UNFCCC Reference No.: 3561
In the Autonomous Region of Guangxi Zhuang, P.R. China, the headwater areas of the Pearl River, which is the third longest river in China, are subjected to severe soil and water erosion. High precipitation, frequent storms, complex landform and steep valleys, clubbed with human disturbances (fire, grazing, and cultivation) and poor land management are the reasons for the land degradation issue. About 80% of the local residents are ethnic minorities, including Zhuang, Miao, Yao, Yi and Buyi ethnic nationalities, and many local people who live below the poverty line. In addition to this, Guangxi province ranks third among the biodiversity rich areas in China, with over 6,000 flora species, including 113 rare and endangered plant species. It is therefore, critical to protect and conserve these lands.
The Reforestation on Degraded Lands in Northwest Guangxi project was implemented to achieve multiple objectives of restoring the degraded lands, conserving the soil, water and biodiversity and contribute to poverty alleviation. The project is therefore, reforesting over 8,000 hectares of multiple purpose forests with different native species (a mix of birch, China fir, Chinese red pine, and sweet gum), and Eucalyptus to meet small scale timber and fuelwood needs of the local inhabitants. The project was implemented by the Guangxi Longlin Forestry Development Company Ltd, in association with the Forestry Department of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (GZAR) and is linked to the larger World Bank financed Guangxi Integrated Forestry Development and Conservation project (GIFDCP). GIFDCP supports the project in monitoring of environmental and social impacts of the project in relation to natural forests, watershed and biodiversity aspects of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous region. This project also draws from GZAR's experience in the first CDM afforestation/reforestation project ever registered – “Facilitating Reforestation for Guangxi Watershed Management in Pearl River Basin”, which was registered in 2006.
The project is providing numerous environmental benefits. In addition to sequestering carbon dioxide, it is controlling soil and water erosion and restoring degraded land. It is also enhancing biodiversity conservation by increasing forest cover and natural habitat connectivity.
Farmers and communities contribute land and labour, and local forest companies invest in planting activities, provide technical inputs, manage the plantations during the crediting period and pay the local farmers for the labour input thus providing them with temporary income. Following the establishment, revenues are now being generated through both sale of carbon emission reduction credits and the sale of wood products, resin, and other forest products.