Training Centre for
Conservation & Sustainable Development
The Vision
To establish a first-class Centre where conservation and
sustainable development in the Tibetan Plateau region are promoted in partnership with local communities,
NGOs and the government.
Project Area
The Centre will be built in the heart of the Tibetan Plateau, approximately 4
200 m above sea level, in a vast grassland region known as the Sanjiangyuan
-
the little known headwaters of the Yangtze, Yellow and Mekong Rivers. Inhabited
exclusively by Tibetan herders and their domestic sheep and yak, the area also
is home to an astounding array of native biodiversity, from the common Tibetan
gazelle and blue sheep to the internationally endangered snow leopard, wild yak,
Tibetan antelope and black-necked crane. At present, no other international
NGO committed to "integrated conservation and
development" is working in the project area.
Needs and Opportunities
Limited access to education, poor health and economic challenges affect
almost everyone in the project area. Difficult conditions are compounded even
further by the growing disparities between regions in China, and local
disparities may also increase with the improvement of roads and
construction of the railway to Tibet. The alpine grasslands are equally
threatened, rare wildlife species are hunted illegally, habitat degradation and
desertification continue in some places, and many development activities
may not be sustainable.
Fortunately, the government and several local organizations are committed to
finding ways to protect the environment at the same time as they seek to improve local
people's living conditions. With experience in the project area since 1998,
Plateau Perspectives has been invited to join in this long-term venture.
Together we seek to find the best way forward - for people and wildlife
- and to
jointly design, implement and evaluate our agreed cooperative projects and
activities.
As first step, it already is agreed that construction of a Centre would be
instrumental and foundational for the future work of Plateau Perspectives in
the area. Through its training, education and research components, the Centre
also will lead to better conservation and development work beyond the life of
the project itself. With such a welcome, it is now time to move forward.
Purpose of the Centre
To train local teachers and health workers in environment and health
To educate school children and the local community in environmental protection
To facilitate research for long-term solutions in conservation and sustainable development
To test and model innovations in land management, energy use, and income
generation
To facilitate general project management
Centre Design
The Centre will be built in local architectural style, but with
modern equipment. Solar and wind power generators may also be installed.
However, final details will be agreed at a later date with the local government and partner
organizations.
