are chiefly
made from non-timber raw materials such as rattan, bamboo abaca, buri,
woody vines and pandan. Pandan is popular due to its varied uses. Its leaves
are woven into mats, hats and baskets. Likewise, its prominent prop roots
are made into thread, rope for fishing lines, and tying and plating material
for chairs. "If moderately harvested, the use of prop roots for handicrafts
will not affect the plant's growth," according to Katigbak. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Katigbak's study was adjudged third best poster among 19 entries in the
recent 20th Southern Tagalog Agriculture and Resources Research and Development
Consortium (STARRDEC) Symposium on R&D Highlights held at the University
of Rizal System, Main Campus, Tanay, Rizal. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
For more information on the results of this study, please contact FPRDI
at tel. no. (0063-49) 536-2377, email: fprdi@laguna.net or visit: </font><a href=http://www.uplb.edu.ph/fprdi><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>http://www.uplb.edu.ph/fprdi</u></font></a><font size=2 face="Arial">.
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For full story, please see: </font><a href="http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p071203.htm&no=18"><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p071203.htm&no=18</u></font></a>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>31.
Philippines: Malunggay in the city - Urban farmers can grow wonder tree</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: Inquirer.net, Philippines, 1 December
2007</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Manila – Fighting hunger, poverty and malnutrition
could start with something as simple as growing a tree.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The Department of Agriculture yesterday led the launching of “Malunggay
in the City,” an urban farming program designed to empower poor communities
in Metro Manila.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
A joint project of the DA, Aktibong Kapatiran Tungo sa Iisang Bayan and
the Asian Center for Grassroots Communication and Advocacy, the program
aims to promote the backyard planting of malunggay or moringa (ben oil
tree) in the city.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The DA has already identified 14 barangays in five cities and one municipality
in Metro Manila as pilot areas for the project.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said this program will also be launched
soon in urban poor communities of Metro Iloilo, Metro Davao, Metro Naga
and other metropolitan areas in the country, including Zamboanga del Norte.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Through the program, these communities will receive malunggay seedlings
from the DA which they can plant in their backyards or any available land
plot in their barangays.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The program can help towns achieve a better quality of life and better
health because of the crop’s outstanding nutritional and medicinal value,
the DA said, adding that it can likewise help create greener urban communities.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The planting of malunggay will initially be carried out in 12 Metro areas
including Barangays Commonwealth, Payatas and Pinyahan in Quezon City;
Bagong Silang, Camarin, Tala Bukid Area and Malaria in Caloocan City; Addition
Hills in Mandaluyong City; San Antonio in Makati City; Barangka and Parang
in Marikina City and Sta. Ana in the municipality of Pateros.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Malunggay leaves are naturally rich in vitamins C and A, calcium, protein,
iron and potassium and are also used for medicinal purposes.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For full story, please see: </font><a href="http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/metro/view_article.php?article_id=104150"><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/metro/view_article.php?article_id=104150</u></font></a>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>32.
Rwanda: The science behind moringa</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: </b></font><a href=http://www.newtimes.co.rw/><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><b><u>The
New Times</u></b></font></a><font size=2 face="Arial"><b> (Kigali), 3 December
2007</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">They're calling it a miracle tree. Moringa
is all the agricultural rage in Rwanda now that the government has funded
the planting of 400,000 trees in cooperation with the World Food Programme.
The recent joint initiative comes on the heels of several investments in
moringa by many of Rwanda's African neighbours.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The plant is said to be an incredible source of energy, excellent feed
for livestock, a powerful antibiotic, and a miracle medical cure. It almost
seems too good to be true.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Indeed, there are researchers who have said that some of the incredible
claims as to moringa's health benefits warrant further study.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
"There has been a lot of hype on moringa," says John Kendall,
a Canadian researcher studying the plant's ecological potential.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
While there is not sufficient evidence to back up every single claim that's
been made about the plant, many of them are supported by research that
points to a science of moringa that's tried and true.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Juvenal Kanani, deputy dean of agriculture at the National University of
Rwanda, says that moringa's potential as a source of food is largely related
to its high concentrations of nitrogen. "It's an element that constitutes
muscle tissue and it's also an element that helps with protein synthesis,"
he says, explaining that nitrogen-rich food has an even greater impact
on the health of livestock.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
"For monogastric animals like humans, nitrogen is very important;
but ruminants like cows, sheep, and goats, can use nitrogen even more."
Kanani also points to concentrations of carotene to explain moringa's reputation
for having great nutritional value.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
"When you analyse it for vitamins, you can find signs [that it contains
much] carotene," he says. Carotene was proven to ward off cognitive
decline in a study at Harvard Medical School last year. Kanani says it
also helps the body synthesize vitamin A, which is essential in maintaining
ocular health and a strong immune system.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
In a recent report from The Philippines' Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI),
researchers claim that moringa leaves contain four times the amount of
vitamin A found in a carrot.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
But the scientific support for moringa's nutritional benefits doesn't end
there. Kanani says the plant also contains a lot of calcium and phosphorous.
Kanani adds that breastfeeding mothers who ingest moringa have even been
found to produce better quality milk as a result of increased calcium in
their diet. The BPI report found that moringa leaves contain the calcium
equivalent of four glasses of milk.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Phosphorous, meanwhile, helps the body process calcium more efficiently.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
"When phosphorous [levels] are not high enough, animals can not [process]
calcium very well," says Kanani.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Moreover, phosphorous deficiencies can be dangerous and are commonly seen
in malnourished patients. They can cause muscle-growth problems and low
white blood cell counts that leave people physically weak and unable to
recover from illnesses.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Not only does moringa help strengthen the immune system, it also can act
to prevent illness. A 2004 report from Switzerland's University of Lausanne
found an as-yet undiscovered chain of amino acids in moringa seeds that
suggest the plant has antibiotic properties in addition to health benefits.
Researchers placed the amino acids in isolation with e. coli bacteria and
watched as they killed off bacteria cells.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
"Moringa seed kernels, pounded into a powder, can be mixed with even
very turbid water and, after stirring it for ten minutes, all the particles
in the water will coagulate, binding together, and sink to the bottom,"
explains Lowell Fuglie, an American moringa expert working with the Global
Initiative for the Advancement of Nutritional Therapy.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
"Since the bacteria in the water are attached to the particles, the
result is clear water up to 98% free of bacteria."</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Fuglie says there may even be a scientific basis to recent claims that
it can help patients living with HIV. Some researchers have written this
off as rumour, but Fuglie suggests they may have dismissed the idea too
quickly. He says there's a lot of research yet to be done.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
"The high selenium content in moringa leaves is a subject demanding
research, as selenium seems to have a very significant impact on reducing
the effects," he says.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">"Studies have shown that HIV patients
given moringa leaf powder every day did enjoy greater appetites and weight
gain."</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For full story, please see: </font><a href=http://allafrica.com/stories/200712030889.html><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>http://allafrica.com/stories/200712030889.html</u></font></a>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>33.
Sierra Leone: Project saves Gola rainforest from logging</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom,
10 December 2007</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">A huge swathe of African rainforest has been
saved from destruction in a pioneering protection scheme.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The 75,000 hectare Gola Forest is to become Sierra Leone's second national
park and has been bought in a flagship conservation project to protect
it from logging and diamond mining.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The forest, close to the Liberian border, will become the focal point of
a new national park network with local people being paid to protect it
rather than exploit it.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The scheme is being jointly funded by the European Commission, the French
government, the RSPB and US-based Conservation International.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Alistair Gammell, International Director for the RSPB, said: "We are
helping the government turn a logging forest into a protected forest. It
is owned by Sierra Leone and we are working with the Sierra Leonean people
to conserve the area, which has rarely been done before.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
"Huge amounts of carbon will be saved and the site is an excellent
example to those now involved in climate talks in Bali. It is showing how
richer countries can help poorer countries protect wildlife, support local
communities and tackle climate change.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
"It is a project that politicians in Bali seeking to cut the world's
carbon emissions should be lauding, applauding and copying."</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Sierra Leone's President Ernest Bai Koroma is expected to officially endorse
plans for the national park which will help protect more than 50 mammal
species including leopards, chimps and forest elephants, 2,000 different
plants and 274 species of bird of which 14 are close to extinction.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The European Commission and French government are contributing more than
£3 million towards the training of more than 100 staff to patrol Gola's
boundaries, monitor wildlife and run education programmes.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Scientists will be encouraged to study the wildlife of the area which is
expected to become a hub for eco-tourism in the country.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
At the same time, a £6 million trust fund is being established to pay the
park's running costs and the annual payments to local communities, representing
more than 100,000 people. The RSPB and Conservation International have
paid about £1m each into the fund.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The forest project is the second the RSPB is involved with. It is also
working with other conservation groups in </font><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml;jsessionid=O2AXFWZCDCXZTQFIQMGSFFOAVCBQWIV0?xml=/earth/2007/12/07/eaforest107.xml"><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>a
protection scheme in the Harapan Rainforest in Sumatra</u></font></a><font size=2 face="Arial">
where they have halted deforestation by buying the site's logging rights.
The groups spent several years lobbying for a change in Indonesian laws
to enable the Harapan project to go ahead. Alistair Gammell said: "In
Sumatra, we are helping to rehabilitate the forest because most of it has
been logged at some stage. Gola is different because much more of the area
is primary rainforest and other areas have not been logged for more than
30 years. Without this project, the forest would have been destroyed within
10 years because Sierra Leone needs funds for its development."</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
President Koroma is planning to establish six more national parks in Sierra
Leone to develop tourism as the country recovers from the civil war of
the 1990s.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Sierra Leone is one of the poorest countries in Africa and was wracked
by the civil war from 1991-2002.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The war was financed largely by illegal diamond mining and even now, little
of the profit from diamond sales reaches government coffers so little is
available for education and infrastructure.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Work with the Conservation Society of Sierra Leone to protect Gola began
15 years ago but was suspended during the civil war. A major aim of the
project is to boost the long-term development of local communities whilst
conserving the environment at the same time.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Graham Wynne, Chief Executive of the RSPB, said: "Protecting Gola
as a national park reflects the foresight of the Sierra Leone government
and with time, Gola forest and the other parks will give the country something
very special to shout about.”There are few places in the world where you
will find such diversity. Gola is a magical place and it is worth saving
simply because it is there."</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For full story, please see: </font><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2007/12/10/eagola110.xml"><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2007/12/10/eagola110.xml</u></font></a>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b> </b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>34.
South Africa: Traditional medicines face threat </b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: Business Day, South Africa, 6
December 2007</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Unfettered hunting and gathering is threatening
the future of the African traditional medicines industry, according to
research commissioned by the Health Systems Trust. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Demand for African traditional remedies has
never been stronger, says researcher Myles Mander, who co-authored an economic
study of African traditional medicines for the trust’s latest annual health
review. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Rapid urbanisation, the emergence of HIV/AIDS and high levels of unemployment
have helped fuel demand for the services of traditional healers, who invoke
the assistance of ancestors and spirits to complement the remedies they
prescribe. They typically pay more attention to the interplay between mind,
body and spirit in healing patients, suggesting that their services are
in high demand during times of uncertainty.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Mander’s research has found African traditional medicines are used by
seven out of 10 black South Africans, from all walks of life. Many patients
will use the services of traditional healers in conjunction with western
medicine, particularly for chronic conditions. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
It is hard to put a precise figure on the use of traditional medicines,
but Mander estimates about 27-million South Africans use these remedies,
driving a R2,9bn annual trade in plant and animal materials.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
While there has been slow but steady progress in drafting laws to regulate
traditional healers and the services they provide, the government appears
to have put far less energy into ensuring there is a sustainable supply
of the ingredients required for traditional medicines, he says. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
There is almost no commercial cultivation of African medicinal plants.
Economic interests have eroded customary controls and material is freely
harvested from the wild. More than 20 000 tons of material from 770 medicinal
plant species are collected from the wild each year, providing employment
to more than 66 000 harvesters and traders. By contrast, less than 50 tons
of medicinal plants are cultivated a year. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
As a result, highly prized indigenous plants such as African wild ginger
and the pepper bark tree have been harvested to the brink of extinction.
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The increasing scarcity is reflected in the increasing time that harvesters
have to take to find popular plants, and in the rising prices, the research
shows.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The problem is not confined to SA’s floral heritage. Demand for animal
parts is threatening several species, including bushbabies, the African
python, monitor lizards, dwarf chameleons and vultures.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Research by Mander and the Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife Trust found
that about 160 vultures were sold each year in eastern SA and their parts
were used in almost 60000 healing events. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
“What we need is a big government project that works across all the silos,
like Working for Water,” says Mander, referring to the government’s programme
to combat alien plants in SA.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
He believes that the government needs to create e more incentives to encourage
investors. One of the reasons so few farmers are interested in cultivating
medicinal plants on a large scale is the dearth of processing factories,
he says, arguing this would be an ideal area to support them. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Overharvesting does not just damage the environment. It also poses risks
to consumers who may fall foul of unscrupulous dealers. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
SA’s legislators have taken the first steps towards regulating the sector.
Last month, Parliament passed the Traditional Healers Bill, which requires
only President Thabo Mbeki’s signature to bring it into effect. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
It paves the way for a Traditional Healers Council which will oversee the
profession, in a similar vein to the Complementary and Allied Health Practitioners
Association. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
“This will give patients confidence that when they go to a registered
practitioner, they are assured certain standards (are met),” says Nceba
Gqaleni, deputy dean of the Nelson Mandela Medical School at the University
of KwaZulu-Natal, and a contributor to the review.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Gqaleni estimates that there are about 183000 African traditional healers
practising in SA. Regulating their activities is going to be a long and
challenging job, </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Gqaleni says, suggesting it may take decades before SA finds a way to integrate
this indigenous knowledge with western medicine. “Unlike India and China,
where the monasteries started recording traditional medicine thousands
of years ago, a lot of our traditional African knowledge is still only
in the heads of our most experienced healers,” he says.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For full story, please see: </font><a href="http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/national.aspx?ID=BD4A651500"><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/national.aspx?ID=BD4A651500</u></font></a>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>35.
Uganda: Local herbalists call for support</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: </b></font><a href=http://www.busiweek.com/><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><b><u>East
African Business Week</u></b></font></a><font size=2 face="Arial"><b> (Kampala),
3 December 2007</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Herbalists in Uganda have called on government
to enact legislation to protect their intellectual property rights over
medicinal plants.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The director Bamutaasa herbal joint research clinic, Dr. Daudah Mayanja
said recently that if such a law was put in place, it would enhance the
growth of natural medicine. He said presently herbalists don't want to
share information about the herbs they use to cure different ailments because
of fear of losing of property rights. He also called on the government
to promote research in natural herbs and medicine to make herbal concoctions
safer.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Ugandan herbalists are capable of making concoctions that treat a wide
range of ailments including cancer, diabetes, and other complications.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Bamutaasa group has so far integrated both herbal and modern medicine.
"Before we treat a patient we first carry out blood test to find out
what ailments they are suffering from and then decide on the best herbs
to give them, and in the right dosage," he said.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Bamutaasa is currently working with a South African based World Medicine
Joint Clinical Research (WMJCR) to improve on the standards of herbal medicine
in the country. The group also has partnerships with modern medicine doctors
to promote the safety and ethical use of herbs.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For full story, please see: </font><a href=http://allafrica.com/stories/200712031458.html><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>http://allafrica.com/stories/200712031458.html</u></font></a>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>36.
Uganda: Japan govt funds bark-cloth project</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: New Vision, Uganda, 6 December
2007</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">THE Japanese government has funded a $90,000
project to modernise and popularise the use of bark-cloth in Uganda. According
to the Uganda National Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the project, to be set up in Mpigi,
will encourage massive planting of fig trees for environmental and economic
benefits. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The cloth is made from the bark of fig trees. The commonly used species
is called <i>Mutuba</i> in Luganda. Its scientific name is <i>Ficus natalensis</i>.
Others are <i>Ntawebwa, Ntessa, Kabindi/Butana, Nabujji, Namweluka, Ennembe,
Ntakile</i> and <i>Katana</i>. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The bark is stripped off a living tree, which soon regenerates another
bark. The fibrous material is beaten with grooved mallets to make it thin,
flat and flexible before being dried. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
“We want to revitalise and promote the sharing of knowledge on bark-cloth
making,” said the UNESCO secretary general, Augustine Omare Okurut, during
the launch of the project at the National Theatre and Cultural Centre in
Kampala.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For full story, please see: </font><a href=http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/19/600800><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/19/600800</u></font></a>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>37.
Uganda plans to boost forest cover</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: Reuters in ENN News, 5 December
2007</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Kampala - Uganda will plant millions of trees
in the next four years at a cost of $253 million, as it tries to restore
dwindling forest cover to 30 percent of its area from 22 percent, the government
said on Wednesday.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Like many African countries, Uganda suffers from rampant deforestation
that dries up rivers, triggers soil erosion and threatens wildlife, especially
birds and primates.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
But officials in the east African country also want the massive tree planting
exercise to establish a recognized carbon sink that would enable it to
earn credits on mechanisms set up to help countries meet their CO2 emissions
targets.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For full story, please see: </font><a href=http://www.enn.com/ecosystems/article/26569><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>http://www.enn.com/ecosystems/article/26569</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>NEWS</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>38.
EU study to explore economics of biodiversity loss</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: Linkages Update, 13 December 2007</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b> </b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">An EU study has been launched to support
the development of cost-effective policy responses to biodiversity loss.
Initiated by the German Presidency of the EU in March 2007 at the G8+5
summit of environment ministers in Potsdam, with a proposal to “initiate
the process of analysing the global economic benefit of biological biodiversity,
the costs of the loss of biodiversity and the failure to take protective
measures versus the cost of effective conservation,” and modelling the
Stern Review on the economics of climate change, the first phase of the
study is expected to review relevant scientific and economic knowledge
and case studies, providing indications of the range of costs and benefits
related to biodiversity loss. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
In this regard, the European Commission has launched a six-week-long call
for evidence on the economics of biodiversity loss (<b>deadline is 31 December
2007</b>). All interested stakeholders in Europe and worldwide, including
government, academic, private sector, scientific, NGO and other experts,
are invited to submit contributions.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For full story, please see: </font><a href=http://www.iisd.ca/media/biodiversity_wildlife.htm#study><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>http://www.iisd.ca/media/biodiversity_wildlife.htm#study</u></font></a>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>39.
Having the climate cake and eating it, too</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: Science Daily (press release),
USA, 30 November 2007</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Is it possible to solve climate change, reduce
poverty and save biodiversity at a single stroke? It might seem like a
dream, but this is exactly the issue that is being discussed at the United
Nations Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC) in Bali 3-14 December 2007.
The key is to include reduced emissions from deforestation and degradation
(REDD) in the Kyoto Protocol so that developing countries can be compensated
for saving their forests and woodlands.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
A recent paper in the <i>African Journal of Ecology</i> points out that
the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates that 20-25%
of current annual carbon emissions result from loss of tropical forest.
This has prompted efforts to renegotiate climate change policy to include
REDD so that tropical forest nations can claim compensation for sustainable
management of their natural forest resources. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
But not all tropical countries are pushing for an agreement and many African
countries do not appear to be participating in the discussion. Eliakimu
Zahabu from the Sokoine University of Agriculture in Tanzania and lead
author on the paper suggests that "The lack of African action might
be partly because estimation of carbon emission from the forest sector
has been based on forest areas cleared entirely, i.e. deforestation, but
excludes the small-scale degradation processes common in African dry forests".
This means that the concepts for lowering carbon emissions from developing
countries that have been worked out under the climate change agreements
need rethinking. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Dr Margaret Skutsch, from the University of Twente in the Netherlands,
has been studying the problem for five years "Degradation is often
a different process with different drivers and needs a different instrument
in Kyoto" she says, and adds "for African countries to benefit
from the new policy, they need to support the idea of reduced emissions
from controlling degradation in a way that reflects African realities,
and to do this they need to engage in the debate."</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Taking Tanzania as an example, Zahabu estimates that the country could
earn $630 million annually or $119 per rural household, from the REDD policy.
Prof. Jon Lovett, an expert on Tanzania biodiversity and associate editor
of the <i>African Journal of Ecology</i>, points out that "the biggest
problem in tropical forest management is paying for it: to date the preferred
option has been to remove the valuable timber without any post-logging
care, and then the process of degradation starts. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
A REDD policy would change that so that forest managers could conserve
both carbon and biodiversity, it would be an unbelievable break-through."
In addition, poverty alleviation isn't just about direct payments for carbon.
Prof. Lovett continues "Forests, particularly the dry forests which
cover so much of Africa, are essential for people's livelihoods, producing
medicines, honey, food, forage, rope, just about anything you can imagine.
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Community based forest management supported by Kyoto payments would be
central to poverty reduction." A simple change in policy thus has
the potential to have a triple solution: carbon sequestration, biodiversity
conservation and poverty reduction. This looks a lot like being able to
have our cake and eating it too, providing that the meeting at Bali can
move towards reaching an agreement.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For full story, please see: </font><a href=http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071129121123.htm><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071129121123.htm</u></font></a>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>40.
New study finds biodiversity conservation secures ecosystem services for
people</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: ENN News, 5 December 2007</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Arlington, Virginia – Healthy ecosystems
that provide people with essential natural goods and services often overlap
with regions rich in biological diversity, underscoring that conserving
one also protects the other, according to a new study. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Titled Global Conservation of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, the
report confirms the value of making biological diversity a priority for
conservation efforts. It shows that more than 70 percent of the world’s
highest priority areas for biodiversity conservation also contain significant
value in ecosystem services such as fresh water, food, carbon storage,
storm buffers and other natural resources that sustain human life and support
social and economic development.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Scientists from Conservation International (CI), the Gund Institute for
Ecological Economics at the University of Vermont, and the Global Environment
Facility found that the value of ecosystem services in the 7 percent of
the planet of greatest biodiversity conservation priority was more than
double the global average. Overall, the annual value of the world’s ecosystem
services is estimated at $33 trillion, or greater than the gross national
product of all nations combined.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
“This paper clearly shows that in many places in the world, strategies
targeted at conserving threatened biodiversity also help protect ecosystems,
thereby improving human well-being and alleviating poverty,” said Thomas
M. Brooks, CI senior director for conservation synthesis and one of the
paper’s authors.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The report, published in the November 2007 issue of BioScience magazine,
proposes conservation strategies that protect both biological diversity
and ecosystem services to increase the efficiency of dollars and efforts
spent. It identifies tropical forests as places of particularly high overlap
of priorities because of their biological diversity and ecosystem services
essential to the welfare of many of the world’s 1 billion people living
in extreme poverty. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Significantly, there are many opportunities for conserving both species
and ecosystem services together, especially in the Amazon Basin, the Congo
Basin, Madagascar, Borneo and New Guinea. Protecting these intact forests
is critical to reducing emissions from deforestation in developing countries
while also supporting the livelihoods of traditional and indigenous peoples.
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
With climate change recognized as the greatest environmental threat facing
the planet, the study provides a timely reminder that investments to maintain
healthy ecosystems and their restorative powers is cost effective for biodiversity,
the livelihoods of local people and economic development, and as a way
to protect the CO2 stored in these areas from release. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
“Protecting intact tropical forests is critical for reducing emissions
from deforestation in developing countries,” said Will R. Turner, a CI
ecologist who also was an author of the paper. “We need to conserve these
forests for the benefit of local populations and the world as a whole.”</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Restoring destroyed forests also is necessary to help damaged habitat recover,
ensure the persistence of species, and restore critical ecosystem services,
particularly in regions with large human populations such as Brazil’s
Atlantic Forest and much of Southeast Asia.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For full story, please see: </font><a href=http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/26680><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/26680</u></font></a>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>41.
Researchers build new model of bio-exploration</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: PhysOrg.com, VA, USA, 11 December
2007</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Two land-grant universities have developed
a new approach to global bio-exploration, one that returns most of the
fruits of discovery to the countries that provide the raw materials on
which the research depends.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The Global Institute for Bio-Exploration, a joint initiative of the University
of Illinois and Rutgers University, has become a model of sustainable,
non-exploitive research in the developing world. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The program began in 2003 when research teams from the two universities
joined forces to work in several former Soviet Union republics under an
International Cooperative Biodiversity Groups program funded with $4 million
grant from the National Institutes of Health. Based on lessons learned
in Central Asia, the researchers built on this model to create the institute,
which is now expanding into Africa and South America. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The institute builds relationships with and trains those in developing
countries to prospect for plants that have interesting biological properties,
said U. of I. natural resources and environmental sciences professor Mary
Ann Lila, a co-founder of the institute. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
“Rather than the typical bio-prospecting approach, where people take plants
back to their labs in Western Europe or the U.S., we teach locals to conduct
simple assays in the field,” Lila said. When field results identify plants
with potentially useful properties, the researchers do follow-up studies
in the laboratory. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
“But when a discovery is made in the field with a local, the intellectual
property rights stay there,” Lila said. The country is required to use
any money it receives from licensing fees or royalties to develop its own
research infrastructure and protect wild lands. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Pharmaceutical companies already have shown interest. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
So far, the institute – also known by the acronym GIBEX – has generated
17 licensing agreements, a dozen of them from Central Asian leads, with
companies hoping to make use of plants that have medical or cosmetic potential.
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The program began in the former Soviet republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Horticulturalists are drawn to the “Stans,”
Lila said, because the region has a rich heritage as a center of fruit
and nut production, and because many of the plants that survive there have
desirable characteristics. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
“The Stans are among the most inland countries in the world,” she said.
“They have the coldest winters, the hottest summers. They have mountain
ranges. They have plants that are incredibly stressed because of the short
growing season and the altitudes. These plants may not grow well, they
may not look pretty, but they’re intense with bioactive compounds.” </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Kazakhstan is where the apple began. Uzbekistan is the home of <i>Ajuga
turkestanica</i>, a plant that produces a steroid-like compound with metabolic-stimulating
properties. (The Uzbekistan studies were suspended in 2006 because of political
instability there.) Two species of Rhodiola, a plant with potential as
an antidepressant, are found in this region, along with <i>Artemisia leucodes</i>,
an aromatic plant related to tarragon that may be useful in treating inflammation.
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The program also is developing techniques for analyzing the soup of chemical
compounds in wild plants. By screening plants in the field, the researchers
are able to identify biological traits that might not be detectable after
harvesting the plants and bringing them into a lab. This “screens to nature”
technique is a departure from the laboratory based, one-enzyme-at-a-time
analysis typical of pharmaceutical research, which often fails to detect
the therapeutic potential of plants traditionally used by indigenous peoples.
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
“Twenty-five percent of human drugs are based on a template from a plant,”
Lila said. “The pharmaceutical industry is now turning back to researchers
in plants to try and have new discoveries,” she said. “They’re also
looking more and more outside of our borders to see what works in other
countries.” </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The GIBEX model supports the country of exploration in several ways, Lila
said. It mines and preserves local knowledge of the medicinal properties
of native plants. It trains people to appreciate and study their own natural
resources. It builds science infrastructure and it reduces “brain drain,”
giving educated scientists a reason to stay home and explore their own
back yards, she said. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
These benefits have produced widespread interest in the developing world,
and the program is expanding to Africa and South America. Two major conferences
on the screens-to-nature model will be held in Tanzania and South Africa
in 2008. And in January a delegation from Illinois and Rutgers will train
people at the Maquipucuna Reserve, near Quito, Ecuador, to apply the field
techniques. (Rafael Correa, the president of Ecuador, is a U. of I. alumnus,
as is the vice president of the Universidad San Francisco de Quito.) </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
“We are having real partnerships with scientists in these countries,”
Lila said. “This way we bring it into the country. We train the country.
They stay and they develop their infrastructure there.” </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The new approach also is being tried in North America, Lila said. An Illinois
graduate student, Josh Kellogg, will bring the screens-to-nature techniques
to Native American populations in Alaska and North Dakota. This research,
the subject of Kellogg’s master’s thesis, will focus on the anti-diabetic
properties of edible plants long used by indigenous people in both states.
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Source: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For full story, please see: </font><a href=http://www.physorg.com/news116602967.html><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>http://www.physorg.com/news116602967.html</u></font></a>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>42.
Traditional knowledge: Village reps to discuss preserving traditional knowledge</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: Malaysia Star, Malaysia, 10 December
2007</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Kuching: Representatives from 15 villages
throughout Sarawak in the island of Borneo will participate in a two-day
seminar starting Tuesday to discuss the documentation of their traditional
knowledge on using natural resources for medicinal and other purposes.
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Organised by the Sarawak Biodiversity Council (SBC), the seminar aims to
help local indigenous communities preserve their traditional knowledge
through proper recording and documentation techniques. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Sarawak has over 30 indigenous groups that have inherited traditional knowledge
from their ancestors, much of which has not been documented. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
"While many of the older generation in these communities still retain
traditional knowledge, there is a concern about the loss of knowledge due
to changing lifestyles and the diminishing dependence of indigenous communities
on natural resources.”This has made it increasingly important that traditional
knowledge be documented by the respective communities so that it will not
be lost," SBC said in a statement. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
It added that the documentation of traditional knowledge would in the long
run contribute to the economic development of a community, such as through
cultivating gardens of useful plants that could become tourist attractions
in their villages. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
During the seminar, participants will share their experiences in documenting
traditional knowledge. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Speakers from local and international institutions will also share their
expertise with the participants on various topics including the uses of
medicinal plants, plant propagation and maintaining a community garden.
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For full story, please see: </font><a href="http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/12/10/nation/20071210112106&sec=nation"><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/12/10/nation/20071210112106&sec=nation</u></font></a>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>EVENTS</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><u>Forest insects as food: humans bite back.
A workshop focused on Asia-Pacific resources and their potential for development
</u></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">19-21 February 2008</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Chiang Mai, Thailand</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Humans have consumed insects for thousands
of years – in some cases as emergency food, in other cases as a staple,
and in still other cases as delicacies. In modern times, consumption
of insects has declined in many societies, and has often been shunned as
old-fashioned, dirty, or unhealthy. Yet, among various cultures scattered
throughout the world, insects remain a vital and preferred food and an
essential source of protein, fat, minerals and vitamins. For some
members of the rapidly growing upper and middle classes of urban society,
insects are “nostalgia food,” reminding them of earlier, simpler days
in the rural countryside. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Worldwide, over 1,400 insect species are reportedly eaten as human food.
Most are harvested from natural forests. But, while insects account
for the greatest amount of biodiversity in forests, they are the least
studied of all fauna. Surprisingly little is known, for example,
about the life cycles, population dynamics, and management potential of
many edible forest insects. Similarly, little is known of the impacts
that over-harvesting of forest insects might have on forest vegetation,
other forest fauna and the ecosystems themselves. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Among forest managers, there is little knowledge or appreciation of the
potential for managing and harvesting insects sustainably. There
is almost no knowledge or experience in manipulating forest vegetation
or harvest practices to increase, maximize, or sustain insect populations.
Indeed, as many insects cause massive damage and mortality to valuable
commercial trees, virtually all insects are considered undesirable pests
by many forest managers. What knowledge does exist in these respects
is often held by traditional forest dwellers and forest-dependent people.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The capturing, processing, transporting, and marketing of edible forest
insects provide interesting income and livelihood opportunities for an
undetermined number of people around the world. Traditionally, these
activities were all locally based and largely under-recognized. Recently,
however, more sophisticated and wide-reaching marketing and commercialization
of edible forest insects have been advanced, including attractive packaging
and advertising. Some advocates believe that creating a wider market
for food insects could provide an economic incentive for conserving insect
habitat. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
To further promote forest insects as human food, six major areas need to
be addressed:</font>
<div>
<br><font size=2 face="Wingdings">§</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><font size=2 face="Arial">geographic information gaps;</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Wingdings">§</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><font size=2 face="Arial">improved insect identification; </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Wingdings">§</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><font size=2 face="Arial">better understanding of the ecological
roles of edible forest insects;</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Wingdings">§</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><font size=2 face="Arial">assessment of the potential for rearing
insects for food and other purposes;</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Wingdings">§</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><font size=2 face="Arial">post-harvest handling of insects and improved
processing and storage; and </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Wingdings">§</font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">
</font><font size=2 face="Arial">economic and marketing data and information.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The Chiang Mai workshop will attempt to address these issues and discuss
strategies to promote edible forest insects for enhancing human nutrition
and forest management. The workshop will focus on all aspects of edible
forest insects, including management, collection, harvest, processing,
marketing, and consumption. Social, environmental, and economic aspects
will be explored, including opportunities and issues related to income
and livelihoods. The focus of the workshop will be on knowledge and experiences
from Asia and the Pacific, but the workshop will also draw on examples
and resource persons from other regions of the world as well. Consideration
will be given to insects and their edible relatives, such as spiders and
scorpions.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><u>Workshop themes and subjects</u>: </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Edible forest insects as a natural resource.</b>
Overview of current status of forest insect exploitation for food in Asia
and the Pacific. Insect conservation issues. Thematic presentations
by participants, with particular attention to the identified geographic
gaps (i.e., Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Peninsular Malaysia, and the Pacific
Islands).</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Models of insect management for food and
other products. </b> Examples from beekeeping, silk worm farming and
palm grub harvesting. Complementary and competing economic non-food
insect products and uses (i.e., medicine, livestock feed, ritual, ornamental,
IPM). The relationship of insect exploitation to the extraction of
common non-wood forest products (NWFPs) and linkages to forest management.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Development potential for edible forest
insects.</b> The role of edible forest insects in food security.
Insect protein as a contribution to better nutrition. Economics of
collecting edible forest insects. Harvesting, processing and marketing
of edible forest insects. Promoting insect eating: snacks, dishes,
condiments, recipes, etc.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The workshop is co-organized by FAO and Chiang Mai University. Local
support is provided by the Forest Restoration Research Unit (FORRU), Chiang
Mai University. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For more information, contact: </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Patrick B. Durst</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Senior Forestry Officer</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">39 Phra Atit Road</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Bangkok, Thailand 10200</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Telephone: (66-2) 697-4139</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Fax: (66-2) 697-4445; </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">E-mail: </font><a href=mailto:Patrick.Durst@fao.org><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>Patrick.Durst@fao.org</u></font></a><font size=2 face="Arial">
</font>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>LITERATURE REVIEW AND WEB SITES</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>44.
Other publications of interest</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>From: FAO’s NWFP Programme</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>de Oliveira, R.L.C., Lins Neto, E.M.F.,
Araújo, E.L., and Albuquerque, U.P.</b> 2007. Conservation priorities and
population structure of woody medicinal plants in an area of <i>Caatinga</i>
vegetation (Pernambuco state, NE Brazil). <i>Environ. Monit. Assess.</i>
132(1-3):189-206</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Dehnen-Schmutz, K., Touza, J., Perrings,
C., and Williamson, M.</b> 2007. A century of the ornamental plant trade
and its impact on invasion success. <i>Divers. Distrib.</i> 13(5):527-534.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Gaoue, O.G., and Ticktin, T.</b> 2007.
Patterns of harvesting foliage and bark from the multipurpose tree <i>Khaya
senegalensis</i> in Benin: variation across ecological regions and its
impacts on population structure. <i>Biol. Conserv.</i> 137(3):424-436.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Koh, L.P.</b> 2007. Impacts of land use
change on South-east Asian forest butterflies: a review. <i>J. Appl. Ecol.</i>
44(4):703-713.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Semwal, D.P., Saradhi, P.P., Nautiyal,
B.P., and Bhatt, A.B.</b> 2007. Current status, distribution and conservation
of rare and endangered medicinal plants of Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary,
Central Himalayas, India. <i>Curr. Sci.</i> 92(12):1733-1738.</font>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>MISCELLANEOUS</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>45.
Amazon being destroyed 'faster than predicted'</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: ABC Online, Australia, 6 December
2007</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">The international conservation group WWF
is warning that climate change and deforestation are combining to destroy
the Amazon rainforest far more quickly than previously thought. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The WWF says almost 60 per cent of the rainforest could be lost or severely
damaged by 2030. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The group says destruction of the Amazon would release billions of tonnes
of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, exacerbating temperature rises.
If much of the Amazon was gone, the earth would also lack "one of
the key stabilisers of the global climate system". </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The report's author, scientist Dan Nepstad, says the Amazon forest is vitally
important for the globe's climate. "It's not only essential for cooling
the world's temperature but also such a large source of freshwater that
it may be enough to influence some of the great ocean currents, and on
top of that it's a massive store of carbon," he said in a media release
on the WWF website.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
WWF's managing director for the Amazon, Dr Meg Symington, says the Amazon
must be conserved if the world is to combat climate change. "Up to
60 per cent of the Amazon could be either destroyed or severely degraded
by the year 2030, given current trends with agricultural and livestock
expansion, combined with the effects of forest fires and logging and drought,"
she said. "The implications of that for global climate, and for bio-diversity
and for human livelihoods would be profound."</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For full story, please see: </font><a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/12/06/2111958.htm?section=justin"><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/12/06/2111958.htm?section=justin</u></font></a>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>46.
Good News for the forests: First bible printed on FSC-certified paper</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: E-Wire (press release), TX, USA,
29 November 2007</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">New York. The Rainforest Alliance applauds
the publication of the first Bible to be printed on paper from forestlands
certified to the standards of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), the
global standard-setter for responsible forest management. This achievement
resulted from collaboration between Canada-based paper giant Domtar, Bible
publisher Thomas Nelson, Inc. and environmental nonprofit Green Press Initiative.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Daily Bible is printed on paper
that includes recycled content and comes from forestlands certified by
the Rainforest Alliance’s SmartWood program, the leading certifier of
forestlands to FSC standards.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
"Kudos to Thomas Nelson, Domtar and Green Press Initiative for working
together to achieve this important first in the publishing industry,"
said Tensie Whelan, executive director of the Rainforest Alliance. "This
is further evidence of the growing trend among publishers to improve their
sourcing strategies and lessen their environmental impact by seeking out
environmentally preferable papers."</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The area of FSC-certified forestlands has nearly doubled in the past three
years to a total of more than 224 million acres (more than 90 million hectares)
and has opened up an increasing supply of certified wood products. Several
hundred pulp providers, mills, merchants and printers have earned FSC Chain-of-Custody
certification.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For more information on Green Press Initiative,
visit </font><a href=http://www.greenpressinitiative.org/><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>www.greenpressinitiative.org</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">For full story, please see: </font><a href=http://www.ewire.com/display.cfm/Wire_ID/4369><font size=2 color=blue face="Arial"><u>http://www.ewire.com/display.cfm/Wire_ID/4369</u></font></a>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b> </b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b> </b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>47.
Indonesia: Forest loss 'yields meagre financial benefits'</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"><b>Source: SciDev.Net, 28 November 2007</b></font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Converting Indonesian forests and peatlands
for various agricultural land uses has released huge amounts of greenhouse
gases with little economic benefit, according to a new report.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The report, by the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), the Center for International
Forestry Research (CIFOR) and Indonesian partners, was released last week
(21 November). </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Data on changes in land use — such as deforestation for oil palm, rubber,
coffee and mixed agroforestry — and carbon emissions in the provinces
of East Kalimantan, Jambi, and Lampung were collected between 1990 and
2005. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The provinces make up 16 per cent of Indonesia and account for 16 per cent
of the country's emissions, so they are considered relatively representative.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Researchers found that less than two per cent of the 400 megatonnes that
the provinces emit per year, largely through 'slash and burn' land clearing,
yield a clear economic benefit of more than US$15 per tonne of carbon dioxide.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
But sustainable economic benefits can be achieved with low carbon emissions,
says Sonya Dewi, head of the Spatial Analysis Unit of ICRAF. She said in
a press release that high prices for palm oil and rubber means these crops
can be profitable and that using land with low original biomass makes their
cultivation environmentally feasible.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Greenomics Indonesia executive director, Elfian Effendi, says the government
of Indonesia should use the country's potential for reducing emissions
to benefit economically.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Indonesia has 36.5 million hectares of prime rainforest and conservation
areas, the economic value of which is estimated at US$105–113.7 billion
in carbon trading schemes.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
The country's 38.7 million hectares of productive timber forest could add
another US$111.46–120.74 billion, bringing total economic benefits from
Indonesia's function as a carbon sink to US$216.4–234.4 billion.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Effendi also suggests that Indonesia should be compensated for not releasing
7,000 megatonnes of carbon stored in its forest and peatlands. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">
Meine van Noordwijk, regional coordinator for the World Agroforestry Centre
(ICRAF) said that international mechanisms — to be discussed at the upcoming
UN Climate Change meeting in Bali— must not only look at forests but all
types of land for their potential to reduce emissions.</font>
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