4-7 January 2007

 

 

Conference on Avian Influenza and Sustainable Use of Wild Birds, Tehran

 

On 6 January 2007 the CIC Iranian Delegation held a successful conference on Avian Influenza and Sustainable Use of Wild Birds together with the Iranian Shooting Hunting and Nature Enthusiasts Association (IRSHNA) with the attendance of 230 participants, including representatives from the government, the parliament, universities and the press.

 

The main speaker of the event was Niels Kanstrup, President of the CIC Migratory Birds Commission, who gave two well-received presentations, one on the Sustainable harvest of wildlife (waterbirds) and another lecture on Avian influenza, waterbirds and hunting. The conference attendance has shown a great interest in CIC and its activities. During the discussion about hunting tourism Niels Kanstrup emphasized CIC’s role in respect of promoting eco-tourism internationally, as well as through the activities of the CIC Delegation in Iran (read more further below).

 

The meeting offered an excellent occasion for the exchange of knowledge of wildlife management systems with focus on the situation in Iran and resulted in a fruitful dialogue between government and hunters representatives. This was all the more important as the Department of the Environment, responsible for wildlife management in Iran, had so far taken its decisions related to the use of wildlife without any consultation with the representatives of hunters. Dr. Moghaddam, responsible for the Veterinary Section at the Department of the Environment concluded that maintaining a dialogue with the hunters was essential. In this regard the meeting was undoubtedly a good and strong take off.

 

Thanks to the hospitality of the hosts, an excursion was organized after the meeting to a game reserve in the North of Tehran, where wild sheep and goats could be observed and information was provided about their annual biological cycle and behaviour. A presentation was given on the spatial nature management in Iran (5 levels: from national parks to open areas). The visit continued to a shooting range and training site for international competitions nearby Tehran where an informal Iran-Denmark Trap Championship took place (with two participants and won by Iran!).

 

On the left Mr. Niels Kanstrup, President of the Migratory Bird Commission, on the right Mr. Abdolali Yazdani, Head of the CIC Iranian Delegation

	Mr. Khairollah Abuhamzeh, Managing Director of the Iranian Shooting Hunting and Nature Enthusiasts Association (IRSHNA)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Development of the CIC Iranian Delegation

 

The conference in Tehran was actually the first official open meeting and introduction of the CIC Iranian Delegation since its reorganization initiated by the new Head of Delegation, Abdolali Yazdani in 2003.

 

The Delegation considers launching a project in Mian Dasht Area (500 km East of Tehran, between Sharood City and Sabzevar City). The outline of the project was first presented at the 52nd CIC General Assembly in Abu Dhabi. It focuses on an open area, where there is a great potential for wildlife conservation and ecotourism managed by hunters and the private sector. However, legal and land-use right aspects still have to be solved. There is a local interest in investment and a great potential for international cooperation. CIC, together with the Danish Hunters Association will follow the development in close contact with the Iranian partners.

 

The Iranian Delegation will give a briefing at the meeting of the Migratory Bird Commission during the 54th CIC General Assembly in Belgrade (on 3 May 2007, at 10-12 a.m.) about avian influenza and the situation of hunting in Iran. Moreover the Delegation will try to motivate Iranian attendance at the AEWA non-toxic shot workshop to be held in Jordan, in May 2007.

 

 

Some facts about wildlife management and hunting in Iran

 

Iran is surrounded by three continents: Asia, Africa and Europe. This phenomenon combined with the enormous size of the Republic ensures a vast variety of ecosystems, habitats and wildlife species. Known by many hunters, Iran is the origin of many species of wild goats and sheep, including first and foremost bezoar (Capra aegagrus) and urial sheep (Ovis vignei). Many trophies of these species originate from Iran. The fauna also includes more tropical species, such as leopard and cheetah, moreover the country hosts huge numbers of both sedentary and migratory birds including a variety of birds of prey and waterbirds from the Black See flyways.

 

Hunting is a longstanding tradition in Iran, managed by the state on a licence-based system. Due to the outbreak of avian influenza in 2005/2006, temporary bans have been put on hunting – causing frustration amongst the local hunters, and resulting in widespread poaching. The CIC Iranian Delegation with the help of CIC International has drawn the attention to the fact that the general ban on hunting was inexpedient. As a result, now hunting is opened regionally for some non-migratory birds.

 

There are 400.000 registered hunters (people having a gun licence) in Iran. Some of them (350 people) are organised in the national hunters association (Irshna) and some prominent members of them are also members of the CIC Iranian Delegation. The country constitutes a great potential for foreign hunters.