Cultural Landscape of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces

• Need to put in place a sustainable eco-tourism strategy for the property and its buffer zone
• Need for an interpretation strategy 

On 26 January 2015, the State Party submitted a state of conservation report, a summary of which is available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1111/documents. The report provides information about enhanced site management and conservation and also responds to the issues raised at the time of inscription, as follows:

• In September 2014, a Decision on Enhancing Conservation and Management of the World Heritage Site of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces was adopted. This sets out enhanced legal protection and sustainable development strategies for the forest, villages, rice terraces and water systems, as well as for the traditional culture of the Hani ethnic group;
• A terrace‐based red rice production cooperative has been established to encourage local residents to continue farming on the terraces and build a green ecology brand for Honghe. Channels for marketing the red rice have been expanded, and well as for other ecological agricultural products, such as tea and duck eggs, to add greater value to local agricultural produce;.
• A fund of USD 4.825 million has been launched to renovate seven villages and provide guidance on protecting traditional architectural features, and to strengthen traditional craft traditions;
• Steep slopes on the summit of the terraces have been returned to forest, to improve ecological conditions and sustain the water supply;
• A research project has been launched with key Universities and scientific institutions to strengthen understanding of the complex cultural/ecological terrace management system.
• Based on research, market analysis and surveys of carrying capacity, and consultation with the local community, the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has prepared a Sustainable Tourism Strategic Plan for Cultural Landscape of Hone Rice Terraces in China (2014-2030). Currently the plans being reviewed by the State Administration of Cultural Heritage of China and will be provided to the World Heritage Centre once approved and made public
• An Interpretation Plan for Cultural Landscape of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces (2014 - 2030) has been prepared. It provides diversified interpretation and presentation and aims to enhance knowledge of the values of the cultural landscape, and raise awareness of heritage conservation and compliance with international conventions and Chinese laws and regulations.
• The workshop was held in October 2014 and included participants from the World Heritage Centre, ICOMOS, ICCROM and more than 80 international and national scholars and experts. The in-depth discussions, case studies and field studies resulted in the formulation of the Honghe Recommendations on the Sustainable Development of Terraces Cultural Landscapes.

It is well noted that the State Party has made great efforts in responding to the recommendations of the Committee at the time of inscription, and, in particular, taken important steps to strengthen the sustainable management and protection requirements for the property. There has been a satisfying development of the terrace‐based red rice production cooperative to encourage local residents to continue with farming and help marketing their products. Continuing the farming practice is a crucial aspect for sustaining the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property and it is in this context that the economic support for the livelihood of the local population is important.   

It is recommended that the World Heritage Committee commend the State Party for the successful organization of the International Workshop and welcome the Honghe Recommendations on Sustainable Development of Terraced Cultural Landscapes. The State Party should also be encouraged to maintain dialogue with other properties in Asia that face similar challenges in managing extensive terrace landscapes.

It is hoped that the State Party will pursue the finalisation, adoption and implementation of the Sustainable Tourism Strategic Plan and the Interpretation Plan in order to provide guidance to the tourism planning from the start. Attention should be paid to the optimum carrying capacity of the landscape for tourists in order to minimise impact on the natural environment and disruption to the traditional cultural life of the Hani people. Furthermore, guidelines should be prepared to regulate tourism infrastructure development in order to ensure the integrity of the villages. In this respect, the impacts of viewing platforms and signage should be carefully reviewed. The State Party should periodically review and update the tourism strategy for the property.