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Reversing conflict between humans and the environment － The experience in the Qilian Mountains

Author

Listed:
  • Zongxing, Li
  • Qi, Feng
  • Zongjie, Li
  • Xufeng, Wang
  • Juan, Gui
  • Baijuan, Zhang
  • Yuchen, Li
  • Xiaohong, Deng
  • Jian, Xue
  • Wende, Gao
  • Anle, Yang
  • Fusen, Nan
  • Pengfei, Liang

Abstract

The conflict over many decades between human resource needs and the environment has led to increasingly prominent ecological and environmental problems in the Qilian Mountains, China. In the Qilian Mountain National Nature Reserve, there have been widespread violations of laws and regulations, such as mining, unauthorized construction of hydropower stations, and unregulated operation of tourism facilities. There is an urgent need to rectify the environmental problems in the Qilian Mountains to achieve sustainable development. This study aimed to (1) systematically explain and evaluate the negative impact of human activities on the environment of the Qilian Mountain National Nature Reserve; and (2) discuss the major measures taken and the positive impact of those measures; (3) systematically summarizes the Qilian mountain experience from “seriously damaged” to “well-governed”. With the goal of sustainable development in mind, the government has implemented several policies, at a total cost of 10.71 billion yuan. Around 3749 buildings were removed from mines, hydropower stations and tourism facilities, and 208 farmers and herdsmen in the core area of the Reserve were resettled. Approximately 17.21 × 104 m of enclosure fence was erected and 228.52 ha of grassland was revegetated. Grazing was prohibited on 6.37 × 109 m2 of grassland and 3.06 × 104 cattle were sold or transferred outside the Reserve for breeding. From 2010 to 2015, the enhanced vegetation index (EVI) increased by 0.01, while from 2015 to 2019 the EVI increased by 0.03. The successful experience in the Qilian Mountains can be summarized in three points: (1) a favorable political climate, which enabled a series of relevant policies, ample funding and scientific and effective governance measures; (2) a favorable natural environment, with a warm and humid climate; and (3) a united approach, with the cooperation of locals and government departments in China.

Suggested Citation

  • Zongxing, Li & Qi, Feng & Zongjie, Li & Xufeng, Wang & Juan, Gui & Baijuan, Zhang & Yuchen, Li & Xiaohong, Deng & Jian, Xue & Wende, Gao & Anle, Yang & Fusen, Nan & Pengfei, Liang, 2021. "Reversing conflict between humans and the environment － The experience in the Qilian Mountains," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 148(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:148:y:2021:i:c:s1364032121006195
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2021.111333
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Huanyu Xu & Hao Sun & Tian Zhang & Zhenheng Xu & Dan Wu & Ling Wu, 2023. "Remote Sensing Study on the Coupling Relationship between Regional Ecological Environment and Human Activities: A Case Study of Qilian Mountain National Nature Reserve," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-27, July.
    2. Peng, Benhong & Zhao, Yinyin & Elahi, Ehsan & Wan, Anxia, 2023. "Can third-party market cooperation solve the dilemma of emissions reduction? A case study of energy investment project conflict analysis in the context of carbon neutrality," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 264(C).
    3. Xiaofan Ma & Haifeng Zhang, 2023. "Land-Use/Land-Cover Change and Ecosystem Service Provision in Qinghai Province, China: From the Perspective of Five Ecological Function Zones," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-21, March.
    4. Jinghu Pan & Yimin Wang & Zhao Zhang, 2023. "Identification and Optimization of Ecological Network in Arid Inland River Basin Using MSPA and Spatial Syntax: A Case Study of Shule River Basin, NW China," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-25, January.
    5. Baifei Ren & Keunhyun Park & Anil Shrestha & Jun Yang & Melissa McHale & Weilan Bai & Guangyu Wang, 2022. "Impact of Human Disturbances on the Spatial Heterogeneity of Landscape Fragmentation in Qilian Mountain National Park, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-26, November.

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