By Sanya Khetani-Shah, 31
May 2016
In a great example of nature
conservation knowing no national boundaries, Doğa Derneği (BirdLife in
Turkey), with the support of theBulgarian Society
for the Protection of Birds (BSPB, BirdLife in Bulgaria), MME (BirdLife in Hungary)
and the Ornithological
Society of the Middle East (OSME), have launched a new protection
programme for six globally Threatened bird species breeding in Turkey’s
steppes.
The project – which aims to
protect the Sociable Lapwing, Egyptian Vulture, Steppe Eagle, Eastern Imperial Eagle, Great Bustard andWhite-headed Duck – will be implemented in
collaboration with locals living near the species’ habitats.
The Critically Endangered
Sociable Lapwing occurs in the East Anatolian steppes solely during migration,
while the other five species have significant breeding populations across the
region. Turkey is particularly important for the Endangered Egyptian Vulture:
approximately 20 percent of the world’s population and at least one third of
the European population breeds in Turkey.
In the coming weeks and months,
Doğa’s bird experts and social studies teams will be traveling across the
Central Anatolian steppes to meet locals to generate awareness and develop local
conservation plans where these species breed in significant numbers. Most of
main breeding grounds of these species lie within private land and community
pastures, which are highly affected by farming and grazing. Doğa, BSPB and MME
form networks and alliances with locals to secure the best possible land use
and habitat management for the Egyptian Vulture, Eastern Imperial Eagle and the
Steppe Eagle, building on international best practices, while OSME is
supporting Doğa in protecting the White-headed Duck.
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