Partnering to Secure the Future for People and Pandas in the Minshan and Qinling Mountains, China
Case Study C0208
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| Date | 2006 |
| Agency | WWF |
| Project type | Implemented by agency |
| Context(s) | Protected area |
| Geographic coverage | China |
| Locality | Minshan and Qinling mountain ranges |
| Biodiversity focus | Species |
| Development focus | Rural communities |
| Conservation goals | Protect the giant panda and its habitat |
| Poverty reduction goals | Empower local people and help them develop sustainable income generating activities |
Summary
The Minshan and Qinling mountains in China are renowned for hosting the largest giant panda population. Beside the giant panda, these areas are very rich in biodiversity, and play a crucial role in providing fuelwood and freshwater for local people. Farming and animal husbandry are the dominant occupations for the abundant, and largely poor, human population living in the Minshan and Qinling mountains. Local people have always been heavily dependent on the extraction of forest resources for their livelihoods, sometimes causing heavy deforestation through their activities. Recognizing how critical the mountains were as catchment areas for farmland irrigation and for drinking water to millions of people downstream, the Chinese government included these areas in the 1998 logging ban imposed in several provinces. This led to the loss of the chief source of income in a region where poverty remains entrenched, and, therefore, to illegal logging and poaching.
Recognizing that, without responding to the livelihood needs of the impoverished farming communities, the giant panda and its habitat, could not be protected, WWF has launched various projects in China (e.g. Pingwu Integrated Conservation and Development Project (ICDP); Minshan Landscape Initiative; Qinling Panda Focal Project) aimed at pursuing both conservation and livelihoods goals. The main strategies adopted by WWF in these projects are: i) to develop models of innovation and partnerships between local communities, government and the private sector; ii) to build local capacities to follow sustainable and viable livelihood options.
Many benefits have already been delivered in the Minshan and Qinling mountains in China as a result of WWF's interventions.
Conservation impact
There are some indicators that large-scale logging and deforestation have halted and a slow recovery is taking place, also thanks to the adoption of energy efficient stoves that consume 30% less fuelwood than the traditional stoves. Overall, the government has established 33 panda reserves that provide protection for over 60% of the country’s giant panda populations. Surveys confirm that the panda population is slowly but steadily increasing. One negative impact on conservation has derived from unplanned, large-scale tourism, which is causing pollution and exploitation of natural resources.
Poverty reduction impact
One of the main achievement of WWF's projects was to provide local people with alternative livelihoods opportunities, through the provision of training, equipment and small grants. In particular, WWF has supported: 80 farmers to begin beekeeping; 57 farmers to start raising goats and pigs; 235 farmers to cultivate non-timber forest products (NTFPs), such as apple trees, walnut and prickly ash pepper plants; 102 farmers to cultivate medicinal herbs; 185 farmers to start or expand their vegetable plots. Locals are also benefiting from the rapidly growing tourism industry, both through income and emplyoment. Finally, 397 biogas reactors and 481 energy efficient stoves have been built.
Strategy for Conservation/Poverty Linkages
Provision of alternative livelihoods
Enabling local participation in policy-/decision- making processes
Reference 1
http://www.wwf.dk/db/files/beskyt_naturen_og_hjaelp_de_fattige.pdf
Related records above this one:
- WWF International (Organisation O0115)