Tibetan Plateau Projects
Tibetan Plateau overview
The Tibetan Plateau is the highest and largest plateau on earth. It shelters a wide array of unique species, including the Tibetan antelope, Tibetan gazelle, wild yak, blue sheep, snow leopard, brown bear, Bengal tiger, and black-necked crane. The Tibetan Plateau is also the source of almost all of Asia's major rivers: the Yellow River, the Yangtze, the Mekong, the Salween, the Indus, and the Yarlung Tsangpo, which donwnstream becomes the Brahmaputra.
Because of its high elevation (ave. elev. 4000m), the ecosystem here is extremely fragile. Once damaged, it is extremely difficult to reverse. Tibet is developing quickly, and as a result so is grassland and forest degradation. Integrating the needs of local development with conserving Tibet's biodiversity is in need of urgent attention.
Basic facts
- In Tibet there are about 40 known species of endangered plants and 141 known species of endangered animals
- The last remaining population of the Bengal tiger in China can be found in Tibet's Metdog County
- Tibet's economy is growing at a rate of 11.9% GDP a year
- Several major development projects are underway in Tibet, such as the construction of an 1800km railway line from Qinghai province to Lhasa
- Population is rapidly increasing in Tibet, with numbers as much as tripling in some areas such as Chang Tang, adding greater pressure on its natural resources
Key threats
Development is the major factor influencing the quality of Tibet's ecosystem:
- Demands by Tibet's fast-growing human population, construction of roads, mining, and poor grazing practices are degrading Tibet's grasslands
- Commercial logging, slash and burn cultivation, collection of wood for firewood, construction, traditional agriculture practice, and making incense are destroying Tibet's old-growth forests
- Illegal hunting of wildlife
- Conflicts between wildlife conservation and livestock raising, which threatens species such as the brown bear and wild yak
Solutions
Ultimately, the establishment of sustainable development practices is the key. Underlying this are:
- Maintaining flora and fauna in their natural ecosystems to preserve biological diversity. This can be done by establishing well-managed nature reserves.
- The need for more research to provide a clearer picture of Tibet's ecosystem and the effects of development
- Strengthening environmental protection and reform policies, institutions and processes and raising public awareness
- Building local capacity to ensure conservation and its overall management
- Creating new alternatives for livelihoods in key areas (such as animal husbandry, ecotourism, and sustainable forest products)
WWF program targets
To conserve the biodiversity and biological processes of key ecosystems on the Tibetan Steppe. The protection and sustainable management of selected grassland ecosystems. WWF China will focus on:
- Capacity building for reserve staff and reserve management planning
- Establishing a biodiversity database
- Raising awareness of conservation issues
- Developing wildlife monitoring and patrolling stations to ensure anti-poaching and other conservation activities
Our progress so far
- In April 2002, WWF held a training course on community management and wildlife monitoring for Changtang nature reserve. This training program, implemented in conjunction with the Tibet Forest Department, sought to improve the capacity of local managers, provide an opportunity to exchange information and experiences, build a network amongst Changtang conservation staff and officials, and provide specific skills and knowledge on conducting basic field surveys. The training program upgraded participants' knowledge of wildlife monitoring in the field, communication skills, and managing conservation activities.
- WWF organized an international workshop - Tibet's Biodiversity: Conservation and Management - in 1998 in collaboration with the Tibet Forestry Department
- In October 1999, WWF co-sponsored an international workshop on the conservation of the Tibetan antelope, followed by the launch of a 'Don't Buy Shahtoosh' campaign
- In July 2000, WWF signed a five-year Frame work for Cooperation with the Tibet Forestry Dept., focusing on building the capacity of resource managers and local people to conserve wildlife and manage grasslands sustainability
- WWF organized a study trip for forestry officials from southeastern Tibet to the national parks of Nepal and sponsored two trainees from Tibet to attend training in Thailand
- With the Tibet Forestry Dept., produced and distributed information to inform local officials and the public about wildlife protections laws
- Established a field office in Lhasa to manage the WWF Tibet program
- Conducted wildlife and socio-economic surveys in Changtang and South-East Tibet
WWF staff
Dawa Tsering, WWF's Tibet Program Coordinator, was born in Shigatse, Tibet in 1965. He earned his M. A. at Case Western Reserve University, in Cleveland, Ohio. He then worked for 10 years as a researcher at the Tibet Academy of Social Sciences in Lhasa. He has worked with and gained development experience with various international NGOs including the Trace Foundation, Lhasa Network, and the Future Generations.
Ms. Nima Chudron, WWF Tibet Program Office Manager, was born in 1972. She graduated as an English tour guide from the Vocational School in Yinkou, Liaoning Province. She then worked for the World Food Program in Lhasa as a translator. She now has nine years experience working for international NGOs, including working for Save the Children (UK) Tibet Program Office.
Capacity Building for Conservation in Tibet
Building capacity is essential to the long-term health and effectiveness of a project. To achieve lasting results, an organization must be able to articulate its aspirations, and develop its strategies, organizational skills, human resources, systems and infrastructure, and cultivate a culture of shared values, practices, and behavior norms.
In Tibet, the lack of well-trained staff and the necessary framework to support them is a pressing issue. Of all of Tibet's 18 nature reserves, only QNNP (Qomolangma (Mt. Everest) National Nature Preserve) has stable funding from the government and therefore fulltime staff. Currently, reserves other than QNNP are managed by forestry police or in some cases, by contracted forest guards that are supported by neither official management bodies nor stable financial backing. And of the handful of officials and staff that are in charge of conservation, few have received adequate training and lack the basic knowledge to effectively carry out conservation work.
WWF is laying a foundation by building a systematic training program targeting decision-makers and conservation managers to reserve staff, researchers, and community workers. Geographically, WWF's work focuses on the vast high grassland called Changtang, and the inaccessible and little-known forests of Southeastern Tibet.
Objectives
- To improve the capacity of nature reserve managers so that they can effectively implement nature reserve policies, laws, and conservation awareness activities.
- To provide nature reserve managers with basic knowledge so they can conduct wildlife surveys and monitoring.
- To improve the capacity of Changtang Nature Reserve managers in community management to more effectively handle poaching in nature reserves.
- To improve the capacity of the Tibet Forestry Department staff in various fields such as English-language, management skills, and information analysis.
Achievements
- In April 2002, WWF held a training course on community management and wildlife monitoring for Changtang nature reserve. This training program, implemented in conjunction with the Tibet Forest Department, sought to improve the capacity of local managers, provide an opportunity to exchange information and experiences, build a network amongst Changtang conservation staff and officials, and provide specific skills and knowledge on conducting basic field surveys. The training program upgraded participants' knowledge of wildlife monitoring in the field, communication skills, and managing conservation activities. Click here for Workshop Report
- In February 2002 a GIS (Geographic Information System) training was held. GIS experts taught Tibet Forestry Department staff the basic operation of GIS in order to develop a GIS database and maps for Tibet's nature reserves. Click here for Workshop Report
- Study trip to Nepal for Tibet's conservation managers: In May 2000, WWF organized a study tour for managers and community workers in Southeast Tibet to give international experience to key managers of Tibet's nature reserves and help them build contacts with conservation managers from outside of China.
- Changtang nature reserve protection guard training: In December 2001, WWF together with the Tibet Forestry Department organized a training course for reserve staff guards. The training course focused on wildlife monitoring, management skills (with specific attention paid to antipoaching), and conservation regulations.
- English-language training for Tibet Forestry Department staff: Throughout 2001, WWF supported the Tibet Forestry Department in English-language training.
Partner
Tibet Forestry Department
Donor
WWF US
Conservation awareness in Tibet
Raising awareness of conservation issues increases people's capability and potential to affect and effect change. We recognize that without a change in values, technical measures will have little effect. Thus, improving conservation awareness is a critical component of WWF's work.
Objective
To communicate and publicize the importance of biodiversity and conservation to obtain broader support both in and outside of Tibet.
Current Status
A quarterly newsletter on progress and emerging issues in conservation in Tibet is being issued by the Tibet Forestry Bureau. This newsletter serves as a tool to communicate conservation messages and needs to the public, governmental agencies, and donors. The first issue was distributed in December 2001. WWF also published and distributed posters promoting conservation awareness in Tibet. a href="/english/downloads/TBnewsfinal1.doc" target="_blank">Click here for the latest newsletter.
Partners
Tibet Forestry Bureau
Wildlife Conservation Society
Donor
WWF US
For more information on raising conservation awareness in Tibet see WWF's Environmental Education program (EEI project)
Tibet GIS biodiversity database
Development in Tibet is taking place at a rapid rate and in recent years, this has led to an acceleration of the degradation of Tibet's grasslands and forests. In turn, this regulates the carrying capacity of land resources for future development.
Tibet is still a comparatively insufficiently researched area. Although many surveys have been conducted on Tibet's biodiversity, most of the information collected has been limited to inventory, and very little information has been collected on the ecology of wildlife, plants, and ecosystems. Similarly, there are statistics on people's livelihoods, land productivity, and resources use, but there is very little social-economic or anthropological research documenting details of people's lifestyle and recent changes, people's interaction with the natural environment and its impact and alternatives.
Filling in this knowledge gap is necessary to make long-term conservation management strategies.
Objective
To establish a GIS database on Tibet's main nature reserves and wildlife habitats, with the aim of compiling information for better conservation decision-making.
Current Status
A consultant conducted an introductory training for TFB staff and Lhasa City Forestry Bureau staff to explain and demonstrate the function and basic features of a GIS database.
In February 2002, WWF and TFB established a GIS lab and trained and assigned staff to manage the lab. Click here for Workshop Report.
The next step is for TFB staff to implement the collection, compilation, and analysis of data with technical assistance from Beijing University. WWF will also organize a workshop on Tibet's ecoregion and implement relevant information in the GIS system.
Partners
Tibet Forestry Bureau
Chinese Forestry Academy
Beijing University
Donor
WWF US
Tibet Nature Reserve Management
Since 1982, 18 nature reserves have been declared in Tibet by the Tibet Forestry Department. The reserves encompasses 392,500 square km and covers 32.7 percent of Tibet. It is expected that by 2010, 8-10 more nature reserves will be established in Tibet. The Tibetan antelope, the black-necked crane, snow leopard, Bengal tiger, red panda, and golden monkey are only some of the rare and endangered species that are protected in the reserves.
WWF has identified two priority eco-regions within Tibet - the Tibetan Steppe (Chang Tang) and the East Himalayas (Yarlung Tsangpo Great Canyon Nature Reserve) - and is currently concentrating its efforts in the Chang Tang eco-region. Enhancing the management of these reserves is key to WWF's overall goal of conserving Tibet's biodiversity while integrating the needs of local development into conservation.
Objective
Our key objectives in these priority areas are:
- To protect Tibetan antelopes and other wildlife from poaching and illegal trade
- To address the conflict between wildlife conservation and livestock raising by developing management strategies for species such as the kiang (wild ass), wild yak, Bengal tiger, red deer, and Tibetan brown bear, which pose conflicts with livestock
Current status
- WWF supports regular patrolling by forestry police and the establishment of outposts in order to control illegal poaching
- In order to develop an effective, long-term management strategy in Chang Tang nature reserve, WWF is conducting a survey to analyze threats to the area's ecosystem and identify the needs of the local community. Six villages are being selected, and wildlife guards are being trained on wildlife monitoring. WWF is providing the wildlife guards with necessary equipment (vehicles, radios and other gear) while the Tibet Forest Bureau has committed to paying their salaries and maintenance costs of equipment.
- A preliminary assessment of conservation needs in SE Tibet are being conducted, including land use zoning and ecotourism planning and development.
- In April 2002, WWF held a training course on community management and wildlife monitoring for Changtang nature reserve. This training program, implemented in conjunction with the Tibet Forest Department, sought to improve the capacity of local managers, provide an opportunity to exchange information and experiences, build a network amongst Changtang conservation staff and officials, and provide specific skills and knowledge on conducting basic field surveys. The training program upgraded participants' knowledge of wildlife monitoring in the field, communication skills, and managing conservation activities. Click here for Workshop Report.
Partner
Tibet Forestry Department
Donor
WWF US
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