Known as “the loveliest mountain of China”, Mt. Huangshan Scenic Area is well known for its scenery, sunsets, peculiarly shaped granite peaks, Huangshan Pine trees, and views of the clouds from above.
Huangshan is a frequent subject of traditional Chinese paintings and literature, as well as modern photography. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Global Geopark and Biosphere Reserve.
Conservation
Good governance:
Community benefits
Mt. Huangshan Scenic Area was established in 1982 as China National Scenic Area, located in Huangshan City, Anhui Province,South China. Later, Huangshan became UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990, Global Geopark in 2004 and Biosphere Reserve in 2018.
Huangshan，known as“the loveliest mountain of China”， is characterized by granite peak forest landform, and well known for its scenery, sunsets, peculiarly shaped rocks, Huangshan Pines, and sea of clouds. There are more than 1800 higher plants and over 300 vertebrates in Huangshan. Huangshan is also a frequent subject of traditional Chinese paintings and literature, as well as modern photography. For the majestic scenery, Huangshan together with Yellow River, the Yangtze River and the Great Wall are already a symbol of China.
Huangshan was added to the IUCN Green List in 2014 during the pilot phase of the Green List. Since 1970s for decades, Huangshan is managed by the same growing organization. We have enough support of finance, human resources, policy and government. Huangshan have been enjoying a good reputation in China for both the scenery, protection and management.
EAGL summary statement:
Mt. Huangshan has a clearly defined governance structure that conforms to national and regional government regulations. Its Management Committee currently has 935 employees, including 115 female managers. It has another two companies with more than 4000 employs. There are more than 70 laws and regulations related to the management of the site.
Mt.Huangshan’s master plan was compiled and completed by Urban Planning and Design Institute of Beijing Tsinghua University. In addition, various methods have been formulated to implement the plan and guide specific work, such as the River Chief system, the Forest Chief system work plan, forest plant quarantine inspection management methods, and the management method of prohibiting motorbikes in the south gate of the site.
Mt.Huangshan main protection objectives are the landscape resources based on geomorphology which has been well conserved. Also, according to national policies, all forestry areas in the site are national key public welfare forests, and the strictest protection measures are implemented. Huangshan has done a lot of prevention and control of forestry pests (mainly pine wood nematode disease) and forest fire. Huangshan is also actively improving the conservation of biodiversity. The “Huangshan Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Utilization” (Huangshan GEF Project) is being carried out.
Mt.Huangshan is an important tourist attraction. It has a daily flow control of 50,000 people. And during the outbreak of COVID-19, a timely and strict control measure was taken to control the flow of 15,000 people. And strengthen the disinfection of public places.
In 30 years the site has experienced a very positive evolution in terms landscape conservation, tourist management and local community’s alternative livelihoods development. It has a long-term good brand effect. It has signed a global geopark brand sharing mechanism, joined the Scenic Spots Association, the Geological Society of China, the Geographical Society, etc., joined these associations, and actively participated in training and Exchange, dedicated to protecting human and natural heritage, promoting community development and sharing experience. And established a prestigious school forum with universities and established a scientific research practice base.
Following the review of the nomination of the site, the members of the EAGL welcomed the remarkable efforts of the team of managers for the conservation of values of the site and underlined the quality and the completeness of the file. All indicators are achieved or exceeded. On the basis of these elements, the EAGL reach a consensus in favor of the inscription of Huangshan on the protected area green list.
Reviewer statement:
The Reviewer validates Huangshan’s Green Listing process as being in conformity with the User Manual’s rules and procedures. The Reviewer approved the waiving of the site visit given the current COVID-19 situation with the following conditions : a site visit will be organised as soon as circumstances change and allow for travel and shall occur before the next mid-term GL review for Huangshan. A virtual stakeholder consultation meeting was approved by the reviewer in advance and it was held on July 03, 2020 with the ASI Reviewer presence. The voting meeting agenda was sent to the reviewer for approval in advance. The meeting was combined for two sites: Huangshan Mountain and Wudalianchi. All the EAGL members were requested to review the two sites’ application documents in COMPASS before the meeting.• Verification: the process of presentation of the results, and discussions between the members of the EAGL• Verification: the voting process including declaration of EAGL members’ COI, voting method and result announcement.
