Viable Alternatives for Large‐Scale Unsustainable Projects in Developing Countries: The case of the Kumtor gold mine in Kyrgyzstan

ABSTRACT Resource extraction often precludes sustainable forms of land use and poses long‐term threats, and yet it is promoted as a development opportunity for poor countries. This is illustrated by a case study of the Kumtor gold mine in Kyrgyzstan. Compared with a large gold mine, most alternative activities, such as tourism, trophy hunting, cottage industry and pastoralism, can only generate negligible benefits. Other, potentially much more important, sources of income for poor countries are payments for ecosystem services taking the form of compensation preventing unsustainable forms of land use. The discussion focuses on how these could be organized to provide viable alternatives to mining. It is concluded that such systems need to be arranged at the international level and to complement the current international cooperation (aid) regime. In Central Asia, reviving the regional water management system would be an important first step in this direction. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment