Project Scope and Relationship to China's Agenda 21

This project is directed toward reversing the downward cycle of poverty in the karst mountain areas of Southwest China where poverty and natural degradation reinforce each other, through providing a few models of successful struggles against poverty. The project is based on the objective of eliminating poverty mentioned in programme area 8A of China's Agenda 21. It contributes to a number of programme areas including Capacity Building (6C), Developing Information Systems (6E), Improving the Industrial Structure (12A), Promoting Transportation (12E), Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development (11A), Sustainable Use of Natural Resources (14).

1. Background

In the karst mountain areas of Southwest China, the top soil is shallow and barren, erosion is serious, and droughts and waterlogging are frequent. Eking out an existence under these vulnerable karst conditions is so difficult, that the country's poverty has become concentrated here. The situation is aggravated, the people see no alternative to over-exploiting their natural resources to survive. Through this, they reinforce the vicious process of economic impoverishment and natural degradation, the cycle of poverty.

The harsh natural conditions have impaired the building of an adequate infrastructure which, in turn, has kept most of the karst hills and mountains inaccessible. The natural processes of deterioration, along with a gradual growth of the population increasingly affect chances of survival for those living in this region. The supply of safe drinking water, for instance, is severely limited in some localities.

Moreover, the traditional economy, once considered sufficient at a level of basic subsistence, is now compared with the fast economic growth elsewhere in the country. It is judged backward and stagnant, not only by outsiders but increasingly also by the locals who have become more informed about economic development elsewhere.

The purpose of this project is to reverse the cycle of poverty, through the close interaction of leaders with local communities. The rich natural resources in the karst area, if utilized in an environmentally sound way, would offer a good base for achieving sustainable development, but expertise, technology and funds are lacking.

Several problems hamper sustainable development. Examples of successful projects which could provide motivation to citizens living nearby are lacking. The local residents need enhanced opportunities for self-development. Development policies and communication techniques need to be developed which are congruent with local behavioral patterns, knowledge, perceptions and interests, including group organizations and leader scheme development. Advanced foreign experience could be used.

2. Objectives

• Long-term objectives
• This project aims to restore ecological balance and eliminate poverty through comprehensive planning and the initiation of sustainable development in the three karst counties of Zhijin, Luodian and Dushan, located in Guizhou Province and other areas of Southwest China. The work will be carried out in close communication with the local people and international agencies.
• Immediate Objectives

  • To research the causes of poverty and environmental degradation, and identify the potential for sustainable development
  • To harmonize economic development and the restoration of environmental balance
  • To construct the demonstration projects
  • To develop human resources to meet modern requirements
  • To strengthen the capacity for themselves' participation in sustainable development

3. Activities

• 3.1 Conduct research on the causes of poverty and environmental degradation, and identify the potential for sustainable development.
  • Conduct an in-depth analysis of the present poverty situation and its causes
  • Study the relevant knowledge, awareness, perceptions and residents interests
  • Survey various natural, economic and social resources
  • Formulate anti-poverty strategies suitable for the Karst area

    The duration of this activity will be two years.

• 3.2 Formulate and develop plans for integrated economic development and the restoration of environmental balance.
  • Develop an overall strategy
  • Conduct planning for agricultural development and land use
  • Plan for environmental protection
  • Plan for the development of local industry and town and village enterprises
  • Formulate plans for birth control and human resources development

    The duration of this activity will be two years.

• 3.3 Construct the demonstration projects according to the different needs and potential of each area.
  • Construction of infrastructures, including power stations, railways, highways, water reservoirs, and irrigation works
  • Develop small scale industries and other enterprises
  • Develop industry at provincial, county and town and village levels, including development of minerals, reclamation from wastes and process-integrated industrial production
  • Sustainable use of natural resources and environmental protection, including tourist resources development, mined land reclamation, treatment and disposal of solid waste, waste water.
  • Sustainable agriculture development in small catchment and use of Karst groundwater as water supply
  • Prevent and cure for endemic diseases caused by the high fluorine
  • Engineer facilities for physical markets

    The duration of this activity will be five years.

• 3.4 Develop human resources and capacity building for participation in sustainable development in the area.
  • Strengthen the management and training for poverty alleviation work
  • Establish information systems of land use for decision making in the demonstration project counties
  • Train 100 officials at various levels and people from two committees themselves
  • Strengthen communication with the outside world
  • Help to establish external economic relations, for example with experts in marketing
  • Create preferential conditions for introduction of foreign technology, expertise and funds
  • Formulate the effectiveness of birth control planning and establish centres where needed
  • Establish three farmer and rural entrepreneur training centres or professional schools
  • Improve elementary school facilities and upgrade the educational environment with advanced teaching techniques

    The duration of this activity will be three years.

• 3.5 Carry out poverty elimination and sustainable development models in the poor karst counties in Guangxi and Yunnan.

  • Implement rural drinking water and irrigation works and industrial development models in Lingyun County of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region
  • Carry out the water conservation project model in Mengzi County, Yunnan Province

    The duration of this activity will be two years. The United Front Department of the CPC Central Committee, provincial governments, and relevant committees will carry out these projects.

4. Inputs

• 4.1 Chinese Inputs
  • Experts in the fields of geography, environmental science, geology, economics, agronomy, technological economics, sociology and engineering
  • Project management
  • Equipment and facilities for communication, surveys and investigations
  • Data and research results
  • Funds used for guiding the early stages and coordinating international aid

  4.2 International Cooperation

  • Consultant experts in the fields of regional development and environment protection
  • Advanced instruments and equipment
  • Science and technology, information and professional knowledge
  • Personnel training and external exchange

5. Benefits

By the end of this century in these areas, poverty should be alleviated, per capita income should be more than four hundred yuan, and grain intake per capita should be more than three hundred kilograms. About five hundred million yuan of new output value will be realized, and eighty thousand tons of grain produced annually.

The percentage of forest cover will increase to 8 percent. About 300 thousand mu of farmland with stable yields and three million mu of high quality grassland will have been cultivated. Soil erosion and other environmental problems will be considerably reduced.

The farmers there will have this basic needs met. Population growth will be reduced. The competence of decision-makers will reach a higher level, and the limited external communication extended. Self-development and participation in project planning, implementation and operations in the market economy will be increased. The exemplary counties of Zhijin, Luodian and Dushan will be first to obtain benefits. Successes may show the way for sustainable development in neighbouring counties.