Final Report - Asian Development Bank

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TA 4721-PRC: Preparing the Shaanxi-Qinling Mountains Integrated Ecosystem Management Project
Final Report Appendix 5
E. Potential Priority Investments
1. Communication, Education and Public Awareness
a. Pilot Schools
209. GEF support to broader Public Awareness Campaign – including a Communication,
Education and Public Awareness Center (location to be determined) directed to: (i) increased public
knowledge of QM ecosystem, habitat, and wildlife ecology through on-site display and interpretation;
(ii) conducting educational outreach programs based on delivery of training programs and materials to
selected teachers and administrators in Shaanxi primary, secondary, and tertiary schools. To include
preparation and distribution of Education and Training Modules on biodiversity conservation and the
history, culture and eco-systems of the PA and QM – for use in primary and middle schools and
relevant adult education and vocational training in the project’s target population area of nearly 44,000
(including the fringe) and later after modification to other QM areas.
b. Qinling Stakeholder Association
210. Funding is needed in the Project Area for establishment of an association of Qinling
stakeholders. A new association of Qinling stakeholders would help to facilitate communication and
resolve resource management problems by overcoming institutional barriers. The goal of the
association would be to achieve sustainable management of Qinling natural resources. Membership
would include professional managers and scientists at nature reserves, researchers, tourism, land
management, and water resource agencies, village, township, and county leaders. The association
would convene an annual meeting and produce an annual report. Working groups would be formed to
address issues such as tourism development and regulation, habitat management, wildlife
management, research and others.
2. Wildlife Management
a. Recover Wild Populations of Crested Ibis
211. Document the status and trend of captive and/or wild populations in Yang County and
Zhouzhi County, Shaanxi, and in Japan; (ii) Develop (or update) in concert with SFA and Shaanxi
Forest Department (SFD) a national and international recovery plan for wild populations through
release of captive birds to minimize risk of catastrophic loss to disease; (iii) Further research and then
implement release into the wild (building on and coordinated with the more general research in 2); (iv)
Within the context of the international species recovery plan, design and implement research on the
conditions (ecosystems and habitats; protected areas; technical and institutional capacities) needed to
support release into the wild in former range states Russia, Koreas, and Japan; (v) Liaise with
SFA/SFD, research institutes, the IUCN Species Survival Commission, Stork, Ibis & Spoonbill
Specialist Group, the Sado Island Breeding Center and Yamashina Institute of Ornithology in Japan,
and International Crane Foundation in USA to initiate interventions to realize the conditions needed for
national and international species recovery through release of captive birds; and (vi) Implement the
release program in cooperation with the Yang County captive breeding facility and in concert with the
IUCN SSC Stork, Ibis & Spoonbill Specialist Group plan for Crested Ibis re-introduction (in preparation
in early 2007).
b. Develop Technology for Release of Giant Panda
212. The captive population of Giant Panda at the Zhouzhi breeding center numbers around 12
animals and the long-term target is 40. There is no conservation justification for keeping such large
numbers of Pandas in captivity other than economic return from display or lease to other facilities.
The wild populations in the Qinling and in Gansu and Sichuan are increasing through natural
recruitment and release is not necessary either to augment the wild populations or improve their
genetic fitness. Indeed, it is not known whether release of Pandas would actually benefit wild
populations and the known risks are substantial (from disease in particular). The IUCN Species
Survival Commission concludes that there is not adequate justification for releasing captive Pandas to
the wild.