In a promising development from Dechang County in Sichuan’s Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, local villager Ji Xiaoxiang shared the exciting news that his new home is nearly ready for occupancy. “We expect it to be finished this month, and we’re looking forward to moving in by the end of the year,” he explained, as he gestured toward the newly completed buildings at a geological disaster risk relocation settlement in Datianwan Village, Nanshan Lisu Township.
Sichuan is renowned for its vulnerability to mountain floods and geological disasters, which renders it a region with delicate ecological conditions. For communities that have faced such threats for years, relocation serves as the most direct and effective preventative measure. “Our old house was situated near a potential landslide zone, where a landslide occurred a few years back. Whenever it rained, we were too frightened to sleep,” Ji recalled. Following assessments of risk levels and individual preferences, residents near the old site gradually found themselves included in evacuation plans. Their relocation options varied, including centralized housing, monetary compensation, scattered housing, or moving in with relatives or friends. Ji chose centralized housing, and his new residence is just a few kilometers from his previous one. Smiling in front of the neatly arranged homes at the settlement, he noted, “Relocation also comes with subsidies.”
However, the situation in Nanshan Lisu Township, situated at altitudes ranging from 1,500 to 3,000 meters on valley slopes, complicates the relocation process, primarily due to limited available land. To tackle this challenge, Dechang County has set up a dedicated task force to manage relocation efforts, along with ensuring access to water, electricity, and other logistical support. “This area is a ‘land parcel’ of over ten acres owned by Changzhou Street, which has relocated twenty households from our township,” stated Xie Xiulin, Party Secretary of Nanshan Lisu Township. The housing designs for the centralized settlement align with plans provided by the Dechang County authorities, with funding for essential infrastructure coming from various sources.
Liangshan Prefecture views disaster risk relocation as a crucial strategy to enhance livelihoods, increase safety, and drive rural revitalization. Local counties are developing customized relocation plans that incorporate support measures for education, healthcare, and other vital services for those who have relocated, ensuring effective project management. In 2024, Liangshan aims to relocate 5,748 households at risk of geological disasters.
Furthermore, Sichuan province has received an additional 6.95 billion yuan in government bonds to facilitate 253 projects, which include evacuation initiatives and holistic governance in disaster-prone areas, benefiting over 26,000 households in jeopardy. To date, more than 12,700 families have successfully moved into their new homes. A representative from Sichuan’s Natural Resources Department commented, “We are making steady strides in the relocation efforts, working to expedite moves for those in need, ensuring that they can relocate, settle down, flourish, and achieve prosperity.”
