The project has been developed in response to increasing problems related to urban water supply in China's rapidly growing urban centers. The launch event in Beijing was attended by more than 60 representatives of relevant governmental departments, research institutes and local and international NGOs. As one of key partners, The representative of GWP China was invited to the event.
After several years’ cooperation, GWP China developed long term cooperative relationshop with IUCN. This is one of interactive activities. According to the work schedule, IUCN will work with GWP China, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing Forestry Society, Guangdong Provincial Academy of Forestry, Center for Rural Drinking Water Safety of Ministry of Water Resources in the next few years to analyze 30-50 Chinese mega-cities and their drinking water sources and watersheds. The project is also planned to implement pilot projects in the Miyun and Jiaquan watersheds, conducting analysis of ecosystem functions and services, especially for water supply and purification, and developing strategies to guide landscape restoration. And the lessons learned from the pilot projects in Miyun and Jiaquan watersheds will be shared with other mega-cities in China through “The Mega-city and Watershed Partnership (MWP)”.
IUCN China Launches "Mega-Cities and Watersheds" Project
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) launched its new project “Mega-cities and their Watersheds: Nature-based Solutions for Sustainable Drinking Water Sources” on November 26, 2013 in Beijing.