Title
Using the KBA approach to set conservation priorities in Myanmar.
Author(s)
Htun, Saw
Published
2014
Abstract
Through collaboration between Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestry (MOECAF) and Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), biodiversity conservation investment visioning process was conducted from 2012 to 2013 to set conservation priorities in Myanmar using KBA approach. This process included structured interviews o ke stakeholder fro government agencies, local and international NGOs, universities, individual experts and private citizens. This proces covers th following updates. Updated and refined biological priorities for Myanmar: Current knowledge of all species and sites of importance for biodiversity conservation in Myanmar as well as the threats and the root causes of the threats were compiled and simple ranking system used to prioritize species and sites. This resulted in almost doubling the number of Ke Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) in the country as well as expanding our knowledge of recently explored areas as well as marine and coastal ecosystems that were not considered in the 2005 analysis. Re-prioritized threats to biodiversity and analyzed their drivers: Threats and thei root causes were identified and prioritized using directed questionnaires with key conservation stakeholders. The results showed a large number of commercial and large-scale development driven threats as well as lower threats from local subsistence use. Engaged a wide constituency of stakeholders in defining a common conservation vision and reaching broad agreement on national priorities for investment in conservation action: The directed questionnaires followed by an inclusive stakeholder workshop with the largest group of conservation practitioners and leading role of government in setting national priorities fo conservation action were the best indicators of the productivity if this process. The broad range of stakeholders ensures ownership of the product across the conservation community and will lead to a clear focus moving forward as new funding opportunities become available.

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PUB27058