The Inspirers: Tibetan man is devoted to protecting environment in NW China

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04:18

One of China's greatest challenges is balancing economic development with environmental protection, even in the country's remote areas. In the Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in northwest Qinghai Province, a local herdsman is working to preserve the sanctity of his homeland by cleaning up garbage. And his efforts are influencing others. CGTN's Yang Jinghao has the story.

Cleaning up all kinds of garbage – plastic, bottles, rags and metal waste. 47-year-old Pachen Gyal from the plateau province of Qinghai has persevered with this "trifle" for more than 10 years.

PACHEN GYAL TIBETAN ENVIRONMENTALIST "Around 2006, I started picking up garbage near my home. Many local herdsmen had seen the problem back then, but nobody was taking any action."

The Tibetan man's endeavor is now focused on the Amny Machin Mountain – the largest mountain at the source of China's "Mother River" - the Yellow River.

Situated in the Tibetan prefecture of Golog, Amny Machin is regarded as one of the most sacred mountains for Tibetan people. Several streams flowing across the area are major headwaters of the Yellow River.

In recent years, increasing human activities, such as Buddhist pilgrimages, tourism, road construction and digging for the lucrative fungus cordyceps, have shattered the serenity of the remote area and brought in mounting quantity of garbage.

PACHEN GYAL TIBETAN ENVIRONMENTALIST "For quite a long time, some people didn't understand why I would collect garbage. They thought it was a disgrace. A few even said I was trying to make money doing this."

Despite the gossip, Pachen has continued his mission. Over the past years, he has also persuaded more locals to join him, and the volunteers have left their footprints on a wide area surrounding the snowy mountain – even at an altitude of about 5,000 meters.

SANGHDAN LOCAL HERDSMAN "This area is not just an important water source for the Yellow River, there's also a lot of wildlife here. But the environment has been badly affected lately. It's our responsibility to keep our homeland as clean as it used to be."

In Pachen's mind, the change of public awareness can largely be attributed to education, an undertaking he has been dedicated to even longer.

In 2003, Pachen started teaching the illiterate to read and write in his hometown as a volunteer, even though he himself received limited education.

PACHEN GYAL TIBETAN ENVIRONMENTALIST "I've worked in cities, and felt that would be very hard if you are illiterate. The school enrolment rate in my hometown used to be very low, and I just wanted to help my fellow villagers to some extent."

Now the program is not just about literacy. He also invites experts to share with local farmers the importance of protecting their environment.

The passionate conservationist also continues to improve himself through involvement in various campaigns. Besides cleaning up trash, he now also works with social organizations on other programs such as monitoring wildlife like snow leopards with infra-red cameras and investigating water sources in the region.

PACHEN GYAL TIBETAN ENVIRONMENTALIST "This is my personal choice. Looking ahead, no matter how difficult it will be, I'm going all the way."

A growing number of local environmental organizations have now been set up in the region. Pachen says this is a good start. For him, protecting their sacred homeland by combining modern technologies with old beliefs and traditions is a lifelong pursuit.

Yang Jinghao, CGTN, Qinghai Province.