RESULT AND DISCUSSION – KEY HIGHLIGHTS

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3. RESULT AND DISCUSSION – KEY HIGHLIGHTS

3.1 Component 1: Establishing national policy and institutional frameworks

National invasive species strategic action plan The Indonesia NISSAP Figure 1 has already been endorsed by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry in June 2015; drafts NISSAP available for Cambodia and the Philippines Vietnam has no NISSAP but adopted a variation i.e. a ‘National Master Scheme for c ontrolling and prevention of IAS in Vietnam’ approved by the Prime Minister in 2012.

3.2 Component 2: Regional cooperation in Southeast Asia

Regional capacity and competency development A number of regional training courses were organized. These include: 1 FORRU workshop, Chiang Mai University, Thailand 10-14 September 2012. This 5-day workshop was funded by the Satogaeri Fund, Japan on Forest Restoration was hosted by the Forest Restoration Unit FORRU of Chiang Mai University, Thailand Figure 2. 2 Biological Control Workshop, SEAMEO BIOTROP, Bogor, Indonesia 26 – 30 November 2012 Figure 3. This 5-day workshop was also funded by the Satogaeri Fund, Japan was held in Bogor, Indonesia organized by SEAMEO BIOTROP; 3 Herbicide Application, and Monitoring and Evaluation of Invasive Alien Weed Species Workshop in Baluran National Park, East Java, Indonesia 1-7 July 2013 Figure 4. This is a 7-day training held at the Baluran National Park and was co-organized by the Forest Research and Development Agency FORDA of the Ministry of Forestry, Indonesia. 4 Communicating IAS threats and influencing policy and behavior change Feb – March 2014; 5 Workshop on Classical biological control 24-26th Sept. 2014 in collaboration with ASEAN Center for Biodiversity ACB. Identified the four 4 regional target species, viz., Mimosa pigra, Chromolaena odorata, Mikania micrantha and Eichhornia crassipes. The Regional Working Groups on Classical Biocontrol RWG CBC and their respective ToRs were ascertained and agreed by countries of several ASEAN member states. and 6 Cost Benefit Analysis and Eco-climatic Modeling from 13-19 October, 2014; Figure 1: Cover page of NISSAP for Indonesia Bogor, 21-22 October 2015 447 Figure 2: Project participants attending the FORRU training in Chiangmai. Figure 3: Project participants at the Biocontrol workshop in Bogor, Indonesia. Figure 4: Herbicide training at the Baluran National Park, Indonesia 3.3 Component 3: National capacity building and institutional support National IAS training programs developed and implemented for different stakeholders in all countries. Training Needs Assessment and Strategies TNAS in Cambodia has been finalized including the development of the training module on capacity building and awareness on Mimosa pigra. Indonesia and Vietnam has convened a number of trainings in collaboration with local partners; the Philippines is keen in piloting IAS modules into their curricula once developed. In addition, research grants have been provided to students aimed at studying target IAS. Bogor, 21-22 October 2015 448 3.4 Component 4: National pilots on the prevention, control and management of priority forest IAS Pilot sites were established in each country through effective local partnerships, ecosystem management plans developed and implemented and Environmental Impact Assessments EIAs undertaken. Project countries had already initiated trials with at least two different control practices. e.g. herbicide and cultural or mechanical and now compiling trial outputs towards preparing draft reports. Habitat restoration activities using native Barringtonia acutangula has begun in Cambodia at the pilot site in the Stung Sen Core Area since March 2015. Philippines reported initial results of Piper aduncum control in the pilot site to its IPCU. Indonesia has started trials on Acacia nilotica in Baluran NP and Merremia peltata in Bukit Barisan NP. Savanna restoration activities using native grasses Dicanthium caricosum has begun at the pilot site since December 2014. Figure 5: Copy of the FORIS Newsletter

3.5 Component 5: Information and Awareness Program

3.5.1 National Database on IAS Development of a national IAS database based on surveys to document presence and impacts of selected forest IAS is in progress limited in Cambodia and the Philippines. All countries have a list of their main IAS. Indonesia has draft report available and Vietnam has compiled their national IAS database. A National survey on IAS is in progress to develop the national IAS database in the Philippines. A limited activity to develop the national IAS database is being planned in Cambodia. Bogor, 21-22 October 2015 449 3.5.2 Communications strategies and activities Regional standardized communication strategy developed with national activities and regional targets. Cambodian National Communication Strategy NCS for Invasive Alien Species Management document has been approved and launched. In Indonesia, the draft is under review. Vietnam’s National Communication Strategy NCS has been approved by MONRE. Comprehensive national and regional awarenesscommunication campaigns, including development and dissemination of awareness material limited in Cambodia and the Philippines. The Minister of MONRE, Vietnam has also approved the national Awareness Program. Vietnam has also conducted a series of training workshops to raise awareness on IAS. 3.5.3 Awareness on IAS Indonesia has produced a documentary in collaboration with UNU- Japan, UNEP and CABI τAlien Hunters” on Acacia nilotica in Baluran NP and animation movie. This documentary has been aired at over 25 TV channels in the region – through support by the Asian Broadcasting Union, and been watched by over 250 million people in over 15 countries. In addition, a TV dialogue on IAS was also aired in TVRI, Jakarta. Cambodia gave trainings on IAS and biological control to all members of Sub-NSC, relevant NGOs, Universities, and local communities from the pilot site. Newsletters and website: Three 3 English editions of the FORIS newsletter Figure 5 are available and electronic copies distributed via the FORIS email distribution list – hard copies were also disseminated. An informational flyer in English about the FORIS project was prepared by CABI and distributed, mainly to partners and agencies. The logo of the FORIS project was developed by consensus of the project partners Figure 6. A FORIS website was created by CABI SEA and was launched in 2012. The aim of the website was to provide a platform where project updates, resources on IAS, and news can be shared between the partner countries, donors and other members of the public. The website can be accessed at: http:gefforestinvasivessea.org. Figure 6: Logo of the FORIS Project. International participations: A presentation entitled τFORIS - the GEF-funded project on Removing Barriers to Invasive Species Management in Production and Protection Forests in SE Asia” was presented at the Second International Congress on Biological Invasions ICBI2013 held in Qingdau, China from 23-27 October 2013. At the same Congress, Indonesia presented a poster on the project entitled, τAn invasive species, Merremia peltata, invading Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park.”. Aspects on the overall and country-perspective on the project was presented at an International Workshop entitled: Invasive species and Integrated Pest Management organized by USAID, IPM Innovation Lab and IAPPS in the Philippines from 13-15 August, 2014. Dr. Titeik, Mr. Ragil and Dr. Arne attended the International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds ISBCW in South Africa in early March 2014. Bogor, 21-22 October 2015 450

4. CONCLUSION