Conservation and management of high altitude peatlands of Ruoergai marshes for water security and climate change adaptation

Specific project objectives

The specific project objectives are:

1. Ruoergai plateau peatlands conservation strategy promoted, 

2. The alternative livelihood options tested in selected householders and outreached among the local communities and 

3. The importance of ecosystem services of mountain wetlands recognized by different sectors and local communities.

Response to peatland degradation

Responding to rapid degradation of peatlands, Wetlands International – China in partnership with State Forestry Administration and with financial support of GEF initiated evaluation of impacts of various management options in the context of biodiversity maintenance and climate change. As a result of project implementation, peat mining and drainage are no longer allowed, and a programme of ditch blocking initiated in neighboring Hongyuan county WI is now working with Ruoergai lcoal governments to jointly implement EU –China biodiversity conservation programme which addresses peatlands degradation and sustainable development of local livelihoods adopting integrated management approaches.

Main sustainable activities

The main sustainable activities include support local communities scientific management their degraded grasslands which restrict their livelihood. Another approach is support them to build winter warm shed to keep the sick or young cattle for harsh winters and these sheds could be use for vegetation production in summer. In order to reduced the pressure to the grasslands, WI supports them to set up fodder base, they can harvest the hay and supply food for cattle in winter time.

These options have been supported by local commnuities and they provided labor force or even funds as cofunding.Under the financial support of EU-China Biodiversity Conservation Programme, WI – China, in partnership with local stakeholders has developed Ruoergai Plateau Wetlands Conservation and Sustainable Development Strategy (Ruoergai Strategy), which aims to protect peatlands biodiversity and sustainable development of community livelihoods. The strategy is supported by the relevant departments of county administrations and has been officially endorsed in the annual meeting of Ruoergei High Altitude Wetlands Conservation Committee held on August 9-10 at Luqu.

Ruoergai Strategy

The Ruoergai Strategy, though a major effort in the direction of conservation of these ecosystems, would need support for effective implementation. While the local administration has committed funding support for strategy implementation, there is no support provided for ‘softer investment’ critical to effective implementation of the strategy which includes communication, capacity building, monitoring and evaluation, partner liaison and networking. The present WLP demonstration project proposal aims to address this gap by providing for investment into these sectors as well as for up scaling the emerging lessons and evidences to support appropriate attention under the ongoing regional and global climate related policy and advocacy dialogues, namely the Himalayan Initiative and UNFCCC.