The first Hani Terraced Field Landscape Conference was held in Honghe Prefecture, Yunnan Province from 11 to 15 November, 2010. More than 160 participants from 16 countries including scholars, government officials, UN and international organization officials, non-government organization (NGO) representatives and local farmers attended the conference, to discuss the conservation and development of the terraces culture and the application for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) world heritage of the Hani terraces.

In the opening ceremony of the conference, Prof. MIN Qingwen from the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research(IGSNRR), Chinese Academy of Sciences gave a speech on behalf of Mr. Parviz Koohafkan, Coordinator of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) projectand Director of Land and Water Division of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of United Nations, Rome headquarter. Prof.MIN pointed out that the over 1300 years magnificent landscape, benign circulation ecosystem formed by “Forest-Village-Terrace-River”, ingenious farming skills and the rich biodiversity, cultural diversity not only bring numerous opportunities for the local development, but provide precious experiences for the biodiversity, cultural diversity and good security. Meanwhile, Prof. MIN was also invited as one key note speaker of the conference with the title of “GIAHS project and its implementation in China”.

Honghe Prefecture is the hometown of the Hani terrace field and also the origin of the terrace culture. The terrace is the miracle created by the Hani People during their 1300 years’ cultivation, which makes it a wonderful example of the farming civilization and also important agricultural heritage system endowed with historical, cultural, scientific and economic values. It conquered the big drought in 2009 and saved the people who rely on it, of course show its power to the whole world. It is listed as one GIAHS pilot site in 2010 by FAO.

From Center for Natural and Cultural Heritage, IGSNRR CAS