Chapter 1 Introduction of Natural Resource Management and Sustainable Development 1.1 Background 1.2 Conceptual Framework: Ecology of Landscape 1.3 Research Area and Subject: Xishuangbanna and Akha 1.4 Research Objectives, Hypotheses and Methodology 1.5 Significance of the Study Chapter 2 Dynamic Politics of Akha Identities:A Brief History of the Akha 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Genealogies of the Hani-Akha 2.3 People of the Sky in North Country Nya-rnir 2.4 People of the Bamboo Kingdom in the Middle Country Ghanr-mir 2.5 Jadae polities and formation of Akha identity in the South Country Gee-mir 2.6 Diasporic Period of Akha History 2.7 Discussion Chapter 3 Ecology of Sacred Landscape : Natural Resource Management of Akha People in China Prior to 1950 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Akha Belief System 3.3 Akha Worldview and Sacred Landscapes 3.4 Six Zones of Land Uses in Mengsong Akha Community 3.5 Management of Forbidden Ecotopes 3.6 Management of Restricted Ecotopes--putsanq (village fence forest) andgbaqtsanq (protected forests) 3.7 Management of Modified Ecotopes--miqkhaevq lavqghaw aqganq ( firewood forest ) and nyoqjawr kmrteev aqganq (fenced buffalo forest) 3.8 Management of transformed ecotopes--yarmr jawqxmq aqdae ( swidden fields) 3.9 Management of Domesticated Ecotopes--daema (paddy fields) andyark mr (fenced gardens) 3.10 Management of Mobile Ecotopes--bawrtsanq jeiqzaq (wild animals) 3.11 Management of Created Ecotope--pu (village) 3.12 Conclusion and Discussion:Ecology of Sacred Landscapes of the Akha Chapter 4 From Swidden Agriculture to Cash Crop Monocuiture: A Case Study of Mengsong Community 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Period I (1949--1977) 4.3 Period II (1978--1998) 4.4 Period 111 (1998--up to date) 4.5 Other Activities in Mengsong 4.6 Conclusion Chapter 5 Rubber Plantations and Transformations of Akha Society in Xishuangbanna, Southwest China: A Case Study of Baka Village 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Rubber Plantations in Xishuangbanna : State vs.People 5.3 State Efforts to Eliminate Shifting Cultivation in Xishuangbanna 5.4 Rubber Plantations in Baka Village , 5.5 Cultural Adaptations to Rubber Plantation in Baka 5.6 Conclusion Chapter 6 Conclusions 6.1 Revisiting Contested Landscapes in China 6.2 Cultural (Mal)adaptations to Frontiers by the Akha 6.3 Discussions and Suggestions on Sustainable Development and Bio-diversity Conservation in Xishuangbanna and Beyond REFERENCES Appendix I Preferred Timber Trees in Mengsong Appendix II A List of Plants and Crops in Mengsong Swidden Fields Appendix III A List of Plants in Mengsong Home garden Appendix IV The Twelve Annual Ancestor Offerings of the Akha Appendix V Akha Lunar Calendar (khovqtovq latovq) Appendix VI Dynamics of Mengsong Land Uses Acknowledgement