The conservation of snow leopards at a national nature reserve in northwest China's Qinghai Province in recent years has boosted the protection of the whole ecological system in the region.
Snow leopard is a feline living in the highest altitude and can withstand a temperature of minus 40 degrees Celsius. It boasts excellent jumping and climbing abilities and can move freely on steep cliffs. All these advantages have established their status as a flagship species in the Qilian Mountain and even the entire Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. "The reason why snow leopards are our flagship species in Qilian Mountain National Nature Reserve is that, first, they are very rare. The global snow leopard population is less than 10,000, with only some 4,500 in China, of which some 1,200 in Qinghai Province. Second, they are a typical species of the alpine ecosystem. Third, snow leopards boast a strong ability to survive in the wild and have a high cultural value. It is hailed as the 'king of the snow mountains'," said Tsering Dorje, director of Qilian Mountain National Nature Reserve Administration in Qinghai. As the star species of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, snow leopards also play the role of umbrella species. Protecting the snow leopards and their habitats also effectively protects a variety of natural resources in the same ecosystem at the same time. "This area in Qinghai, a candidate region for the Qilian Mountain National Nature Reserve, is an important habitat for snow leopards and a haven from climate change. In 2018, we captured on camera a precious footage of five snow leopards at the same time. Our latest background survey data shows that there are more than 250 snow leopards living in this area of Qinghai. At the same time, the region is the richest, most unique and most concentrated area of biodiversity among regions at the same latitude and at high altitudes. At present, we have discovered 288 kinds of vertebrates, 512 kinds of wild invertebrates and 642 types of higher plants. Protecting the snow leopards also protects the rare and endangered wild animals and plants such as jackal, white-lipped deer, Szechenyi's monal-partridge, pomatosace, and Saussurea medusa in Qilian Mountain. The biodiversity in this area of Qinghai has benefited from protecting snow leopards," said Tsering.
Snow leopards protection in northwest China promotes ecology conservation
Grassroots officials and students who teamed up with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the voluntary tree planting activity in Beijing on Thursday morning said afterwards they would commit more energy to protecting their country's natural heritage and greening efforts.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, was accompanied by other Party and state leaders as they joined residents and local officials on the bank of the Yongding River in Beijing’s Fengtai District to plant saplings.
Xi waved to the crowd as he arrived at the site before picking up a shovel to help plant saplings of several different types of tree.
Xi took time to ask students from local schools about their studies, life and participation in labor and sports.
"We came here today to participate in this tree planting activity. What surprised us was that President Xi also took part. He worked alongside us, digging and building up the soil around the saplings. He has always been concerned about our lives and studies, and he encouraged us to work and study hard," said Lyu Shuochen, a student from the Fifth Primary School in Fengtai District.
"President Xi is very knowledgeable and understanding. He also encouraged us plant more trees to improve the air quality and the environment," said Gu Weichen, another student from the school.
During the event, Xi also talked with local grassroots officials, discussing the importance of preserving the nation's natural heritage.
"Every year, [the general secretary] takes part in the tree planting activity in the capital. He shovels the soil and waters the trees, which are truly touching. As environmental builders, we are determined to work together to make areas along the Yongding River greener and make the water clearer, so that local people can safely enjoy the riverside and truly understand the significance of ecological preservation," said Ding Hongwei, deputy director of the Fengtai District Yongding River Management Office.
"For us, participating in the tree planting activity with the general secretary is a vivid practical lesson in grassroots governance. Today, the general secretary also stressed that [environmental efforts should focus on] improving quality, boosting industry and benefiting the people. For us as community workers, it means we must deeply engage in the grassroots affairs. We need to strive for growth and do practical things to provide support for the residents and the people around us," said Qian Cheng, Party secretary of Tianlun Jincheng community in Beijing's Fengtai District.
"In addition to building the capital into a garden city, we also integrate the concept of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature into our daily life and work. We hope to create a better environment for everyone," said Lin Qiaoling, a Party committee member in Caoqiao Village, Yuquanying Subdistrict in Fengtai District.
Encouraged by Xi, the environmental champions at the site pledged to actively engage in public welfare activities, joining forces to contribute to the building of a Beautiful China and making the country even greener.
"President Xi told us while we were watering the saplings that watering the trees is like nurturing us children. I will follow what President Xi said. I want to become a teacher to educate and nurture others, and sow the seeds for them to grow their talents," said Wang Nanbixuan, another student from the school.
"As a primary school student in the capital, I am committed to planting more trees, working harder, and adding more green spaces to make our capital even more beautiful," said Chang Yuyang, another student from the school.
"With the personal involvement and leadership of the general secretary, the greening efforts in the capital will reach a new level, and citizens will be able to more directly enjoy the results of ecological civilization development," said Ding.
"As the general secretary said, we will continue working, one generation after another, to improve the greening efforts for the people, and contribute our own strength to ecological preservation in the capital and the whole country," said Lin.
Planting trees with President Xi inspires new generation of environmental champions
