Guizhou Cultural and Natural Heritage Protection and Development Project Environmental Impact Assessment Guiyang Hydropower Investigation Design & Research Institute China Hydropower Engineering Consultation Group Corporation September 18
Environmental Impacts and Mitigation
Download 1.45 Mb.
|
- Navigate this page:
- Social Impacts at Strategic/Provincial Level
- Specific Benefits of Components
- Land Occupation and Resettlement
Environmental Impacts and MitigationSocial Impacts and BenefitsThis proposed project is expected to have a number of social impacts, both negative and possitive, on the local communities. Although some impacts are very difficult to estimate in quantatitive term, analysis of these impacts can give implications on the pros and cons for the tourism resource development in the affected area. The impacts are analyzed from strategic/provincial level and local specific level respectively, as described in the following sections. Social Impacts at Strategic/Provincial LevelA. Impacts on Economic Benefit and Living Standard Using tourism for generating economic benefit, including poverty alleviation in Guizhou’s rural area, is a key government priority reflected in both the Master Plan for Tourism development, Tenth Five-year Plan and related Plans. The diversification of Guizhou’s economy include tourism to fit within the national government’s policy of “building a new countryside” and is seen by policy makers as a way to allow rural residents to “leave the farm, without leaving the countryside”. The sections below tend to estimate the benefits from the tourism development in the province through analysis of historic information. Poverty Alleviation The Guizhou Tourism Agency estimates that between 2001 and 2005, about 630,000 people living in the 9 prefectures have been lifted out of poverty partly as a result of their participation in tourism-related activities. The positive impacts of tourism-related activities in poverty reduction have been significant in prefectures like for example Zunyi where 38.4% of the total poor have been lifted out of poverty. Similarly, Qianxinan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture in Southwest Guizhou(40%) and Liupanshui Northwest Guizhou (37.5%). Its impcat has also been imprtant in Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture in Southeast Guizhou (21.4%) and Qiannan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture in South Guizhou (19%). Table 6.1-1 below summarizes the poverty reduction status by tourism development in Guizhou in 2001-2005. Table 6.1-1 Population Lifted out of Poverty from Tourism 2001-2005
Note: prefectures in bold are the area to be affected by this project. Although the data for the percentage of poor population to be lifted by the project are not available, the population to be affected by the project through the establishment of rural tourism such as homestay accomodation and other activities in the poorer rural areas is considerable. The data in Table 6.1-1 shows a trend where poor people are being better off as a result of the tourism, and this trend is expected to continue along with the continuous effort to develop rural tourism. Employment Oppertunities Employment is one of the major ways which tourism can contribute to quality of life in host communities. The priority to develop rural tourism is expected to create significant employment oppertunities for those living in rural areas. The Guizhou Rural Tourism Development Plan 2006 estimated that 2.1 million people will participate in tourism-related activities by 2010. This should promote the establishment of small and micro enterprise (i.e. guest houses, home-stays, restaurants, small shops, handicrafts workshops, and transport) managed by self-employed individuals and households. This can be expected to significantly reduce Guizhou’s rural labour surplus. The Guizhou Tourism Agency reports that 968,480 people were directly or indirectly involved in tourism activities in Guizhou in 2005 (see Table 6.1-2). These figures include full-time and temporary work in different sectors. Table 6.1-2 People Involved in Tourism Activities, 2005
Note: prefectures in bold are the area to be affected by this project. Income and Standard of Living In an effort to ensure that rural and ethnic people capitalise on economic benefits from tourism, a comprehensive investment plan that includes infrastructre improvements, support to rural households to set up guesthouses and training and capacity building programs in the demosntration villages clusters that include a total of 150 villages. These should result in a significant improvement in the quality of life of residents, as well as facilitate tourism. These measures are expected to result in a swift reduction of economic disparities within the province by raising incomes and living standard in rural areas. It is difficult to estimate the associated average increase in icomes derived from tourism-related activities but examples from tourism villages throughout the province and elsewhere in China show significant increase in household income. It is estimated that a family operating a homestay would generate RMB 4,000-5,000 in gross revenue per year. The Guizhou Tourism Agency reports that in Tianlong Village, Anshun City, the per capita annual disposable income of rural households was RMB 2,190 compared to RMB 1,765 before the start of tourism activities. These amounts are significant compared with Guizhou’s pre capita annual disposable income for rural households of RMB 1,565 (2003) Contribution to Local Economy In 2005, tourism revenue in Guizhou amounted to RMB 25 billion, of which rural tourism accounted for RMB 2 billion (8%). This represents close to a fourfold increase over the RMB 6.5 billion in tourism revenues generated in 2001. When the eearnings of the informal sector and multiply effects, particularly in rural areas, are factored in, economic benefits may be considerably higher. B. Risk of Marginalisation One of the overarching goals of the tourism development strategy in Guizhou is to contribute to local economic development by allowing communities to capitalise on opportunities presented through increased tourism in the province. It is widely acknowledged that both social and economic benefits can be greatly enhanced by adopting a community-driven participatory approach in all aspects of policy design and implementation. In this regard, participation is considered to be of utmost importance in ensuring that benefits accrue to the local population, particularly to the poor and ethnic minority group. Failure to adopt a participatory approach for tourism development risks marginalising local communities, which would inevitably undermine the long-term viability of Guizhou’s tourism industry. Marginalisation from Decision-making Mechanisms for participation of host communities in tourism development and planning process in Guizhou are in their infancy. The proposed establishment of village tourism association under the Rural Tourism Development Proposal (2006) are a further attempt to strengthen the participation of local communities in rural tourism development and their access to decision-making. The experience from the pilot progame in Bala River indicates that the village tourism associations need a significant amount of support over time to function and reach maturity. Marginalisation from Economic Benefits The master Plan for tourism development in Guizhou encourages the cooperation between the government, the private sector and the local communities in tourism development. Given the low capacity of local communities in managing the tourism service, the unequitable distribution of economic benefits is risky. The minority value of intangible assets that have been cultivated and maintained by the local communities are often neglected in the concession arrangements to charge entry fee into “Ecological and Cultural Museum” in rural villages, although the intangible assets are the crux part of the tourism plan. Funding arrangement also should consider the other source to support the operation of the local intangible assets. The income from the development of tourism in state-owned assets, i.e. national geo-park and scenic areas, should also contribute partly to the sustainabiity of local assets created under this project. C. Risk of Traditional Values Affected Traditional values refer to those beliefs, moral codes, and mores that are passed down from generation to generation within a culture, subculture or community. Traditional beliefs and moral codes held by indigenous communities are fragile and highly influenced by outside pressure, economic development, migration movements and political changes. Opening up of long-preserved cultures such as the ethnic minority cultures of Guizhou, runs the risk of creating social and psychological distress to local residents. The confrontation with unbalanced development, disparities between urban and rural life and the eagerness to shake off poverty places immense pressure on such communities. The sudden arrival of large number of visitors demanding tourism products and services may cause severe shock to previously isolated communities. Values and attitudes that ensured the preservation of local culture over centuries may be compromised by the desires for money and the comforts of modern life. With the arrival of visitors under the tourism development of their communities which will transform the communities to tourist attraction, illegal activities such as prostitution, and alcohol or drug abuse that may be passed on from visitors. Specific Benefits of ComponentsBesides the general benefits as a result of the project as a whole, there are specific benefits to be created by particular components,as follows: A. Ethnic Minority Cultural Heritage Protection Components Improvement in Local Sanitation Quality and Environment Generally, project components in infrastructure construciotn are part of the foundation of tourism, and corresponding constructions will absorb more local labor and lead to income increase. Improvement in traffic facilities will provide substantial convenience to local residents’ daily life. Environmental protection measures, such as toilets, garbage management, water supply, and drainage facilities will help improve the sanitation condition of the residents and thus enhancing their living quality. In addition, the environment in these affected areas is expected to be improved as a result of the implementation of the sanitation facilities. Rehabilitation and Protection of Traditional Buildings These are important elements in developing tourism as well as enhancing local residents’ income level, which will in turn improve local people’s awareness of cultural heritage protection. Unique historical buildings and traditional government-owned public buildings will be better protected and conserved, as an integrated part of minority cultural protection. Through rehabilitation of ancient private houses, local people’s residency will become better, economic condition improved by running family hotels. Relevant constructions will produce more employment and hence increase local income. Safeguards and Support for Intangible Heritage This kind of components is expected to offer benefits to the project areas by encouraging indigenous people to participate in the intangible heritage protection of their hometown, through joining in the proposed activities such as developing minority handicrafts and arts; Local surplus labor will be presented with more employment opportunities , especially for women and old people (typical intangible heritage inheritors).. the honor for their culture will also be promoted as a result of increased income. Awareness for Intangible Assets Protection(Tourist Information Centers and Culture Preservation Centers) Tourists will benefit from both the tourist information center and culture preservation center, to appreciate more cultural infromation of original indigenous flavor. Local residents will enjoy a larger range of entertainment and cultural activities, which will enhance their cultural confidence and awareness of cultural protection. Meanwhile, relevant constructions and management will stimulate more employment oppertunities and help to balance local economic structure. Share of Economic Benefits ( Small Loan Program) Generally, the small loan program will benefit villagers by capacity building. Such programs may provide a solution to the financial shortage for a lot of villages to develop ethnic crafts. A number of project sites belong to national-level poverty counties and minority regions, economy in ancient towns and minority villages are mainly dependent on agriculture and income drawn from migrant workers in urban areas. In most of the sites investigated, people are eager to participate in tourism by means of developing indigenous crafts. Furthermore, this type of measure may help villagers participate in the project more closely and share more economic benefits from local tourism, by endowing them with a certain degree of participation in decision-making to plan loan details. B. Natural Heritage and Scenic Site Protection and Development Components Natural heritage and scenic site protection and development refer to items both inside the scenic sites, and those in surrounding villages. Positive impacts are as follows: Protection of Ecological Environment One of the project sites, Guanling National Geo-Park, contains precious fossils and research objects of paleontology. Yet the ecological environment is vulnerable, and is lack of effective protection. The proposed sub-project will take actions in improving local environment, sanitary conditions, and supporting the conservation plan in this geo-park. Rehabilitation of Traditional Architectures These components also include restoring traditional ethnic buildings in surrounding villages, such as Wanfenglin National Scenic Area. These construction items will effectively rehabilitate local ethnic architectures and hence protect resources of natural tourism. Enhancement of Indigenous Peoples’ Cultural Awareness and Confidence Some minority villages around the natural heritage and scenic sites are rich in cultural resources, especially intangible cultural heritage. Relevant project items will enhance the protection and inheritance of those resources, and thereby arouse the cultural awareness and confidence inside local villagers. For example, some extinct cultural traditions are being revived and developed, such as the Buyi singing and dancing customs in villages of Wanfenglin National Scenic Park. Land Occupation and ResettlementAs one of the most important adverse social impacts to be caused by the project. This section is a summary of the finding of the resettlement team. Only the component of Longli Ancient Town Protection is required to make the Resettlement Policy Frame Report. The total budget for resettlement is RMB 9,041,300. According to the Longli Ancient Town Protection Master Pan, a new district for residential buildings will be established outside the south door. It can provide enough space for the construction of houses for relocated people. The new district of Longli ancient town will occupy the farmland and building land with the area of 6.4 hm2. There are 2 wooden buildings with the structure area of 374m2 and 35 rooms with the structure area of 152m2 used as stockyard and garage. This proposal for new district is being reviewed by relevant agencies at current stage. As at current stage, the number of people to be relocated or compensated and the location to be relocated to have not been identified,the quantity of land occupation and impact of this action is difficut to estimate. Directory: curated curated -> Concept stage curated -> Concept stage curated -> Republic of Côte d'Ivoire Urbanization Review curated -> Report No: aus11011 Central America curated -> Report No. 94474-pk fiscal Disaster Risk Assessment Options for Consideration curated -> Environmental and Social Management Framework for the Costa Rica Telecommunications Sector Modernization Project curated -> Environment Impact Assessment For Jiangxi Shangrao Sanqingshan Airport Beijing Guohuantiandi Environmental Technology Development Center. Ltd. Oct. 2012 Content curated -> Growth through Innovation An Industrial Strategy for Shanghai By Shahid Yusuf Kaoru Nabeshima April 22nd, 2009 curated -> Report No: 70178. People's Republic of China Download 1.45 Mb. Share with your friends:
|