First published on 05/14/2018
By: WANG Zhilu
Amongst the vast old-growth forest in the southwest China province Yunnan, lies a small village named Bazhu. On the 88 km2 land, 98.2% of the area is covered by lush and tall trees. Bazhu River cuts the east edge of the village in south-north direction and eventually merges in the Jinsha River, which runs side by side by Lancang River (the upper stretch of Mekong River) and Nujiang River. Three Parallel Rivers Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a hotspot for biodiversity, is named after the three rivers meandering the land, where Bazhu village is exactly located. Known as one of the richest biodiversity region in the world, the area is the home to around 6000 species of plants, 173 species and 417 species of birds, including Yunnan Golden Monkey, Bengal Tiger and other state first-class protected animals.
Tibetan people are the major residents in Bazhu. It is said that around 800 years ago, a Tibetan headman led 26 young people migrated a long way to settle here, and became the very first villagers in Bazhu, until today, 1386 descendants of whom inhabit the indigenous land. Bazhu is in the southeast of the Tibetan settlement, bordering on settlements of Naxi and Lisu People, thus breed the unique culture in Bazhu, a mixed of Tibetan tradition with cultural factors from other ethnic groups. Its natural surroundings across altitudes from 2000 to 3850 meters include various ecological systems, making it the perfect habitat for diversified wildings: nearly 300 species of birds and more than 200 species of plant. Yunnan golden monkey, the state first-class protected animals in China, is also reported to be seen in Bazhu.
The community conserved area in Bazhu is founded on the religious traditions that deeply rooted in villagers’ minds. For years, residents in Bazhu have been one of the sincerest believers of the Kagyu, a sect of Tibetan Buddhism. “Sacred Mountains Belief” is a customary law that have been faithfully enforced by locals in centuries, which in some ways helps the mountains escape the interference. Bazhu people believe the eight mountains in the area are divine beings with genders and characteristics – “mountain god and mountain goddess”. The heavenly area is parted from mortals by a clear boundary. Above the boundary, speaking loudly and cutting trees are strictly forbidden, even fallen trees are not supposed to be picked up. If the rules are broken, the mountain god or goddess would be irritated, said the villagers, and they would be punished by disasters such as hailstone and rainstorm. Trees are seen as sacred as well. They believe trees next to ancestral house would bless the family thus they are prevented from being cut. Trees in nearby areas are not as lucky as them in Bazhu. In 1990s, timber made up 80% of the financial income of Diqing Prefecture, the upper authority of Bazhu. Old-growth forests in the area, more or less, suffered severe plunders. A timber corporation once proposed to build a road for the village, for the exchange of rights to woods. Villagers boycotted the proposal and failed outsiders’ attempts. To prevent the continued and sneaky intrusion from outside, a forest patrol team was formed by a group of voluntary women. For every day in nearly two decades, they have been waking up early in the morning and then patrolling the designated forest on the regular base. They are the primary protector of the forest and the direct executor of the customary laws. For years, they overcame obstacles from outsiders and within the community who yearned for the rich forests, and came up with a clear set of guidelines and definite boundaries of patrol area for each member.
As the basis of community conserved area, Bazhu is consistent in religion and ethnic group with itself, which could both resist the outside interference and coordinate the inside misconduct. Unlike many other communities with the religious background, residents in Bazhu have fairly strong identities with their own traditions thus they follow the customary laws to fulfill the conservation. On the other hand, residents relying on the resources in the community, like fungus, believe if they “satisfy” the mountain god/goddess, they would get deserved payback, such as the harvest and if not, the mountain god/goddess would destroy their gains by natural means. The simple and old idea of “give more, receive more” matches perfectly with the modern sustainable development idea. Is it merely a coincident or is it the inheritance of the ancient wisdom? Whichever it is, Bazhu people stick to their ancient promises to the forest, with their unique understanding of the surroundings. They indeed benefit from it. A good example is, when Yunnan province suffered continued drought in recent years, Bazhu River never cut off – a result from soil conservation due to the thick forest.
However, threats are yet to be dissolved. Enthusiastic demand for precious woods, such as taxus, still pressures the villagers’ persistence in preservation. Furthermore, traditional craftsmanship faces the impact of modern products.
Shangri-La Institute for Sustainable Communities (hereinafter referred as SISC) saw the potential in Bazhu to develop a long-term biodiversity conservation mechanism. In 2013, with the support of GEF SGP, the SISC launched the Bazhu Community Conserved Area Development Project, piloting the “non-governmental nature reserve” in Bazhu, including the eight surrounding sacred mountains. SISC intends to improve the livelihood of the villagers, at the same time promoting both the natural and cultural preservation. A Community Learning Center was established, where Villagers are trained with new technology for sustainable agriculture: biogas digester building, herb planting, beekeeping and so on. Solar energy insecticidal lamps for edible rose cultivation in replace of the toxic pesticide are also provided. Fungus like matsutake is a vital part of villagers’ income. Instead of picking up five times a week, villagers were suggested to pick up once a week. Solid number through the yearly monitor of the production were shown to persuade the villagers that decrease in frequency would actually result in a larger output. Women involvement were also repeatedly emphasized in community self-governance and a series of activities such as women health training workshops was launched.
During the project, 311 people in total were trained, regarding biodiversity conservation, eco-tourism, traditional craftsmanship and sustainable agriculture. The direct economic benefit is more than 200 thousand Yuan. A new leadership team of community conserved area was established, who are familiar with the surrounding landscape and sustainable development and are ready to lead the community in the future stage.
