Project Scope and Relationship to China's Agenda 21

This project aims at a controlled expansion of tourism in the remote Hanas Lake area in Northwest China. Careful planning and management are required to protect the local population and abundant natural resources from random exploration and tourism. The project contributes to alleviating poverty and generating sustainable development - programme area 8A of China's Agenda 21. It further improves transportation, the management of natural resources and the protection of biodiversity - programme areas 12E, 14A, and 15A of China's Agenda 21.

1. Background

It seems attractive to regard the Hanas Lake region, located in the Altay Mountains of northwest Xinjiang, as advantageous for tourism. However, if its impressive natural wealth is not carefully managed, the region will face the dilemma of many a tourist place that exploits its attractions beyond sustainable limits and sacrifice long term for short term interests.

Till now, the natural environment has remained fairly untouched. Hundreds of magnificent glaciers and mountain tops covered with snow dominate the landscape. At lower reaches, meadows with many species of forage grasses and forests with a wide variety of trees stretch out, creating a continuous change of scenery during the year. The valleys have about 300 lakes - the largest among them being the Hanas Lake - with crystal clear water. The weather is pleasant most of the time.

These conditions are ideal for a large biodiversity, including large numbers of precious plants and animals. The area contains world famous mineralization zones with rare metals. A controlled exploration of mineral resources can promote economic prosperity.

People of various nationalities, such as the Mongolian, Kazakhstan and Muslim ones, co-exist. The folk customs add to attracting tourists. For a long time, the modest farming and stock breeding practices were sufficient to subsist in the rich natural environment. However, with economic modernization reaching into this area, felt needs do rise and the old standard of living is increasingly experienced as rather poor. Tourism may provide the means to acquire better incomes now. Meanwhile, international cooperation in fields of economical trade, tourism, resource development, science and technology, and culture has started already.

Planners regard poor transport and communication, a low educational level and a lack of construction capital as the main obstacles to exploitation. At the same time, they consider policy measures to protect the so-called Asian Pearl. Therefore, support is sought to conduct an early study for planning an optimized combination of ecological protection and economic development.

The national 305 Project Unit and the Peking University executed studies of the geology, geomorphology, geography, biology and tourist resources. Scientists from Russia, United States and Turkey contributed research work. The Scientific Committee, the Department of Forestry, the Tourist Bureau, and the Bureau of Environment Protection of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region have completed the planning of the Protective Exploration and Utilization of Hanas.

2. Objectives

• Long-term Objectives
  • Carefully explore the natural wealth in the Hanas Lake area. Investigations, planning, infrastructure works, the natural park and the attraction of tourists and researchers will be realized in cooperation with the bordering countries Russia, Kazakhstan and Mongolia.

• Immediate Objectives
  • Make an overall study of the Hanas area in northwest China, draft a comprehensive plan for protection and development and prepare environmental legislation and enforcement mechanisms
  • Build a monitoring system and a decision making support system
  • Build infrastructure works, such as traffic facilities, telecommunication, electric power supply, and customs
  • Reconstruct the region into a national park
  • Set a model for international protection and exploration

• 3.1 Develop the multi-disciplinary research and regional planning.
  • Investigate the natural resources in the interest of the local population, tourist and scientific visitors, and future generations
  • Compile serial graphics and computer data base
  • Conduct a monographic study to reveal the structure and history of the lithosphere
  • Study the stability of the eco-system and the potentiality of sustained exploration of natural resources
  • Study the felt needs, interests, knowledge, and environmental consciousness, social regulations and enforcement mechanisms of the local communities
  • Study the folklore, history, culture and politics of the different nationalities
  • Study the feasibility of tourist activities and enterprises
  • Study the feasibility of infrastructure works
  • Study the potentiality of an industrial structure
  • Formulate a plan for the protection of nature, research and the expansion of tourism, including high-mountain sports, which may account for 200,000 visits a year
  • Prepare an integration of local and national laws, regulations and enforcement mechanisms
  • Prepare techniques to involve the local population in planning, decision making, environmental protection and economic development
  • Envisage international cooperative development
  • Forward this plan to the national authorities for their approval

    The duration of this activity will be one year.

• 3.2 Monitor natural resources and a decision support system.
  • Establish a monitor nest and spots for natural riches and environment
  • Build a decision making support system with regard to resources, economics, local society and international cooperation

  The duration of this activity will be 1 year.

• 3.3 Construct infrastructure.
  • Build the Burqin-Hailiutan-Jiadengyu-Harnasi highway
  • Entend and modernize the Altay Airport
  • Establish civil and telecommunication system in Burqin and Hanasi
  • Construct a hydro-power station
  • Build tourist-related constructions: information office, scenery spots, high mountain sports grounds, hotels and restaurants

    The duration of this activity will be 5 years.

• 3.4 The Construction of Hanasi Natural Park includes:
  • Hanasi Nature Conservation Park of 2200 km2 acreage, including 711 km2 of scientific research field and 226 km2 of buffer area. A central station and three branch stations for nature conservation
  • Patrol path of 50 km, two make shift bridges, a fire prevention watch tower and 22 km of guard enclosing rails
  • A meteorological station, a hydrological supervisory station, a plant disease and insect pest station, a forest resource monitor nest, and a testing ground for rare animals and algae for medical use

    The duration of this activity will be 5 years. The implementing agencies will be the State Science and Technology Commission, the State Planning Commission, and the Provincial Government of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, etc.

5. Benefits

This project promotes the environmental protection and economic development of a national natural reserve, its international accessibility for tourists and researchers. Rising expectations of the local population will be better satisfied. Friendly relations between China, Russia, Kazakhstan and Mongolia, and the inclusion in the international market system will be facilitated.