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Wise Use Workshop announced for China, June 2001

An International Workshop on Conservation and Wise Use set for Korla City of China, June 2001

An International Workshop on Conservation and Wise Use will be conducted in Korla City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous region of China next June with an aim to exchange and summarize the experiences and study results. The organizers of this workshop are Wetlands International (China, Oceania and Asia-Pacific), Forestry Department of Xinjiang and the Government of Bayangol Prefecture of Xinjiang, and associated with Global Environment Network. Here is the text of Announcement. (Li Lukang WI-China)

Organized by

Wetlands International-( China, Oceania and Asia Pacific) 
Forestry Department of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
The People's Government of Bayangol Prefecture of Xinjiang

Associated with Global Environment Network

Implemented by Forestry Division of Bayangol Prefecture

Organizational Committee:
Chair: Mr. Chen Kelin (WI-China)
Vice-Chair: Mr. Aniwar (Forestry Department, Xinjiang)
Mr. Yusuf (Forestry Division of Bayangol Prefecture)
Members: Faizal Parish (Global Environment Network, Malaysia)
Lei Guangchun (WWF-China)
Taej Mundkur( WI Asia Pacific)
Doug Watkins (WI-Oceania)
Gu Zhengqin (Forestry Bureau, Korla City)
John Howes (Wetland Consultant, UK)
Du Nong (Forestry Department, Xinjiang)
Secretary General: Li Lukang (WI-China)

Introduction

With the planned development of Great West China, ecological improvements have been put on the agenda of the provinces/regions of West China. Wetlands are an extremely important ecological system in dry Northwest China. The workshop aims to exchange and summarize the experiences of conservation and wise use of wetlands and showcase wetlands management practices of Xinjiang to the colleagues of other parts of China and the world.

Main Topics

• Conservation and wise use of wetlands?
• Priority area of wetlands conservation in West China;
• Identification of threats to wetlands;
• Community involvement in wetlands management;
• Water-birds Protection and resources inventory
• Protection and restoration of fresh water rivers?
• The specific characteristics of wetlands in Xinjiang

Agenda of Workshop

• The duration of workshop is 8 days, including 5 days of field trip (optional);
• The indoor meetings will last 3 days with 2 topics each day. Every key speaker selected will have 30 minutes of presentation and followed by discussion. A half-day will be spent for summarizing. A lecture (the topic be decided later) will be organized on an evening.
• The sites to be visited are typical Xinjiang wetlands including Bosten Lake, Bayanbulak National Nature Reserve and Tarim River Nature Reserve of Euphrates poplar and wetlands. 

Expected Outputs

• Priorities for wetland conservation in West China defined;
• Proceedings of the workshop published in Chinese and English;
• A project development facility (PDF) proposal for ?Wetland Conservation in Xinjiang? developed and approved by local government.

Cost

• The participants pay for their round travel cost to Korla City of Xinjiang;
• Registration fee is US$120 per person;
• Meal and accommodation will be charged at US$60 per day per person during the workshop.

The working language is Chinese and English.

The participants are requested to submit abstracts of papers through email to the Organizational Committee no later than February 28, 2001, and the full text by May 31, 2001. The Publication of the proceedings of the paper will depend on the availability of funds.

The participants have to fill the registration form and submit to Mr. Li Lukang, the secretary general of the organization Committee by November 15^th, 2000.

The Address of the Organization Committee is as follows: Postal Address:  Room 501, Grand Forest Hotel, 3A Bei Sanhuan Zhonglu Road, Beijing, 100029 Fax: 010 62077900, Tel 010 62377031   62058405    62058418

Email: lilukang@mweb.com.cn mailto:lilukang@mweb.com.cn
          wicp@public3.bta.net.cn mailto:wicp@public3.bta.net.cn  
       lilk@163.net <mailto:lilk@163.net>

Introduction of the sites to be visited

1. The Bayangol Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture

The prefecture is located in southeast part of Xinjiang with an area of 482,700 square kilometers, or one forth of the total area of Xinjiang, and therefore the prefecture is the largest one in China. Korla City is the capital of the prefecture. Mongolian ethnic people are dominant with another 35 ethnic groups including Han, Uygur and Hui etc. The total population is 990,000. The ancient Silk Road (southern and middle ways) passed through this prefecture. Bayangol Prefecture is an ancient and beautiful area with fertile land.

Petroleum and cotton are the two basic economic pillars. The prefecture is famous for wildlife and there are many wetlands. The Tarim River as the longest inland river within China and is the main river in the prefecture. The famous Bosten Lake is also located there. Visitors may enjoy the typical Bayanbulak mash-land at an altitude of 3000-3700 m. in the Tianshan Mountain. In order to conserve the landscape the Xinjiang government has established 5 Nature Reserves with an area of 118,000 sq. kilometers or nearly 25% of the total territory of the Prefecture. The prefecture has a wide range of distribution of distribution of Euphrates poplar. During the workshop participants will go to see 3 sites, i.e. Bayanbulak National Nature Reserve, Bosten Lake and Tarim River Wetlands.

2. Tarim River Nature Reserve of Euphrates poplar and wetlands

The Tarim River is the longest inland river in China with a total length of 2100 km. Since ancient time there have been many Euphrates poplar in existence along the river banks (including its main stream or tributaries). The Tarim River is closely linked with people?s life and sustainable development of economy.

 The Tarim River Nature Reserve is situated in the middle reaches of the River. Its area is 3954 sq. km. During the flood period of the River (July - September) there is a vast area of floodplain, which creates an important habitat of water-birds in Summer and Autumn. The Nature Reserve was established in 1983 and is under management of Forestry Division of the Prefecture. The reserve has effectively stopped the destruction of nature ecosystem and continued to play an important role in the conservation of Tarim River Wetlands and the specific deserts ecosystem.

3. Bayanbulak National Nature Reserve

The Bayanbulak National Nature Reserve is situated in the Yudulus Basin of the Middle Tianshan Mountain with an area of 23,000 sq. km. including mash-land of 1369 sq. km. In the reserve there is 128 species of birds including 25 species listed in the National Protection List (I and II grades). Rare species like Whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus), Black stork (Ciconia nigra), Common crane (Grus grus) and Demoiselle crane (Anthropoides virgo) are found here. Every year some 5000-7000 Whooper swan, 4000 Common crane and 4000 Demoiselle crane visit this area. In addition to that, some 100,000 Anatidae are also found here.

The reserve through her efforts and support of local governments has achieved successes in conservation of the wetland ecosystem. The population of Whooper swan and other water-birds have remained stable. In December of 1999 the State Forestry Administration together with another 3 Ministries awarded this reserve the title of "Advanced Collective of Nature Reserves".

4.    Wetlands of Bosten Lake

The wetlands of Bosten Lake are situated in Yanqi Basin with an area of 1400 sq. km, the largest inland fresh water lakes in terms of area. Wetlands in the west part of lake cover 350 sq. km, the Big Lake is 968 sq. km and the area of small lake is 40 sq. km. In terms of biodiversity the Bosten Lake has 120 species of birds, particularly water-birds, e.g. geese, gulls, and herons. The lake has 354 sq km of reeds with annual production of 2 million tons. The annual fish production of the lake is about 3500 tons. The Bosten Lake is of great significance in terms of climate adjustment, desertification control, conservation of biodiversity and eco-tourism. Now the Planning of Ecological Environment Protection has been prepared and realized well.

June 5-12 of 2001

Korla City, Xinjiang

1.    Name

2.    Sex

3.    Birth Date

4.    Institution

5.    Position

6.    Title of Technical Post

7.    Will you participate in field trips? Yes c      No c

8.    Post Address and Zip Code

9.    Telephone

10. Fax

11. Email Address

For further information about the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, please contact the Ramsar Convention Bureau, Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland (tel +41 22 999 0170, fax +41 22 999 0169, e-mail ramsar@ramsar.org). Posted 12 September 2000, Dwight Peck, Ramsar.