Project Scope and Relationship to China's Agenda 21

This project seeks to protect water resources, rare animal and plant species, such as coral and mangroves widely distributed along the Sanya coastal areas while insuring the sustainable development of Sanya City, Hainan Province. It was developed based on programme areas 7C, 14E, and 14F of China's Agenda 21 concerning sustainable development in the service sector, the protection and utilization of fresh water resources, and the exploitation and protection of marine resources.

1. Background

Sanya City is a tropical coastal city located in Hainan Island, the southernmost province of China. It is currently developing as one of China's premier resorts due to its scenic beauty, clean environment and relatively warm winter climate.

Ranked as the second largest city of Hainan Province, Sanya is one of major ports on the island and trades with both the Chinese mainland and the countries of Southeastern Asia. At present, Sanya has a relatively good transportation infrastructure which is being further developed in anticipation of its expanding tourist, industrial and trade sectors. However, the city's environmental and sanitation infrastructure can not sustain the anticipated increase in tourism as forecast for the year 2000.

As a coastal city, water resources are of great importance for the development of the tourist industry. Therefore, water pollution control and water resource protection are the key to sustainable development. Rare animal and plant species such as coral and mangroves are widely distributed along the Sanya coastal areas. This proposed project is aimed at protecting these resources while insuring the sustainable development of Sanya city.

Both the central and local governments have recognized the fragile nature of the city's undisturbed coastline and have initiated environmental protection measures and pollution control strategies to preserve this vital economic resource. The city will revise the Sanya development master plan to include related components of China's Agenda 21, to formulate environmental protection plans for a coastal tourism development zone and for the municipality. The city has also welcomed international collaboration in its efforts to protect the regional coastal and water resources.

As a developing city, Sanya lacks water resource protection and utilization strategies, laws and regulations governing water quality protection, as well as water resources management experiences and capabilities. The lack of capacities falls into two broad areas: the technical and financial. The lack of wastewater treatment and monitoring technologies prevents the achievement of water resource protection and the shortage of financial resources make it difficult to construct adequate wastewater treatment facilities. Sanya therefore urgently needs funding to import and install advanced treatment systems suitable for the conditions of the city.

2. Objectives

• Long-term Objectives
  • To install and operate a municipal water pollution control and water quality monitoring system in order to protect water resources. The system will be used to protect water quality and the coastal ecosystem balance, to mitigate impacts of economic development and to establish a sustainable tourist industry.

• Immediate Objectives
  • Formulate the Sanya municipal water resources utilization plan as well as laws and regulations for environmental protection of tourism resources.
  • Formulate local laws and regulations for environmental protection of coral reefs and mangrove forests.
  • Establish a water quality monitoring system and management information system for water resources management and develop the management capacity to protect water resources.
  • Import advanced waste water treatment equipment needed.

3. Activities

• 3.1 Formulate the Sanya Municipal Water Resource Utilization Plan and corresponding laws and regulations. The planning process will include determination of regional water development budgets and water resources protection strategies in the following areas:
  • Water utilization from the Sanya River and delta;
  • Drinking water resource protection priorities;
  • Water quality protection objectives for various regions;
  • Planning for a water pollution control system;
  • Formulating local water resources quality protection laws and regulations;
  • Formulating protection strategies for protection of coastal ecosystems including coral reef and mangrove forests;

  This activity will be organized by the State Science and Technology Commission and the Sanya Municipal Government.

  The duration of this activity will be three years.

• 3.2 Establish a Municipal Waste Water Treatment System consisting of waste water treatment plants.
  • Establish three municipal waste water treatment plants in three geographic locations.
    • Hongsha waste water treatment plant(80,000 tons/day).
    • Yanglan waste water treatment plant(90,000 tons/day).
    • Lizhigou waste water treatment plant(170,000 tons/day).

      These three plants may be established by a joint venture or as a BOT project.

  • Establish an environmentally acceptable municipal wastewater discharge system.
  • Establish a waste water reuse system for grassland irrigation.

  This activity will be organized by the State Planning Commission and the Sanya Municipal Government.

  The duration of this activity will be four years.

• 3.3 Manage the East River and the West River in Sanya in a comprehensive manner.
  • Establish a waste water interception system and reinforce both river banks.
  • Remove contaminated sludge and sediments in the river.
  • Protect mangrove forests.
  • Control oil pollution from the Sanya Port and estuary.

  This activity will be organized by the State Planning Commission and the Sanya Municipal Government.

  The duration of this activity will be four years.

• 3.4 Protect and cultivate a coastal eco-system in Sanya.
  • Protect and cultivate the tidal mangrove forests.
  • Protect and cultivate the coral reefs at Dadonghai.

  This proposed activity may be undertaken by a joint venture, or environmental fund or an international financial institution.The action will be organized by the State Science and Technology Commission and the Sanya Municipal Government.

  The duration of this activity will be four years.

• 3.5 Establish a municipal water quality monitoring system and management information system
  • Establish water quality monitoring system for tourism in the Sanya River.
  • Establish water Pollutants discharge monitoring system.
  • Establish sea waters current monitoring system for tourism.
  • Establish a water quality monitoring database.
  • Establish forecasting and decision-making system of water resources management.
  • Build capacity for management and monitoring personnel.
  • Purchase monitoring equipments and instruments for water quality management.

  This action will be organized to by the State Science and Technology Commission and the Sanya Municipal Government.

  The duration of this activity will be five years.

4. Inputs

5. Benefits

The proposed project scope will assist Sanya in reducing pollution from existing sources as well as in protecting the water and marine environment along the municipal coast. The importing of advanced technologies and equipment, combined with personnel training and capacity building will promote environmental protection, sustainable development of the tourism industry and coastal bio-diversity.