UCSB Wildlands StudiesUCSB Wildlands StudiesThailand and ChinaThailand and China

April 13-June 1April 13-June 1stst 2005 2005

The Program: Mountain Ecosystems The Program: Mountain Ecosystems of China and Thailand: The of China and Thailand: The

Borderland Project Borderland Project

24 days field studies and trekking in remote 24 days field studies and trekking in remote back countryback country

10 days base-camped in areas of 10 days base-camped in areas of conservation significanceconservation significance

7 days In towns and cities7 days In towns and cities 5 days overland travel5 days overland travel 9/10 credits9/10 credits

““Participants receive firsthand Participants receive firsthand exposure to ongoing case studies in exposure to ongoing case studies in

conservation, development, and conservation, development, and cultural sustainability”cultural sustainability”

The ProfessorThe Professor

The ClassroomThe Classroom

The busThe bus

The Chinese Academy of SciencesThe Chinese Academy of Sciences

Xishuangbanna Tropical Garden/Research Xishuangbanna Tropical Garden/Research StationStation Over 10,000 tropical plant speciesOver 10,000 tropical plant species Guest LecturesGuest Lectures

Ailao Mountain National Nature ReserveAilao Mountain National Nature Reserve Biodiversity field workBiodiversity field work Indigenous community festivalIndigenous community festival Canopy walkCanopy walk

Thousand Lake Mountain Thousand Lake Mountain Eco-tourismEco-tourism

Eco-tourism: A divergence in ideasEco-tourism: A divergence in ideas

Ji Sha VillageJi Sha Village Small, rural Tibetan VillageSmall, rural Tibetan Village Recently made accessible by roadRecently made accessible by road

A road to development?A road to development?

The Center for Biodiversity conservation and The Center for Biodiversity conservation and Indigenous knowledgeIndigenous knowledge Community based eco-tourism outfitCommunity based eco-tourism outfit Run and controlled by the villageRun and controlled by the village

Thousand Lake Mountain Thousand Lake Mountain Eco-tourismEco-tourism

Preserving forestsPreserving forests

Protecting fragile alpine ecosystemsProtecting fragile alpine ecosystems

Providing an alternative income for villagersProviding an alternative income for villagers

Giving the village control of its destinyGiving the village control of its destiny But……But……

Thousand Lake Mountain Thousand Lake Mountain Eco-tourismEco-tourism

Who has the ability to run the place?Who has the ability to run the place?

Who is going to bring the tourists in?Who is going to bring the tourists in?

The big corporationThe big corporation

A large corporation from Kunming has come A large corporation from Kunming has come in with an alternative approachin with an alternative approach Build a gondola to attract more people from the Build a gondola to attract more people from the

citycity Guarantee every household an annual incomeGuarantee every household an annual income

In exchange, the citizens give up the rights to there In exchange, the citizens give up the rights to there villagevillage

Can not be involved in decision making processes, Can not be involved in decision making processes, selling souvenirs, renting horses, guiding tourists, etc. selling souvenirs, renting horses, guiding tourists, etc. etc.etc.

The 186 Mile Pilgrimage:The 186 Mile Pilgrimage:Kawa KarpoKawa Karpo

Kawa Karpo PilgrimageKawa Karpo Pilgrimage

One of the most important locations in the One of the most important locations in the world with regards to bio-diversityworld with regards to bio-diversity

Relatively unknown to outsidersRelatively unknown to outsiders 7 Climatic zones-from desert arid to high 7 Climatic zones-from desert arid to high

alpinealpine Crosses the Mekong, Salween, and Crosses the Mekong, Salween, and

Yangtze…..1 out of 10 people in the world use Yangtze…..1 out of 10 people in the world use water from these riverswater from these rivers

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Pro’sPro’s

Cost of programCost of program Practical Field WorkPractical Field Work Length and Time of programLength and Time of program Get credits while being outsideGet credits while being outside Existing connections make the experience very Existing connections make the experience very

uniqueunique Visiting the most beautiful place on earth Visiting the most beautiful place on earth

before its gone!before its gone!

Con’sCon’s

Poor Group dynamicsPoor Group dynamics

““American” way of travelingAmerican” way of traveling

Don’t get a real feel for the cultureDon’t get a real feel for the culture

Contributing to the destruction of culture and Contributing to the destruction of culture and environment (?)environment (?)

Who its for:Who its for:

Someone who loves hiking and being outdoorsSomeone who loves hiking and being outdoors People interested in:People interested in:

Indigenous issuesIndigenous issues Eco-tourismEco-tourism Environmental issuesEnvironmental issues BotanyBotany

International StudentsInternational Students People nervous about their study abroadPeople nervous about their study abroad