CHINA: A fragile ecosystem in China's remote Shangri la region is under threat from rapid development and mass tourism

The magnificent landscapes and pristine mountain ranges attract thousands of visitors to China's Yunnan province each year, injecting much needed income into the local economy and causing a headache for environmentalists. The region of Shangri-La in China's eastern Yunnan province is one of the most breathtaking areas of bio-diversity left in the world. Nature has left its mark here in many different forms -- from the soaring mountains of the Tibetan plateau, to the deep gorges carved out by the great rivers of Asia that pass through. In recent years, as Shangri-La becomes more accessible to the outside world, it faces a severe threat from over-use of its natural resources. The region's tourist industry is growing at an exponential rate. In 1995, the number of tourists visiting the region numbered less than 40,000. In 2004, the figure rose to almost 2 million, a rise of 5,000% in less than a decade. Such numbers bring economic and environmental pressure and as the region opens up, the need to build a sustainable future both for the natural habitat and the people has become a priority. The local government is taking appropriate steps to deal with this influx. "There must be some conflicts. Compared to other industries, tourism causes less harm and pollution to the environment. The effects it has are comparatively small and acceptable. It is a fact that more and more people and cars are coming here. But the environmental protection authorities are taking corresponding measures to cope with the situation," head of local government's environmental department, Li Lichuan, said. Shangri-La's unique cultural diversity is also at risk. Local ethnic Tibetan communities scattered throughout the region face increasing pressure from external forces such as rapid economic expansion, urbanization and mass-tourism. "As a monk living in modern times, I need to fit into society. I use computers and the Internet. Our Lama temple has its own regulations in this regard. So it (modern world) would not have much influence on us", young Buddhist monk, Lurong Yi Yi said. Furthermore, the region's strong Buddhist faith and concept of living in harmony with nature holds great potential in influencing sustainable lifestyles in Shangri-La. Through their beliefs and actions, the local community is working to insure sustainable management of their natural resources for themselves and for future generations. An abbot of the remote Dongzhulin temple, Lurong Ga Wa, says it is not an easy task to convince his followers to adapt to the inevitable changes in the world around them. "Our Lama temple must on one hand absorb the modern culture and technologies, and on the other hand protect our traditions. We are now caught in between," he said. The Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan Province, southwest China, hosted 1.24 million domestic and overseas tourists in 2001, an increase of 14.3 percent from the previous year. Tourism has brought the prefecture a total 106 million U.S. dollars in revenue. Local officials in Diqing (Shangri La) point out that together with rapid economic progress, measures to protect a fragile natural environment have to be taken. "The environment in Deqin is very vulnerable. It is very difficult for the environment to recover once it is destroyed, given its geographical, climatic and geological conditions," environmental officer at the local government in Shangri La, Zhao Yu Xian said. To attract more tourists, the local government has initiated a series of projects to improve infrastructure and tourism facilities, including highways, airports, hydropower stations and hotels. Located between the Jinsha, a major branch of the Yangtze, and the Mekong Rivers in northwest Yunnan Province, the region of Shangri-La is at the heart of one of the world's biologically diverse regions. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, alpine meadows and mountain forests, the area is home to endangered species such as the snub-nosed monkeys and snow leopards.

ITN Source | March 24, 2007

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