Global dynamics of hydro-sociality in river heritage landscapes of the Qinghai Tibetan Plateau.

Project Information

HYSOTIB

Grant agreement ID: 839511

DOI

10.3030/839511

Project closed

EC signature date 18 March 2019

Start date 1 March 2020

End date 11 February 2024

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Total cost

€ 251 353,92

EU contribution

€ 251 353,92

Coordinated by

UNIVERSITA CA' FOSCARI VENEZIA
Italy

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - HYSOTIB (Global dynamics of hydro-sociality in river heritage landscapes of the Qinghai Tibetan Plateau.)

Reporting period: 2022-03-01 to 2023-02-28

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

HYSOTIB is a study of hydro-social dynamics in the Upper Yangtze river conservancy area, which is part of the Qinghai Tibetan Plateau's "Three-river source" (together with the Mekong and Yellow rivers). The project was originally intended to be an ethnographic research conducted on-site; however, because of the COVID-19 epidemic and related border restrictions, this was not possible. As a result, HYSOTIB was transformed into a geo-historical research using Western, Chinese, and Tibetan literary and cartographic materials, as well as ethnographic data gathered by the principal investigator prior to 2020. The research focuses on human mobility along a non-navigable section of the Upper Yangtze and the main trade corridors on the Sino-Tibetan border in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. In doing so, HYSOTIB explores the Three-river source as an important river heritage landscape in China within the context of global heritage and water challenges.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Due to the pandemic's restricted mobility, it was not possible to conduct research on site. Thus, the current research work focuses on the analysis of geo-historical data about the Three River Source area and on contemporary China's water management and its global implications.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

HYSOTIB provides wider understanding on how the area of the Three River sources as a key riverine landscape and frontier area has historically influenced mobility and power dynamics among the local communities and travellers between 1800 and 1950s. It also provides insight into key debates on contemporary management of the rivers of the Great Himalayan watershed.