Promoting Sustainable Development in China’s Headwaters Region

SANJIANGYUAN (Aug. 5, 2015) – The Global Environmental Institute (GEI), together with Qinghai Sanjiangyuan National Reserve Management Bureau and ISEAL, held workshops for developing Sanjiangyuan ecosystem service-based economy and discussing the standards of sustainable community development.

GEI Program Manager, KUI Peng, demonstrates community conservation methods – GEI 2015

During the workshop, participants explored how to use administrative, fiscal, and market leverage to stimulate ecosystem service-based economy among local communities, so as to succeed in both economic development and ecological preservation.

They also discussed establishing and promoting a system of standards for a sustainable community, which can be a facilitator for preserving Sanjiangyuan, the source of Chinese mother rivers.

Li Ruofan, director of Qinghai Sanjiangyuan National Reserve Management Bureau, Jin Jiaman, GEI’s executive director, and Liang Xiaohui, senior consultant of ISEAL, gave opening speeches on the workshop.

Li Roufan (top) and Liang Xiaohui (bottom) giving their respective remarks – GEI 2015

The workshop had three topics:

1. Protecting the ecology of Sanjiangyuan and developing ecosystem service-based economy;
2. Knowledge sharing of preservation and development endeavors of each institution and communities;
3. Discussing standards for the sustainable development of communities.

Herdsmen Participate in Panel Discussion

Focusing on herdsmen’s wellbeing, the workshop arranged a special panel discussion among herdsmen representatives, so that the real condition of these communities can be known, and unbiased minds can spark wisdom of preservation and development strategies.

Herdsmen listen on and offer their perspective during the workshop – GEI 2015

These representatives brought in their perspectives on ecological protection and community development. Leading herdsmen from Gerize, Saiwu, Xiaying, Dayu and Longge village in Sanjiangyuan region and wider Qinghai were invited as experts to discuss guiding villagers to preserve ecology and foster development, the problems they encountered, and their expectation for external resources.

Simulating and Practicing Improved Decision Making

The workshop also involved a simulation of community conservation work. Participants were divided into four groups representing government, NGO, local community, and traditional cultural institutions.

Herdsmen work together during the simulation exercise – GEI 2015

They simulated the process of standard setting, including understanding concept, formulating criteria, and setting specific standards. Participants, especially herdsmen representatives, generated innovative and practical ideas, and they had a heated professional discussion.

Sanjiangyuan’s Future

Madame Jin Jiaman, executive director of GEI, stated in her summary speech that this is a very constructive workshop and that the perspectives and experience from the representatives are invaluable for future community work.

Mme JIN Jiaman addressing the workshop – GEI 2015

GEI hopes that by this opportunity, more exchanges and cooperation to foster eco-system service-base development of Sanjiangyuan can be held to improve the eco-environment of the region, promote community development, and protect Sanjiangyuan, the source of Chinese mother rivers.

The workshop attracted about 40 participants from government, academia, NGOs, social enterprises, media, and local communities. Most of them had rich experience working with communities in Sanjiangyuan and other minority areas in Tibet, Sichuan, and Gansu. They are from Qinghai Sanjiangyuan National Reserve Management Bureau, Qinghai Sanjiangyuan Office, International Cooperation Department of Qinghai Forestry Agency, Qinghai University, Qinghai Normal University, WCS, Shanshui Conservation Centre, Sanjiangyuan Eco-environment Protection Association, Ningxia Yunwu Mountain National Reserve, Gansu Lvtuoling Environment Development Centre, Sichuan Zangyitong Company, Chongqing Rongdu Technology Co., Ltd, and China Dialogue.

GEI’s Sanjiangyuan Projects

To facilitate the establishment of a long-term eco-environment protection mechanism and overturn the degradation of regional ecology, GEI started to research on the ecological institution and organize community development demonstration projects in Sanjiangyuan region based on a previous in-depth investigation with a focus on developing ecosystem service-based economy since 2013. GEI’s research and pilot projects cover conservation concession agreements, community sustainable development, climate change adaptation, etc.

GEI’s key partners in Sanjiangyuan region include Qinghai Development and Reform Commission, Qinghai Forestry Agency, Sanjiangyuan Reserve Administration, Qinghai CPC School, Qinghai Sanjiangyuan Eco-environment Protection Association, Nianbaoyuze Protection Association, Qinghai Sand Control Association, etc.

The project is designed to introduce and innovate protection and development models in Sanjiangyuan region, so as to promote villagers’ participation in eco-environment protection, and their smarter use of local resources to realize sustainable development.

Currently, GEI has 10 demonstration projects/communities in Sanjiangyuan region, among which Longge village of Baiyu town in Jiuzhi county, Guoluo prefecture, and Ganda village in Jiegu county, Yushu prefecture are the key demonstration communities.

GEI’s engagement in these two communities are as follows:

• investing RMB180,000 yuan in eco-protection training, eco-monitoring, reforestation, waste collection, and development of eco-products with the help of Qinghai Forestry Agency and Sanjiangyuan Reserve Administration, which also provide economic and material resources;
• donating RMB50,000 yuan for each community as Protection and Development Fund to support villagers’ development of eco-friendly industries and help them raise income;
• cooperating with Howard University to make business plans for Sanjiangyuan’s eco-friendly products;
• cooperating with ISEAL to establish an evaluation system that complies with international standards for the communities and their products;
• cooperating with enterprises and caring individuals to carry out charitable activities on poverty alleviation.