Puskonser (Bogor, 3/28/13)_The Centre for Conservation and Rehabilitation Research and Development (Puskonser) held a seminar on the topic "Policy and Regulatory Framework for Effective Management of Invasive Alien Species," on Wednesday (20/3) in Bogor.

This seminar is a collaboration between UNEP-GEF Project (Global Environmental Facilities - United Nations Environment Programme)/ CABI-Puskonser with SEAMEO BIOTROP. The seminar was held to explore the efforts taken by the government of Indonesia through the Ministry of Forestry on the management of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) and the efforts to prevent forest damage due to pests and diseases, including the effect of the IAS attack.

The main thing presented in a seminar is the extent to which policies and regulations that exist today can meet the mandates set forth in the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), article 8 (h). The seminar also touched on the possibility of cooperation between the Ministry of Forestry through Puskonser and BIOTROP so that the management and national laws related to IAS can run effectively.

Dr. Junko Shimura form the Secretariat of the CBD based in Canada, delivered the main paper on the progress of GEF-UNEP/CABI-Puskonser projects related to IAS Management. Junko emphasized that every country that has ratified the CBD made a real effort in tackling the destruction of natural habitats and ecosystems from the threat of IAS. Junko is very keen to encourage decision-makers to pay more attention to the achievement of Aichi Biodiversity Targets (target 9) in the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAP) 2011 to 2020.

To achieve that target, Junko highlighted the need for evaluation to see how far the government's efforts in addressing IAS. The management efforts should be based on solid knowledge about the history of the IAS inclusion and how to identify the species of both animal and plant that could potentially become invasive in a new place.

The evaluation also included the government's efforts in mainstreaming biodiversity, preparing the regulatory framework related to IAS and preparation of the IAS National Management Strategy and its Action Plan. Another thing that needs to be given attention is the awareness of the various parties on the dangers of IAS and how the parties address this. Surely harmonious inter-sectoral coordination needs to be established, including the development of their capacity.

Policy and regulatory framework

In relation to the creation of IAS policy and regulatory framework,  Dra. Daisy Joyce Djohor, M.Rng. from the Ministry of the Environment (MoE) confirmed that MoE is the motor. However, coordination cannot be achieved without close cooperation among relevant ministries. Thus, "IAS task force" has been formed which composed of representatives of each sector and led by the Ministry of Environment.

According to Joyce, there are four IAS policy directions, as follows:

1. Preventing the emergence of a new IAS problem by applying Early Detection System and the Environmental Risk Management,
2. Mitigating the negative impact of IAS through the preparation of Risk Analysis Procedure, Environmental Impact Analysis, and so on,
3. Capacity building for all stakeholders and integrating IAS management into the National Management Plan, and
4. Building a network of information about IAS and conducting periodic inventories, collecting baseline data, disseminating information to the government at all levels and to public, as well as further involving the parties in an effort to increase capacity.

In relation to the regulation on invasive species, the government through Government Regulation No. 28 of 2011 issued a regulation policy on Management of Protected Areas and Conservation Areas. Article 24 Paragraph 2 (b) of the regulation emphasizes the importance of the efforts to protect, prevent and restrict potentially damaging activities, including the changes of forest function, whether caused by humans, livestock, fire, invasive species, pests and diseases.

According to Dr. Bambang Novianto, the Director of Biodiversity Conservation, Ministry of Forestry, what will be done now is to make practical guidelines and regulations to describe government regulation. The IAS UNEP-GEF project is expected to facilitate activities for the achievement, so that it will help forest protection and nature conservation  in the management of conservation areas.

To support this, Dr. Titiek Setyawati, a researcher from Puskonser as well as National Project Director Program Removing Barriers to Invasive Species Management in Production and Protection Forests in South East Asia (SEA-RBIs Indonesia) said that the current project has facilitated the drafting of the National Strategy and Action Plan for Invasive Alien Species Management.

The draft was prepared in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment and several related sectors such as the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Marine and Fisheries Affairs as well as BIOTROP. The project also is developing a Risk Analysis Procedures, Cost Recovery Analysis and Mechanism which allow the identification of plant species that can damage the environment and also build the Early Detection System and Rapid Respond to anticipate threats.

Increasing the capacity in the field of IAS

In order to develop capacity building in the field of IAS, Dr. Jess Fernandez, the Director of BIOTROP conducted a collaboration with MoE by training 100 IAS quarantine officers in controlling IAS. BIOTROP also provides scholarships for a number of posgraduate students to conduct research in various fields. Furthermore, IAS mainstreaming into policy frameworks and curriculum became BIOTROP focus of attention, especially to increase the awareness of all parties.

Some participants such as Dr. Noviar Andayani (WCS) and Ir. Ridwan Alydrus MSc (Plant Quarantine, MoA), Prof.. Dr.. Ervizal Amzu (IPB), and several researchers from LIPI also revealed the need for the involvement of academics and researchers in managing IAS. This is because many knowledge that is still unknown about what the impact of IAS in the forestry sector.

Integrated and multi-sectorial IAS management

An integrated and multi-sectorial IAS management is the key to success in preventing the degradation of biodiversity in Indonesia due to the threat of IAS. This is because the impact of biodiversity quality degradation can impact on various sectors such as agriculture, forestry, water/fish farming, trading, transportation, recreation, etc.

It is therefore necessary to increase the awareness and knowledge of all parties regarding the negative impacts of IAS on the environment. IAS policies and regulations are supporting factors needed as a reference in managing, including the management at the field level. Prevention efforts is considered far better than eradication.

The seminar that was opened by Ir. Didiek Purwito, MSc, the Head of Data Development and Follow up representing the Head of Puskonser was attended by about 32 participants. Also presented at this seminar are the Director of Natural Biodiversity and Conservation-Ministry of Forestry, Dr. Bambang Novianto and BIOTROP Director, Dr. Jess Fernandez. Other participants were representatives of the Ministry of Environment (MoE), National Plant Quarantine (Ministry of Agriculture), LIPI, IPB, WCS, UNB, ITTO, PHKA, and FORDA researchers. (TS)***