A Workshop on Peatland Conservation, Restoration and
Sustainable Use was held in Lanzhou City, Gansu Province, Cina from 7-9 July
2004. The workshop was jointly organized by International Forestry Cooperation
Centre of the State Forestry Administration China Wildlife Conservation Association,
Wetlands International, Global Environment Centre, and the Gansu Forestry Department,
with support from UNEP-GEF and other partners.
It was attended by more than 90 experts and representatives from a broad range of government agencies, research institutes, and NGOs from 11 countries, primarily from NE and SE Asia. The workshop examined three main themes:
Conservation and Sustainable Use of Peatlands,
Restoration and Rehabilitation,
and International and Regional Cooperation.
Peatland issues were highlighted in more than 30 technical presentations and in-depth working group meetings. A technical visit was undertaken from 10-16 July to review management of the high altitude Ruoergai Peatlands in Gansu and Sichuan Provinces Concern was raised that despite their great importance, peatlands throughout East Asia are being rapidly degraded and destroyed – primarily as a result of extensive uncontrolled drainage and land conversion, overgrazing, deforestation, and fire.
In some countries more than 50% of peatlands have been lost or degraded with major social and environmental impacts. Extensive peatland fires in SE Asia have caused billions of dollars of damage in the past decade and contributed greatly to global environmental degradation. In NE Asia overgrazing and drainage of upland peatlands has led to desertification as well as water shortages. Conversion of lowland peatlands has contributed to major flooding and associated loss of life and property.
Root causes of peatland degradation include poor understanding of peatland values and functions as well as impacts of land use changes; unclear or conflicting policies and institutional frameworks relating to peatland protection and use; insufficient technical and organizational capacity and resources for peatland management agencies; poverty and lack of alternate livelihood options for local communities in peatland areas; as well as changes in local and global climate.
The Chinese State Council recently instructed all provincial governments to place close attention to the protection and restoration of wetlands including peatlands at all levels. Moreover, the Council adopted a strategic plan for wetland conservation for the next 50 years, prepared by 10 Ministries led by the State Forestry Administration. This strategy includes key targets such as the inclusion of 90% of the remaining natural wetlands in protected areas and the restoration of 1,4 million ha of wetland areas, and the designation of 60 additional Ramsar sites
The Workshop produced a recommendation document focussing on local, national, regional, and global levels.
Please surf to http://www.peat-portal.net/ ev_en.php?ID=2819_201&ID2=DO_TOPIC
or an MS Word version of the recommendation document and for more information.
source: http://www.peat-portal.net