David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation

Alaungdaw Kathapa became Myanmar's first National Park in 1984. It is 620 square miles of mixed deciduous and tropical jungle with a rich diversity of plant and animal species - including elephants, leopards, clouded leopards, golden cats, sun bears and possibly tigers. The ever-increasing human population around the park and their poverty has resulted in huge pressure on the park's natural resources, including timber extraction and poaching of wildlife.

Working with local Buddhist monks and local communities, DSWF and other partners, including Myanmar's only environmental NGO, Forest Resource and Environment Development Association (FREDA), developed the highly successful 'Surviving Together Programme'. Promoting the 'Sanctity of Life', the project is multi-faceted, setting up successful wildlife monitoring and research work, and anti-poaching operations in and around the park, together with vital wildlife crime investigating illegal trade routes. Morale of the forest staff increased substantially and they now work closely with the local people working to create educational awareness and alternative farming techniques, such as agro-forestry, livestock raising and small scale fisheries and crop marketing. The introduction of over 900 fuel-wood efficient cooking stoves has reduced wood cutting in the park and the buffer zone surrounding it by 40%.

DSWF was the only UK based charity working in Myanmar, believing that despite political difficulties, the conservation of wildlife is as vital here as anywhere. Myanmar's rich virgin forests are possibly still home to one of the world's last tiger populations and a host of other wildlife species. With greater protection of AKNP, it is hoped that tigers will return once more to the park and that this successful project will become a model for other wildlife areas.

DSWF funded anti-poaching operations and equipment such as GPS and camera traps, provided salary incentives for park staff, funded outreach programmes and alternative income generating schemes, including buying fuel efficient stoves and setting up nurseries which have grown and distributed over 30,000 fruit tree seedlings to local villagers. Money was also spent on education workshops in communities around the park and DSWF also supplied materials to over 56 local schools, giving vital knowledge to some 9,000 children.

Although a past project, it takes priority for DSWF emergency grant funding.