From the Ramsar Forum

Asian Waterfowl Census 2000

(posted to the Ramsar Forum, 12 November 1999)

Dear all,

We are pleased to announce the Asian Waterfowl Census 2000.

The Asian Waterfowl Census is an annual event conducted during the second and third week of January, under the International Waterfowl Census. In the year 2000, the Census will be conducted between 8 to 23 January, both dates inclusive.

The census is primarily carried out by volunteers from all walks of life. The census for each country is normally coordinated by a volunteer national or regional coordinator.

We encourage your participation in the 2000 census. For more information, please visit our web site (http://ngo.asiapac.net/wetlands/awcinfo.htm) or contact your national/regional coordinator.

Attached is a file containing an information sheet on the 2000 census.

Thank you for your attention.

Koji TAGI
Technical Officer
Wetlands International - Asia Pacific
3A39, Block A
Kelana Centre Point, Jalan SS7/19
47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Malaysia

Tel: +603 704 6770
Fax: +603 704 6772
E-mail: koji@wiap.nasionet.net
Web site: http://ngo.asiapac.net.wetlands

ASIAN WATERFOWL CENSUS

Wetlands International - Asia Pacific coordinates the Asian Waterfowl Census (AWC). The Asian Waterfowl Census runs parallel to other international census of waterbirds in Africa, Europe and Neotropics under the umbrella of the International Waterfowl Census (IWC).

The census has three major objectives:

* to obtain information on an annual basis of waterbird populations at wetlands in the region during the non-breeding period of most species (January), as a basis for evaluation of sites and monitoring of populations;

* to monitor on an annual basis the status and condition of wetlands; and

* to encourage a greater interest in waterbirds and wetlands amongst people, and thereby promote the conservation of wetlands and waterbirds in the region.

The AWC is an annual event and takes place once a year, during the second and third weeks of January. The census was initiated in 1987 in the Indian subcontinent, and has grown rapidly to cover over 32 countries in the region.

The census is primarily carried out by volunteers from all walks of life: university and school staff and students, nature club members, amateur and professional ornithologists, government and non-governmental agencies related to forestry, wildlife or wetland conservation and others. Sites covered include rivers, lakes, reservoirs, tanks, swamps, coastal sites, mangrove and mudflats, reefs, sandy beaches, etc.

Waterbirds counted during the census include all species of grebes, cormorants, pelicans, herons, egrets, storks, ibises, spoonbills, flamingoes, ducks, geese, swans, cranes, rails, jacanas, shorebirds (waders), gulls, terns, and raptors (birds of prey) normally associated with wetlands. Count data is entered onto standardised count forms.

The census is normally coordinated in each country by a volunteer national or regional coordinator. The co-ordinator, who is responsible for building up a network of volunteer participants sends out count forms, liaises with participants, receives forms after the census, and compiles and disseminates national reports. In addition, annual data and a short national report is prepared and forwarded to the international coordinators for collation into international overviews and reports.

All information received from national co-ordinators and participants is computerised and stored in a central database. This data is compiled into reports, a complimentary copy of which is sent to all the participants, and key national and international agencies.

To its credit, the census has been extremely successful in achieving its primary aims. As a result of the increased awareness, local people and governments are now setting about the conservation of important sites in almost every country.

The AWC has taken a significant role not only for conservation of waterbirds and their habitats at national level but also at international level. For example, results of the census provide information on status of waterbirds and wetlands to the Convention on Wetlands and assist the Contracting Parties and the Convention to evaluate nomination of a new site. The Convention encourages regular monitoring of waterbirds by its Contracting Parties as the basis for the identification of many wetlands of international importance (refer to Ramsar Recommendation 6.4). Results of the census also assist activities of the waterbird networks and other initiatives of the Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy: 1996-2000.

We aim to assist National Coordinators in participating countries to increase coverage of the census to include nationally and internationally important wetlands. Since the 1999 census, forms have been updated: the species list is revised and the site form requests additional information.

We encourage your participation in the 2000 census. The dates for the 2000 census are 8 (Saturday) to 23 (Sunday) January 2000, both dates inclusive. For more information on how to participate, getting additional count and site forms, details of national/regional coordinators, kindly refer to our web site <http://ngo.asiapac.net/wetlands> or please contact:

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To join the Ramsar Forum, send this message: <join ramsar-forum>, without the < >, to ramsar-mgr@indaba.iucn.org. For more information on the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, please contact the Ramsar Convention Bureau, Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland (tel +41 22 999 0170, fax +41 22 999 0169, e-mail ). Posted 25 November 1999, Dwight Peck, Ramsar.