The World Bank/WBI’s CBNRM Initiative

Case Received: February 7, 1999

Author: Rajendra N. Suwal

Email: aquabird@ccsl.com.np

A century ago, the birthplace of Shakyamuni Buddha was rediscovered in the lowland Terai of Nepal. In the 1970s, arising from concern at neglect of the site's religious, cultural, and natural significance, the Lumbini Development Trust (LDT) was founded. The LDT, now an initiative of 22 nations, has so far acquired 3 square miles of private land surrounding the birthplace of the Buddha. International attention has not waned, and at the beginning of this year (Jan. 1998) UNESCO designated Lumbini a World Heritage Site. The Lumbini area is now being developed according to the "Masterplan", which will encompass the archaeological site, monasteries, and a sacred garden. Surrounding the Lumbini are privately owned cultivated land and villages. The land procured to commemorate Buddha's birth place was instantly colonized by the pioneer vegetation such as tall Imperata and Saccharum grasses. Over 3000,000 (three hundred thousand) tree saplings chiefly of Sissoo (Dalbergia sisoo), and other tree species (mango (Magnifera indica), sal (Shorea robusta), Kadam (Anthocephalus kadamba) were planted. Lumbini development area' habitat consists of 58% grasslands, 40% secondary forest and 2% wetlands (rivers and ponds). Telar river is one of the landmark describing Buddha's birth place.

The Lumbini area also happens to be a rich habitat for the Sarus crane. Surveys conducted by Rajendra Suwal and collegues from 1988 onwards found the Lumbini area not only important to conservation of the Sarus crane, but also protection for Terai birds and their natural habitat. A joint effort between the Nepalese Crane Conservationist's and the International Crane Foundation (ICF) was initiated in 1989 to manage wetlands, grasslands and secondary forest within LDT. The Asian Crane congress, 1989, also recommended LDT set aside some of its land for crane and Terai ecology conservation. The proposed site aimed to combine the Buddhist precepts of environmental harmony with Lumbini's religious, cultural, and environmental restoration. Furthermore, the proposal recommended that natural conservation not be confined to the sanctuary alone, but that conservation initiatives be integrated into the work of the Lumbini Development Area and village out reach program. On Dec. 24, 1994, an agreement between LDT and ICF was signed for a 50 year lease of 265 acres to establish Lumbini Crane Sanctuary. The lease payment of $2000 (US)per year guaranteed the Lumbini Crane Sanctuary (LCS) as a separate entity from LDT. LCS is currently being registered as an NGO in Nepal. Currently, six pairs of Sarus cranes roost and two pairs breed on the LDT premises.

The Sarus crane is the world's tallest flying bird, standing over five feet tall at maturity. There are three subspecies of the Sarus crane. The subspecies of the Sarus crane which inhabits the Indian sub- continent is called Grus antigone antigone . These cranes require flat open wetland, cultivations, fallows and grasslands for nesting foraging and physical maintenance. When Sarus mate, it's for life, and each breeding season a pair will raise either one or two offspring. Surviving juveniles live with their parents for as long as one year and learn to feed, fly and fend for themselves in this time. The only resident crane species of Nepal, Grus antigone antigone is listed on the IUCN red list, and was recommended by ICF (the secretariat of IUCN- SSC Crane specialist group) to be listed as an endangered species. In 1989 survey only 50 to 75 cranes were counted in Nepal. Over the entire range for this subspecies, estimates find only 8,000-10,000 remaining. The optimistic expected population of this species in Nepal is about 200 - 500. The range has been slowly shrinking for the last decade. The primary causes for decline is pesticide poisioning, developmental acitivities (acces roads, industrialization, urbanization etc.) and direct human persecution (egg stealing, chick capturing ad hunting).

The survival of the crane in Nepal and India has thus far been as a result of the belief that the crane brings good luck to the crops. With the spread of less traditional agricultural practices, however, traditional beliefs and values which had once defended the Sarus, are slowly giving way to modern techniques that do not make allowances for crane conservation.

The resettlement of the Terai during the 1960s, made possible by the eradication of malaria, meant that natural forest, grassland, and wetland fast became village and crop land. Only small pockets of natural habitat remained for the Terai's indigenous biodiversity. The Lumbini area is one such area, with 248 bird species recorded in and around the site between 1988 and 1995. In 1995, the first full year of operation at LCS, 40 potential breeding species of birds were counted within LCS. As for the Sarus crane, nesting counts from 1991 onwards have found about 12 nesting pair each year in an average. During 1992 10 nesting pairs were recorded where as in 1993, 14 nesting pairs were recorded.

In 1996 wetlands were dug to encourage cranes to nest inside the sanctuary. Saplings of native tree species were procured from the LDT nursery and planted. The planting aims to improve the habitat and cultivate an ecosystem approximating that of the original Terai. Signs, each written in Nepali, Hindi, Urdu and English were placed around LCS' perimeter to alert the public and discourage hunting and fishing on the premises. The sanctuary would like to encourage the local community in the management of the sanctuary and utilization of natural resources. In this spirit other activities, however, were initiated to involve the local population. Grasses were harvested by local people, generating income and renewing the grassland at the same time. The thatch grasses are important commodity for local populace to maintain their roof. Thatch grass are now found in protected areas only. Every day loads of twigs and fallen leaves of sisoo tree planted two decades ago are harvested by local for fuel supply. It also helps for the sisoo tree to grow faster and better. Sisoo tree are high grade timber for furniture. Once it reaches to maturity the hundred thousands of these tree ensure economic return to the trust by balancing the ecosystem of the area. Environmental Camps for Conservation Awareness (ECCA) an organization that operates environmental education camps for Nepali youth and rural communities, were invite to held crane conservation awareness camps at the sanctuary. An art competition in particular, raised youth awareness and interest in crane conservation. The top 10 resulting art works were sent to the US and Russia for the "Crane: Bird of Peace" exchange. External involvement in the sanctuary also increased. A "Memorandum of Understanding" was signed between ICF and IUCN-Nepal, agreeing to co-operate in crane and wetland conservation in Nepal, Lumbini being the primary location. In 1997 surveys of the wetlands and the renovated pond commenced to ascertain water retention during and after monsoon. Wetland "A" has a 130m long dike, Wetland "B" has a 105m dike, and the pond has witnessed the return of many bird species. In and average of one and half meter water accumulated in the constructed wetlands from the monsoon rain. Aquatic vegetation colonized naturally (typha, hydrilla, pondweed, eleochris etc). A pair of Sarus Crane began to roost at wetland 'A' and nesting pair of Sarus near wetland 'B' have been observed bringing their chicks to forage in this wetland. Important bird species such as Lesser Adjuant Stork, White necked Stork, Black Stork, Purple Heron, Lesser Whistling Teal, cormorants and different species of egrets come to forage in these wetlands.

Planting of tree saplings not only indigenous to the area, but also relevant to the Buddha's life, were continued. 100 tree saplings of Mango, Jack fruit, Bodhi Tree, Bamboo, Arjuna, Ashoka, Zyzyphus Berry were planted in the eastern boundary. Many of the sapling were destroyed by Blue Bull by foraging on it. Only the zyzyphus and bamboo saplings were not eaten. Dropings of blue bull (an antelope) were collected and deposited on the pits to encourage growth of their fodder species. Protection of the habitat enhanced towards colonization by the diverse community of flora and fauna with glimpses would be of the past natural history of this holy land, when this endless garden of natural beauty was travelled by the Sakyan dynasty during the birth of Prince Siddhartha. In the buddhist text it was mentioned that Queen Mayadevi hold on to the branch of 'Sal' tree while giving birth to Prince Sidhartha indicating that this site would be a tract of sal forest. After birth Prince Siddhartha troded over seven lotus flower, denoting the presence of wetlands of natural beauty. Mammals, aquatic wildlife, and reptiles were surveyed over the entire LDT area, in order to accurately describe the area's biodiversity. Altogether 34 fish, 19 herpetofauna, 243 bird and 12 mammal species (excluding small mammals eg. rats, shrews, bats) so far been recorded. The Lumbini area is significant for the conservation of fish and herpetofauna found in small flowing and still water bodies. Fish species belonging to Wallago, Nototerus, Channa, Anabas are common. Python and number of snake species are found in the grassland, forest and in the wetlands. Breeding Sarus Crane, resident stork species (Lesser Adjutant, White necked, Open- billed), wintering Black Stork, Great Horned Owl, Grey Hornbill, breeding Lesser Spotted Eagle, White Backed Vulture, Black Partridge found safe refuge at Lumbini. Mammal species is expected to increase as detail studies are carried out. Common mammal species occurring at Lumbini are: carnivore- Jackal, 9Bengal Fox, Jungle Cat, Mongoose; Herbivore- largest antelope of the sub-continent Blue Bull (Nilgai in Nepali), Rufous tailed Hare, Rhesus Macaque; Omnivore- Yellow-throated Martin. Rare mammals occurring in the area are Striped Hyena and Smooth Coated Otter. Recently there is an unconfirmed sighting of Spotted Leopard.

Without exception, counts found the Lumbini area to be an important area for wildlife management. For example, LDT has the largest Blue Bull population surviving outside of the National Parks and wildlife reserves in Nepal. Recent counts have found 120-160 Blue Bull in the Lumbini area. Careful management of the Blue Bull is necessary if the population is to continue to coexist with the local farming people.

The four objectives of the Lumbini Crane Sanctuary are:

1) To restore and create a diversity of natural habitats representative of the Nepalese Terai, and to conserve the diversity of wildlife of the region.

2) To create an education centre and wild garden demonstrating Buddha's love for nature in the teachings of Buddhism, and the relevance of these teachings for the solution of modern conservation problems.

3) To involve local people in management of Lumbini Crane Sanctuary and in conservation of natural resources of surrounding areas.

4) To create a model for Nepal of non-governmental approaches to wildlife conservation in an area intensively used by people.

In order to fully achieve these goals, certain concrete plans are in the works at LCS. These plans are "Phase Two" of the sanctuary's development. To achieve the first objective, that is to restore the original Terai ecosystem within LCS, sapling planting is to continue within the sanctuary. A number of nest boxes will be built to attract cavity nesters. On an experimental basis, a live fence is to be planted around the perimeter. More wetlands are dykes are scheduled to be constructed within the perimeter, specifically plans for the digging of "wetland D" to begin this year. Not only will the increased area of wetland and native forest encourage nesting Sarus cranes, but open-billed storks, egrets, and globally threatened Lesser Adjutant Stork will hopefully nest in ever-increasing numbers. To attain the second objective, an education centre is forecast to be built in the next three years. The centre will perform numerous functions, chiefly; to provide information to the visiting public about the sanctuary and Sarus Cranes, to promote conservation awareness and education through audio-visual presentation, interactive displays, and facilities for teaching. Based on the Wheel of Life philosophy of Buddhism a Sarus Crane Wheel of Conservation is being painted for public awareness campaign. The centre will also serve as administrative functions for the sanctuary, housing the office and plant nursery. Attached to the centre will be a dormitory for guests and a semi-captive crane enclosure for public display. The dormitory will be made available for researchers and pilgrims on reasonable rate to make the center self sustainable. The third and fourth objectives are, in part, the most challenging, in that they are not finite goals. As for existing as a part of the larger Lumbini community, ie. interactions with the surrounding villagers, the crane sanctuary has a number of programs. Every year grasses are harvested by people of the surrounding area and sold, generating income for both the sanctuary and the local community. The grasses harvested are used for thatching and to produce pulps for paper. In addition , the ECCA camps held annually target not only local school children, youth, but adults as well. A unique "outreach program" between the cranes and the local people began from fall of 1996. Two orphaned Sarus chicks were discovered and has since been raised in a small village next to the sanctuary. Every morning, the wife of one of the sanctuary's game-scout takes food out to the juvenile. Though her calls to the crane can only mimic the Sarus call, this interaction between the crane and the villagers has furthered relations and provided first hand education in crane conservation. While there is much to encourage LCS, relations between the local people and the sanctuary do not always favour conservation efforts. Primarily, relations are strained by the history of the reserve. When LDT was originally founded it had been crop land, but those crofters were displaced for the area's religious and environmental development. The people surrounding the sanctuary rely on the land for their livelihood. As the sanctuary becomes richer in natural resources, issues of poaching on the sanctuary will become more and more prevalent. It is therefore necessary for the survival of the sanctuary that it develop innovative strategies to evolve a symbiotic relationship between the people of the Terai and their biological neighbours. As a new, developing sanctuary, LCS still has a lot to accomplish before it can achieve the security of a seasoned NGO. Many of these barriers require little more than time and experience to be overcome, while others require resources not currently available to the sanctuary. Despite the many obstacles, LCS has managed to achieve an amazing amount of success in its two full years, and looks ready to move into the next two with sound strategy and creative management. Kiedanren Nature Fund, Japan had generously supported our two years of activity, we expect the same for the third year.

International Crane Foundation and Lumbini Crane Sanctuary would like to thank the following organizations for their invaluable support over the years: Bird Conservation Nepal, Buddhist Perception of Nature, International Union for the Conservation of Nature-Nepal (IUCN-Nepal), King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation (Nepal, Germany and Netherlands committee), The Lumbini Development Trust, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Oriental Bird Club