Success Story

The Gaoligong Corridor, located in the southern part of the reserve, provides habitat for seven primates and other rare and endangered species, including the endemic Hoolock Gibbon. Tragically, this forest is rapidly disappearing due to the over-harvesting of trees used for cooking and heating fuel, thereby threatening species such as the Gibbon along with the resources upon which this community relies. 

The Nature Conservancy’s Duan Honglian is implementing a Pride campaign to increase awareness regarding the impact of fuelwood harvesting on the Hoolock Gibbon’s habitat.  She is focusing the campaign on promoting the adoption of more fuel efficient technologies including energy-efficient stoves, electric stoves, and electric rice cookers throughout the community thereby reducing the fuelwood needs of the community and reducing the threat to the forest.
 
One example of the creative and effective ways that Duan is engaging this community is by challenging the cooks! Women collect most of the fuelwood and do the majority of the cooking in these communities. So Duan recently held a highly engaging cooking contest in a public square, challenging local women to prepare a delicious dish using the new stoves. The event attracted school children, parents, and other community members, who were intrigued by the new stoves and just as eager to learn about their association with reduced fuelwood consumption. Most have seen the campaign mascot, the Hoolock Gibbon, and are rallying around the campaign’s forest conservation efforts.

 

To further explore this campaign, please visit our conservation community at RarePlanet.org.