UNEP/GEF PROJECT SUCCESSFULLY CONSERVES SIBERIAN CRANE

       Nusa Dua, Bali, Feb. 24, 2010 (ANTARA) - Siberian cranes and millions of other migratory waterbirds have been saved through a conservation project supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the International Crane Foundation through the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).
        "In 2002, the birds were not seen," said Claire M Mirande of International Crane Foundation, and senior director of Conservation and Science, concurrently director of UNEP-GEF Siberian Crane Wetlands Project, here, Wednesday.

         The population of Siberian Crane, the most charismatic bird found in China, Iran, Kazakhstan and Russia, is currently around 3,000-3,500, according to her.
       The Siberian Crane became endangered especially because of hunting and wetland degradation, she said. The unique migratory bird projects not only has boosted Siberian Crane but also millions of other migratory waterbirds, the conservation and rehabilation of wetlands covering some seven million hectares.
        Every year, the Siberian Crane, one of the most endangered birds, migrates up to 5,000 kilometers from its breeding grounds in northern Siberia, along two migration routes to wintering sites in southern China and Iran.
       "The Siberian Crane Wetland Project underlines how conservation of biodiversity and human concerns go hand in hand: a key point to underline in the UN`s International year of Biodiversity," UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner said a statement.

Monique Barbut, chief executive officer of the GEF, said that some 60 percent of wetlands worldwide, and up to 90 percent in Europe, have been destroyed in the past 100 years, principally due to drainage for agriculture, pollution, dams, canals, groundwater pumping, urban development and peat extraction.

UNEP is organizing the 11th Special Session of the UNEP Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum at the Bali International Convention center, Feb. 24-26.

The meeting is being attended by around 1,000 participants, including roughly 100 environmental affairs minister, from 130 countries.

(T. F001/A/HAJM/B003)

(T.F001/A/F001/B003) 24-02-2010 20:09:03