Earth Restoration Project

Please consider your support at this time - bank details:

 

 

East Tibet [People's Republic China]
Prefecture of Yushu, Nangchen County                                                       
Province of Qinghai

Local partners: Government of Yushu District
Yushu Department of Forestry
Local farmers.

 

Budget per annum: 9683.00 Euro {See budget below}

 

Duration of project agreement: 2006 - 2008
  
Project location:

The Prefecture of Yushu is located on the south-west border of the province of Qinghai on the Tibetan plateau. It covers an area of 261'000 square kilometers. It is divided into 7 counties and 47 local districts [direct translation: town districts]. Out of the 230'000 inhabitants 69% are of Tibetan origin. Animal-husbandry and agriculture are the main sources of income of the people who are still mainly leading a nomadic life.

 

Deforestation in the Himalayan areas has had a disastrous effect and led to climatic changes, loss of wild species and rare plants and damage to farmland.  Also, since the recent growth in interest in Tibetan Medicine, the plants and herbs used in its making are being decimated in their natural habitat and in places becoming endangered.  The climatic changes are making it more difficult for farmers to survive solely through working the land.  

 

Reforestation, and protection of the still existing ecological balance by preservation of the existing forests and the protection of indigenous animals and plants in the area.

Improvement of the local economy by providing employment to farmers and the means to establish crops of trees and herbs.

Activities:

· 100 sq. kms. in the Nangchen County will be planted with birch trees and medicinal plants.
· Farmers will be given the option to plant trees and plants for harvesting, on their land.
· Members of farming families will be employed to work as foresters:  planting trees, fencing, and protecting the flora and fauna from hunters.
· Lodges for forestry workers will be built.
· Planted areas will be surrounded by fences.
· Training will be given to forestry workers in planting and general cultivation of forests and plants and about ecological interrelationship of the eco-system.
· The participants of the project as well as the members of the local forestry department will undergo training in courses for environmental protection.
· In all the schools that are being supported by Rokpa, the topic of environmental protection will continue to be an obligatory part of the curriculum.

 

Beneficiaries: The Farming families in the area who will receive an income.

Both people and animals will benefit from the new trees that will help to prevent landslides and avalanches.

 

ROKPA places a great value in independence and long term benefit. In order to reach this goal in the most efficient way, the local people, the local administration and the beneficiaries are encouraged to make a commitment in their participation from the very beginning. Every participant must contribute to the project according to their capacities.

 

In the case of this project the administration of the district of Yushu and the Yushu Forestry commission provide workers. Besides that the local residents are given the opportunity to plant trees on their properties.

 

 

Expenses for ROKPA Euro

Re-foresting costs (trees, plants and wages) 7,407
Fencing  556
Fieldwork (Traveling expense, accommodation, food, insurance, equipment, taxes. 370
Sub-total 8,333
Management and administration (10%) 1,350
TOTAL 9,683

Setting up and monitoring projects

A project begins with an application for support from Rokpa.  There are a number of Rokpa representatives in the Tibetan areas where Rokpa has projects, and these arrange a meeting to discuss the proposal.  This is the Project Management Committee and comprises six to seven people who represent some of the most important organizations in the region:  the government, the head of the village, the abbot of the local monastery, heads of local trade and industry and Rokpa.

 

Whenever possible the president of ROKPA INTERNATIONAL, Dr Akong Tulku Rinpoche, attends these meetings. The committee evaluates the proposed suggestions, decides how the project should be conducted and the responsibilities of the parties involved.  Rokpa always insists on a considerable contribution from the local government and of the beneficiaries if economically possible.

 

So far this procedure has worked out well  Since 1990 Rokpa has supported over 150 projects in the Tibet Autonomous Region and the Tibetan communities of Western China (formerly Tibet), together with small local organizations.  A great deal has been achieved up to now with very modest means.

 

Monitoring is done by fieldworkers annually.  A meeting is held with the committee to discuss the progress and plan for the next year.  Planted areas are visited to see the state of the tree growth, when pictures and sometimes film is taken.

 

Please note, all photos on this page are copyright (c) Rokpa International