Kazak Culture and Wildlife Protection
Location: North West China
Mission Statement
Between 1995 and 1998, several expeditions were launched from CERS Dunhuang Center in China's northwest to conduct research on the wildlife of the Qilian Mountains. The Qilian Mountains are a rugged mountain range on the Northeast rim of the Qinghai-Tibet plateau. Their coniferous forests are a potential habitat for a variety of endangered species like the giant panda, red panda, takin, and musk deer, although it is unknown which of these mammals still reside in the area. Snow leopards, white-lipped deer, wild yaks, and Tibetan gazelles can also be found in these mountains. The CERS Dunhuang site was adjacent to the Aksay Kazak community,one of china's 56 recognised ethnic minorities.
The research on these animals and their habitats were used to help the local people design future conservation and land use plans.
Activities of Organisation
In helping the local Kazak community to design wildlife conservation plans, the CERS Dunhuang center has benefited the Aksay Kazak community as well as the natural environment of the Qilian mountains.The Kazak community use the wildlife preservation research and tools provided by CERS to promote ecotourism in the region. Through ecotourism promotion, the Kazaks can better preserve their unique culture and community, with the added benefit of helping to protect the natural environmental of the Qilian mountains.
Consensus Community Perspective
By furthering both cultural preservation as well as environmental conservation, this community project exemplifies the goals of Himalayan Consensus. Furthermore, the promotion of eco-tourism in the area surrounding the Kazak communities home means that tourists can appreciate and contribute to sustaining the Kazak's heritage.
Website: Visit this community's website