Policy Research On Ecological Environment Management In Western China

Ecological environment is the foundation for human being’s living and development,therefore maintaining a good eco-environment in western China can not only meet thedemand of sustainable development in western areas, but can further expand its influence tothe whole China. Ever since the implementation of Western Development policy, the weakand fragile eco-environment in western area has been greatly improved, and the ecologicalsafety guard has been more stable. However, ecological environments in western areas areweakening on the whole though partially improved, owing to the complexity of the ecologicalenvironment in western areas, as well as its extremely fragile appearance. The present lawsand regulations can not perfectly deal with the current situation in western China from itsapplication scope, measures, contents and substantial results. Take resources, environment,economy and society into integral consideration, policy innovation on westerneco-environmental management can properly exploit, utilize, and protect environmentalresources in western areas and is of strategic importance in eco-environmental construction tothe whole country.The thesis mainly focused on policy study of ecological environmental management inChina’s western areas, made systematic organization and objective evaluation towardsenvironmental policies around30years, and in-depth analyzed existing problems on theimplementation of eco-environmental management policies. The problems were observed asfollows:(1) current environmental policies are not comprehensive, with each part lacking ofcoordination and the adjustment methods and measures unitary;(2) certain policies such as“return the grain plots to forestry”,“virgin forests protection”, and “water and soilconservation” ignored functions of market, legal departments stimulated managementconflicts, and the public was not positively involved. The problems indicated deficiencies ofeco-environmental management policies in western areas on ideas, systems, adjustment skillsand scopes which perform in practice the defects of policy concept, policy system, policyimplementation, market mechanism, and public participation.Towards the existing problems of eco-environmental management policies in westernareas, combined with its current situation, the thesis analyzed relative policies and practice in western developed countries and some developing countries, and put forwards that we shouldadhere to the strategy of sustainable development, correctly handle the relationship betweenenvironment and economy, society, and culture, and strive to realize the harmoniouscoexistence of people, environment and resources. At the strategic level, we shouldimplement scientific concept of development, people oriented spirit, and comprehensive,coordinated and sustainable development. At the implemental level, we should adhere toecological civilization, sustainable development, as well as resource-saving andenvironment-friendly society. To realize policy innovation, we should also insist on ecologicalcivilization concept, implement harmonization, environmental democracy, system innovationand domestication, construct eco-environmental management network throughgovernment-led roles, market-driven means, public participation, and integrated “multiplecohabitation” concept, and realize the fundamental improvement of ecological environment inwestern region as well as the harmonious coexistence between people and the nature.