QNNP
Located on the “Roof of the World” the Qomolangma National Nature Preserve (QNNP), extends over a 34,000 square kilometre stretch of the Himalayas, including Qomolangma (Mt. Everest). Founded in 1989, and protected by the government since 1994, the QNNP was one of the first nature preserves in the world to be administered and protected entirely by local volunteers. Through their continued efforts, significant achievements have been made in halting rampant deforestation, unregulated tourism and illegal hunting of rare wildlife in the Qomolangma region. Active reforestation and garbage collection programs have also been undertaken to restore the environment.
Pendeba Program
The Pendeba Program, established in 1994 in the QNNP region, pioneers a community-based approach to meeting conservation goals through social development. The program focuses on health, capacity building, and environmental protection. “Pendeba”, literally translated, is Tibetan for “a person who benefits the community.” Pendebas are men and women trained in the practical skills of primary health, maternal and child health, income generation, kitchen gardens, sustainable forestry, and community decision-making. The Pendeba Program was first developed to meet a growing need for volunteers from local communities to act as Preserve wardens for the QNNP. In return for their time, these volunteers asked for assistance in tackling health and other concerns. The program has since been extended to the Four Great Rivers region, with a total of 680 Pendebas now being trained throughout Tibet.
Four Great Rivers
FutureGenerations/CHINA, in partnership with the Tibet Department of Science and Technology and the David Suzuki Foundation, are working together to protect 46 million acres of Eastern Tibet. The Four Great Rivers area, which includes the Yangtze, Brahmaputra, Salween, and Mekong rivers, has downstream ramifications for over 1 billion people in eight countries. With ecosystems that range from tropical habitats to artic-like mountain summits, it not only acts as a sanctuary to some of the most extensive biodiversity on the planet, but is also home to 800,000 people. FutureGenerations/CHINA engages local communities in the conservation of these ecosystems upon which so many depend upon.
Green Long March
The Green Long March is a nation-wide education campaign that strives to spread conservation awareness and practices across China, to produce change at the local-level. Launched in 2007, it engaged an estimated 9.75 million people in its inaugural year, and has become the largest youth conservation movement in China. The Green Long March harnesses the energy of young environmentalists as a vehicle to deliver conservation education, and builds a communication network between local community members, governmental policy-makers and experts from outside organizations. Endorsed by the Chinese Government, the Green Long March is organized by FutureGenerations/CHINA in partnership with Beijing Forestry University, and facilitated by the Chinese Youth Federation.
A Pendeba from Dingri County:
Mrs. Chhoden is a Pendeba of the Gangga Xaing Ngapa village of the Dingri County. She is 40 years old with three children, ages 3 to 15. After her first training in 1996, she started teaching women about sanitation, safe-motherhood, family planning, and nature conservation. In the beginning, she had many problems motivating villagers to learn new behaviors, but through persistence, good advice, and wise referrals to the regional hospital, she has gained their confidence. Today, community members and leaders seek her advice. She and her village have planted more than 1,000 trees, established a water system with three taps (which has led to a decrease in diarrhea), and have saved the lives of many women and children. Mrs. Chhoden continues to attend the refresher training courses provided by Future Generations.
Timeline of FutureGenerations/CHINA Programs
1985
Future Generations founder and president Daniel Taylor first proposes protecting Qomolangma (Mt. Everest)
1989
The Qomolangma Nature Preserve receives official protection from the Tibet Autonomous Region government and becomes one of the first nature preserves in the world to be administered entirely by local volunteers.
1994
The Qomolangma Nature Preserve is elevated to National Nature Preserve Status.
1994
The Pendeba Program (training of ‘workers who benefit the community’) is created to meet the need for increased local conservation volunteers as the Qomolangma Nature Preserve expands.
1998
The United Nations selects the Pendeba Program as one of the 50 most effective development programs for poor people in the world.
2000
The Pendeba Program achieves a 50% decrease in infant mortality, a 98% increase in immunisation rates, increased reforestation, protection of nature preserves and enforcement of hunting bans.
2001
Planning begins for The Four Great Rivers ecological protection zone, which aims to place 46 million acres of land in Eastern Tibet under national protection.
2003
The Pendeba Program is extended to Four Great Rivers region.
2006
FutureGenerations/CHINA registers in Hong Kong.
2007
FutureGenerations/CHINA launches the Green Long March, the longest and largest youth conservation movement in China.
2008
The Green Long March becomes an annual environmental movement with a five-year vision to train a youth corps of environmental leaders, and build Model Eco-Communities across China.
“The population, once engaged, become stakeholders and defenders of the preserve and more aware of the link between conservation and sustainable development.”
UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs
Report on Future Generations in Sustainable Development Success Stories - 1998
