Coordinator's Note

From May 1, 1999, the Asia Pacific Mountain Network entered into Phase II of its operations. Taking into consideration lessons learned in Phase I, APMN will help to strengthen networking activities in the region; it will launch a regional discussion list and conduct regional electronic conferences, and it will assist in building up the capacities of network partners in information management. An APMN Small Grants' programme has been introduced to assist APMN partner organizations in information technology capacities; in conducting studies and research on sustainable mountain development; and in starting newsletters; bulletins, or journals to reach out to grass root communities through mass media, etc, and serve as APMN Resource Centres on specific mountain-related issues (see the pull-out in this issue for grant applications). APMN will also further its outreach to people in general on sustainable mountain development issues by collaborating with mainstream media in the region to produce feature articles and audio-visuals.

The year 2002 has been proclaimed by the UN's 53rd Session as the International Year of the Mountains (IYoM). The APMN, in its role as a regional network, has a vital role to play in preparing the regional mountain organizations to prepare for IYoM. In the lead up to IYoM, APMN will be organizing regional workshops and supporting regional mountain organizations in preparing their respective regional plans for IYoM.

FEATURE

• Conservation Issues for Wildlife in China

• Biodiversity Conservation Network

• Nepal Trust Fund for Biodiversity Conservation

• Chinese Biodiversity Information System

• Environmental Resources' Information Network, Australia

ASIA PACIFIC MOUNTAIN PROFILE

• Mountains of South Asia

DISCUSSION

• Conservation of Wildlife Resource

• Urumqi Declaration for Central Asia

• The Altai Declaration