ゴムが変えた盆地世界 : 雲南・西双版納の漢族移民とその周辺

Abstract

This paper traces the deforestation of Xishuangbanna, Yunnan province, over several decades, analyzing the impact of changes in social structure on the forest. Before the establishment of the People's Republic, more than 60 percent of this area was covered by forest. The Hani and Lahu peoples lived in the mountainous rainforest and the Dai people cultivated rice fields in the river basin of a Mekong tributary. The introduction of rubber plantations in the 1950s by the Han people triggered the drastic collapse of this stable socio-ecological system. In the 1960s, several hundred thousand young urbanites from throughout China were forced into this area and exploited the mid-altitude rainforest. In the 1980s, the Hani and Lahu followed the Han example, starting private rubber plantations in the higher altitudes. At present, state-run Han rubber plantations occupy the foot of the mountains and Hani and Lahu private plantations cover the mountainous areas. Almost all rainforest has been lost in this basin.