Protecting globally critical biodiversity in Yunnan province of China
- China
ENTRY DATE: 09.03.2012 | LAST UPDATE: 09.03.2012
SCALE:
- Sub-national Level
TARGET AREA:
- Rural
BEST PRACTICE IN:
- Capacity Building
- Governance
KEY SECTOR:
- Forest Ecosystems
FUNDING AMOUNT:
Description of Intervention
• Institutional setting-up with full legal status of local management bodies and well-defined responsibilities for biodiversity conservation of Laojun Mountain and Meili Snow Mountain;
• Training of the local bodies on data collection, monitoring, business models for eco-tourism and conservation concessions; and
• Training of local resident communities in the conservation areas on alternative livelihood activities (e.g., commercial fungus cultivation, walnut grafting).
Problems to be Addressed
• Tourism development, road construction, mining operations and plans for dam construction = major threats to biodiversity conservation.
• Melting of glaciers caused by climatic changes = emerging threat to biodiversity. Fast adjusting vegetation stratification is expected to occur, eventually leading to a loss of water resources on which a large number of the local population is dependent on for their livelihoods.
• The mountainous region targeted by this project is home to various ethnic minorities; for some tribes, glaciers are sacred and hence glacier melting increases their spiritual concern.
Aims
Biodiversity conservation through the development of a legal framework by governments and local communities.
Objectives
• To upgrade the conservation status of Laojun Mountain and Meili Snow Mountain and designate both mountains as national parks; and
• To establish a legal framework for the national park management by setting up institutional entities, building capacities of park managers and promoting community participation the park management.
How it fits into the EbA concept
The project aimed to halt biodiversity loss and conserve ecosystems in the areas affected by both human- and climate-induced impacts through protected area zonation/delineation.