An ecological analysis of the population in impoverished areas in China
Liu, C.
Chinese Journal of Population Science 8(2): 151-161
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 1044-8403 PMID: 12291967 Document Number: 302759
This article presents an analysis of environmental conditions and efforts at environmental protection in impoverished areas in China. China began in 1980 to alleviate poverty by investing 500 million yuan in promoting agricultural production in impoverished areas. The state established a standard for measuring impoverishment in 1986. 664 counties fit the impoverishment criteria, of which 301 received national government support and 363 received provincial government support. These 664 counties comprised 30% of total population and were situated in 22 provinces. 27 impoverished counties were added in 1988 to those supported by provincial government, and 77 counties in Tibet were recognized as impoverished. In 1988 there were 35.13% impoverished counties in the country, or 24.01% of total population. This population resided on 40.82% of land area. Impoverishment was greatest in the provinces of Tibet (77 counties), Jianxi (56 counties), and Sichuan (51 counties). 24.89% (172 out of 691 counties) were situated in 10 provinces along the eastern coast and Shanghai. 34.50% (256 out of 742 counties) were situated in 9 central provinces. 44.83% (347 out of 774 counties) were situated in western provinces. Impoverishment increased from coastal areas to the western boundaries. During 1988-92 the number of impoverished counties declined from 775 to 592 (to 105 in the east, 180 in the central region, and 307 in the west). During 1986-92 impoverished population declined from 125 million to 80 million. Most impoverished counties have poor environmental conditions and low yields: deforestation, desertification, soil erosion, salinization, drought, and pollution. The author describes each of the environmental conditions. Resources above the ground are overused, while there are vast reserves of water, energy sources, and minerals underground. The author describes five policy and program directions for environmental protection and poverty alleviation.