Consultation workshop with national partners to protect the Egyptian vulture in Syria Damascus 2 July 2017

Consultation workshop with national partners to protect the Egyptian vulture in Syria Damascus 2 July 2017

Under the patronage of the Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform (MAAR) and in cooperation with the Ministry of Local Administration and Environment (MLAE) and Birdlife International regional office, the Syrian Society for the Conservation of Wildlife (SSCW) held a consultative workshop at the Arab Cultural Center – Damascus. Presentations on the Egyptian Vulture status at the national and regional levels were presented followed by the role of SSCW in protecting the Egyptian Vulture to meet the commitments towards the environmental Agreements with the leading role of the MLAE. The protection of the Egyptian Vulture is the subject of a recently started cooperative project led by BSPB in the Balkans and partnership with Birdlife International in the Middle East and Africa to carry out conservation and awareness work in 14 countries on three continents.

The International Day of Environment (June,5, 2016)

SSCW has participated in an event that was organized by the Environment Department of Damascus City Governorate at Ministry of State for Environment Affairs (MSEA) on the occasion of the International Day of Environment that is celebrated annually on June 5^th.

The event was under the patronage of H.E Dr. Nazira Sarkis Minister of State for Environment Affairs under the theme” Illegal Trade of Endangered Wildlife Species“. H.E Dr. Sarkis addressed the attendees and focused on the negative impact of illegal trade of wildlife on the ecosystems and described the importance of dealing with illegal trade and highlighted the various efforts and legal and regulatory measurements exercised by MSEA and other Syrian agencies as well as other concerned parties and NGOs in this respect.

During the event, SSCW has delivered a presentation focused on the definition of illegal trade of wildlife and wildlife trafficking, its risks and threats to wildlife and natural resources. Furthermore, the presentation highlighted SSCW activities related to combating wildlife illegal trading through joint efforts with governmental authorities and civil communities aiming at increasing awareness about illegal trade as well as supporting government for monitoring and surveying markets of wildlife and capacity building for surveying and training. Other governmental participants and concerned NGOs have also made other presentations related to other environmental topics as well as the issue of combating illegal trade of wildlife. The event was concluded by a general discussion session that resulted in suitable recommendations relating to use all efforts to highlight the importance of combatting illegal trading in due time.

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Celebration of the World Migratory Birds Day 2015 Damascus 11/ 05/2015

The Syrian Society for the Conservation of Wildlife (SSCW) held, under the patronage of the Ministry of State for Environmental Affairs, and in cooperation with the Migratory Soaring Birds project (MSB), a workshop entitled: “Let’s Make Energy Projects friendly to Nature, the Environment and birds “. The workshop was held in the Shami Hall, the National Museum of Damascus on Monday 11 May 2015, on the occasion of the World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) that is celebrated under the theme “Energy: make it friendly to birds“. It aims to highlight the importance of exploiting energy technologies in a manner that prevents their impacts on migratory birds.

Participants in this workshop, discussed national plans for developing renewable energy projects, national environmental laws and legislations, instructions for establishing energy projects and proposed sites for establishing wind farms and other renewable energy projects in the Syrian investment map. The risks from energy facilities located on the path of bird migration were highlighted and the adoption of environmental sensitivity maps for establishing these facilities was stressed upon. In addition, the adoption of approved international standards on establishing Wind and solar energy farms and construction of power transmission lines was also discussed.

SSCW Celebrate the World Migratory Bird Day 2013 in Latakia Latakia 10 Nov 2013

Under the patronage of H.E Dr. Nazira Sarkis the Minister of State for Environmental Affairs, Syrian Society for the Conservation of Wildlife (SSCW) and in cooperation with the Migratory Soaring Bird Project held a celebratory event for the World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) under the title: (Networking of Activities at Bottleneck sites & Migratory Birds) Latakia, 10/11/2013.

Over forty representatives from different governmental and non-governmental institutions participated in this event. The Ministry of State for Environment Affairs (MSEA), Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform (MAAR), Ministry of Tourism(MoT), Ministry of Interior Affairs (MoIA), Environmental NGOs from Latakia and Tartous were represented at this event. Furthermore, representatives of the local community, peasants and hunters who can play a vital role in protecting the Migratory birds in the area, the only bottle neck site in Slenfeh – Latakia, were also among the attendees.

The workshop concluded in a session of discussion resulting in a series of recommendations at the Hunting and Agriculture Sectors as follows:

Recommendations in Hunting sector:

1 . Support establishing hunters` clubs in Syria depending on the modern law and encourage participation in regional initiatives like the regional meeting of responsible hunters in Beirut / December 2013.

2 . Concentrate on importance of documenting the process of punishing irregular hunting and legal actions that are supposed to be taken, and generalize it within the sector .

3 . Support engaging universities and scientific centres through launching scientific programs in the field of hunting, and move from documenting these studies toward required fields where knowledge gaps exist.

4 . Focus on the importance of issuing (the modern hunting law) and adopting the draft of the Action Plan of the transitional phase toward the modern law that is presented by SSCW after approving this draft by MAAR .

5. Set national red lists of Syrian fauna and start this procedure by setting (the national red list of birds in Syria).

6. Integrate the twenty five Important Bird Areas (IBA’s), which are adopted by the study of BirdLife International` in 1994, on the national environmental map as one of the environmental important areas . And re- achieve a comprehensive study of these areas to define its real impact when conditions allow this.

7 . Document case studies of hunting and its different methods in Syria within researches and specialized studies and generalize their results.

8. Emphasize the importance of gender in influencing hunters to support sustainable hunting practices.

9. Welcome the governmental plans to join the Raptors MoU under the International Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) .

10. Release a national monitoring program of birds` markets in major cities to pursue trade of living and dead birds in these markets systematically according to the forms approved by BirdLife International/ MSB project for this purpose.

11. Emphasize the importance of the role of media and raising awareness` programs to support sustainable hunting practices.

12. Observe the issues of hunting weapons and gunshots used for hunting as well as the use of fire guns in illegal hunting in the draft of the modern hunting law.

13. Distribute the final hunting report that SSCW is preparing currently in cooperation with the MSB project in BirdLife International on hunting sector impact on MSBs to the specialized national parties to use it in supporting future orientation of regulating hunting sector in Syria.

Recommendations in Agriculture sector:

1. Prepare a list of pesticides used in Syria, which are listed in Rotterdam Convention (PIC), and send it to Birdlife International- MSB project to check pesticides that threaten birds in order to suggest a list of replacements for the dangerous ones by MSB project.

2. Documenting case studies of agriculture sector and its impact on migratory soaring birds within researches and specialized studies and distribute their results.

3. Support engaging universities and scientific centers through launching scientific programs in the field of agriculture and its impact on migratory soaring birds, and move from documenting these studies toward required fields where knowledge gaps exist.

4. Emphasize the importance of the human element (male and female) in effecting agricultural practices that have negative impact on migratory soaring birds.

5. Distribute the final Agriculture report that SSCW is preparing currently in cooperation with the MSB project in BirdLife International on agriculture sector impact on MSBs to the specialized national parties to use it in supporting future orientations to integrating the protection of migratory soaring birds with the agricultural field.

6. Integrate concepts of protecting migratory soaring birds in the EIA system in the Ministry of State for Environmental Affairs (MSEA).

Workshop about the Status of Northern Bald Ibis and Sociable Lapwing in Syria during 2013 Damascus, May 19, 2013

Under the patronage of Mr. Ahmad Fateh Al-Qadiri, the Minister of Agriculture & Agrarian Reform (MAAR), the Syrian Society for the Conservation of Wildlife organized a one-day workshop about the Status of Northern Bald Ibis and Sociable Lapwing in Syria during 2013 at the Ministry Meeting Hall in Damascus on Sunday, May 19, 2013.

Speakers at the workshop who are bird specialists and representatives of national institutions involved in protecting birds and hunting regulation have discussed the latest about the NBI in Palmyra and also the situation of the Sociable Lapwing that wan not surveyed this spring at the badia of Raqqa, Deir Ezzor and Palmyra, due the current situation. The participants also discussed the latest in the development of the steps taken to reach a modern version of the Hunting Law within the Higher Council for Hunting (HCH) and the roles of all stakeholders in the process and the key role that SSCW is taking in this process.

Workshops report: (Reviewing the status of IBAs in Syria: The coastal Region and the Central & Eastern Regions. Consultation meetings)

Lattakia & Homs, 4th & 5th August 2019.

Convened by the Syrian Society for the conservation of Wildlife (SSCW) with patronage from Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform (MAAR), and in cooperation with Ministry of Local Administration and Environment (MLAE) and with logistic support from Birdlife International.

The Society held two consultation meetings with participants from different stakeholders from governmental bodies, local communities, and research institutes involved in the surveying and field studies for monitoring Birds and other Biodiversity Components in the targeted regions.

These meetings aimed to get all stakeholders together and discuss the current situation of IBAs in Syrian with focus on the targeted geographical scopes of the meetings. Presentations from involved stakeholders and the Society presented the concept of IBAs and how to update the data as part of the monitoring scheme that SSCW committed to do as part of its commitment within Birdlife International.

The discussions at the end of the sessions shared a common understanding of the need to submit all available data where possible to SSCW in order to update the database using the right form of monitoring and updates. This will enable SSCW specialists to assess the current situation of the sites and ultimately update the data stored on the world database about IBAs within Birdlife International.

All participants were given the instructions to fill the forms directly or through their contacts and the ways to send them to SSCW in the future and bring any prospective source of information in contact to update the information of the sites in Syria.

The Syrian Society for the Conservation of Wildlife urgently prepares a concise working paper for the rehabilitation of burnt forests and presents it to the responsible authorities

The Syrian Society for the Conservation of Wildlife urgently prepares a concise working paper for the rehabilitation of burnt forests and presents it to the responsible authorities

Damascus September 13 2020

During the last fortnight, several sites of natural forests in the Syrian coastal mountains have been subjected to several fires that have caused the destruction of large areas of our natural national forests. These sites are among the richest spots in biological diversity and harbour several sites that were recognised as Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) or Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and they are amongst the most important habitats in which different forms of wildlife can be found and live in. This catastrophe will have long-term effects on humans and the environment if it is not rehabilitated in the correct and appropriate way..

From this point, the Syrian Society for the Conservation of Wildlife (SSCW) discussed this topic through its members whom have a wide range of experience, knowledge and competence in various fields and subjects including the protecting wildlife, environment, natural forests, Protected Areas, various habitats and soil conservation, in addition to habitat and forest management and environmental legislation and cooperation. Previous experiences and lessons learned from national, regional and global experiences were also used to benefit from the positives and avoid negatives in a way that fits the special case of our national forests with their distinctive geographical features. The dialogue and discussion between its members from various Syrian governorates and even those who are by the nature of their work outside the homeland to develop a scientific, practical and realistic vision that eases and guarantees the smooth rehabilitation of forests that were burnt in general. The main contents of the concept note were formulated in a simple and focused manner for submission to the responsible authorities to be adopted or used as needed.

We would like to confirm that the Society is willing and ready to respond to any dialogue that puts whatever experience it has in serving the national interest and our forests. So that when the first rehabilitation steps is being initiated, consultations will be made to develop rehabilitation solutions and follow up steps according to each forest type and individual site and in a way that suits its previous, climax and natural situation in general.

The following link is to present this paper (in Arabic) connecting those wishing to view the paper presented by the association on the main concepts and ideas for rehabilitating burned forests in general

Ministry of State for Environment Affairs is issuing a decision to prohibit exporting of animals and plants listed within the International CITES Agreement:

An outcome of close follow-up and cooperation between Government Agencies and Non-Governmental Organisations.

Damascus 21/ 11/2013

The sterling efforts made and productive cooperation between the Syrian Society for the Conservation of Wildlife (SSCW) and the national governmental bodies were proved fruitful. These efforts emerged from the importance of achieving sustainable management of hunting and wildlife investment and protection through the development of current legislation and bylaws. This was materialized through efforts to support the capacity building of technical staff that are capable of implementing legislation and executive instructions through a series of workshops implemented in cooperation with the Ministries of Environment (MSEA) and Agriculture (MAAR) (September 2012, May 19, 2013, November 10, 2013, November 14, 2013) with the participation of all stakeholders. Among the most important outcomes of these workshops were promoting wildlife conservation and explaining the negative impact of hunting and other activities such as international trade and trafficking. Furthermore, these workshops have succeeded as well in presenting mechanisms to achieve an updated and modern legislation that takes into account international standards in a logical and applicable way, as well as the importance of government and civil cooperation in reaching these goals.

The Society is proud to see the beginning of such outcome of cooperation efforts between government and NGOs through the issuance of Minister of State for Environmental Affairs Dr. Nazira Sarkis a Ministerial Resolution No. 1307 / s / f – date 11/20/2013. This decision prohibits the export of animals and plants listed within the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Syria signed to join this agreement in 2002 and entered into force in 2003.

It is undoubtedly, that this decision is a supportive step to protect the diverse wildlife in Syria by limiting the gathering or harvesting of these creatures and their products and such related international trade activities.

World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD):

The World Migratory Birds Initiative was launched in 2006 as a global initiative dedicated to celebrating migratory birds and promoting their protection worldwide and as an annual awareness campaign to highlight the importance of protecting migratory birds and their habitats. Individuals and organisations concerned with the protection of wildlife with all its components all over the world organize public events for this event such as bird festivals, educational programs and trips to observe birds during their migration. These events are being carried out in order to celebrate this occasion with a view to educating and raising the awareness of the public, especially children (the future generations) and introducing them to these migratory birds and their importance and role in the environmental balance. These events also aim to eliminate the idea, especially within hunters, that migratory birds are not important to the countries that they pass on their migration and that they are not contributing to the ecological balance of these passage countries. This idea has been promoted by some shooters in order to morally justify hunting these birds ignoring the role of these birds at resting sites on their passage that cover more than 90% of these countries (especially small countries with diverse ecosystems such as Syria) during winter or summer migration.

The Syrian Society for the Conservation of Wildlife has implemented and celebrated this event since its launch on many occasions with various celebrations or seminars at different locations, even during the recent years of the crisis

SSCW Celebrates the World Migratory Bird Day 2013 in Latakia

Under the patronage of H.E Dr. Nazira Sarkis the Minister of State for Environmental Affairs, Syrian Society for the Conservation of Wildlife (SSCW) and in cooperation with the Migratory Soaring Bird Project held a celebratory event for the World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) under the title: (Networking of Activities at Bottleneck sites & Migratory Birds) Latakia, 10/11/2013.