Transform conventional corrals to protect wetlands along Pengqu River

The wetlands along Pengqu River are some of the most important wetlands in QNNP, and they are also natural grassland for livestock. These wetlands conserve rich biological and ecological diversity as the preserve’s natural resources. Complex environmental and climatic conditions also result in diverse flora various types of grassland, which demonstrate a microprint of QNNP’s grassland, and feed for livestock in the region. It means much for better conserving and utilizing these wetlands given the place’s important green gene bank as well as beautiful nature endowments. However, there are many corrals along the river that are made of mud dug from the wetlands. There are no measures to reinforce these conventional corrals and the mud does not bind tight. When there are heavy rains in summer, these corrals would fall apart easily. It is very difficult for grassland of high altitude to restore balance, not to mention that these grasses were eradicated. Hence, damages due to these conventional corrals are lasting and irrevocable. In the meantime, rebuilding and repairing these corrals also require much labor  input from local communities, which may repeat year after year. 

In this regard, the Pendeba Society, with generous support from Lao Niu Foundation, plans to transform conventional corrals along Pengqu River into earth brick or stone corrals, which will better protect the wetland ecosystems in QNNP. Therefore, from August 1st to 8th, 2012, staff from the Pendeba Society went on a survey about conventional corrals in Chazi, Didong, Cangmuda, Dongba and Enba Villages in Tingri County and Daqu and Nailong Village in Nyalam County. Coordinated by village chiefs and leaders, with some of them being our Pendebas, our staff had a close investigation of conservation conditions of wetlands along the river, and examined usage changes of grassland resources as well as soil erosion and degradation. Through the survey, we have found that damages to the wetlands have been severe. Though it has been banned for years to dig wetlands, there are still large areas of destroyed wetlands in the region, which imposes enormous pressure on wetland conservation in QNNP.

In order to better protect these wetlands, first of all, conventional corrals should be transforms to those endurable and environmentally friendly ones such as earth brick or stone corrals. Secondly, river management shall be reinforced such as dredging Pengqu River and its anabranches to prevent floods running over wetlands during the raining season in summer. It will help reduce grassland degradation and desertification. Thirdly, more trainings are needed for local communities to raise their environmental sustainability awareness. By concrete conservation projects and enforcing conservation law on the ground, local environmental conservation capacity building will be reinforced. Lastly, we will help local communities to adapt to sustainable utilization of natural resources, and by working with conservation experts to control grazing capacity in the region. 

During the survey, staff from the Pendeba Society also listened carefully to local village leaders, and together we designed project agenda and implementation plan based on reality. This conventional corral transforming project will last for 2 years, and we will work hard to help transform 76 corral sites, which covers 37000 square meters’ conventional corrals.