1st Asia Ministerial Conference on Tiger Conservation
They must be protected.
I have a niece who is very involved in animal rights and the protection of endangered species. At the moment she works for Panthera whose mission is to ensure a future for wild cats and the vast landscapes on which they depend. Panthera is the only organization in the world that is devoted exclusively to the conservation of the world’s 38 wild cat species and their ecosystems. So when the 1st Asia Ministerial Conference on Tiger Conservation was announced she showed me this site which, I hope, explains my interest in preserving its information. My niece is also the reason I no longer drive (about an hour) into the town where I would get my eyeglass lenses replaced. When I complained about how difficult it was getting to have the lenses on my various eyeglasses replaced, she told me about a site that offers prescription replacement eyeglass lenses via the mail. All I would have to do is mail my glasses in, and they install the replacement lenses. "But I wear trifocals. Can they deal with that type of lense?" Apparently the site offers all kinds of replacement lenses, including single vision, progressive, bifocal, and trifocal in materials from plastic and polycarbonate, to high index, Trivex and even glass. I was impressed. I can also order replacement prescription sunglass lenses with custom tint, Transitions technology, polarized, and mirror coated lenses. My niece, she is one smart, young lady. Now, let's get back to tigers.
2010
The Asia Ministerial Conference (AMC) is a meeting of thirteen countries to discuss the plight and plans for conservation of the wild Tiger population. The conference will take place in Thailand and the countries from the region that still have tigers that roam wild are all attending.
These include:
- Thailand
- Russia
- Vietnam
- Indonesia
- China
- India
- Bhutan
- Cambodia
- Laos
- Malaysia
- Nepal
- Russia
- Myanmar
Each and every country who is attending the conference has a huge role to play in the conservation of the wild tiger species and sub species. The goal of the conference is to get each country and partner to commit to helping the wild tiger population. We will also be seeking each country to spend resources to help this situation, both in terms of time and funds.
Tigers as a species are in grave danger of complete and utter extinction. This seemed absurd a century ago as there were over one hundred thousand tigers roaming their natural habitat. The tiger’s natural habitat has also reduced significantly and this is one of the major contributing factors in the reduction in numbers of tigers. Today there are only three thousand two hundred wild tigers. Three sub species of tigers have already been obliterated unfortunately and we need to take massive care to ensure this does not happen to more sub species or the whole wild tiger population as a whole. The three species that we have lost forever are the Javan, Caspian, and the Bali tiger.
This makes tigers one of the most endangered animals on the planet. It faces many threats and the rate of reduction in the population is alarmingly fast. At the end of the last century there were around twelve hundred wild tigers in the Greater Mekong area. The number of tigers is down around seventy percent to less than three hundred and fifty tigers for this area that includes Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. This dramatic fall in numbers is over a very short period of time a mere twelve years. I’m sure even the most statistically challenged can see that if something drastic is not done to combat this fall, in another twelve years we will have no tigers left in the region at all.
Information Regarding The 1st AMC
The 1st ASIA Ministerial Conference (AMC) is scheduled to be held at Hyatt Regency Hua Hin, Thailand, from 27–30 January 2010.
Host: Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Thailand
Organizers: Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation of Thailand, Global Tiger Initiative, and Save the Tiger Fund
Supporters: Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Thailand and the World Bank
Venue: Hyatt Regency, Hua Hin, Prachaup Khiri Khan Province, Thailand. Hua Hin is approximately 300 kilometers from Bangkok.
Dates: 27-30 January 2010
Participants:
- Ministers and senior officers from Asian tiger range states and representatives of relevant agencies
- Senior representatives of multilateral or bilateral organizations and Technical tiger experts
- International and Asia-based NGO’s working on tiger/wildlife conservation
Objectives:
- further update National Tiger Action Plans in coordination with law enforcement, financial, and land use planning agencies based on the outcomes of the Global Tiger Workshop, Kathmandu;
- identify political, management, and financial instruments, including support from the international community, needed to implement National Tiger Action Plans;
- define the key elements of a Global Tiger Stabilization and Recovery Program; and
- demonstrate leadership by launching priority actions without waiting for the Global Tiger Summit.
Expected Outputs:
- Political endorsement of the Pattaya Manifesto and a plan for its implementation
- Political endorsement of consolidated priority programs developed at Kathmandu Global Tiger Workshop and plans for their implementation
- Draft outlines of national and regional implementation plans on tiger conservation to be endorsed at the 2010 Tiger Summit
- Pilot projects initiated for implementation at the regional level
- Uptake of tiger-friendly investment filters by key international financing bodies.
Registration: By Invitation only
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Useful Information about Thailand
Thailand is a constitutional monarchy with His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, or King Rama IX, the ninth king of the Chakri Dynasty, the present king. The King has reigned for more than half a century, making Him the longest reigning monarch in the world.
Bangkok (Krung Thep, meaning "city of angels") is the capital city and centre of political, commercial, industrial and cultural activities.
The Kingdom of Thailand, covering an area of 514,000 square kilometers, lies in the heart of Southeast Asia, roughly equidistant between India and China. It shares borders with Myanmar to the west and north, Lao P.D.R. to the north and northeast, Cambodia to the east and Malaysia to the south. The country comprises 76 provinces that are further divided into districts, sub–districts and villages.
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Do’s and Don’t in Thailand
hai people have a deep, traditional reverence for the Royal Family, and a visitor should be careful to show respect for the King, the Queen and the Royal Family.
Religion:
Visitors should dress neatly in all religious shrines. They should never go topless, or in shorts, hot pants or other unsuitable attirelt is acceptable to wear shoes when walking around the compound of a Buddhist temple, but not inside the chapel where the principal Buddha image is kept.
Each Buddha image, large or small, ruined or not, is regarded as a sacred object. Never climb onto one to take a photograph or do anything which might indicate a lack of respect. Buddhist monks are forbidden to touch or be touched by a woman, or to accept anything from the hand of one. If a woman has to give anything to a monk, she first hands it to a man, who then presents it.
Social Norms:
Thais don’t normally shake hands when they greet one another, but instead press the palms together in a prayer–like gesture called a wai. Generally a younger person wais an elder, who returns it. Thais regard the head as the highest part of the body, literally and figuratively, therefore, avoid touching people on the head and try not to point your feet at people or an object. It is considered very rude. Shoes should be removed when entering a private Thai home. Public displays of affection between men and women are frowned upon.
More Background on AMC-Tiger.com
AMC-Tiger.com is a site dedicated to the conservation of one of the world’s most endangered species: the wild tiger. Initially launched to support the 1st Asia Ministerial Conference on Tiger Conservation, the site has since evolved into a broader resource focused on preserving the momentum of tiger conservation efforts. This article aims to delve into the background, significance, and impact of the conference while exploring how AMC-Tiger.com seeks to extend that legacy.
The Origins of AMC-Tiger.com
The creation of AMC-Tiger.com can be traced back to the 1st Asia Ministerial Conference on Tiger Conservation in 2010, a pivotal moment for wildlife preservation. The conference, held in Hua Hin, Thailand, was organized in response to the alarming decline of the global wild tiger population, which had plummeted to just 3,200 individuals from over 100,000 a century prior. Tiger range countries (TRCs), along with key global organizations, gathered to set forth a plan to reverse this trend.
AMC-Tiger.com served as a digital platform to document the outcomes of this high-level event. The site played a crucial role in disseminating information about the commitments made by the 13 tiger range countries, which agreed on various strategies aimed at protecting tigers from poaching, habitat destruction, and illegal wildlife trade.
Tiger Range Countries and Their Role in Conservation
Thirteen countries, including India, Thailand, and Malaysia, are home to the world’s last remaining wild tigers. These nations are referred to as the TRCs and have been at the forefront of the global tiger conservation movement. At the 1st AMC, they made a collective pledge to implement National Tiger Action Plans. These plans laid out strategies to enhance habitat protection, improve law enforcement against poaching, and boost public awareness about the importance of tiger conservation.
One of the most critical aspects of the conference was the reaffirmation of existing international agreements, such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), and the adoption of new frameworks like the Global Tiger Recovery Program. This comprehensive approach aimed to increase the wild tiger population across these countries by 2022.
Press and Media Coverage
The 1st AMC generated significant media coverage worldwide, largely due to its ambitious goal of doubling the global wild tiger population. Media outlets praised the high level of political will demonstrated at the conference, where governments committed substantial resources to tiger conservation. Reports highlighted the challenges faced by each country, particularly habitat fragmentation and illegal hunting.
In addition to formal agreements, the conference emphasized community-based conservation efforts. Local populations living near tiger habitats were encouraged to engage in sustainable practices that would reduce human-wildlife conflict. This shift toward involving indigenous communities was widely covered in the press, marking a new chapter in conservation efforts.
Audience and Cultural Significance
AMC-Tiger.com serves not only as a record of the 1st AMC but also as an educational tool for a global audience. Its target audience includes conservationists, policymakers, educators, and anyone interested in wildlife preservation. The cultural significance of tiger conservation goes beyond environmentalism; in many of the TRCs, tigers are seen as national symbols, representing strength, resilience, and biodiversity.
The conference’s outcome was particularly resonant in countries like India, where tigers hold deep cultural and religious importance. Tigers are featured prominently in Hindu mythology and folklore, and their protection is seen as part of a broader effort to conserve India’s rich biodiversity. AMC-Tiger.com taps into this cultural connection, making the case that protecting tigers is about preserving not just an endangered species but also a critical part of the region’s heritage.
Known For: Doubling Wild Tiger Numbers
The most ambitious goal of the 1st AMC was to double the wild tiger population by 2022, a vision that AMC-Tiger.com has continually promoted. This target, known as Tx2, became a rallying cry for conservationists around the world. Governments, NGOs, and global organizations such as the World Bank and the Global Tiger Initiative backed the Tx2 goal with financial and technical support.
The conference set in motion a series of actions that have shown promising results. According to various reports, countries like India and Nepal have made significant progress in tiger population recovery, while others are still grappling with challenges related to habitat loss and poaching.
Press & Media Coverage: Raising Global Awareness
The 1st AMC was a historic moment not only for tiger conservation but also for global awareness of wildlife protection. Major news outlets reported on the unprecedented cooperation between governments, NGOs, and international agencies. The conference succeeded in putting tiger conservation back on the global environmental agenda, particularly by linking it with broader issues like climate change and sustainable development.
The conference also saw the involvement of influential figures such as the World Bank President at the time, Robert Zoellick, who emphasized the importance of protecting tigers as a part of broader biodiversity conservation efforts. Zoellick’s statement during the conference garnered widespread attention, helping to solidify the event’s global significance.
Cultural and Social Impact
The cultural and social impact of tiger conservation is deeply intertwined with the communities living near tiger habitats. In many Asian countries, tigers are not only a part of the natural landscape but also integral to cultural identities. By promoting sustainable livelihoods and reducing human-tiger conflicts, the conference aimed to address the socio-economic challenges faced by these communities.
AMC-Tiger.com has become a repository of information on these issues, offering insights into how tiger conservation can benefit local economies through ecotourism and sustainable development projects.
Specific Initiatives and Outcomes
The 1st AMC set in motion several key initiatives, many of which continue to influence conservation efforts today. One of the most successful initiatives has been the expansion of wildlife patrol programs, such as Thailand’s SMART patrolling system. These programs use technology to track and combat poaching in real-time, significantly reducing the number of illegal wildlife crimes in critical tiger habitats.
Another notable outcome was the introduction of trans-border conservation agreements, particularly in regions like the Greater Mekong, where tiger habitats span multiple countries. These agreements have improved collaboration between governments and NGOs, leading to more coordinated efforts in managing and protecting tiger populations.
The Future of AMC-Tiger.com
As tiger conservation continues to evolve, AMC-Tiger.com remains a valuable resource for both historical documentation and ongoing advocacy. The website has expanded its focus to include updates on conservation progress, new research findings, and strategies for sustaining the momentum generated by the 1st AMC.
Looking forward, AMC-Tiger.com aims to engage a broader audience by incorporating more multimedia content, such as videos and interactive maps. This approach will not only educate visitors but also inspire action, encouraging more people to get involved in the fight to save wild tigers from extinction.
AMC-Tiger.com stands as a testament to the power of international collaboration in conservation. By chronicling the 1st Asia Ministerial Conference on Tiger Conservation and its lasting impact, the site serves as both an educational tool and a call to action. With its focus on preserving tiger habitats, combating poaching, and fostering community involvement, AMC-Tiger.com continues to play a critical role in the global effort to protect one of the world’s most iconic species.
Original photograph: Martin Harvey