CREATING A SAFE & CLEAN ENVIRONMENT

ENVIRONMENT | PUBLIC HEALTH

CREATING A SAFE & CLEAN ENVIRONMENT

ENVIRONMENT | PUBLIC HEALTH
Zhonglu Village is a small Tibetan community located in Danba's mountains and is also known as “A Thousand Stone Castle Kingdom”. Until recently, the village had limited contact with the outside world. The local villages are being demolished under national policies which, officially, intend to increase tourism and bring wealth to  poor income villagers. However, these policies have pushed many parts of traditional Tibetan culture to near extinction. The rapid urbanization of Tibetan villages has affected thousands as many of the young people have set off for big cities looking for work. Now, the villages lack vitality and human resources. 

Yunhe is a center for nature-based learning and community development focused on reducing the impact of depopulation and overdevelopment on the unspoiled environment of Danba. While facing the risk of over development, increased efforts have been employed in order to combat this, including the introduction of many compost bins around the local area. Currently these resources are vastly underused, resulting in the inefficient use of resources. Keru’s goal is to propose to the Yunhe center a solution addressing how resources such as the currently underutilized compost bins can be put to better use and have a positive impact on the local community.
Zhonglu Village is a small Tibetan community located in Danba's mountains and is also known as “A Thousand Stone Castle Kingdom”. Until recently, the village had limited contact with the outside world. The local villages are being demolished under national policies which, officially, intend to increase tourism and bring wealth to  poor income villagers. However, these policies have pushed many parts of traditional Tibetan culture to near extinction. The rapid urbanization of Tibetan villages has affected thousands as many of the young people have set off for big cities looking for work. Now, the villages lack vitality and human resources. 

Yunhe is a center for nature-based learning and community development focused on reducing the impact of depopulation and overdevelopment on the unspoiled environment of Danba. While facing the risk of over development, increased efforts have been employed in order to combat this, including the introduction of many compost bins around the local area. Currently these resources are vastly underused, resulting in the inefficient use of resources. Keru’s goal is to propose to the Yunhe center a solution addressing how resources such as the currently underutilized compost bins can be put to better use and have a positive impact on the local community.
PROGRAM DATES
2019.12.23-2020.01.01
2020.01.14-2020.01.23
2020.01.31-2020.02.09
GROUP SIZE
15 MAX
DURATION
10 DAYS
PROGRAM DATES
2019.12.23-2020.01.01
2020.01.14-2020.01.23
2020.01.31-2020.02.09
GROUP SIZE
15 MAX
DURATION
10 DAYS
Winter Program Objectives
  • Understand the fundamentals of sustainable communities (e.g. composting, water safety, organic farming…)
  • Investigate the need for composting and other environmental protection activities in a rural Tibetan village
  • Use design-thinking to create an action plan for the existing compost bins 
  • Formulate and propose an environmental protection consultation report to the Yunhe Center and local village leadership

Spring Program Objectives
  • Understand the eco-tourism and tourism industries
  • Investigate current tourism situation and its effects upon a rural Tibetan village
  • Create an eco-tourism map prototype for the village and its future tourists
  • Formulate an environmental consultation report and advice regarding the eco-tourism activities in the village and deliver to the Yunhe Center and local village leadership
  • Deepen understanding of sustainable communities and their development
  • Engage with people of diverse backgrounds, religions and beliefs
  • Carry out field research, project based learning and design thinking to help provide solutions to complex problems
  • Develop teamwork, research and presentation skills

  • Students should display awareness and interest in environmental protection and sustainability
  • Students who are adventurous, adaptable, and willing to travel in rural conditions

  • Recommendation Letter
  • Completion Certificate
  • Consultation Presentation
  • Mentor Evaluation
Winter Program Objectives
  • Understand the fundamentals of sustainable communities (e.g. composting, water safety, organic farming…)
  • Investigate the need for composting and other environmental protection activities in a rural Tibetan village
  • Use design-thinking to create an action plan for the existing compost bins 
  • Formulate and propose an environmental protection consultation report to the Yunhe Center and local village leadership

Spring Program Objectives
  • Understand the eco-tourism and tourism industries
  • Investigate current tourism situation and its effects upon a rural Tibetan village
  • Create an eco-tourism map prototype for the village and its future tourists
  • Formulate an environmental consultation report and advice regarding the eco-tourism activities in the village and deliver to the Yunhe Center and local village leadership
  • Deepen understanding of sustainable communities and their development
  • Engage with people of diverse backgrounds, religions and beliefs
  • Carry out field research, project based learning and design thinking to help provide solutions to complex problems
  • Develop teamwork, research and presentation skills

  • Students should display awareness and interest in environmental protection and sustainability
  • Students who are adventurous, adaptable, and willing to travel in rural conditions

  • Recommendation Letter
  • Completion Certificate
  • Consultation Presentation
  • Mentor Evaluation