Annotation:::: The paper uses historical analysis and documental study to discuss what Yunnan should learn from historical mountain migration and development. In the early years of the Qing dynasty, the situation in Yunnan province featured more people and less land. As the population in in other parts of China increased, more and more migrants began to swarm into Yunnan. Gradually, migrants became more involved in the industries of mining, metallurgy, commerce and agriculture, which created prosperity Yunnan but caused environmental degradation at the same time due to over-cultivation and contaminants in ores. After assessing historical writings and analysing the link of resource development to the eco-environment, the paper finds that even at the time of the Qing dynasty, ecological problems had become the bottleneck that continues to restrict the development of present-day Yunnan’s economy. Managing migration and local economic development is a difficult task for people today. The authors suggest drawing lessons from history in order to achieve sustainable development and attain balance between humans and nature.The paper is a project financially supported by the National Fund for Natural Sciences numbered 40604024.
