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| Friday, 14 November 2003 |
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by Florence Wickramage A ground-breaking guide has been launched for governments and civil society to prevent the extinction of Asia's birds, one in eight of which is under threat. This blue-print of Birdlife Intenational called "Saving Asia's threatened birds" was launched by Princess Takamado of Japan at a ceremony in Tokyo on November 12th. The Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka as the Birdlife Affiliate informs that the Guide has been produced with financial support from the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF)to help avoid the extinction of 324 threatened bird species, 12% of Asia's total. Birdlife International states that already 41 Asian bird species teeter on the brink of extinction, classified as Critically Endangered under World Conservation Union criteria. Of these, 11 may be extinct, including the Javanese Lapwing of Indonesia and the Pink-headed Duck of India and Myanmar. Six of the species number fewer than 50 individuals in the wild, such as the Bali Starling. In launching the Blueprint Princess, Takamado has stated that" Asia is blessed with a uniquely varied and abundant number of bird species - it is this treasure trove that we are in danger of losing. Now, as environmental issues grow into global concerns, it is imperative that we act with intelligent integrity and I am pleased to be part of the BirdLife Partnership in its efforts to guide the world in this direction". Professor Sarath Kotagama, Professor of Environmental Science of the Colombo University said that a national programme for the launch is being planned. |
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