The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development covers 17 goals, the 15th of which is “Life on Land,” namely: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.

Under this major goal, there are 12 targets, the 15.4 of which is “By 2030, ensure the conservation of mountain ecosystems, including their biodiversity, in order to enhance their capacity to provide benefits that are essential for sustainable development.”

● Current Situation

The World

Addressing challenges of mountain ecosystems and communities

Around 27% of the earth’s surface is covered with mountains. Some hike the mountains to relieve stress, and others settle and create communities on their slopes. The ecosystems provide homes for various animal and plant species while providing us with woods, drinking water, and clean air. In short, mountains are essential.

Unfortunately, mountains are also fragile. Climate change and human behaviors have made mountains especially vulnerable and unhealthy, which will impact the lives on earth that are heavily dependent on them.

Based on the Kyrgyzstan government’s proposal, the year 2022 was proclaimed by the UN as the International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development to address the challenges facing mountain ecosystems and communities.

Source: greennetwork.asia

China

Achievements in development of China’s mountainous areas

China is a large mountainous country in the world, with a mountainous area of about 622.39×104 km², accounting for about 64.89% of the land space. Mountains are the main body of national ecological security barriers, important reserves of natural resources, and treasure houses of biodiversity. China’s unique stepped landform has resulted in poor surface material stability, fragile ecological environment, and frequent mountain disasters, and, with the interference of human activities on the ecosystem, mountainous areas often become topographical highlands and economically low valleys, which are difficult areas in the process of constructing a modernized socialist power.

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012, taking the construction of ecological civilization as the fundamental plan, aiming at building a well-off society in an all-round way, guided by the theory of “two mountains,” and supported by national strategies such as rural revitalization and poverty alleviation, China has realized overall changes in the appearance of mountainous areas: A historic victory has been achieved in the fight against poverty in mountainous areas, which is a fundamental change in the way to an all-round well-off society; infrastructure in mountainous areas has developed rapidly, and the production and living conditions there have been significantly improved; the industrial structure in mountainous areas has been significantly optimized, and the modernization process has steadily advanced. The report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2022 pointed out, “We must uphold and act on the principle that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets, and we must remember to maintain harmony between humanity and nature when planning our development.”

Source: cb.com.cn

●Cases

The World

Mountain biosphere reserves in a new era for resilient socio-ecological systems

Among the 738 biosphere reserves designated by UNESCO in 134 countries up until now, almost half lie in mountainous regions. The sheer size of the World Network of Mountain Biosphere Reserves makes it an effective vehicle for collaborative applied research and knowledge-sharing among mountain communities. The members of the World Network of Mountain Biosphere Reserves can use the network to defend local perspectives, share and replicate best practices, foster transboundary collaboration and attract financial, institutional and logistical support.

Source: unesco.org

IUCN CEM Mountain Ecosystems Specialist Group

The Mountain Ecosystem Specialist Group provides expert knowledge and guidance on integrated approaches to the management of natural and modified ecosystems to promote biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in mountain areas for the well-being of all those who depend on them. The specialist group is respectful towards traditional ecological knowledge systems and recognizes the role of communities as being central to effective ecosystem management. It aims to generate knowledge on the unique challenges faced by mountain ecosystems and the communities who rely on them, sharing inter and transdisciplinary guidance for policy makers and ecosystem managers.

Source: iucn.org

China

Legislation for ecological protection and all creatures on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

In early summer, lakes of all sizes are dotted on the snow-covered plateau, with some of them as green as emeralds, and some as blue as gemstones. The clear and quiet lakes reflect the snow-capped mountains, and the gurgling melting water from the snow-capped mountains flows into the lakes. The natural beauty is breathtaking.

The majestic Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, known as the “roof of the world,” “the third pole of the earth” and “Asia’s water tower,” is an important ecological security barrier for Chinaand even Asia as a whole. On April 26, 2023, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress deliberated and passed the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Ecological Protection. Since then, the living creatures and mountains on the plateau have received stronger legal protection.

Source: court.gov.cn

Shenzhen Songzikeng Forest Park has a total area of over 1,700 hectares

The Bureau of Planning and Natural Resources of Shenzhen Municipality has released the “Shenzhen Songzikeng Forest Park Master Plan (2022-2031).” According to the plan, the Songzikeng Forest Park is located in Longgang District and Pingshan District of Shenzhen, spanning the two districts, with a total area of 1774.1240 hectares. The construction of the park will, on the basis of retaining the existing native vegetation, select suitable native tree species for near-natural transformation of low-efficiency forests, improve forest ecological quality and landscape benefits, reconstruct a healthy forest ecosystem, protect ecological balance, and strictly control the setting of man-made scenic spots and carry out limited forest recreation activities.

Source: people.com.cn