The Sanjiangyuan National Park in northwest China's Qinghai Province is home to the sources of the Yangtze, Yellow and Lancang rivers. On March 2, the Qinghai provincial government released the 2019 Sanjiangyuan National Park Bulletin, which shows how the national park found its way to coexistence between human and nature.
The year of 2019 was fundamental for China's national park project because the country set up 10 pilot projects, with Sanjiangyuan the first one. The bulletin indicates the park enjoys a better ecological environment and ecosystem function.
A wild ass in the Sanjiangyuan National Park in Qinghai Province, northwest China. /VCG
The annual growth rate of water storage is over six percent, which is significant to river regulation, drought prevention and water usage. And the coverage of the grassland has also increased over 11 percent compared to a decade ago, which provides a steady ecosystem to all wildlife there.
To solve the conflict between human and nature, it is important to balance between the two sides. Herdsmen are the main residents in Sanjiangyuan. Since the pilot project begun, the park noticed the crucial role local herdsmen play in the wildlife protection and conservation.
A young local ranger in Sanjiangyuan National Park in Qinghai Province, northwest China. /VCG
To prevent overgrazing, the herdsmen are provided with another job, working as ecological rangers. They are paid monthly by the park, so they don't survive only with their stocks. They are familiar with the area, it is easier for them to help the park and scientists checking wildlife. With an additional annual income, the local people also benefit from participating in the project.
In 2020, China will launch more national park projects.
(Cover image via VCG)
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