Environmental research

Keli village is situated in the center of central Yunnan high plateau. Hancongqin s forest fire occurred in April, 2013 is one of the most serious fires that occurred in Yunnan in recent years, and over 3000 mu of forest were swiped across by the fire. Not only did Hancongqing s forest fire destroy local ecology and environment, but also damaged forest resources, deteriorated water and soil erosion, decreased biodiversity, meanwhile brought about difficulties in livelihood of community to Keli village, such as collecting mushrooms, cutting firewood, collecting resins and building houses, etc. Main problem: 1) Currently fire-burnt vegetation is growing naturally, and no measurements are taken to retail water in forest soils; 2) Reforestation in Burned Forest Areas is lack of local community`s participation; 3) Because the forest fire damaged the firewood forest, extension of solar energy is in bad need as alternative energy for the sake of the community livelihood and development; 4) lack of awareness on forest fire prevention and forest protection. Solutions/activities:1) In species selection, conifer (pine) and broad leaf (Alnus) will be mixed, and renewal of vegetation will be artificially promoted. In water retailing, a patent from Yunnan Academy of Forestry will be applied to project demonstration; 2) In order to increase the participation of local communities in forest vegetation rehabilitation, and to improve livelihood of these communities in the course of Hancongqing s fire stricken vegetation rehabilitation, the project will carry out intercropping of cash crop, forest herbs and forest vegetables, and to actively deploy technological demonstration for agroforestry management. 3) 50 solar heater will be installed; 4) carry out advocacy activities to increase public awareness on forest fire prevention. Anticipated results/outcomes:1) 400 mu of demonstrative forest for fire stricken vegetation rehabilitation and water retailing in soils will be established; local forestry technicians and community technicians will master these 2 techniques; 2)100 mu of agroforestry demonstrative forest intercropped with cash crop, forest herbs and livestock will be established; community technicians will master techniques of planting and management, and incomes of the communities will be probably increased; 3) By subsidizing installing solar water heaters in Keli village, community sanitary conditions will be improved and its dependence on fuel wood lowered; 4) By villagers meetings and various propagandas, community crowds get to know the knowledge of forest protection and fire prevention and relevant laws and regulations, and their awareness of forest fire prevention will be realized.

China