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Coastal and Wetland Biodiversity Management Project BGD/99/G31 Hakaluki Haor Draft Conservation Management Plan 7. MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES 7.1 Objective 1 - Species Conservation 7.1.1 Birds Hakaluki Haor is a globally significant site for wintering populations of ducks, and is home to a large number of resident and migratory waterfowl, as well as many varieties of other bird species. In terms of its birds alone, Hakaluki Haor was deemed to fulfil the following three Ramsar criteria: • “It regularly supports 20,000 waterfowl.” (Criterion 3.a) • “It regularly supports substantial numbers of individuals from particular groups of waterfowl, indicative of wetland values, productivity or diversity (Great Cormorant, Tufted Duck)” (Criterion 3.b) • It regularly supports 1% of the individuals in a population of one species or sub-species (i.e. Baer’s Pochard). Overall, it is estimated that there are well over seventy different bird species found in the ECA. See appendix XX for list of birds currently known to inhabit and visit Hakaluki Haor (include latest table of Hakaluki Haor bird species as appendix). Overall bird numbers are declining at Hakaluki Haor and a significant number are now vulnerable, threatened, and even critically endangered such as the Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus) and Pallas Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus leucoryphus). This general decline is largely a result of habitat degradation, but also because of on-going illegal hunting activities including the use of guns, nets, and poison. Caught birds are either eaten or sold in local markets as a source of additional income usually for poorer families. Management Actions • Undertake, in collaboration with local community groups, a comprehensive bird survey of the ECA • Estimate population numbers and habitat type for each species recorded • Develop understanding of breeding and feeding behaviour for each species • Identify vulnerable, endangered, and threatened species and prepare species recovery plans for those at most risk • Implement the species recovery plans in close collaboration with local community groups and relevant government authorities • Identify critical bird habitats and work with local community groups and relevant government agencies to ensure that these sites come under appropriate protection as sanctuaries • Prepare an annotated list of all the key habitats used by birds • Identify priority sites for the establishment of bird sanctuaries • Identify the key threats to bird populations in the Haor and develop recommendations aimed at mitigating in the short-term the most serious of these threats • Initiate activities aimed at reducing threats and pressures to bird populations • Update inventory/ database of birds at Hakaluki Haor Prepared by UNOPS Consultant Mr. Sulma Warne August/ September 2005 for Project BGD/99/G31 11
Coastal and Wetland Biodiversity Management Project BGD/99/G31 Hakaluki Haor Draft Conservation Management Plan • Organise education and awareness raising activities among the local community which promote an understanding of the need for bird conservation in Hakaluki Haor • Help raise awareness more widely around the nation, as well as internationally about the global significance of Hakaluki Haor for migratory birds • Build the capacity of local community groups to undertake on-going monitoring of bird populations at Hakaluki Haor • Ensure that all bird surveys are part of an integrated ecological monitoring programme for Hakaluki Haor • Review the legal and policy framework which regulates the protection of birds and propose amendments which more effectively support their conservation • Begin identifying ways in which the bird populations at Hakaluki Haor can be used as a tourist attraction for raising revenue to support conservation efforts, as well provide additional sources of income for local communities Primary Outcome/ Output • Birds are protected, numbers are increasing, and threatened species are recovered Constraints • Enforcement capacity of government is weak • There is likely to be limited human and financial capacity to implement bird species recovery plans 7.1.2 Wildlife The wildlife of Hakaluki Haor was once represented by a diverse array animal life but rapid habitat degradation including deforestation, siltation, agricultural encroachment, human habitation and settlement, and over-harvesting of wildlife resources has left the ECA with many disappearing and declining populations and more worryingly the complete loss in the area of some species altogether. Although insect life remains relatively abundant, many small mammals, primates, reptiles, and amphibian species are becoming more and more difficult to observe in the ECA; a fact supported by many local community members. This rapid drop in numbers has resulted in the listing of over 25 species as vulnerable, endangered, or critically threatened (refer to Table XX list of threatened species above). In some cases, the problem is exacerbated by a lack of knowledge whereby local villagers will, for example, indiscriminately kill a snake fearing that it might be poisonous whereas, in fact, many species found in the ECA are relatively harmless. To prevent the loss and further decline of wildlife species in the ECA, the initiation of urgent conservation activities are now a necessity. Management Actions • Undertake, in collaboration with local community groups, a comprehensive survey of wildlife in the ECA • Estimate population numbers and habitat type for each species recorded • Develop understanding of breeding and feeding behaviour for each species • Identify vulnerable, endangered, and critically threatened species and prepare species recovery plans for those at most risk Prepared by UNOPS Consultant Mr. Sulma Warne August/ September 2005 for Project BGD/99/G31 12
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