The limestone mountainous area in the southwestern Guangxi is one of the 34 priority areas for biodiversity conservation in China (China Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, 2011-2013). It is also located right in the Sino-Vietnamese Limestone Priority Corridor of the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot (CEPF, 2012). The limestone forest ecosystems there host many endemic and endangered species including the globally critically endangered white-headed langur (Trachypithecus poliocephalus), Debao cycad (Cycas debaoensis) and Vatica guangxiensis. The natural habitats in this region have been highly fragmented due to long history of human use and disturbance. The remaining blocks are often threatened by: 1) encroachment by small scale agriculture and forestry of local villagers; 2) habitat degradation caused by fuelwood collection and grazing; 3) poaching and illegal logging; 4) infrastructure construction, mining and other developing projects. The established nature reserves by the government are usually of small sizes and scattered over the region since Zhuang ethnic group is the indigenous and dominant people there and owns the collective forests and lands. Many threatened species, especially endangered plants, are distributed in the collective forests of local Zhuang communities, instead of in the nature reserves. Zhuang indigenous people have a long history of interacting with nature and have derived various traditional way of natural resources management. The traditional culture about Fengshui forest, dragon hills and dragon trees has preserved many rare and threaten wildlife in this area. The legacy of community conserved forests and lands have brought hopes to the conservation of limestone ecosystems in the southwestern Guangxi. However, the registration and management of CCAs in Guangxi still have the following problems and challenges: 1) the recognition and support from local governments are far from enough; 2) the authorized local forestry bureaus are lack of awareness and capacity to supervise and support CCAs; 3) the capacity of engaged communities is limited and difficult to response to internal and external challenges. The existing CCAs are now in great needs of external technical and policy support.

Guangxi Biodiversity Research and Conservation Association (BRC), in cooperation with Guangxi Forestry Bureau (GFB), Fauna & Flora International (FFI), Guangxi Forestry Survey and Design Institute (GFSDI), Chongzuo White-headed Langur Conservation Association (CWLCA) and ICCA consortium, applies a strategic project of GEF SGP to tackle the above problems and challenges. The overall goal of this project is to establish and empower a local CCAs network to effectively conserve limestone ecosystems in southwestern Guangxi. The specific objectives of this two-year project are: 1) Promote a more supportive policy environment for the recognition, registration and effective management of CCAs; 2) Establish four new CCAs and explore an effective market-based motivation mechanism for CCAs; 3) Improve the conservation and development capacity of 18 CCAs, and establish a local CCAs consortium to promote the communication and experience exchange among CCAs.

This project will directly contribute to the biodiversity priority working area of GEF SGP. The implementation of this project will greatly improve local biodiversity conservation, policy change, capacity building, social innovation, livelihood alternative and sustainable development. Over 18,000 ha of CCAs will be directly affected by the proposed project and the conservation status of around 2,000 ha critical ecosystems will be improved. The establishment of new CCAs and effective management of targeted CCAs will benefit 100% existing population of critically endangered Vatica guangxiensis, 50% of critically endangered Debao cycad, nearly 10% of endangered Francois? langur and 4% of critically endangered white-headed langur and their habitats. This project will have the following outputs by the end of this project: 1) develop and enact a Technical Guidelines about the Registration and Management of CCAs in Guangxi; 2) build up an information management system of CCAs in Guangxi and promote its use in at least five counties; 3) complete at least six CCAs case study reports and disseminate relevant experience in Guangxi and in China; 4) make and submit a research report to the GFB with recommendations on market-based motivation mechanism and supportive policy for CCAs? registration and management. The proposed project is expected to benefit over 5,000 indigenous people from 18 Zhuang communities through the establishment and empowerment of a CCA consortium. Their capacity in conservation and sustainable development will be greatly increased. Furthermore, their self-identify, confidence and pride of CCAs will be significantly enhanced. The experience and lesson-learned from this project will also be shared with regional stakeholders and global society through GFB and ICCA consortium for a wider influence.