WWF China calls for continued conservation of Three Parallel Rivers new World Heritage site

Beijing, China - WWF welcomes the recent announcement of the Three Parallel Rivers Region in Southwest China's Yunnan province as a new UNESCO World Heritage site and calls for the continued conservation of this fragile area.

The Three Parallel Rivers Region is considered an epicentre of Chinese biodiversity and is amongst the most biologically diverse temperate regions on Earth. The area contains sections of the upper reaches of 3 of Asia’s great rivers: the Jinsha (Yangtze), Lancang (Mekong) and Nujiang (Salween).

This region is part of the Tibetan Plateau (average elevation 4,000 m), the highest and largest plateau in the world. It shelters a wide array of unique species, including the Tibetan antelope, Tibetan gazelle, wild yak, blue sheep, snow leopard, brown bear, Bengal tiger, and black-necked crane.Because of its high elevation and deep gorges of the 3 rivers, the ecosystem in this region is extremely fragile, and once damaged, is almost impossible to restore.

Over the last several decades, China’s rapidly growing economy and population have been the root causes of degradation in this area including shrinking wetlands, destroyed vegetation, a higher snowline, and receding glacier. Planned hydropower stations, dams, roads, bridges, and tourism infrastructure such as hotels and inns are all potential threats to nature.

Preventing over-exploitation due to tourism is key to the conservation of this unique area of the world.WWF is working to conserve the area through education programmes, community development, and watershed management.

- WWF’s ‘Promoting International Cooperation on River Basin Management for the Amur and Mekong Rivers’ project seeks to engage the Chinese government and other key stakeholders on integrated river basin management in the Mekong River.

- WWF’s ‘Baimaxueshan Community Education Project’ has set up schools and community learning centers to help local Tibetan communities to conserve the environment and maintain the area’s cultural diversity.

- WWF’s ‘Baimaxueshan Integrated Conservation and Development Project (ICDP)’ addresses poverty alleviation and aims to improve living standards among poor households.

However, there are large gaps between our efforts and the needs of effectively protecting this unique area. WWF calls for all the stakeholders in the area and other NGOs to work together for a better future for the site. WWF hopes that the designation of the Three Parallel Rivers Region as UNESCO World Heritage site will help act as a guarantee for the long-term conservation of the area.

For further information:
Li Chao
Communications Director
WWF China Programme
Tel: 86-10-8563 6538 ext 225
Fax: 86-10-8561 5731
E-mail: chli@wwfchina.org

Notes to editors:• The Three Parallel Rivers Region is part of 8 of WWF's Global 200 ecoregions — a science-based global ranking of the Earth's most biologically outstanding terrestrial, freshwater and marine habitats. The 8 ecoregions are: North Indochina Subtropical Moist Forests; Eastern Himalayan Broadleaf and Conifer Forests; Hengduan Shan Coniferous Forests; Tibetan Plateau Steppe; Middle Asian Montane Steppe and Woodlands; Eastern Himalayan Alpine Meadows; Mekong River; and Yunnan Lakes and Streams.