The Giant Panda could loose 15% of its habitat in China under its current forestry policies which are controlled by local governments known as village collectives. A scientist with Conservation International China says an investment of $240 million would preserve the 15% of giant panda habitat that would be affected by individuals who may sell their forest-use rights to private interests.
While the state owns all forests in China, villages can allocate the right to use small plots within collective forests (plantations and second-growth forests) to individuals and households, who harvest them for timber, firewood, food and medicine.
Most panda habitat is protected within 63 reserves- but to conserve giant pandas in unprotected forest areas, China has compensated farmers $100 billion to convert farmland into forest since 2001.
Tell China- Giant Pandas are worth the investment, and to continue compensate farmers so they do not sell this 15% of Giant Panda habitat to outside enterprises for commercial development.
SOURCE: http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/extinction-countdown/2013/02/13/giant-pandas-risk-chinese-forestry-policies/
