Objective: protect bio-diversity in the Meili Snow Mountains of Yunnan Province.

The Meili Mountains have been identified as one of 25 global biodiversity hotspots for priority conservation as it is home to many medicinal herbs and endangered wildlife. Although, the concept of a national park is new to the Chinese government, it has recognised that it is the best method to balance conservation and development into true sustainability. Through educational and political efforts, the Meili Mountains are now Chinas first national park, home to 10,000 minority rural households.
The Alstom Foundation has partnered with the Nature Conservancy to promote fair balance between preserving the environment and promoting eco-tourism through:

• Seminars on protected area management held for local governors,
•  training for park rangers,
•  the conservation of rare medicinal plants,
•  the construction of two model houses using green methods
•  plotting out two eco-tourism routes.

Update: May 2010 

Since receiving the first grant of the Alstom Foundation many projects have arisen:

• Chinese partners and stakeholders took a study tour to Taiwan to learn about National Park management.
• local communities created an NGO to patrol and protect Yunnan golden monkeys from poaching.
• information system was developed to assist park management data organisation.
• training on medicinal plant cultivation and bee-breeding activities was given.
• a drinking water system was built in Benduding, Liming village.
• approximately 30 tons of garbage were cleared from Yubeng village.

The Nature Conservancy, a leading conservation organisation working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters. 

Visit The Nature Conservancy website