TPDP Final Performance Report 76 Evaluation Report Tibet Plateau Development Project (TPDP) Yunnan Province and Sichuan Province Prepared by Liu Yonggong, Wang Li, Li Jian Xiao Chuan, Jin Tong Center for Integrated Agricultural Development (CIAD) Beijing, October 2009 Note: Translated from Chinese to English by non-native English speakers; allowances for awkward phrasing and vocabulary should be made. 77 Table of Contents ABBREVIATIONS..........................................................................................................................................78 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................................................59 1. INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................................59 2. THE EVALUATION CONCEPT AND METHODOLOGIES ...............................................................................60 2.1 OBJECTIVE OF THE EVALUATION.......................................................................................................60 2.2 EVALUATION PROCEDURES AND METHODS.......................................................................................60 3. EVALUATION OF THE PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION AND IMPACTS .............................................................61 3.1 EVALUATION OF THE DESIGNED PROJECT CONCEPT AND STRATEGY .................................................86 3.1.1 TPDP Logical Framework.......................................................................................................86 3.1.2 Project Sites and beneficiaries.................................................................................................68 3.2 DIQING TIBETAN AUTONOMOUS PREFECTURE, YUNNAN PROVINCE ................................................90 3.2.1 Project Activities and Interventions.........................................................................................90 3.2.2 Impact Analysis of Project Activities .......................................................................................98 3.2.3 Good Practices and Successful Experiences..........................................................................103 3.3 HONGYUAN COUNTY, ABA AUTONOMOUS PREFECTURE, SICHUAN ...............................................105 3.3.1 Project Activities and Interventions.......................................................................................105 3.2.2 Impact Analysis of Project Activities .....................................................................................111 3.2.3 Good Practices and Successful Experiences..........................................................................113 3.4 EVALUATION OF THE PROJECT DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT...........................................................114 4. EVALUATION CONCLUSIONS .................................................................................................................114 4.1 ACHIEVEMENT OF PROGRAM GOALS ...............................................................................................114 4.2 OUTCOMES AND IMPACTS ACHIEVED..............................................................................................115 4.2.1 Outcomes and Impacts of Projects in Shangri-La .................................................................115 4.2.2 Outcomes and Impacts of Projects in Hongyuan ...................................................................116 4.3 SUSTAINABILITY OF TPDP IMPACTS AND MODELS .........................................................................117 5. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION..............................................................117 5.1 STRENGTHENING MONITORING AND EVALUATION (M&E) ............................................................118 5.2 SCALING UP AND REPLICATION OF PROJECT MODELS ....................................................................117 5.3 STRENGTHENING COOPERATION WITH PARTNER INSTITUTIONS ......................................................118 ANNEXES ..................................................................................................................................................120 A1. SURVEY ITINERARY .......................................................................................................................120 A2: OUTLINES FOR GROUP INTERVIEW, KEY INFORMANT INTERVIEW AND HOUSEHOLD INTERVIEW.....120 A3: LISTS OF DOCUMENTS REVIEWED...................................................................................................121 A4: PEOPLE MET DURING THE EVALUATION SURVEY............................................................................122 78 Abbreviations AFE Action for Enterprise ATA Aid to Artisans CBIK Center for Biodiversity and Indigenous Knowledge CIAD Center for Integrated Agricultural Development CHP Cultural Heritage Preservation (TPDP component) DAP Diqing Autonomous Prefecture, NW Yunnan EDU Enterprise Development Unit (TPDP component) FG Focus Group GEI Global Environmental Institute HH Household INGO International Non-governmental Organization IPR Individual Program Result M&E Monitoring and Evaluation NGO Non-governmental Organization NRM Natural Resource Management (TPDP component) PMO Project Management Office PRA Participatory Rural Appraisal SIA Social Impact Assessment TMI The Mountain Institute TNC The Nature Conservancy TPDP Tibet Plateau Development Program USAID United States Agency for International Development 1 USD=6.8 Yuan RMB 1 ha=15 Chinese Mu 79 Executive Summary The Tibet Plateau Development Program (TPDP) field evaluation survey was conducted by a commissioned evaluation team from 24 August to 1 September, 2009 in Shangri￾La, Diqing Prefecture, Yunnan Province and Hongyuan County, Sichuan Province. During the field evaluation survey, the evaluation team interviewed TMI project field staff and visited project pilot communities and project households (HHs) in all project counties. Methods and tools in participatory rural appraisal (PRA) toolbox were applied in collecting data from institutions and communities. 1. Major findings on project achievements and impacts (1) The designed project concept and strategy The logical framework of TPDP provided a well-structured guideline for overall project implementation and performance measurement. The strategy and logic between the project goal, objectives and major intervention activities were described clearly and systematically. (2) Project beneficiaries TPDP project activities were implemented in three counties in Diqing Prefecture, Yunnan Province and Hongyuan County, Sichuan, covering a total of 25,509 beneficiaries, of which 45% were women. (3) Achievements and impacts of TPDP in Yunnan The major TPDP components, implemented activities and outcomes and assessed achieved in Yunnan are summarized in the following table: Table 1 Summarized project impacts of Diqing, Yunan Province Program Project Activities Major impacts Nixi black clay pottery • Increased HH incomes of local Tibetan community; • Women participated and benefited from black pottery production which was not customary in the Tibetan tradition; • Through training activities and study tour, local pottery producers’ skills and capacity were improved; • Conserved and revitalized the black pottery production arts 1. WBS1000 Enterprise development unit Community-based eco-tourism • The income of local households participating in community￾based tourism increased by 60% on average; • The sub-grant programs of local tours agencies and tour operators involvement in the project strengthened the capacity of local enterprises in developing the local natural resources and cultural heritage; 2. WBS 2000 Natural resource mgt Community-based grassland management • Increased the grassland yield by artificial fodder production and reduced the damage of grassland by free grazing of cattle and swine; • Developed a replicable model of community grassland resource management by collective actions; • Improved the HH livelihoods by subsidizing solar heaters; 80 Participatory community watershed management project • Reduced watershed degradation and improved the water quality; • Set up a multi-stakeholder watershed conservation and sustainable development model, established partnership between different government agencies, INGOs and NGOs; • Encouraged community’s and HH’s participation and commitment to water conservation by improving their livelihoods; Traditional culture preservation • The sacred library establishment enabled the local lamaseries and nunneries to preserve their unique heritage and traditions; Cultural relic restoration • The cultural relic restoration and conservation protected the indigenous heritage, and promoted the awareness building process for local government agencies in relic preservation; 3. WBS 3000 Cultural heritage preservation Traditional art transmission and preservation • It greatly preserved and revitalized Nixi traditional Tibetan folk arts, music instruments and cultural heritages which are under threat of disappearance; (4) Achievements and Impacts of Hongyuan Project Conclusions on the impacts of enterprise development unit, natural resource management and cultural heritage conservation components of TPDP in Aba Tibetan prefecture, Sichuan Province, are summarized in table 2: Table 2 Summarized project impacts of Aba, Sichuan Province Program Project Activities Key impacts 1. WBS1000 Enterprise development unit Yak production, market and enterprise development • The development of yak products processing and marketing greatly increased the incomes of local pilot communities and farmers; • The training and education to local yak production enterprises and HHs strengthened the capacity and productivity of local enterprises; • Best practice of involving different stakeholders, governmental and non-governmental agencies in the implementation process was successfully used. Rangeland resource sustainable management • The sustainable rangeland forage development increased income for local herders’ households; • The capacities of the local Tibetan communities and relevant government agencies in rangeland and natural resource management were built. Alternative energy development • The quality of life and convenience was improve by installing solar stoves and alternative energy facilities for cooking and heating water; • Returning yak manure back to the field and rangeland as fertilizer increased the soil organic matter; • Women’s labor and time decreased in collection of yak manure as the traditional HH fuel; • Local government recognized that the alternative energy production in local Tibetan areas is feasible and can be an alternative for supplying rural energy. Women health awareness building project • The improved awareness of local Tibetan women on health and medical service; • The enhanced capacity and ability of local health service and workers through the trainings. 2. WBS 2000 Natural resource mgt Environmental conservation education • The knowledge and awareness of local communities and herders for environmental conservation was strengthened; • A multi-stakeholder process involved in grassland ecosystem conservation education was established. 81 i. Ancient Tibetan text preservation ii. Tibetan language preservation iii.Classical Tibetan art project • It greatly protected the unique ancient Tibetan culture; • It increased the capacity of local Tibetan for preserving their culture; 3. WBS 3000 Cultural heritage conservation Hongyuan culture vocational training • Through the weaving skill training for local vocational school girls, their skills for income generation were increased significantly; (5) Evaluation on the project management The evaluation team reviewed project designing documents, progress reports and datasheets while interviewing project staff in Sichuan and Yunnan. Major findings are as follows: • A project designing document for narrative description of the project designing concept, major components and activities was prepared before start up the project. A Result Framework in a flow-chart format presented the project concept and strategy. • A set of performance datasheets were designed and used for measuring the progress. Indicators for measuring the project outputs and partly the outcomes were formulated in the matrix. The existing indicators were mainly linked with and related to the outputs, few of them were for measuring the outcomes and impacts. Data and information for measuring the indicators was systematically documented and used for producing the annual progress reports. • Quarterly and annual reports were produced by the TMI and submitted to USAID with focus on: major progress, outputs and preliminary and immediate outcomes and impacts, success stories, cases and major deviations from the project original planning; • Monthly progress reports were submitted by TMI staff for internal monitoring; progress and documentation of the best practices was made at the project implementation and management levels. (6) Project sustainability and replication of the TPDP models The findings from the evaluation indicate that TPDP project has significantly contributed to livelihood improvement, community resource management and conserving the Tibetan culture in the pilot communities and selected project sites. In 82 addition the TPDP project also developed and demonstrated a set of innovative approaches and institutional models for ensuring the sustainability and replication of the development models: • Participatory project planning and training methodologies ensured that the selected project activities matched the demands of Tibetan herders and farmers. On the other hand, through participation in the planning and implementation of the income generation and resource management projects, herders and farmers built their capacity and commitment to the community development projects; • Through TPDP’s multi-stakeholder partnership, a mechanism for cooperation and coordination was developed for jointly supporting the poor communities. Furthermore, a multi-stakeholder shared investment scheme was also tested in watershed management and community resource management; • Partner governmental line agencies recognized and highly valued the TPDP support and the innovative methods and approaches tested in the project; • A high qualified professional TMI project implementation team was developed. The team can effectively communicate and cooperate with relevant governmental line agencies and local NGOs. The team could effectively apply participatory methods and tools in managing the project implementation and monitoring the whole process. 2. Recommendations for future project implementation (1) Scale up and Replication of Project Models • The integrated project intervention models, i.e. combining EDU, CRM and CHP for achieving the sustainable livelihood, sustainable resource and cultural heritage management, multi-stakeholder participation and investment, etc. should be further assessed, successful and good practices, lessons and experiences learnt should be systematically documented; • A participatory community land use planning and project planning manual could be developed and applied in the community project planning and TMI and counterpart staff training; • The project should build on the success of these effective project models and replicate them in other villages through using participatory methods in planning the new projects. Participatory livelihood analysis, participatory land 83 use planning, ranking and scoring matrix, participatory consultation, can be applied in the practice. (2) Further strengthening the cooperation with partner institutions A multi-stakeholder involved investment and project implementation organizational structure was a precondition for creating the sustainable impact of the TPDP project. The partnership and cooperation could be further strengthened through: • Providing more training to staff of partner institutions for enhancing their capacity and qualification; • Subcontracting more project activities to local NGOs, enterprises and public service and research institutions; • Continued involvement of partner institutions and staff in the whole project cycle, i.e. project designing, project planning and annual monitoring and evaluation for enhancing their ownership and commitment to the community (3) Strengthening the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) • Enhance multi-level and multi-stakeholder M&E system for dynamic monitoring and evaluating the project implementation process, outputs, outcomes and impacts. A bottom-up M&E operation approach could be further improved by further emphasis on the active participation of the beneficiaries in the M&E process; • Outcome and impact assessment could be further strengthened to support knowledge capture, sharing, and learning at the grassroots level. Participatory tools and methods, such as focus group interview, semi-structured HHs interview, community grassland transect walk, community project evaluation workshop facilitated by outside moderator, are recommended to collect the evidences and data for impact measuring indicators; • M&E manual and guidelines could be improved and applied to enhance participatory M&E and M&E training. A participatory M&E “training of trainers” course be developed and delivered to key counterpart institutions. 84 1. Introduction Since December 2006 the Mountain Institute (TMI) has implemented the Tibetan Plateau Development Program (TPDP) in Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province and Hongyuan County, Aba Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan Province under the support of USAID. The overall program goal was to “strengthen the community’s Capacity for meeting their socio-economic needs while conserving the environment and preserving their cultural heritage”. The three main objectives of TPDP were: (4) To improve livelihoods by building capacity of targeted communities and enterprises to plan, implement and monitor development activities; (5) To improve environmental conservation and natural resource management of the rangeland; (6) To increase the capacity of Tibetans to preserve their unique cultural heritage; As requested by the donor agency, an impact evaluation was to be conducted before completion of the projects. The Center for Integrated Agricultural Development (CIAD) was commissioned by TMI for conducting the impact evaluation. The evaluation team conducted the field evaluation survey in Diqing and Hongyuan from 24 August to 1 September 2009. During the field evaluation survey, the evaluation team interviewed TMI project staff in Chengdu and Shangri-La, held interviews and discussions with governmental officials from counterpart institutions in the two project counties, carried out community and household survey and interviews in four project pilot villages. This evaluation report summarizes the procedures, methods, major findings and recommendations made by the evaluation team. Findings, observations and recommendations presented in this report only reflect the opinions and judgments of the evaluation team. 2. The Evaluation Concept and Methodologies 2.1 Objective of the evaluation At the request of TMI to assess the overall progress and achievements of the TPDP, the following evaluation objectives were agreed on: • Evaluate the project impacts on herders’ livelihoods improvements, community resource management, cultural sustainability and development capacity building. Check up on how herders participated and benefited from the project activities; 85 • Assess the partnership between the project and local governmental line agencies and contribution to the capacity building of the counterpart staff; • Based on the findings of the field survey, make recommendations for strengthening the future project management, i.e. how to further improve the partnership and cooperation, M&E mechanism, etc., how to replicate the best practices and models made during current phase in future projects. 2.2 Evaluation procedures and methods (1) Evaluation Procedures According to the evaluation proposal made by the evaluation team, the evaluation was implemented using following procedures: • Design the work plan and outline of the report and discuss with TMI responsible project officers; • Review the project documents, i.e. progress reports, annual reports, project designing documents, logical framework, etc. for understanding the project concept and strategies and internal evaluation results; • Interview TMI project managers and staff for their perceptions on the project implementation and impacts. • Carry out field evaluation survey to pilot communities of Sichuan and Yunnan and interview county counterpart institutions and staff, interview farmers for their perception and assessment to the project implementation, benefits and impacts on their livelihood improvements and awareness and capacity building from their own point of view; • Analysis of the collected information, findings and second hand data collected directly from the village and farmers. (2) Methods applied The evaluation team applied following approaches and methods in the field evaluation survey: • Community and household survey by using methods and tools of Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) for collecting qualitative data and information on TMI process and impacts. Focus group discussion and HH semi-structured interview will be conducted in the selected pilot villages. • Participatory benefit and impact scoring or ranking matrix facilitated by the survey team members will be applied in the group interview. 2 herders/farmers’ groups will be interviewed in each project village. Each group will consist of 8- 86 10 households. Community transect walk will be carried out to the project sites where grassland management and watershed co-management activities were implemented. 3. Evaluation of the project implementation and impacts 3.1 Evaluation of the designed project concept and strategy 3.1.1 TPDP Logical Framework Before conducting the field survey at the project sites, the evaluation team worked closely with Yunnan and Sichuan PMO on the context and issues in TPDP program results framework and strategy (Figure 3-1-1). The TPDP overall framework for the program integration was designed for developing the livelihood development model for local rural Tibetans in the project areas. The integration process of the livelihood strategies were composed of natural resource-based activities, as well as other non￾natural resource-based activities, and were excepted to have direct and indirect effects on cultural, environmental, livelihood sustainability on local communities. Through reviewing the project documents, progress report, annual reports, etc. comparing with the designed result framework, the evaluation team concluded that the whole designed program concept and implementation strategy was feasible and matched the ecological and socioeconomic conditions and was targeted to the demands of pilot communities and project participation HHs. The core program directly implemented by TMI combined with sub-grant program implemented by other relevant stakeholders was an effective approach for achieving the project outcomes and building good partnerships with relevant community development and cultural conserving organizations. The logical and feasible design of the project concept ensured the achievement of the planned outputs, outcomes and the impacts. 87 Figure 3-1-1 The Results Framework of TPDP Tibet Plateau Development Program (TPDP) Results Framework Program objective 1 Expanded sustainable income generating opportunities for improved livelihoods in targeted rural communities through strengthened capacity of local Tibetan community organizations to plan, implement, and monitor development activities IPR 1.1 Expanded market access of rural Tibetans IPR 1.2 Increased rural Tibetan linkage to formal financial sector IPR 1.3 Rural Tibetan group management and operation capacity developed and strengthened. IPR 1.4 Rural Tibetan ability to use value￾added production technologies and practices increased. IPR 1.5 Value-added village based enterprises ability to access to markets expanded. Program objective 2 Improved env and natural resource management through increased adoption of sustainable rangeland management and livestock development techniques IPR 2.1 Rangeland flora and faunal diversity and productivity maintained and improved IPR 2.2 Rangeland management improved through adoption of community based natural resource management approaches IPR 2.3 Risk reduction mechanisms for pastoral production developed and implemented IPR 2.4 Economic opportunities and livelihood diversification strategies for poor rangeland dependent people increased Program objective 3 Increased capacity of Tibetans to preserve their unique cultural heritage through preservation, restoration or conservation of culturally significant sites and artifacts, texts, and oral traditions support for traditional artists and creation of income generating opportunities for Tibetan artisans. IPR 3.1 Artisan product development and design support mechanisms strengthened IPR 3.2 Artisan ability to access current and future markets increased Program subobjective 1a Expanded access to education and health care services in targeted communities IPR 1a.1 Improved access to traditional and or vocational education in nomadic and agricultural areas which increases rural Tibetan participation in economic opportunities IPR 1a.2 Improved health and hygiene practices at township and village levels Program subobjective 2a Improved environmental conservation through community based preservation programs. IPR 2a.1 Forestry management through community based natural resource management approaches improved by Tibetan NGOs, community organizations, and USNGOs IPR 2a.2 Economic opportunities and livelihood diversification strategies for protected area dependent people increased by Tibetan NGOs, community organizations, and USNGOs IPR 3.3 Increased capacity of communities to determine cultural heritage priorities and implement sustainable preservation strategies Program Goal Strengthen Tibetan communities’ capacity for meeting their socioeconomic needs, while conserving the environment and preserving their cultural heritage Improved environmental conservation and natural resource management through increased adoption of sustainable rangeland management and livestock development techniques Core Program Sub-grant Program 88 3.1.2 Project Sites and beneficiaries The TPDP program was implemented in Tibetan communities of Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (DAP) Yunnan Province and Aba Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Sichuan Province (refer to Figure 3-1-2). Figure 3-1-2 The Layout of the two project sites Tibet Plateau Development Program (TPDP) Sites TPDP-AAP TPDP-DAP DAP has 110,000 Tibetan population, around half of the residents live below the poverty line. The TPDP activities were implemented in three counties of the prefecture, Shangri-La, Deqin and Weixi County. Hongyuan has a total population of 38,000, with more than 94% of Tibetan residents. Following the TPDP framework, there were three key programs components, namely enterprise development program (EDU); the natural resource management (NRM) and cultural heritage preservation (CHP) program designed and implemented in the two sites. The numbers of the beneficiaries of each program component recorded by project offices in Sichuan are listed in table 3-1-1. Table 3-1-1 The Project beneficiaries of project activities in Sichuan EDU NRM CHP Total 191 Total 5038 Total 133 Male 145 Male 2561 Male 53 Female 46 Female 2477 Female 80 Number of direct beneficiaries in Sichuan Period 2008:Q2, Q4; 2009:Q2 Period 2007:Q4; 2008:Q1-4; 2009:Q1-2 Period 2008:Jul￾Dec 89 In Yunnan Province, the statistics of the beneficiaries were collected in various forms. In EDU, the project benefited 13 villages, namely Luorong Village, Tangdui Village, Si’nong Village, Yongzhi Village, Yubeng Village and Xidang Village, and another 17 villages around Baima Nature Reserve (BNR), with totally 5163 population and 813 households. The number of population and HH for each village are summarized in the table below (Table 3-1-2): Table 3-1-2 The number of beneficiaries for enterprise development program in Yunnan Item Luorong Village Tangdui Village Si’nong Village Yongzhi Village Yubeng Village Xidang Village 17 villages around BNR Population 178 447 378 312 204 246 3060 HH Number 33 87 64 43 34 42 510 In CHP, according to the statistics provided by Yunnan Office, in the period from Oct. 07 to Sep. 09, the total number of beneficiaries was 17,884, of whom 9,131 were males and 8,753 were females. And in NRM, the Sangna reservoir watershed management project benefited the local population of 30,000. On the other hand, the community￾based grassland co-management component covering three local hamlets, namely Tuomunan, Zhite and Jigong Village, with more than 500 in population and 95 households. Total TPDP Beneficiary Data Indicators Total No. Reported Male Female Number of beneficiaries of USG-funded service oriented programs to reduce non-communicable diseases 23,812 10,437 13,375 Number of learners enrolled in USG-supported lower secondary schools or equivalent non-school-based settings 100 50 50 Number of people benefiting from cultural project interventions 79,771 46,632 33,139 Number of persons participating in USG-funded workforce development programs 9148 5073 4075 Number of people receiving USG supported training in natural resources management and/or biodiversity conservation 34,363 17,271 17,092 Number of health facilities rehabilitated 8 Number of Tibetan cultural sites restored 9 90 3.2 TPDP in Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province The evaluation team systematically reviewed the project documents and reports provided by the project office in Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, and reviewed the major project components and activities that were implemented in last two years. In Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, three major project components, i.e. Enterprise Development Program (EDU), Natural Resource Management (NRM) and Culture Heritage Preservation (CHP) were implemented based on the project Result Framework. The project covered three counties, Shangri-La, Deqin and Weixi County in the prefecture. Through carrying out focus group interviews and institutional interviews, the evaluation team evaluated the key outputs and impacts achieved by the project activities that were implemented in selected communities in Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. 3.2.1 Project Activities and Interventions (1) Situational Analysis of Local Project Site Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (DAP) is a region located in alpine and sub￾alpine meadow in Yunnan Province. The villages and farmlands are mainly located in lower altitude less than 3400 meter with, sub-alpine meadows surrounding the villages. Regarding the economic development of local communities, many farmers, whose household income mainly depends on the traditional livestock industry, can not earn sufficient income from animal raising. To increase the HH income, a large number of rural laborers have migrated to the cities for cash income. As a result, due to lack of sufficient incentives and available labor, the traditional grazing practices have been changed. Many families have gradually given up grazing their animals in the alpine pasture and instead graze in sub-alpine pasture around villages. The change of grazing patterns significantly increases the pressure on the pasture vegetation. The key problems existing in the communities before the project commenced include: • Natural grassland degradation due to over grazing; • Shortage of winter forage causing body weight loss in animals; • Weakness in livestock disease prevention and control; • Lack of bulls for breeding. Diqing has rich Tibetan traditional culture with a depth of folk literature, reflecting the Tibetan and other ethnic minority history and culture. Tibetan Buddhism, the beautiful 91 folk dances & songs and a range of folk arts are the carriers of the Tibetan culture. However, during the process of modernization and economic development, the unique Tibetan traditional cultures and arts are under threat of existence. Nixi black clay pottery in Nixi Township, has a history of more than 2,000 years. Nixi Black pottery is identified by obvious features like big bellies and small mouths, colored patterns embedded in the ceramic’s surface for decoration. All pottery is purely handmade. Although Nixi black pottery is well known, there have been development bottlenecks, such as new design for products, production techniques as well as the market for the products. On the other hand, the eco-tourism in Shangri-La has much unique scenery that can attract large number of tourists every year. There are many constraints to developing the local community eco-tourism including: • Lack of experience in tourist emergency relief and rescue ; • Lack of the knowledge of botany and geography; • Lack of education knowledge and skills regarding the rich environment’s protection and; • Lack of safety of some tourism routes due to poor infrastructure conditions. (2) Project Components and Activities • Enterprise Development Unit (EDU) The key objective of the enterprise development was to expand sustainable income￾generating opportunities for Tibetan communities while supporting environmental conservation and cultural preservation. At beginning of site selection, TMI cooperated with Action For Enterprise (AFE) to conduct Product Value Chain analyses to promote the development of local enterprises and markets in a systematic approach. The industries evaluated in Diqing consisted of local traditional hand crafted Nixi black pottery, agricultural products and community-based eco￾tourism. Based on the findings of the value chain analyses, 92 TMI identified the project activities in consultation with the villagers and implemented activities in selected Tibetan communities in Diqing (Table 3-2-1). The Mountain Institute (TMI) also worked with local tourism services and villagers engaged in village-based eco-tourism to increase community and HH income. The project supported the eco-tourism sector development in an integrated approach. Support was provided for improving the competency and skills for operating community and household based tourism businesses, as well as for increasing the awareness and knowledge of conservation of unique and valuable natural resources and Tibetan cultural heritage. • Natural Resource Management (NRM) The natural resource management components in Diqing included two major project activities: community-based grassland co-management and participatory community watershed management. The “Community-based Grassland Co-management” project was implemented by TPDP in selected Tuomunan, Zhite and Jigong Village in Xiao Zhongdian Township of Shangri-La County from Feb 2007 to end of 2008 (Table 3-2- 1). According to the TPDP results framework this project component was designed to meet the program Objective 2: “Improved environmental conservation and natural resource management through increased adoption of sustainable rangeland management and livestock development techniques.” In addition, TPDP also supported the establishment of a sustainable “Grassland Co-management Model” by identifying different stakeholders in Tibetan communities and encouraging all stakeholders’ participation. The participatory community watershed management project started in June 2008 and was slated to end in Nov. 2009 (Table 3-2-1). The project targeted five hamlets including Beng Jiading, Kexu, Yisi, Tanggu and Hapi around the watershed of the Sangna reservoir, which has the capacity of 15 million m3 and is the vital source of drinking water for the entire Shangri-la County. Therefore the 93 watershed management project in Sangna reservoir was designed to ensure clean and safe water supply for Shangri-la County by resolving the above constraints and problems through a sustainable approach. The key objective of this project was to promote the multi-stakeholder collaboration mechanism for such a dynamic reservoir watershed system, in order to increase the user’s awareness and commitment of community stakeholders for achieving the integrated goal of the ecological, social and economic development of the watersheds. • Cultural Heritage Preservation (CHP) The TPDP cultural heritage preservation program in Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture started in May 2007 (Table 3-2-1). The objective was to increase awareness and capacity of local Tibetans to conserve their unique cultural heritage through preservation and restoration of culturally significant sites and artifacts, texts, and oral expressions while supporting Tibetan artisans to transmit and reactive the traditional arts. 94 Table 3-2-1 TPDP project activities and main outputs in Yunnan Province. Component Project Activities Main Activities Outputs • Study tour for retailers & artisans; • Language (English) and marketing skills trainings for retailers; • Conducted 5 trainings sessions of pottery-production; • Improved the local artisans’ skills; • Improved retailers’ sell capacity; • Literature review on artisans’ skill all over nation; • New product designs (ATA) support; • Facilitation of packing technology; • Technical Assistance and Product Development; • Research on delivery technology; • Current/potential markets analysis reports; • Create new products; • Solve some of the shipping problem; • Market assessment for products; • Brochures development for products; • Participation at regional trade fairs; • Publication of promotional brochures; • Participated in the production exhibition; Nixi Black Pottery • Communication with some art colleges and associations; • Keep contact with post office; • Linkage with the companies; • Network to financial credits opportunities from government; • Established cooperation with other organizations; • More opportunities for applying the finical support for the black pottery development. • Market analysis and value chain analysis; • Identify the target travel agencies, communities for ecotourism development; • Botany Training for Tour Guides; • Geology Training for Tour Guides; • Emergency Medical Training for TO guides & staff; • Youth Education; • Set up the cooperation between community and local travel agencies; • Enhance the skills of botany, geology and emergency medical of local tour guides; EDU Village￾based tourism development • Sub-grants: • Yongzhi Village Tourism & Culture Inn; Baima Snow Mountain Nature Reserve Ecotourism Training and Trail Development Project; • Botany handbook of NW Yunnan; Sinong Village Tourism development and trail maintenance ; Nixi Village Guest House; Eco-tourism related training in Yongzhi, Sinong, Yubeng , Xidang and Luorong • Tour operators in supporting village-based tourism development; 95 • Set up community grassland collective management mechanism (200 mu of each village) • Capacity building and training to local partners and village leaders; • Study tour to Hongyuan, Aba Tibetan Autonomous prefecture Sichuan for sharing experiences of community grassland management; • Establish participatory community grassland management committee; • Increased the fodder production for cattle and reduced the grassland degradation pressure by grazing • Improved the productivity of cattle; • Pig stall construction for each pig raising household; • Fodder production for pig for reducing the grassland vegetation damage by pig grazing; • Solar water heaters installation; • Public latrines construction in selected communities; • 96 sets of pig sites in target hamlets; • 96 sets of solar water heating; • 9 community latrines in three hamlets; • Technical support for identifying threats to natural grasslands in local community; • Rangeland protection and management; • Pig raising training to farmers; • Veterinary skills training to farmers; • Promoted suitable grass varieties for rangeland; • Banned pig grazing in winter; • Diseases prevention to farm animals (cattle, pigs) Community￾based grassland co￾management • Technical and financial supports from Shangri-la Animal husbandry and Veterinary Bureau to project communities through TMI; • Assist the local community to build up the network with other NGOs, such as Center for Biodiversity and Indigenous Knowledge (CBIK); • Built the direct relationship between herders and providing service partners; • Replicated the model in other project neighboring communities; • Construction of the community drinking water supply systems; • Alternative energy: solar energy panels; • Afforestation and forest management; • Constructed water supply systems in Beng Jiading and Kexu hamlets; • 83 solar energy heaters in Beng Jiading and Kexu hamlet; • 6000 willow trees planted n denuded area round Sangna Reservoir; NRM Participatory community watershed management • Held project start meeting in May 2008 with Shangri-la County government, and other relevant government agencies; • Experts conducted field study to identify the key problems; • Study tour to Lijiang Lashi Lake to learn their watershed management model; • Developed an integrated “Sangna reservoir watershed project plan” with comments from different partners; • Key participants in the project learned some experiences of watershed management. 96 • Participatory community consultation process facilitated by TMI; • Set up the community watershed management committee based on Beng Jiading and Kexu Hamlet; • Developed the Community watershed management committee regulations; Dongzhulin Lamasery sacred library project • Purchase classic Buddhism scriptures; • Purchase traditional culture and medicine books; • Collect and store ancient holy scriptures from individual household around the lamasery; • Equip the library with furniture and equipment; • Following cultural heritages are conserved: • 945 classic Buddhism scriptures; • 570 traditional culture and medicine books; • 26 ancient holy scriptures from individual household; • Bookshelves, desk, chairs, computer, copy machine; Nixi Love Dance Preservation project • Study, collect and document the unique folk art; • Training to young villagers; • Love Dance Festival • Distribute free DVDs and other materials to village households; • DVDs recoding of unique love dance; • Young villagers school kids received the training of dance; • Shangri-la First Annual Love Dance Festival; Damo cave engraved prayer stones preservation project • Study, record and classify the engraved stones; • Replace some of the stones to temple complex or indoor; • Make copies to replace the selected ancient stones; • Construct informational signage, walkways and protective railings; • The protected stones covers in 10 sq around; • 93 prayer stones were copied, 23 ancient stones were stored inside, 8 stones were translated; • 40 stone sign boards were placed along Damo Cave Pilgrimage trail; Mask dance preservation project • Restore Costume and Mask through training; • Display these traditional materials; • Provide tri-lingual (Tibetan-Chinese-English) explanatory notes; • Support the Lamasery brochure for display; • Built up an exhibition room for display; • Tags on the costume and mask for introduction; • Mask Dance Intro Brochure CHP Cow horn fiddle preservation project • Record the proceed of making and playing the instrument; • Support local artisans to make horn fiddles; • Distribute fiddle to local community; • Awareness building activity for promotion of the traditional instrument that is in danger; • 100 Videos of Horn fiddle history, story, making and repertorie; • 68 cow cor fiddles were made by 2 Tibetan artisans and distributed to local artisans; Wooden Bowl Handicraft Brochure • Field Interview and Research on the Wooden Handicraft • Photos and words refining for the brochure • Brochure designing and producing • 1000 wooden bowl brochure making Diqing Cultural • 5 Experts on cultural heritage preservation were invited to give one-day lectures • Lectures about; 1. Keep the vitality of cultural heritage preservation work 2. UNESCO cultural preservation 97 Heritage Preservation and Developmen t Lecture • 40 Staff of Diqing cultural heritage preservation government departments attended the lecture strategy 3. Ethnic building restoration tech and the how to be a qualified cultural preservation worker. 4. Ancient Tea-horse Trade Road Story; 5. Traditional culture and Eco-environment in Diqing; 6. Damo Cave Engraved Stone Restoration Project Review 98 3.2.2 Impacts Analysis of Project Activities The evaluation team systematically reviewed the implemented project activities and their outputs for the local Tibetan communities, and outlined the following project impacts as in Table 3-2-2. Table 3-2-2 Impacts assessment for the implemented project activities in Yunnan Province Component Project activities The project Impacts EDU Nixi Black Pottery • Income Generation o The improved technical skills and the development of the marketing channels have greatly increased the selling price and product quantity for each household; o The average annual income from black pottery production was raised around 4000-6000 Yuan RMB for each household according to the farmers’ group discussion. • Women Participation o The attitude of local traditional Tibetan communities on women’s involvment in the pottery production has been changed. o The black pottery company started to include the local women in pottery production skills training. Women will become major workers in pottery production. • Capacity Building o It was demonstrated that through participation in technical training and study tours key participants in the project activities developed their capacity for Nixi black pottery production and marketing. o The establishment of the Nixi industry model of “Company plus production workshop plus household” improved the capacity of local farmers’ cooperation and marketing ability. o The model was acknowledged as a successful practice in developing the capacity for running community based enterprises as well as reducing the market risks for individual farmers or small-scale production farmers. 99 Village-based tourism development Income generation o Farmers’ annual income increased from 3000 RMB to 5000 RMB per HH after the implementation of project, increased by about 60%; o The diversities of farmers’ income sources developed through eco-tourisms sector in local Tibetan communities; Partnerships o The sub-grant programs of local tours agencies and tour operators involvement in the project strengthened the capacity of local enterprises in developing the local natural and cultural heritage; o The cooperative behaviors and organization at the local community levels between farmers have been greatly strengthened by the implementation of the tourism business; o It has enhanced the capacities of local community and villagers to provide quality tourism service that magnified visitors’ experiences; Gender Issues o The village-based tourism activities provided the opportunities for women to develop their skills of managing household budget, communicating with tourists; o The economic income generated by women through the tourism activities in the household refined women’s role in decision making within the households; 100 NRM Community-based grassland co￾management Natural Resource and Environment o The increased productivity of co-managed rangeland considerably reduced the grazing pressure on the natural rangelands from local communities, especially in the winter seasons; o The rangelands can now have enough natural rehabilitation period during the winter seasons, which will greatly improve the sustainable management of natural rangeland in long term; o The pig stall construction for in-door feeding and cultivation of pig fodder plots have changed the traditional pig raising habits in which the pigs are open grazed on the grassland, which damages the vegetation and soil surface of the grassland and leads to grassland degradation; o The solar water heating sets have greatly reduced the firewood consumption for heating water, which has a significant positive impact for the forestry resource preservation. Community Capacity Building o Developed a community-based natural resource management model in local Tibetan community, by developing the community and farmers’ cooperative organization; o It has greatly improved the participation levels of local community and herders in the natural resource management by introducing the participatory project designing, planning, implementation and monitoring approaches; Multi-stakeholders partnership o The mechanism of multi-stakeholder partnership has been established after introduction of the integrated community grassland management, such as livestock bureau, local community, NGOs; Farmers’ Livelihood improvement and women participation o The proportion of livestock income accounts for 50-70% of the whole household income. The estimated livestock income has increased about 2000 to 3000 RMB/year for household; o Installation of solar heating system for each household under support of government and co-financing by TPDP project greatly improved the household hygiene conditions by providing hot water for households; o The pig stalls and pens constructed by concrete are much easier to clean up, which could also help to reduce women’s housework hours and work load for feeding pigs; 101 Participatory community watershed management Multi-stakeholders partnership o The course on multi-stakeholders involvement has formulated a “multi-stakeholder cooperation” model with different government agencies, INGOs and NGOs for community-based natural resource management. Environmental protection and awareness building o With the water supply system to each household, local farmers feed their animals and wash clothes at home, which has greatly reduced the pollution of the rivers. o The local community committee began to set up the firewood harvesting limitation for each household every year, which has been reduced 50% after the installing of solar water heater. o The forest re-growth and afforestation in the watershed will also affects water and soil quality and quantity in long￾term. o Participation from government agencies and local communities on the afforestation and watershed management has shifted and reshaped their attitude to environmental conservation and sustainable development, (such as local farmers feeding their animals far away from the streams or the rivers, or feeding them at home with the water from the water supply system. ) Capacity Building o The community watershed management committee and regulations enhanced the community leaders and local farmers’ capacity building process for community-based natural resource management; Livelihood and women empowerment o The drinking water and solar power heater have greatly improved the Tibetan family’s access to clean supplies of water. o The family does not need to travel and carry the drinking water from village streams, and now has enough hot water for washing clothes and feeding the animals, especially in cold winter. o It is proved that water supply system and solar water heater in the local community have decreased the female labor’s time expended in water collection and carrying, as well released them from the heavy housework obligation. CHP Dongzhulin lamasery library Mask dance and Damo cave engraved prayer stones Love dance and cow horn fiddle Cultural heritage conservation o The conservation project activities preserved traditional Tibetan culture and the historical Tibetan religious knowledge; o The library project of purchasing classic Buddhism and ancient scriptures as well as other Tibetan culture books has met the great reading demands from local lamaseries, nunnery and local Tibetan communities, and it could be replicated to other lamaseries to support their unique cultural heritage and traditions promotion. o The exhibition of the costumes and masks of “mask dance” have displayed the unique traditional culture and relics to local Tibetans and tourists. o The “love dance” and “cow horn fiddle” preservation preserved the disappearing traditional Tibetan folk music. The campaigns of festivals in Shangri-la made progress in the traditional art publicizing and preservation. Capacity building o Multi-stakeholders approaches were effectively used. The government, local NGO, international NGO and local community participated in the whole process of cultural heritage prevention project; o It improved the awareness from government agencies on the local cultural relic and heritage preservation. 102 o The local Tibetan communities and farmers were encouraged to be involved in the stones collection, signs installing process, which has improved their protection awareness and ownership of local traditional relics. Economic and tourism development o The sustainable development of festivals in Shangri-la will greatly boost the local tourism integrated with indigenous culture and customs. o The wooden bowl brochure helps promoting product marketing and increasing HH income. 103 3.2.3 Best Practices and Successful Experience (1) Best Practice One: “Value Chain for Nixi Black Pottery” Black pottery from Nixi is an ancient local tradition going back at least 2000 years according to archaeological evidence. In recent years it has enjoyed an increase in popularity and demand, and has experienced a change in the dynamics of its production. Of all the "crafts-related" value chains analyzed, this had the most potential for eventual facilitation activities and assistance on a sustainable level. Therefore, we are including texcerpts from the valued chain analysis for the Nixi Pottery development. The following value chain map is one of main outputs in Figure 3-2-1. Figure 3-2-1 The Value Chain map for the Nixi black clay pottery Tourist outlets in other cities Nixi black clay pottery WHOLESALE RETAIL PRODUCTION Producer/ retailer/ wholesaler families (3) Wholesaler/ retailer in Shangri-la Shops in Shangri-la (5) Roadside retailers in Nixi (7) Local market Tourist market Packaging company Producer families (60) (2) Best Practice Two: “Partnership between governmental agencies and NGOs” The implementation of the TMI project activities built up direct and indirect relationships between the local communities and other outsider partners. For instance, in the “Community-based grassland co-management project”, during the designing, planning, implementation and evaluation processes, the Shangri-la Animal and Husbandry Bureau played an important governmental role by supplying technical and financial supports, as well as facilitating the TMI and CBIK with the local communities (Figure 3-2-2). 104 Figure 3-2-2 Multi-stakeholder partnerships for community-based grassland co￾management model (Source: developed based on documents from Yunnan TMI PMO) The Sangna reservoir watershed is a complex environmental system and has multi functions. The major challenges of the environmental issues include the protecting the source of drinking water, developing a sustainable development strategy for surrounding forests, and building community awareness for environmental conservation. (3) Best Practice Three: “Multi-stakeholders participation” This best practice in local watershed will greatly contribute to the institutionalization process of collaboration between project implementer, government, international NGOs and NGOs and local community for the environmental protection and conversation (Table 3-2-3). Table 3-2-3. Participation in “Participatory community watershed management” Stakeholders Role Project Implementer TMI Project designing, planning, implementing and evaluating; Facilitate different stakeholders in the whole process; Financial inputs and fund raising; Shangri-la County Government Financial Supports (local counterpart funds); Coordination of other government agencies with TMI; Shangri-la Water Conservancy and Hydropower Bureau Technical support; Maintenance after project implementation; Shangri-la Forestry Bureau Technical support; Materials (such as trees seedlings) support; Government Agencies Sangna Reservoir Management Bureau Facilitate local community participate in project activities; Training activities of forest management; Grassland Co-management Project (TMI) Government Involvement and Support (Sub-grant) Local Tibetan Communities Other NGOs Cooperation and participation (CBIK) Community Leaders and Individual farmers 105 Local Community Involve in the whole project designing, planning, implementation process; Community-based management committee; Village leaders Key informant; Facilitate and coordinate between farmers and other outsiders; Target Group Individual farmer The participants and beneficiaries from the project activities; Raw materials and labor inputs; Other partners INGOs & NGOs (such as GEI, TNC) Financial support; Awareness building training and promotion activities; Follow up action of partners-An example of project success One example of the success of the TPDP Program is that in early 2009, staff of the national NDRC, Xibu Kaifa Ban and Yunnan province government came to inspect the grassland management work in Diqing because a Xinhua reporter had sent an internal document to central government saying that tuimu huancao in Yunnan was a failure. In order to cope with the inspection visit, the Diqing Animal Husbandry Bureau took the senior officials to TMI’s project site as an example of the interventions required in Diqing to address grassland management problems. Officials are now trying to access central government funding to expand implementation of the work that TMI’s pilot projects demonstrated. 3.3 TPDP in Hongyuan County, Aba Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan 3.3.1 Project Activities and Interventions (1) Situation Analysis in Local Project Site Animal husbandry is the most important pillar industry in Hongyuan County and the major source for the local economy and income for pastoralist households. Income is derived mainly from producing and selling yak, sheep, yak hair, and other by-products. TMI conducted an analysis in Hongyuan of the yak market and the processing enterprises. The unique ecological, cultural, nutritional and healthy value of yak meat and milk products isn’t widely recognized. The key problems in the yak product industry and market in local community include: • The blocked market information and channels, and too many intermediate links affecting the yak product sales and herders’ profit level; • The annual slaughter of yaks in Hongyuan County is between 60 and 70 thousand 106 head, but the slaughter for local consumption is only between 10 and 20 head; • Lack of the linkages between the primary producers and ultimate sellers; • The limited varieties of yak products; In Hongyuan, 36,100 of the 38,000 residents are Tibetan herdsman, reliant almost solely on yak and sheep husbandry for their incomes, and thus dependent on the rangeland. The area is part of the Ruoergai wetlands, a RAMSAR listed wetland area that provides crucial water service of national importance. The average herder must feed 15-20 head of yak in order to meet their consumption and expenditure needs. As population and living standard have increased, the herdsmen tend to have more and more yak to increase their income since there is no other source for them. This generates more and more stress on the rangeland. A TMI survey in Anqu No.2 Village found that current yak stocks exceed sustainable levels by 200-300%. The increasing yak stock is contributing to grassland degradation and desertification, and soil erosion has become a pressing issue. Therefore it is essential to control the yak production in a certain level to balance the economic development and ecological vulnerability. The Tibetan traditional culture in Aba and Ganzi prefecture has a long history, and has made important contribution to human society and the survival and development of all nationalities. However, some splendid traditional culture has been or is in danger of lost because slow economic development, assimilation of the external culture influx, and lack of effective conservation measures and creative mechanisms. (2) Project Components and Activities The TPDP enterprise development program started in April 2007 in Hongyuan County Sichuan Province. According to the baseline survey findings about the impact of yak production on grassland, TPDP project implemented a series of project activities to intensify the income generating in targeted rural communities in a sustainable approach, through the capacity building to local Tibetan community organizations (Table 3-3-1). With the development of local Tibetan community and population, the local communities tend to have more and more yak to increase their income that will generate 107 unfavorable impacts on natural rangeland. In order to improve the environmental conservation and natural resource management, as well as promote the livelihood of Tibetan herdsman, TMI implemented a variety of project activities on the natural resource management (Table 3-3-1). It initiated to adopt the sustainable rangeland management and livestock development technique. Some traditional Tibetan culture and heritage is unique in Aba prefecture. However, some splendid traditional culture has been or is disappearing because of ineffective conservation measures and mechanisms. TMI carried out a series of project activities to increase the capacity of Tibetans to preserve their unique cultural heritage through preservation, restoration or conservation of culturally significant sites and artifacts, texts, and oral traditions (Table 3-3-1). There are also project activities for supporting the traditional artists and creating income-generating opportunities for Tibetan artisans. 108 Table 3-3-1 TPDP project activities and main outputs in Sichuan Province Compo nent Project Activities Main Activities Outputs The market survey conducted by the Marketing Institute of Management college of Southwest University; Find out the demand status of high end market to yak meat in Chengdu, including the demand amount, seasonal characters, price, sales channels, product characters, sales services, etc The market value chain analysis report; Disseminate the report to county officials and enterprises; The recipe survey conducted by the college of Tourism and historical culture of Southwest University for Minorities in many Tibetan communities, monastery and tourist spots of Aba and Ganzi prefectures; Collect recipes, ingredients and culinary techniques in restaurants in the main yak production areas; Select promising recipes as well as make recommendations for the further development of yak meat culinary products. The report with rich recipes and culinary techniques of Yak meat; The sale model survey for all rural households’ participation in the live yak value chain; Investigations and stakeholder discussions for live yak direct sales; Completed the value chain analysis; Several discussion meetings with the slaughter houses in Chengdu and Hongyuan for pricing mechanism and money transferring methods; An agreed plan for a pilot of direct marketing approaches Live yak direct sales model; The village based direct live yak sales group with necessary norms and regulations; Multi Yak meat enterprise stakeholders’ consultation discussion; Field study and assessment on existing traditional recipes with local ingredients for Packed Ready-Cooking-Materials of yak tail, yak hoofs and yak penis; Cooking experiments for cooking techniques, quantity and composition of main materials and ingredients; Identify Liuliu Niu Company as production process in with the developed techniques; SW Minority University were identified and selected as the new products piloting partners; The new developed cooking techniques and ingredients formula for Yak side products. EDU Integrated yak meat product development Present market survey and study tour findings; Fruitful discussion and conclusion; The workshop report. 109 Previous surveys and study; Developed an internet website of Hongyuan Yak Products and Ecotourism; Sent the draft version of the website to Hongyuan government for their further comments and final official permission of publication; A draft version Internet website of Hongyuan Yak Products and Ecotourism. Carry out organic animal husbandry tour in Henan County, Gansu Province; • The draft plan of organic animal husbandry. Rangeland Resource Management After-culture in natural rangeland at the beginning of May; Planting high-quality forage grass in the yak pen when the yaks were grazed in summer rangeland which could made the best use of yak pen and yak manure; Planting high-quality forage grass in herders’ rangelands; Building forage grass storage to store the forage grass for winter; Construction of warm yak pens; After-culture in 98 hectare natural rangeland; Harvest of high-quality forage grass in the yak pen; 46 hectare high-quality forage grass in herders’ rangelands; 1132m3 forage grass storages; 626 m2 warm yak pens; Alternative Energy Development Solar cooker construction and related training; Alternative energy facility development and related training; 9 demonstrative demonstration units; 16 solar cookers Womens’ Health Awareness Investigation about the most popular diseases of women on the rangeland of Hongyuan County; Development of training materials focusing on identified disease; Training the trainers from the villages; Trainers went back to the village and publicized the medical common sense about the diseases. Investigation on popular diseases in Hongyuan County; Training materials focusing on identified diseases; Construction of the medical care and consultation network which linked communities with medical forces; NRM Environmental Conservation Education Development of training materials by Roots and Shoots as a sub-grant with Tibetan local stories and cases; Training and publicity of environmental conservation education; • Environmental Conservation Education Materials with Tibetan and local stories and cases; Ancient Tibetan text preservation Collect ancient books or borrow old scriptures from Tibet; Edit, check and proofread the books; Digitalize 45 books Print books; Tibetan language preservation Proverb preservation project; including collection, edit, printing, and distributing to schools and interrelated people; Tibetan Teacher Training; A book of Tibetan proverbs; A book of Tibetan words and sentences skimming reading, with corollary CD-ROM; CHP Classical Tibetan arts Dege iron carve technique training; Jornang Ba ancient wood print block preservation; Anduo Tibetan opera preservation; Safeguarding the Tibetan Music; Inheritance of ancient iron carve and wood print block technique; DVD-ROM of Anduo Tibetan opera; 110 Hongyuan culture vocational training Tibetan weaving technology training; (this is provided in Ruoergai not Hongyuan); Tibetan Opera training • 80 female junior middle school graduates participated in Tibetan weaving technology training; 111 3.2.2 Impacts Analysis of Project Activities By analyzing the project activities as well as the outputs on the local communities and household levels, the evaluation team concluded the following key impacts of the project (Table 3-3-2) Table 3-3-2 Impacts assessment for the implemented project activities in Sichuan Province Component Project activities Major Impacts from the project EDU Integrated Yak products development Industry & Market development and income increasing o The project activities accurately understood the features of Chengdu yak market including total market demands, characteristics and price fluctuations of the market, sales channels and etc, and these eventually contributing to local enterprises, primary producers, brokers, processors and the ultimate sellers and local herders. o Classification of yak meat, new product and yak recipe development can generate broad product markets and valued chains for yak producers, By the live yak direct sales model which set up linkage directly between primary producers and ultimate sellers, the price of each adult yak can be increased by 100-300 Yuan RMB; o Local farmers benefited from the bigger market and increased prices for their yak production; Partnership o TMI program office in Sichuan has established trustworthy relationships with local government, research institutions, communities, pastoralists and other stakeholders. NRM Rangeland Resource Management Environmental Conservation o It is identified that productivity of the rangeland for forage grass and winter dried grass has increased without harming the rangeland resources. o These project rangelands could continue to produce high quality forage grass in the next 3-5 years in an environmental friendly and sustainable pattern. Income and Livelihood The rangeland management supplied local herders with enough high quality forage grass for over winter, which can greatly improve the animal body weight in winter and further the increase HH income from livestock production. Capacity Building o Through the involvement in the project, the local governmental agencies significantly endeavored to apply the participatory and bottom-up mechanism in their strategies. o The rangeland resource management components contributed to the capacity building process for both local communities and related government agencies at county and township levels. o It was the opportunity for local Tibetan communities to express their own voice in managing their natural rangeland resources. o The participatory approaches of community-based natural resource management build up the local community’s capacity of decision-making. 112 Alternative Energy Development Ecological alternative strategies and policy change o The implementation of the alternative energy facility construction project in the local Tibetan advanced the policy development for local government on the Tibetan Plateau bio-energy scheme. o TMI project in local selected communities has proved the yak manure could generate alternative energy in Hongyuan County. The results influenced the governmental development strategy and policy on the alternative energy development, and the Agricultural Bureau of Hongyuan County will implement the national alternative energy development project with the financial support from the prefecture government. o The alternative energy strategy facilitated the bio-energy return to the rangeland by saving yak manure for cooking; Livelihood and Women’s benefit o The alternative energy development project activities are evaluated to have positive impacts on improving local herders’ life quality and livelihood. For instance, the solar and alternative energy supplies much cleaner and healthier fuel instead of yak manure. o The solar cookers and alternative energy project activities markedly reshaping women’s housework load and reallocated their time by replacing the yak manure, which has been traditionally used for more than thousands years as the main source of household fuel for local Tibetan communities. Woman Health Awareness Health facilities and capacity building o It provided training and support to medical treatment facilities from local medical and clinical institutions at county and township levels. o The health workers in from local communities were trained to supply good health service as well as medical knowledge and awareness of health to especially the local women. Their communication skills with local women were greatly trained and improved. Awareness building o It covered more than hundreds of women from selected communities for health and diseases awareness building, Environmental Conservation Education Awareness Building o Based on the hardware construction and development of the rangeland and watershed preservation, the environmental conservation education components complementarily strengthened local communities and farmers’ educational knowledge and awareness of sustainable rangeland scheme. CHP Culture and Heritage conservation Cultural heritage conservation o Through preservation, restoration or conservation of culturally significant sites and artifacts, texts, and oral traditions, the program increased capacity of Tibetans to preserve their unique cultural heritage. o Both the culture preservation awareness of Tibetan for the significant sites, language, artifacts, texts, and specific minority skills has increased, and the dissemination and inheritance awareness has been improved. Livelihood and participation o Through the vacation and technique trainings to the local Tibetan, TMI enhanced herders’ iron carve and weaving skills, improved income and economic livelihood for local young people. o The Tibetan traditional wool weaving skills training for young women has provided good employment and income￾generating opportunities by selling souvenirs to tourists. 113 3.2.3 Good Practice and Successful Experience (1) Best Practice One: “alternative energy saving for local farmers” The TMI documents showed that every time herders use solar cookers to boil water or cook a piece of dish, 3 kg yak manure could be saved. If households save 8 kg each day and use solar cooker in 200 days of a year, there will be 1600 kg yak manure saved. The alternative energy is also useful in saving yak manure. Another statistic from TMI showed that the alternative energy could provide more than 60% fuel needs (not only for cooking but also for lighting and heating) for a household, which could save six tons of yak manure in a year. It encouraged local herders to use the yak manure as main source of fertilizer for rangeland recuperation and bio-energy. (2) Best Practice and success of Winter fodder supply in Hongyuan The evaluation findings show that the winter fodder supply was very beneficial to herders, and local government recognized the importance and feasibility of the fodder supply mechanism for reducing the animal body weight loss during the winter time. Through implementing the project, partnership with local communities and governmental agencies and staff was well developed and ensured the success of the project implementation and the long term sustainability of the developed grassland management models. TMI has for a long time spoken about its work being a learning laboratory. The key question is how to help more people to learn by sharing. TPDP did exemplary work in learning-by-doing together with communities. TPDP also did good work in documenting experiences and lessons. The project printed and gave out at least 500 copies of the Yunnan co-management manual, both locally and at national and international workshops. 114 3.4 Evaluation of the Project Designing and Management The evaluation team reviewed project designing documents, progress reports and datasheets while interview with project staff in Sichuan and Yunnan. Major findings are as follows: A project design document with a narrative description of major components and activities was prepared before start of the project. A Result Framework in a flow-chart format presented the project concept and strategy. However, there were no indicators in the project design documents. Objective based activities breakdown provided a systematic guideline for the implementation of the project activities; A set of performance datasheets were designed and used for measuring the progress. Indicators for measuring the project outputs and partly the outcomes were formulated in the matrix. The existing indicators were mainly linked with and related to the outputs; few of them are for measuring the outcomes and impacts. Data and information for measuring the indicators were systematically documented and used for producing the annual progress reports. Quarterly and annual reports were produced by the TMI and submitted to USAID with focus on: major progresses, outputs and preliminary and immediate outcomes and impacts, successful stories and cases and major deviations from the project original planning; Monthly progress reports were submitted by TMI staff for internal monitoring the progress and documenting the best practiced made at the project implementation and management levels. Information publicity and information sharing with other partners was established in the project. A TMI internet website was set up, educational posters, training materials, brochures and newsletters were produced and distributed to relevant governmental institutions and partner institutions and project pilot communities. 4. Evaluation Conclusions 4.1 Achievement of the program goals Through analysis of the evaluation survey findings and project reports, the evaluation team could draw conclusions on the program’s goal achievement. All project activities 115 implemented in all pilot villages in Diqing and Hongyuan achieved the expected direct outputs and these outputs significantly contributed to the achievement of the overall project goal, i.e. Strengthening community’s capacity for meeting their socioeconomic needs while conserving the natural resources, ecosystems and Tibetan traditional cultural heritage. 4.2 Outcomes and Impacts achieved 4.2.1 Outcomes and impacts of Project in Shangri-La From the evaluation results one can summarize the outcomes and impacts of project activities implemented in Shangri-La in following table: Table 4-2-1 Summarized project impacts of Diqing, Yunan Province Program Project Activities Key impacts Nixi black clay pottery project • Increased HH incomes local Tibetan community; • Women participated and benefited from the black pottery production which is in Tibetan tradition not possible; • Through training activities and study tour, local farmer producers’ skills and capacity have advanced; • Conserved and revitalized the black pottery production arts 1. WBS1000 Enterprise development program Community-based eco-tourism program • The income of the local households participated in the community-based tourism has increased average by 60%; • The sub-grant programs of local tours agencies and tour operators involvement in the project strengthened the capacity of local enterprises in developing the local natural and cultural heritage; Community-based grassland management • Reduced the grassland degradation by fencing; • Examine and test the community management approach for grassland resource conservation by collective actions; • Improved the HH livelihoods by subsidizing solar heaters; 2. WBS 2000 Natural Resource Mgt Participatory community watershed management project • Reduced the watershed degradation and improved the water quality; • Set up a multi-stakeholder watershed conservation and sustainable development model, established partnership between different government agencies, INGOs and NGOs; • Encouraged community’s and HH’s participation and commitment to water conservation by improving their livelihoods; Traditional culture prevention • The scared library establishment enable the local lamaseries or nunneries to preserve their unique heritage and traditions; Cultural relic restoration • The cultural relic restoration and conservation protect the indigenous heritages, and promoted the awareness building process for local government agencies in relic preservation; 3. WBS 3000 Cultural heritage conservation Traditional art transmission and preservation • It greatly preserved the disappearing Nixi traditional Tibetan folk arts and heritage by art festivals and events; 116 4.2.2 Outcomes and Impacts of Hongyuan Project Conclusions on the impacts of enterprise development program, natural resource management and cultural heritage conservation components of TPDP in Aba Tibetan prefecture, Sichuan Province, can be summarized in table 4-2-2. Table 4-2-2 Summarized project impacts of Aba, Sichuan Province Program Project Activities Key impacts 1. WBS1000 Enterprise development program Yak production, market and enterprise development • The development of the yak products processing and marketing has greatly increased the incomes of local community and farmers; • The training and education to local yak production enterprise strengthened the capacity and quality of local enterprises; • It is good practices of involving different stakeholders, governmental and non-governmental agencies in the implementation process. Rangeland resource sustainable management • The sustainable rangeland forage development with increased income to local herders; • The capacity building for the local Tibetan communities and relevant government agencies in rangeland and natural resource management. Alternative energy development • The improvement of life quality and convenience by solar and alternative energy supplier for cooking and heating water; • The increases return of yak manure to the field and rangeland as fertilizer; • The decreased input of women’s labor and time in collection of yak manure as the traditional fuel; • The policy impacts of alternative energy production in local Tibetan areas as promoting. Women health awareness building project • The improved awareness of local Tibetan women on health and medical service; • The enhanced capacity and ability of local health service and workers through the trainings. 2. WBS 2000 Natural Resource Mgt Environmental conservation education • The strengthened knowledge and awareness of local community and herders’ environmental conservation; • The set up network of different stakeholders in involving in conservation education. i. Ancient Tibetan text preservation ii. Tibetan language preservation iii. Classical Tibetan art project • It greatly protect the unique ancient Tibetan culture; • It increased the capacity of local Tibetan for preserving their culture; 3. WBS 3000 Cultural heritage conservation Hongyuan culture vocational training • Through the weaving training to local vocational school girls, their skills and income increased a lot; 117 4.3 Sustainability of the TPDP impacts and models In achieving the project impacts on livelihood improvement, community resource management and conserving the Tibetan culture, the TPDP project also developed and demonstrated a set of innovative approaches and institutional models, such as: • Participatory project planning and training methodologies to ensure the selected project activities matched the demand of Tibetan herders and farmers. Through participation in the planning and implementation of the income generation and resource management projects, herders and farmers built their capacity and commitment to the community development projects. • Through TPDP’s multi-stakeholder partnership, cooperation and coordination mechanisms were developed for jointly supporting the poor communities. Furthermore a multi-stakeholder shared investment scheme was also tested in watershed management and community resource management; • Partner governmental line agencies recognized and highly valued the TPDP support and the innovative methods and approaches tested in the project; • A high-qualified professional TMI project implementation team was developed. The team could effectively communicate and cooperate with relevant governmental line agencies and local NGOs. The team could effectively apply participatory methods and tools in managing the project implementation and monitoring the whole process. These enabling factors and innovative approaches will ensure the successful replication of TPDP project models in non pilot communities and the long term and sustainable impact on social and economic development of Tibetan communities. 5. Recommendations for future project implementation 5.1 Scale up and Replication of Project Models • The integrated project intervention models, i.e combining EDU, CRM and CHP for achieving the sustainable livelihood, sustainable resource and cultural heritage management, multi-stakeholder participation and investment, etc. should be further assessed, successful and good practices, lessons and experiences learnt should be systematically documented; • A participatory community land use planning and project planning manual should be developed and applied in the community project planning and TMI and counterpart staff training; 118 • Replicated these models in other villages through using participatory methods in planning the new projects. Participatory livelihood analysis, participatory land use planning, ranking and scoring matrix, participatory consultation, can be applied in the practice. 5.2 Further strengthening the cooperation with partner institutions In the past three years, TPDP and TMI team have developed very close partnership with local NGOs, enterprises and local governmental institutions. A multi-stakeholder involved investment and project implementation organizational structure is a precondition for creating sustainable impact of the TPDP project. The partnership and cooperation should be further strengthened through: • Providing more training to staff of partner institutions for enhancing their capacity and qualification; • Subcontracting more project activities to local NGOs, enterprises and public service and research institutions; • Involving the partner institutions and staff in the whole project cycle, i.e. project designing, project planning and annual monitoring and evaluation for enhancing their ownership and commitment to the community 5.3 Strengthening the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) • Set up a multi-level and multi-stakeholder involved M&E system for dynamic monitoring and evaluating the project implementation process, outputs, outcomes and impacts. A bottom-up M&E operation approach should be adopted with emphasizing the active participation of the beneficiaries in the M&E process; • Outcome and impact assessment should be further strengthened. Participatory tools and methods, such as focus group interview, semi-structured HHs interview, community grassland transect walk, community project evaluation workshop facilitated by outside moderator, are recommended to collect the evidences and data for impact measuring indicators; • Performance indicators for M&E. Indicators used in existing progress datasheets are mostly outputs linked, but less relevant to the performance, outcomes and impacts, such as livelihood improvement, change of competency and awareness on resource management and livelihood improvements. They should be reviewed and updated accordingly; 119 • A manual or guideline for M&E should be developed and applied in routine M&E and M&E training. A participatory M&E training course should be delivered to staff of key counterpart institutions. 120 Annexes A1. Survey Itinerary Field Survey Itinerary Time (2009) Activities Participants Location 24 August Travel from Beijing to Chengdu CIAD team Chengdu 25 August Meeting with staffs from Chengdu Office CIAD team Local counterparts Chengdu Team A: Travel from Chengdu to Hongyuan CIAD team Local 26 August Hongyuan Team B: Travel from Chengdu to Shangri-la CIAD team Local Shangri-la Team A: Field survey in county and selected communities in Hongyuan. CIAD team Local counterparts 27-29 August Hongyuan Team B: Field survey in county and selected communities Shangri-la. CIAD team Local counterparts Shangri-la 30 August Travel from Hongyuan and Shangri-la back to Chengdu. CIAD team Chengdu 31 August Warp up meeting with Chengdu Office CIAD team Chengdu 1 September Travel back to Beijing CIAD team Beijing A2: Outlines for group interview, key informant interview and household interview Research Outlines 1. Outline for Counterparts (bureaus) Interviews at County Levels • Current institutional structure • Main functions • Participation in the project activities • Impacts from project involvement and training process • Key comments on the project activities 2. Key Informant: village Leaders Interview (3-4 persons) • Project implementation process (participatory) in the village • Direct impacts from project activities on the local community • Direct impacts from project activities on local herder’s livelihood • Community participation process 3. Focus Group: male and female group discussion (8-10 persons) • Project implementation process (participatory) in the village • Direct impacts from project activities on the local community • Direct impacts from project activities on local herder’s livelihood • Herder’s participation and involvement process in the project 121 4. Household Interview: Individual household interviews in Each Village • Basic information of the household: family member, farmland or grassland domain, income source and structure, and etc. (For the CASE STUDY in the report) • The participation and involvement process • The key changes after participation project. • Comments on the project implementation A3: Lists of documents reviewed Project site Types of documents Name of documents Excerpts from AFE VC assessments - Nixi pottery Appendix I - Nixi Black Pottery Market Assessment Strategy Nixi Follow-up ESL Training Proposal Project Reports Summary of study tour for Nixi retailer & artisans 2007-2008 TMI CHP YN Quarterly Report_Q2_2008 TMI Quarterly Reports from Q1_2007 to Q4_2008 Progress on Objective Two from Q1_2007 to Q3_2008 Quarterly Report Sangna Participatory Watershed Management 10-30 Assessment Jigong Needs Assessment Report ENG reports EDU monitoring program Adren Dolma's Day Nixi Love Dance Project by Renzeng story of A Dam Pagns Cave Carved Stone writen by Dolma Compelling stories Tashi Chujor's Day Dongzhulin Lamasery monk By Renzeng Beneficiary Number reports Analysis of Tibet FY08 INDICATOR RESULTS TMI CHP YN 1015 Baim progress report Dec-Jan STA Tangdui progress report Sub-grant progress report ETTI first progress Sub-grant progress report form-SABG-2 Sub-grant Progress Report second progress Rangland project Sub-grant for community solar progress report Rangland project Sub-grant for community toilet progress report Yunnan Sub grant progress reports Rangland project Sub-grant for PVS progress report All Programs activity plan narrative CA 486-A-00-04-00010-00_costext_dip_EDU_12_11_08 CA 486-A-00-04-00010-00_costext_responses_25_07_08[1] CA 486-A-00-04-00010-00_costext_dip_18_07_08_final 2 CA 486-A-00-04-00010-00_costext_technical_18_07_08_final Project Documents CA No.486-A-00-04-00010-00 - annual plan Alternative energy demonstration summary of the progress report Hongyuan vocational school Proposal Summary Main Activities and results during Oct. 1 08 - Jan. 31 09 SC Vocational training projects Workshop report Participatory community work methods report Chengdu high end yak meat market research reports, Alpine grassland husbandry in pastoral areas of Northwest Sichuan Investigation Report TMI Sichuan grassland management program annual plan(May 2007- May 2008) Hongyuan grassland management research program summary in 2007 Sichuan Project Reports Hongyuan grassland resource community management research program in 2007 122 Yak value chain survey report Community grassland resource mangement plan Pastoral area women's health situation survey report Community grassland management and management policy workshop Grassland resource community management program activity progress EDU Progress on Objective One 06_08 Progress on Objective Two during Apirl 2007 -Apirl 2008 SC EDU Progress on Objective One during December 2008 -March 2009 SC NRM Progress on Objective Two during March 2009 -June 2009 Quarterly Report SC Progress on Objective Two Personal Monthly Reports Monthly report during May 2007-May 2008 Performance Tibet FY09_10 Indicator targets TMI TPDP data TMI TPDP Performance Data Spreadsheet DDM Proposal Summary Gantse proverb conservation project (core program) Proposals of CHP SC Safeguarding Tibetan music USAID proposal A4: People met during the evaluation survey 1.Institutional Staffs Interviewed Name Male/female Institutions Position Tan Jingzheng Male TMI Chengdu Office Team leader He Yuanyuan Female TMI Chengdu Office Administrative assistant Hong Bei Female TMI Shangri-la Office NRM officer Sun Nuo Female TMI Shangri-la Office EDU officer Ren Zeng Female TMI Shangri-la Office CHP officer He Yonghua Male TMI Shangri-la Office Project coordinator He Qiang Male TMI Shangri-la Office Project consultant Mo Jiguang Male Shangri-la Livestock Bureau Official Li Gang Male Shangri-la Culture and heritage conservation association Director Cai Lang Male Shangri-la folk music protection association Director Guo Junhua Male Nixi Black clay pottery limited enterprise Entrepreneur Anweng Yunba Male Shuibian Temple Luosang Gengye Male Shuibian Temple Luosang Quzhen Female Buddhist nun temple Huang Bo Male Sichuan Agriculture University Lecturer Zen Sijia Male Hongyuan County Livestock Bureau Director Chen Xiaozhi Male Hongyuan County Agriculture Bureau Director Chen Zhizhong Male Hongyuan County Agriculture Bureau Deputy director Chen Bin Male Hongyuan County Agriculture Bureau official Yang Yong Male Anqu Country Leader Ni MI Male Anqu Country party committee secretary Peng Cuo Male Anqu Country Deputy leader Chen Shilan Female Anqu Country Health Center Nurse Xiang Bai Male Hongyuan Tige Tibetan Culture and Art Development Co Ltd Director 123 Zhao Hong Male Hongyuan Tige Tibetan Culture and Art Development Co Ltd Deputy Director Zhang Qingying Female Hongyuan Tige Tibetan Culture and Art Development Co Ltd Office Director 2. Community level people involved in the evaluation Name Male/female Community Title Wang Weidong Male Heping Village in Xiao Zhongdian Township Previous village leader Jian Yong Male Heping Village Current village leader Dana Lamu Female Heping Village Farmer Renma Benji Female Heping Village Farmer Qili Ruma Female Heping Village Farmer Zhishi Lamu Female Heping Village Farmer Gati Ruma Female Heping Village Farmer Li Jianhua Male Tangdui Village Village Leader Dilin Dengxi Male Tangdui Village Village Leader Zhaxi Bichu Male Tangdui Village Farmer Luosang Xiluo Male Tangdui Village Farmer Luosang Zuoma Male Tangdui Village Farmer Luosang Dawa Female Tangdui Village Farmer Sunluo Zhuoma Female Tangdui Village Farmer Pu Huacuo Female Anqu No 1 Village Women Union Director Suo Ke Male Anqu No 2 Village Village Leader Da Zelang Male Anqu No 2 Village Farmer Ku Re Male Anqu No 2 Village Farmer Ku Le Male Anqu No 2 Village Farmer