Bio-diversity

Brief Description of project is as follows: The only inhabitant of Neurergus Kaiseri in parts of Lorestan and Khuziatan Provinces is in edge of destruction due to heavy pressure on the environment in the region. As a result this endemic specie has been listed in the red list of IUCN and categorized as critically endangered. Since unfamiliarity of local people regarding global importance of this specie and capturing this specie to be sold in the market are recognized as the major threats to this specie, this project aims to promote participatory conservation of the specie and its habitat: -Identifying borders of the inhabitant and species residing there -Sensitization of local communities, mountaineers, tourists and children regarding the importance of the specie -Training Local Watches to prevent illegal capturing of the specie -Negotiating with local government to control illegal capturing and trafficking via local railway station -Promoting close cooperation between local watches and Game Guards to prevent illegal capturing -Holding workshops, field visits, seminars for local people, tour guides, mountaineers, students, to familiarize them with the specie and its inhabitant. So far the following activities have been done by the project team: On February 9th 2012, a participatory workshop were held in Dezful where local authorities including governor, head of Environment Department, Biology teachers and climbers participated and discussed different topics including environment, important role of local communities in conservation activities, threats associated with Neurergus kaiseri and appropriate protection policies.

Iran