On a map of China, find:

• the province of Yunnan
• the Yangtze river
• Tuochi in Huize county

Use the map to determine the kind of landscape you would find in the area. Use other sources of information such as gazetteers, encyclopaedias and websites to add to your knowledge of the area.

Design a flowchart to show the environmental effects of changing forestry and agricultural practices on the area around Tuochi. Your chart should show factors affecting the environment (in positive and negative ways), and the benefits and problems associated with deforestation, reforestation, the introduction of heavy industries, agriculture, and settlement.

The class should be divided into two groups. Each group should then divide into pairs to discuss the above issues as they impinge on their lives. Each group should adopt a different point of view:

• Group 1: a rural community in the uplands
• Group 2: city dwellers downstream

After 10 minutes, each pair from Group 1 should meet with a pair from Group 2 to discuss ways in which the views of the two groups might be reconciled. Which views carry more weight? Why?

Which other parts of the world are facing similar dilemmas over the exploitation and management of forests? What do these places have in common? What other solutions have been attempted?

Does the UK face similar problems in the management and use of its forests?

How is the timber from China’s forests used? Are any of the products made from forest materials exported to the UK? Are there any alternatives?

Use the ‘development compass rose’ (see the Introduction section of these Net Notes) to organise your knowledge. Are your answers to the questions on the diagram any different after watching the programme? Why?