青藏高原地区环境保护与社区发展

The Sanjiangyuan National Nature Reserve is the second largest nature reserve in the world, as well as the highest and most extensive wetland protected area in the world. It has a population of approximately 200,000 people living within its 152,300 km²  - a land area larger than England and Wales combined (Table 1). The nature reserve comprises the headwaters of the Yangtze, Yellow and Mekong rivers. Nearly 600 million people who live downstream depend on the proper functioning - and hence the long-term protection - of these rivers for their livelihood (Table 2).

Table 1. Land areas, with international comparisons

Table 2. Catchment areas and human population of the three major Asian rivers

   1. Much of the Mekong River flows through Burma, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam as well as China.

According to the Director of the State Forestry Administration, Mr Wang Zhibao, the establishment of the nature reserve aims to protect the Tibetan Plateau ecosystem, with an emphasis on alpine swamp meadow and natural habitat of the unique wildlife in the region, and to promote sustainable economic development in the region.

Additionally, according to a Qinghai provincial news and information website (http://www.qhnews.com), a comprehensive plan for the ecological protection and construction of the region was approved at the 79th Routine Meeting of the State Council in January 2005. Under the plan, the State will invest about 7.5 billion yuan (US$924.79 million) for this purpose. Since 2003, a total of 1.23 billion yuan (US$151.67 million) has been invested in the region by central and local governments. The recently approved plan was launched on August 31, 2005  -  a hallmark project of China's Western Development Strategy.

The Sanjiangyuan National Nature Reserve has 18 conservation areas, each with a core zone, a buffer zone and an experimental zone. In the central core zones, measures will be taken to protect endangered animals. Surrounding the core zones are buffer zones designed to promote conservation, yet still available to local herders for limited grazing of sheep and cattle. Outside these, multiple-use experimental zones will be used primarily for scientific investigations and tourism development. The total area of core zone amounts to 31,200 km², the area of buffer zone amounts to 39,200 km² and the area of experimental and research zone amounts to 81,900 km² (i.e., 20%, 26% and 54% of the nature reserve's area, respectively). The 18 conservation areas also fall into three broad categories of purpose: 8 wetland, 3 wildlife and 7 forest and/or shrubland conservation areas.

The Headwaters of the Three Rivers refers to the source area of the Yangtze River, Yellow River and Mekong River, all located in southern Qinghai Province. The Yangtze River originates at Geladandong Snow Mountain in the Banyakala mountain range. The river's total length in the province is about 1,200 km , approximately 19% of the total length. Upper tributaries include the Tuotuohe, Qumahe, Buqu and Dangqu branches, which jointly account for around one-quarter of the river's total runoff.  The Yellow River originates at Beiligezigeya Snow Mountain. The river's total length in the province is nearly 2,000 km long, approximately 36% of the total length. Duoqu and Riqu are the main tributaries of the upper Yellow River. The Mekong River originates from at Guozongmucha Snow Mountain. The river's total length in the province is around 450 km long, approximately 10% of the total length.

Biodiversity Conservation Planning Meeting, October 2005

In pursuance of its goal to develop a regional development project with joint emphasis on natural resource management and sustainable community development in the Sanjiangyuan region, Plateau Perspectives worked together with several local partners to organize a Biodiversity Conservation Planning Meeting in October 2005 The meeting was co-hosted by Plateau Perspectives together with the Upper Yangtze Organization, the Government of Zhiduo County and the Sanjiangyuan National Nature Reserve Management Bureau.

The outcome of the planning meeting is summarized in the document below:

Promoting Biodiversity Conservation and Community Development in the Sanjiangyuan Region: Proceedings of a conservation planning meeting, with agreed priority action points. Biodiversity conservation planning meeting co-hosted by Plateau Perspectives, Upper Yangtze Organization, Government of Zhiduo County and the Sanjiangyuan National Nature Reserve Management Bureau. Held in Yushu town, Sep 30 - Oct 13, 2005.

Other information...

Qinghai News: Nature Reserve protects the Sanjiangyuan Area

What regulations do Tibetan pastoralists have to obey if they herd domestic livestock?

Herders must obey to the Qinghai Province Temporary Regulations for Restoring Grassland into Natural Grassland (Ch. tuimu huancao). Where there is serious degradation of the grassland in the Nature Reserve, raising livestock will be banned. If grassland degradation is moderate, there will be a temporary prohibition of grazing activities. Finally, where there is no degradation, or grassland degradation is low, domestic livestock will be permitted based on the real situation - which means finding a balance between livestock needs and grassland conditions. The Seasonal Grazing Method and the Fencing Program will also be implemented.

Which geographic area is included in the Sanjiangyuan National Nature Reserve?

The total area of the Sanjiangyuan National Nature Reserve is 152,300 square kilometers, covering Yushu, Guoluo, Huangnan, Hainan, Haixi Tibetan Autonomous Prefectures. Specifically, the nature reserve includes 17 counties and 69 townships: