(Originally published on 08/24/2016)

July 19, Altai— The fifth Community Culture and Art Festival, with the goal to increase local herders’ awareness on environment protection, was recently held in Altai, Xinjiang Autonomous Region. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)-Global Environment Facility (GEF) “Strengthening the Management Effectiveness of the Protected Area Landscape in Altai Mountains and Wetlands” project (hereby referred as Altai project) co-hosted the event together with Liangheyuan Nature Reserve Management Bureau.

By inviting famous local artisans and an Art Troupe to perform, the Festival successfully attracted 300 members of the public. During the event, 600 pieces of promotion and education materials about wild animals and plants in Altai Mountain alongside importance of environmental protection were distributed to local herds. After the performance, rewards and prizes were given to figures who had outstanding achievements in environmental protection, in order to encourage more people to strive for a better ecological environment.

The Festival achieved desired results, according to Mr. Kele Bolati, Chief of Operation of the Liangheyuan Nature Reserve Management Bureau.  He stated “this is the fifth Culture and Art Festival, which has had a very good effect. At first local herders couldn’t accept the implementation of the project, thinking that it threated their livelihoods. This kind of activity made them realize the importance of environmental protection and improved their acceptance.” With such positive outcomes, the Community Culture and Art Festival will be hosted again in the coming years with the goal to further contribute to goal of raising local people’s awareness on environmental protection.

Altai Mountains and Wetlands in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region is internationally recognized for its extraordinary landscapes, livelihoods, and unique biodiversity. Since 2013, UNDP has partnered with the Forestry Department of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region to initiate the UNDP-GEF Altai Project, aiming to preserve the Altai Mountains and Wetland landscape. This Community Culture and Art Festival in Liangheyuan Nature Reserve, by enhancing people’s awareness of ecological conservation, contributed to the overall goal of Altai project.