China Environmental News Digest

Daily updated Environmental news related to China

Monday, April 26, 2010

All the tees in China: Golf boom threatens rainforest

With its 1,000-year-old trees, Hainan was a rare conservation success. But now fairways stretch as far as the eye can see

guardian.co.uk, Friday 23 April 2010 17.44 BST
Link to this video

The jungles of the Diaolou Mountains do not, at first sight, appear a very inviting location for a golf resort. Leeches and spiders drop through the Jeep windows as we jolt along an overgrown logger's track to reach this remote corner of Hainan, the tropical island that marks the south-eastern extremity of China.

On one side lies a pristine tropical rainforest with 1,000-year-old trees; on the other, a thick tangle of bamboo, cedar and palm has reclaimed an abandoned betel nut plantation.

Until now, this national park has been a rare conservation success story in China. Clouded leopards and black gibbons are among the 300 endangered species listed in this sanctuary.

But while the jungle has been allowed to grow back, the park's managers have been forced to watch with frustration as neighbouring communities cash in on one of the biggest, fastest surges in property prices in the world.

The value of land in Hainan has increased by between 50% and 100% since the start of the year, boosted by a government drive to turn the island into an upscale tourist resort.

For the park's managers, the temptation is now too great to resist. "We are sitting on a goldmine," says Zhong Guanghao, the deputy director of the forest bureau, as he exhales a plume of cigarette smoke. "Within five years, we'll have at least two five-star hotels, dozens of town houses, a conference centre and a 36-hole golf club."

His colleague Lu Yongquan takes me to the proposed site in a four-wheel drive that judders across mountain streams, heading so deep inside the forest that there is no mobile phone signal.

"This terrain is very suitable for golf. The environment is quite beautiful," says Lu, who is head of the wildlife department, as we stop to survey the thick forest where his boss wants to build a club covering 300 hectares – the size of about 300 football pitches.

On the park's map, the course is inside the core conservation zone, which is supposed to be off-limits to human activity. But Lu said the government permitted experimental development areas to generate funds for wildlife protection.

"There will be no impact on the eco-system," he insisted. "Only the elite will be able to come. It is not for the masses."

The plan looks certain to stir up controversy.

"You would have to be greedy and heartless to build a golf course in that area," said Yang Xiaobo, a doctor of ecology at Hainan University.

"The biodiversity here is not just important for this island, but for the entire country. There are few rainforests like this in the world."

If the plan for a resort sounds like the thin end of the wedge, it is not alone in Hainan, where golf is increasingly a tool for shifting land-usage rights towards an international jet set, often regardless of the environmental impact.

A quarter of a century ago, China had just one golf course. Today, Hainan alone has almost 30 and senior officials say they want to expand that to 100 and then on to 300.

This runs contrary to central government restrictions on golf development, which is seen as a threat to food security because it often eats up arable land. But Hainan claims an exemption because, officials and local businessmen argue, the island needs golf to become the Hawaii of east Asia.

This is not the only motive. "Golf is a real-estate driven activity primarily in China," said Shane Templeton, course consultant at Sanya Yalong Bay Golf Club. "It is just a vehicle to sell property. You're not supposed to be displacing farmers.

"Now, obviously, there are projects that have bent the rules a little bit, but that is up to the government to control."

The environmental impact goes beyond land acquisition. Established 10 years ago, Sanya Yalong is one of the oldest and best-run clubs on the island, but it still needs to fight a chemical war against Japanese cockchafers, ground pearl and other invasive pests that have been brought in with the imported soil for the greens and fairways.

Golf's supporters say the amount of pesticide needed for courses is less than that applied by farmers on their crops. Groundsmen also lay plastic under the soil to ease risks of water supply contamination. But this too can cause problems if huge areas of land are covered.

"When there are several golf courses in close proximity, we have to be very careful about the impact on ground water … That changes the run-off," someone involved in environmental impact assessments told the Guardian. "There are violations but I can't talk about them … Some projects start construction before they have gone through an environmental impact assessment."

At the centre of such concerns is Mission Hills, the biggest golf development in Hainan, covering an area the size of a city. The management company already runs the biggest golf course in the world at nearby Shenzhen. Initial reports suggested the new development in Hainan would be far bigger: as many as 22 courses are talked of.

After an outcry, executives are now downplaying their ambitious. They talk only of "at least six courses", which are already either finished or under construction. But banners displayed around the club still boast it will be "Number One in the World".

It is an astonishing sight. From the terrace of the newly built clubhouse, bunkers and greens appear to stretch endlessly towards the horizon on all sides. Executives claims it is one of the world's most eco-friendly courses because it is built on volcanic scratch land at great cost.

"What we are doing could be the future of golf, because we are using deserted land rather than arable fields," said Jiaqi Li, the executive director. "Not one family had to be moved for any of our six courses."

But her claims are questioned by local people.

In Changyong village on the edge of the course, residents said they have been flooded for the past two years by water than runs off of plastic sheeting under the huge course.

"It's had a huge impact," said Deng Zhenhe. "We never had flooding in the past. Now it comes three months every year. The water comes up to our waists sometimes. Cars can't get through."

At Bopian village, a crowd gathers to express their grievances. "The golf club has cut down many big trees and the lychee and longan trees we used to farm. Our sheep and cows have nowhere to graze," said a man who gave only the surname Wu. "I was cheated of some of my land."

Mission Hills insists the correct procedures were followed. "The environmental impact assessment has been completed and all the experts have put their signatures to the approval," said Li.

But the Guardian has learned that concerns have been raised by inspectors about the risk to biodiversity and water systems. During the environmental impact assessment for Missions Hills, they found several rare plant species, including Ottelia cordata and Aportea sinuate, that are not found anywhere else on Hainan. In addition, they warned of a potential risk of flooding and contamination of groundwater supplies for the nearby city of Haikou.

"We have not finished the paperwork because of these problems," said the source involved with assessment. "We have offered advice on the scale of the course and how to reduce pollution. The matter is still very sensitive."

Local government officials acknowledged concerns about groundwater, but appeared to be in the dark about the scale of the golf club's expansion.

"Mission Hills has completed environmental assessment and received proper permission for only one course," said Cai Qiao, director of the Haikou tourism development committee. "I'm sure they have completed only one course, not three."

As he spoke, golfers were putting and driving on the finished courses and bulldozers were clearing the way for three more. Hollywood stars are lined up for a celebrity tournament for the opening in October and, by next autumn, the club expects to host the World Cup of golf. Permission is taken for granted.

Golf in China: the hole story

• A game similar to golf was played in China more than 500 years before the sport in its modern form was started in Scotland.

Jade-and-gold clubs were used in "chuwan", according to sketches and writings dating back to the Tang dynasty (960-1279).

• The first recorded golf club on the mainland was established in Shanghai by British expatriates in 1896. The nine-hole course sat on what is now People's Square. Players from Shanghai often competed against rivals from Hong Kong.

• After Mao Zedong's Communists came to power in 1949, golf was condemned as a bourgeois imperialist sport and the few courses closed.

• In the modern era of opening and reform, the first course was constructed in 1984. This was followed by such a rash of golf development that the government grew concerned about the loss of arable land and tried to impose restrictions.

• Today, there are an estimated 600 courses in China, many of which dodge the regulations by claiming to be landscaping projects or vaguely defined property developments.

With golf due to become an Olympic sport by 2016, its popularity is expected to grow. Last year, Jack Nicklaus reportedly claimed the country was planning to build 1,400 public courses over the next five years.

32 Comments:

At 2:11 PM, Blogger jahanzaib said...

Hey great stuff, thank you for sharing this useful information and i will let know my friends as well.flower to germany
flowers in germany

 
At 3:58 PM, Anonymous vikram acharya said...

Excellent and nice post! Thanks for this important data. I am also trying to make web blog,I have got good Idea and knowledge from here .
Emergent Ventures

 
At 6:25 PM, Blogger Unknown said...

Never found such informative articles. china economy

 
At 1:22 PM, Anonymous http://www.marketglory.com/strategygame/florynralf said...

If you want to play a game and make real money I give you this......
http://www.marketglory.com/strategygame/florynralf

 
At 1:30 PM, Blogger pavilionjeans said...

Thanks for share this idea, I really like to read your information you have mentioned in this article are useful for me, thanks a lot, for share this keep sharing this with us this great article.
Jeans Manufacturers in Delhi

 
At 3:26 PM, Blogger Just Info said...

Thanks a lot, for share this keep sharing this with us this great article.
painting services in delhi

 
At 4:52 PM, Blogger deepak ogen said...

Thanks a lot, for share this superb blog, I got a great idea with your point you have mention in this article keep sharing this great article.
Web design company in delhi

 
At 5:41 PM, Blogger India Motorcycle Tour said...

Thanks a lot, for share this superb idea, I got information with your point you have mentioned in this article it’s really helpful for me, keep sharing this great article.
Rajasthan Bike Tour

 
At 5:44 PM, Blogger India Motorcycle Tour said...

Thanks a lot, for share this superb idea, I got information with your point you have mentioned in this article it’s really helpful for me, keep sharing this great article.
Rajasthan Bike Tour

 
At 6:26 PM, Blogger Kala Kutir said...

Thanks a lot, for sharing this superb idea, I got very useful information with your point you have mentioned in this article it’s really helpful for me, keep sharing this great article.
Lifestyle Magazine India

 
At 8:15 PM, Blogger Unknown said...

I like to read your blog.
Sea Freight Company in Delhi

 
At 12:17 PM, Anonymous mobile app development toronto said...

We are the best provide mobile app development service in Toronto And Canada please visit here my website more information.

 
At 12:44 PM, Blogger Swethagauri said...

Those rules moreover attempted to wind up plainly a decent approach to perceive that other individuals online have the indistinguishable enthusiasm like mine to get a handle on incredible arrangement more around this conditionaccounting and bookkeeping services in dubai

 
At 12:59 PM, Blogger Chiến SEOCAM said...

የእርስዎ ልጥፍ ለእኔ በጣም አስፈላጊ ነው. ስላጋራህ እናመሰግናለን

Dịch vụ phối giống chó Poodle

Dịch vụ phối giống chó bull pháp

Phối chó bull pháp

Phối giống chó Corgi

Phối chó Pug

 
At 10:06 AM, Blogger Maketting SEO said...

Дээд чанар бол зүгээр л( đá ruby thiên nhiên ) санаатай биш юм. Энэ нь өндөр( đá spinel ) түвшний төвлөрөл, тусгай хүчин( Đá Sapphire ) чармайлт, ухаалаг ( đá sapphire hợp mệnh gì )чиг баримжаа, чадварлаг туршлага, ( đá ruby đỏ )саад тотгорыг даван туулах( bán đá sapphire thô ) боломжийг хардаг.

 
At 5:39 PM, Blogger Chiến SEOCAM said...

L’article és molt significatiu. Gràcies per compartir

giảo cổ lam giảm cân

giảo cổ lam giảm béo

giảo cổ lam giá bao nhiêu

giảo cổ lam ở đâu tốt nhất

 
At 5:34 PM, Blogger Web Click India said...

very good post, I will be reading because I really liked your blog.

Top 5 Web Designing Company In India | SEO Services In India

 
At 7:25 PM, Anonymous forensic accounting dubai said...

Build Strong foundation for your business with the help of expert vat consultant in Dubai.

For free consult regarding Company Formation Services in Dubai contact us:
☎ +971 4 5588206
✉ info@youssryauditing.com

 
At 3:35 PM, Blogger AMCA said...

AMCA is a leading Auditing firm in UAE with a decade long experience. We are listed with mainland (LLC) authorities and all major free zones including DMCC, JAFZA, DAFZA, DWC, DIFC, DSO, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, RAK, Fujairah, Ajman & Umm al-Quwain.

 
At 4:04 PM, Blogger SIyad said...

Nice Blog, Thanks for sharing

Audit firms in UAE
Today the organizations are constantly being tested to decrease the costs, the greater part of working uses and different prerequisites.

 
At 4:06 PM, Blogger SIyad said...

VAT Consultants in UAE
About VAT the Value Added Tax was presented in the UAE on 1january 2018.

 
At 3:51 PM, Blogger Online Front said...

Feeling good to read such a informative blog, mostly i eagerly search for this kind of blog. I really found your blog informative and unique, waiting for your new blog to read. We offers multipl digital marketing service:
Digital marketing Service in Delhi
SMM Services
PPC Services in Delhi
Website Design & Development Packages
SEO Services Packages
Local SEO services
E-mail marketing services
YouTube plans

 
At 4:43 AM, Anonymous oworldsmeyang said...

I never thought I would see people who viewed my profile on twitter 오피월드


1YOUNGYANG

 
At 4:31 PM, Blogger janinecollins said...

Your blog is very engaging! I am thinking of letting you know about new possibilities in the same field. Mobile app development companies can help out with the general ideas and enhance them with technology. Visit here: Mobile app development company USA

 
At 2:14 AM, Blogger RcDigitalWorlds said...

Rcedutalent
Rcedutalent
Rcedutalent
Rcedutalent
Rcedutalent

 
At 8:21 PM, Blogger banerpunep said...

Its really appealing and approaching content for reading and implementation purpose.
accounting software uae

 
At 5:44 PM, Blogger Elate Soft said...

great and approaching content for blogging purpose.
ERP Software Dubai

 
At 7:56 PM, Blogger Accruon Consultants said...

it was very informative blog content.

 
At 7:04 PM, Blogger erp-software-uae.ae said...

Nice Post! Thanks for Sharing. You may like:
ERP Software UAE

 
At 3:04 PM, Anonymous Accounting Services in Dubai UAE said...

Informative Blog. KBA is considered as one of the best accounting firms in Dubai Company provides Accounting services in Dubai

 
At 7:14 PM, Blogger Getting Payment Gateways in Europe said...

WebPays stands tall as the best choice for credit card processing. Whether you're a global e-commerce giant or a local retailer, WebPays provides cutting-edge solutions to elevate your payment experience. Join us today and experience the excellence of top credit card processing!
To know more about this visit: https://webpays.com/credit-card-processing.html


 
At 7:44 PM, Anonymous Mobile App Development Company in Bangalore said...

Thank you very nice sharing.

 

Post a Comment

<< Home