Establishment of an Ecological Compensation Mechanism

Xiangsiling Village, having 101 households, is the most outlying village in Shennongjia. In the past, the phenomena of wild animals damaging crops or black bears stealing honey were common in Shennongjia National Park, and this village was among those whose planting and breeding production was seriously damaged in this area. The villagers felt miserable about the situation. When they planted the cash crops, they would worry about destruction from both natural disasters and wild animals. Although they worked hard all the year round, their incomes were meager. 

In 2017, Shennongjia National Park invested 1 million yuan to help lift Xiangsiling Village out of poverty. According to the model of "enterprise + farmer household", the villagers were encouraged to develop characteristic agriculture like planting medicinal herbs. At the same time, it took the lead in setting up the ecological compensation mechanism for the destruction by wild animals by taking out commercial insurance against the damage by wild animals, predation of migratory birds, and natural disasters for the towns under its jurisdiction. This move has not only protected the wild animals of the park, but also found a solution to the worries of local residents in their planting and breeding production.

Not long ago, the villager Zhao Yuanjiu became suspicious when he found no bees going out or coming in at the openings of two beehives. These two beehives were found moldy after being opened. He called the village committee at once to explain the situation, and the village committee reported the case to the insurer. China Life Insurance Company Ltd. sent the claim settling clerk Gu Daoyang to the house of Zhao Yuanjiu for verification of the damage. “Look, these two beehives have all gone moldy, and the honeybees have died too. The insurance company will compensate for damage caused by pests and diseases.” Gu Daoyang showed a piece of moldy beehive to the reporter. At last it was proved that 25 beehives suffered from damage, and two beehives got pests. (By Zhang Ran)