Project Detail

Golden eagle (The objective of the project is to develop and build an efficient model of conservation, rehabilitation and sustainable use of the golden eagle and other hunting and rare predatory birds? populations alongside with the support and development of the Kazakh national hunting traditions)

The project territory present in itself arid lowhills and foothills of the Northern Tien Shan spurs with the total area of 70x50km. The base is located in Nura village, and 20 km away from the village in the Boguty mountains. The area is located 200 km away to the east from Almaty, and it offers fantastic nesting conditions for a number of predatory birds, however, it is here where the Golden Eagle and the Saker Falcon are mostly threatened. At present, the number of known Golden Eagle nests has reduced two times during the last 10 years, while in 2000 the nestlings flew out of only the half of 15 living nests..

For many centuries the Golden Eagle (?Berkut?) has been a traditional hunting bird of the Kazakh hunter ?berkutchi? ? a falconer. During the Soviet times the number of falconers has sharply decreased, however, in certain regions of Kazakhstan the people are still there to preserve ancient national expertise of training birds. Alongside with them there appear those who try to keep the Golden Eagle without possessing the necessary skills. As a result, the birds that have been caught in-situ illegally, often die, and they are replaced by the new ones. Because of the withdrawals of nestlings from the nests, the Golden Eagle often leaves the ravaged nests behind and disappears from such places.

For the latest years the protection of fauna has become less efficient due to ongoing restructuring and reduction of hunting inspectorate personnel as well as because bonuses are no longer paid for catching poachers. Under these conditions it seems possible to take measures for predatory birds? conservation as well as for biodiversity, as a whole, in case certain interest is excited among the local population. One of the groups that may develop a direct interest are falconers, for the most part they are those people who can understand and love predatory birds and nature, being well aware of the necessity of their conservation.

This project intends to build a conservation and rehabilitation model for the Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetus) populations and those of other endangered predatory birds listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Kazakhstan and IUCN. It will also work to support and develop the traditions of Kazakh falconers ("berkutchi"). The traditional skills and craftsmanship of local community members and the population in adjacent villages will be heightened during the implementation of the project. The project will also monitor the populations of Golden Eagle and other predatory birds; will conserve and maintain these populations; and will disseminate information on biodiversity conservation and environmental education to the local community. In the course of project implementation, the falconers way of life will be maintained, qualifications will be raised, and regulatory coverage of their activity will be developed. "The Falconer's House" demonstration museum will be established as a model of biodiversity and national traditions. An educational and advertising campaign will be undertaken to make hunting with eagles more popular, to attract tourists and to ensure project sustainability during the post-project period. When created, this framework will promote sustainable local community development and bring additional income from expanded ecotourism and highly developed local traditions and crafts. This project is consistent with the objectives of biodiversity conservation, sustainable livelihood and Kazakhstan's national priorities.

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Project Snapshot

Grantee:

REMEZ

Country:

Kazakhstan

Area Of Work:

Biodiversity

Operational Phase:

Phase 2

Grant Amount:

US$ 40,410.00

Co-Financing Cash:

Co-Financing in-Kind:

US$ 16,334.00

Project Number:

KAZ/00/22

Start Date:

11/2000

End Date:

10/2003

Status:

Satisfactorily Completed

Project Characteristics and Results

Notable Community Participation

In implementing the project, all tasks will be jointly resolved with the immediate participation of the local community. Activities like protecting nesting places, winter feeding of predatory birds, presentations for schoolchildren and shepherds, distributing leaflets, and establishing the "The Falconer's House" will be, for the most part, undertaken by the local Falconry club members. These members will also participate in project monitoring efforts by collecting and presenting the necessary data. Legislation will be drafted and discussed with many falconers in order to include their interests and to encourage them to take a more active civic stand. Private farm owners, shepherds, and huntsmen from hunting farms will work to protect nesting places. Schoolchildren will participate in celebrating "The Birds' Day," and competing for the best creative work among children. The most outstanding pieces submitted to this exhibition will be exhibited in the "Falconer's House" to demonstrate project ideas. Women will be actively involved in developing facilities for ecotourism (the Nura River is located along the Almaty-Chundja road). They will also be engaged in the development of local crafts (souvenirs), and in services market (trade, servicing). The development of ecotourism will lay the foundation for cooperation with the local authorities. Local authorities, forestry and hunting farms will assist in the informational campaign. The interests of the local community initiative group will be respected through the direct support of national hunting development, the process of drafting legislation, and the coordination of falconers' actions with nature protection bodies

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment

This project will enhance environmental education and awareness in the local community, and will impact both decision-makers and the general public. Local -level activities (such as workshops, lectures, discussions, the distribution of leaflets etc.) will encourage the local community to be involved in solving ecological problems conserving predatory birds. The folowing public awareness measures will be undertaken: the publication and dissemination of leaflets and booklets to share information about the need to protect wild predatory birds, articles will be placed in newspapers and on an informational board in the areas near the wild bird habitat, a photo-stand about wild predatory birds will be designed and set up, a video-film will be produced and shown on TV, and project executors will participate in local TV programmes

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods

This project will support the local community by developing a sustainable conservation industry, developing traditional crafts and eagle hunting activities, attracting tourists and creating jobs.

Capacity - Building Component

This project will work to prepare facilities for the development of eco-tourism and related folk handicrafts and services. The drafting of a legal framework will be the impetus for the maintenance of folk traditions, including traditional national eagle hunting. Cooperative efforts by the NGO and the local community will strengthen the project. Activities like the coordination of lectures and training seminars about the conservation of wild predatory birds, organized protection initiatives for wild predatory birds, seminars on project progress, and continual monitoring and evaluation will develop and improve the local community while building the capacity of the local authorities to implement projects.

Project Results

?The birds population (incl. golden eagle) have normalized due to implementation of the rehabilitating and conserving measures implemented withih the project;
- 17 bird counts were made in 2-5 day trips by members of ?Remez? and several community members. The bird counts covered almost 1500 km and counted over 200 predatory birds of various species.
?As part of a comprehensive plan to restore populations of Golden Eagle and rare vultures, 5 winter feeding stations are being established to provide winter food to strengthening the population of the birds.
?Remez has also been successful in entering into agreements with 6 local residents to protect 45 nests in the project territory including 15 Golden Eagle, 2 Saker Falcon, 1 Lammergeyer, 1 Griffon Vulture , 2 Cinereous vulture, and 2 long-legged buzzard. As a result nestlings from 42 jacks have taken off.
?In addition to conservation activities, the members of ?Remez? and ?Sayatshi? Club have organized several activities to raise local awareness of the importance of predatory bird conservation through lectures at local schools (18 lectures, 200 schoolchildren participated), meetings, seminars and lectures for the local community (20 meetings and lectures, over 100 people took part), demonstrations for tourist groups, and a Bird Day celebration that has been covered by mass media.
?Besides, over 2000 posters and booklets have been produced and widespread,
?20 information boards have established on the project territory
?A number of TV broadcasts have been demonstrated on TV channels
?A museum of falconers has been established, now it?s included into a tour programme of different tourist organizations
?certification of the birds belong to falconers has been done, the birds have been marked by microchips (5 birds),
?An open-air cage for maintenance, treatments and preparation of the picked up birds for release have been set up
?A draft of the resolution regulating and supporting traditional Kazakh national hunting with golden eagle has been developed with participation of local population and then submitted to the Ministry of Environment for further consideration
?Falconers have increased qualification in golden eagle maintenance

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