Special
Note – due to the SARS scenario in 2003, the
evacuation of Chris Aldridge for the summer by his organization VSO and some
delay in positioning the finance, the project in reality is working to a five
month time delay. Also, because of the project’s dependence on key working with
the National Nature Reserves in Guizhou, with their commitments of central reporting, and
to UNESCO in two cases, at Chinese year-end, the schedule also has to adjust
accordingly. This has no inherent risk
for the project, and the current lends itself well to seasons and the
availability of Miss Herrold. The quarterly newsletter will ensure regular
reporting during the next phases of the project.
Fiscal – the money from ELP has been received and accounting procedures
established. Interim auditing has taken place, but no substantial costs have
been incurred so far.
ACTIONS.
Strategic planning – the logic of the concept of the group and its
sustainability has been presented in several forums and in personal talks with
the best known Reserve Directors in Guizhou. Initially, it was explained to and welcomed by the
Management Committee of the Guizhou PRA Network. After that, it was presented
to the AGM of the Network. Most recently, it received consideration and
feedback, when Ren Xiaodong and Chris Aldridge made a special presentation at a
gathering, at Caohai wetland reserve, of nature reserve staff and Forestry
Bureau staff from all over Guizhou
province. Chris Aldridge has personally discussed the project with the
Directors of the flagship reserves of Caohai (elevated wetland), the Chishui
(bamboo and Spinulosa sp. forests),
UNESCO sites of Fanjinsgshan (sub-tropical forest ecology and Dove tree and
Golden Monkey) and Maolan (natural karst forest), and Xishui (sub-tropical and
evergreen broadleaf forest). Chris also had special meetings with directors at Guizhou International Co-operation Center and International Co-operation & Industry
Division of the Forestry Department of Guizhou province. In the near future, the subject will feature
at a 1-day workshop being presented by the Community-based Conservation
Sub-group of Guizhou PRA Network. The consensus emerging is one of care to be
taken that the new group fits well with the existing structures at play in
bio-diversity protection, in the prevailing (but evolving) climate of top-down
regulation.
Agricultural pressure near
Fanjingshan Reserve.
Database – there are now 7 National Nature Reserves (NNRs) in Guizhou, two of which – Maolan and Fanjingshan – are Man
& Biosphere sites designated by UNESCO. During the last twelve months, the
seventh to be added was Mayang River – a sub-tropical, wet habitat, believed to contain
the largest population in the world of Black Leaf monkey. There are now more
than 100 Local Nature Reserves (LNRs), several of which are candidate reserves
for upgrading to National status. One of the best services our project could
facilitate for the environment community in Guizhou was to devise a standard pro forma for all reserves to apply, based on an
international biotope protocol. This initiative is being well received and is
accelerating. However, given our Center’s commitment to recognition, in biodiversity
principles, of indigenous skills, cultures and poverty alleviation, the database
has to include those subjects. To date, this has been the most successful
aspect of our project.
Maio girls prepare for festival.
Biodiversity Action Plans –this continues to be a soft approach, at the
National Nature Reserves, in partnership training in facilitation and capacity
building by the Guizhou PRA Network, typically sponsored in turn by Oxfam or
Partnerships for Community Development (PCD), Hong Kong. It is accepted that BAPs will only be effective, in the rural
environment, when joined to other initiatives, as long as long as national
regulations at NNRs remain firm. However, the intrinsic principle remains –
preserving habitat richness by encouraging local people to use good practice.
Also, the issue of urban BAPs will be addressed, and our Center is well placed
to convene interested parties in the capital city of Guiyang.
Policy impact – A bilingual, quarterly newsletter has been
produced in both Chinese and English languages. The newsletter is also being adapted
to be attached to the website of the PRA Network of Guizhou. CCDRC has
significant impact on policy constantly, through its work with rural
communities throughout the province, influence on the management teams of
nature reserves, interaction with international NGOs and with policy makers of
the provincial government. The Biodiversity group features strongly in our
dialogues.
Clearing House – as for policy impact, the daily nature of the
work of CCDRC means that the clearing house function is very active.
Chris
Aldridge meets Miao farmer, Langde.
Forum – as described earlier, Center staff have been very active to use the
auspices of varied workshops and meetings around Guizhou to constantly feature consultation and help realize
the potential of a Biodiversity Group for the province. This, in the
knowledge that such groups are now essential, empowering forums in most
American states and most European countries. Not surprisingly, the concept of
stakeholders in the environment, to be validly from the entire social and
economic spectrum of urban and rural peoples, government, education and
industry is relatively new on the agenda for the previously hierarchical
culture of China. Finally, we look forward to and will plan for the
assessments and contributions of Miss Herrold.
Chris Aldridge and Ren Xiaodong.
29th
January 2004.