Ecological projects bringing gains to rural areas in Gansu

A green-themed campground in Gansu province donated by China National Offshore Oil Corp was officially opened on Aug 25, with the move seen further tapping the potential of the local ecological tourism sector.

Located in Xiahe county, the Gannan Tibet autonomous prefecture, the campground is expected to bring in fiscal revenue for local residents up to 4 million yuan ($589,000) each year, said CNOOC.

The green efforts have always been a significant part of the nation's development blueprint. Fifteen years ago, when Xi Jinping was secretary of the Communist Party of China Zhejiang Provincial Committee, he proposed a concept of "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" during a visit to Yucun village in Zhejiang's Anji county.

Boasting beautiful landscapes with lush mountains and lucid waters, the Gansu campground project, covering 6.67 hectares with a total investment of 9 million yuan, began construction in March this year. This is also one of the latest moves in which central enterprises are making headway in poverty relief through culture and tourism development.

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism said China has made solid progress in reducing poverty through the promotion of culture and tourism in underdeveloped areas last year, with a series of programs having been implemented including funding cultural activity facilities in villages and bringing traditional Chinese opera performances to the countryside to enrich villagers' lives.

The country provided 35.71 million yuan in financial support last year for the establishment of 263 intangible cultural heritage workshops for boosting employment.

Setting 2020 as the target year to eradicate absolute poverty, the country is aiming to continuously tap cultural and tourist resources and make new achievements in poverty reduction.

Lying in the watershed of the upper reaches of the Yangtze River and the Yellow River, Gannan plays an important role in China's ecosystem with 24 ethnic groups including Han and Hui living in the region. Despite the abundant natural assets, the region remains one of the most poverty-stricken areas of China, with some 37 percent of the population having an annual income of less than 2,300 yuan in early 2013.

Local tourism resources have not been well tapped due to the location of the region and backwardness in terms of economic development, said Sun Wanling, general manager of CNOOC Energy Technology& Services-Catering& Support Services Co.

"The opening of the campground will take advantage of local ecological resources and ensure local residents have a means to achieve prosperity," he said.