Social-ecological Impact Evaluation on Eco-environmental Policies Associated Western China Development

Abstract The ecological and social effects of three major eco-environment policies associated with Western China Development, i.e., Program of Returning Cultivated Lands into Forest and Grassland (RCLFG), Natural Forest Protection Project (NFPP) and Grassland Ban Program (GBP) were evaluated by collecting census data and referring the literatures in this study. The results indicate that these policies have greatly improved eco-environment in western China through facilitating structural adjustment of industries in the rural regions and exerting great impacts on the livelihoods of local farmers. In order to maintain the sustainable development of eco-environment in Western China, it was suggested that long-term subsidy policy should be created. The eco-policies need to be amended according to the problems found in practices to keep the eco-policies going efficiently and smoothly.