Ecological environment serves as the foundation of human survival and development. The Lancang-Mekong Basin supports diverse ecological environments and rich biodiversity of global significance. However, the rising population and economic & social development along the area have made its ecological environment increasingly subject to human activities. How to achieve a balance between social and economic development, people’s livelihood and ecological protection is a great challenge facing the basin.

This project focuses on livelihood-based case studies on ecological rehabilitation in Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, mainly involving sustainable development of Cambodia’s community forestry, construction of rubber plantation in Xishuangbanna of Yunnan and restoration of degraded peatland in Altai of Xinjiang, impact analysis of Lao’s land utilization and rubber plantation, Myanmar’s energy background and application of clean energy technologies in forest protection, Thailand’s strategies for agriculture and forestry and relevant research conclusions, and Vietnam’s existing problems and corresponding strategies for sustainable utilization of bamboo resources. In addition, this project also explored various cases on ecological restoration around the world, mainly focusing on the construction of ventilation corridor in Stuttgart of Germany, the case of the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan and community-based coastal restoration, and conducted comparative analysis against the case of Lancang-Mekong Basin.

By exploring the case backgrounds, restoration measures and results achieved, existing problems and potential solutions in various cases, this project puts forward a series of suggestions on livelihood-based ecological restoration for the Lancang-Mekong Basin which are as follows: first, define administrative divisions and develop relevant regulations, and promote scientific development of industries; second, carry out systematic researches and enhance technological supports; third, coordinate the relations between local traditions & cultures and forest protection; four, strengthen publicity; five, intensify policy and financial supports; six, establish sound systems and mechanisms.