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Minshan Initiative

Minshan Initiative

Within the Forests of the Upper Yangtze, WWF has identified the Minshan mountain range in Sichuan and Gansu as a particularly outstanding landscape for unique and endangered wildlife, with important populations of giant panda, clouded leopard, golden monkey and the world’s richest variety of pheasants. The Minshan covers parts of six counties and 19 nature reserves and is populated by close to one million Han, Tibetan, Qiang, and Baima people.

Heavy logging before the ban caused soil erosion and reduced wildlife populations, contributing to the existing widespread poverty in this area. The logging ban, while addressing these issues, has in turn led to the loss of several thousand jobs in the Minshan logging sector. Increases in illegal logging and poaching may also be attributable to the ban as local people attempt to fill the financial gap left by their lost jobs.

In response, WWF is working with a wide range of stakeholders to develop an approach to conservation that balances the ecological, social, and economic needs of the landscape. We are working with local partners to improve management of the region’s natural resources through greater community involvement and by helping local people to develop livelihoods which are both environmentally and economically sustainable. This project contributes to the conservation of the Forests of the Upper Yangtze ecoregion.

Objective

To increase the extent and quality of the forests in the Minshan Mountains landscape, for the benefit of key species, in particular the giant panda, while enhancing the livelihood security of local communities.

Current Status

WWF is conducting a biological assessment of the Minshan landscape to determine priority areas for conservation intervention. The assessment will produce a map of current land uses such as protected areas, farmland, and state forest enterprises and indicate the potential for ecotourism and development of environmentally friendly livelihoods such as beekeeping. WWF will then work with stakeholders, ranging from provincial officials to community representatives, to develop and reach agreement on a conservation strategy for the landscape which ensures sustainable economic growth.

Partners

Sichuan and Gansu Forestry Departments; Sichuan Academy of Social Sciences; Sichuan Academy of Forestry; Chinese Academy of Forestry; State Forestry Administration; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Pingwu, Qingchuan, Beichuan, Songpan. Maoxian, Jiuzaiguo counties in Sichuan Province and Wenxian county in Gansu Province

Donors